2000/01

Jack Stephenson became President in July 2000, with John Lawless remaining in the Secretary's chair.

Some planning was undertaken during the break and it was a case of hitting the ground running from September. The officers had attended a briefing of roles in Dublin in August given by the District.

The Club hosted the All Ireland Golf competition for Lions Club members on the last Saturday in September at West Waterford Golf Club. 21 teams entered in what was a fun day (and evening). This proved to be the second, and last, such event.

It was decided at the start of the season that all fundraising (except the Christmas Appeal) would be towards a new mini bus being purchased by the Deise Daycare Centre.

The first big fundraiser was the West Waterford Homemaker of the Year, supported by Herlihy's Supervalu. This consisted of contestants cooking a meal for less than £20 in ingredients and being interviewed by five judges of appropriate experience on a range of home based activities. There was a fun aspect to this with the Bachelors in Trouble exhibiting their culinary skills at the interval. Over £2,000 was raised, which was a good start to the Deise Daycare project.

One of the new developments in the Christmas Appeal was the decision to call to some 30 schools in West Waterford to request that they consider the Lions Club Christmas Appeal as beneficiary of their normal Christmas fundraising. This became a great contributor to the Appeal over the years.

A proposed Christmas party for members was called off due to clashing with other events.

Club visits started up in this year, with a visit to a meeting in Kilkenny. More were to follow in subsequent years.

Having missed out on the social night in December, social events recommenced again in March, with a very enjoyable nights bowling being held in Clonea Hotel in February. Tom Keevers proved to be Top Bowler of 2001.

Roadside signs for the Club were first mentioned in 2000 as was a President's Board. These eventually became a reality in 2007 and 2003 respectively.

A table quiz scheduled for March was deferred to early the next season due to the Foot and Mouth crisis. However, a Welsh Male Choir performed in the Parish Church in March with the proceeds of a collection being donated to the mini bus project. The Annual Convention due in Antrim was cancelled, also because of Foot and Mouth.

A very successful golf classic was held in May, realising a further £2,500 towards the mini bus. Another great night of afters is reported.

This was the year that Mosney holiday moved to Trabolgan. All involved, including the 20 guests of Dungarvan Lions Club, were delighted with the new facilities.

Other activities in the year were hospital visits, the Youth Award and the Christmas Swim - John O'Brien was on swim no. 29 at this stage.