December 2020 news
Diamond Valley Lions Club is alive and well in these trying times, our focus has been on what we can do and member’s welfare. The Club has been meeting on line since March, after some initial hiccups using Zoom, we are now stable having access to a Zoom license that ensures that our meetings are not suddenly curtailed after 40 minutes! We are also have social Zoom chats on alternative weeks when we can chat about anything of interest, home schooling, animals and pets, repainting ones house or getting the vegies in! We have even managed to have our AGM! President Trevor keeps the virtual Club in check with his trusty gong; we usually manage about 14 or so members. Secretary Anita keeps us all abreast with the latest Lions news, whilst Treasurer Vicki ensures the books are balanced.
The start of the lockdown saw the completion of the two Lions BBQ Shelters at the new Diamond Creek adventure playground, the central theme of this playground is a restored Melbourne W Class tram that has been converted into a coffee shop. The provision of the BBQ shelters was the result of the ongoing dedication by our grants guru Doug, who leaves no stone unturned, whilst also ensuring that the National Bunnings cake project will continue for another year. A video of the project has recently been shared on the Club’s FB page. We also had Daryl and Fiona delivering prescriptions for the Diamond Creek Priceline Chemist.
The Club has recently been successful in securing several grants, two from the Nillumbik Shire and one from the Bendigo Bank, the latter is to be used to keep members’ dues down which are now being paid quarterly. One of the Nillumbik grants will be used for a joint Nillumbik Lions project, Keeping Nillumbik Kids in School, which provides funds to enable kids to complete their schooling, the Shire has committed to ongoing support of the project. The Club acted as auspice for the latter grant, Diamond Creek Christmas Eve Carols.
As a result of initiatives by Barry, Fiona and Lorraine the Club is now running a contactless food share program in conjunction with the Greenhills Neighbourhood House, three Top Up Your Shop boxes have been provided in local supermarkets. The neighbourhood house is supporting over 150 people and their families. Several Club members are supporting this project. The Club has also made a commitment to the Lions Letters to Father Christmas project.
Barry and Richard have joined the Nillumbik Shire Community zoom session which sees up to 40 local community groups get together on a regular basis. Feedback from this group has been invaluable, leading to the auspice for the Christmas Carols and the possibility of undercover storage for the Club BBQ trailer with the Melbourne Slovenia Association.
Diamond Valley Lions also sponsors a house at Licola, we are currently exploring ways of updating the shower facilities, as soon as the current restrictions allow, another house working bee will be conducted, another excuse to escape the lockdown blues and enjoy some Lions fellowship.
Lion Richard Keeling