Mr Sayers was awarded the Lions 43-year service pin at a ceremony at his Ulladulla home on August 5 and, last Thursday, he was presented with a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow pin for his commitment to the organisation by District Governor Allan McDonald.

Mr Sayers joined the Lions Club in 1970, 10 years after he and his wife Barbara moved to the district.

He said initially he “wanted to help the community” and soon found himself club president in 1975.

Over the years Mr Sayers has been club treasurer twice, a director for many years as well as a tail twister and lion tamer.

Club president Brian Thompson congratulated Mr Sayers on his long service and described him as a “hands-on Lion”, having been chairman of the lawn moving group, involved with the donut van for many years and the Christmas Tree project for six years.

Mr Sayers is a life member of the club and his generosity and compassion earned him the Lions Foundation’s highest honour, the Melvin Jones fellowship.

“Ted Sayers is a true Lion and has lived up to the motto: We Serve,” Mr Thompson said.

“He is to be congratulated on receiving his service pin for 43 years.”

Mr McDonald has known Mr Sayers since joining the Ulladulla club in 1991.

The pair worked alongside each other, Mr McDonald as president and Mr Sayers as treasurer in 1994 and 1995.

“He is a very conscientious Lion and has been involved in many community projects,” he said.

Mr Sayers managed Ulladulla’s telephone exchange until he retired in 1988, after which time he dedicated much of his life to the Lions Club and its projects.

He mowed lawns and tended gardens for the region’s aged and began operating the Lions merry-go-round more than 30 years ago.

While ill health has meant Mr Sayers has not attended meetings or been an active Lion for about five years, he still enjoys reading the club’s newsletters and attends the harbour markets where he always enjoys a famous Lions donut.

Mr and Mrs Sayers raised their four children, Beverly, Lorae, Alan and John in the local area and the couple have 13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.