Port Shepstone Lions celebrate half a century of service
A special video presentation provided a glimpse of service and fellowship achieved by the Port Shepstone Lions Club.
Port Shepstone Lions Club celebrated its milestone 50th anniversary at the Port Shepstone Country Club last Saturday.
The event honoured those members who 50 years ago, decided to start the first Lions Club chartered on the Lower South Coast and to celebrate the club’s achievements.
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A special video presentation was shown by Lion Denis Meyer which provided a glimpse of half a century of service and fellowship achieved by the Port Shepstone Lions.
At the beginning of 1970, Port Shepstone boasted a Rotary, Round Table and a Bullslingers Club, however, a number of community-minded individuals still felt the need to establish a Lions Club in the area.
Members of the sponsoring club, Amanzimtoti Lions, together with the then zone chairman for Durban South, Lion Doug Hudson and the District Club Extension Officer, Lion Ben Jacobs held a meeting with interested parties at the old Milton Hotel in Port Shepstone and, judging by the number of attendees and the strong interest shown, it was evident that a new Lions Club in the area would become a reality.
The first charter dinner was held at the Milton Hotel in Port Shepstone on Friday, April 24 1970.
It was attended by leading businessmen from Port Shepstone and Uvongo as well as a strong contingent of members from many Durban based Lions clubs which included Amanzimtoti, Durban South, Westville, Durban Host, Kloof, North Durban and Pinetown.
Lions District 410-C was formed the previous year and the district’s first governor, Louis Halse was also in attendance together with the then mayor of Port Shepstone, Cllr S Robinson.
Over the years the club has produced many district, multiple district and international leaders which include several zone chairmen, district chairmen, five district governors and a chairman of the council of governors.
Port Shepstone Lions also went on to sponsor the chartering of the Margate, Scottburgh, Kokstad, Harding and Shelly Beach Lions Clubs. Two of these clubs remain active today.
Port Shepstone Lions have successfully run many large community projects for a number of years. These include the annual blind bowlers tournament (39 years), annual South Coast Lions show (34 years up until 2018), annual Lions leadership retreat (35 years) and monthly Lions seniors games afternoons (29 years).
Today Port Shepstone Lions remains a strong, vibrant and active service club with a large membership and support base.
Club President Alister Love thanked members and Lion Ladies for their ongoing efforts in keeping the club active and successful.
Appreciation plaques in recognition of ongoing sponsorship and support of the club’s community service projects were presented to Graeme Milligan, Michael Frey, Lothar Frey Family Trust, South Coast Herald, Port Shepstone Country Club, Port Shepstone Rotary, Port Shepstone Round Table and the presidents of Shelly Beach, Scottburgh and Reitz Lions Clubs.
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