Chairman’s Report

Tony and I have recently returned from a delightful weekend to join in celebrating Adam and Cherry’s wedding at Licola. The village looked fantastic, the dining hall was transformed and the atmosphere was electric.

On the trip up I could not help but to notice just how beautiful the whole area from Heyfield through to Licola was, with the recent rains and warmer weather causing the grass to grow so green and tall. What this does is remind us that when we get a few very hot days in the area this grass can become a fire hazard and once again Licola can be under the threat of bushfires. We have our Fire Plans in place; we are well prepared with all of our equipment, and the Licola CFA’s equipment, all fully tested and ready to go. Most of all we will always act on the side of caution as all of our customers, young, old and in between, are all very precious to us.  

Ken Hunter (our first CEO) made his first return to Licola in 3 years to attend Adam and Cherry’s wedding and was left short of words to describe the improvements made since he left. He was particularly impressed that the Wellington Shire / Licola business plan had been followed and executed so effectively. High praise indeed!

Lions Sponsored Camps

Lions Sponsored Camp No 259   9th- 13th January

Lions Sponsored Camp No 260   16th- 20th January

Lions Sponsored Camp No 261   23rd- 27th January for 8-11 year old children.

By the time you read this report the applications for our January Lions Sponsored Camps will have closed and to the clubs who have sent children to Licola we do thank you. The children will have a great time. Please remember that your club still has the responsibility to ensure the children are delivered in time for the bus to Licola and that somebody is there to meet the bus when they return.

Other Lions Sponsored Camps for 2012

Camps dates are as follows:

Camp 262:  Sunday 1st to Thursday 5th April 2012

Camp 263:  Monday 24th – Friday 28th September 2012

District 201 N4 special Needs Camp: Sunday 15th to Friday 20th April 2012.

If you are planning to send children to these camps please start your selection process for early February.

General Information

Over 50’s Leisure & Activities Week

Book early for 2012. (15th to 19th October 2012)

We mentioned some of the benefits for this camp in last months report so when you are relaxing during the Christmas break, thinking how relaxing it is you might give a thought to planning your October break, so please talk to your family and friends and ask them to join you at Licola.

Visual Independence Camp

We recently hosted a small group if visually impaired visitors at Licola, and we would like to acknowledge the efforts of Lion Bernie Slagtman of the Lions Visual Independence Foundation for all his work to get this first camp organised. Our staff had a great time on this special camp but not, according to the letters received from LVIF and Guide Dogs Victoria, as good a time as our visitors.

Congratulants Lions for your support of this camp and we hope you will continue to support this group.

Wedding bells at Licola

Our congratulations go to Adam and Cherry on their wedding, at Licola, on 12 November 2011.  The camp was packed with their family and friends from Australia and many overseas countries. The weather was perfect for the outdoor ceremony and the partying continued until dawn.

Adam and Cherry have now returned from their honeymoon and are preparing themselves for the summer Lions Sponsored camps.

Houses 15 and 16

Houses 15 and 16 are coming along very nicely, and are nearing completion. In the very near future Adam and Peter will be asking for some assistance to put the finishing touches on this building…Just getting in early to soften the blow.

Wishing, Hoping and Helping

We have mentioned just how important sponsorship and donations are to the effective running of Licola. Now that you are aware of how much progress has been made to make Licola self supporting any support you can offer enables us to continue to upgrade the facilities we can offer, or provide a sponsorship of a child to attend our camps.

Please contact Adam Wake, or “Sudge” at Licola or C.E.O. Peter McShane 0402 851 745 or ceo@licola.org.au if you think you can help.

Contact Camp Managers, Adam, Cherry and “Sudge”, on 5148 8791 or visit the updated website www.licola.org.au for all the updates at Licola.     

On behalf of all the Licola staff, and your Licola Board, we would like to thank you for your support during 2011 and take this opportunity to wish you all a safe healthy, and Very Happy Christmas and a most Prosperous New Year.

Contact Camp Managers, Adam and Cherry, on 5148 8791 or visit the website www.licola.org.au  

Visit our updated web site www.licola.org.au for all the current reports from Licola.

Adam & Cherry signing the marriage register at Licola