John was born in Newcastle NSW in 1942 and after serving an apprenticeship in Fitting, Machining and Toolmaking at the BHP Newcastle Steelworks, John took up a position in the drawing office of a BHP Subsidiary.
Married 41 years John and Claire have a daughter and two grandsons. John and Claire met when Claire was completing her final year at Newcastle Teachers College. John moved to Sydney and took up a position in the Engineering Drawing Office of Dunlop Rubber Australia’s Drummoyne Factory as an estimator and mould designer and later became product development deputy in the engineering design office of a cooling fan manufacturer.
In 1968 John and Claire relocated to Lake Macquarie near Newcastle in 1968 where John took up a position with Newcastle Shipbuilder, Carrington Slipways in Shipyard and Property Development. The principal task was the construction of a new and innovative shipyard at Tomago, on the Hunter River near Newcastle. There were many exciting years in the shipyard, including participation in the Australian Shipbuilding Industry Forum and Australian Small Ship Symposium and at night, managing a subsidiary speedway company. John purchased an illuminated sign company, selling the company after 9 years. He continued as factory manager involving many large neon projects including the reconstruction of Sydney’s Luna Park and the refurbishment of Sydney’s Centrepoint Tower podium.
John’s grandfather, Jack, was a 1937 Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Cessnock. John was inducted into the Rotary Club of Swansea (then D267) D9670, during the 1969-70 year. In the following thirty five years of adventure in service John has held most club positions and became President of Toronto (Lake Macquarie) 1992-93 and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship the following year. District positions have included Bowelscan committee and many years in Rotary Youth Exchange including 4 years as YEP deputy Chair and 4 years as YEP Chair. John was the District Governor’s representative to charter the R. C. of Toronto Sunrise.
Other interests include Rugby football, having played grade Rugby until age 30 and a few games of “Golden Oldies”. Many years sailing a dinghy and in large yachts on Lake Macquarie and offshore since childhood have given great satisfaction. These days, interests include family, reading and travel.
On retirement and relocation to Mackay, to be near family, in 2003, John became a member of the Rotary Club of Mackay North, becoming the International Service Director 2006-07 and the D9570 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships Chair 2006-07-08.
During the years of service in Rotary, Claire and John have enjoyed the association and friendship of many Rotarians of many nationalities and look forward to the years ahead.
Back to the top
|
