THE 1981-82 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “World Understanding and Peace Through Rotary”

 World Peace and

Understanding through Rotary       

                                             R.I. President:  Stanley E. McCaffrey

Stanley was involved in University Administration as the President of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, the same position that a future R.I.President, Cliff Dochterman, held. He was also Past President of the Association of Independent California Colleges and of the Western College Association. He also served as a Vice-President of the University of California and President of the San Francisco Bay Area Council. He joined Rotary in 1948 and served as a District Governor, Director and Vice-President. He was a Past President of the Rotary Club of Moraga, California, USA.

                                            District Governor:  Frank Hoeter (Ruth)

Frank Hoeter MBE was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa. He attended the Sydney Grammar School and matriculated in 1942. When he was demobbed from the AIF, he joined the New South Wales Police Force in 1946. He transferred to the Papua New Guinea Police Force in 1949 and retired with the rank of Chief Superintendent in Rabaul. He had a long association with Rotary in Papua New Guinea. He was Charter Secretary of Goroka Rotary Club, Charter President of Wewak Rotary Club, Secretary of Boroka Rotary Club and President of Rabaul Rotary Club. When Papua-New Guinea obtained their independence, he retired to Hervey Bay and joined the Rotary Club there, taking on a number of official positions. He operated an insurance brokerage business there for many years. He retained his interest in the New Guinea and the Pacific Islands as a member and Treasurer for many years of the Northern Region of FAIM and later RAWCS. He is a connoisseur of fine wines, especially reds.

International Convention:  Dallas, Texas USA

District Conference:  Hervey Bay                                                                                           Back to the top

THE 1982-83 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Mankind is one – Build Bridges of Friendship Throughout  the World”

                                         R.I. President:  Hiroji Mukasa

Hiroji Mukasa was a director of the Mukasa Hospital, a position he held for more than thirty years. Born in Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan, he was a graduate of Kyushu University Medical School. Dr. Mukasa was a Trustee of the Psychiatric Association of West Japan, and served as Chairman of the Pita Prefectural Board of Social Welfare. He was also interested in the arts and education, being Past President of the Nakatsu Cultural Association, the Nakatsu Art Association and the Nakatsu Board of Social Education. A Rotarian since 1957, he was a member of the Rotary Club of Oita, Japan and a Past President of The Rotary Club of Nakatsu. He had served Rotary International as a District Governor, Director and as Rotary Foundation Trustee.

District Governor:  Monty Martin (Bess)

Monty was born in Melbourne on 11th October, 1930. In 1936 his parents moved to Mackay, where he went to school at St. Mary’s Convent and the Christian Brothers. He finished his schooling at St. Brendan’s College, Yeppoon. After finishing his apprenticeship in carpentry, he entered the family butchery business when his father became ill. In 1957 he went into partnership with the builder from whom he learned his trade, continuing on his own when his mentor retired on “Dollar Day” in 1966. After adding a concrete business to his portfolio, he had a career change in 1970 when he and Bess bought a food business, adding a supermarket and a restaurant to it in the next few years. All these, except a corner milk bar was sold in 1980. They finally retired in 1988. Bess and Monty have two daughters and six sons.

Monty joined the Rotary Club of Mackay West in 1968 and was President in 1975-76. He is proud of his 100% attendance from 1968 till 2002. For many years he was the District Chairman of the Rotary Foundation. He received a sapphire pin to Paul Harris Fellow Award in 1997 and the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. In 1997 he was also awarded the Order of Australia for his community service. He has been Chairman of the Mater Mackay Hospital General Administration Committee since 1989 and a Director of the Mercy Health and Aged Care Board since 1975

International Convention:  Toronto, Ontario, CANADA

District Conference:   Bundaberg                                                                                               Back to the top

THE 1983-84 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Share Rotary – Serve People”

                                      R.I. President:  William E. Skelton

William Skelton of Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, was Dean Emeritus of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Bill had been National President of Epsilon Sigma Phi, a professional organisation that specialises in Adult Education and 4-H Programmes. He served on the board of the Virginia Council on Health and Medical Care and was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the First National Exchange Bank of Blacksburg. He had twice received the Superior Service Award from the U.S. Government.

