Port Shepstone Lions, Lion Ladies and their guests celebrated the club’s 53rd annual presidential induction and awards dinner at their Lions’ Den clubhouse at Port Shepstone Country Club recently.
Guests of honour included newly inducted District Governor Lindie van Wyk (attending her first official function as Governor) and BT and Darryl King from South Coast Hospice.
Lindie, who travelled from Pretoria to attend the dinner, formally inducted Lion Mike Heathcote as club president for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
Highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Citizen of the Year award to Beatrice (BT) King in recognition of her ongoing support of the club and for her outstanding fundraising efforts and initiatives for hospice.
In his acceptance speech, Mike thanked his predecessor for his leadership of the club and undertook to continue the club’s legacy of fellowship, friendship and service.
Lion Lady Sandy Heathcote has agreed to serve as the Lion Ladies’ President for the forthcoming year.
Outgoing club president, Mervin Curnow paid tribute to both the Port Shepstone Lions and Lion Ladies for a very successful year of community service and fundraising projects.
These projects included providing ongoing support to South Coast Hospice, Reinhardt’s Place, Assisi Mission Orphanage, Hibiscus Food For Life and Suid Natal Kospakke Kinders.
The club also successfully hosted their annual Lions Leadership Retreat and annual Blind Bowlers weekend.
Senior citizens projects during the year included the annual Christmas Luncheon held at Port Shepstone Country Club main hall, monthly games afternoons and literally hundreds of frozen meals provided on a monthly basis.
The club was also involved with the sponsorship of 15 cataract operations for needy recipients during Sight Week in October last year.
The Lion of the Year Trophy was presented to Wilko Kunz in recognition of his commitment to the community services portfolio throughout the course of the year.
Stirrer of the Year Trophy went to Kenny Rolfe.
Club Secretary and Treasurer medals were presented to Denis Meyer and Richard Borradaile, respectively.
A 40 years of membership pin was presented to Mervin Curnow and a five-year membership pin was presented to Craig Curnow.
Outgoing Lion Lady President Lyn Curnow praised the Port Shepstone Lion Ladies for their many projects in support of the needy.
Appreciation gifts were presented to Ladies Secretary Sandy Heathcote and treasurer Jane Massey and her Lion Lady of the Year award was presented to Marietjie de Beer.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
