THE Lions Club of Tamborine Mountain President, Maree Hofmeier, recently awarded the national J D Richardson Award to long-term community volunteers Barry Chatel and Linda Simister.
The couple have run Mountain Mates bowls events for five years, and contributed much more to the group in the way of dancing programs, Christmas party organisation, and ideas and energy.
Maree also presented a Lions Community Award to volunteers Alan and Dianne James, for their contributions to Mountain Mates Bowls.
Alan was the second Bowls Club member to volunteer (after Barry) and has been a continuous presence at First Friday Bowls.
Dianne (who leads the community singing group Bella A’Capella) has taught three singing programs for the Mates, and supported many other activities.
These four individuals have helped make Mountain Mates the special activity that it is, enhancing the lives of MM participants and their families.
Their kindness towards, and personal relationship with, every single Mate is a joy to behold.
Community awards also went to Club Tamborine and the Tamborine Mountain Bowls Club, for opening up their arms to welcome the Mates, supporting a great monthly social and sporting event.
Their committees, members and staff are just about as inclusive as you can get.
Appropriately, the awards were presented at a Mountain Mates ‘Buddy Bowls’ day, where the Mates partner up with members of the local team, the Taipans.
Bowls Club Life Member Leonie Rennie is a lovely supporter, funding the prizes for ‘Buddy Bowls’ – and donating to other Mates events.
Formed in 2018, Mates Bowls got off the ground in June 2019, so it seemed an appropriate day to have a birthday cake as well.
Organisers said they don’t believe there is a similar group to Mountain Mates in Australia.
Together, Lions members and community volunteers have been the backbone that has kept the group thriving and growing.
