Members of the Waihī Lions Club gathered to celebrate a “busy and successful year” on the evening of December 17.
Club member David Parish said it was a “bit of a do with a difference”, with the Gunner’s Room venue at the Waihī RSA set up as a cowshed.
Milkmaid Liz Lye and her trusty assistant Leanne Hollis did a fantastic job of transforming the room into something special, he said.
At one point in the evening, Clarabelle the cow entered to deliver small gifts to everyone, he said.
The evening also included musical entertainment with a concert of beautiful songs sung by classically-trained Kortnee Brooks, who recently moved to the area, and was accompanied by Waihī College music teacher Edwin Randell.
“She was given a standing ovation.”
One thing was clear – socialising was something the Waihī Lions valued. It was an important part of club activity, David said.
But something the club did best was serve and support the community.
The club gave considerable financial support to a number of local charities and organisations across 2024, David said.
This includes: Hetherington House, A Friends Place, scholarships for Waihī College students and a donation to Camp Quality, which is a week-long summer holiday camp for children living with cancer.
The club also made a substantial donation for vital maintenance work at the Cancer Society Lions Lodge in Hamilton, and donations to the St Vincent de Paul and Waihī Salvation Army Christmas Appeals, he said.
“This list is by no means exhaustive and amounts to a sum in excess of $29,000,” he said.
The club is currently on hiatus in activities before members of the club set up the Waihī Memorial Hall for a two-day market during Auckland Anniversary weekend, followed by time to unwind on Anniversary Monday at the club’s annual barbecue at the Waitawheta Camp, he said.
DETAILS: Waihī Lions Eclectic Market at Waihī Memorial Hall, January 24-25, 9am to 2pm. To stay up to date, follow Lions Club of Waihī on Facebook.
