In the middle of 2007 I decided to join the Forest Hill Lions Club – for many different reasons.
The main reason? The Ash Wednesday bushfires. Support from a combined Lions effort was the first major step in the recovery process for my family - because after all that fighting for life, and suffering the devastation of a lifetime’s work in primary producing, here were some wonderful people who cared enough to come and stand in front of my parents and just ask…. “What do you need the most to keep going?”
Those few simple words were the turning point from rock bottom for my entire family and will not be forgotten. The Red Cross were great and made sure we had food - but the Lions gave us hope and invaluable support to start again.
To cut a long story short, burnt pipes needed replacing to establish water connections. The Lions just said “No problem”. They arranged for a store to be opened up after hours and purchased the pipe - then rolled up their sleeves and with a lot of elbow grease it was done…. in the dirtiest, hottest conditions you can imagine. Then for an encore they came back a week or so later and built a much needed shed and roofed it for us.
A simple “Thanks” was all we could offer at the time - but it didn’t really cut it.
So I’ve finally made good my promise from all those years ago – Karen Young has now joined the Lions! Not quite an “Elvis has left the building” statement …..but very satisfying and fulfilling just the same.
My experience with the Lions Club of Forest Hill has all been positive – good people, great ideas, big hearts, fun times and a determination to help the local community. It’s a mixed group of people (ages, skills, abilities, backgrounds etc) who work well together as a team and manage to enjoy themselves at the same time – what more could you ask for?
A recent example is the Roth Gair Golf Day held by the club in early February 2008. As I know absolutely nothing about golf (some of the participants didn’t either!) the only assistance I could provide was on the peripheral – but little bits make a whole, and rest assured a fun day was had by all. We managed to raise over $6,000 towards macular degeneration! And it felt good to be a part of that.
So I can only strongly encourage anyone who may be thinking of joining to come along and see for yourself before making a decision….. everyone is welcome.
Sadly – being the last Charter club member left in the current membership makes me feel ancient.
The original membership mainly formed through business connections and association. The active membership age was about 30-35 years so they were young, active and fit to take on any project.
There were lots of hands on projects in the community and far more inter-club relationships.
I was amongst the first group of Lions to inspect Licola Village before we purchased it – almost the pioneering challenge.
Lions Club of Forest Hill became the first club to adopt a house, and this started a challenge with other clubs to undertake bigger and better renovations that is until the time of giving up House 12 (known to members as the house of “the three Johns*) or Brumby (Licola official name) as our man power had fallen off….. we would have to be classified as the trail blazers.
Families would have been the key to our success in early years, as we all had children of similar ages, who came to the Licola working bees, BBQs and children’s Christmas parties etc. Many friendships were made that last to this day.
Conventions were a “must go to” item on our calendars and we travelled across Victoria and beyond to learn about Lions and promote our, by then, famous club.
We have had four District Governors, a District Treasurer and Multiple Council Chairman - even I made Assistant Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Insurance Member and Community Betterment Chairman, which judged clubs in annual competitions to see who had contributed most to their local community…. and there were some amazing entries.
Certainly Lions has been a major part of my life – I proudly salute Lions and the friendships made.
Ross Beveridge
March 2008
[*John Twaddle, John Moret & John Boyce - sadly gone but great memories of dedicated Lions]
Editors Note: The Lions Club of Forest Hill was Chartered on 13 September 1969 and Ross Beveridge is our only member to have been awarded “Life Membership” of the Lions. The club is extremely proud and privileged to still have his continued support.