Bill joined Rotary in 1955 and was a Past President of the Rotary Club of Christiansburg-Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America. He had also been a Director and Vice-President of Rotary International.

District Governor:  Roy Schuh (Dawn)

Roy was brought up in Bundaberg and served his apprenticeship as an Electrical Fitter Mechanic. He started his own business in Walker Street, Bundaberg. Roy was a member of the Rotary Club of Bundaberg West. He owned an electrical contracting business. He flew his own plane to many of the club meetings he attended. He is no longer a member of Rotary.

International Convention:  Birmingham, England.

District Conference: Emerald                                                                                                        Back to the top

THE 1984-85 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Discover a new World of Service”

                                     R.I. President: Carlos CansecoCarlos was an Allergy Specialist practising in Monterrey. He was born in Mexico City and received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from the National University of Mexico. He also attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA. He was Professor of Medicine at the University of Nuevo Leon for 33 years. He had also been Minister of the State Health Department and President of the Latin American Society for Allergy and Immunology. Carlos was a Past President of the Rotary Club of Monterrey, Mexico and has been a Director and Vice-President of Rotary International. In 1985 he launched the Polio Plus Program with the goal of raising U.S.$120,000,000 to provide enough vaccine to rid the world of polio by the centenary of Rotary in 2005. More than double this amount was raised in a very short time.

                                        District Governor:  Bob Grant (Mabel)

Bob was born in Brisbane on 15th July, 1920. He was educated at Wondai, Harlin and Gayndah State Schools, and worked in the family bakery business in Gayndah till he entered the army at age 18. Before the Second World he was a member of 4th Lighthorse Regiment, Gympie. In 1941 he enlisted in the AIF and served in New Guinea and Borneo with the 7th Infantry Division, rising to the rank of Sergeant. He returned to Gayndah after the war, and bought a bakery business in Wondai in 1947, moving to another bakery in Maryborough in 1959.  He changed careers in 1969 by buying a newsagency, which he ran till he retired in 1981. He was an Executive Member and Vice-President of the Bread Manufacturers’ Association for approximately 20 years. He was Secretary of the Gayndah and District Hockey Association and has been an Executive Member of the Gayndah and Wondai Sub-Branches of the RSL. He has been a Director of a number of Housing Societies and a Director of the Wide Bay Capricorn Building Society till 1993. He was inducted into the Rotary Club of Maryborough in 1965 and was its President in 1969-70.

International Convention:  Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

District Conference:  Maryborough                                                                                           Back to the top

THE 1985-86 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “You are the Key”

                                      R.I. President: Edward F. Cadman

Dr. Edward Cadman of Wenatchee, Washington, USA, was a Senior Partner and Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Wenatchee Valley Clinic. Born in Wenatchee, he graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle, and received his medical degree from Columbia University in New York City. He was a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as the regional representative of Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons.

He was also President of local District School Board and the Music Theatre as well as a Director of the Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce. He also served as Director General of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival.

Edward had been a Rotarian since 1955 and was a Past President of the Rotary Club of Wenatchee. He passed away on 17th April, 2002.

   District Governor:  Dudley Wood (Norma)

Dudley was the Charter President of Mirani Rotary Club in 1975. He is a former dairy farmer who lived in the Eungella Ranges and had to negotiate the road down them each week to his weekly Rotary Meeting. He was very much involved in Local Government and held office in a number of charitable organisations. Even when he retired to Mackay in 1981, he still attended Mirani Club and was President again after his stint as District Governor. In 1984 he was the first District Governor Nominee to organise and run the District Assembly. Previously it was the prerogative of the District Governor. He attended the International Assembly in Nashville, Tennessee.

