Lions Club of Mitcham

Mrs POWER (Elder) (15:30): I rise today to recognise the outstanding efforts of the Lions Club of Mitcham and the significant contribution club members make in our local area. The Lions Club philosophy is 'We serve', and this philosophy certainly comes alive at the Lions Club of Mitcham. There are currently 28 members, with an average age of 81 years old (or should I say 81 years young) and recently the member for Waite and I had the pleasure of hosting the club for lunch here at Parliament House and attending the 53^rd handover dinner.

At the handover dinner, I was honoured to be able to toast the Lions Club International, acknowledge the outgoing as well as the incoming board of directors and once again hear about the incredible achievements of the club. Under the stewardship of the board for 2018-19—which comprised president, Neville Haar; first vice-president, Peter Ellemor; second vice-president and immediate past president, Petre Thorn; secretary, Geoff Judson; treasurer, Rob Leeder; second-year directors, Doug Knuckey and Kate Helbig; as well as first year directors, Peter Mildren and Peter Scholefield—the club was able to raise $30,000 to support key projects in our community.

I echo the words of Peter Ellemor, the first vice-president, where in his report he commended all the members for making this possible. Clearly, the $30,000 raised last year was the result of a dedicated effort by all members. Fundraising activities by the club included running the Bunnings barbecue. If anybody has ever done that, they would know that is no easy feat, so a special acknowledgement to Lion Peter Mildren for his huge effort in coordinating the barbecue and liaising with Bunnings staff. Also, cake sales I am pleased to report were up 22 per cent compared with the previous year, thanks to the great efforts of Lion Brian Lawlor, who coordinated the project and the Woodies Project as well, as a number of other fundraising initiatives.

This incredible fundraising effort by all members enabled the club to then select projects to support. Led by second vice-president, Petre Thorn, and the committee members, I understand that the club chose to focus on selecting projects within the local community where there was a great need. More than $10,000 was donated to community-based organisations such as Operation Flinders, which we all know does incredible work with disadvantaged youth, the Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation and Lions Hearing Dogs.

The club also supported Bramwell House, which provides accommodation for people who have experienced domestic violence; a range of parks and gardens in the local area nurturing plants that attract butterflies, so there will be lots of local residents enjoying that from their hard work; and they also supported Meals on Wheels, which we in this house know makes a profound and positive difference to people's lives.

So 2018-19 has been another big year for the club. No doubt the year ahead will see the club once again make a positive difference in our local area, as well as provide opportunities for fellowship. The Lions Club of Mitcham is a part of Lions Australia, which itself forms part of an international association. It is filled with people who are united by their drive to support the community at a grassroots level and beyond, helping to make the world a better place.

I take this opportunity in this house to congratulate the incoming board, which includes president, Peter Ellemor; first vice-president, Petre Thorn; second vice-president, Colin Cordon; secretary, Geoff Judson; treasurer, Rob Leeder; second-year directors, who are the same as last year, Doug Knuckey and Kate Helbig; first-year directors, Brian Lawlor and Graham Spinkston; and, of course, the immediate past president, who always runs his meetings with a touch of humour, Neville Haar. I acknowledge not only the board members but all 28 individual members of the club and, of course, their partners. I encourage anyone who is looking to get involved in a great community-minded club to consider joining the Lions Club of Mitcham.