The combined Rotary Clubs of Wendouree Breakfast and Ballarat South held a Celebration of Leadership in Rotary dinner at the Ballarat Golf Club on Thursday 17 August 2023.
The event recognised senior Rotarians Dr Jessie Harman and Ian Riseley AM. Ballarat’s Jessie Harman, a member of the Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast, recently completed a two year term on the board of Rotary International. Jessie is the first woman from Australia to hold this office in the history of Rotary. Ian Riseley, a member of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, served as the International President of Rotary in 2017-18. More recently Ian chaired The Rotary Foundation which delivers humanitarian support around the world.
Rotarians, family and friends from across Rotary District 9780, including Maryborough, Mt Gambia, Casterton, Torquay, Geelong East, Nhill, Ballarat West, Alfredton, Ballarat South and Wendouree Breakfast were joined by Rotarians from Melbourne to listen to Jessie and Ian talk about their Rotary Leadership Journey as well as the many highlights. unfortunately due to an injury Ian joined us via zoom and we had a very interactive Q&A session.
We also had the pleasure of hearing from Rob McDougal from the Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast about his leadership roles in Rotary. Rob will lead a team of 18 Rotarians to the Indonesian island of Ambon later this month to deliver hands-on assistance and goods to a developing community.
Pat Janes from the Rotary Club of Ballarat South also spoke about the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program, of which he was first introduced to as a young person and has gone on to be a facilitator at the annual leadership development program for 16 – 24 year olds.
District Governor, Ian McKay was excellent in his summation of the achievements of all our speakers throughout the evening.
Geoff James, President of the Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast said “Leadership development is a core activity of Rotary. Our club is proud of its record of developing leaders at both local and international level”.
