One of their very own has been appointed as a Lions Club international director and he is the first ever to be selected from the southern region.
Graeme Wilson was in disbelief when he heard his name called out at the Lions Club New Zealand convention held in Hamilton last month.
"When my name was announced I was shocked because the waiting was intense. It will be something that I will never forget," Mr Wilson said.
Next month he will travel to Melbourne to attend the Lions Club international convention, where he will be assigned the title international director-elect.
He said he would be covering New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, New Caledonia and the Pacific Islands.
The Invercargill Kiwibank manager never dreamt that he would attain such a position after moving from Dunedin to Invercargill decades ago.
He credits his late wife for introducing him to a local Lions Club member who encouraged him to join the Invercargill branch 20 years ago.
"I joined the Lions Club as a way of getting to meet people and to become part of the community," he said.
"Our motto is ‘We serve’ so getting a request like helping an elderly lady with her garden.
"It’s simple things like that which people appreciate."
Life had become very busy for the bank manager but he was ready to take on the opportunity and was passionate about achieving his goals — to increase membership, motivate clubs and promote various projects.
"My position is like an ambassador role for our part of the world.
"The New Zealand Lions Club are very aware of our environment," he said.
He praised the Lions Clubs in Southland for having quite "a strong influence in the rural communities".
Mr Wilson will be one of 34 Lions Club international directors assigned this year and will hold the role for two years.
He joined the Waihōpai City Lions Club six years ago after the Invercargill Lions Club closed.
By Nina Tapu
