Jill and Alan Taylor have both received prestigious Lions awards. Photo: Jesse Wood
Waipā couple Jill and Alan Taylor have received Lions awards.
The Te Awamutu pair were awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and Lions International President’s Award respectively at a Lions District 202L cabinet meeting in the Cambridge cricket pavilion.
Jill and Alan Taylor celebrated winning Lions awards. Photo: Jesse Wood
Named after the founder of Lions Clubs International, the fellowship is one of the highest forms of Lions’ recognition and honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional humanitarian and community service.
Jill was presented with this in recognition of her service to the Te Awamutu and wider Waikato community.
Past Lions district governor Charles Harrison had applied for the award and presented it to Jill.
This was even more special, in the fact that Jill wasn’t a Lion at the time – she has since joined Lions.
“Alan whispered in my ear that to be given the award when you’re not a Lion is a real privilege,” Jill said.
Jill’s contributions include operating two Waikato charities – Operation Christmas Hamper and Muffins for Mums – serving her third term on the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board and supporting a range of community organisations and initiatives.
Jill Taylor receives the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from past district governor Charles Harrison.
“The work I do in the community is because I see there’s a need, not for any thanks, but to get recognised for it is an honour,” Jill said.
“It was a tearjerker to be able to receive that. The recognition that he gave me was great as he explained why I’d probably done a lot in the community, not just recently, but over the years in different places where I have lived.”
The president’s award is an international recognition presented to Lions members who have provided distinguished service and leadership within the organisation.
Only about 20 of these are awarded nationwide annually.
Alan has been part of Lions for 25 years in various parts of the country, proving his leadership and service at Lions club and district level.
Since 2014, he has served as Te Awamutu Lions Club secretary and has also undertaken a number of senior leadership, training and administrative roles across the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region.
The award recognises his significant contribution to strengthening communication, training, administration and community-focused initiatives within Lions.
“Our community today has people with a whole range of needs. Lions provides an opportunity – there’s nine strategic goals and key areas that they focus on, including diabetes, disaster awareness, youth and blindness,” Alan said.
“They’re all causes that the government seems to be stepping back from and expecting the community and local agencies or people to pay for.
Alan Taylor receives the Lions International President’s Award respectively from Lions district governor Lou Fielder.
“Lions goes out of its way to try and cover that gap.”
An example is Lions’ two free mole mapping buses that travel across New Zealand.
“About 1300 people have been scanned over recent months and about a quarter of them had something that caused concern to the doctor.
“Another fantastic experience in my career was going to a meeting where Lions had raised money for children who were unable to walk. We provided walking frames and equipment for them.
The pair appreciate each other’s support and challenge others to give back to their communities.
“I’d love to challenge people who are quick to say, ‘this needs to be done in our community. Why isn’t anyone doing something about it?’,” Jill said.
