The Hills Lions Presentation Day

Last Sunday at the Northmead Bowling Club Ian Robinson, Eric Rode and Brad Beutel had the pleasure to be present and participate in the presentation of awards for the Hills Lions Junior AFL Club . I gave a perpetual trophy to the founders of the club in appreciation for their efforts over the last 3 years.

I also had the pleasure of addressing all the parents in my role of PR Chairman and gave it the best shot I could muster to drive home the message that we Lions would be doing it tough next year under the present economic climate. I made it very clear we would need new members to help raise money for all the requests we will get in the coming months, especially over the Christmas period.

I can’t say that it was a resounding success but I am hopeful that we may get some members for all the work we have put into there club. Phillip Butterfield, the club president, indicated that they would be helping out on the Australia Day Weekend. We did get a vote of thanks from all concerned but that isn't a member in the bank!

Lion Ian Robinson

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The EH Holden Car Club BBQ - Silverwater Park

Last Sunday we had one of the best days at a BBQ for a long time. For those like myself it was a trip down memory lane, as I have owned most of the cars pictured . The ambulance I was taken to hospital in when I was a child growing up in Broken Hill And I had the misfortune of falling off a milk cart draught horse on Sunday when my parents were away!

All of the guys had a good look around and the younger ones went for the fancy cars with their double and triple webers or fuel injected 5lt V8s and chameleon paint jobs. The EH Car Club which ran the event were so impressed with our no fuss approach, which of course is second to none, have been invited back next year to make some more money.

Who says that we don’t supply only the best with our hot scrumptious sandwiches, sausage, egg, double bacon, veg burger and onions with BBQ sauce, "YUMMY" says Wilfred.

Lion Ian Robinson

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Father Of The Year Nomination

All little boys think of their father as a superhero but in Mark Evans' case this might just be so. About 14 years ago single father Mark Evans gave up his job and friends to provide round-the-clock care for his song Perryn, who was born with a rare genetic condition. "When I now sit down and think about it I don't know how I do it either, but it's automatic," Mr Evans said.

Mr Evans is this week's nominee for the Parramatta Advertiser Father of the Year. Perryn suffers from a cocktail of conditions, including chronically low immunity, sight and hearing impairment and intellectual disability. He is fed through a tube, is wheelchair dependent and doctors didn't think he would live this long.

His doctor John Christodoulou said for survivors beyond the newborn period the "duration of survival is ... dependent on the level of care provided by parents."

"Perryn's routine starts at 2am because he needs his medicine. He goes to bed at 9pm, but he might not have a good night's sleep," Mr Evans said. Perryn needs a special van, and four years ago when his old van was on it's last legs, Mr Evans turned to Parramatta Lions Club for help.

Nominator and Lions Club Director Ian Robinson sourced out repairs and modifications on a second hand van for Perryn with all the critical additions such as a hydraulic side-lift and air-conditioning being added as part of the Lions Club project. Ian said we are indebted to Denlo, Sefton Smash Repairs and Sign Wave for the generous donations of time, money and labor they contributed.

"I joined the club as a way of saying thank you," Mr Evans said. But he didn't stop at being a member. Mark is on the board of directors and he's the Barbecue Chairman, he is involved in AMP's Plant a Tree Day, delivers our Lions Christmas Cakes and co-ordinates the purchasing for all our BBQ supplies. Due to his expertise, he helped facilitate the supply of another special van for a disabled child in the area.

I've come to rely on him as my right hand man and I don't know how I used to do things without him over the past 4 years, now its my turn to say thank you.

When he's out at Lions Club meetings, Mark's mother Diane Evans takes over Perryn's care.

Mark has now been chosen as one of the finalists to attend a luncheon with his mother at Government house on the 5th of September 2008. Perryn will be a guest at Bear Cottage, one of Mark’s favorite charities, for a day or two so Mark and Diane can attend the luncheon.

Good luck and I hope I am able to add another a spectacular addition to this story after the 5th of September!

Lion Ian Robinson

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The Hills Triathion DUATHLON Series at Parramatta Park

On Sunday 15th June at 6.30 am on a nice cool winters morning, 6°C, we set up our BBQ equipment. Brad, Ray and I turned up and we were one short. I rang our friend Wilfred and he was on the scene in a flash. The Durathlon series is one of four races at Parramatta Park over 8 laps of the 3.5 Ks round the ring road in the park. 1 running lap, 6 bike riding laps and a final running lap. The winner, a young rather fit young lady, did the complete course in 50 minutes! I would still be running the first lap!

We were asked to provide fresh cut fruit, tea and coffee and our usual BBQ. Brad, who purchased the fruit guessed almost to the last banana the amount required. The organisation on the day was superb and a credit to the Hills Triathion Club.

The race organiser, Peter Henniker, has asked our club to provide 7 marshals for the day and they will donate $350 to our club. I in turn have asked the Hills Lions AFL Club to help out on that day as it will give both our members a chance to get to know one another.

As the major sponsors of the Hills Lions AFL Club we are hoping that a strong bond of friendship will bring new members into our club and secure the ongoing sponsorship for the Hills Lions AFL Club.

Lion Ian Robinson

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Kids Big Fun Day Out at Parramatta RSL 2008

Once again the Club’s major children’s activity Kids Big Fun Day Out attracted hundreds of eager, excited special needs children to Parramatta RSL on the 15th June 2008 for a jam packed fun filled day of entertainment of 2 shows.

Primed by a jumbo show bag containing chips, lollies, fruit juice and more lollies plus toys, the kids waited in anticipation for the show to commence.

