Forbes Lion Peter Bright will take over as District Governor of District 201 N4 at the Annual Changeover event being held on Saturday 20 August, 2019, at the Forbes Services Memorial Club. Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller will attend the event along with around 60 Lions members.
The appointment follows 15 months of intensive training, culminating in a week-long event in Milan, Italy from 5-9th July, where around 800 District Governors from around the world were officially sworn in.
Peter will take over the role from immediate Past District Governor Gavan Ellis, and aims to build on the Lions presence in the region to ensure they can continue supporting the community.
“I want to make sure we can continue to help our communities through tough times, and I’m keen to involve younger people in the idea of voluntary community service,” Peter said.
He already has a strong track record. Peter and his wife, Elaine, have been active Lions since joining in 2006, when the Forbes and District Club was established.
In 13 years, Peter has twice served as Club President, and has led many projects that have made a difference in the community.
Peter is committed to spreading the message that kindness matters, and working with and involving young people in community service. He has been involved in the annual Youth of the Year Quest, bringing the State Final to Forbes in 2017, and he formed the first Leos club in Forbes at the Forbes High School.
In 2017, Peter received the International Presidents Award for his work with the Forbes Flood Relief efforts, during which the club assisted local families with a variety of Australian Lions Foundation vouchers including food, fuel, stock feed and fencing.
He is quick to point out it was a team effort. “Of course, it was an honour to receive the award, but it reflected on the whole club, not just me,” said Peter.
When he takes over as District Governor, he will lead a membership of around 1,000 Lions in 48 clubs across Central, Northern, and Southern NSW. District activities include responding to community needs during disaster events, and regular activities such as the Youth of The Year Quest, Peace Poster Competition, and fundraising for the Lions Foundation to support Childhood
Cancer Research, the Save Sight Institute, and many other causes.
“I strongly encourage anyone who enjoys serving others and being part of a community to talk to us and find out what we’re about,” said Peter.
He describes being a Lions member as the most rewarding time of his life. “I’ll never forget a young mum stopping me in the street after the Forbes and District Lions Club had had Hearing Loops’ installed in the three primary schools in Forbes. She’d just come from the primary school and had seen her hearing-impaired son participate in the classroom for the first time. She
asked me if she could give me a hug, and after she explained why we were both in tears,” he said.
If you are thinking about joining the Lions Club, contact your local Lions Club, or go to the District Lions Website where you will find contact details and a membership application form.