Gus Balbontin guest speaker introduced by chairman Stephen Bowtell is an ex Rotary Exchange student from Argentine.  Coming from Patagonia, in his words the middle of nowhere in Argentina, Gus arrived in Byron Bay as a 17 year old.  He commented that the cultural shift from the surrounds of his youth back home, together with his independent free spirit evidently shocked both him and his rotary hosts.  Categorizing himself as probably one of the more "troublesome Exchange Students" he nevertheless "survived" the 12 months and moreover now comments that  'if it wasn't for Rotary, he would not be where he is today'.

As a young boy he told his mother that he just wanted to travel and see the world. Kicked off by the Australian exchange visit, on his return to South America he set about seeing everything there.   He traversed 50,000 kilometers across the continent  by whatever means available, and with little cost.  The tales of him getting food and shelter were fascinating, a testament to both his resilience and resourcefulness and one suspects his wonderful capacity to relate to people---he remarked that the kindness of strangers who he met on route was amazing.

Back to Australia as 21 year old, he talked himself into a role at "Lonely Planet" then sited in Hawthorn, doubtless impressing them with his knowledge of, and experience of travel.  He was to be a "designer".  From that modest beginning he progressed to be Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer at Lonely Planet and inside observer as that group evolved from its early stages to the BBC takeover and the current privately owned organisation.  

He told of how he has worked in many countries with some amazing people and companies to help Lonely Planet tackle the digital revolution by developing products and technology platforms that have changed the travel media and the presentation of the travel package to consumers.  His creativity, energy, open mindedness and lateral thinking which came through in his address would have been the pillars of his success.   A keen observer and analyst he told of experiences with small entrepreneurs and big public companies.

No longer attached to one entity he now consult to business on lessons learned. 

One special area is that of business disruption and transformation.  The Lonely Planet example was where a company founded on the premise to help travelers, had shifted by force of time, its investments and internal systems, to be that of a publisher albeit on travel material.   

Gus made a like observation re Rotary.  In his view the systems, hierarchical structure and traditional tools and ways  had to some extent become more important and effort consuming of members than the prime and original "reason for being" namely helping the community. Thus perhaps member interest had diminished.   The genuine suggestion for a young, energetic woman of say 23 years as leader/president was a lovely example of Gus's challenging and fresh approach method to problem solving.