International Convention:  Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.                              Back to the top

District Conference: Gladstone

THE 1986-87 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Rotary Brings Hope”

                                       R.I. President: M.A.T.Caparas

Mateo Armando Tengco Capras was born on 28 December, 1923 at Cuyapo in the Philippines. His father, a lawyer, eventually settled on the family farm in Moncardo in the province of Tarlac. His education, after he finished his secondary schooling at Bulacan High School in 1940, was interrupted by the Second World War. He graduated from the University of the Philippines’ College of Law in 1949, and received his Master of Laws from the Harvard Law School in 1950. He returned to Caloocan, the city adjoining Manila to the north, to specialise in labour-law practice and tax cases. He joined the Rotary Club of Caloocan as a Charter Member in 1959 and became its President in 1962-63. He has served as a  District Governor in 1964-65, as a Director and Vice-President of Rotary International, and as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. In 1980, after he transferred his law practice into Manila, he was invited to be a member of “the first Rotary club in Asia”, Manila, chartered in 1919.

                                     District Governor:  Kevin Newitt (Sue)

Kevin was a Past President of the Blackall Club and had a grazing property nearby. He resigned from Rotary, when he moved to a property outside of Dalby, and thence to western New South Wales, as his stud cattle business took up too much time. He has now rejoined Rotary as a member of the Chinchilla Club.

International Convention:  Munich, Germany.

District Conference: Longreach                                                                                                Back to the top

THE 1987-88 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Rotarians – United in Service – Dedicated to Peace”

                                                      R.I. President: Charles C.Keller

Charles Keller was a partner in a corporate law firm in Washington, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a graduate of the California State University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He served as President of the Pittsburgh Bar Association and as a member of its Board of Governors. He was also a Fellow of the American Bar Association. In the community he has been a director of several agencies, including the Boy Scouts, United Way, Chamber of Commerce, and health agencies. He was also a member of the Governor’s Commission on the Financing of Higher Education. Chuck served in the United States Air Force Reserve, retiring in 1972 as a Judge Advocate with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

A Rotarian since 1950, Chuck was Past President of the Rotary Club of California in Pennsylvania. Twice he has been Chairman of the Council on Legislation.

                                                    District Governor:  Bill Walker (Helen)

Bill is a Chartered Public Accountant and Licensed Dealer in Securities with his own practice in Rockhampton. His son is now a partner in that business. His other work experience has been in Brisbane and New Zealand, involving corporate finance and investments. He is a local Councillor of the Institute of Management, Past President of the Australian Society of Accountants, an Associate of the Securities Institute of Australia and Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia.

Bill is a Past President of Rockhampton East Rotary Club, as well the District Governor’s Special Representative in the formation of the Rockhampton Sunshine Rotary Club. He joined this new club and became its Charter President. He was Team Leader of the Group Study Exchange Team to District 1170, Cornwall and Devon, in 1985, and a Delegate to the International Conventions at Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Toronto, Canada.

International Convention:  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.                                                       Back to the top

District Conference: Rockhampton

THE 1988-89 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Put Life Into Rotary – Your Life”

                                      R.I. President: Royce Abbey

Royce Abbey A.M. of Greenvale, Victoria, was the proprietor of Abbey Sales Motivation and Marketing Services in Melbourne. He also had a window shades manufacturing business. He was a Board Member for the Greenvale Centre for the Aged and a Past President of the National Council for YMCA. He is also a Past President of the Venetian Blind Federation of Australia and has served on the City Council. Royce is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Essendon, Melbourne, Australia. He was the third Australian elected to the Presidency of Rotary International after Angus Mitchell of Melbourne in 1948-49, and Clem Renouf of Nambour in 1978-79. He was a Director and Vice-President of Rotary International as well as Chairman of the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation.

                                      District Governor:  Kevin Harris (Jess)

Kevin was inducted into Rotary in 1966, and is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Rockhampton North, the second member of that club to be District Governor. He held the classification of “Motion Picture Theatres”, later changed to “Juke Box Retailing” He has served as Chairman of several District Committees, and was awarded the “Four Avenues of Service Citation” for the great variety of activities in which he has been involved in his club and in the community. He was a member of a FAIM Team that built a school dormitory in the Papua New Guinea Highlands. He has been involved in the entertainment industry all his life, first as a projectionist, then a movie theatre owner, and presently as a billiard table and juke box distributor. His latest venture is owner of the Fun Zone in Rockhampton. It is a family business.

