Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's wonderful to be able to speak on this motion celebrating the centenary of Rotary Australia and New Zealand. Like many members in this place, I have family members who have been participants in Rotary in the past, who are participants in the present and who, no doubt, will be in the future because it's a fine community organisation, and that's because it embodies the values that fundamentally underpin the strength of our country. The success of our country does not come from Canberra down; it comes from responsible citizens forming community organisations as a foundation for this nation's success. Rotary, over 100 years, has done incredible work in Australia and internationally. In particular, they're a group of citizens that have taken responsibility for their local community. There is almost no community across the country that you can walk past without seeing a footpath, a seat in a park or a children's playground where Rotary has had its footprint and raised money locally from other citizens to be able to provide the best facilities for their local community.

In Goldstein, we have many important local Rotary clubs that provide an excellent service to our local community. At the Sandringham Rotary club, I'd like to recognise the efforts of the current board members in this year: President John Dennison, President-elect Ian Glover, Vice President Ian Wells, Secretary Jackie Wells and Treasurer Alan Brebner. At the Beaumaris Rotary club, thank you to the executive: President Adrian Culshaw, President-elect Lynda Doutch, Secretary Roy Seager and Treasurer James Glenwright. At the Rotary Club of Glen Eira, thank you to the executive: President Lili Teichman, President-elect Roberto Ortiz, Secretary Joan Luscak and Treasurer Geoffrey Asher. At the Hampton Rotary club, thank you to the executive: President Amanda Hill. President-elect Maria Sierra, Treasurer Rosalind Bodley and Secretary Elizabeth Ware. At the Bentleigh Moorabbin Central Rotary club, thank you to the executive: President Geoff Gledhill, President-elect Helen Nodrum, Vice President Larry Green, Treasurer Alan Kempton and Secretary Neville Kruss. At the Rotary Club of Brighton, thank you to the executive: President Cameron Ward, Vice President Julie Avery, Treasurer David Finney and Secretary Anthony Langley. Finally, at Brighton North Rotary club, thank you to the executive: President Peter Killey, Vice President Brian Cox, Treasurer Neil Graham and Secretary Judy Carruthers.

I'd like to pay proper recognition to the role that local Rotary clubs have made in our community and also internationally. Members may not be aware that Ian Riseley OAM who was president of the Sandringham Rotary club went on to become President of Rotary International from 2017 to 2018. Mr Riseley was only the fifth Australian and the third Victorian to be appointed President of Rotary International. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Sandringham from 1978 and was involved in sea scouts and sporting groups, as well as being the honorary auditor and adviser for a number of charitable organisations.

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