Our club has been in recess over the period from Christmas through to 18th January when we reopen our Bargain Centre to receive donations.
In the period leading up to Christmas members were very active in supporting Lion, Barry Taylor with the sale of Christmas Cakes at Burnside Village-this was yet again a very successful project.
A Christmas Tree for donations of goods was put up in The Village in the weeks of December leading up to Christmas Eve. Carloads of donations were delivered by club members to St Lukes, Anglicare, Hut St. Centre and to Aggies on The Parade….this year we found more donations of food goods than of toys. We also collected from a tree in Burnside Library and distributed these accordingly.
Our Christmas luncheon was held at The Arkaba on 12th December and as part of this event Past President, Barb Rowell, inducted Jack Batty as a new member to our club. We welcome him and look forward to his service to our community.
On Friday 15th December our club participated in Carols in The Park conducted by Burnside Council. We had responsibility to provide drinks for a crowd estimated at some 3000. During the programme Mayor, Anne Monceaux, took time to acknowledge Burnside Lions as the founding organisation of this event. That our club had managed it for some 25 years and that the late Bob Rowell had left a great model to follow. She presented the club with a large gift of nuts and chocolates…. These were distributed to members at or Christmas lunch.
Vice President Mike has been very active with LEHP project, and you will find a copy of a report from him on a screening held at Kilburn Community Centre….very interesting results.
We will be welcoming a Lion, Rahul Dev, who will be transferring to our club from Golden Grove Lions….we welcome him and look forward to having him become involved in our various projects.
Lion Brett Lindvelt has notified us that he has transferred to Victoria and his expertise and knowledge in technology will be sadly missed…. we wish him and his family all the best for their future.
This will mean that our club will commence 2023 with 20 active members and 7 volunteers who assist in the operation of our Bargain Centre.
Our first formal event for the year will be a Business/Dinner/Social Meeting at The Arkaba on Tuesday 24th January.
We have been asked by Burnside Council to support them on Australia Day at their citizenship ceremony in Hazelwood Park-serving of drinks to those present.
Our first Bargain Centre Sale will be on Saturday 4th February-we have been fortunate not to have too much dumping occur over the holiday break and so will be able to provide for normal business without too many hassles in having to dispose of unwanted goods.
Our Business Meeting for February will be held on Tuesday 7th at The Arkaba from 1.30-this will be an opportunity to look at programme and office bearers into the coming year.
Burnside Lions Club wish all clubs and members all the best for a successful year of service to communities in 2023.