International Convention:  Seoul, Korea                                                                                       Back to the top

THE 1989-90 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Enjoy Rotary”

                                      R.I. President: Hugh M. ArcherHugh was the Chairman of the Board of Spiratex Company, a plastics extrusion company, and a Director of Syncro Corp., maker of electro-mechanical devices. He was also the Chairman of the Board of Alliance Financial Corp., a bank holding company. Originally from Dover, New Jersey, he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A registered professional engineer in Michigan, he is a member of several engineering societies. He has served on committees of the YMCA and the Boy Scouts of America, as well as being a Director of the Henry Ford Hospital. A Rotarian since 1951, he is a member and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Dearborn, Michigan, USA. He has served Rotary International as District Governor, Chairman of several committees and as a Director.

                                  District Governor:  Ron Downs (Margaret)

Ron joined Rotary in Ararat, Victoria in 1949. He is a past member of the Bundaberg Club, and was a member and Past President of the Bundaberg West Club when he was District Governor. Ron has served the District continually as Chairman of a wide range of committees and was this District’s Representative to the triennial Council on Legislation at Caracas, Venezuela. After being a self-employed storekeeper, and then a cane farmer, he joined Toft Bros. as their export marketing manager for their farm machinery. He was a consultant to the Government of the Dominican Republic and to the Jamaican Sugar Industry, as well as advisor to the Panama Government on sugar. He was also a member of the first Australian Trade Mission to China. He was wounded in action with the AIF in the Second World War. He and Margaret have five children and thirteen grandchildren.  

International Convention:  Portland, Origan, USA.                                                            Back to the top

THE 1990-91 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Honour Rotary with Faith and Enthusiasm”

                                     R.I. President: Paulo V.C.Costa

Paulo was an architect and President of Arena Construtora, an architectural and construction company in Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil. He also served as President of Arena Imoveis, a real estate company, and was President of two real estate investment companies. He was Chairman of the Board of Familia Paulista Credito Imobiliario, a savings and loans association as well as Chairman of an investment-holding company and a ship-holding company. Born in Santos, he graduated from the Mackenzie University in Sao Paulo with a degree in architecture. A Rotarian since 1956, he was a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Santos.

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                                   District Governor:  Roy See (Joyce)

Roy was introduced to Rotary in 1974 as a member of the Rotary Club of Gladstone South. He has been a Director, Treasurer and President of that club, until moving to Hervey Bay and joining that Club in 1984, where he has served as its Secretary. He later became a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Hervey Bay Sunrise. He has served as a District Governor’s Representative and the Chairman of several District Committees. He was this District’s Representative at the Council on Legislation when it was held in New Delhi. Roy served with the Australian Navy from 1945 to 1947 and spent six months with the Occupational Forces in Japan. Employed for 31 years by the Caltex Oil (Aust) Pty. Ltd., four years of that time in Lae, P.N.G., he retired to Hervey Bay in 1984. He and Joyce have one daughter.

International Convention:  Mexico City, Mexico.

District Conference: Hervey Bay                                                                                              Back to the top

THE 1991-92 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Look Beyond Yourself”

                                   R.I. President: Rajendra K. SabooRajendra is Managing Director of Groz-Bechert Saboo Limited, Chandigarh, a hosiery machine needle manufacturing company in India. He received his degree in science from Calcutta University and is a Director of the State Bank of Patiala. A Rotarian since 1961, Raja is a member and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Chandigarh, Union Territory, in North West India. He has received the Citation for Meritorious Service and the Distinguished Service Award of the Rotary Foundation for his support of its humanitarian and educational programs. He has been a Director of Rotary International and a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation.

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                                    District Governor:  Mick O’Riordan (Iris)

Mick became a member of the Rotary Club of Mackay West in 1974. He has held most positions in that club including Secretary and President. From 1987 to 1993, with a year off when he was District Governor, he was District Chairman of the Youth Exchange Program. Mick served in the Royal Australian Navy during the Second World War and is a Life Member of the “N” Class Destroyers’ Association. He was also a member of the initial Occupation Forces in Japan when the war ended. He has conducted his own business in farm machinery maintenance since 1963. Mick and Iris have three daughters and eleven grandchildren.

