Long serving Lion honoured

WHEN you cast an eye over Ray Doody’s resume it is patently clear why the long serving Lion was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship.

Ray joined the Lions Club of Gambier City on June 1, 1979 and has been involved ever since, earning life membership on May 22, 2014.

Over his almost five decades as a Lion, Ray has been front and centre of so many key projects and events, always ready to roll up his sleeves and help.

As a skilled builder and carpenter, he led in preparations and renovations to the Show Hall and convention tent for the Lions Multiple District Convention held in Mount Gambier in 1983 and has also been at the helm of modifications to the Riding for the Disabled facilities on many occasions

When the Miss Personality Quests were being conducted and this club hosted an entrant, Ray was instrumental in coordinating and convincing trades people and others with necessary skills to donate their time and in many instances materials, for building a house for sale.

Through the sale of this house and other many functions this club raised around $75,000 and at the Miss Personality Quest Awards in Adelaide were successful in outshining the nearest entrant at $20,000.

For most of his time as a Lion, Ray has been Activities Chairman or a member of the Activities Group, he attended the Multiple District Conventions in Launceston 1985 and Darwin 1990 as well as numerous district conventions.

Ray and his wife Heather have toured around Australia widely in their big, converted bus and troop carrier under the banner of ‘Doinoz’, still their email moniker to this day.

Once they retired and were no longer going to travel in their bus they donated it the Kangaroo Island Lions Bushfire relief appeal for use as family accommodation.

Parkison’s has now slowed Ray down a bit, but he is still passionate and can spin many a yarn about early days and time in Lions.

RAY’S RESUME

Club positions:

1981/82 3rd VP

1982/83 2nd VP

1983/84 President

1987/88 2nd VP

1988/89 1st VP

1989/90 President

1992/93 2yr Director

1996/97 1yr Director

2017/18 2yr Director