The strong interest taken by leading Lions Clubs International official Bob Corlew in the Port Chalmers Lions Lady Thorn Rhododendron Dell project is ''very encouraging'', organisers say.
Les Box is a former president of the Port Chalmers and District Lions Club, and convenes the dell project.
Mr Corlew, who is the Tennessee based Lions Clubs International second vice president, was in Dunedin recently to attend a Lions district convention.
Accompanied by his wife, Dianne Corlew, he also opened a new walkway in the dell, which has been named ''Bob's Way'' in his honour, and planted a commemorative rhododendron.
Mr Corlew will become the Lions International Clubs president in 2017, when the organisation will celebrate the centenary of its founding, in 1917. He was the most senior Lions international office bearer to visit Dunedin, Mr Box said.
Mr Corlew was impressed by the size and complexity of the dell project, its importance for the Port Chalmers community and the continuing involvement of Lions in maintaining and developing the asset.
Port Chalmers residents strongly supported the dell and the strong interest and backing shown by Mr Corlew was also ''very encouraging'', Mr Box said.
Mr Corlew had made the point that the Lions backing for the project was in keeping with the Lions motto: ''we serve'', he said.