International Convention:  Orlando, Florida, USA...

District Conference:  Gladstone                                                        Back to the top

THE 1992-93 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Real Happiness is Helping Others”

R.I. President: Clifford L. Dochterman

Cliff had forty years in higher education administration. He spent twenty years with the University of California and two years with the nationwide Education Commission of the States in Denver, Colorado. He retired after 18 years as Executive Vice-President of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. The Boy Scouts of America have given him two of their highest honours – the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope Awards- for his service to this movement. He was President of the Stockton Chamber of Commerce and of the San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation Commission. Involved in Rotary since 1959, he was a Past President of the Rotary Club of North Stockton, California, District Governor, Director and Vice-President of Rotary International. He was one of the architects of the 3-H Program and the Polio Plus Program. He has been on all of Rotary planning committees since the 1980s. He is a great charismatic motivational speaker although his looks were unprepossessing.

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                                            District Governor:  Len Sutherland (Beryl)

Inducted into the Rotary Club of Gladstone in 1975, Len has served in several directorships and as President in 1980-81. He was Team Leader of a Group Study Exchange Team to Minnesota in 1986. He has served the District as a District Governor’s Representative and has been Chairman of a number of District Committees. Len was presented with Rotary’s “Service Above Self” Award at the District Conference in Yeppoon in 2000. He was this District’s representative to the Council on Legislation in Chicago in 2001. He retired in 1990 after 34 years in the newspaper industry, the last 15 as General Manager of “The Gladstone Observer”. Len and Beryl have two sons and a daughter.

International Convention:  Melbourne, Australia.

The year of the "Red Coats" serving under RI President Cliff Dochterman. It was a rewarding year to note the spirit of fellowship and commitment that existed in all Clubs large and small in District 9570 As with any DG a highlight of his year is the District Conference. Mine was no exception held in Emerald successful due to a great band of people from the Rotary Club of Emerald. One of the main achievements was the chartering of the Rotary Club of Gladstone Midday which functions vigorously today.

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The Year is 1993-1994

Theme:  “Believe in What You Do – Do What You Believe In”

R.I. President: Robert R. Barth

Robert Barth is the president and owner of the Rivella Group, a producer of soft drinks and a supplier of soft drink bases. Born in Zurich, Switzerland, he is a graduate of the University of Zurich, from which he holds a Doctorate of Law.  He is a Past President of the Confederation of European Soft Drink Manufacturers Associations. He is also a former Chairman of the Swiss Sport Aid Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Aarau.

A Rotarian since 1956, he is a member and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Aarau, Switzerland. He has served Rotary as a Director, Treasurer and Rotary Foundation Trustee.

District Governor:  Len Roles (Joan)

Len was inducted into the Rotary Club of Warwick in 1964. During his stay in Hughenden he was President and Secretary of the Rotary Club there. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Rockhampton North since1969, and has served as its Secretary, Director and Bulletin Editor on several occasions. He has also been District RYLA Chairman and Camp Director on three occasions. He retired from the Queensland Education Department in 1988, having served for 41 years in various places throughout the breadth of Queensland as a Teacher, Principal, Inspector, Regional Inspector and Regional Director. He holds Arts and Education Degrees wholly completed by external study. He is a former member of the Australian College of Education and the Australian College of Educational Administration. He has served on the Council of the Central Queensland University, the Board of the Rockhampton Girls Grammar School and the Emerald Agricultural and Pastoral College. He has two sons, four daughters and eight grandchildren.

International Convention:  Taipei, Taiwan.

District Conference:  Rockhampton

THE 1994-95 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Be a Friend”

                                          R.I. President: William H. Huntley

Bill has devoted his career to the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents. As Principal of Risley Hall, Bill and his wife, Audrey, were part of a national project to pioneer new treatment methods for young offenders. Born in Hull, East Yorkshire, England, he received a degree in religious education from Leeds University and a Diploma in Teaching from Lancaster College. He has served his community as a lay preacher, scout master and as a member of numerous organisations, including Boys Clubs, Beautiful Britain Campaign and the Pestalozzi Children’s Village. A Rotarian since 1969 he is a member of the Rotary Club of Alford and Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Stapleford and Sandiacre, Nottinghamshire. He had been President of Rotary International of Great Britain and Ireland, Director of R.I., and Rotary Foundation Trustee.

