GRAPEVINE

LIONS CLUB OF BAROSSA VALLEY

Kindness - Matters

PRESIDENT’S REPORT FOR AUGUST

 I can’t believe we are already at the end of August heading very quickly into September. Christmas will be upon us before we know it! I’m sure you’d all agree we enjoyed our guest speaker, Louise Jacobson (Kat’s Mum), at our August Dinner Meeting and we thank her for taking time out, from her family, to come and have a chat with us about her interesting life and involvement with Wagga Wagga Lions. I have been given some of her club pins if anyone would like one? I’d like to say a big thank you to Lions Maureen and Edith for organising our first upcoming social outing to Marananga Brass Band’s “A Night of Music” on 16th September….…….. we managed to get a group of 21 together which is fabulous. Looking forward to what they have in store for our next social gathering. As footy season starts to wind down, we now start gearing up for our Mitre 10 Sausage Sizzles starting on 16th September. Hopefully we’ll have a bit warmer weather by then, though from memory last year, it was still very cold! Any queries please contact Lion Wayne directly. Extremely happy to reportI delivered over 30 bottles ofshampoo and conditioner to Lutheran Care Pantry who were ever so grateful. Next month (September) we’ll collect canned baked beans, canned spaghetti and “two minute” style noodles … my hot pink collection bin will be out at our September Dinner Meeting. Many thanks for participating in this withme. I’d also like to say how chuffed I was, when I attended the recent Tanunda Liedertafel 1850 Male Voice Choir/Barossa Band concert at St. Petri’s on 6th August, to see our own Lion Trevor Irrgang performing with the Choir. There were a few familiar Lion faces in the crowd and I think we’d all agree what a lovely afternoon it was! A special shout out to Lion Joe for his continuous work on our car magnets, signage, business cards, information booklets and A-frame inserts … thank you! Hope all are staying well and it won’t be long now before we have sunshine and warmth … a welcome change!

Stay warm and well.
Kindness matters.
Gail Fleming

Guest Speaker

Dinner Meeting 17th August 2023

The guest speaker for our Dinner Meeting was Louise Jacobson, member of the South Wagga Lions Club New South Wales, mother of our member Kat van de Wijngaart. 

Louise was born in Townsville in 1959, the eldest of 5 children. Her father, Bill, was a RAAF pilot, so they were stationed there for 5 or 6 years.

In the late 70's her family relocated to Wagga Wagga, NSW. Louise travelled around for a few years (including 6 months in Adelaide), before she settled in Wagga too.

There she met Geoffrey, and they had 3 children, Katie, Michelle and Christopher. Geoff and Louise shared a passion for playing, coaching, and administrating sports, and this then expanded to community groups.

During this time she was working full time, raising the 3 children with Geoff, whilst sitting on various committees, but also found the time to complete a degree in Adult Education, as well as mostly completing 2 further degrees in Psychology and Social Work. A serious motor vehicle accident prevented her from completing them.

Louise has been on dozens of committees and boards over the years, ranging from radio stations, PYCY, Progress Associations, School Parent and Carers, various sporting groups as well as in the Hospital and health sector.

It was through her involvement with the Riverina Cancer Care Centre as the Fundraising Secretary though, that she is most identified. Louise was acutely aware of the need for such a Centre regionally, as her mother-in-law had to travel to Sydney for 6 weeks of radiotherapy. 

As neither the State nor Federal Governments were prepared to fund a cancer treatment centre in Wagga, the community decided to do it themselves. Louise was approached by the local politicians, and took on the task of organising the fundraising committee. Enthusiastically, over the next 18 months, they raised a total of $4.3 million throughout the Riverina, and the Centre was built.

It was through this that Louise first came in contact with Lions, through the South Wagga Lions Club, who built a house that was raffled off with the funds going to the Centre.

Subsequently, when the Lions Club were looking at opening their membership to include female members, they approached Louise. The Lions Club wanted 'high profile' females to help break through that ceiling. After Louise joined, more females became members. 3 years on, Louise became the first ever female President.

Lion Joe Vikor presenting our club banner to Guest Speaker Louise Jacobson  

Barossa Valley Lutheran Care

Our President Gail Fleming recently introduced a club project in supporting the local needy through the Barossa Valley Lutheran Care programme.

Club members are invited to donate specified products at the monthly Dinner Meetings which are donated to Barossa Valley Lutheran Care to pass on to locals in need.  

Hair care products were specified at our last Dinner Meeting on the 17th of August 2023 which was well supported by our members.

