Events

Simon is a businessman and humanitarian. With 30 years executive experience, including 22 years as CEO/Director of large private, public and not-for-profit organisations, he understands thE complexities of business and the critical importance of building a culture that unites people around an inspiring purpose.

As the head of one of Australia’s largest private companies, he was responsible for 32 operating
entities, employing over 14,000 people. In 2011 Simon changed his focus from pursuing success
to pursuing significance. He left corporate life and took a voluntary role with the United Nations,
concentrating on reducing food insecurity and poverty across sub-Saharan Africa. He remained in
Africa without his family for 8 years.

Simon is a problem solver on a global scale. He has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to
successfully lead commercial teams in overcoming seemingly impossible tasks. His leadership of a
global consortium, responsible for identifying and overcoming the systemic issues causing food
loss and poverty in developing countries, resulted in over a million families living significantly better
lives today.

Simon now shares his knowledge and proven expertise to develop successful managers into
inspiring leaders. His clients in Australasia, USA, Canada and UK range in scale and scope from
sole proprietorships to large, international corporations in a broad range of industries. 100% of
Simon’s coaching fees are given to charity.

• Simon was appointed Senior Officer of the Order of
Australia for outstanding service to business and
humanity.
• He was finalist in the Australian of the Year Award.
• He received the Pride of Australia Medal for selfless
service to the disadvantaged internationally and
within Australian society.
• He received the Global Humanitarian Award (UN) for
impact and innovations in undeveloped countries.
• His work in combatting hunger was a critical
component of the UN/WFP being awarded the 2020
Nobel Peace Prize.
• He has led teams awarded the Australian Family
Business of the Year and the Leading Supply Chain
Company (Australasia).

M.C : Mark Pinoli

Photo:  Provided by President Dorothy Gilmour

Dr Tucker is urrently a Fellow at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mt. Stromlo Observatory at the Australian National University.

'I have my hand in a variety of things, but the majority of my work involves Exploding stars called Supernova and Cosmology, the study of the Universe. A certain type of supernova, called a type Ia, can be used as a standard candle that can trace our Universe's history.

For this work, I am involved with a number of supernova surveys. I have been working on the ESSENCE Project, The CfA Supernova Search, The Carnegie Supernova Project and also using Mt. Stromlo's new SkyMapper telescope. I am one of the leads of the Kepler Extra-Galactic Survey, KEGS, a Kepler Space Telescope Key Program, to understand why and how stars blow. I am leeading a project to build a network of ultraviolet telescopes in the upper atmosphere which are being built at Mt. Stromlo.

I originally hail from Sacramento, California, USA. I did my undergraduate studies in Physics, Philosophy, and Theology at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, and my PhD at Mt. Stromlo Observatory, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. In addition research, I frequently give talks to school groups and the general public about Astronomy and have regular segments on various radio stations talking about Astronomy news and events. Among other things, I have developed a series of Astronomy coins in conjunction with the Royal Australian Mint, consulted on science fiction movies, advised on Astronomy-themed art projects, and has been featured in specials on the National Geographic Channel'. 

M.C. Noel Halford

Photo:  The Australian National University, Dr Brad Tucker

Mel Key is the General Manager Programs and Operations of the Education Chances Foundation.

'Education CHANCES is passionate about supporting young people in Boroondara in Melbourne’s East, to achieve their ambitions and pursue their goals'.  Their Vision is 'to nurture and promote hope, self-belief and future pathways for young people in Boroondara'.

Mel will be joined by colleague Sue Felton  and a scholarship recipient.

M.C.:  TBA

Photo Credit: Education Chances Foundation 

'The Rotarian Action Group Against Slavery was established in 2013 and has Rotarian members in over 65 countries. The Action Group’s Theory of Change commands how we believe we can make our mission a reality. Through awareness and prevention education of the human trafficking/modern slavery issue and membership, RAGAS can activate Rotarians/Rotary Clubs to serve their communities to help lessen their vulnerability to human trafficking/modern slavery'.

M.C. Noel Halford

Photo: Thato Moiketsi via Pexels 

Elizabeth Drozd OAM

Elizabeth arrived in Australia in 1982 as a Special Humanitarian Entrant, escaping her life from a communist regime in Poland. 

During her life she experienced the whole gamut of migrant experiences ranging from having to learn English upon arrival to completing her Bachelor in Multicultural Studies, followed by Masters in Social Sciences. 

She was a Victorian Multicultural Commissioner between 2008-2015 and in 2019 won a Scholarship from the Harvard Club of Victoria to study at the Harvard Business School. 

In 2022, she won the National Executive Leader Award for her work and impact with migrant ageing communities. In 2023, she was awarded the Order of Australia for her 32 of service and achievements.

Up until June 2024 she was the CEO of the Australian Multicultural Community Services and since then has been enjoying life as a new gen retiree and is currently the President of the Rotary Club of Footscray.

M.C.: TBA

Photo: Prasad Sinhabahu

Rev Natalie

Des Tobin has crammed more lives into his 86 years than your average cat.  He has variously been a failed student, a discontented apprentice panel beater, a youth worker, a springboard diver, a junior pole-vaulter, a VFL and Olympic Australian Rules footballer, a 10-Pin bowling instructor, a successful business executive within the funeral industry, a golfing tragic, a university lecturer and a prolific writer.

His most recent book ‘It’s in the Genes – Australian Football Families tells the stories of some of the many families who have produced multiple generations of VFA/VFL/AFL/AFLW footballers stretching back to the late 19th century.

M.C.: David Rush