We were fortunate today to have an inspirational address from our Rotary District 9800 Governor Ron Payne.

Ron was accompanied by his wife Deb.

District Governor Ron Payne told us about his initial training as a District Governor, in Orlando, Florida, where he met incoming Rotary International President Gordon McInally and RI President Jennifer Jones. This training prepared him well, and gave him some idea of the magnitude of the job he had undertaken.

Now, halfway through his visits to each club in Rotary District 9800, he is still learning about each club, and the projects that they have undertaken.

His own priorities for the year focus on three things: Mental Health, Ending Polio, and Empowering Girls. 

DG Ron skilfully changed the pace of his address by showing a video of RI President Gordon McInally (left). In this he described the gratitude of a tsunami victim who had lost everything, her possessions, parents, husband and children. To show her gratitude for the hope she had been given by Rotary, she had presented President McInally with her most valued possession, an old sea-shell. This led to Rotary’s Theme for 2023-2024:  'Create Hope in the World'.

DG Ron resumed to describe how we need a context to create hope. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness: rather it is bare to admit when we need help. He described Rotary International’s plan to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt.

Rotary Clubs focus on locally Membership, Programmes, Projects, and Fundraising, with key priorities of Communication and Fellowship, Member engagement and retention, Public image and promotion, Rotary Foundation and Ending Polio. 

DG Ron described how the District leadership Team is re-named the District Support Team, and how Assistant Governors, Training programmes and the team can assist clubs. 

He indicated how members can assist by submitting articles to the Website and The Networker, attending Updates, Zoom conferences and District Conferences. 

DG Ron concluded his presentation by presenting “End Polio Now” certificates to participants Charlotte England and Katrina Flinn.  

District Governor Ron Payne

Ron first joined the Eaglehawk Rotary Club in 2002, took time out, and then re-joined in 2009. He has been a board member for the most of those years, and in 2013 and 2014 and again in 2016 and 2017, he presided over the club. Other club positions held include foundation chair and treasurer. Ron is a member of the District Recognized Programs Review Committee and joined the District team in 2019, taking up the position of Assistant Governor for Goldfields North. Ron will also take on the position of Executive Assistant Governor Mentor in 2021–2022.

Ron worked for 47 years as a teacher, principal, and regional manager for the Department of Education in Victoria. He is happy to reflect on a fulfilling career in which he had a significant impact on many pupils and forged enduring relationships with families in numerous regional towns.

Ron and Deb, who are now retired, love travelling and making the most of their time with their daughters Michelle and Melanie and their families. Ron also enjoys lawn bowling, recreational cycling, gardening at home, photography, and supporting Rotary.

R. Gordon R. McInally  is president of Rotary International. He was educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh and at the University of Dundee, where he earned his graduate degree in dental surgery. He operated his own dental practice in Edinburgh until 2016. Gordon was chair of the East of Scotland branch of the British Paedodontic Society and has held various academic positions. He has also served as a presbytery elder, chair of the Queensferry parish congregational board, and commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland.