District 202J
Central South Island East Coast
Lions District 202J welcomes you to our district webpage
District 202J covers much of the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island from Rakaia to Milton, and inland from Middlemarch up through Otematata and Tekapo to Geraldine. The district covers the flat plains of Mid-Canterbury and South Canterbury, the rolling hills of North Otago, and tussock and native bush covered hills behind Dunedin and beyond. Rivers like the Taieri, Waitaki, Rangitata and the Rakaia, and our many lakes make our district great for freshwater anglers. Saltwater fishing is also rewarding with many varieties caught including blue cod and groper.
Ashburton is a busy farming supply town surrounded by lush plains that support many different types of farming. Extensive irrigation schemes allow full utilisation of the land. Sheep, cattle, and deer are farmed in conjunction with numerous varieties of crops, both vegetable, seeds and grain.
Timaru is built around a thriving port that services the South Canterbury farmlands. With the rerouting of S.H. 1, Timaru is again a quiet peaceful town.
Oamaru is famous for its Victorian look and feel. Walking down Harbour Street is like stepping back into the 19th century. Be careful not to get run over by a penny-farthing cycle!
Dunedin is the main city in our district. The “Edinburgh of the South” lives up to its name with a statue of Robbie Burns in the Octagon at its centre. Dunedin is a university city with over 18000 students. Even though Dunedin has a population of approximately 125,000, it is New Zealand’s largest city by area, stretching from Middlemarch on the Strath Taieri plain in the west to Waikouaiti on the east coast and Mosgiel south-west of Dunedin, and including Otago Peninsula. Other attractions in Dunedin are the historic Edwardian-era railway station, the albatross colony on the northern tip of the peninsula at Taiaroa Head, Larnach Castle, Olverston, the University of Otago buildings, Speight’s Brewery, and the new roofed Forsyth Barr Stadium.
District Governor - Garth Bateup
My theme is “Lions Serve; it’s that simple”.
I am married to Christine, and we have two children and two grandchildren. All live in either Dunedin or Milton at the bottom end of our District.
I have been a Lion since joining the Hokitika Lions Club in 1975. During the seven years I was with the Club I held the positions of Secretary, Bulletin Editor, Treasurer, Tail Twister as well as being Secretary of the Mardi Gras Committee.
On moving to Ashburton in 1982 I transferred to the Lions Club of Ashburton and have held most positions on the Board including Director of Projects, Publicity, Membership, Secretary, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice President and have been the Club President twice. I have been involved in securing several key events for our Clubs project calendar including the annual Vintage Car Club swap meet catering, the annual Charity Golf Tournament, and the South Island Motorhome Show. Club awards received are the Lloyd Morgan Charitable Trust Honoured Membership (2007) and Melvin Jones Fellow (2019).
I have been a member of the District Cabinet since July 2018 firstly as Zone 1 Chair for two terms, Global Service Coordinator, Global Leadership Coordinator, 2nd and 1st Vice District Governor.
For thirty-nine years of my working life, I held senior executive positions in the West Coast and Canterbury health services working with dedicated teams of health professionals.
We have a great organisation that enables us, collectively, to make a difference to people’s lives in our community and worldwide. In saying this we have our challenges particularly in the membership area. We need to think “outside of the square” and proactively engage and work with the younger members of our communities. We need to continue to do things that make a real difference to peoples lives and our communities. Let’s get on and do it.
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