Events

In a world enslaved to ‘busy’, this presentation is designed to help the overwhelmed and distracted do what matters and leave the unimportant behind. Enter the Wheel of Overwhelm and identify key strategies for getting the important stuff done - like your own work, looking after your wellbeing, supporting your work team and living a great life.

Gayle Smerdon has spent the last 15 years helping people do work that matters, find solutions that stick, and support people to thrive in the workplace. A workplace culture expert and people nerd, Gayle works with those leaders and teams ready to focus on ONE THING that will make positive change. She is a published author, PhD recipient, and self-confessed learn-aholic. Gayle lives in Melbourne and is the contented slave to her feline overlord, Mr Spooks.

Youth Projects has been working with disadvantaged youth and people experiencing homelessness for nearly 50 years. Our work seeks to have lasting impact on the lives of the people who access our services, but government funding only provides the bare minimum. It is only with the support of Rotary and our local communities that we can provide world class responses that go beyond just servicing clients, we can change lives!

Richie brings 30 years’ experience in the community welfare sector working at the intersection of policy and service delivery across homelessness, residential care, drug and alcohol, harm reduction, primary health, family violence and mental health. From humble beginnings as a youth worker in residential care, youth justice and youth homelessness, Richie has gone on to lead a wide range of crisis and developmental programs for youth, adults and families in the sector.

As Executive Manager, Community Health at Youth Projects, Richie proudly leads teams of passionate social justice warriors to achieve lasting change in the lives of the people who access health, harm reduction and youth-focused programs. With an unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of people with a lived experience, Richie drives service design responses that create positive change in people’s lives, whilst challenging the systems and attitudes that lead to inequality and disadvantage.

Dennis is a chemical engineer by training and has spent his working career in the pulp, paper & packaging industry, most recently as a consultant to the industry. He has lived and worked extensively abroad associated with his work.

Dennis was in Apex for nearly 10 years before being invited to join the Rotary Club of Aspley in Queensland in 1980. He was subsequently a member of the Rotary Club of Traralgon before joining the Rotary Club of Hawthorn in 1984. He served in numerous positions at club level and was President in 2002-03.

At District level Dennis has been District Foundation Chair and District Council on Legislation & Resolutions Representative for 2 terms. He was previously Chair of Boroondara Cares Forum.  Dennis was District Governor in 2012-13 and before that an Assistant Governor, GSE Team Leader to D5520 (New Mexico) in 2005 and was District GSE Chairman for 4 exchanges.

Dennis has also served as District Secretary, District Governance Director, District Finance Committee Chair (twice), Global Grant Scholar Committee Chair, Club Vision Chair and District Chair for Leader Training. He was Vice Chair of the Melbourne RI Convention Host Organising Committee and Promotions Director. Dennis was Endowment and Major Gifts Adviser for Zone 8 from 2019 to 2022 and is now a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation from 2023 to 2027. He is also Vice Chair of the Rotary Foundation Australia and a recipient of The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award.

Outside Rotary, Dennis has been involved in a number of community activities, including the Australian Shareholders’ Association, a volunteer-based not-for-profit association and was a director for some years.

He served in a number of community and industry roles associated with Monash University for more than 25 years and was honoured to receive the university’s Sir John Monash Medal for distinguished service to engineering education. He has been involved with Scope and a community retirement village.

Dennis has been married to Lynda for many years and they are proud parents to two delightful adult daughters and grandparents to four grandchildren. He enjoys golf (sort of), walking, photography and travelling.

GUEST SPEAKER - PETER HITCHENER OAM

REPORTING THE NEWS

Book online: https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-paul-harris-breakfast

Brian’s presentation will provide details of how Disaster Aid Australia’s ‘Safe Water for Every Child’ program started and has developed to the current day. He will also explain the importance of the Australian designed and manufactured SkyHydrant to the success of the program.

Following a career as a water engineer in the UK and Australia, Brian joined Disaster Aid Australia (a project of the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills) in 2017.

Initially he was involved with technical support on water issues and digital marketing.

In 2019 he was asked to take on the role of Chief Executive.

Major DAA achievements over the last 6 years have been:

• Completing the Bhutan 2020 project to deliver safe water to 120 schools in Bhutan.
• Recognition by ‘The Energy Globe Awards’ for world leading sustainability.
• DAA’s continuing to deliver international aid throughout the COVID pandemic.

Countries visited by Brian for DAA include Philippines, Myanmar, Bhutan, Timor Leste, Iran.

Brian has been a Rotarian for 28 years.