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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-06-18 Daily Xml
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Adjournment Debate

Lions Club of Gilles Plains

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (15:56): I rise to speak about an organisation within my electorate of Torrens that does invaluable work for the benefit of our community. The Lions Club of Gilles Plains, chartered on 24 June 1979, will celebrate its 40th charter anniversary tonight at a special dinner. Its banner, designed in 1978 by Gilles Plains high school students, is still used to this day and is a proud piece of the club's history.

Historically, Lions Clubs International was for men only, so the Gilles Plains Lions Club, soon after being established, made the decision to start up the Gilles Plains lioness club to give women the opportunity to be involved. I am pleased to say that now both women and men can be members of Lions International. Today, I make special mention of just a few of the members of the Lions Club of Gilles Plains, people who dedicate their time and knowledge and demonstrate compassion. They are people who understand what it truly means to give back to the community.

Lion Peter McKinnon, the only remaining charter member, has been there from the beginning. Peter has served in several positions, including as club president, secretary and treasurer. His contribution has been outstanding. Lion Ray Norton, who is in his 39th year of membership and has served as president four times, was the first life member of the Lions Club of Gilles Plains and is the current membership chairman. Ray and his wife, Yvonne, have become dear friends through our shared passion for our local community. Ray continues to serve at the highest level with his sharp mind and generous heart.

Current president, Lion Ted Osborn, who is concluding his third term as president, has held numerous positions. He is always there willing to assist to organise meetings and the many community and fundraising events that the club initiates. Ted works tirelessly, always thinking ahead. Secretary, Lion John McIntosh, has also served as district governor. Lion Debra Poole will be taking over as president this year.

I also acknowledge the outstanding role of the current members of the club who have been awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest award in Lions: Peter McKinnon, Ray Norton, Jane Sommers, Stewart Garvin and Ted Osborn. Included in the many wonderful contributions made over the years, the Lions Club of Gilles Plains has:

donated equipment to the state emergency services, including two-way radios and abseiling equipment, which formed an integral part of emergency rescues;

sponsored RSB seeing eye dogs;

donated a promotions caravan to SA Police;

painted the walls of the Blind Welfare residential complex in Gilles Plains;

provided equipment, including two motorised wheelchairs, to people in our community who would have otherwise gone without;

trained hearing dogs to recognise doorbells, telephones and other electronic devices around the home for people who are deaf or hard of hearing;

supported the North East Community Assistance Project with donations towards their Christmas hampers;

operated the daily breakfast programs at Wandana and Hillcrest Primary School;

collected reading glasses for recycling;

sold raffle tickets standing right next to the much-admired prize of the giant stocking, which they packed with a selection of gifts for the family of the lucky winner, with money raised then distributed to various charities; and

hosted local sausage sizzles, raising money that has enabled them to support international, national and local organisations and individuals, including the Cancer Council, the Red Cross and Diabetes SA.

This wonderful club has also hosted Clean Up Australia Day events in our local area from the inception of this initiative, and I am always very pleased to lend a hand. Together, we organise and promote the event to encourage other members of the community to clean up and conserve our environment. Members continue to sell the very popular Lions Christmas Cake, and for 12 years in a row now the club has been the leading mint seller in South Australia.

One of the many amazing stories from the Lions Club of Gilles Plains is the full sponsorship of the journey for a child from Sumatra to Adelaide to undergo complete facial reconstructive surgery, carried out by Professor David David AC. For making this possible, the Lions Club of Gillies Plains was awarded the membership of the Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation. The achievement of being able to assist in making life-changing events possible has encouraged it further to do even more. Today, its members continue to support children through World Vision Australia, including a child in Sri Lanka and one in Tanzania.

In the past, the club has done significant work to promote drug awareness within local schools, assisting to educate youth on making the right choices on their life journey. More recently, it sponsored the establishment of a new club, the Lions Club of Mawson Lakes, working closely with them in a mentoring role. Several Gillies Plains Lion members who have made significant contributions to the community have had local reserves named after them, including Lion Peter Wesbroom Reserve at Gilles Plains, Ray Norton Reserve at Hillcrest and Lion Kevin Bob Dyer Reserve in Hillcrest, all in the Port Adelaide Enfield council area. Lions Club International is a worldwide organisation, with clubs in over 200 countries and a membership in excess of 1.4 million.

In closing, to all Lions Club Gilles Plains members past and present, I say thank you and happy 40th charter anniversary to one of the best. Your service to our community is valued, recognised and greatly appreciated, and it is an honour to stand in this place today to acknowledge all you have contributed over the past 40 years.

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