Hair Care products donated to members

President Gail Fleming donates the Hair Care products to Elsies (Lutheran Care Tanunda)

Tinkers Shed Report

TINKERS SHED - HANDOVER REPORT – YEAR 22/23

People
The Tinkers Shed lost one of our founding members this year with the passing of Ray Hausler. Ray was a key member of the team who constructed and laid out the facility we have today. One of his many projects was the refurbishment of the Angaston Wagon you can see at the Blacksmiths Shop. Ray was always there for advice and a helping hand and long chat at smoko over a cup of coffee. We will miss his him.
We would like to thank the Lions Club members for their support of the Melbourne Cup function. The funds raised make the continued existence of the Tinkers Shed possible. The team were kept busy making Cheese boards for the event, and we had some plant stands donated by the Barossa Village people. We had been nurturing our racing steeds during the year and they were raring to go on the day.

The Shed
During the year we replaced two faulty High Bay Lights with LED lighting, this proved to be very successful, so we decided to replace the other eight lights as well. This reduced the power consumption considerably and improved the lighting in the shed making it safer for the members.
This year were able to commission our new 3 phase filter plant, donated by Brian Graetz and wired up by O’Brien Electrical. This freed up existing plant which we have been able to relocate to improve dust collection on three of our Lathes.
Health and Wellbeing
We had a visit from two young ladies from Diabetes Aust. They gave us a talk on diet and the health aspects of managing diabetes. They also gave everyone an on-the-spot test. Their visit was well received and appreciated by our members.

The Lions Club
We would again like to thank the Lions Club members and President Paul for their continued support of the Tinkers Shed, Many Thanks.

G. Martin
Tinkers Shed Chairman

ANNUAL CLUB CHANGE-OVER MEETING 2023

DONATIONS MADE BY LIONS CLUB OF BAROSSA VALLEY   

 2022-23

Barossa Village Ladies Auxiliary                                                    $ 1350
Lions Barossa Tinker Shed                                                            $ 1350
Lions Eye Health Program                                                             $ 700
Lions Hearing Dogs-puppy sponsorship                                        $ 3000
Lions Biggest Barbecue Cancer Fund                                           $ 1000
Lions Prostate Cancer Research                                                   $ 1000
Australian Lions National Disaster Floods Appeal                         $ 1000
Cranio Facial Australia                                                                   $ 500
Care flight                                                                                       $ 500
Royal Flying Doctor Service                                                           $ 500
The Fathers Farm Student Assistance Program                            $ 500
Nuriootpa Primary School Autism Program                                    $ 300
Faith Lutheran College Citizens Awards                                         $ 500
Nuriootpa High School Students awards                                        $ 700
Kapunda Primary School                                                                $ 100
Freeling Primary School                                                                 $ 100
Tutoring Project to assist local student                                           $ 650
Upgrade to frame for vehicle access for disabled                          $ 600
Barbecue supplies for Carers and Disabilities Link                        $ 405
The Ark Courtyard Sponsorship                                                     $ 500
Goodstart Childcare                                                                       $ 200
Lutheran Community Care                                                             $ 500
RSL Commemorative Garden Project                                            $ 136

                                                                                              Total $16091

Life Membership Awards

The Governor of Lions District 201-C1 Zig Osis attended the Dinner Meeting of the Lions Club of Barossa Valley on Thursday the 16^th of February 2023 where he presented three of the clubs members with Life Membership.

Our congratulations to the recipients:

 Neville Andrews:  Became a member of the Lions Club of Broken Hill NSW in March 1966. Transferred to the Lions Club of Whyalla SA in 1970 and then to the Lions Club of Barossa Valley in 1976, a total of 57 years of outstanding active service.

Stuart Jones:  Became a member of the Lions Club of Barossa Valley in June 1970, a total of 52+ years of outstanding active service.

Joseph Vikor:  Became a member of the Lions Club of Canarvon WA in May 1970.  Transferred to the Lions Club of Waikerie SA in 1995 and then to the Lions Club of Port Augusta SA in 2006 and returned to Waikerie in 2008 and then to the Lions Club of Barossa Valley 2022, a total of 52+ years of outstanding active service.

These Life Members join Life Member John Falland who received his award for 50 years of 100% attendance and outstanding service in June 2022.  Between them they have contributed 213 years of excellent service to their communities and to Lions International.

Left to right:  John Falland, Joseph Vikor, Stuart Jones, District Governor Zig Osis, Neville Andrews.

Neville Andrews receiving his Life Membership Award from District Governor Zig Osis.

Stuart Jones receiving his Life Membership Award from District Governor Zig Osis.

Joseph Vikor receiving his Life Membership Award from District Governor Zig Osis.

Historic tree planting at the Nuriootpa RSL