Lions,
May I congratulate Vaal Dix from the Glenside Lions Club and Ron Duncan from the Stansbury Dalrymple Lions Club for each being awarded an OAM on Australia Day, and in addition for Ron, and his wife Chris, for being awarded a Citizenship of the Year Award for Stansbury Dalrymple, and for Barry Graham, also being awarded a Citizenship of the Year award for Booleroo Centre on Australia Day for their respective services to their communities.
It is pleasing to note that as at 31 December 2020 our membership had increased for the six months by 31 members to 1,154 members. This is a remarkable achievement in a period of uncertainty that we have experienced. Our target of reaching 1,250 members by 30 June 2021 is still achievable due to the PR campaign on radio we will be conducting in mid February and the Diabetes Awareness campaign we will be conducting in regional areas of C1 from late March until mid June. The PR campaign will be followed by Lions Awareness Day on the 6th March. Brochures and handouts for this day are now available from Peter Korndorfer, our GMT coordinator.
The Diabetes Awareness project is a joint project with Diabetes SA at the following regional towns, Clare, Minlaton, Wallaroo, Laura, Peterborough, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Cleve and Streaky Bay. The events in each town will be manned by at least five Diabetes SA personnel and members of the local Lion clubs. This is a precursor to what we hope will be a long-term relationship with Diabetes SA. Please look at the article on these events in this District newsletter.
Unfortunately, the International Convention in Montréal in June has been now changed to a virtual convention due to Covid 19. At this stage the Multidistrict Convention in Canberra in May is still going ahead, lodge your application forms to attend now, but leave your accommodation and airfares until closer to the event, just to make sure there are no problems in respect to Covid 19.
As at the time of writing this article it is good to see that South Australians are now free to visit anywhere in Australia without restriction and without the necessity of going into quarantine. We most certainly live in a lucky country, however let us ensure that we do not become too complacent and abide by the advice and direction given to us by our Government and Health Authorities.
All the best to each of you and your clubs, as we continue to provide services to our communities.
Tony Pederick OAM
District Governor
31 January 2021