2008-2009 President Steve Long
It is with pleasure that I give my Annual Report for the year. It has been a busy and enjoyable time with plenty of Lions Fellowship and hard work along the way.
My theme of "Forward to the Future" has seen some new innovations for the Golden Grain Cotton Festival, more funding for the local charities and more participation with the Moree community. The Lions Driver Education & Awareness program was an additional event for the year. In a financially difficult time for the community, it is incredible how generous people have been to support the Moree Lions knowing that their dollar is going to those worse off than themselves.
Our year has been marked with deep sadness with the passing of Lion Ron Hardman on the 23rd March. Lion Ron was a long standing member of the Moree Lions Club who was always more than willing to lend a hand. Lion Ron will be sadly missed by all of his friends and colleagues in the Moree Lions Club and the wider community. Our deepest sympathy to Lion Ron's wife Edna and family.
Our major fundraiser for the year, the Golden Grain Cotton Festival was a very pleasing success, despite the weather conditions, With a lot more stalls for people to browse and new attractions like the Pizza Eating competition, people stayed a little longer. The extended route for the street parade proved successful and helped the flow of traffic in and out of Taylor Oval to run very smoothly. A big thank you to Cath Harbourne for looking after the Princesses and to Lions Ladies Lorraine Bartel and Trudy Schoupp for all their work in making the Masked Ball such a great success. We had a very enthusiastic team of Princesses this year who had some of their own innovative ideas for fundraising, which were very successful and exposed the Moree Lions to a wider community base.
The Moree Show saw a great team of the Moree Lions manning the gates which was very successful with 10% of takings to Moree Lions. Thank you to all who participated in this great fundraiser.
This year has seen a few different BBQ's being held, namely the Council Training Day with 200 people, Bob Coote clearing sale, Weebollabolla Oval family reunion, Fred Nolans Birthday, Bush Fire Appeal, Long weekend Bowls Tournament, the Lions Biggest Barbecue, the Moree markets and of course Fairview Fete.
It was a busy year for inter-club visits with representatives from the Moree Lions to the District Convention in Tamworth, the National Convention in Melbourne and Zone meetings at Collarenebri. Visiting Lions to Moree were the District Governor on the 11th September when the Melvin Jones Fellowship was awarded, "Freedom across Australia" with representatives from various Clubs. Thanks must go to Moree Respite House for their helping hand. We also had visits from Chinchilla Lions Club and the Toronto Lions Club. A big thank you to all Lions who took care of our visitors so well.
The "Roamin Lions" have enjoyed a number of trips away including a visit to the Celtic Festival in Glen Innes and Mudgee. Thank you Lion Darcy and Lions Lady Lynne for organizing these excursions.
A special thank you to the Moree Lions Ladies who work tirelessly raising funds and offering support to the Moree Lions functions. Their invaluable assistance at the Golden Grain Cotton Festival, Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch, "Meet the Princesses" evening, numerous barbecues and selling of raffle tickets is very much appreciated. President Lions Lady June Atkins received an Australia Day Award for her help within the community. Congratulations LL June.
Thank you to Lion Brett Farlow, our Bulletin Editor. Lion Brett shows a lot of patience in acquiring reports on time, putting the bulletin together so well and never complaining about the difficulties.
A big thank you to the Club Executive who have provided me with their support and loyalty throughout the year. My appreciation goes to all members of the Moree Lions for a job well done. Thank you for your fellowship during the past year.
To the incoming President Lion Phillip Schoupp and his Board, my sincere best wishes and may you have a very successful term.
To my LL Mary, thank you for all your help and support.
Yours in Lions
Lion Steve Long.