The 60th anniversary of the Lions Club of Howick is a very special milestone.
It has been my privilege to serve as president for three terms starting as a floor member in 1987.
I would like to take the opportunity to mark this milestone, which is indeed an extraordinary accomplishment and epitomises the will, determination and lasting success of an organisation that has worked tirelessly towards serving the community of Howick, and beyond, by acknowledging current and past members.
A club is only as good as its members and, throughout the last 60 years, we have been blessed with individuals, Lions and spouses who gave of their time and skills to make a difference for those less fortunate than themselves.
To my mind however, it is the willingness to rise to new challenges that has kept us at the heart of the Howick community over the past six decades. Howick has changed dramatically over the past 60 years.
From what was once a small village, a borough, to a ward of Manukau and now part of Auckland City, we are part of a confident, forward-looking community.
Few could have imagined in 1962 the impact that the Lions Club of Howick would have – hundreds of thousands of dollars raised and countless man-hours worked.
Our club commits itself to the motto “We Serve”, as did our foundation members. We carry out similar projects, supporting youth, the elderly and infirm, work for the deaf and blind as well as local, district, national and international projects.
We have been involved in many projects over the years, large and small. Our fireworks spectacular, starting small at Howick College, evolved into a major project allowing us to fund many deserving charities e.g. Royal NZ Foundation for the Blind, South Auckland Health Burns Unit and Birthing Unit.
We have also brought some smiles to the streets of Howick with our participation in many of the annual Santa parades. We have dressed up as cheerleaders, marching girls, America’s Cup boats and Dad’s Army to name a few.
It has been said that we do not take ourselves too seriously but what we do for others very seriously.
Our club has evolved and changed over the years.
Once a male-only bastion, the club is now of mixed gender as is right and proper in the
21st Century.
Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
This is certainly true in our club. Ordinary people, doing extraordinary things.
Alan Sheath
Past President
Lions Club of Howick
