ONE of the Mareeba Lions Club’s most respected Life Members Mick Borzi was recognised for his outstanding commitment to the not-for-profit organisation at the Mareeba Lions’ 60th Charter Anniversary Dinner held at the Mareeba Leagues Club on Monday.
Mr Borzi’s Lions Club resume is an extensive one, having served as the President, Zone Chairman and District Governor in his storied 60 year career with the club.
In his time with the Mareeba Lions Club, Mr Borzi has been presented with the Melvin Jones Award, the Progressive Pin, International President’s Award and the Ambassador of Goodwill Award.
Added to that, Mr Borzi is a Life Member of Lions International and was one of just 20 from throughout Australia who were honoured with the Lismore Medal and the Pioneer Lion Award at the 50th Anniversary of Lions in Australia Convention held in Lismore in 1997.
In recognition of his immense commitment to the Lions in Australia and the Mareeba Lions Club, on Monday night Mr Borzi was a recipient of the William R Tresise Fellow Award.
The award is named after the founder of Lions in Australia, William R Tresise, and is considered as one of the Lions’ most meaningful honours that can be bestowed upon a long-serving member.
Mr Borzi said he is honoured to be named a William R Tresise Fellow Award and 60 year Charter Monarch recipient.
“It is extremely humbling,” he said. “I am the only founding member still alive and to be recognised in this fashion is a great feeling. “When one serves to help the community you don’t expect awards, however it nice to receive them nonetheless.”
Mr Borzi said he owes a great deal of gratitude to the Lions Club for the integral role it has played and continues to play in his life.
“I joined the club in August, 1958 at 25 years of age and had no public speaking experience,” he said.
“And being involved with Lions gave me the confidence in life like nothing else ever has, so much so I believe it was my involvement with the organisation that gave me the foundation to seek public office.”
Mr Borzi said he would like to thank the Lions Club and encouraged younger people to put their hand up and become involved with the organisation.
“I think we should all try to give something back to the community, and the Lions Club provides us with a fantastic opportunity to do so,” he said.
“It is a club with phenomenal people who do wonderful things for the betterment of the community.”
