Lions international flags were the centrepiece to the Lions Club of Tumby Bay and District’s awards dinner on Monday, June 23.
The awards paid tribute to the 45 years of support of charter members Sam Campbell, Richard Curtis and Alan Giles.
Other Lions members recognised were Noel Zwar for 35 years of service, Ian Hall, Donald Baillie and Peter Swaffer for 20 years of service and Robert Denton with 10 years.
The Lions Club of Tumby Bay and District was chartered in November 1979. Thirty-three active members formed the club with Stephen Smedley elected as president.
Sam, Richard and Alan were present at the inaugural dinner.
Also at that dinner was Wilbur Williams – still a very active member who was recently awarded a service medal for 26 continuous years of service, having taken some time off during his Lions career.
Without taking away from the stature of these awards, it was the ultimate award to ‘everyman’s banker’ Kevin Cook, who has ticked up 40 years with Tumby Lions as well as having been a charter member of the Wudinna Lions in 1975, and as he moved with the bank he transferred to clubs in Cleve, Streaky Bay and back to Cleve, before finally putting down roots in Tumby Bay – with a combined 47 years of Lions’ service.
Having stepped back from his jovial leadership in Lions projects and donut cheffing, Sam is enjoying life at the Uringa Aged Care Hostel.
His award and that of Noel’s were presented in personal ceremonies.
Each award recipient was presented with a chevron that attaches to their Lions International badge.
In what must be an international Lions achievement, the 39 current members of the Tumby Bay club have more than 500 years of service to the community, with an enviable record 1671 hours of community service last year.
Tumby Lions have supported the community with a helping hand to plant trees, maintain parks and barbecue facilities, maintain the Tumby cemetery, work at Uringa Aged Care Hostel and the hospital, as well as travelling to Adelaide to support Cancer Council’s Flinders Lodge Motel with refurbishment of rooms and electrical wiring.
Financial support from the weekly fundraising raffles, donut and barbecue sales and other projects has been generously donated to many local organisations – to assist in the purchase of equipment, operating costs and training as well as support to the Lions International funds.
Looking to continue this great track record will be handed over to the 2025-26 executive, to be inducted at the next dinner meeting on Monday, July 28 at the Seabreeze Hotel.
Prospective members and visiting Lions are welcome.
