CEO Report 

I am delighted to report that our new management team, Adam Wake and Cherry Hatherley, have moved to Licola. They bring with them a lot of enthusiasm and professional qualifications and experience gained both in Australia and overseas. Adam has been appointed as the Operations Manager and Cherry is the Programs and Marketing Manager. I would also like to thank Fiona Shearer (Fish) for all the help she has given to Licola this year. Without Fiona’s work Licola would certainly have struggled to survive as it has.

Fulham Correctional Services provided 4 low risk level prisoners and a supervisor to plant 750 plants donated by Landcare this month. They are keen to develop an ongoing relationship with Licola to provide working teams of up to ten low risk level prisoners plus two supervisors on a daily basis to paint, rake, cleanup as long as we provide the tools and lunch.

The new house for the Licola store has now been delivered and by the time you read this report it should be ready for Ray and Mary Winter to move into. The Winter's run the Licola General Store and this replaces the house damaged by the mud slide last year.

Ron Cowell, Clarinda Lions has donated an old but well kept Toyota 4WD to Licola. This has been checked by Ron Melbourne, Warragul Lions, and we now have another very serviceable vehicle for use at the camp that should provide Adam and Cherry options in developing high country adventure programs.

A quote for the refurbishment of the main hall balcony has been prepared and will include wheelchair access. This balcony suffered from the floods and its replacement will make a big difference to the general appearance of the hall.
Further work is needed on the toilet areas at the hall.

An application to the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority for the approval of works approved by the Board to secure the river bank at Licola Wilderness Village has been submitted and we will be seeking funding assistance from WGCMA if the plans are approved by them.

We are still looking at a viable, and affordable, means to seal the roads within the Village.

We have made a study of the state of our houses and have found that most desperately need “a make over.” Adam will be contacting the sponsor clubs to advise the work required.
It is very important that the houses are maintained to attract visitors to Licola.

It is with regret that I have resigned my position as the C.E.O at Licola from the end of August. My time with you has been a wonderful if at times demanding position, from bushfire and floods, local community involvement, Government red tape and the creation of a new business plan. This new business plan has recommended that the new CEO be a part time position based in Gippsland. We have advertised for the position of part time CEO on Seek and Gippsland online. 

To the Licola Board, especially Chairman Noreen, and all of the Lions I would like to say THANK YOU.

CEO Ken Hunter  

Chairman’s Report
Ken Hunter has brought very special skills to Licola.  Under his stewardship as CEO grants and services valued at more than $200,000 have been achieved, and valuable relationships have been developed in the local community, and with Local, State and National Government agencies.  He will be sorely missed, and we should all be very grateful for what he has done to ensure Licola’s future.

Election of Board Members
At the upcoming District Conventions, one member will be elected to represent their District for a period of two years.  Qualifications for Board Members are:

• Business acumen and/or special skills for particular Committees.
• Motivation and willingness to attend Board and Committee meetings.
• Willingness to act outside meetings in pursuit of objectives set by the Board or a Committee Manager.
• Forward looking and dedicated to the future of Licola, the achievement of its financial obligations and advancement of the project’s Mission.
• Appreciation that their position on the Board is to help run a commercial business operation, with all the responsibilities that entails.

Taken from LVL Business Review and Strategy Plan
The term of office commences from the AGM, June 2009.

Lions Sponsored Camps
Applications are trickling in for the September Camp to be held during the second week of the school holidays – September 29 to October 3.  We need at least 60 children to make this a viable camp.  If your club is interested in sponsoring, can we have this information immediately please.
Volunteers are needed to act as “house parents”, activity leaders and camp grandparents.

Annual Report
The Annual Report including financial reports has been posted on the website.  Clubs can download this document from the website www.licola.org.au or call me on 9521 9647 to arrange a copy to be sent to your Club.

New brochures have been prepared.  It would be very much appreciated if Lions Clubs Members could assist with the promotion of Licola to local schools and community groups. A sound business at Licola will ensure its future viability and underpin the costs associated with our Lions Sponsored Camps.

Noreen Carr PDG
Chairman, LVL Board of Management