Guests: Sheree and Brian Collins (Leeton Lions);Chester Haigh, Tony Napier
Don’t forget that the meeting this week is at the Soldiers’ Club to help with ball preparations.Same time and purchase own meal.
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Sheree Collins – Children’s Vision Screening Program
Sheree is from Leeton Lions, and she described the Lions program – ‘The Children’s Vision Screening Program’.
Did you know?
80% of a child’s learning is processed through their eyes.
Along with allergies and asthma, eye disorders are the most common long-term health problems suffered by children.
In fact, 1 in 5 children have an undetected vision condition. It is important to pick up any problems as soon as possible to reduce the impact on their development.
Most children will accept vision problems and adapt to their poor vision. They rarely complain as they believe everyone sees the world just like they do and don’t know that they could be seeing things clearer.
All children should have a full eye examination before starting school and then regularly as they progress through primary and secondary years of their education.
The Lions vision screening program is a comprehensive on and can be provided to children from the age of 3. It is a screening service only and can only indicate if a child should be referred to an optometrist. The program is endorsed by Optometry Australia.
Steps in screening include:
Vision Screening Device (Camera)
To detect any vision issues associated with:
Myopia (nearsightedness)
Hyperopia (farsightedness)
Astigmatism (blurred vision)
Anisometropia (unequal refractive error)
Binocular Vision (eye misalignment)
Anisocoria (unequal pupil size)
The Vision Screening Device (Camera) is a state of the art piece of equipment that takes a photo of the child’s eyes. It screens for Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism, Anisometropia, Strabismus and Anisocoria. A technical report is produced, that can be downloaded from the device.
Visual Acuity
Purpose: To determine how sharp vision is a longer distances.
Visual Acuity is tested using a Lea Symbol Chart. From a 3m distance, the child is asked to the read symbols on a chart. They are asked to perform the task with both eyes together and then separately with their left and right eyes. This helps to determine how sharp vision is at longer distances.
Colour Perception
Purpose: To determine if the child perceives colour as most people do.
Colour Perception is checked by asking children to identify the numbers on different coloured backgrounds, which determines whether colours are being perceived normally.
Depth Perception
Purpose: To assess the binocular function of the eyes at near tasks.
Depth Perception is observed using an image of a fly and animals in boxes. Wearing 3D glasses, the child is asked if they can see the fly jumping out at them and which animal is trying to escape from their box. This shows if a child can determine distances between objects and sees the world in 3D.
In 2026, the program has screened 17,049 children with 3,544 having been referred to an optometrist. The corresponding number since the program began in 2018 are 73,219 and 15105 referrals.
More details can be found at lehp.org.au
Leeton Lions needs Your Help!!
The local club is planning a screening program at all Leeton schools (except Parkview) in the week 9th to 14th August and will need volunteers to assist them. There will be a short training session on Sunday 9th and screening of all primary students will take place during school hours’
The only pre-requisite is a Working With Children Check.
President Geoff thanked Sheree on behalf of the members.
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Brain Teaser
I have a big mouth, and I am also quite loud! I am NOT a gossip, but I do get involved with everyone's dirty business. What am I?
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Director’s Reports
President Geoff
A new seat has been ordered and will be available in 5 – 6 weeks.
A new sandwich board has been approved (this time with sandwich spelt correctly).
Sue Reynolds (Griffith Avanti) is our Area Mentor. She plans to visit at least 3 times in a year.
We all received emails about the Centurian Program
The penguin/pelican will forever be known as Pete (thanks to Greg).
Secretary Brian
We have agreed to support Maryann Ianelli to co-host the Mental Health Support Skills workshop on 29 September. More later.
A jobs list was circulated for the ball preparations.
PP Jennifer
It was with some regret that Jennnifer informed us that she has begun the steps to move to Melbourne so that she can be closer to family.
Laurie
A new classification 'Building" has been opened. We have a nomination for this classification.
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Sergeant Andrew
Andrew tested our knowledge of the ‘good old measurements’ like pecks, bushels, roods and even the old English currencies (farthing, guinea etc).
An interesting and informative session for the younger ones but lived experience for some of us.
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Yet Another Too Close to the Truth
I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60 years later. I don't have to go to school or work.
I get an allowance every month. I have my own pad. I don't have a curfew. I have a driver's license and my own car.
The people I hang around with are not scared of getting pregnant and I don't have acne.
Life is great. I changed my car horn to gunshot sounds. People get out of the way much faster now.
Gone are the days when girls used to cook like their mothers. Now they drink like their fathers.
I didn't make it to the gym today. That makes five years in a row.
I decided to stop calling the bathroom the "John" and renamed it the "Jim". I feel so much better saying I spent ages in the Jim this morning.
When I was a child, I thought "Nap Time" was a punishment. Now it feels like a small vacation.
The biggest lie I tell myself is: "I don't need to write that down, I'll remember it."
I don't have gray hair; I have "wisdom highlights"! I'm just very wise.
If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would've put them on my knees.
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet.
Why do I have to press one for English when you're just going to transfer me to someone I can't understand anyway?
Of course, I talk to myself. Sometimes I need expert advice.
At my age "Getting lucky" means walking into a room and remembering what I came in there for.
I have more friends I should send this to, but right now I can't remember their names.
Now, I'm wondering: did I send this to you, or did you send it to me?
Soldiers' Club