Welcome to the Lions Club of Lara, Victoria, Australia. We are an enthusiastic organisation offering crisis assistance, financial support, and community service and development to the Lara area. We are excited to welcome new members who will enjoy friendship and the satisfaction of contributing to the life of our community. More about us ...

Childrens Charity Network (CCN)

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Up-coming Events

Meetings

Monthly Rosters

Latest from Holderness, Yorkshire

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Installation of 2011-12 Executive

Monday 27 Jun 11 saw the new Lions Club of Lara Executive installed by the Council of District Governor's Chairman, Bob Gilchrist at Flinders Bistro, Lara Sporting Club.

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Back at the Shell Club with Corio Norlane

The inaugural dinner meeting of the Lions Branch Club of Corio Norlane was held Tuesday evening 21 Jun 11 at the Shell Club in Corio.

Guest speaker Peter Senkans spoke about community projects and planning for the communities living within the 3214 postcode.

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May Dinner Meeting at the Shell Club

A real fun night was had on Monday evening 23 May, at the Shell Club in Corio. Together with some of the new potential members of the Corio Norlane Branch there was very little ritual but loads of fun!

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News from Corio Norlane Branch Club

A successful meeting of prospective members to establish a new Branch Club of Corio Norlane was held on Monday evening 2 May, at the Shell Club in Corio.

Other interested prospective members had apologised and together with those attending there are sufficient members to commence operations. An invitation to witness a business meeting at Lara was enthusiastically accepted for Mon 9 May at the St John Ambulance Facility.

Pat Kriss (Lion-at-Large from Melton) has agreed to lead the group as Co-ordinator and will call  the first meeting of the Lions Branch Club of Corio Norlane after the Lara Business meeting.

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Growing Club to further assist our Community

The Club welcomed its latest new member during the last Dinner Meeting held on Monday 28 Mar 11. This will bolster our numbers when working on community projects and proves that there is still an interest with people wishing to put something back into their local community.

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On the Road to Lara

Joint District Mobility Chairman Peter Waters, came to Lara to address members of the Lions Club at the March Dinner meeting regarding his book 'The Wobbly Old Road' which was written by Peter and released in Sep 2009.

Peter, who has Cerebral Palsy, described the circumstances of his life in an entertaining speech and the approach people should take to life.

Members and friends gave peter a great ovation and were able to purchase his book which all profits go to the District's Children's Mobility.

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Hoffman Walk Working Bee

Sunday 20 Mar 11, saw a working bee at Hoffman Walk which was an hour and a half of spreading mulch around a cleared area near the Station Lake Road side.

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Airshows Downunder

Another successful Airshows for the Lions Club of Lara who were responsible this year for the running of the Campsite.

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St Laurence Park Working Bee

McManus Real Estate and the Lara Lions Club joined forces on Friday 18 Feb 11, to take part in a working bee at St Laurence Costa House Residential Aged Care Facility located in Lara.

 

The Chapel garden was the focus of the working bee, with the completion of the project seeing the garden transformed into a private courtyard area with new brush fencing, fir trees, roses and annuals planted out.

(Lions Stewie Walker, Jon King and Alan Smedley at the Chapel Garden.)

 

Work was also carried out at the Dry River Bed garden at the rear of Costa House and Otway Wing gardens.

 

This makeover will enable people to visit and spend some quiet time sitting in the garden and enjoying the peace and tranquillity.

 

These local businesses who donate their time have provided their staff with a tangible, concrete opportunity to directly make a difference to their community.

 

St Laurence thanks all those people who participated.

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New Branch Club Push

Lara Lions were present at the Corio Village Shopping Centre on Thursday 17 Feb and Friday 18, Feb promoting Lions in an effort to start up a new Club in the Geelong suburbs of Corio and Norlane. Shoppers were asked to leave their names and contact details to enable us to call them for a public meeting.

Let's hope we can get the Branch Club underway soon.

