July Roundup

From 1st Vice President Noel

Lions Make a Stronger Community - End of Financial Year (EOFY) Donations

To assist many local organizations, the HP Lions Club has approved $145,000 to be distributed in July - $120,000 to over 28 local groups; and $25,000 to Lions Foundations namely, Childhood Cancer Research, Dementia Research, Nurses Scholarship, Diabetes, Cord Blood, Prostate Cancer, Alzheimer, Children’s Mobility, Disaster Relief, Save Sight, Caring Kids, and Operation Smile.

The local recipients include Blackhead Surf Club, Black Head Nippers, HP Netball,
HP Pickleball, HP Soccer Sports, HP Seniors, HP School, HPS P&C, Nabiac School,
Krambach School, DB Rural Fire Service (RFS), Rainbow Flat RFS, Krambach RFS, FAWNA, Koalas in Care, Taree Women’s Refuge (Samaritans), GL Palliative Care,
MGL Riding for Disabled, HP Playgroup, Tuncurry Pantry (Church of Christ), Tell Me A Story,
HP Bowlers, Carols in Park (HP Community Church), BH Tennis Club, Donna’s Kitchen,
Manning Base Oncology, GL Education Fund (GLEF), Forster Tuncurry Marine Rescue.

In recent years, significant single donation amounts have been given to GL Women’s Shelter, HP Seniors Association, GL Palliative Care, HP Men’s Shed and HP Soccer Club. This year Black Head Surf Life Saving Club becomes one of those groups.

As many of you are aware, besides the current EOFY donations, other timely donations were made to various groups throughout the past year including GL Women’s Shelter,
HP School (transport swim school, Major Yr 5/6 excursion), Bed Inn Bus, Dementia Aust, Mission Aust (Homelessness /Sleep in Car), MGL Health Group, Surfing Mums and others. Specific projects from organisations will continue to be considered throughout the coming year. Further, limited money has been set aside for Community amenities, Emergency Family Assistance, and Community Events (e.g. Australia Day, Anzac Day, NYE Fireworks TBC).

Importantly, whilst it is not our only fundraiser, the Community Op Shop makes many of the donations possible. Whilst HP Lions manage the shop, it’s the community groups and individuals volunteering that allow us to trade 6 days per week. Over the years the income and effort from many, many people (past and present) have helped build a strong, caring and resilient community.

Hallidays Point Lions Club Continues to Support Local Youth

For many years the Club has supported needy local Hallidays Point students who want to attend tertiary education through the Great Lakes Education Fund (GLEF). The Club recently provided $3000 to a newly formed Manning Valley Country Education Fund (MVCEF) to allow them to offer scholarships to Hallidays Point secondary student(s), who currently attend school in the Taree area and intend to enroll in tertiary studies next year at Universities, TAFE and other educational colleges. The Manning Valley group will provide another opportunity for needy local students.

Currently the local GLEF students sponsored by HP Lions keep in contact and usually attend a dinner meeting to keep informed of their progress. Recently we listened to Charli, who is pursuing her dreams studying Occupational Therapy. Charli is enrolled at CSU Port Macquarie and has been clocking up the hours driving back and forth to Port, staying overnight with relatives, attending University and working hard to pay her living and study expenses.

In partnership with HP News, the Club will be again offering one or more scholarships to local students who wish to pursue a career in journalism, graphic design, printing, photographic, art or associated fields later in the year. Keep a look out for the scholarship details in later issues of HP News. The current 3 scholarship holders are doing exceptionally well in their studies.

At the July Board meeting, the Club approved sending 2 secondary students at $295 each to the Luminosity Youth Summit in Port Macquarie. The students will gain valuable leadership skills from the 2-day event which includes keynote speakers, performances and hands-on workshops.

Finally, four talented young people were provided with a donation to assist with their individual development at our Changeover dinner. These were Bronte, Ashleigh, Ella, and Nathaniel. The first 3 are state and National champions in Life Saving and Kayaking representing NSW and Australia. Bronte will be representing Australia in Canada in kayaking. Nathaniel was one of 26 students selected to attend a NASA science study group to the USA. They are just a sample of the talented young people living locally – and we are very happy to support them.

Cheers, Noel