Rip, roaring year for Sheppie Lions

Port Shepstone Lions and guests celebrated the club’s 52nd Annual Presidential Induction and Awards dinner at the den at Port Shepstone Country Club last Saturday.

Previously elected leader of the club for this fiscal year, Lion Alastair Warman paid tribute to club president Jean Masson for taking over the club presidency at very short notice. This was due to Alastair’s ongoing health challenges.

Jean paid tribute to both the Port Shepstone Lions and Lion Ladies for a very successful year of community service and fundraising projects.

These projects included community relief efforts during both the KZN riots in July 2021 and the recent flooding that took place.

The club has also provided ongoing support to South Coast Hospice, Reinhardt’s Place, Assisi Mission Orphanage, Hibiscus Food For Life and Suid Natal Kospakke Kinders.

Senior citizens projects during the year included the annual Christmas Luncheon held at Port Shepstone Country Club main hall, monthly games afternoons and literally hundreds of frozen meals provided on a monthly basis thanks to the fine efforts of the Lion Ladies.

The club was also involved with the sponsorship of 10 cataract operations for needy recipients during Sight Week in October last year.

The Lion of the Year Trophy was presented to Lion Steve McCarroll in recognition of his outstanding support and enthusiasm throughout the course of the year.

President’s Appreciation medals were awarded to Past Council Chairman Denis Meyer in recognition of his ongoing dedication towards the administration of the club.

An additional President’s appreciation medal as well as a plaque was presented to Lion Lady Cathy Volker in recognition of her outstanding commitment towards the organising and running of the monthly Lions Market Day project.

An appreciation plaque was also presented to Kenny and Bev Rolfe of the Property Port Estate Agency in recognition of the agency’s ongoing support and sponsorships towards club service projects and fundraisers.

The Stirrer of the Year Trophy was awarded to Lion Barry van der Veen.

Club Secretary and Treasurer medals were presented to Lions Mike Heathcote and Richard Borradaile respectively. Twenty five year membership pins were presented to Past Council Chairman Paul Brauteseth and Past President Alastair Warman.

A 15 year membership pin was presented to Lion Kenny Rolfe and 10 year membership pins were presented to Immediate Past District Governor Jeff Smith and Lion Clayton Curnow.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Louis Volks humanitarian award to outgoing Club President Jean Masson.

This is the highest award in Lions Multiple District 410 which covers South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and eSwatini and the first of its kind to be presented by the Port Shepstone club.

The award was presented by PCC Denis Meyer on behalf of the club in recognition of Jean’s over two decades of outstanding community service involvement and ongoing commitment towards the club’s very successful fundraising portfolio.

Outgoing Lion Lady President Estelle O’Neill praised the Port Shepstone Lion Ladies for their ongoing projects in support of the needy. Appreciation gifts were presented to Lady President Estelle, Jane Massey and Anna Compion.

Lions Denis Meyer, Kevin Ross, Steve McCarroll, Gary Vogt, Richard Borradaile, Mike Heathcote and Jean Masson were awarded commemorative pins for 100% attendance of club meetings throughout the past fiscal year.

District Governor Jeff Smith then formally inducted Lion Mervin Curnow as Club President for the 2022/2023 fiscal year.

In his acceptance speech, Lion Mervin thanked his predecessor for his outstanding leadership of the club and undertook to continue the club’s legacy of community service which will include the possible reintroduction of involvement with Lions International Youth Exchange and Reach For a Dream projects during the forthcoming year.

Lion Lady Lyn Curnow has agreed to serve as the Lion Ladies’ President for the forthcoming year.

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