2024 Changeover Melvin Jones Award
2024 Melvin Jones Award:
President Richard Sheahan explained:
A project I took on about 5 ½ years ago was to find a home for Oatley Lions. All we really asked for from the venues was consistency in the availability of a room, twice monthly on a Tuesday night for our meetings. We didn’t think It was too much to ask for. John Morgan and I spoke to a number of local Clubs and you’ve no idea how difficult it was to “get a room”! Without going into the nitty gritty, the final result was a 5 year agreement with the Oatley Hotel that has absolutely exceeded our wildest expectations, it’s seen our Club almost double in members and provided our members with a venue that they are really proud to call our home. The support that we’ve received from Lyn and her staff has been just wonderful. There is not an element of the agreement that we would change and as it’s almost 5 years to the day that we signed the original document, I’m very proud to announce tonight that both parties are very happy to extend the agreement a further 5 years until 30th June 2029.
Melvin Jones Fellowship Award Presentation
Lyn, whilst you’re standing here, we have a special Presentation that we’d like to make to you on behalf of our Club. The name Melvin Jones mightn’t mean a lot to you, but it will to any Lions in the room tonight. He was the founder of the Lions movement back in Chicago in 1917. He was regarded as a dreamer, a doer and a pragmatist and he sowed the seeds of the organization that has 1.4m members worldwide today. The highest accolade that any Lion can receive, or award is a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.
I’ve been a member for about 8 years now and I don’t remember our Club ever awarding one of these, but the time has come to break that drought. Your generosity and support for our Club and its projects makes this award an absolute no brainer. Our members are so grateful for all you’ve done for us and not only us - the community in general. I think I can speak on behalf of all members when I say we are thrilled to be entering a new 5 year association with you and the Hotel.
It gives me great pleasure to be able to award you with this Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.
