Ms Francis, a former Port Stephens councillor, a Freeman of Port Stephens and 13-year member of Raymond Terrace Lions Club, said she was indeed honoured to represent the 1,200 Lions volunteers from the 60 clubs in her district, which stretches from Bulladelah and Fingal Bay in the north to Mudgee out west and Newcastle and Gosford in the south.

"It is a great honour for me to be able to give back to the district I represent and to encourage more people to support and serve the Lions within their area," Ms Francis said.

"There is a lot that can be achieved through service to the community and I am proud that I have been able to make my journey with my husband, Peter." [In fact, Peter Francis is expected to take over the reins of district governor in two years time.]

Ms Francis said that she liked to espouse the Lions motto of leadership, service and work in the community. "Lions undertake some fabulous community projects which have a positive impact on local communities particularly in times such as we are experiencing with the COVID-19 pandemic."

Some of the projects recently completed or are underway in Raymond Terrace include the new equipment at Riverside Park; breakfast club at Irrawang High School; junior public speaking at local primary schools; youth of the year awards and the driver reviver program at Raymond Terrace.

She said that an ongoing project was the clean-up of the area under the Fitzgerald bridge at Raymond Terrace , in conjunction with Port Stephens Council, following a $6,500 grant to Raymond Terrace Lions to beautify the area of the town which is often neglected and used as a dumping ground.

The parkland and boat ramp under the Fitzgerald Bridge at Raymond Terrace is popular with locals seeking refuge away from the shopping centre and workers after a quiet spot for a bite to eat at lunchtime. Picnics are very popular with families.

There is plenty of space for people to park their cars and there are some pleasant walking trails along the riverbank or across to the popular Raymond Terrace rotunda.

Ms Francis, in company with Kate Moore (president), said that the club was pleased to be successful in this year's stream one round of the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) grant after missing out in 2019.

"It is part of the EPA's 'waste less, recycle more' campaign," Ms Francis said.

"We will be working with council to clean up the site under the bridge by installing more rubbish bins and erecting signs warning dumpers of penalties. We also plan to work with the local Tidy Town group to make the area more accessible and present a place of belonging for the people and visitors of Raymond Terrace. Some of the fencing that requires repairs will also come into consideration."