George Town Mutiara returns District Awards ...

R1C Dato' Yeoh receiving the returned awards on behalf of
District Governor witnessed by Z1C May Cheah.

The Lions Club of George Town Mutiara recently returned all five District Awards awarded to the club during the recent District Convention in Kuching to the District Governor during the club's 24th Charter Anniversary Celebrations on 19 May 2012.

President Mark Labrooy in returning the awards to the District Governor's representative that evening explained that the Club did not merit the awards as it had not achieved a positive growth as at 15 March 2012 as per the District requirement ... "f. To achieve a net increase of 3 new members from the minimum membership of 21 members as at 15 March 2012". In actual fact the club's growth status was at minus four (-4) as at 15 May 2012.

The action of the club (in returning the awards)  is not to show disrespect or to belittle the District Governor but to stick to its principles that awards should only be received if the club deserves it. The District Governor had recently imposed on Past International Director Hajjah Ellis Suriyati that President Mark Labrooy did not merit receiving the International President's Certificate of Appreciation due to the club's negative growth when she wanted to present one to the latter.

President Mark Labrooy had personally couriered the district awards by POS LAJU to the District Governor to ensure that the awards are safely received by the District Governor.

LC George Town Mutiara welcomes new Lions...

In conjunction with their 24th Charter Anniversary Celebrations, the Lions Club of George Town Mutiara welcomed two new lions into their pride.

The entire induction ceremony was done "in-house" with Zone 1 Chairperson (Club Secretary) May Cheah as the Inducting Officer, Past District Governing Dato' Khoo Kay Huat presenting the certificates of membership and President Mark Labrooy the Club's vest and badge to the new Lions.

Lion Tyson Yeap and Lion Jessy Khosuma were both inducted into the Lions Club of George Town Mutiara during a solemn and dignified ceremony in accordance with the procedures of Lions Clubs International. Lion Tyson Yeap was sponsored by 3rd Vice President Lion Ed Kiew whilst Lion Jessy Khosuma was sponsored by President Mark Labrooy.

George Town Mutiara is ... 24 years of age.

Mutiara Lions celebrated their 24th Charter Anniversary with a three day programme from 18 to 20 May 2012 which included fellowship with all four Sister Clubs lions, and two anniversary projects.

It has been a long time since all four sister clubs were present to join in the celebrations. The members from the Lions Club of Medan Raya (District 307A, Indonesia), Lions Club of Singapore Fort Canning (District 308 A1), Lions Club of Kota Budaya (District 308 B1) and the Lions Club of Petaling Jaya Metro (District 308 B2) were all present this time round. Also present to join in the celebrations were Lions from the Ellenbrook Lions Club (District 201W1), Australia.

The Club's first anniversary project was the improvement of the Home Library at the Seri Cahaya Welfare Home in Permatang Damar Laut. The home library was first started by the Club in September 2011 with the assistance of the crew of the mv Logos Hope. This time round, the club donated plastic chairs, fluorescent light bulbs, books, a table and diapers for the children of the home. Past President Wilson Chia of LC Singapore Fort Canning personally donated RM600.00 to the home as did District Chairperson Nelson Wong of LC PJ Mutiara who donated RM60.00.

The second project was during the Charter Anniversary banquet whereat thirty inmates from the Penang Cheshire Home were invited to join in the celebratory dinner. The Club also donated RM1,000.00 to the home.

Some two hundred and eighty Lions, friends of Lions and family members attended the dinner. Amongst the Lions Dignitaries were Past Council Chairperson Dr. Ong Tat Lien & Lady Kathleen; Past Council Chairperson S.T. Yeoh (D.308 B1); Immediate Past District Governor Hudson Hah; Past District Governor Kenneth Saw & Lady Girlie; Past District Governor Jason Kon (D. 308 B1); Past District Governor Woon Fong Piew & Lady Molly.

As the District Governor declined to attend the event at the eleventh hour, District Fellow Awards to Past Presidents Yeow Chin Chuan and May Cheah were presented by Immediate Past District Governor Hudson Hah whilst Past Council Chairperson Dr. Ong Tat Lien was given the honour to present the Customary Awards to the club's three principal officers viz President Mark Labrooy, Secretary May Cheah and Treasurer Ann Khor.

A picture paints a thousand words...

24th Charter Anniversary Celebrations...

HURRAY! ... The CELEBRATIONS begin...

Members of our sister clubs arrive today to join in our 24th Charter Anniversary Celebrations scheduled for three days from 18 - 20 May 2012. Arriving today are members from the Lions Club of Medan Raya (District 307A, Indonesia); Lions Club of Singapore Fort Canning (District 308 A1) and Lions Club of Kota Budaya (District 308 B1).

The celebrations starts with a gathering with the Lions of LC Medan Raya at 3.00 p.m. followed by a fellowship dinner tonight with all sister clubs' members.

Tomorrow (19 May) will see the arrival of members of another sister club - the Lions Club of Petaling Jaya Metro (District 308 B2). In the afternoon, Lions will converge on the Seri Cahaya Welfare Home in Bayan Lepas for the club's Anniversary Home Library Project for the home and in the evening, the main event, the Celebratory Anniversary Dinner at the Eastin Hotel, Penang.

Sunday (20 May) will see the departure of the visiting Lions but not before a final fellowship lunch gathering.

This will be the first time in many years that we have all four sister clubs attending our Anniversary Celebrations.