Narooma Lion John Glover turns the first sod of soil in preparation for the construction of the Narooma Cemetery Pavilion. Supervising are Eurobodalla Councilor Lindsay Brown, and Narooma Lions Past President Ian Connor
A real Lions job now completed - The Narooma Cemetery Pavilion now open!
After more than four hundred hours of voluntary work by Lions Club members, and countless more hours by others in the Narooma community, the Narooma Cemetery pavilion is now finished.
The Lions Club involved as many groups as it could to make it a truly community project. Financial assistance was also received from many local groups.
Construction costs were kept to a minimum through the use of voluntary labour from Lions Club members and where additional expertise was required, Lions called on local tradespeople for assistance.
Some six years ago, the Lions responded to community suggestions to provide a shelter where mourners could gather for services, providing protection from the strong winds and inclement weather which often prevail at the cemetery. The weather on Saturday underscored the need for the pavilion, sheltering some 50 people for afternoon tea following the service.
About fifty percent of relatives of deceased family members now choose graveside services rather than church services for the burials of their loved ones. Until now, services at the Narooma Cemetery were held in the open as there was no covered area on this exposed site, the vegetation at the cemetery being typically stunted coastal tea tree.
The pavilion provides a sheltered place to gather and reflect in relative comfort. It will hold about fifty people.
Mr Phil Rose, a Narooma architect, donated his time free of charge to draw up the plans and liaise with the Council.
The pavilion is constructed out of permanent materials, so the community will be able to expect many decades of use from the shelter. It has been erected on a concrete slab, and has been constructed of timber with a colourbond roof, with an insulated ceiling.
Among the members and guests who gathered to dedicate the pavilion to the memory of some 22 past members of the Club were Member for Bega, Mr Andrew Constance, MP, Eurobodalla Shire Mayor, Fergus Thomson and Lions N201 District Governor, Warren Woods.
Also welcomed to the opening were three former Lions ladies, Liz Ferguson, Sandra Carr and Bermagui Lion Joan Robinson.
Lion Bill Dudley provided a brief history of the project, from the initial concept stage, to the fundraising efforts, which were supported by numerous community organizations, clubs and individuals.
When it became evident that grant money was not forthcoming to complete the project, Lions simply rolled up their sleeves and got the job done with the assistance of local builders and tradies and the invaluable assistance of the Dalmeny Deviates.
Bill read out the names of 22 past Lions who are remembered with the pavilion, with particular mention of the late Lion Bob Carr, who had been actively involved in the construction process.
'I am sure he is looking down telling us that we need another nail here, or we missed a bit of paint there,' said Bill.
Past President, George Hogge regaled the audience with accounts of the working bees with the Dalmeny Deviates, which often went late into the night to complete the project.
Eurobodalla Shire Mayor, Fergus Thomson, congratulated the Lions Club on once again seeing a need within the community and providing a wonderful community asset.
Officially opening the pavilion, DG Warren Woods said all club members should be extremely proud of providing a facility that would be so beneficial to their local community.
After more than four hundred hours of voluntary work by Lions Club members, and countless more hours by others in the Narooma community, the Narooma Cemetery pavilion is now finished.
The Lions Club involved as many groups as it could to make it a truly community project. Financial assistance was also received from many local groups.
Construction costs were kept to a minimum through the use of voluntary labour from Lions Club members and where additional expertise was required, Lions called on local tradespeople for assistance.
Some six years ago, the Lions responded to community suggestions to provide a shelter where mourners could gather for services, providing protection from the strong winds and inclement weather which often prevail at the cemetery. The weather on Saturday underscored the need for the pavilion, sheltering some 50 people for afternoon tea following the service.
About fifty percent of relatives of deceased family members now choose graveside services rather than church services for the burials of their loved ones. Until now, services at the Narooma Cemetery were held in the open as there was no covered area on this exposed site, the vegetation at the cemetery being typically stunted coastal tea tree.
The pavilion provides a sheltered place to gather and reflect in relative comfort. It will hold about fifty people.
Mr Phil Rose, a Narooma architect, donated his time free of charge to draw up the plans and liaise with the Council.
The pavilion is constructed out of permanent materials, so the community will be able to expect many decades of use from the shelter. It has been erected on a concrete slab, and has been constructed of timber with a colourbond roof, with an insulated ceiling.
Among the members and guests who gathered to dedicate the pavilion to the memory of some 22 past members of the Club were Member for Bega, Mr Andrew Constance, MP, Eurobodalla Shire Mayor, Fergus Thomson and Lions N201 District Governor, Warren Woods.
Also welcomed to the opening were three former Lions ladies, Liz Ferguson, Sandra Carr and Bermagui Lion Joan Robinson.
Lion Bill Dudley provided a brief history of the project, from the initial concept stage, to the fundraising efforts, which were supported by numerous community organizations, clubs and individuals.
When it became evident that grant money was not forthcoming to complete the project, Lions simply rolled up their sleeves and got the job done with the assistance of local builders and tradies and the invaluable assistance of the Dalmeny Deviates.
Bill read out the names of 22 past Lions who are remembered with the pavilion, with particular mention of the late Lion Bob Carr, who had been actively involved in the construction process.
'I am sure he is looking down telling us that we need another nail here, or we missed a bit of paint there,' said Bill.
Past President, George Hogge regaled the audience with accounts of the working bees with the Dalmeny Deviates, which often went late into the night to complete the project.
Eurobodalla Shire Mayor, Fergus Thomson, congratulated the Lions Club on once again seeing a need within the community and providing a wonderful community asset.
Officially opening the pavilion, DG Warren Woods said all club members should be extremely proud of providing a facility that would be so beneficial to their local community.
The early days ...
(Left) Garry Nairn, Member for Eded-Monaro, discussed the plans for the Narooma Cemetery Pavilion project with Project Direct, Graham Andrews.
(Right) Peter Tebbitt, Eurobodalla Shire Council, Garry Nairn, Graham Andrews, Glenden Andrews and Frank Moran discuss the importance of the pavilion at the Narooma Cemetery
(Right) Peter Tebbitt, Eurobodalla Shire Council, Garry Nairn, Graham Andrews, Glenden Andrews and Frank Moran discuss the importance of the pavilion at the Narooma Cemetery
Lesley Connor accepts a cheque from the Quote Club of Narooma. The Quota Club, as with many other organisations in Narooma, held special fundraising events for the pavilion and donated the proceeds to the Narooma Lions Club
... to now
Lions N201 District Governor Warren Woods officially opens the Narooma and District Lions Memorial Cemetery Pavilion
Zone 5 chair, Ian Connor, DG Warren Woods with Mayor, Fergus Thomson and wife, Yvonne.
Celebrating the opening of the Narooma and District Lions memorial cemetery pavilion:
Lions Ian Gilbert, Vice president Jock Rollings, Philip Potter, Ros Barr, Zone 5 Chair Ian Connor, District Governor, Warren Woods, Grants officer, Graham Andrews, John Glover, Secretaries Mandy Anderson and June Sheard, Bill Dudley, George Hogge and President, Lesley Connor
Lions Ian Gilbert, Vice president Jock Rollings, Philip Potter, Ros Barr, Zone 5 Chair Ian Connor, District Governor, Warren Woods, Grants officer, Graham Andrews, John Glover, Secretaries Mandy Anderson and June Sheard, Bill Dudley, George Hogge and President, Lesley Connor
Former Lions Ladies Liz Ferguson, Bermagui Lion Joan Robinson and Sandra Carr