Catching Up With Lions Club Of Young

There is always something going on with the Lions Club of Young, from welcoming new members to the group, planting trees in the local community and travelling out of state to attend the National (MD) Convention.

Several members travelled to Darwin for the National (MD) Convention where a great gathering of people from all around the country joined to meet and make new friendships and renew old acquaintances.

Lions Club of Young Publicity Officer, Heather Miller said she enjoyed seeing long-serving members greet friends from other towns, states and cities.

Phenomenal guest speakers shared how they provided awesome assistance in times of need.

Professor Len Notarus who led the Bali Bombings recovery and tended to 57 burns victims was one of the guest speakers.

From that work a standalone hospital has been built near the airport for the purpose of disasters, and remains independent to the community.

Mock terrorist training remains in practice.

Professor Notarus and a team attended 26 missions, eg.

• Cyclones in the Philippines where bodies were still in the trees. Diamond Princess/Covid and Covid in Victoria.

• PNG Birthing Mothers Project

Founder of the Hands of Rescue, obstetrics and gynaecology specialist Dr Barry Kirby AO was a 40-year-old carpenter working in Papua New Guinea (PNG) when he witnessed the devastating preventable death of a young woman.

He decided PNG needed more doctors than carpenters.

Two degrees and 12 years later, he returned as a rural doctor.

Barry investigated over 30 maternal deaths in PNG and undertook extra study in obstetrics and gynaecology to learn how better to deal with emergencies.

So grew The Hands of Rescue, a not-forprofit working to reduce maternal mortality.

Barry’s approach is holistic.

His safe motherhood program trains staff, provides a flying doctor service, builds waiting houses and encourages mothers to give birth in health centres.

To also address the poor treatment of PNG women by men, Barry produced a PNG television drama, “It Takes A Village” which shines a light on the plight of women and maternal health and educates men on women’s needs.

Ms Miller said after Darwin, several members travelled to Melbourne for an International Convention.

“This was an incredible event, the unity of all who attended, I found something never before felt, being a part of a larger group of people working for the same reasons and projects, so many nations were represented at this convention,” Ms Miller said.

“Our small, local group is encouraged by being a part of this much larger concern.”

• Topics:

• Lions Club
• Community Groups