Dear Lions, Leos, Lionesses and FriendsON Thursday, 9th February we had thepleasure of picking-up from the airport,the International President Dr Wing-KunTam and Second Vice InternationalPresident Barry and Lion Anne Palmer,and Council Chairman Peter Clarke andLions Lady Denise.As a group we then travelled to Cerebral

Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) in GlenWaverley where a proposed InternationalJoint Project between the Cerebral PalsyEducation Centre (Australia) and LionsClubs International for the development ofa programme “advancing the lifeopportunities for children with cerebralpalsy and their families” was discussed.During this year CPEC will start to create

a new generation of leaders by launching itsglobal enterprise to offer education andtraining courses to teachers and therapistswho work with children who have cerebralpalsy of like disabilities. These courses willprovide information about children withcerebral palsy and strategies to addressphysical mobility, curriculum adjustments,and access to technology, communicationand daily life skills. This will greatly increasethe opportunities formany of these childrento be active members of their communitiesand participate and learn at school.President Tam, in his interview, expressed

that in his opinion it was a greatprogramme that would assist the childrenand their families and is the type ofinvolvement in which Lions should partake.After the CPECmeeting we then drove to

the Clarion Hotel where the President hada meeting with the Governors, DG(E)s andtheir partners. At the completion of thismeeting we all travelled to the Grand onCathie’s Lane for the Extravaganza CharterEvening where the introduction of themembers and the executives of three LionsClubs and one Leo Club were presentedwith their Charters.Monash Lions Club, Whittlesea Plenty

Valley Lions Club, Manningham ChineseLions Club and Leo Club of Knox.

My thanks go to all on the organisingcommittee for their outstanding work inbringing this evening together.President Tam stated: “the night was one

he would remember for as long as he lived”and from all reports from others whoattended everybody seemed to enjoy theevening. SecondVice President Barry stated“that he counted over 50 Clubs inattendance.”

A step aheadFRIDAY, 10th February we had a 9:00 amstart for the “Step Ahead Australia”

Programme at St Vincent’s Hospital,Research Centre. On arrival at the centrewe met staff and board members of SAAwho took us on a tour and a look atresearch being undertaken with thesupport of Lions Spinal Cord Fellowshipand equipment provided through GrantSupport of LCIF. The research staff spokeextremely well regarding the support theyhave received from Lions and thepurchasing of equipment. They believethat the time is not too far in the futurewhen they can assist patients to overcometheir Spinal cord injuries. President Tamwas most impressed with the researchwork being done by the Lions of Australia,which is helping with the advancement ofthis programme that would benefitpeoples of the world. After morning tea wethen departed on a short tour of the cityand surrounds before heading to theairport to farewell the President and hisparty back to Sydney and further.

Achievements in our DistrictTHURSDAY 16th February, I had thepleasure of going to the CommunityWorkPartnership Awards

NewsLetterNewsLetterNewsLetter201V5 LionsWebsite http://201v5.lions.org.au

Registered by Australia Post – P/P No. 34906900018 Volume 35, Issue 8 – March 2012

L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L D I S T R I C T 2 0 1 V 5 I N C . A U S T R A L I A

201V5 ABN 66 147 266 469Inc. No. A0044463B

DISTRICT GOVERNOR: Lou Onley (Kaye) 10 Aminya Court,Wantirna 3152(H) 03 9800 4292 (M) 0425 731 333 Email DGV5@lions.org.auCABINET SECRETARY: Don Guinea (Glenis) PO Box 6003 Vermont South Vic 3133(H) 03 9803 0308 (M) 0419 107 970 Email djlionsadmin@bigpond.comCABINET TREASURER: Lin Byron 5 Strickland Drive Wheelers Hill 3150(H) 03 9561 5486 (W) 03 9807 2255 Email lbyron@ljbyron.com.auNEWSLETTER EDITOR: Norman Robinson (Gail) 48 Tranmere Avenue, Carnegie VIC 3163(H) 03 9568 6786 (M) 0403 265 171 Email: artaz@optusnet.com.au

next page pleaseSaturday, 17th March 2012, MarysvilleCommunity Centre

A key moment in time…Akey moment in time…

InternationalPresidentvisits ourDistrict

Picture: Glenda McLeod

DG Lou Onley seen here with IP Dr. Wing-Kun Tam presenting Manningham ChineseLC President Josephine Foo with the Club’s Charter. Special report and pictures of thefour Clubs that were Chartered on the night, pages 6 and 7.

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 2

THURSDAY, 9th February will go downin the history of District 201 V5 as anevening, which will be long remembered.The occasion was the visit of ourInternational President, Dr. Wing-KunTam. He was accompanied by our ownInternational 2nd Vice President BarryPalmer and Lion Anne.The whole evening can be summed up in

one word. INSPIRATIONAL.From the arrival of the official party,

until it was time to go home, the eveningwas packed with an atmosphere whichmade you feel proud to be a Lion.On the official side there were Charter

Presentations to the New Lions Clubs ofMonash, Manningham Chinese,Whittlesea Plenty Valley. And the Leo Clubof Knox.Then came the address by our

International President. As he shared histhoughts with us you were conscious thathe was speaking from the heart. I noticedthat, on several occasions he departed fromhis notes and spoke, not as anInternational President, but as a fellowLion, who was proud of what we wereachieving. As I looked around the room Isaw the keen interest and the completeattention he was receiving from all present.Later I thought about the things we feel

in out own Clubs when we do somethingfor our community. We feel a sense ofachievement. That’s how it was onThursday 9th February, only more so.Withour International President, and ourDistrict Governor, we received a shot in thearm, a real boost to the reasons why webelong to Lions Clubs International. It wasa real thrill to look around the room andsee Lions from all over Victoria. Thefriendship and the fellowship were veryevident. I felt it was a real pleasure to bethere.The entertainment was wonderful. The

Chinese Dragon was well presented andtogether with the group from Bollywoodin Melbourne showed a degree offlexibility which made many of theaudience, green with envy.All in all it was a very enjoyable evening

and if you were unable to attend, youmissed two things, one, a chance to see ourInternational President, and two, theopportunity to re-dedicate your thinkingabout Lions, through the sheer enthusiasmof the evening.