                                          District Governor:  Bruce Hiskens (Judith)

Bruce was a past President of the Gladstone Rotary Club and its third member to be District Governor of District 9570. Bruce was born in Rockhampton in 1934 and was married to Judith, a pharmacist. They have two daughters. He commenced work at Mount Morgan Mine and became an engineer through part-time studies. He was a founding staff member of Queensland Alumina Limited, and was their longest serving staff member when he retired from the position of Chief Engineer in 1993. A Chartered Mechanical Engineer, he worked over 30 years for the establishment of tertiary educational facilities in Central Queensland, and was elected Deputy Chairman in 1971 and Chairman in 1975 of the Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education. When it became the Central Queensland University in 1989, he was its first Chancellor and was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate of the University in 1991. Unfortunately Bruce died suddenly about a month after he completed his year as our District Governor.  

International Convention:  Nice, France.                                                                                        Back to the top

THE 1995-96 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Act with Integrity. Serve with Love. Work for Peace”

                                                  R.I. President: Herbert G. Brown

Herbert is Chairman of the board of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc, a corporation of over 325 restaurants in the United States. For thirty years before that he owned and operated furniture stores and drug stores in Florida and Louisiana. He was born in Iota, Louisiana, in 1923 and studied speech at the University of Southern Louisiana. He has the Boy Scouts' Silver Beaver Award, served as President and Trustee of several banks, was Commander of the American Legion, and Chairman of the Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater. He has had several humanitarian awards and was Florida’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 1991. Herbert joined the Rotary Club of Opelousas, Louisiana, in 1945, and is presently a member of the Rotary Club of Clearwater, Florida. He was Chairman of the Rotary International PolioPlus Campaign Committee for the United States and Chairman of the 1991 Mexico City Rotary International Convention Committee. He has also achieved more than 40 years of perfect attendance in Rotary.

                                                 District Governor:  Sandy MacGregor (Moira)

Introduced to Rotary in Goroka, Papua New Guinea, in 1971, he rejoined Rotary in Gladstone and was President of the Gladstone South Rotary Club in 1991-92. He had a great interest in World Community Services in South Pacific Island Nations and in the Rotary Against Malaria Campaign. He was District Chairman of RAWCS for almost ten years and was Vice-Chairman of its National Executive in 1993-94. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by all four Gladstone Rotary Clubs in recognition of his World Community Services in the South Pacific Island nations. He was nominated for the “Service Above Self” Award by the late PDG Bruce Hiskens and received it at the 1995 District Conference.

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THE 1996-97 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Build the Future with Action and Vision”

R.I. President: Luis Vincente Giay

Luis Giay, born in Arrecifes, Argentina, is a certified public accountant who graduated from the University of Buenos Aires. He owns an accounting firm and is a member of the board of directors of several businesses. He is a member and Past President of several national professional accounting and economic associations. He is also national advisor to the Boy Scouts Association as well as the local sheltered workshop for the handicapped. A Rotarian since 1961, he a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Arrecifes. He has served Rotary International as a Director, Treasurer, Aide to the President, and Rotary Foundation Trustee.

District Governor:  George Golding (Marian)

George grew up in Baralaba, completed his Secondary Education at the Brisbane Boys College, and having attended Teachers’ College, he taught in various schools throughout Queensland, specialising in physical education, mathematics and biology. He was appointed a Principal in 1980 and retired from Bundaberg State High School in 1993. Marion, also a teacher, and George have a son and two daughters. He has been leader of several youth groups and is on the Bundaberg Committee of the Blue Nursing Service. George first joined Rotary in Home Hill, and has been a member of Pine Rivers, Toombul, Moranbah and Bundaberg East Clubs. He is a Past President of both Toombul and Bundaberg East Rotary Clubs and has served as Secretary, Director and Bulletin Editor on a number of occasions. He is currently serving on the Northern Region RAWCS Committee.  

