Sydney van Heerden, past District Governor, inducted Val Graham as Club President. She also served as President for the 2025/6 Lionistic year. She has been a member of Lions since 1996 and previously served as President in 2004/5 and 2021/2.
FEATURE IMAGE: Back row: Danny Stevenson (Chair of Service and Projects), Koos Schoonraad (Head of Fundraising), Gery van Gelder (Secretary), Boekes le Roux (Treasurer) and Deon van Staden (First Vice President). Front row: District Chairperson Sandy van Heerden, Past District Governor Sydney van Heerden, Val Graham (Club President) and Mike Graham (Head of Membership).
ALSO READ: SPAR Women’s Challenge: celebrating strength and spirit
Boekes le Roux has been a member of Lions International for more than 40 years and has served in several clubs in Southern Africa. He was presented with the prestigious Louis Volks Humanitarian Award at the function held at the Boulevard Theatre in Sonpark. This is the highest prestigious recognition given by Lions Clubs International in Southern Africa (Multiple District 410). Established in 1989, it honours the legacy of Dr Louis Volks, the man who introduced Lionism to South Africa in 1957. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, compassion, and commitment to improving the lives of others through outstanding community service.
ALSO READ: Dancing Queens of White River return with “Flashback – Big Hits Dance Experience 2026”
Club President Val Graham presented club trophies in various categories and also handed Superhero mugs to her board members. Lion Lady Marion Langdon, who continues to serve the community with love and enthusiasm, well into her ninth decade, also received a Superhero mug.
Danny Stevenson received the Lion of The Year Award for the third year in a row, acknowledging the work he does at the Kamagugu Special School’s vegetable garden. The project also won the “green 4 Green” multiple district 410 monthly environmental competition. This award brought in R5 000 for the club.
At the recent Multiple District Convention held in Midrand, the Nelspruit Lions Club also received an Excellence Award for Service Project of the Year. This was for the club’s Mpumalanga and Limpopo January flood-relief efforts, where they helped collect and distribute more than R800 000’s worth of food, water, toiletries, clothing, bedding and baby items in conjunction with Jacaranda FM and Gift of the Givers.
Past District Governor Sydney van Heerden also inducted the other members of the board: Deon van Staden as First Vice President, Boekes le Roux as Treasurer, Gery van Gelder as Secretary, Danny Stevenson as Service Projects chair, Mike Graham to head up membership, and Koos Schoonraad to run fund-raising.
