For Immediate Release

Local Lions Welcome International Officer

Wellington, Friday 15th March 2013 -- Lions Club members from throughout the Wellington Region will welcome 1st International Vice President Barry Palmer of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organisation. Palmer, from Berowra, NSW, Australia, will address the Lions during their District Convention during this coming weekend.

“We are happy to welcome 1st International Vice President Barry Palmer to our community,” said District Governor Robyn Daniels. “We look forward to sharing with him all that our local Lions have accomplished in the area.”

Palmer will be visiting the Lions’ Den at Ronald McDonald House on Friday at 12:00pm where he will see the outstanding contribution that Lions clubs from the lower half of the North Island have made in raising over $900,000 for the new house.

He will also visit The Tree Hutt at Lower Hutt Hospital and gain an understanding as to how diversion therapy is improving the treatment of children who arrive at the Emergency Department. This initiative was largely funded by the Lions Club of Silverstream.

Lions clubs are groups of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with your local Lions, please contact Rex Bullard at 04 5700 118 or www.lionsclubs.org.nz.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organisation with more than 1.3 million members in 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas. In addition to its efforts toward conquering blindness, the organisation has made a strong commitment to community service and helping youth throughout the world. To learn more about Lions Clubs International, visit www.lionsclubs.org.

BARRY J. PALMER

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Barry J. Palmer, of Berowra, NSW, Australia, was elected to serve as first vice president of The International Association of Lions Clubs at the association’s 95th International Convention, held in Busan, Korea, June 22-26, 2012.

Vice President Palmer was a real estate company director.

A member of the Hornsby Lions Club since 1976, Palmer has held many offices within the association, including club president, zone chairperson, cabinet secretary, cabinet treasurer and district governor. He has served on numerous committees and as the Host Committee Chairman for the 2010 Lions Clubs International Convention in Sydney, Australia.

In recognition of his service to the association, Palmer has received many awards, including the 100% Club President Award, the 100% District Governor Award, six International President’s Medals and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honour the association bestows upon its members. He is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

In addition to his Lion activities, Palmer is a recipient of the Australian Medal issued by the Australian Government, the Australian Childhood Cancer Research Award and the Spastic Centre of NSW Award. He was a Pioneer Volunteer at the Sydney Olympics and a member of the New South Wales Paralympic Committee.

Vice President Palmer and his wife Anne, also a Lion and a Melvin Jones Fellow, have three children and eight grandchildren.

ENDS

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