Harry Taylor

LLiioonn’’ss PPaaww

From The

District YOTY FinalCome and listen to six great young Australians strut theirstuff at the District’s Youth of the Year Final – You will beimpressed!Sunday, 25th March at Noon for 12:30 for lunch – $25 per person.Hilltop Golf and Country Club, Tatura.

Please book-in for lunch by Tuesday, 20th March with:Malcolm Campbell 03 5824 1367email: mandm.campbell@bigpond.com65 Tatura-Undera Road, Tatura, 3616

2011 Ceremony at theMelbourne Cricket Ground; the mainspeaker for the day was the Hon AndrewMcIntosh MP, Minister for Corrections.Ten category awards were presented.The Minister talked about outstanding

improvements in attitude throughoutpenal institutions, with the involvement ofthe offenders and their enthusiasm inachieving a better outcome. Victoria isleading the way in the partnershipprogrammes, building the belief in the self-worth of inmates.The District was nominated in Category 4:

Environmental Sustainability Projects –which were for the Bush Fire RecoveryCommittee and the Growling Frogs projects.Three members of our District received therunners-up award for this category; theywere Ross Thornton from Mordialloc-Mentone, Alan Hayward from Whittleseaand Debbie Worsleypine from Kinglake. Ourcongratulations go to these three recipients.

It takes courageIN the evening we visited MooroolbarkLions Club for the Children of Courage

Award, this was presented to LeahMcDonald and her parents Kevin andBelinda. Leah had been nominated for theSpecial Needs category of the award.The award was initiated in 1983 in

Western Australia with the “motto” Aimingfor the Stars. This is a wonderful LionsProject it recognises children between 5and 15 years of age for their courage,tenacity and their desire to overcomeadversity and to be the best they can be.Lions International Environmental

Photo Competition has been judged whereLion Les Jones from Forest Hill Lions Clubwas named a winner for his Landscape, aphoto of his work will appear in the Aprilissue. The overall winner of the MD201Competition, decided at the JanuaryCouncil meeting is DG(E) Lion Ron Wayof Lions Club of Charlestown in DistrictN3. Ron’s photograph was entered in theAnimal Life category and has beensubmitted to LCI as MD 201’srepresentative.

Lou OnleyDistrict Governor

From page 1

International President visits our District

IPDG Anthony presents awardsImmediate Past DistrictGovernor AnthonyStockdale is seen herepresenting PDG NeilBrown and VDG(E)Chandra Mangalore withClub excellence awards.He also presented

other awards includingone to DG Lou Onley atthe Cabinet Meeting onSunday 12th ofFebruary.IPDG Anthony

mentioned that he hasbeen strengthened bythe love and supportoffered by family andfriends, and especiallyLions.

Picture: Glenda McLeod

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 3

Marysville Caravan &Holiday Park is open again.There is still much to do at the park,but we have some cabins and a fewpowered sites. Come and see how the

rebuild of this beautiful town is going. Give Christine or Kena call 59633247 www.marysvillecaravanpark.com.auinfo@marysvillecaravanpark.com.au

Please help our advertisers, they are Lions and would like your support

Lavinia J Byron CPA

Principal

L J BYRON & CO CERTIFIED PRACTISING ACCOUNTANT

Our services include: Taxation planning, Company, business &

personal tax returns, GST advisors, Corporate reporting & ASIC

returns, Budgets, forecasts & cashflows, Bookkeeping services.

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Email: lbyron@ljbyron.com.au

ON a December, 2011 trip to Sri Lanka, Lion John Turnerfrom the Lions Club of Lyndhurst & District generouslydonated $1000 to the SinghaSalSaevena Children’s home and

a further $500 for the children’s Christmas Day Celebration.The break-up of the donation:

• Christmas gifts for the 26 girls in the home.• Cash donation to the staff.• Two push bicycles.• Repairing / painting of the playing area.• Musical band for the children Christmas party

Cuthbert Don Paul, SecretaryLions Club of Lyndhurst & District. Mobile: 0403 719 491

WE welcomed into our den a new Lion on13th February, 2012. NatarshaTebble wasinducted by Christine Brell, our Zone (Zone2) Chairman. It is wonderful to have ayoung person as a member and hopefully,other young people may step forward formembership. Also on the night, it was ourPresident, Vic Bottaro’s birthday and acake was brought forward bearing manycandles for him.

Heather Baetge, Secretary

PDG Frank Pettit and wife Lion Beris, both of the Lions Club of Croydonwere surprised to receive a William R Tresise Fellowship and GeoffreyCallander Award respectively, after seven years service with the 201V5District Disaster Relief Trust.Lion Bill Milner, Chairman of the Trust, made the presentations. PDG

Frank commented that he had seen Floods, Famine, and Bushfiresduring his term as Secretary of the Trust. He chose not to be around forArmageddon. It was a well-kept secret, as each knew that the other wasreceiving an award, and each invited two of their three children, Andrewand Nicole to attend the presentation.A William R Tresise Fellowship is the most prestigious Australian Award

a Lion can receive.A Geoffrey Callander Award is a District award for dedicated service

extended to the Trust by the recipient.

DG(E) Glenda with the the new PresidentDiresh Gunasekera and Members of theDandenong Central Leos Club at the Charternight on 15th February.

L to R: Bob Edwards (sponsor),NatarshaTebble (inductee), ChristineBrell (Zone 2 Chairman).

Chartering of Dandenong Central Leo Club

John Turner pays visit to Sri Lanka

Natarsha joins Seymour

One more member joinedDandenong LuncheonLions Club. Sponsor LionDaya Fernando (SouthEast Business Lions Club)fixing Lions pin to ZyggyReinoga, new member atclub dinner meeting on23/1/2012.