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February Dinner Meeting

The Lions Club of Lara February Dinner Meeting was held early this month to give our Dayle Grixti, our Youth of the Year candidate a practice session up against some Lions prior to the Zone 3 Final being held on Friday night at the Freemasons Hall.

Also present was impending new member Steve Burgess, past member John Withers with partner Louise and Lynne Folster who has transferred in from the Lions Club of Ocean Grove-Barwon Heads.

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Lions Youth Excellence Awards

The Lions Club of Lara - Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Lara) Youth Excellence Awards was a major feature at the Australia Day Breakfast held at the Lara Sporting Club, 26 Jan 11.

The awards are generously sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank with a prize pool of $500. This allows the winners to have a share of $250 each.


Winners of the Youth Excellence Awrads were: Briane Doolan for Literacy and Kailyn Donnison for Art. Both Briane and Kaitlyn received $250 from Jo-Ann Lyons, Manager, CBA Lara Branch and a Certificate from Susan Eyton, President, Lions Club of Lara.

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The End of Analogue Television!

On Thursday 5 May 11, Analogue TV Channels will no longer be broadcasting within our V2 District.

 

As a result there will be people in your Community (the Elderly, Disabled, Disadvantaged) who may need assistance with setting up a digital set top box to ensure they continue to be able to watch their favourite shows.

 

How can you help?

 

You can talk to your friends and relatives and your Community and remind them that Analogue TV is about to cease.

 

If you have the necessary skills to be able to ‘install’ a set top box you could register your name with District Environment Chairman Mike Trevena so that you can be contacted if someone needs a hand.

 

You can donate any used set top boxes that you no longer need so that they can be ‘re-cycled’ for use by needy individuals or be given to nursing homes, retirement villages etc., who may require them to assist residents.

 

If you are able to help please contact Mike on 0408 528-609 or email mtrevena3@bigpond.com

 

Want further Information?

 

For any further information you can contact Mr Graham Soawyer, Digital Switchover Liaison Officer South Western Victoria gsoawyer@mav.asn.au or phone 1800 201-013 or go to www.digitalready.gov.au

 

PDG Terry Uniacke

District V2 Cabinet Secretary

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V2 Flood Crises Response

DG Max has received several inquiries as to what V2 is doing to assist with recovery after the floods, and his reply is as follows:

Let me assure you that V2 is very involved in the recovery process after the floods. V2 is among those Districts taking the lead and we are all working together. It was a topic of discussion at the Council Meeting in Sydney in mid-January, which was attended by all District Governors.

A letter has gone to all clubs in our District for monetary donations to be sent to District Treasurer, Malcolm Smith, with cheques made out to District Administration account. The money will be distributed to clubs in towns affected by flood so they can give it directly to those in need.

It is of no use any of us rushing off to these clubs as I have arranged with them to ask us when they require workers to help with the clean up.

In mid-January, I was among 26 Lions from nearby clubs who went to Horsham to help fill sandbags. Next weekend, after a request from the local club, we have 10 Lions going to Skipton for the weekend to clean up. It is best for nearby clubs to help affected towns as it cuts down on travel times for helpers.

I am in constant touch with Lions in V3 who are organising stock feed for that District's needs and also with the District Governors of V1-4 and V6 and we have found that most of the clubs like to manage on their own and dislike asking for help from other clubs. Affected towns have advised me that we are only to send helpers when specifically requested and I am complying with that request.

If your members want to help, fundraising is the best way at the moment as I requested during the first week of January. Also in mid-January a letter was sent to all clubs asking that, if help was required, that it be co-ordinated through V2 Disaster Chairman, Bill Mathers or myself.

Would all clubs please ensure that they adhere to this request so that all assistance will be targeted and effective?

Hope this clears up your concerns.

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Recycling with Sims Metal Management

Lions Australia Spinal Cord Fellowship and Sims Metal Management have combined to enable you to recycle practically all your old metal through the Sims Recycling depots and the proceeds will be deposited directly into the Spinal Cord Fellowship account. From the ring pulls we collected over the last 18 months, we filled 2½ skips with 1.5 tons of ring pulls for a total of $248.00.

