The Penola Lions Club held its 58th annual changeover dinner recently at Chardonnay Lodge.
Despite the cold weather, 10 members, their partners and guests enjoyed a two course dinner and drinks.
Guests included councillor Chris Brodie, immediate past District Governor Darryl Morley, Mount Gambier Lions Club president Beccy Field, Keith Field from the Millicent Lions Club and Friends of Lions Christopher and Denise Dean.
Special guests included local Youth of the Year entrant Rochelle Crawford, her mother Deidre and Teodora Tautkute from Lithuania, who is the Penola Lions club youth exchange student.
Later this month Teodora will attend a youth camp in Queensland before returning home.
A book of reports on the club’s activities over the past 12 months was presented during the evening.
Club secretary Mike Matuschka said the major fundraiser for Lions was the 400 sheep which run on commonage land leased from the Wattle Range Council.
“Funds raised from this project enable the club to support local, national and international humanitarian causes,” he said.
The club’s other highlights included a skin cancer screening conducted over two days, as well as a Youth of the Year program run in addition to the Lions Mad minute event.
The club also undertook several catering jobs at the Penola Show, rodeo, Penola Coonawarra Acoustic music festival, Coonawarra running event and the Coonawarra Petanque tournament.
Another major project this year was the completion of the driver reviver caravan which was launched recently.
Immediate past District Governor Darryl Morley inducted the executive committee for the 2023/24 year.
Presidents are Ray Haines, Bruce Robertson and Jeff Hoare with Mike Matuschka as secretary, Bruce Robertson takes on the role of treasurer and Bronte Cox was named as membership chairman.
President Ray Haines presented awards to Warren Drabsch, Joyce Lavelle, Gerry Haines and Mike Matuschka while club tail twister Shane McPherson entertained those in attendance with his usual humour.
The club is on the lookout for new members and those interested can contact Bronte Cox on 0431 989 364, Ray Haines on 0488 146 688 or Mike Matuschka on 0439 468 813.
