New president roars in

The new committee, front row, from left, John Griffith, Con Lo Giudice, and Jeff Ferguson. Middle row, Ros Keim, Halina Griffith, Clare Jeffries, Jenny Rainbird, and Bill Ritchies . Back row, Mike Keim, Cec Watts, Heather Shillins, John Binney, Bob Lester, and Bob Lindenberg . Absent: Christine Costello, Trevor Sheeran, and John Francis.

By TANIA PHILLIPS

CONCETTO Lo Giudice has taken up the gavel as the new president of the Lions Club of Warwick.
Concetto’s installation ceremony at the Criterion Hotel late last month was the club’s 58th, with Con taking over from outgoing president Jeff Ferguson.
It was a big night for Con, who also won the Lions Clubs International Foundation’s highest award – the Melvin Jones Fellowship.
There were 53 guests invited to the dinner, including the member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg, Warwick Mayor Peter Blundell, members of Zonta and local services clubs and Zone Lions Club of Stanthorpe and Killarney.
Chairman for the night, Lion Bob Lester, conducted the ceremony and introduced Club Youth of the Year, Scots College student, Jack McCullough who raised a toast to the Lions International.
Outgoing president Jeff Ferguson said in his report that he was lucky to have had the back-up of dedicated Lions working tirelessly to get so many projects accomplished, and donations were around $13,000 for the year.
Beneficiaries included young Angus Bowles, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Care Flights, and Angel Flight to mention a few.
Thanks went to secretary John and Lion Halina Griffith who managed the barbecue trailer, which was in demand at most big events of the year in Warwick, and to all Lions Club members who assisted, whether it was a barbecue, raffle selling or Driver Reviver.
Then he made a presentation to all members who had reached their annual 100 per cent attendance pins award.
Outgoing president Jeff paid tribute to Con, who he said had worked tirelessly in many projects; chair host to Norwegian and Danish Lions Exchange Operation Friendship and soon hosting two Lions Exchange Youth programs; organising rosters for selling raffle tickets in various parts of the CBD; co-ordinating the collection of recycling sight glasses; and being a District Officer, Zone 13 Chairman.
Also a special award went to Lion Cec Watts (the prestigious Life Membership Award).
Cec was president of the club twice and held various other positions in his 40 years as a Lions member.
Lion Cec joins another five Life Members in the club, and he is also a Melvin Jones Fellow.