Around the

DistrictNew memberjoins DandenongLuncheon LC

Work with the Trust pays-offWork with the Trust pays-off

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 4

From the Cab. Sec. InformationCorrespondence to: Cabinet Secretary Don Guinea PO Box 6003 Vermont SouthVic 3133 (M) 0419 107 970 djlionsadmin@bigpond.com

DG Lou Onley ITINERARYMARCH 2011

5 Nagambie & District6 Brighton7 Blackburn North13 Nunawading14 Violet Town19 Yea21 Port Philip26 Booroondara Gardiners Creek27 Clarinda (inc Dingley Village)28 South East Business Wheelers Hill

APRIL 2011

3 Nilumbik4 South Vermont11 Alexandra14 State Youth of the Year Final18 Dandenong24 Yarra25 Monash Leos

NEW MEMBERS: District Governor Lou and Members of Lions District 201 V5 havemuch pleasure in welcoming the following new members to the District:CLUB NEW MEMBER SPONSORDandenong Luncheon Zyggy Reinoga Daya FernandoMooroolbark Barry Evans Kenneth NightingalePark Orchards Tim Galbally Kiki TanousisWheelers Hill Denis CarruthersManningham Chinese Hok Heang Eng, Diane Feng, Josephine Foo, Christy Guo, Li Jiang, Jasper Kwok, Danny Lau, Melanie Leng, Kevin Long, Damien Low, Vincy Ng,William Tao, Annie Tse, Cynthia Tu, Alfred Wong, Alice Wong, Felix Wong, Leslie Wong, Vicki Wong, Robert Xiang, Caroline Yuen, Yvonne Yuen

GREAT to see that most Clubs are doingtheir WMMRs, a few stragglers on theActivities Reports, but overall heading inthe right direction. It appears that thereare still a few Secretaries who haven’tobtained passwords and again if they needhelp with this – just ask. As a result of the changes in the WMMR

system over 12 months ago, the reportingfrom LCI has become much more compre-hensive and one example is that everytime I log on to the system, it happily tellsme all the Clubs that haven’t submittedWMMR reports – so I have been trying toget this list down to nothing, but can onlydo it with your help.I have noticed recently a couple of Clubs

have sent enquiries directly to LCI inNewcastle. These enquiries generallyrelate to membership enquiries and arepromptly returned to the District forattention, so please send them to me or arelevant GMT or GLT and if we cannotcome up with the answers then we willapproach LCI.Over the next couple of weeks I will be

contacting Clubs advising details of thePU 101 forms, that is the form which pro-vides details of the Presidents, Secretariesand Treasurers for the 2012/2013 year.Some additional information is beingsought this year and these reports are dueby 14th April 2012, so your elections willneed to be completed before that date.This is one report that cannot be delayedor forgotten as the details this year will beinputted directly into the Multiple Districtdirectory and if not received on time yourClub will not appear in the directory.I do wish to make a correction to my

comments in the last newsletter in which Isaid that “PU101’s will need to be sub-mitted by Clubs electronically, so againany Club that is having difficulty withpasswords, please let me know” This is notquite correct in that Clubs may submit thePU101 electronically (my preferredmethod), however, a password is notrequired to submit the PU101, pleaseaccept my apologies for this oversight.

Just one final thing I will be away from9th March 2012 for a couple of weeks, soresponses to enquiries might be a littleslow during that time.From Diane Stockdale:I RECEIVED the following note fromDiane around the 7th February onAnthony’s current progress:Anthony made an excellent recovery

from his brain surgery and is nowapproaching week four of a six-week radi-ation and chemotherapy course. He is cop-ing with it quite well. His strategy is toeat and sleep! This seems to prevent thenausea. He does get very tired and findstoo much mental or physical activitybrings on a headache.He is learning to pace himself in quite a

different way from his year as DG. A typi-cal day includes medication, meal, sleep,hospital visit, meal, sleep, one hour workor activity, sleep, meal, one hour work oractivity and then bed for the night. We arehopeful that if he behaves himself anddoes as he is told the headaches will notget worse and there will be no change tothe treatment. As the holder of the whip Isee no reason why Anthony should notachieve this goal!The medical team at the Austin Hospital

has been fantastic and we are both verypositive about the outcome from all thiseffort.Anthony and I are both strengthened by

the love and support offered by family andfriends, especially the Lions. I keep a cal-endar of appointments and we have somany offers of help from Lions who wishto chauffeur Anthony around he wouldneed to continue his treatment regime foranother 6 months to satisfy them all!Many thanks to everyone who kindly

offered to help, much as I'd love to giveeveryone a chance to serve their IPDG Iam happy to say the treatment over thenext 6 months is administered from homeand only requires minimal hospital visits.”RegardsDon Guinea

ARE YOU GETTING ORGANISED FOR A PERTH TRIP TO THE MD “GOLD & DIAMOND” CONVENTION – 4TH TO 7TH MAY,

2012 – BURSWOOD ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX? A CHANCE TO RELAX!MD 201

ConventionMD 201

Convention

Posties from Perth 2012Dear Lions Club Secretaries

THIS letter is to let your members knowthat the Nathalia & District Lions Club isorganising another Postie Bike challenge.This next Postie ride is to be held early inMay 2012 leaving from Perth WesternAustralia and riding our trusty Postiebikes back to Nathalia. This ride will takeus ten days to complete with thesponsorship going to the Kids withCancer research program that is currentlyan Australian Lions project.The last ride that we organised in 2009

with sponsorship going to Prostate Cancerawareness, this saw our club donate$32,000.00 to this worthy cause. If therewere any clubs that were able to help withthe new challenge that we now embark on,it would be most appreciated:From our last ride, all the funds that we

raised were donated to our cause, with ourclub covering the out of pocket expenses. Ifanyone were considering going on the ride,there are a few limited opportunitiescurrently existing as we are planning ontaking up to twenty riders. (On the lastride, there were sixteen riders that travelledfrom Nathalia to Alice Springs).

