Lou Fielder presenting Lions International president A.P. Singh with his Te Kūiti ‘Legends’ t-shirt in Orlando.
Te Kūiti’s Lou Fielder says the highlight of her year was sponsoring the Waikato Blind Indoor Bowling team to compete at nationals.
Her unique legends themed convention in February – included building chocolate fish towers and an hour of community service – was also a highlight, showcasing Te Kūiti to the other district governors.
202L Lions district governor Lou Fielder and Lions International director Graeme Wilson at the opening of Hamilton’s Life Flight Base.
Fielder’s year-long term as 202L Lions district governor will come to an end on July 1 when she is succeeded by Cambridge Lion Warren Beard.
King Country News 26 March 2026
“I’m probably one of the youngest district governors at 54,” Fielder said.
“It’s lovely being the district governor because I can tap people on the shoulder and say there’s a great service project here – this group of individuals are amazing.
“Let’s make a difference for them and contribute so they can get there. We partnered with Piopio Lions and Ōtorohanga Lions to help get the bowls team to nationals.
“Afterwards, we had a social with them on the bowling green. They provided us with morning tea as a thank you. It’s all about making connections and making a difference – that’s one of the things I love.”
The Te Kūiti High School teacher has taken the year off to put her focus on the role.
Lou Fielder and Te Kūiti Lions baked nine dozen for the ‘Muffins for Mums’ Charity – supporting mums whose babies are in NICU at Waikato Hospital.
“I like being able to make a difference for other people. I’ve been lucky in my life and there have been people who’ve supported me to do things. It’s my turn to pay it forward,” Fielder said.
“You only have the opportunity to be district governor once. I wanted to make sure that I could contribute as much as possible.
“Every district governor has a theme. My theme is a very simple one – just volunteer, it’s life changing.”
District governors get a charity of choice to raise funds and Fielder chose Blind Low Vision New Zealand. She knows how important their work is.
“As a district we have currently raised $28,000 towards training a guide dog – a beautiful 12-week-old guide dog puppy called Lulu,” Fielder said.
“My mother is pretty much fully blind from macular degeneration not being picked up early enough.
“Blind Low Vision have been amazing at supporting her to live independently. She lives in her own house and enjoys life with assistance from them.”
Warren Beard will become 202L Lions district governor on July 1.
Sixteen years into her journey through Te Kūiti Lions Club, Fielder’s volunteering passion still burns brightly.
“It’s the fellowship. The food caravan is the heart of our club, but we do have a lot of fun and a lot of laughter and that for me was key to joining,” Fielder said.
“Being involved in volunteering has changed my life. It’s given me a greater appreciation of the needs in communities, a greater appreciation of applying for grants, accessing funding as well as being strategic and developing strong relationships with other partner organisations.”
When Beard takes over, Fielder will be the immediate past district governor and will still have some responsibility on cabinet.
“But my passion very much is in getting things up and running,” Fielder said.
“I’m hoping I will be involved in the Lions eye health screening programme and getting that across our district as well as promoting the free skin cancer screening mobile vehicle – ensuring we’ve got systems and processes in place for that vehicle when it is in the Waikato.”
Beard will be the first member of Cambridge Lions Club in 15 years to be made district governor.
“It’s pretty good,” the 71-year-old retired correspondence course teacher Beard said.
“For Cambridge Lions it’s a huge honour.”
Beard will work alongside cabinet secretary Alan Taylor of Te Awamutu and cabinet treasurer and past council chair Arvind Raman of Hamilton.
Lou Fielder presenting Lions International president A.P. Singh with his Te Kūiti ‘Legends’ t-shirt in Orlando.
