LION LADIES: Standing are Lions Hilary Head, Liz Foster, secretary Donna Livingstone and treasurer Kath Solonec, with Claire Parker and new president Beryl Anderson.
THE Margaret River Lions Club will start its new club year with its first female president.
A Lion of five years’ standing, Beryl Anderson was officially inducted on Saturday.
She said the club offered her the pleasure of working in a team.
“The friendship, helping the public and recycling aspect is excellent,” she said.
Beryl started the Lions’ Australia Day Breakfast with Bob Castle, and is proud that the past financial year they have donated $121,514 to community projects – their highest amount to date.
This does not include the $200,000 they raised for the Margaret River Lions bush fire appeal.
Beryl said they will continue to support the Margaret River fire victims with ongoing plans.
The $121,514 in donations includes $10,000 to the soup kitchen, $9000 to Leavers Week East Timor, $5000 to bike racks, $27,000 to playground equipment, and $4000 to local families in need, $20,000 to local schools and education centres, $15,000 to emergency services, $4000 to sports sponsorship and $5000 to the Lions Foundation.
Forthcoming projects include a Margaret River Primary School peace poster competition, the 12 students planning to attend Timor for Leavers Week in conjunction with Margaret River Rotary, their information bay at the Margaret River and Districts Agricultural Show, ongoing garage sales, help for bushfire victims, and other projects as they arise.
Featuring a theme of Transparency, Teamwork and Trust, the Lions meet twice a month, and hold their popular garage sales twice monthly.
New members are always welcome, but people can also be volunteer helpers without having to join.