District Governor 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.
Immediate Past 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.
District Governor Elect Paul Roger
Greater Springfield Rotary Club
Paul grew up in the UK and his career has seen him working in Hong Kong as a police officer, serving as a senior executive with the Queensland Criminal Justice Commission, (now the Crime and Corruption Commission), and concluding his career as management consultant. Prior to retirement Paul focused on helping organisations adapt to today’s challenging operational environments and maintain their relevance in highly competitive markets.
Paul has always seen value in serving the community. While working in Hong Kong he was active in Round Table and served in many Board roles including National President of Hong Kong Round Tables. In Australia, Paul became a Rotarian in 2006, joining Jerrabomberra Rotary Club, in the then District 9710 (now within District 9705), and serving in all club positions, including President, and also in several District roles, including Assistant District Governor, District Chair Club Visioning, and on the NYSF and RYLA Committees. Paul and his wife Sue, also an active Rotarian, have participated in many community projects both locally and international, including RAWCS projects in Tanzania and Tonga. On retiring back to Brisbane in 2018, Paul and Sue joined the Greater Springfield Club, where Paul quickly took up Board positions as Director International, Foundation Chair, Secretary, and President in 2021-2022. Paul has received 5 Paul Harris recognitions, and in 2021 was the recipient of the Rotary International ‘Avenues of Service Award’ in recognition of his contribution across all Rotary avenues of service.
Alongside his Rotary commitments, Paul is passionate about helping to ensure families impacted by disaster are able to start to rebuild their lives with the dignity of shelter and protection from the elements. A long-time supporter and Ambassador for ShelterBox Paul served as a Director on the Board of Trustees of ShelterBox Australia since 2018 and held the position of Chairperson for the past two years.
For fun, Paul treks, and has Everest Base Camp among his accomplishments before Covid and a broken leg restricted his activities for a while. As travel is once again becoming realistic, Paul has a few other mountains on his list! Maintaining his fitness (in mind and body) is an ongoing pastime for Paul, and this can be challenging at times as he is known to also enjoy good food, good wine and of course good fellowship.
In taking on a G-train role within District 9620 in 2021, Paul has found great satisfaction in working with his fellow District Board members to establish and grow District 9620. He has also enjoyed working with his fellow G-train colleagues across Zone 8 as they work and train towards taking on their future Governor roles in 2023-24. In this Paul has the strong support of Sue, who has been moulding his finer points for the past 45 years – but it is still a work in progress, and Paul values the fellowship, advice and mentoring he has available through his Rotary family. His personal motto being:
‘Adopt, Adapt, Improve’
District Governor Nominee Sue Mulraney
Rotary Club of Loganholme
Sue was born and raised in the Barossa Valley, South Australia and moved to live in Beenleigh in 1989 and has recently retired after 28+ years working in various positions at the Beenleigh Rum Distillery.Sue joined the Rotary Club of Loganholme in 2009 and has served a term as President and 8 years as Secretary. At a district level has been D9630 District Secretary for 4 years, District Youth Protection Officer, Rotary Foundation Committee member and Friendship Exchange Committee Chair.
Adminstration Director Jenny Smith
Rotary Club of Sumner Park
Jenny started her Rotary journey back in the late 1980's when her boss was a Rotarian at the former Acacia Ridge club. This club then sponsored her as a GSE Team member to D1040 to North East England in 1992. Following her return from the exchange, Jenny became a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Sumner Park in 1993. As a Chartered Accountant, her professional expertise has been put to good use on more than one occasion — she has held the position of Club President four times, club secretary, admin and publicity officer, as well as serving many years as club treasurer. Jenny has also served on the District Rotary Foundation committee following her return from GSE, been District Treasurer for three years, carried an active role on the District 9630 headquarters committee for a number of years, been District conference treasurer on three separate occasions, and most recently, was the inaugural D9620 Conference Chair.
Jenny has been working in the accountancy profession since 1981 and has been in public practice in her own right since 1993. She is married to Pat Smith, who is also a Rotarian at the Sumner Park club. They have 4 adult children and one grandchild. When not working or involved in rotary matters, she enjoys travelling, music and photography.
Company Secretary Ian Hope
Rotary Club of Glasshouse Country
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 Cleveland
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 the 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 and subsequently to the Redland Bay area where he has joined the Rotary Club of Cleveland.
Michael and Jann have 4 children - Daniel, Anne, Claire and Elizabeth and 13 grandchildren. Michael is currently a director 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.