As this extraordinary Lions year comes to a close, we are so grateful for your support and again we can reflect on the sense of community that now appears to have been present all along beneath the surface of the obvious pressures and inconveniences of Covid induced lockdown.
During the year we took the opportunity to plan for next year and implement new email communication systems and accounting software.
Here is a summary of our club’s activities which I trust also buoys your spirits and underlines the sentiment for your continued involvement with Lions and its projects.
VIRTUAL DRINKIES, ZOOM DINNER PARTIES AND INFORMAL MEETINGS
Despite our inability to meet face to face and socialize during COVID 19 Restrictions, members and friends remained in contact throughout 2020 and liaised about how we as a community can still undertake worthwhile fundraising projects despite the restrictions imposed. It is quite surprising what has been accomplished.
AMBULANCE VICTORIA (AV)
Following AV’s attendance in Flinders last Christmas, based at the CFA station, we are indeed fortunate to have paramedics based here again this year. We benefited from their CPR and AED heart-start training sessions and their push to ensure there was public access to AEDs around the village.
Lions pushed for and achieved sponsorships and grants from Bendigo Bank and Flinders Community Association to assist moving AEDs to external places in some locations. AV and MPS agreed to meet the costs of purchase and installation respectively of an AED at the Flinders Pier Precinct. It is now in situ, although we hope it has little use!!
E-WASTE PROJECT
Lions discussions with Mornington Peninsula Shire (MPS) and its appointed contractors resulted in the first of a Shire wide initiative to collect E-waste through use of a trailer located outside the community centre throughout March.
LIONS SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDAITON
In 2020 due to COVID restrictions we were unable to conduct our Annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Instead, your Lions team organised with the NBCF for a webinar to hear NBCF funded research Associate Professor Marina Reeves as she discussed her project looking at exercise and dietary intervention for women with metastatic breast cancer.
The webinar was held on Tuesday 13 October and $3,834.00 was raised for NBCF.
Thank you to all who attended the webinar and their donations.
2019 Pink Ribbon -Some of the Lions Team members and Guest Speaker Dr Antonella Papa
CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE PARK
Lions was approached by one of the village traders to see if we could assist in obtaining a tree or something similar in the park to buoy everyone’s spirits and add some Christmas cheer to the village after what had been a challenging year for many.
We approached various groups and obtained sponsorships from the Balnarring Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank, Flinders District Lions, Flinders Community Association and with the support of generous anonymous individuals and Flinders Traders including: Arleston Antiques, Flinders General Store, Flinders Hotel, Kay & Burton, Little Alpaca, RT Edgar, and Vescape Hair Design, a tree was secured. It is hoped this initiative might lead to a more substantive tree and festivities (including carols) in future years.
LIONS SUPPORTING OTHERS AT CHRISTMAS TIME
We support various organisations on the Peninsula who need assistance and we give Christmas cakes to The Southern Peninsula Food for All Inc in Rosebud, Southern Peninsula Community Support Rosebud and Westernport Community Support Christmas Giving Program in Hastings.
This year we are also supported our local Flinders Community and St John’s Fete for their ‘virtual fete’ with the donation of Lions Cakes and Puddings.
123Read2me
During last year through contacts of Monica, and I, at McMillan Educational Publishing donated computers and IT equipment and 70 pallet loads of children’s books to Lions 123Read2me Project as McMillan was winding up that part of their business in Australia. Through industry contacts, one of Melbourne’s largest industrial estate developers donated the use of a warehouse rent free for as long as it was needed to enable the sorting and distribution of some 45,000 books for the 123Read2me organization.
RAISING MONEY FOR LIONS’ DIABETES FOUNDATION - ‘LAP THE MAP’
Our Flinders Lions Club and their Friends supported the Lap the Map project, walking a total of 1,314 kms and raising almost $1,500, which has been donated to the Lions Diabetes Awareness Foundation.
Launched last year, the Lions Lap the Map family friendly walk is to raise awareness in Australia of the Diabetes epidemic.
This year, Lions across the country have walked together to Lap the Map of Australia, which has a circumference of 25,760 kms, and to achieve this by World Diabetes Day on 14th November. This goal was easily surpassed, with a combined reported distance of 185,602 kms, which is more than seven times the circumference of Australia. This is a fantastic effort, especially given the COVID-19 restrictions.
Diabetes is one of the Global causes for Lions around the world. The aims of the Lions Australia Diabetes Foundation are to fund research into the causes and treatment of Diabetes and to raise awareness and provide education to the end that there may be improved care for people with Diabetes or those at risk of developing Diabetes.
Diabetes is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation, and contributes to an increased risk of developing Dementia. There are 250 new cases of Diabetes every day in Australia.
COMMUNITY PICNIC
For the last 4 years (2020 excepted) we have held a community picnic on the Bass Strait Ocean Beach at low tide. These enables the community to gather informally for a picnic, enjoy a guided rock ramble on Mushroom Reef, some indigenous cultural experiences, beach art and music whilst awaiting the sunset. The CFA always lends a hand too.
32nd ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAY
With the easing of COVID Restrictions we were able to hold our Charity Golf Day again in March at Flinders Golf Club. Perfect weather saw a field of 100 enjoy the game followed by a hearty lunch with ‘Live Auction’ and Silent Auction items and some great bidding on some special items, including a rare Tiger Woods signed caddy’s apron. With the help of major sponsorships from the golf club and Balnarring Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank, amongst others, a total of $22,000 was raised on the day.
FLINDERS MOTORING HERITAGE – Easter Sunday
More than 1500 people came to Flinders to view a display of 170 veteran, vintage and modern classic cars in perfect weather. Sponsorships, ticket sales and donations raised over $28,000 for much needed foetal heart monitors for Peninsula Health Rosebud and Frankston Hospitals.
Last year we were notified by Mornington Peninsula Shire that our event was nominated for an Australia Day Community Event of the Year Award. We were proud to be the runner-up in 2020.
ANZAC Day Commemorative Service
Flinders Lions took on the mantle for conducting this year’s commemorative service in the Monument Reserve overlooking the pier on behalf of Flinders RSL sub-branch, which, due to ageing and diminishing membership, were not able to run the event.
Over 300 attended the walk from the Community Centre to the Monument for a service attended by Greg Hunt, MP and supported by a senior Navy officer and serving members from HMAS Cerberus.
The Club will continue to ensure this popular community event and tradition of a walk and service in Flinders continues
Overall, it turned out to be a happy, rewarding, and productive year.
Mark Holland,
President 2016-21