We currently have a supply of postieport if any clubs could help with the sale ofthe port we would be very grateful and theprice is $12.00 per bottle.Anyone wanting more information

please call Stuart Barnes on 0358662207evenings, or John Loader on 0407999712.

Kind regards, John Loader

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 5

IP Tam’s visit to CPEC’s Glen WaverleyHeadquarters

Children of Courage

IP Tam and CPEC CEO Garry Prigg showinginterest in the communication skills of Mel Smith.

2nd IVP Barry, Garry Prigg and IP Tam followingthe planting of a tree at CPEC Headquarters.

MOOROOLBARK Lions were proudto see first-hand the results of theirhard work at a Club meeting onThursday, 18th February – with fiveyear old Leah McDonald attending toshow them how much her life hadchanged since receiving a Hart Walkerfrom them recently. Leah’s parents,Belinda and Kevin, were extremelygrateful to have the opportunity tothank Lions members personally fortheir wonderful assistance. DG LouOnley presented the 2011 DG Childrenof Courage award to Leah along with abook and flowers for mum Belinda. Itwas very emotional for all to see Leahstand independently upright and take afew excited steps of her own – warmsthe cockles of the heart it does!

IP Tam with BridgetHealy and LeiahStratford at the

Education Centre.

DG Lou and Children of CourageDistrict Chairman Karen Young holdinglittle Leah McDonald, with MooroolbarkSecretary George Nantes.

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 7LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 6

District Extravaganza greeted IPTam

THE PRESENCE of Dr. Wing-Kun Tam and Chartering of the Lions Club ofManningham Chinese, the Lions Club of Whittlesea Plenty Valley, the Lions Club ofMonash, and the Leo Club of Knox brought together upwards of 400 Lions and Guests

from some fifty Lions Clubs for a magnificent gala occasion at the Grand on Cathie’s Lanein Wantirna where each consumed a three-course meal of scrumptious proportions. ThisLions event on Thursday, 9th of February, 2012 is one to be remembered for a long-timeby all who gathered for the sincerity, fun, company and significance of the occasion.

Manningham Chinese LC PresidentJosephine Foo flanked by her sons.

DG Lou, President Anuja Rao of theLions Club of Monash receiving theCharter from IP Tam.

Lois Tweedie (BoxHill) and MC PCCTony Benbow(South Vermont).

Duo of theBollywooddancingentertainers.

Below: Guests ofMelbourneChinese LionsClub.

President Nirosha Canagasingham ofthe Leo Club of Knox being presented

with the Charter from IP Tam.

Representatives from the Whittlesea Plenty Valley Lions Club with DG Lou, IP Tam,2nd IVP Barry, Lion Alan Hayward has the Flag Set.DG Lou, 2nd IVP Barry, IP Tam, CC Peter Clarke and members of the

Melbourne Chinese Lions Club.

Jan Emblin (Marysville), Ann Hehir andPat Dryden (Ferntree Gully Lioness).

John Hearnes, Bev McLennan, RonSmith (Sandringham).

Roger and Janine Darker (Donvale). Harry Taylor and Ivan Kayne(Donvale).

Peter Thomson (South Vermont) withL/L Pam.

Sobana Munasinghe, John Kelaart,Kumar Swaminathan.

PDG Brian Morgan (Box Hill) andIP Tam.

IP Tam with Garry Prigg CEO of CPECworking on an International “deal”.

Norm Robinson and Bob Sigmont fromCarnegie LC.

Chinese Dance Troop, Hung Gar Yau Shu provided awonderful spectacular of colour, dress, tradition andchoreography.

2nd IVP Barry, IP Tam and DG Lou areseen here presenting PDG Neil Brownwith a Certificate of appreciation for his

work done on Membership.

2012 DG(E)s and partners.

Mr Leung, IP Tam, Cam Shieu Ha(Melbourne Chinese).

IP Tam at rostrum.

Pictures: PDG Robert Kann

StepAhead’s Annual Scientific Conference

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 8

Should Our Club Donate to LCIF?THIS is a question that often comes uparound funds distribution time. But beforeI give you my thoughts, let’s have a quicklook at what LCIF is, and what it does.LCIF stands for Lions Clubs

International Foundation. It was created in1968, as a way of helping Lions Clubseverywhere to get involved in projects thatare beyond the resources of a single Club.It is a fundamental part of the Lionsorganisation, and is the central entitythrough which Lions humanitarian workis funded internationally. The basicprinciple is to create a pool of funds fromdonations by individual Clubs, and thenmake funds available from the pool toClubs and Districts in the form of grants,to support worthy projects, or to providedisaster relief. Since its inception, LCIF hasprovided over US$700 million in grants.Separate pools of funds are also created forspecific purposes, such as CampaignSightFirst and its successor CampaignSightFirst II, which together raised morethan US$350 million for the fight againstall forms of preventable blindness.Clubs can obtain grants for projects,

which meet defined criteria. There are alsorules that apply to obtaining projectgrants. One rule is that there must be twoor more Clubs involved in the project, andthe project must have District backing.Another is that the more common grantsare matching grants, meaning that theClubs involved also have to contributefunds to the project, either on a one-for-one basis or a one-for-three basis.But, should we donate to LCIF? I believe

the answer is an emphatic YES.As Lions, we are part of the largest

voluntary service organisation in theworld, and operate in over 200 countries.This gives us the capacity to be effectivenot only at the local community level, buton an international level as well. We can,through LCIF, make a difference to manyof the humanitarian issues affectingmankind on a regional or global scale. TheSightFirst campaigns, which have savedover 30 million people from blindness, areone example of this. Another is the currentcampaign to provide measles vaccinationsin developing countries. But looking closerto home, LCIF grants have helped to fundmany very worthy projects aroundAustralia, including in our own District.The most recent example in V5 is the$80,000 grant to establish the FlowerdaleMen’s Shed. This will help enormouslywith the ongoing process of rehabilitatingthis bushfire-ravaged community.

