District Governor Wendy Protheroe
Rotary Club of Brisbane High-Rise
In an early career as a special education teacher Wendy developed her belief that everyone should be given the chance to enjoy their abilities. As Director of Early intervention Services in northern New South Wales she worked with terminally ill children and their families and learnt the importance of being flexible in understanding differences and keeping end goals in mind.
She moved to the Public Service in Queensland and was Director of TAFE Institutes (Sunshine Coast and Ipswich) and a Senior Executive within the Economic Development Portfolio. Wendy relocated to Sydney as Queensland Director for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games where she honed the skills of working with high profile people, making focussed decisions and working to deadlines.
On return to Brisbane Wendy became the General Manager, Counselling Services for a major charity. For a decade across Australia she was responsible for Kids Helpline, Parenting programs, Family and Domestic Violence Refuges, Homeless Accommodation, Clinical Practice and Training programs. Her National Board and committee positions focussed on areas of Youth Mental Health, Technology and Wellness, Trauma and Grief Counselling and Anti-Slavery. Wendy has represented Australia and Queensland internationally and loves the challenge of working across cultures.
Immediate Past District Governor (9600)
Neil Black
Rotary Club of Kingaroy
Neil was born and raised in Kingaroy. Growing up on the family farm he learned from an early age that everyone had to chip in, and hard work would always prevail. Like most country kids he finished his final years of schooling at boarding school and upon completion he returned home to commence a career in farming.
Over the next 20 years he worked beside his father on the family farm and also his own farm. During this time, he took on other jobs including drilling rigs. This work took him all over Australia and various overseas destinations. After 2 years in this position Neil embarked on a new business venture, purchasing a local commercial and domestic cleaning business, a business he still owns and runs. In 2005 he expanded state-wide as Kyadam Pty Ltd with many clients across Queensland. In 2002, Neil approached his father PDG Ray Black and took on the role of live-in manager of his father’s Kingaroy motel and restaurant – The Pioneer Lodge Motel. 18 years later he now owns that motel and restaurant his father previously did and still loves the interaction with people from all walks of life and those who visit from all corners of the world.
Neil juggles his time around the motel and his cleaning company and considers his time at Rotary as his social life and holds many of the people he has met through the organisation as close and lifelong friends.
Immediate Past District Governor (9630) Patrice Robinson
E-Club of Australia Nomads
Patrice was born in Miles and grew up in Longreach, attending boarding school in her high school years and followed her career path to become a Nurse Midwife and Child Health Nurse. Throughout this time she held positions in Brisbane, Cairns, Tasmania and Western Australia.
Changes in circumstances found her moving to St George in 2005 on a six month secondment, however this lead to thirteen and half years in St George as Director of Nursing/Facility Manager.
Patrice retired from her position at St George Hospital in December 2018 and is now living in Woombye on the Sunshine Coast and is a member of the eClub Rotary Nomads Australia. Patrice was asked to join Rotary soon after she moved to St George and has held the position of Secretary, has been President for 2 terms and held various board roles in that time. She has had the pleasure of being a leader on Rotary Youth Exchange Safari and a Rotary Observer with Interplast to Papua New Guinea.
She has been a member of the District 9630 Drought Relief Committee since its inception and has served as Assistant Governor for a three year term. She has also been a member of a medical team to Uganda with a non Rotary organisation in 2014. She was District 9630 Public Relations and Marketing Director for 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. Patrice believes that Rotary can provide so many opportunities for members and potential leaders. This is not only in their local communities – the possibilities and connections from a global perspective are amazing. She is committed to supporting this message and believes it is one of the areas that needs a greater profile in the pursuit of proactive, innovative members.
District Governor Elect Tim Keeler AM
Rotary Club of Logan
Tim was born and educated in Melbourne. Always wanting to be a teacher, he entered Monash University where he majored in Education and Science. He has worked for over 35 years in education as both a teacher, boarding house coordinator and School administrator. He has taught in Victoria and Queensland and has been a Principal and most recently an Operations Manager in the Independent Sector and later in the Lutheran system since 2003.
