Service medal for stalwart

By Kath Gannaway
LIONS Club of Healesville stalwart Maurie Gray was presented on Sunday with the first medallion recognising 50 years of service to the International Association of Lions Clubs, and the prestigious William R. Tresise Fellow Award.
His wife, Mary, was also recognised, receiving the James D. Richardson Honour Award.
Mr Gray is the sole surviving charter member of the club which marked its 50th charter anniversary with a celebration lunch for more than 150 people at the Healesville RACV Club.
Members and their families welcomed guests including former members, representatives of neighbouring Lions clubs, District Governor Lou Onley, Tony Benbow representing the Australian Lions Foundation, Yarra Ranges’ Cr Jeanette McRae, and representatives of Healesville emergency service and community service organisations.
Club president Bert Bresser said members were thrilled for Mr and Mrs Gray.
“Australian Lions believed Maurie should be the first ever to receive the medallion in recognition of his extensive involvement over the years. He has been a past district governor, Christmas cake chairman in charge of national distribution, club president and done just about everything at many levels … and always with Mary supporting and working by his side.
“It is a great honour for our club and wonderful recognition for Maurie and Mary,” he said.
The history of the club, its contribution to the Healesville community, milestones, awards nights, the social events (many inevitably involving dressing up?), and the friendship of past and present members developed over the past half century, were portrayed on the big screen.
Marysville Lions Club charter member Neil Guscott acknowledged the Healesville club’s role in sponsoring their club almost 30years ago and spoke of the many achievements.
“The record of service of this club over the last 50 years is incredible,” he said.
Among many achievements, he listed the building of units for elderly citizens burnt out in the 1962 fires and a house for the family of a man killed while attending a fire.
Other projects included the Senior Citizens Hall in 1964, the Maroondah Retirement Village and the establishment of the Lions Den Opportunity Shop, which puts around $70,000 back into community each year.
Cr McRae spoke about their commitment to community, and to each other.
“Lions is about volunteers helping each other,” she said. “It is about friendships.”
She spoke of the integrity, passion, energy and commitment to the community which defined the club.
A number of letters and cards of congratulations were read including one from Wing-Kun Tam, international president of Lions Clubs International.
He said the club’s commitment to providing dedicated service had given the association its distinguished reputation.
“Your club was chartered by compassionate people with belief in the power of working together to help others. As your club moves forward hold on to that belief and compassion,” he wrote.