Then young J D the magician this year showed us exactly how to entertain children. He had them mesmerised with his magic and when the cotton buds turned into a rabbit the children’s eyes popped out of their head. The dove that flew into the audience and sat on a special child’s head would have been a good opportunity to make an elephant dissipate into thin air.

Thank you to all Lions, partners and family who helped set up for the day. It went off without a hitch and certainly put an enduring smile on the faces of many local children who would normally not have the opportunity to see such a quality live variety performance.

Lion Eric Rode

Project Chairman

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The AMP Planet Ark Plant a Tree Day

This year AMP Plant a Tree Day was held in the south west end of Parramatta Park and the immediate thing that struck me as we pulled up in our new BBQ van was the multiculturalism of the day and the way the family was included in the planting of over 1000 seedlings.

In the pictures it shows that we, as Australians, have some learning to do when it come to being involved in our community and world projects.

From the very start we, The Parramatta Lions Club Inc, had been asked to supply an alternative to the traditional sausage sandwich. We brought along more veg burgers than to any BBQ and still ran out!

We also handed out more fruit juice than any other event we have covered, why, because participants on the day where such a diverse range of people than ever before.

AMP measured the day’s success in the way the planters devoured the BBQ put on by our club as well as the planting of all the new trees which the children will enjoy in years to come.

Charlie and Suleyman, our new club members from Turkey where a great addition to our BBQ staff. Not only did they help to set up, cook and pack up but they are both are keen to help with the preparation as well.

Thanks AMP and to all our own members for a great day, we look forward to repeating the event next year.

Lion Ian Robinson

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Plant A Tree Day

Every year we are lucky to be a part of AMP’s “Plant a Tree Day” and this year wasn’t any different. It was a perfect Sunday morning in Parramatta Park, just one of those special days to be sitting in the sun. As usual the AMP guys and girls had everything coordinated with Parramatta Council, all the volunteers and ourselves.

After we had set up I went for a walk around the planting areas and asked one of the rangers, “How many trees were they planting”?

“3” was the reply, “only 3” I asked and he laughed and said, “yes only 3 but we are planting 3000 reed grass plants in the lower wetlands”.

We fed 162 people on the day and made $810.00 net before expenses. These BBQs are real winners. I think that if we could get a few more of these type of BBQs it would be great. Thanks to all the lions who came and helped out.

Lion Ian Robinson

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Get Into The Game - 20 August 2007

A program … creating opportunities for refugees and migrant youth and community growth.

Spring had sprung when we turned up at Granville Park for the NSW “Get into the Game” Day. The day was all about integrating into communities through sport. Teenagers were encouraged to aim high through sport to attain their goals. One could be forgiven for thinking that we were in Africa.

Andy Harper from Soccer Australia addressed the crowd, not quite the 500 expected, and Craig Foster from the world Cup Coverage on SBS and former Soccer Roo were taking care of the media coverage as well as addressing the players about the days events.

Anne Bundee–Birouste from NSWU, the organizer, said “that although the numbers where down on expected because of church commitments, they would have a great day of sport.” The Coke stand and the Milo Van did great business not only from the crowds but from our own people as well!

On a personal note I would like the thank the Granville Butcher who we had not ordered the meat from for sending me to every Railway St, Place, Crescent and others extensions in a 4 Ks radius when the shop was only 100mt down the road from his! “Thanks maaaate.”

Lion Ian Robinson

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Kids Big Fun Day Out 2007

Once again the Club’s major children’s activity Kids Big Fun Day Out attracted hundreds of eager, excited special needs children to Parramatta RSL on the 3rd June 2007 for a jam packed fun filled morning of entertainment.

Primed by a jumbo show bag containing chips, lollies, fruit juice and more lollies plus toys and a small beanie bear, the kids waited in anticipation for the show to commence.

First up were the Beanie Kids with the Beanie Master, singing, dancing and joking with the audience. The old favourite Marty and Emu had the kids laughing at their antics.

Then Jade showed them exactly how far you can bend, flatten and otherwise stretch the human body into all forms of unnatural postures and positions. Oh to be half that flexible!!!! The highlight of the day, the Master of Magic, and fellow Lion Brendan Colucci performed amazing feats of illusion and magic leaving many children and a lot of parents wondering “How did he do that??”

To top off the day most children got another show bag to take home and many had their photos taken with the cast, to keep as a lasting memory of such a wonderful and unique day.

Some of the unique side attractions this year where face painting and a proficient group making animals Thank you to all Lions, partners and family who helped set up for the day. It went off without a hitch and certainly put an enduring smile on the faces of many local children who would normally not have the opportunity to see such a quality live variety performance.

Lion Eric Rode

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It’s Not Only The Big Efforts That Count

On the 19th of February 2007 Lion Ian, Anne from Parramatta Council and myself had the pleasure of presenting Mr Sauha Mahmoud with a Router 4 port modem so that he make contact with his relatives in Africa.

On arrival in Australia from Sudan 18 months ago Sauha was a healthy happy individual looking to a better life with his family when he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease He has deteriorated to the stage where being confined to a wheelchair is his only option and he will never work again. Sauha’s wife, daughter and son, who look after all his needs were also present. Toshi is an interpreter for Sauha and is his contact to the confusing world of officialdom

The presentation of such a small item put a big smile on Sauha’s face. We where humbled making the donation and left wondering about the small things in our lives we take for granted every day. We all had that feel good emotion.

Lion Ian Robinson

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