Ruapehu Lions 'best hosts'

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 477, 16 March 1993, Page 1

Ruapehu Lions 'best hosts'

Ruapehu Lions* convention, held over the weekend, was the best of more than 100 attended around the world by International Lioris director Garnet Davis. Mr Davis, from Saskatchewan in Canada, was a special guest at the convention. He praised the local Lions on their efforts. "Your convention is the best I've ever been to." Mr Garnet was one of more than 600

Lions and their partners who converged on Ohakune for the three-day get-together. Just under half came by train from Taranaki with the rest coming from various parts of 'Lions District 202D' which encompasses Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu and the southern central North Island. Convention organiser Ian Strachan said yesterday the event was a huge success with many people saying it was the most

enjoyable they'd been to. "A lot of people said two years ago that we couldn't do it. We've proved we could and we've done it well." He said many people from the cities and larger towns enjoyed the visit to the small country town that is Ohakune and the differences this made to the convention. The event started with an opening ceremony held at the Ruapehu College Hall,

packed to capacity, on Friday night. Rain forced the powhiri, performed by Matiu, Biddy and Aroha Mariekura, inside. They were answered by District Governor Buster Curson, mostly in English but in the Maori greeting protocol style. After speeches, Waiouru army captain Greg Wilson entertained by playing the bagpipes, then the Lions Flag Ceremony was performed by Ruapehu College and Raetihi School pupils. The New Plymouth symphonic youth band then performed. On Saturday Lions business was carried out, following an early risers' breakfast at Turoa Ski Resort attended by about 350 people. Hunterville Lions, dressed in Alpine style of the Austrian Tyrol region, organised the breakfast. Perfect, warm weather made the mountain gathering a winner, said Mr Strachan. Partners travelled to the Kaimanawas to view the wild horses, lunching at the West Lawn hut and visiting the Mowhango Dam on the way home. Saturday night's cabaret was held at a transformed Ohakune Primary School Hall, decked out to complement the alpine theme, by Bill TeKaru and his team. Most Lions dressed in Alpine costume for the cvening. Sunday morning was the rededicalion church service held at the Maungarongo Marae. Five hundred conventioneers were welcomed onto the marae. Later they were treated to a haangi, bcfore their departure. Mr Strachan said the success of the event was due to the involvement of 100 per cent of the local club's members as well as their partners, and the '100 per cent support' from the communities of Raetihi and Ohakune.