Lindsay ChampionV5 LCIF / ALF Chairman H: (03) 9873 2681Mobile: 0418 434 263Email: lindsay@winovate.com

DID your Club conduct a survey ofmembers last year to find out what themembers thought about their Club?If your Club was in the majority of Clubs

in the District and did conduct a survey, thencongratulations on being a progressive Club.Each Club needs a Driver to keep the

momentum of change going. It doesn’tmatter whether the Driver is an individual ora committee – the structure is much lessimportant than the leadership needed toensure progress.The first task – Appoint a Driver to show

leadership. The Driver – whether anindividual or a committee – has theresponsibility to undertake the tasks leadingto change.The second task – Review the results of the

survey and remind the members of theagreed changes.The third task – Assess progress in

implementing the changes. Where practical,measure progress, e.g. the number ofmeetings where there is a guest speaker, thenumber of service projects undertaken andthe average numbers of members involved,etc. The fourth task – Report to the members

on what progress has been made and whatstill needs to be done.The fifth task – Devise a plan to achieve

full implementation of the agreed changes.This will probably not be one that’s achievedin a few weeks; may take months.The sixth task – Plan ahead for another

survey of members. Like modern businesspractice, the overall aim is for continualimprovement. Why another survey? Becauseyour Club will have changed – for the better.

PDG Geoff AngusLeadership & Training Chairman

What happened to your to your Club Survey?

STEPAHEAD Australia’s Annual ScientificConference was held at St. Vincent’sHospital Melbourne on 30th Novemberand 1st December 2011. As their marqueeevent for the year, it proved to be anoutstanding meeting, gathering together aworld class faculty of researchers who areat the cutting edge of research withspeakers from North America, Argentina,

Italy, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand andAustralia.Remarkable advances have been made in

the last decade towards our understandingof the structural, biomedical and geneticchanges that occur after injury to themature brain and spinal cord. This nowputs StepAhead Australia in the enviousposition to intervene to improve outcomesand develop meaningful treatments andeven eventually, cures. They now feel thatthey are able to approach this complexproblem in the same manner in which anengineer approaches an engineeringproblem. The tools and knowledge have

accumulated to the point where they nowhave the means to design and applyapproaches that will allow the researches tore-engineer the damaged spinal cord.After the Conference, a number of the

attendees spent time at the beautifulfarmhouse of StepAhead founders, LionsGeorge and Barbara Owen, where theyformalised the creation of new

collaborations andfriendships that willstimulate and jump-start new avenues ofresearch directedtowards repairing thechronically injuredspinal cord.“Today we need

dogged researchers whowill prove the value ofnew therapies in spinalcord injury. Thanks totheir efforts today, ourgrandchildren will look

back and be aghast thatthere was once a time whena spinally-injured person

was told that medicine had nothing to offerthem”, said Lion Dr. George Owen. Over the last five years, StepAhead has

also successfully raised funds in Australiaand forged a network that includes some ofthe world’s leading spinal cord researchersand clinicians. It is recognised by theFederal Government as the peak bodyresponsible for coordinating research intochronic spinal cord injury.www.lascf.org.au www.stepahead.org.au

PDG David Oakleyoakheat@bigpond.com

International President Dr Wing-Kun Tam recently inspected theStepAhead’s premises, shown here with two of the supporters of StepAhead Dr. Kathy Traianedes and Dr Stephen Livesey.

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 9

Zone 11 Lions get the LEHP message to havetheir eyes testedLION Carol Smith, our V5 LEHPChairman, visited Zone 11 to promotethe Lions Eye Health Program. LEHP isLions premier sight program and Carolspoke about the ongoing campaign toprevent vision loss and blindness. Howlong since you had your eyes tested? Most of us take our sight for granted

until we are affected by eye disease. Earlydiagnosis is important to prevent visionloss and it only comes through regularcomprehensive eye examinations. “Somepeople don’t realise that family historyand age are important risk factors for eyedisease,” said Carol, who spoke of her ownglaucoma diagnosis. Carol also showed abrief video to the group. The Lions Eye Health Program includes

a DVD, brochures, information sheets andposters. Clubs may register for LEHP bypaying a fee of $4 per member to obtainthe materials and spread the messagewhen you have a sausage sizzle or otheractivities. Community health expos areanother great way to take the LEHPmessage to the public. Clubs can providethe brochures and posters to your localoptometrist to promote eye health as wellas promoting Lions in your community. Lions Eye Health Program talks and displays may be arranged

with Lion Carol Smith on 5799 1970. Visit the websitewww.lehp.org.au for more information about LEHP.

… and at the same meeting: A twenty-minute presentation was put forward by IT and

Communication contact Ann Eldridge with the following keymessages – • The Internet is now used as a major source of information by60% of the Australian population. This is where they are going tofind your local Lions Club. If you do not have a website, then youneed to start one.

• Club websites are available and free through the OZ network site.Just go into the national website under membership to build yourwebsite.

• The V5 website is currently going through a revamp where ourDistrict projects will be highlighted and our members tabs willcontain more information for us.

• All Presidents, Secretaries and Cabinet members in our Districtwill have a generic email address from April onwards. This willmake things easier for everybody and also cut down on yourpublishing costs, as your email address will always stay the same.

• Mordialloc-Mentone Lions Club in conjunction with the Districtare supplying all Clubs that have a website with a QR code to helpwith promotions.

• Have a look at your media equipment in your Club. Put somethought this year into updating your equipment, purchasing alaptop, an iPad, a sound system or a projector with local and stateand federal grants that are available to all service organisations. For queries in regard to IT and Communication, please contact

Lion Ann Eldridge on 0488 906 552.

