OUR 2011 VLC BULLETIN UPDATE

Well hello there... and an abundant welcome,

Yes – 2011 springtime has arrived! We here at the Valentine Lions Club are energized by our enjoyable, proactive and productive memories which have been made over the last few months. 

Below some moments of ‘our VLC’ year so far;

LOCAL PROJECT – VALENTINE HYDROTHERAPY POOL – In addition to the undertaking of necessary pool repairs and maintenance, Valentine Lion Neville Thomas has helped implement and install important environmental improvements.  

The opportunity was taken to renew the pipe work to the five pumps that service the filters and provide water circulation to the heat exchanger and solar panels.  During this time new controllers were installed to regulate the pool heating and to provide automatic changeover from gas heating to solar heating. 

It should be mentioned that Lion Neville Thomas and his wife Sue, also give much of their time as a volunteers, ensuring the pool remains operational.

JULY saw our newly elected, mostly jolly 2011-12 ‘Board of Hearts’ standing proud.

(... However – later on, after the festivities a few were a little wobbly. )

LION NEVILLE LAMBERT - HUMBLE MELVILLE JONES AWARD RECIPIENT

Our VLC Lion Neville Lambert was also presented with the prestigious ‘Melville Jones Award’ for his many decades of Lions dedication, compassion and community activity.

He and his wife Dawn are fine examples of not just of Lions Club International – but of what ‘humane’ beings are all about and can achieve! 

THURSDAY NIGHT MEAT RAFFLES – “Want to buy some tickets in our VLC meat tray raffle, love?!”  This simple rote utterance has the sweet tone of ‘good-old-fashioned’, ‘tried and-true’ fundraising.   Held at the Valentine Bowling Club every week of every year means our volunteers are on a shared roster system.  It certainly is the most reliable means for gaining regular contributions. Lucky for us, most people managed to find a few dollars in their wallets for the chance to win fruit and veg and meat and snag packs. 

Lion Paul Jones (Our much adored VLC resident Tail Twister) never lets an opportunity pass – flogging off raffle tickets to the local fire brigade – luckily, after ‘a false alarm call out’ to the Valentine Bowlo.

 

Augusts’ BIG Project – Members and volunteers painted the exterior of an elderly resident who was in need of an up lift.   So impressed by the work the home owner is insisting on providing a donation for our VLC efforts.     

Macs Timber & Hardware kindly offered us a deal that we couldn't refuse. Discounts on paint etc. for Community activities – that’s the local spirit!

The preparation work was the hardest job, but 160+ person-hours later, with a few rain interruptions, it will look new again.   Instead of losing weight, those there on morning shifts indulged in gourmet morning teas, thanks to Lion Ann, and Nev. Turner's famous Redhead Bakery connection.

Nothing like working directly in our local community – Does the VLC heart(s) good!

HEARING DOG NEED – Maree Schumacher (profoundly deaf who lives independently) was delighted in receiving another hearing aid dog named ‘Delilah’ so soon after the tragic loss of her beloved ‘Tomalli’. 

With gratitude going to those VLC members who helped train Delilah during the transition phase.

August INTERSTATE Volunteering – Devastation caused by the flooding In QLD.

 Example of what help is required in Tully. Dawn & Neville Lambert a part of the ‘Blaze Aid’ volunteer team.

You can see here, just why Lion Neville Lambert deserves an award such as the ‘Melville Jones’.

Planning: Over this period, there is also Lions state training, conventions on offer plus it is a great time for the planning and organizing of future events and fundraising activities.  Plus is an excellent opportunity for brain storming ideas, connecting with other clubs and gearing up for our extra busy summer/festive season ahead. 

A ‘VLC’ Side Note:

Volunteers will be needed to help out at next year’s (December 2012) NSW ‘SO’ held events.  SO why not consider planning this four day ‘feel good’ experience into your festive schedules early. SO expect an emailed volunteer application coming our way SOon! 

 THE WHO, WHY AND THE WHAT ?

Valentine Lions Club was established thirty nine years ago. Currently, we have close to 60 lady and gentlemen members and active volunteers; and are looking forward to our 40th birthday and the recruiting of even more worthy members.

 2011-12 30⁺ Members and their Partners – ALL being VLC Supporters / Doer’s

RICHARD & MARGARET ADDINALL 

ROBERT & CAROLYN BEAR  

LEON & PAT BURWELL 

JOY CALLINAN 

ERICA COOPER  

CHRIS & BEV DAVIES  

COLIN & LORRAINE EDWARDS 

JOHN & RHONDA FROST  

PETER & MARILYN HAIR  

BRUCE & ANNA HARRIS  

JOHN & CHRISTINE HINDLE  

PAUL JONES

NEVILLE & DAWN LAMBERT 

BRUCE & DEL LLOYD   

JO NICOL-HANNS 

HARRIETTE MEIJBAUM  

BEV MELDRUM  

JOHN & JOAN MURRAY   

MARGARET & GORDON NEAL   

JON McGRANE

JANE & BROOKE POLLARD    

DAVID RAMSAY    

HARRY   &   ELAINE REES    

ANN RYAN   

NAOMI   & MARK SCORRINGE    

PETER  & SUE STEEL  

GIL TAYLOR   

VICKI TAYLOR   

RICHARD   &   JILL TAYLOR   

NEVILLE   &   SUE THOMAS   

NEVILLE   & MARGARET TURNER 

CAROL & GARY WEBBER 

RON   &   DENISE WOOD  

Some of the crew 

Since our clubs inception we have assisted a great variety of worthy causes and organisations; and importantly enable members of our local community (plus communities further afield in need) so each may enjoy a better life. Including;

ALF Victorian Bush Fire Appeal

Hunter Rescue Helicopter

QLD Flood Appeal

Junior Diabetes Australia

Valentine Hydrotherapy Pool

Breast Cancer Network Australia

International Disaster Relief

Lions Youth of the Year Program

Special Olympics (via Lion Leon Burwell and wife Pat)

Australian Red Cross - Blood Bank

The Stuart Centre (for Cerebral Palsy)

Nicholas Trust - Kids Palliative Care

Latest consideration and/or initiatives being;

The Valentine Sustainable Neighbourhood Program

Lions Children of Courage Program

Peace Poster Program

Lake Macquarie Support Services

We welcome your interest and/or comments.  Please contact any of the following members;

Lion Ann Ryan, Past District Governor  (2010-11 President)   0438 455 521 

Lion Peter Steel, (2011-12) President         0401 406 204

Lion Neville Lambert, Membership Chairman / Vice President  0412 492 970

Lion Bruce Harris, Publicity Officer             0429 468685

Join us in making our communities and the world better places to live.