International Convention:  Glasgow, Scotland                                                                             Back to the top

THE 1997-98 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Show Rotary Cares for Your Community, for our World, for its People”

                                           R.I. President: Glen W. Kinross

Glen is a joint proprietor of a furniture manufacturing business established by his family in 1911. He is a Life Member, Past President and Councillor of the Queensland Guild of Furniture Manufacturers and has represented the furniture industry in negations with various levels of government. A Rotarian since 1960, he is a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Hamilton, Brisbane. He has served Rotary International as a Director and Vice-President and as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. He is the fourth Australian and the second Queenslander to become President of Rotary International. Sadly his wife, Heather, died suddenly a few months after his term as R.I.President expired

                                           District Governor:  Kevin Wirth (Edna)

Kevin grew up at Wellcamp, started his education at Charlton State School and finished it at St. Mary’s Christian Brothers College Toowoomba. He then served an apprenticeship with a radiator manufacturer. After the Second World War he was in charge of the radiator repair section of Howards Limited, Toowoomba, before starting his own business in Maryborough in 1952. For nearly thirty-four years he concentrated on designing and manufacturing heavy industrial radiators. He joined the Maryborough North Rotary Club in 1974, later becoming a Charter Member and President of the Maryborough City Rotary Club. For his service as a long time District Chairman of the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund the Rotary Club of Mackay North honoured him with a Companion of this fund. He and Edna have five children. Kevin passed away less than two years after he served his term as District Governor.

International Convention:  Indianapolis, Indiana, USA                        Back to the top

THE 1998-99 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Follow Your Rotary Dream”

                                              R.I. President: James L. Lacy [Claudine]

James Lacey is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gilliam Candy Company Inc., a confection manufacturer with plants in Kentucky, New York, Kansas and Georgia. Long active in government service, Jim has served on the Chamber of Commerce, on the local government body and for two terms as a state representative in the Tennessee General Assembly. He has also found time to manage and coach Cooksville Little league Baseball Program for 17 years. A Rotarian since 1964, he is a member and Past President of the Cooksville Rotary Club and has led a GSE Team to Britain. He has also served R.I. as District Governor, National Coordinator for PolioPlus, a Delegate to the Council on Legislation and as a Director.

                                             District Governor:  John Mackay (June)

Born of farming parents, John now owns and farms the original family farm selected by his Great Grandparents at Palmyra. His primary schooling was at Walkerston and his secondary schooling at Scots College, Warwick. After being a member of the Presbyterian Fellowship and the Junior Farmers in his youth, he later became Chairman of the Pleystowe Mill Suppliers Committee and an Executive Member of the Queensland Canegrowers Council. John joined the Mackay West Rotary Club in 1975 and is one of its Past Presidents. He led a GSE Team to Idaho. Five of his children have participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and he served a Term as District Chairman of Y.E.P. He and “Duffy” have raised three daughters and four sons. John is the third Governor of our District from Mackay West Rotary Club.

International Convention:  Singapore

District Conference:  Mackay                                                                                                     Back to the top

THE 1999-2000 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Act with Consistency, Credibility and Continuity”

                                              R.I. President: Carlo Ravizza

Carlo was the owner of an architectural firm that bears his name, specialising in the design of industrial complexes and office buildings on an international scale. He is also an industrial and financial consultant to companies in Italy and Switzerland. Born in Milan, he is a graduate of Milan University, where he studied civil engineering. A Rotarian since 1971, Carlo is a Charter Member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Milano Sud-Ovest, Italy. He has served Rotary International as Vice-President, a Director and a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. In 1996 he led a mission to northern Kenya to immunise the nomadic tribes there against Polio. He has also been chairman of several Rotary International Conferences for Development

District Governor:  John Davies (Nance)

John was born in Melbourne in 1940 and attended the Melbourne Grammar School. He became a jackaroo and later owned his own diary farm, and then a wool and beef property in Victoria. After a few years in Blackall he returned to Victoria to marry Nance. They then moved to Port Macquarie, where their two boys and a girl were born. Their next move was to Tamworth, where he was employed in the building supplies industry. In 1983 he moved to Gladstone and purchased his own building supplies business. John joined Rotary in Tamworth and is presently a member and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Gladstone and the fourth District Governor from that club. In 1994 John led a Group Study Exchange Team to District 1260 in England.

