One of the highlights of the evening was a $1000 donation to Hellen Horton and Fran Stead from the Cowra Information and Neighhourhood Centre towards the creation of a domestic violence crisis centre. 

“We are now sitting just over $10,000, very thankful and grateful for their generosity,” Fran said. 

Cowra Lions Club President Ian Acret said despite the club facing a number of challenges throughout the past year, they have completed many worthwhile projects. 

“First of all, I would like to thank the members of the Cowra Lions Club of Cowra for the privilege of serving as your President over the past year,” he said. 

“The year has had its fair share of challenges as we well know, however, we have managed to overcome them and come out the other side, and for this I thank the members for their hard work and dedication to our Club and to the Lions’ family.”

He highlighted a number of projects that “made him proud to be a Lion”, including the Centennial Project of a water fountain at the POW Camp, Santa Project, and donations of hay to the drought affected families and a donation to the Nature Based Adventure Playground. 

“Probably what I am most proud of was the purchase of furniture for a clinical room at the hospital to assist in mental health,” Ian said. 

“This particular project was really well received and made me exceptionally proud to be a Lion.” 

Service hours for the year were 1,743 and $9,457 was donated in total in 2018. 

“I would sincerely like to thank my exceptional and very professional secretary Lion Debbie Butwell, my “go for” Treasurer, Lion Denise Spencer and all the members of Cowra Lions for all you have done to make this past year so memorable,” Mr Acret said. 

The Cowra Lions Club Citizen of the Year 2018 Award went to Anne Reeves for her dedication and contribution to the Cowra Saleyards, Cowra Hockey Association, Cowra AFL Club and Cowra Hospital Auxiliary.

“Anne is a worthy recipient of Cowra Lions Citizen of the Year.”