IGA owner Michael Thompson, Lions treasurer Elaine Dossor, who received the Lions
By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE IGA owner Michael Thompson and the Mountain Views Mail newspaper were presented with the prestigious James D Richardson Lions Club Award earlier this month.
The awards, presented by District Governor Anthony Stockdale, were in recognition of the efforts of Mr Thompson in raising funds at the main street supermarket, and by the Mail in reporting local issues in the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires.
Mr Thompson put a collection box in the shop immediately after the fires and with donations from his customers and others raised an amazing $26,000.
Mr Thompson said his customers told him they wanted to see the money spent locally and so it was handed to the Lions Club which had a program in place to buy vouchers from several local businesses. The aim was to not only help those burnt out in the fires, but to keep the money circulating to help businesses in the townships affected.
Accepting the award at the Sanctuary House Resort, Mr Thompson said he was humbled that people had put their trust in him. “I was looking at getting about $2000 and by the third or fourth day had $10,000,” he said.
“By the next week we had $20,000 and it got up to $26,000.
“I was touched that people trusted me with their donations and wanted to follow through with what they wanted to see happen,” he said.
He said some of the money went to other projects and added “it was amazing to see so much funded through this little town through the check-out”.
Lion Maurie Gray said the Mail had done an exceptional job of keeping the community informed over the years, and particularly in the aftermath of the fires.
Accepting the award at the evening ceremony on Wednesday 4 August, former Mail journalist Monique Ebrington said she was proud to be part of the reporting team which had covered such a tragic and important event.
“We wanted to tell the stories which were affecting our community,” she said.
James Richardson BEM was the first Australian to serve as a director on the Lions International Board of Directors and is one of the most dedicated and respected early leaders of Lions in Australia.
He said the James Richardson Award was predominantly awarded to Lions members.
“It is very special that we were able to recognise your efforts tonight,” he said.
