Community
3 July, 2025
Rowe returns as club president
HEATHER Rowe has been re-elected president of the Mortlake Lions Club after feeling she still has plenty left to accomplish.
Members gathered last Thursday evening for a changeover dinner at the Mount Shadwell Hotel.
Mrs Rowe said she was elated to return to the role of president, feeling a second year is where she can find stride.
“I wanted to do two years,” she said.
“The first year, you’re always just getting into the swing of it so there’s always more you can do.
“I’ve put my hand up for another year – two years will be enough, but I wanted a second year where I wasn’t feeling my way as much.
“It’s been a really good first year so I was happy.”
Mrs Rowe reflected on the club’s activities over the past year, with widespread involvement in events such as the Mortlake Cup, Noorat Show and Mortlake Gift.
“We delivered Meals on Wheels and set up and dismantled shelving at the Mortlake Rose Show,” she said.
“We provide financial assistance for the important Lions Eye Health testing program of young students at local schools – some of us observed the Eye Health Testing at Mortlake College.
“We collected batteries for recycling and now old hearing aids and glasses, also for recycling.
“We cut two trailer loads of wood, and organised a raffle – congratulations to the winners.
“We awarded scholarships to Mortlake College and St Colman’s, and both schools have taken part in the Peace Poster Competition, with our winner coming second at the next level.”
Mrs Rowe said the evening included an added surprise when the club was acknowledged for its membership retention and ongoing success in supporting the community.
“It was a fantastic evening, and we got a special award from the District Governor for keeping our numbers up with 100 per cent membership retention and satisfaction of efforts,” she said.
“It was a lovely surprise for him to come from Geelong.
“It was a really good night with people from Terang, Camperdown, Simpson and Koroit there.
“We had a raffle and one person from each club won – which was funny, it doesn’t work out that well often.
“We also added three new members on the night, which was really good.”
Read More: Mortlake