Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Today in this House I acknowledge the Cudal-Cargo and District Lions Club. For close to 40 years the Cudal-Cargo Lions have been serving our local communities and our country. Cudal and Cargo are smaller communities of the Calare electorate, and they are thriving and vibrant. This mighty club makes a real difference to the lives of residents in the Cudal-Cargo area. Lions clubs all over Australia assist with local community fundraising for important causes. In addition to community service, Lions Australia has a history of providing natural disaster and emergency relief as well supporting medical research. The Cudal-Cargo Lions club is no exception.

Over the last year alone, the club has raised over $45,000, supporting a range of impactful programs and projects including the Central West Tractor Trek in support of Little Wings, the Cudal and Cargo public schools, hearing dogs, the Cudal Show, the flood appeal, prostate cancer support, assisting people with a disability to purchase support equipment, providing four young adults with $2,000 each to support their first year of university or TAFE, and nominating local women for the New South Wales rural women of the year awards. The club caters for thousands of people at the Australian National Field Days and also the caravan and camping show as part of their fundraising activities. Recently, club members were assisting with eye screening at Grenfell Public School.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the outstanding team at Cudal-Cargo Lions, including the president, Brent Twaddle; the vice-president, Brigitte Eden—Brigitte was just presented with the Lion of the year award at the recent changeover—the treasurer, Greg Lynch; the secretary, Lyn Frecklington; the public officer, Janet Price; the safety officer and current member, Kristy Dolbel; former district governor and communication and publicity coordinator Ron Parry; the catering coordinator and current member, Helen Coleman; former zone chair and current member Barbara Parry; former president and current member Sue Parish; founding and current members Graham Eslick and Dave Farrell; and members Jim Brien, Margaret Brien, Carroll Smith, Jane Miller, Kathy Wicks and Russell Wicks.

At the end of September, the Cudal-Cargo and District Lions Club will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. The motto of Lions International is We Serve, and the kind-hearted members of Cudal-Cargo Lions certainly personify this. In a turbulent world, their kindness and compassion shine through. I congratulate this marvellous club on its 40th birthday and the unwavering commitment of its members to our communities. As a Lions Club member myself, I can tell you it's great to be a Lion. Well done, Cudal-Cargo Lions. We appreciate everything you do.

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