TOURING the Blue Lake city last week, Lions Australia district governor Judy Glastonbury explored an array of projects undertaken by the hardworking Lions Club of Mount Gambier.
Checking up on the progress of the club and its commitment to the community, Ms Glastonbury commended the efforts of the group, which has been active in the city since 1963.
“I am very proud of the work the club is doing here for the community – it is wonderful to see,” she said.
“They are very hands-on and active – from what I can see they are one of the strongest clubs in the district.”
Visiting the Valley Lake Conservation Park – which was one of the club’s major projects – she saw the transformation that has been made, including the implementation of new signage and the entrance.
“You can see they are really having fun and I think that is an important part of being a Lions member,” Ms Glastonbury said.
“It helps people to feel like they belong to a community – the social benefits are enormous and there are so many friendships formed.”
Representing the club alongside president Malcolm Laslett, secretary Ross Parkinson OAM shared with Ms Glastonbury their strong relationships within the city.
“We have a very good rapport with the City of Mount Gambier, for many years we have worked closely with them to ensure the community is well looked after,” he said.
“We try to spread the money raised to the causes that are most significant at the time and have recently donated funds to the Mount Gambier Hospital chemotherapy ward for the purchase of a new machine.
“As we do have an ageing profile, we are also taking initiative to get younger people involved with the club.”
While in the Blue Lake city, Ms Glastonbury also spoke of the new projects currently being undertaken by Lions clubs around the district, including the Sleeping Rough and glasses recycling projects.
Sleeping Rough involves creation of toiletry care packages which are distributed to those doing it tough throughout the district from the Riverland to the South East and the Fleurieu Peninsula
The glasses project provides donated glasses to those with eyesight problems in third world countries.
“Our main message is ‘we serve’ and we stand behind that,” Ms Glastonbury said.
“I believe by working together we can form partnerships across the world.”