When you take your ring pulls or any metal into Sims, all you need do is quote the applicable Vendor Code and the staff will record the transaction accordingly.

Victoria and Tasmania LION02

An indication of the market value of a number of typical household items is as follows:

$15.00 Stainless steel twin bowl sink (approx. 15kg)
$6.00 Lead Acid Automotive Battery
$9.00 Stove (approx. 60kg)
$10.00 Refrigerator (approx. 70kg)
$4.00 Dryer (approx. 30kg)
$7.00 Washing machine (approx. 50kg)
$1.40 Aluminium cans/ring pulls (per kilo)

Please note that these are examples only, based on current market prices in August 2010 and delivered to Sims metropolitan depots. In addition to these items, the following are also recyclable; brass taps, copper tubing, insulated copper wire, aluminium pots and pans, steel roofing iron, hot water systems, bath tubs, old cars, bikes, farm machinery and so the list goes on, but at least it gives you some idea of what can be recycled instead of being dumped into the tips.

There are also many metal recyclers who are allied to Sims and their prices will be slightly lower as Sims can only encourage them to pay us the same rates but the decision will ultimately be theirs. Also they can’t direct credit our account and will pay you direct, leaving the club to send a cheque to the Spinal Cord Fellowship for the amount payable to: Lions Club of Wellington Latrobe Inc., PO TOONGABBIE Vic 3856.

If required, Sims will deliver a bin to you, for a small charge. This would be ideal if a club wished to conduct a scrap metal drive, a drink can collection or it could be utilised at a property clearing sale for example; all this project needs is your imagination.

We are now approaching corporates and mining companies to ask if they will donate either a percentage of their scrap or all of it to the research of getting the chronic spinal cord injured, out of wheelchairs and walking. If you have a contact in this area, it would be great if you could let us know.

Thank you to all who are helping the Spinal Cord Fellowship in any way and we look forward to hearing that you are all clearing your scrap metals to the benefit of the Spinal Cord Fellowship. A special thanks to all those intrepid travelers known as ‘Lions on Oz’ who have been collecting ring pulls all around Australia and bringing them to Convention for us.

David Oakley
LASCF District Chairman Liaison

Sims Recycling depots in Victoria are as follows:

(9314-0844) 44-60 McDonald Road Brooklyn
(9357-9130) 1904 Hume Highway Broadmeadows
(9795-4666) 442 Princes Highway Noble Park
(9786-1661) 45 Wells Road Seaford
(5278-9944) 266 Thompson Road North Geelong
(5122-1052) 2-6 Webster Street Churchill

Victorian agents are:

John Turner Metal Recyclers in Wangaratta
Bairnsdale Metal Recyclers in Bairnsdale
Pierra Metals in Colac
Rentchs Metal Recyclers in Warrnambool
Martins Mobile Cranes in Swan Hill
A & J Plum in Benalla

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Lara Commences New Year with Double Success!

It was an exciting start to the New Year for the Lions Club of Lara at the recent 6th Annual Bowls/BBQ Challenge against our neighbouring Lions Club of Little River held Monday evening at the Lara Bowling Club.

Not only did Lara regain the trophy from Little River, but also, a new member was inducted into the Lara Club, the ceremony being held at the completion of the match and the commencement of the BBQ.

The scoreline now stands at Lara 5 v 1 Little River.

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2010 Peace Poster Winner

The 2010 Peace Poster competition has been held between Lara Primary, Lara Lake Primary and St Anthony's Primary Schools and a winner has been selected from independent judges.

The quality of work this year was very high and made the selection of the winner very difficult. This year's winner is Mitchell Sutej from St Anthony's Primary School.

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End of Year Break-up

The Lions Club of Lara held its end of year Christmas Dinner Meeting on Monday 13 December at Flinders Bistro, Lara Sporting Club.