Tim joined Rotary in 2004 with the Rotary Club of Hamilton North in District 9780 and served as Corporal and as the club RYLA representative. After transferring to Queensland, he attended meetings in both Toowoomba and Gladstone, before joining the Rotary Club of Logan in 2009. It may be of interest to note that he was appointed to the District RYDA committee and the Logan Rotary Board prior to being inducted into the club!
Tim has served twice as President and has received three PHFs, He is a member of the Paul Harris Society and has received the RI Club Builder award. In 2013-14 he was awarded Rotarian of the Year and has served on the District Leadership Team for ten out of the last eleven years, as an Assistant Governor, PR & Marketing Director and he now commences his fifth year as Membership Director. He is currently Chair of District 9600 Conference Committee. In 2014, together with members of Logan Rotary, he attended the International Convention in Lisbon, Portugal.
District Governor Nominee Paul Roger
Greater Springfield Rotary Club
District Administrator Sue Mulraney
Rotary Club of Loganholme
Company Secretary Ian Hope
Rotary Club of Glasshouse Mountains
Ian joined Rotary Club Glasshouse Mountains in 2012, where he has served a term as president and is currently serving his third term as secretary.
At district level he has been District Administrator, then Assistant Governor during three years for the Hinterland Cluster.
Since 1983 Ian has been a member of the Rotary Clubs of Ross River, followed by Cairns West in 1985 and Mackay (President 2002/03) in 1986. Prior to 1983, Ian was in Rotaract for 10 years (District Rotaract Representative Representative (District 9550; 1982-83) and Interact for two years.
Born in Mackay, Ian began his working life as a teacher of the hearing impaired, teaching in Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns. In 1986, he managed the family fish tackle and ships chandlery business for 7 years. Ian later joined the Department of Communities, as the Regional Business Manager, based in Mackay, until his retirement in 2012. Ian currently volunteers two days a week at Morris House Neighbourhood Centre in Landsborough, co-ordinating a NILS program.
Ian enjoys travelling, sailing and gardening. He is married to Margaret and they have two daughters.
Finance Director Michael Carrigan
Rotary Club of Buderim
After completing a degree at the University of New South Wales, Michael commenced his professional career as a Chartered Accountant in 1973 with Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co (now KPMG). In 1982 he relocated to Narrabri in north west NSW where, after a short period he was admitted to an accountancy practice (later to become Carrigan & Co) in 1984. Michael retired from his practice in June 2013. Although retired Michael continues to “dabble” in accounting profession conducting Quality Reviews for Chartered Accountants ANZ.
Michael joined the Rotary Club of Narrabri in 1984 where he held a number of roles including President, Secretary, Treasurer, various service directorships and bulletin editor. He was also heavily involved in District 9650 having served for over 10 years including roles as Treasurer, District Finance Chair, Group Study Exchange committee (including a year as chairman), Vocational Service Director, Chairman of the MUNA committee and Assistant Governor. After retirement he and his wife Jann relocated to the Sunshine Coast where he joined the Rotary Club of Buderim.
Michael and Jann have 4 children - Daniel, Anne, Claire and Elizabeth and 11 grandchildren. Michael is currently the treasurer of ROMAC: Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children.
Emerging Services Director Phoebe Thomas
Rotary Club of South Brisbane
Phoebe is originally from Roma, but grew up in Toowoomba. After school, she relocated to Brisbane to study interior design. She is now an experienced Interior Designer who works for a commercial architectural practice. Phoebe loves mentoring and nurturing talent within her team, sharing knowledge and providing opportunities for growth and new experiences. Phoebe endeavours to foster a collaborative environment where people can all learn from each other.
Phoebe, along with her husband Simon, are members of the Rotary Club of South Brisbane. Phoebe was previously a member of the Rotaract Club of South Brisbane and a RYLA leader and coordinator. Phoebe has been the chairperson for RYTS 9630 for the last two years and is currently a committee member for RYTS 9620. She also enjoys being involved with Interact. Phoebe’s passions lie with leadership development and strengthening volunteering in younger generations.