OUR District has a few members who arewilling to be a guest speaker at meetings ofClubs other than their own. Their subjects– which are not related to Lions – are onesthat will interest most Lions members. Toarrange for one of these speakers to speakat your Club, ask your Programs Chairman

to make contact with the appropriatespeaker. The speakers, their subject(s) andtheir contact details are shown below. Thespeakers are able to email a profile ofthemselves, their presentation, theiravailability and any requirements theymight have for their presentation.

Offering to be a Guest SpeakerLIONS, who have the ability to be aneffective Guest Speaker on a subject aboutwhich they are knowledgeable, may well beprepared to help other Clubs by being aGuest Speaker.Any Lion interested in offering their

services as a Guest Speaker at Lions clubs arerequested to contact District Leadership &Training Chairman, PDG Geoff Angus.

Some guidance notes will be issued to theseLions to help with the preparation of theirpresentation(s). For example, mostpresentations should take 30 to 40 minutesplus time for questions and answers.Contact Geoff by phone at (H) 9874 4446 (ifno answer, please leave a message) or emailto geoffangus@optusanet.com.au It wouldbe marvellous if we could develop a muchlonger list of volunteer Guest Speakers.

Do you need a guest speaker at your club?

LIONS AS GUEST SPEAKERS AT MEETINGS

Graham Bryant Electricity pricing – why is it (H) 9511 4272(Lions Club of Wheelers Hill) going up and what can you (W) 9588 3646

do to be more energy efficient? (M) 0419 813 673graham.bryant@simplot.com.au

Alec Owen Kick Starting a Successful (H) 9873 5184(Lions Club of South Vermont) Export Business (M) 0409 162 293

alec.owen@optusnet.com.auAlec Owen The High Tech World of (H) 9873 5184(Lions Club of South Vermont) Perimeter Security (M) 0409 162 293

alec.owen@optusnet.com.auCarol Smith Safe Use of Medicines (H) 5799 1970(Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn) for Seniors (M) 0457 991 970

cpsmith@mcmedia.com.auKaren Young Target Shooting … a positive (H) 9725 1393(Lions Club of Forest Hill) experience for Teenagers

connect_to_karen@yahoo.com.au

Chairman’s Report YET another new activity at Licola! Thanksto the generosity of the Valda Twaddle Trust(administered by the LC of Forest Hill), wehave received a grant of $2700 that willresult in a bouldering wall being builtaround the base of the historic old kiln.Camp Manager Adam has provided thefollowing picture and explanation: The first is of the structure itself – 17m

round. The second is of asample hold. The holds we willget will be GREEN, RED andone other colour. The ideabeing there will be a lot ofgreen holds and this will be theeasiest single colour route ifused on their own. ThenAMBER perhaps as the middleroute in terms of difficulty andthen RED as the hardest withfewer holds. They will be alldifferent shapes and sizesencouraging different types ofhand-grips needed to use. Easiest route of all will then therefore be to

use any colour and just get round. This waythere can also be a progression to get up tothe most difficult. A surround of two metres of soft fall will

complete the project. A most excellentactivity!

Lions Sponsored CampsThis month I’d like to relate how a special

group of Lions from the Geelong area inDistrict V2 have managed to find and fundup to 90 children (and leaders) to ourChristmas camps each year for the past nineyears. What is more remarkable is that the

majority of the funds for these childrenwere sourced from outside of Lions. Brian Edward, formerly a member of

Lions Club of Geelong and now a memberof Lions Club of Corio Bay, has sourcedfunds from local people and philanthropic

trusts. He then approaches family welfareagencies and requests that these agenciesprovide one leader for every six childrensponsored. Brian was very quick to point out that he

has good help from the Lions Clubs in hisarea. This is truly a remarkable

effort and it is a great exampleof what can be achieved whenby involving others to helpLions to help those in need.Brian has a documentavailable “Funding Childrento Lions Village Licola” andyou may contact Brianbseapm@bigpond.net.au ortelephone 03 52 226 986. toobtain a copy. Lions Sponsored Camp No

262 1st-5th April 2012 Lions Sponsored Camp No 263 24th-28thSeptember 2012 for 8-11 year old children.We are accepting applications for our

April camp now and we do need the paperwork completed, and with CampCoordinator – Helen Campbell by 20thMarch 2012. It is important that these applications are

completed ASAP. Our last Sponsored camp 261 in January

had a large number of late cancellations.Camp instructors and staff have to be hiredin advance to cater for the expected childrenand when we have late cancellations thesestaff still have to be paid, Could Clubs pleaseensure that they are able to ensure that theirsponsored children are able to attend.

General Information Working Bee – 27th May until 3rd June2012

There is such a range of tasks to beundertaken that we can “offer gainfulemployment” to all comers, regardless of ageand ailments – and a social life you cannotget at any 5 star resorts. See you there.

Community Involvement at LicolaSearch and RescueDuring December and January there were

a few “local emergencies” at Licola, one atour camp and two others in the local area,our staff responded to a radio emergencycall relating to a life threatening insect stringthat caused an anaphylactic reaction. Thisresulted in a 30k drive and a 2 km bush walkto assist the victim. The second incident related to young

man who did not return back to the caravanpark after a fishing trip one evening. Thepolice helicopter using infra red technologyfailed to locate him and they were unable tocontinue the search until first light. Ourstaff continued the search and 6 hours laterthey found him, safe but disoriented. Such incidents do not make the National

papers and outside of the local area no oneeven knows. I am sure our staff are happy tokeep it that way but isn’t it good to knowjust what a great team we have looking aftervisitors to Licola, and how well preparedthey are. Congratulations.

Recent Licola ActivitiesThere was another wedding late in

November and the team at Licola have justreceived the greatest possible accolades,from Bec and Joe, of how amazing their daywas, starting with the Chapel, then theDining and catering and finally the “walkhome accommodation”. We have always known how much we

have to offer, and now the broader localcommunity is beginning to learn about it aswell. Let’s keep spreading the word!

Contact Camp Manager Adam, andprograms staff Cherry and “Sudge”, on 51488791 or visit the website www.licola.org.aufor all the updates at Licola.

