THE highest award available to Lions Club members has recently been presented to long-serving Lion Greg Hudson in recognition of humanitarian service performed over more than four decades. Mr Hudson, of New Norfolk, was inducted as a Melvin Jones Fellow during the Lions Club of New Norfolk’s Christmas party last week.
The award was announced by Australian Lions Foundation representative David Triffett, who looked on as club president Kerry Kievit presented Mr Hudson with a lapel pin, plaque and congratulatory letter from Lions International president Brian Sheehan. The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the highest award given by Lions International, and is in recognition of outstanding humanitarian work, by Lions or members of the public. It honours the memory of Melvin Jones, the founder of Lions International – one of the world’s largest associations of service clubs.
Mr Hudson has been a member of the Lions Club of New Norfolk for more than 40 years and has held nearly every position in the club and helped on countless working bees and fundraisers. He is well known as a man of integrity and compassion who has, for decades, supported community members when it is most needed.
Mr Hudson has lived and worked in New Norfolk all of his life. When he left school, he completed an apprenticeship and worked as a men’s hairdresser for seven years before having a career change. For the next 43 years, he worked in the local clothing store that began as Ron Williams Menswear and later became Les Lees and then Glasser and Parker. For more than 30 years he has also been the Derwent Valley representative for Graham Family Funerals.
In an interview several years ago, Mr Hudson said he enjoyed being a Lion because they could assist different people in the community through their fundraising as those funds go back into the community and help needy families. “The camaraderie is also important to me. We can raise funds individually but sharing it with others makes it enjoyable,” he said.
Prior to becoming a Melvin Jones Fellow, Mr Hudson said his proudest moment was when the club hosted the state convention at New Norfolk in 1988. “It was one of our greatest achievements … it was a great credit to our club and the community. Mr Hudson was named the Derwent Valley Council’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year in 1993 and is a former president of the New Norfolk District Football Club among his many other community activities.
Mr Hudson is the third person to have been nominated for the Melvin Jones Fellowship by the Lions Club of New Norfolk. The first was Des Graham in 1997, followed by Derwent Valley Council mayor Nick Cracknell (a non-member) in 2008. Two local members were made Melvin Jones Fellows after being nominated by the district, Lions Tasmania. These were Viv Cardwell in 2014 and the late Barrie Bremner in 2006.
Pictured: Lions Club of New Norfolk member Greg Hudson, left, receives the Melvin Jones Fellowship from president Kerry Kievit, right, watched by district representative David Triffett, centre.
