He said he was looking forward to maintaining the club’s outstanding record of service within the Augusta and districts community.

At the dinner Lions past district governor Keith Jones officially installed the club’s new board of directors and congratulated all concerned on the year of achievement.

He presented special Lions service awards to two long-term members.

Ken Kowald received a Melvin Jones award and Barry Darnell was presented with a James D Richardson award.

Immediate past president Margaret Dente said the past year had seen fundraising at very reasonable levels, despite difficulties with lower prices and higher costs in the area of recycling.

She said a highlight had been the overwhelming response of the local community to the club’s Victoria Bushfires Appeal, which raised nearly $14,000 in four days, and together with a $10,000 club donation saw a total of $24,000 sent directly to affected Lions clubs in Victoria.

The community continued to strongly support the club’s monthly shed sales and the monster auction in January each year.

This support through donated items and repeat sales helped to underwrite the club’s role in helping those with special needs, they said.

The ongoing success of the Leeuwin Club was a direct result of the efforts of Lions, their partners and more than 20 community volunteers who regularly donated time and skills, especially in recycling and preparing donated items for sale.