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 10

Update

THEMelvin Jones Fellowship is one of several ways we have as Lionsto officially recognise outstanding service in the humanitarian fieldby fellow Lions, and community members generally. The Award wascreated by Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) in 1973. Itis named after Lions founder Melvin Jones, and it reflects the idealsof selfless community service that he espoused. Any undesignateddonation to LCIF of US$1000 or more, either as a lump sum orprogressively by installments, entitles the Donor Club (orindividual) to an MJF if they so desire. It is not necessary to make anaward immediately, as the donation can be “stored” until it is needed,for at least five years. Many V5 Clubs have sufficient stored donationsto award an MJF, and in some cases more than one. If your Club isone of these, I encourage you to seriously consider awarding an MJF.Reports listing MJF installments on a Club-by-Club basis arecirculated regularly. If you don’t know how much your club hasavailable, I am happy to look it up for you.But what can you do to recognise someone who already has an MJF,

and has continued to provide outstanding service? The answer is –

award a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship. This is an ideal way toprovide ongoing recognition. Like the MJF, it also requires anundesignated donation of US$1000. But it does not stop there. Youcan award a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship to the sameindividual more than once. Believe it or not, there are 100 levels in the PMJF program. I don’t

know if anyone has hit the ton yet, but you never know!So, if you have a worthy candidate for an MJF or a PMJF in your

Club or community, why not do it?Presenting an award such as these at your Charter Anniversary

Dinner, or Changeover Dinner can help make it an event toremember.If you have any queries, or need any assistance, please give me a call

or drop me an email.

Lindsay Champion, V5 LCIF / ALF ChairmanH (03) 9873 2681 M 0418 434 263Email: lindsay@winovate.com

Let’s be upbeat with Melvin Jones Fellowships

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 11

Lions visit East TimorPDG Tony Carr (Sandringham), RobOwers (Wheelers Hill) and Bill Bennett(South Vermont) will travel to East Timor(Timor Leste) as part of an observermission to assist this new nation withtheir Presidential elections to be held on17th March.“This is an exciting opportunity to assist

one of the poorest nations right on ourdoorstep,” said Tony Carr.The three Lions will meet with local

Lions and other NGOs in the capital Diliand hope to investigate ways thatAustralian Lions can assist with the greatneeds in that Country.The observer mission is being organised

by the Australia Timor Leste FriendshipNetwork Facilitators Inc.

Lion Bill Bennett

DONUT the Hearing Dog atCroydonOn the 7th of November 2011, PaulineMoxham became the recipient of Donut, aLions Hearing Dog, sponsored by the LionsClub of Croydon.Since the 14th of

November Members of the Club haveparticipated in tri-weekly visits to Paulineto continue in thetraining of Donut.Working with

Pauline and Donut hasbeen a very rewardingexperience for all thosewho have been involved. Well done to allMembers who have participated. Pauline,her husband and Donut have been invitedto attend a meeting of the Club on 5thMarch, 2012.

Police ChecksTHE CVF Number for all Lions Clubs inthis District is 97/63, it is required to befilled-in on the reverse side of the“Consent to Check and Release NationalPolice Record” forms, where indicated.A qualification for membership of a

Lions Club is that the invitee should be aperson of good character. The MD LegalOfficer sees no reason why, as a matter ofpolicy, a Club could not determine torequire the submission of a satisfactorypolice check as a pre-requisite to theconsideration of an application formembership.

201 V5Briefs

in Goulburn Park, SeymourMonday, 12th March, 2012 9.00 am til 3.00 pm.

• Great Duck Race 2.00pm• Carnival activities • Musical and dance entertainment• Food and drink stalls• Books, clothes, plants, bric a brac, hardware • and lots more

• Gate entry $2.00 • Under 16 Free • Site bookings: Betty 5796-9295Another community project brought to you by:

Seymour-Goulburn Lions Club and Seymour Apex Club

By Lion Peter Giddings

LION Bob Gatherum whose life was spentserving his community died on the 17January 2012 at the age of 92. More than 300people attended his funeral. Born andeducated in England, he worked as aprinter/photographer until 1939 when hevolunteered for the British Army.From September 1940 to November 1942

he was involved in top-secret research anddevelopment of Infra Red Photography inScotland, where he met and married his wifeBette.On 6th June 1944, he participated in the

Normandy invasion, landing at Juno Beach.He served in France and occupied Germanyuntil February 1946.In 1951, the Gatherum family migrated to

Australia. Bob worked for the Argus,Herald and Weekly Times andLilydale Express Newspapersuntil he retired in 1980.In August 1970, Bob joined the

Lions Club of Mooroolbark. Heremained an active Member until his death.He was the first and only life Member of theLions Club of Mooroolbark and held everyposition in the Club. He was a Melvin JonesFellow and a William Tresise Fellow. He was instrumental in the development

of the Lions Club of Mooroolbark SportsDay and Carnival and the running of theLilydale Gift, which eventually led to theestablishment of Mooroolbark Red EarthFestival.Bob was involved in the establishment of

the Yarra-me Paraplegic and QuadriplegicCentre. Club Members constructed a systemof covered wheel chair walkways.He was later involved in a project which

provided a hydrotherapy pool for the RosineNursing Home. He was also actively involvedin Bushfire Relief following the AshWednesday bush fires.In 1990 Bob was a Committee Member of

the Lions Club of Mooroolbark BoneMarrow Donor Registry Project. This was a

Lions District project that raised$140,000.00, resulting in 3,400 volunteerbone marrow donors being placed on theBone Marrow Donor Register.During his service with the Lions Club of

Mooroolbark he and Bette hosted 12 LionsExchange Students from Japan, Sweden andSwitzerland.It was in the area for the care of the elderly

that Bob excelled. Twenty-six years ago hewas on a Lions Club Committee thatdesigned and built the Jim Fuller GroupHome in Wynyard Drive, Mooroolbark. Thishome provides affordable, self-containedcommunal accommodation fordisadvantaged and low-income elderlyresidents.Bob was the inaugural President of the

