Oak Flats Lions Club

Ms MARIANNE SALIBA (Illawarra) [5.20 p.m.]: Last Tuesday evening I had the privilege of attending the Oak Flats Lions Club 31st anniversary and changeover night. It was a terrific night of good fun and fellowship. I want to bring to the attention of the House some of the community work performed by the Oak Flats Lions Club. Over the past year Oak Flats Lions Club regularly conducted barbecues outside Hardware House, ran lucky envelopes, sold mints and installed smoke alarms. Following the introduction of the legislation making smoke alarms mandatory, I imagine the work of the club installing smoke alarms in older people's homes will increase. The Oak Flats Lions Club has made donations to the Samaritan Purse, provided free nappies to Luke Pawsy, sold Christmas cakes last Christmas and made cakes for cake stalls at Peterborough Special School and Flinders Public School.

The club was involved with the major Christmas raffle at Shellharbour Square, Warilla Grove and Dapto markets and has made donations to Lions Save Sight and Headway, an organisation that helps those with acquired brain injury. In January this year the club was involved in an Australia Day raffle and Brekky on the Lake and made further donations to Peterborough and Flinders schools. They have adopted a number of programs, which they continue to fund on a regular basis. The list goes on. I acknowledge the hard work of the Oak Flats Lions Club.

I acknowledge the outgoing President, Lion John O'Neil; the outgoing Vice-President, Lion Rob Holt; Lion Les Hills, both the outgoing secretary and the incoming secretary; the Treasurer, Lion Don MacPhail; the Lion Tamer, Lion Allan Cassilles; and the Public Officer, Lion Bede Cummins. These Lions work hard to ensure that Oak Flats Lions Club remains an ongoing concern. This year the club celebrated its 31-year anniversary. Some members have been with the club for most of that time. I was present when badges were being presented, and I understand the longest-serving member of the club had been a member for 28 years. I am pleased to acknowledge their ongoing commitment to the club. I congratulate Lion Rob Holt, who is taking over as President, and Lion Arthur Deane, who will be the Vice-President.

Lioness Joyce Morgan was the outgoing President of Oak Flats Lionesses; Lioness Robyn Clarkson the outgoing Secretary and Lioness Ivy Gorman the outgoing Treasurer. Lioness Billie Fanning is the newly endorsed President; Lioness Lynne Stamford the incoming Secretary and Lioness Ivy Gorman will take on the role of Treasurer again this year. These people give up a lot of their time to raise money for needy causes and ensure that Lions International is promoted in the local community. As a member of the Parliamentary Lions Club I also have a commitment to ensuring that Lions International is promoted throughout New South Wales and encouraging more people to become involved in the club. It is a great way to help the community, to meet new friends and to share fellowship. I congratulate those who have taken on the executive roles in both the Oaks Flat Lions Club and Oak Flats Lionesses this year. I wish them well and I hope they have as productive a year as they did last year. I look forward to attending their 40th anniversary.