International Convention:  Buenos Aires, Argentina

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THE 2000-2001 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Create Awareness. Take Action”

                                            R.I. President: Frank Devlyn

Frank, President of the Devlyn Optical Group in Mexico, a manufacturer, retailer and distributor of optical products, grew up in Ciudad Jaurez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, USA. He attended the University of Texas in El Paso and graduated from the Instituo Panamericano de Alta Direccion de Empresas, Mexico City, with a degree in Business administration. He is a national board member of the Mexican Red Cross, the Tuberculosis Association, YMCA, National Pro Blind Association, and national advisor for the Mexican Government’s Commission of Health for the Handicapped. He is also a board member of the National Bank of Mexico and the Inverlat Bank. A Rotarian since 1970, he is a member of the Rotary Club of Anahuac in Mexico City. He is the founding editor of the regional magazine, “Rotarismo en Mexico” and has served Rotary International as a Director and Rotary Foundation Trustee. As Chairman of the Rotary Program, “World Community Service”, he spoke at Rotary meetings in 34 countries.

                                               District Governor:  David Fordyce (Mary)

Born in 1934, David spent the first few years of his life on the family farm at Eimeo Road before moving to a larger farm at Marian. He was educated at the Marian Convent and Downlands College, Toowoomba. On completion of his schooling he worked on the family farm, becoming a partner in Fordyce and Sons. After marrying Mary, he shifted to Giru, near Ayr, to manage one of the family properties, returning later to Marian, where he took an active interest in the Australian Sugar Producers Association. After a few physical setbacks, David retired from farming to manage the Four Dice Motel. After leaving the Motel he sold real estate. Presently he is a shareholder in Mackay City Cabs. He joined the Rotary Club of Mackay North in 1989, later serving as its President. He was the D.G.’s Representative for the Mackay area for a number of years. He served in the CMF, and as a former member of the Mackay and District Pipe Band, he still enjoys playing the pipes. He and Mary have six children.

International Convention:  San Antonio, Texas, USA.                                                                 Back to the top

THE 2001-2002 ROTARY YEAR

Theme:  “Mankind is our Business”

                                            R.I. President: Richard D. King

Although Rick was born in Lichfield, Illinois, in 1938, he spent the first nine years of his life in Canada. Rick graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1959 and from that university’s School of Law in 1962. He taught Business Law and English at Brigham Young University. He has also served for many years as a judge pro tem. His classification when he joined Rotary 33 years ago was Trial Law Practice. He is admitted to practice in California, Utah, all Federal Courts and the United States Supreme Court. For many years he worked hard at two divergent occupations. A gifted singer, actor and musical comedy performer, Rick produced shows in many major cities of the United States. At the same time he was building a successful law practice in the San Francisco Bay area of California. He is married to Cherie, a professional dancer. He is a very committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is a High Priest of that Mormon faith.

                                            District Governor:  Rod Cunningham (Evonne)

Rod, Evonne and their only son, Cliff, own CHR Employment Services, which commenced as Concept Training in 1987 as a one person operation, and has since grown dynamically to 40 sites throughout Queensland employing over 260 staff. Before 1987 Rod was mainly involved in sales, marketing and management positions in a variety of businesses ranging from motor vehicle finance, real estate, solar heating and sports centre management Although Rod worked for others in some roles, mostly he was self-employed.

After being a member of Apex in Mackay, Rod was introduced to Rotary in Bowen. After a gap of several years Rod was invited to join the Port of Mackay Club in 1990, serving as their President in 1994-95. In 1997 he was Group Study Exchange Team Leader to District 3820 in the Philippines. The family is heavily involved in Rotary. Evonne is a Charter Member and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Mackay Pioneer, while their son, Cliff, is a member of the Port of Mackay Club.

International Convention:  Barcelona, Spain                                                                         Back to the top