Lions District 201N1

Christine Anne Woolnough

Who am I?

I was born in Sydney and when eight years of age lost my father, an airline navigator, in a plane crash in the USA. Several years later my mother Gwenda, remarried, and the family moved to Orange where my new Dad, Charles Swinbourne, was in Local Government. In 1957 the family moved to Barraba, where Charles had been appointed Shire Clerk. In 1959, I completed the Intermediate Certificate and was School Captain of the Barraba Central School in my final year.

I accepted an apprenticeship in hairdressing which continued in Moree in 1961 following my father’s appointment as Shire Clerk of Boolooroo Shire Council. After completion of my apprenticeship, I moved to Tamworth to manage a hairdressing salon. Later in my hairdressing career I also managed salons in Townsville, Kempsey and Port Macquarie and for several years was self employed as a barber.

In 1966, following a year’s working holiday in New Zealand, I returned to Moree and met my future husband, Darrel, who was visiting from Lismore. I later moved to Lismore where we married in 1968 and moved to Far North Queensland, Townsville for a year, and Innisfail for nine years. During our stay in Innisfail we had two children, Mandy and Gavin. These days my six year old Granddaughter, Isobel, is the apple of my eye.

Family illness prompted a move to Kempsey in 1978 followed by a work related move to Port Macquarie in 1985. From 1987 until 1989, I took on the role of Coordinator for the Student Exchange Program A.S.S.E. I organised host families for the mainly Scandinavian students who spent a year in Australia and also gave local students the opportunity to experience a year overseas. My passion for Student Exchange continues to this day.

In recent years my work interest has moved from hairdressing to retail. Both Darrel and I are planning full retirement this year, and this will enable me to give even more of my time and energy to Lions.

As a youth I was a keen basketball player whilst tennis dominated my middle years. Today, a good walk is as physical as it gets. I enjoy watching tennis, golf and ‘one day’ cricket on TV and occasionally the Sydney Swans. My love of Theatre led me to take part in musicals and drama in the Amateur Theatre Society ranks. I enjoy the movies, swimming, reading, music and spending time with family and good friends.

Recently I started a local chapter of the Red Hat Society in Port Macquarie. This is a social group for women over fifty who enjoy growing old disgracefully but with decorum. That’s me!

What about Lions?

Before joining Lions, I was a keen volunteer for the Cancer Council, helping with Australia’s Greatest Morning Tea, Daffodil Day and Relay for Life. In 1996, at the urging of my good friend, Lion Mary McLaren, then a Lioness and ardent Cancer Council supporter, I joined the Port City Lioness Club and two years later moved to the fledgling Port Macquarie Tacking Point Lions Club. At this club I have held the roles of Tail Twister, Bulletin Editor, Second Vice President, Third Vice President, and was elected President for the year 2004/2005. As well, I’ve been a First and Second year Director, and have held Committee positions involving "Kids to the Inland" and Australia Day Celebrations where I organised Children’s Games with the help of the West Port High W.A.S.C.A.L.S. I have been on my Club’s Social Committee and am a firm believer in putting fun into Lionism.

In 2006/2007 I was on Cabinet as Zone Chairman N5, for which I am the proud holder of a District Governor’s Excellence Award, and have also received International Director Lion Cliff Heywood’s Bannerette in appreciation of "putting fun into a Lions District Convention". In 2007/2008 I was on Cabinet as Region MERL PR Chairman and as District Women’s Membership Development and Participation Chairman. Currently I am on Cabinet as Vice District Governor.

My Aims

I will continue to support the projects of Present and Past District Governors as well as our International obligations.

In addition there are ‘special’ projects which I will be encouraging in all Clubs.

Earlier I referred to my passion for Youth Exchange. I would, however, like to see an increase in the ‘outbound’ component of this project. Furthermore, I would like to see an increase in the promotion of all youth programs and this includes the establishment of additional LEO Clubs. I feel this will help ensure a bright future for our Lions organisation.