Proudly sponsoring the Lions District 201V2 Convention
District 201V2 2010 Convention Update No.6
The school bell is ringing!
By the time you receive this Newsletter, your Club Secretary will have received a mail-out from our Convention Organising Committee Secretary for presentation to your Club’s August meetings.
The mail-out contains the official Registration Form, an additional form for those with special dietary or mobility requirements, and a covering letter which includes details of the venue, times and activities. It is up to you to ensure that your information on the Registration Form is accurate, so that your requirements will be met at Registration and throughout the Convention.
There will be two Partners’ Tours which will depart the Convention Centre at 13:00 and return by 16:15:
1. Geelong Central Walking Tour: commencing at the Deakin University Woolstores Campus, a guide will lead the group at a leisurely pace towards Johnstone Park and the Peace Memorial, to the historical mural in the State Government Offices, the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, the Art Gallery, then returning to the Waterfront at the beautifully restored 1892 hand-carved wooden Carousel. The tour includes a ride on the Carousel and concludes with Afternoon Tea at the Sheraton Hotel overlooking Corio Bay. There will be the opportunity to see some of Geelong’s 100+ famous bollards before returning to the bus.
2. Bus Tour to Lara: The tour will begin with a brief call into the Serendip Sanctuary to view a large bird hide. Then, we will visit the extensive gardens of the Bisinella family, which featured in the 2008 Australian Open Garden Scheme. This garden has something for everyone, with formal rose gardens and lawns, deciduous trees, natives and even some chooks. Afternoon tea on the lawn is included (weather permitting - we do have a Plan B!).
“When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping…” Just a reminder that the Pakington Street shops close early, however Central Geelong retailers are open until 17:00 on Saturday afternoon. Geelong buses run hourly from Deakin University into the City centre.
Be sure to include your partner’s choice of tour when you make your Registration.
Saturday Lunch: The Presidents’ and Partners’ Lunch, to be held next to the Convention Centre, must be booked on the Registration Form. The Past District Governors’ Lunch (privately organised) will be held nearby. A boxed lunch can be ordered on the Registration form. This represents good value at $13.50, and will save a little time. There are several other eateries within the Administration Building where lunch can be obtained.
Souvenirs: Be sure to place your order for your Convention Bannerette and Pin as part of your Registration. The design includes the black swan logo which appears on our fridge magnets and stationery.
Closing date for Registrations is 30 Sep 10. This allows all Lions and Clubs at least four meetings in which to handle registrations and payments and send them back to the Organising Committee. This will ensure that we have sufficient lead times to finalise our arrangements with suppliers. The hospitality carry-bags we have chosen are the same style as issued last year, as they proved quite popular with Conventioneers. The manufacturer requires four clear weeks notice, so be warned – register on time or you will miss out.
Back to Skool Banquet. Have you dug out your old school uniform yet? How does it (or doesn’t it) fit? And what about the jacks, yo-yos, skipping ropes, hula hoops, swap cards, model cars, shanghais, etc? Plenty of scope to bring back memories. And the school buses will do pickup and return trips just in case the soft drinks and malted milks have any naughty secret ingredients.
So, let’s get those Registrations in early – you don’t want to be in Detention, now do you?
District 201V2 2010 Convention Update No.5
With just over 4 months to go our programme is taking shape and we’re running to schedule with our arrangements to bring you a great Convention.
During July we will send out Registration papers and requests for District Chairmen who wish to mount displays. Help us to help you, by giving these mailings prompt attention and ensuring that all information sent back is accurate and complete.
During the Remembrance Ceremony we propose to continue the tradition of projecting photos of those who have passed on, and would appreciate receiving these electronically as soon as possible. It is imperative that each photo be accurately labelled with the person’s name and title, and that they be approximately 2 Megapixels to ensure good definition on projection.
Thanks to Portland Club we now have a start on our collection of photos of Clubs in action. It’s now up to the remaining Clubs to help build up our library. It’s not difficult – all we need is 2 photos of about 2 Mp each. Make sure your Club doesn’t miss out on being in the display.
A number of clubs have indicated that they’re well advanced in preparing for the Saturday night festivities. While you don’t have to dress up, it’s a lot of fun to be part of the theme and the parade. And remember, there will be prizes!
Have you booked your accommodation? The later you leave it the more competitive it will become. While we have met with the management of all the appropriate sites, we have not reserved any accommodation. So, it’s up to you to beat the rush.
Bob Badham
2010 Convention Chairman
District 201V2 2010 Convention Update No.4
Two of our Committee Members attended the recent Multiple District Convention at Mildura. Although a MD Convention is quite different to our District Conventions, we were keen to observe the operation and, along with DG-elect Max, we picked up a number of key pointers which will assist us as we plan and conduct our Convention. There was also an excellent forum on running a District Convention which provided some more valuable information.