Committee of Management, a position heheld until March 2007, with Bette

fulfilling the role of Secretary. Hiswas a daily commitment,attending to such matters asmaintenance issues, disputes,

management and financialmatters. He maintained an active interest

in the home until his death.Bob was a member of the 201V5 Cabinet,

serving 20 years as the District Historian andEditor of the monthly District Newsletter.Bob was an identity in the Lions

Organisation, but more importantly he wasan identity in his own community ofMooroolbark.He was proud to be a Normandy Veteran

but bore no malice towards the defeatedenemy and was in fact willing to acceptpeople of all nationalities and creeds on facevalue. He was a rarity in modern society, aman who always looked for the good inpeople and found it.He was loyal and faithful to his friends and

he devoted his life to serving his community.There is no doubt that Robert James

Gatherum was a truly remarkable personand that he will be deeply missed by hisfamily and all his friends whose lives havebeen enriched by knowing him.

D I S T R I C T 2 0 1 V 5

NewsLetterDeadline for next issue is March 16, 2012 for the April 2012 issue.

Lion Robert James (Bob) Gatherum – Community Service Club Member16 October 1919 – 17 January 2012

Vale

Labour Day Bush Market Labour Day Bush Market Labour Day Bush Market

Printing: Newtone Press P/L — Ph: (03) 9874 6152 Fax: (03) 9874 5875

LIONS DISTRICT 201 V5 NEWSLETTER / DISTRICT WEBSITE: HTTP://201V5.LIONS.ORG.AU/ MARCH 2012 PAGE 12

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

MULTIPLE DISTRICT 201 CONVENTION 2012

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIADEPARTING: MONDAY 23rd ARPIL 2012

TRIP OPTION 1: GEELONG TO PERTH (ACROSS THE NULLABOR)Highlights include: Barossa and Clare Valleys, Port Lincoln, Streaky

Bay, Ceduna, The Nullarbor Plain, Esperance, Albany, Margaret River andsurrounds before arriving into Perth on Thursday 03 May. LionsConvention in Perth 04-07 May (Perth sightseeing including RottnestIsland day trip). Tour departs Perth on the 8th May, options forextended stays are available. Note: Passengers can be collected atvarious designated points enroute on Day 1. Passengers are required tomake their own travel arrangements home from Perth.

TRIP OPTION 2: LIONS CONVENTION – TOUR PERTH TO BROOME

Highlights include: Perth (Convention), New Norcia, Kalbarri NationalPark, Monkey Mia, Carnarvon, Mt Tom Price, Hammersley Gorges,Millstream National Park and Port Hedland, arriving into Broome for athree-night stopover (Broome sightseeing included).

TRIP OPTION 3: BROOME TO DARWIN VIA THE KIMBERLEYS

Highlights include: Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, Kununurra, El Questro,Bungle Bungles (fly-in option), Ord River cruise and Katherine beforearriving into Darwin.

Further details, cost and full itinerary available upon request from Lion Eva, Geelong,

Ph: 03 5277 3390 (message bank available).

LIONS Visual Independence Foundationcontinues to grow with each day. Now thatwe are Australia-wide and more visuallyimpaired people learn of our products, thedemand for IDmates and GPS readersgrow.To be able to supply these units to visually

impaired people we need to continue toraise funds to pay for them. The Lions Clubsaround Australia are assisting with over 90Clubs now making donations or sponsoringa unit for a blind person. We have recently received a $10,000 grant

from the RACV. This will enable us to give40 KaptenPlus GPS readers to people acrossVictoria with training also included fromGuide Dogs Victoria.The Victorian Government has awarded

us a small grant of $3900 to allow us to fundfor volunteers and required equipment forvolunteers.We have another shipment of 48 IDmates

just arrived. Many of them are alreadytagged for recipients and we will bedistributing over the next month. We arespending much time contacting our LionsClubs around Australia to seek funding forthe people who need these units.There have been some changes to

personnel:

Ann Eldridge is now the ExecutiveOfficer.Bernie Slagtman and Robert Spicer have

resigned from the Executive Committee andcontinue to work as volunteers.Wendy Meredith from Wheelers Hill

Lions Club, Jon Torwick from ChelseaDistrict Lions Club and John Ellingworthfrom Nunawading Lions Club are now onthe Executive lending their experience to theFoundation.Interest in the IDmate and GPS has gone

overseas. We have contacts in New Zealandand Italy who have expressed interest inhelping blind people in the same way intheir country.As you saw in the newsletter article last

month, Moorabbin Lions Club donated allof the proceeds from their magnificent golfday, to LVIF.With Lion’s help we are making a

difference to the visually impaired inAustralia.

Next Steps for LVIF:• Continue to seek assistance from otherDistricts and States asking Clubs to takeon LVIF as a project and become a contactpoint in their area.

• Seek out volunteers from Lions and the

community to assist with marketing,grant writing, technical expertise andoperational assistance.

• Streamline the process of applications andfunding for people who need IDmates.

• Continue marketing to raise awareness tothe visually impaired public, the blindnessagencies and all Lions across Australia.This will be done through MD201Convention, mass communication, andmagazine articles.

• Continue looking at new technicaldevelopments that will assist the blindcommunity.Please contact Ann Eldridge on 0488 906

552 if you would like to help, or if you wisha visit to your Club so that your memberscan see the IDmate and Kapten GPS inaction.

Ann Eldridge, Executive OfficerLions Visual Independence Foundation.www.visualindependence.org.au

LIONSVisual Independence Foundation

Privacy LawWOULD all people contributing stories to theDistrict Newsletter – where members of the

public are named and described in one form oranother (especially children) – have the storyapproved and signed-off by the relevant parentand/or guardian, or themself in the case of anadult, BEFORE the story is lodged with the

Editor. Proof of the sign-off is to be forwardedto the Editor post-haste.

Ron Smith RBL Chairman