Profitable year for Gerringong Lions

RAISING almost $67,000 for the Children's Medical Research Institute and the completion of a whale watching platform were the highlights of the past year for Gerringong Lions Club.

During the club's changeover dinner at Poet's Corner Restaurant in Gerringong last week, outgoing President Kevin Kelly said the Calendar Girl Project, run in aid of the Children's Medical Research Institute Gerringong Branch, raised a total between both organisations of $66,810.

"All the participants have been thanked many times over and we are delighted to have been an inaugural part of this fantastic project, which helped CMRI Gerringong to achieve their lifetime fundraising of in excess of $1 million this year," Mr Kelly said.

Lion Bob Stafford, who initiated the fundraiser, was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship by the club in recognition of his role in the project.

"Our other major project was the building of the whale watching platform on Werri Headland," Mr Kelly said.

"This project had been on our books for more than seven years, since Bob Stewart's year as president, and we finally managed to bring it to fruition in conjunction with Kiama Council."

Ian Jolley was the project co-ordinator and set himself and the club the task of building it in six weeks to finish it inside this Lion's year.

"Twenty-nine members put in 325 manhours and it is a great addition to the tourist potential of the area and will be much used as well by the local community," Mr Kelly said.

The club had continued its commitment to Outward Bound, "although only one person, Alex Perusco, took part as our other participant was injured at the last moment and will postpone his course until later in the year".

Walk For An Aussie Kid was changed to a walk along the new Werri Beach walking track and raised $3000 for mobility challenged children, which was a record for the club.

"Lion Peter Jaszewski personally raised close to half the total by a one-man challenge from friends to run the length of Werri Beach non-stop in the High Sand dressed as a hula dancer," Mr Kelly said. "Thanks Peter, Barry, Jim and Dave and all who walked."

He said Youth of the Year was well organised again by Bob Mark and Bob Stafford and the club's contestant, Mia Burns, performed well, but was unsuccessful at the next level.

The club's major fundraiser for the year was once again its Christmas trailer raffle, which raised more than $8000.

"We also had enjoyable days at bowls and golf raising funds for the Gerringong Nippers and the firies, respectively, and our sausage sizzles raised money for the lifesavers. Thanks Jim, Steve and the two Ians for the golf and Errol, Bob and John for the bowls day," Mr Kelly said.

The club lost club member Ted Schuler late last year and a retired charter member Eddie Jolley in 2007. The transfer of David Wood and the resignation of Peter Turl dropped membership numbers by three, but the club welcomed Errol Cutting and Graham Tibbitts to the club, "so we now stand at 42".

"Personally I had a terrific time as president of the club, which is made up of a great bunch of community-conscious fellows and their partners," Mr Kelly said.

"I hope you all had a good year also and I know that Dave Peade and his team will have a tremendous year and set the club new challenges for 2007-08."