2008/09
In the year 2008/09 Jack Stephenson came in as President for his third term. Siobhan Fahey took over as Secretary.
Jenny Beresford, who was to have been PRO for the year, and Nora Widger Treasurer, resigned in month one, Jenny for work reasons, and Nora on job relocation. Liz Walsh and Dermot Arnold, who had just joined the Club, stepped into the breach. In a move to ensure continuity each position had had an assistant appointed at the start of the year, so the assistants became the No. 1s immediately!
The first event of the year was a Summer tea party for 55 residents of Carriglea, which was very well supported by Lions members.
It is worth recording at this stage that a very generous benefactor had given substantial funds to the Club in recent years. Having purchased the mobile unit for the Christmas Appeal and other events, the Club devoted the funds towards Education Bursaries, which continues to help many deserving people on their way by funding their educational needs.
Another Faces, Places and Facts of the Decies quiz was run in October by JD O'Shea and his committee. 17 tables partook with Waterford hurler Eoin Murphy acting as Quiz Master.
A very good Youth in the Community event run pre Christmas showed the excellent qualities which many of our young people possess. A young man from Dungarvan Youth Club won the award.
After a visit from Donal Connolly of Deise Daycare Centre, who gave a presentation to the Club in November, it was agreed that we would fund the Meal on Wheels van and fit out. Donal subsequently joined the Club and was President in 2011/12. He had also been founder President of Roscommon Club.
The Club twinned with Tenby & Saundersfoot Club in Wales and Lismore Club in NSW, Australia. Also, during the Summer the President had run into members of Granada, Nicaragua, Club and a letter was subsequently sent to them suggesting twinning - but we never heard back.
A great fundraiser in November was the Garda Band Concert - only one word to describe the night - brilliant, and over €8,000 was raised for South East Radiotherapy Trust.
Again the Christmas Appeal was highly successful, with €60,600 being raised, which enabled the Club to greatly alleviate much hardship and also support the various conferences of St. Vincent de Paul in West Waterford and other local charities.
A Suicide Awareness programme was run by way of workshops through some of the secondary schools in West Waterford and in the Town Hall. This programme was organised by John Hanlon and involved the Smashing Times Theatre Company.
In celebration of the Club's record of serving the community since the 70s, we had a 70s car in the St. Patrick's Day parade with the Secretary and President dressed in their finest 70s garb.
On a lovely Saturday in May the Club ran a garden party in Joe Harney's garden in Old Parish with lots of side attractions, while supporting the Samaritans with the proceeds.
A group of Senior Citizens were brought to Mount Congreve gardens and some Waterford city locations by the Club in May - organised by Donal Connolly.
The Christmas Swim, Trabolgan Holiday, monthly hospital visits, and club visits to Waterford and Mitchelstown clubs also took place during the year.
On the social scene, a bowling night was held in Clonea and a Club members night at Fiddler on the Roof in Carrick on Suir. Both were enjoyable events for members.
