THE LIONS OF GILBERT VALLEY
The
Lions Club of Gilbert Valley was formed and Chartered in 1969, and since that
time has been involved in the local community in many ways.
members come from the areas of Auburn, Black Springs, Giles Corner, Manoora,
Marrabel, Rhynie, Riverton, Saddleworth, Tarlee, and Waterloo.
With
a Charter membership of 20, the club grew to a maximum of 35 members in 1979.
An
early project was to raise funds to modernize the Ambulance in the Gilbert
Valley. This was achieved in 1974. The main local beneficiaries of our fund
raising have been the Riverton & District Hospital, the GV Homes, and St John
Ambulance. Local Scouts, Brownies, and the Schools of the district, have also
benefited over the years.
Lions
Youth of the Year, YMCA Youth Camps, Youth Exchange, and our own annual Bursary,
have given many young people of the area, opportunities that they may have not
otherwise had. Senior Citizens of the District have been entertained, with
outings, on a regular basis.
Our
work meetings each month are on the first Tuesday, when we meet in the RSL
Clubrooms at Saddleworth, and plan our Activities and Projects. On the third
Tuesday each month we hold a Dinner Meeting at various venues throughout the
Gilbert Valley and surrounding areas when a Guest Speaker usually addresses us
on a topic of general interest.
The
first major project to raise money was the contract to demolish a hotel in
Auburn. The money raised from this, together with the sale of salvaged
material, enabled the fund for the purchase of an Ambulance to proceed. Stories
are told of how members, with no tradesman’s skills, adapted well to the task in
hand.
Many
fun filled activities evolved over the years to involve the community in raising
money including Barn Dances at “Craiglee”, Porters Lagoon Water Gymkhana, Picnic
Race Meetings at “Barton Hill”, as well as the sale of Lions Christmas Cakes,
Lions Mints, and our Annual Raffle. Lately the sale of Donuts from our Catering
Van, has been a major source of Fund Raising.
Many
hours of labour in wood cutting, collecting batteries and spray containers, etc,
has resulted in large sums being raised for assistance to humanitarian causes
both locally, nationally and internationally.
“Save
Sight” has been a world wide project of Lions International ever since its
formation, and we in the Gilbert Valley Club have keenly supported this at
various levels. The Eye Bank at Flinders Hospital has been a South Australian
Lions initiative, while the training centre for Lions Hearing Dogs is based at
Verdun, in the Adelaide Hills.
Following our support of several local disabled children over the years, we
have donated large sums of money to The Lions Mobility Foundation, as well as
to many other health and disaster appeals.
Lions, on a world wide basis, are one of the first to assist victims of
Earthquake, Fire, Flood, Cyclones etc, through the Lions International
Foundation. to which we all contribute.
PAST CLUB PRESIDENTS/PAST HISTORY OF
CLUB.
Photo - Sixteen of the Gilbert Valley's Lion Club
thirty two Past Presidents, who were present at the 35th Anniversary Luncheon,
with DG Garth and LL Helen.
>
IN APPRECIATION
In
recognition of the contribution of the Lions Clubs of Turkey, especially Lion
Dr. Enzar Tore, in providing free web page hosting for Lions Clubs everywhere,
the Lions Club of GILBERT VALLEY Inc. OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. proudly displays the flag of Turkey on our
site.
Click on the flag to go to the web site of Lion Dr. Enzar's home club - the
Lions Club of Canakkale.
As an
extension to the Turkish Lions' contribution, the Brisbane Ekibin Lions Club of
MD 201 Q1 (Australia) offer assistance to Lions Clubs who want to take advantage
of the Turkish Lions offer, but are not familiar with web publishing. They've
already set up many sites for Lions Clubs world-wide, using Lionwap.
If your club wants to be on the internet, and would like some help, leave a
message in the Ekibin Guest Book by clicking on the image above. This is a FREE
SERVICE, so you don't spend a cent for their work. As Lionwap is also FREE, this
means you get a web site that you NEVER have to pay for. - Is that a deal or
what?
All your Club has to do it have some-one update and maintain your page, which
needs not take more than a few minutes each month. The Ekibin Lions will even
give you some tips on that!