Sixty two people enjoyed a varied programme ranging from a couple of inductions, a visit by Santa and Dazzling Dan, the Magic Man to entertain the kids and the big kids!!

A mention that we had received Christmas wishes from our Twin the Lions Club of Holderness in Yorkshire was appreciated by all and the sentiments returned.

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Avalon International Airport??

The November Dinner Meeting was held at the Lara Sporting Club which provided a very tasty Buffet for the members and guests who came to listen to Rebecca Ramaley, Strategic Advisor, Avalon Airport speak about the future of the Airport in our region.

Rebecca joined Avalon Airport in Feb 2010 as a strategic advisor. Major projects that Rebecca is currently working on include the international terminal application, expansion of the freight business and a new airport master plan.

Previously, Rebecca worked as a management consultant for the Boston Consulting Group for five years. She also has extensive operations experience in hotels and the automobile manufacturing industry.

Rebecca has a diploma in International Commerce from the University of maryland (1995) and a Masters of Business Administration from Emory University in Atlanta (2003). She is also fluent in German.

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Dry River Bed Garden (Update)

The Dry River Bed Garden or Jubillee Bridge was another Lake Eyre during November when the rains came. The Garden became a creek and the bridge would have been very handy indeed!!

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Youth of the Year 2010-11

The Lions Club of Lara held its Club Youth of the Year contest last Monday evening 18 Oct 10 rather than in the February of the new year.

This was due to the MD Convention being held earlier than normal in Launceston which was also hosting the final of the Youth of the Year.

Three competitors battled it out at the public speaking part which is what the Lions witness. This represents only 20% of the marks required to be the winner. All three candidates were interviewed earlier during the afternoon for the 80% of the marks available.

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Leos Underway Again

The Leo Club of Lara was born again at the latest Dinner Meeting held Monday 27 Sep 10 Meeting, Jeff Cahn inducted the first 4 Leos and then installed the Executive. We also had a member of the Branch Club of Corio Norlane present which was fantastic.

We finally caught up with Brian Harris and were able to award him his 20 year Monarch! Well done Brian.

District 201V2 Leo Chairman John McNamara addressed the Lara Dinner Meeting directly after the induction and installation of the new members of the Leo Club of Lara. John was followed by his daughter  Kirsty,  Co-president of the Bannockburn Leos who gave a very interesting talk of the Leos programme.

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St Laurence Project Openings

Secret Garden

On Friday 24 Sep 10, St Laurence Services celebrated the joint project undertaken by St Laurence, St Laurence Residents and the Lions Club of Lara with the official opening of the Secret Garden.

Jubilee Bridge (Dry River Bed Garden)

On Friday 24 Sep 10, St Laurence also celebrated the joint project undertaken by St Laurence, St Laurence Residents and the Lions Club of Lara with the official opening of Jubilee Bridge.

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A Lions Club of Lara delegation went to visit the the Lions Club Bannockburn & District regarding the roll out of the Children's Charity Network throughout the V2 District.

Below is a short extract from 'Books for Kids'

The Problem

• Children who live near or below the poverty line have much lower average reading scores than their peers.
• Lack of basic literary skills is linked with academic failure, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency, unemployment, low productivity, and welfare dependence.
• Parents who can not read tend to have children who struggle with reading, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

The Solution

• Providing books to children is a simple, effective, and inexpensive way to promote language and literacy growth.
• Owning books is a critical feature of every child's intellectual development.
• Reading aloud to children is the single most effective parent practice for encouraging language and literacy development.
• A child's pride in learning to read is a key element in achieving literacy. By providing children with new books to keep, Books for Kids enhances the relationship between parent and child and the relationship between child and book.
• Children with books at home are eight times more likely to list reading as one of their favourite activities.

By buying a book and placing it in our Lions bins will ensure that your book will end up with a child that desperately needs it.

© 2006 Lions Club of Lara Inc. (MD 201 District V2 Region 2 Zone 3). All rights reserved.
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