Harvey Lions Club celebrate successful district convention at Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre

It was a busy weekend in Harvey earlier this month as a pride of Lions graced the town.

More than 160 members of the service organisation from across the southern half of the State and beyond gathered at the Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre as part of the Lions District 201W2 annual convention held between September 16 and 18.

The Harvey Lions Club hosted this year’s event after Rockingham presented the convention in 2021.

Club secretary Michele Stanton said the club had last been chosen to hold the event in 2001.

“It was an honor to have hosted this as it is very unusual for a club to host more than one convention in their lifetime,” she said.

Several activities were conducted over the three-day event, starting with a welcome to country by elder Leslie Ugle.

A flag ceremony was held, as was a memorial service for 24 late Lions Club members as well as Queen Elizabeth II.

Attendees heard from speakers including educator Chelsea Horner, marketing specialist Sharyn McCaskey, young entrepreneur Scott Millar and former senior Australian Navy officer Commander Jim O’Neill.

Awards were presented in various categories, including for outstanding secretary, treasurer and chairperson.

However, the biggest accolade went to convention chair Colin Beauchamp, who became only the second person ever in WA to be awarded the International President’s medal. The medal is the highest honour a Lions member can receive.

Attendees let their hair down on the Saturday night with the Steampunk Ball, with interesting outfits a key part of the dinner.

The event wrapped up with a farewell barbeque on Sunday.

Ms Stanton expressed her optimism about what her fellow Lions got out of the convention.

“We hope attendees received good fellowship and information about our governance plus how we are assisting our communities with our projects and operation on a wider scale than just our backyard,” she said.

The Lions 201W2 district covers all Western Australian Lions Clubs south of the Swan River, with some travelling from as Kalgoorlie and even Victoria to attend the event.