The Lions Club of Gunnedah recently celebrated a new committee while acknowledging the thousands of dollars distributed to the community.
New president Ian Hartley was welcomed to the role with 38 years’ experience as a Lion.
Mr Hartley was formerly part of the Curlewis Lions’ branch before it folded some years ago and served five times as president.
Outgoing president Neville Steele said the new lead at the helm will undoubtedly give it his all.
“He gives 100 per cent, always,” Mr Steele said.
Meanwhile, Paul Hope returns to the position as treasurer, a role he has executed with precision for many years.
“He is very astute at what he does,” Mr Steele added.
The treasurer also holds the distinction as one of the longest serving Lions in Gunnedah.
As a fellow Lion noted recently, Mr Hope’s 52 years’ service was almost as historic as the club itself – Gunnedah Lions was chartered in 1958.
New secretary Jos Loughnan was also eager to get started in the committee role – having served several years as a Lions’ member.
The locksmith started his apprenticeship in Gunnedah and has returned to town after a time away.
The Lions Club of Gunnedah boasts a current membership of about 19 members – this includes four new members inducted late last year and one transfer from Tumut – Dell Humphries.
The new inductees are long-time affiliate members who have now made their membership official. New members included Bev Hope, Jill Hope, Glennys Muddle and Cathy Handsaker.
The induction of the new Executive and Board was presided by zone chairperson Sandra Amstrong. Sandra also inducted a new member on the night, Des Keenan who recently moved to Gunnedah.
Outgoing president Nev Steele described the past 12 months as challenging with significant administrative changes taking place.
One of the most rewarding aspects was the support from the people of Gunnedah. “The town has been very good to us,” Mr Steele said.
The Lions at Gunnedah has been actively fundraising and volunteering in the community. Regular fundraising events include Ag Quip, Northwest Swap Meet, Gunnedah Bird Show and Gunnedah Annual Agricultural Show and workplace Christmas functions, among other events.
Lions and partners worked a total of 1720 hours during the last financial year’s fundraising events. From this, members distributed more than $13,400 to charity groups – many of them locally-based organisations.
These volunteer hours did not include more than 900 hours in additional time spent on administrative and community betterment maintenance.
The Gunnedah club has been busy upkeeping its community facilities in the area including the Mullaley Road and Lions Park amenities buildings as well as the Curlewis Road rest area.
The club also reported its “best year ever” on the regular Christmas cake and pudding sales, with all stock sold.
“They are in very much in demand each year,” ‘Christmas cake chair’, Neville Steele, said.
“We are very fortunate to have such wonderful community support and we hope that their support continues in the future.”
The outgoing president, who recently finished his fourth time as president , said it was an honour to lead such a great team.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Mr Steele said.