In support of our 'Back to Skool' theme we are looking forward to seeing how the old school uniforms fit now many of us are of more mature stature. If you are having problems accessing outfits there is a costume hire shop in Geelong which is run on a volunteer basis. Their rates are very reasonable and they are keen to assist us, so visit their website at 2010Convention@gmail.com Remember to mention the Lions Convention.
Bob Badham
2010 Convention Chairman
Lions International Convention 2010
Coach Trip to Sydney
'A Great Opportunity to Attend'
Coach Departs Geelong:
Wed 23 Jun 10
Returns to Geelong:
Wed 7 Jul 10
15 Fabulous Days
Cost:
$2,040.00 per Person (40 Passengers)
$2,130.00 per Person (36 Passengers)
For Further Information:
Eva Barwise or
Lions Partner Lindsay Rogers
(H) 5277-3390 (M) 0408 521-432
(B) 5222-4733
District 201V2 2010 Convention Update No.3
We recently met with a representative of Geelong Otway Tourism, and his organisation is keen to help make your stay in Geelong an enjoyable one. Plan to come a few days early, or to stay on after the Convention – there’s plenty to see and do.
People have started booking accommodation, and it’s timely to suggest that you give this serious consideration. November is a busy time at the City by the Bay, so be sure that you get in early for the accommodation you prefer. Go the District website for the full Accommodation List. And be sure to tell your hosts that you’re here for the Lions Convention.
Have you started sorting through your Club’s project photos yet? We want to provide a comprehensive presentation of our members in action in their communities. You can send up to 3 photos, each up to 2 MB in size. The higher the resolution the better they’ll look on the big screen.
District 201V2 2010 Convention Update No.2
A couple of weeks ago I spent part of a sunny Sunday afternoon reviewing the parts of the Deakin Campus we will be using for this year's Convention. I could not imagine a more pleasant spot to be while enjoying the company of fellow Lions and their partners.
A review of attendance at the Camperdown Convention shows that, of the 68 Clubs in our District, 14 were not represented and 15 had only one or two Members registered. There are, of course, reasons why Members do not attend and, therefore, clubs are not represented. These days cost is a key factor in everything we do, and many people still see travel as a challenge. At the other end of the scale there are people who haven’t missed a District Convention in many years. Why do they keep coming back, irrespective of where in the District the Convention is held? Among the reasons are the general fellowship, renewing friendships previously made, the opportunity to learn or to contribute to the learning of others, or to revitalise their interest in our Organisation.
EVERYBODY at some stage attended their first Convention. It can be a daunting proposition, but it can be made easier by having a more experienced Lion for company. If you’ve never been to a District Convention, ask someone in your Club who does go why they go. Ask to see last year’s Convention papers to get a feel for the programme and content of the Convention. Consider going this year to experience it for yourself. Come prepared to participate, to learn, to enjoy.
If you have been to previous Conventions, think back over your experiences. Use these as a springboard to attend this year, and to encourage other Members of your Club to join you. We have a strong District, with a reputation for conducting good Conventions. These attributes will be maintained and enhanced only by our Members and Clubs supporting District activities, particularly our annual Convention.
At Camperdown last year, apart from the Host Club, 9 Clubs had 10 or more Members registered. Decide now that your Club will join the 'double figures' brigade this year at South Barwon.
We plan to develop a montage of photos of Club activities in the District, and invite every club to forward suitable photos. We’ll accept up to 3 photos of your Club’s Members in action, preferably in digital format up to 2 MB in size. Send them to the email address below as soon as you’re ready.
2010convention@gmail.com
District 201V2 2010 Convention Update No.1
Now that the holiday season is over the South Barwon Convention Committee is well and truly in action. If you haven’t already noted the dates in your diary, now is the opportunity to do so. Set aside Friday 5 to Sunday 7 Nov 10, to attend a Convention aimed to help regain that lost youth and relive the best days of your life. The theme is 'Back to Skool', and you have adequate time to dust off the old uniform and see if you can still get into it for Saturday night. Good Luck!
The entire Convention will be held at the Waurn Ponds Campus of Deakin University in Pigdons Road (UBD: 647-D10, Melway: 464-J5). There is plenty of parking, picturesque surroundings, and all the necessary facilities for a great weekend.
November is a busy time in Geelong, so we have approached all the motels and caravan parks south of the Barwon River to warn them that the Lions are coming to town. The Accommodation List is available through the District Website under Marketing and Communications. Please make use of it and BOOK EARLY! Be sure to tell them when you book that you’re coming for the Convention. All this accommodation is within about 10 minutes drive of the Convention Centre.
Bob Badham
