Those plans have had to be put on hold, however, as Mr Jackson has received a tap on the shoulder for the position of Lions chairman for Zone 13, comprising Killarney, Stanthorpe, Warwick and Texas clubs along with Tenterfield.

The chairman acts as a liaison between the district governor (DG) and the individual clubs, monitoring that clubs are aware of the DG’s policies and programs, and reporting back on any progress or lack thereof.

Mr Jackson said he didn’t put up his hand for the position but felt honoured to be asked. He will work under incoming DG Ann Reed. He has met her on several occasions but said he never received any hint of the upcoming appointment before she rang and offered him the position.

“I was just settling down to be IPP (Immediate Past President), and now I’ve been cranked back up again,” he said.

In his role he will be visiting the Zone 13 clubs several times through the coming year, as well as reporting back at quarterly cabinet meetings. He said he will also be involved in three or four zone meetings, as well as the district changeover dinner in July when he gets, as he puts it, ‘gonged in’.

Mr Jackson said the much-anticipated holiday will have to be delayed 12 months but there will be no further cause for postponement. He said he has no aspirations for higher office.

Lions District 201Q1 to which Zone 13 belongs extends east to the coast, west to St George and north to Brisbane. Tenterfield is the southern-most club in the zone, and the only one in NSW.