It certainly has been a while and I do apologise
for that, however, on the National Mobiity
front our new ALCMF Chairman Carole Powell has
embraced her new position, our National
Registrar is now Ray Dix and there are two new
Trustees, Trevor Hirth for V2/V3, myself for
SA/NT. At the AGM in January, procedural changes
were instigated to up date and streamline our
operations, though the human element can make it
interesting at times.
The National Launch for Walk For An Aussie
Kid will take place on 20th
September 2009 in Canberra. At the same time
yours truly will be strolling 21kms around
Sydney as part of that cities marathon. Sarah
[daughter] and I will be raising awareness of
Lions International, as well as funds towards
walking devices so that children have the
opportunity to reach their Mobility potential.
We already have $450 and would really appreciate
your support. More on that later!
Locally,
as the C Districts Trustee and therefore the
link between the District Chairmen [myself in
C1’s case] and Novita, I meet to ensure
that both sides work effectively together
towards the best outcome for our Mobility
Marvels.
And please, if there are ever any queries or
concerns, anything you want to discuss regarding
Mobility, make me your first port of call so
that I can get it sorted out for you.
We can be proud that the Walker Clinics I
mentioned on my last page have increased to 8 a
year. There are now more opportunities to allow
a surer decision being made for the child’s
future Mobility needs, not only at Novita, but
through trialling in their day-to-day
environment for up to a month.
I attended my 1stNovita AGM
and learned that 4 awards are given to children
each year. This year ‘our’ children received 3
of them 1 from C2, 1 C1 country and C1 metro [I
contacted the clubs concerned at the time so
that they could congratulate ‘their’ child].
As mentioned above, I have accepted the
opportunity to continue in the position as C1
MobilityChairman [liaison between
club and and SA/NT Trustee], and through my dual
role, have been delving into the Trustee
archives now at my disposal. I have done this
through concern about the call on
Region 3 clubs, and have discovered that of
the 199 C1 sponsored devices so far,
59 of them have been from Salisbury
through to Gawler. 37 sponsored through
local clubs, while I managed to complete the
other 22 by ‘spreading the net’ beyond.
To illustrate just one particular series of
events during the year, I was attempting to
process 2 devices over about a month, when 4,
yes 4, came through at once for the same area!!
All were happily sponsored after some very
tricky footwork and incredible generosity from
clubs outside the area.
With no Government input for Mobility devices,
we supply the ‘Lions Share’ of that funding. Nationally to date 1281 devices have been
supplied through sponsorships of $7,382,718.
An incredible effort, especially when placed
alongside the other wonderful projects that
Lions embrace.
As you have no doubt worked out, Region 3 has
received more than a quarter of the entire
requests so far, and there is no sign of that
abating. I am hoping that my walk in Sydney will
help to raise funds for this area. You may have
heard the recent ads regarding Cerebral Palsy,
that there is no test, no cure and a child is
born with CP every 9 hours. My very sincere hope
is that outlying clubs and those who have not
yet had the joy of sponsorship so far will
consider assistingthis Region to
ensure that those children in need can enjoy the
possibility of independent mobility. Whilst the
child you sponsor may live in the metro area,
weekend and holiday breaks are a consideration
so that you can keep up with the child’s
progress and members can see what their
fundraising is achieving. Please contact me
soon.
I look forward to catching up at the Convention
in Clare and beyond that I am always happy to
visit clubs and spread the word.
