Warragul Lions Club reported its best year yet with the fundraising efforts and service activities of members raising more than $140,000 to be donated back to the community in the past year.
President John White announced the result at the club's annual changeover dinner attended by more than 40 members and guests at the Warragul Country Club recently. Special guest was outgoing Lions District Governor Ian Davey who conducted the installation of the new officer bearers.
John said it had been a great and humbling experience to lead the club as president. He thanked the club's board of directors, project managers and club members for their support during the year.
"Thank you to the Warragul community for their generosity and support shown to the Lions Club.
"This year the Warragul Lions Club has donated $56,000 to local community groups, $21,000 to Australian Lions projects that fund medical research, hearing dogs training and different youth activities, and over $60,000 to the West Gippsland Hospital," John said.
Donations the club made would not have been possible without the Lions mints and Christmas cakes sales, the book fair, the many barbecues and sausage sizzles, catering, firewood sales and the annual Lions golf day together with the efforts of the members and volunteers.
Behind the scenes the club has been involved with re-distributing donated children's books to schools and families as well as sending books to libraries in Papua New Guinea.
District governor Ian Davey praised the club for its successful year of community service and proceeded to install the new board.
The incoming board members are: president John White, treasurer Chris Kennedy, membership Russell Elliott, firewood Evan Roberts, health and safety Jim Mercer, catering John White, tail twister Michael Stephenson, one-year directors Gary Blackwood and Neville Clements, two-year directors Alan White and Phil Rossiter.
A highlight of the evening was presentation of the James D Richardson Award to volunteer Anna White in recognition of her outstanding community service through the Warragul Lions Club.
In accepting the position of president for the new year, John said he was looking forward to new challenges and improving on the club's success by doing things differently.
Right: Lions president John White congratulates award winner Anna White.