December has been a busy month, Christmas parties, Christmas Day and bushfires, early this year! Not sure about climate change but it has been hot. So far we have a few fires already in Stansbury, Maitland and the ongoing Adelaide Hills Fires, I did go down to Stansbury and with PDG Tom Martin to see if Stansbury needed any help with paperwork for grants, Cab Sec Yvonne Bradford had it all in hand also took some Lions Cakes down to be passed out.
Next fire was at Maitland started by dry lightning burnt all night, went down to Arthurton which had become the base of operations for the fire, I did go down the next morning to help Maitland Lions who had been cooking all night feeding the fire crews, also to catch up with Sandy Royal who is the Disaster Relief Coordinator. We cooked all day till late afternoon then packed up when the last fire truck was sent home, thank you and well-done Maitland Lions, also their new trailer performed well. Meanwhile the Adelaide Hills fires had started, Sandy and Rob were of again the next day to assess the situation, and set up relief centres in Highbury and with help of C2 Mt. Barker, and unfortunately fire crews and Lions had to work through Christmas, again thank you to all the Lions who helped out. And on behalf of the District a big sorry to Lions who lost houses in the fire, and do not hesitate to ask for help if needed.
Thank you Elizabeth and Playford Lions Club for a Very Merry Christmas party a very enjoyable night.
On a sad note we lost another Lion, Carlene Cook from the Minlaton Lions Club who passed away, I attended her funeral down in Minlaton on the 19th Dec. Carlene was one of 4 Lioness I inducted as a Lion a few years ago down in Minlaton.
January is going to be a busy month as well, I will be the attending Council Meeting in Syd-ney, also 1st VDG Tony will also be attending as this will be the start of his DG training before he goes to Chicago in Feb (Don’t forget the gloves and Beanie it will be cold very cold and don’t get lost in the snow). Also incoming Cab Sec Petrea Stacey will also be starting her Cab Sec training as well.
Again, thank you to all those Lions who helped in the fires, and unfortunately, I don’t think these are the last of them. Anyhow you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Kevin Masters
DG 201C1