Lions International
Mayne Island Lions Club
Charter Night Gala 2025
The Mayne Island Lions Charter night dinner and dance was a great success! Past President Allen Slade offers some insights into the evenings activities, awards, and fun. You can also read Allen's full article in the December issue of the Mayneliner available on Mayne Island.
It was a full house at the M.I. School to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the M.I. Lions. The brightly lit gym created an atmosphere full of anticipation of who would be the Mayne Islander of the year (MIOTY). It promised be a busy evening of fun and awards and it was nice to see previous MIOTY winners in attendance, Sue Duncan from2024, Michael Dunn 2023, co-winner Bill Jamieson 2021, Brian Crumblehume 2020, and Richard De Armond 2019.
Mayne Islander of the Year
This year’s winner is Jackie Henry who represents the new wave of younger generation volunteers on our island. Her leadership, drive and “git ‘er done” attitude resulted in her being a very popular winner. Jackie will be giving her $1000 award money to the Gulf Island Swim club, the Otters, which caters to a huge variety of skill levels and ages. The club focusses on improving confidence and swimming skills (an essential life skill, especially for children and adults living on rock surrounded by water!) but also Otters swimmers have gone on to high level competitive swimming, including a current coach who’s qualified for the Olympic trials. A full interview with Jackie will appear in the January Mayneliner. Heartfelt congratulations go out to Jackie.
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During his presentation, Lions president Greg Martin stated that serving our community is what we as Lions do and we do not seek praise or recognition. Lions Club International recognizes this too and has created a fellowship award named after the founder, Melvin Jones. It goes to clubs that wish to acknowledge exceptional service by one or more of its members. Since 1973 it has been awarded to many Lions around the world. This year the Mayne Island Lions Club executive applied for and received Melvin Jones Fellowship awards for two of our members. Both are known for always stepping up, always coming through and always being prepared to serve our community and Club in numerous ways.
Greg then presented the Fellowship plaques to Colleen and Brian Dearden two very deserving Lions. Those in attendance rose to appreciate these popular Island members neither of whom were expecting this honour, because as they said, “it’s what we do”! They join past Mayne Island Lion Fellowship recipients Mike Bullis, Janet Guy and Alan Guy who all stood to be recognised.
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Our thanks go out to the kitchen team who prepared a splendid meal with enough left over to supply the MIALS meals on wheels program. Also, to all the friends of the Lions helpers without whom the things would not have gone so smoothly, plus the six willing servers who helped keep things moving.
