VALE Past President George Mackey
It is with great sadness that we advise of the passing of Past President, George Mackey. George joined Rotary Central Melbourne in May 2012 after moving from Queensland. He had also been a member of the RC of Port Macquarie. George’s vocational classification was 'Information technology”. His Rotary biography includes recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow on four occasions; a member of the District 9800 Paul Harris Society. George was President of Rotary Central Melbourne - Sunrise in 2015-2016 and it was his efforts that saw the dropping of the word ‘Sunrise’ from our title. (He was bothered about too many outsiders referring to our club as the ‘Sunshine Club’). in his time at Central Melbourne George was Youth Service Chair, Membership Chair and champion of projects such as Recyled Sound (re-purposed hearing aids); involved in efforts to re-establish Rotary in Docklands and as served as an advisor to South Sudanese Health Matters Inc during its start-up phase. One of George’s highlights was in 2016-2017 when he oversaw an increase in club membership of fourteen members, many of whom remain at RCM. After a period of covid forced lockdowns and online meetings, George decided that the online format suited his lifestyle and he transferred to the Rotary E-Club of Melbourne in September 2021. George’s wife Julie also sadly pre-deceased George around two years ago. They are survived by their son Cameron. We remember George as an intelligent, witty and fun to be around guy with a heart as big as himself. To use words that he was often heard to say - ’Thank you brother’ and Rest In Peace.
PDG Peter Shepheard advises that his father Neil passed away on 4 October, peacefully in sleep, surrounded by family and friends.