John Lawrence (Janet) Director- Rotary International 2008-2010
Rotary Club of Brisbane Planetarium, District 9600
John began his professional life as a civil engineer, and he is still an engineer at heart even though he moved long ago to the computer industry. His engineering experiences encompassed assignments in the Australia’s Northern Territory, Canberra and the Solomon Islands / Vanuatu / PNG. Prior to serving as District Governor in 2000-01, he completed 4½ years employment with Microsoft as a marketer and technical advisor. He and his wife Janet now run a business providing specialist writing services and advising on new technologies.
John’s Rotary journey commenced in 1988 and he was President of the Canberra-Woden Club in 1992-1993. He became passionate about the international aspects of Rotary through early involvement as Club International Director. During 1996-97 John served as one of the four first Assistant Governors in D9710. That year he convened the Internet/Technology committee that created D9710’s award-winning and informative web site and instigated the Australian Rotary presence at www.rotary.org.au.
In 2000-2001 as District Governor John gave a Rotary face to the regional celebrations marking the International Year of the Volunteer. In 2002 after the disastrous bushfires in ACT/NSW he organised a highly successful Rotary fund-raising drive of the shopping malls throughout the District to help the many affected.
John and Janet moved to Brisbane in December 2003 in the hope his asthma would retreat (and it worked!). He soon became an enthusiastic supporter of RAWCS Northern Region and particularly its Donations in Kind Store. Working with Rotarians to assist their training is his special passion, and he has done so as District 9600 Trainer (2005-06), District D9710 Trainer (2002-03), National Train the Trainer Facilitator (Wagga Wagga Institute 2003) and Leader Trainer of Australian DGNs (DGs 2007-08).
His international service has focused strongly on multi-district projects in Thailand, Indonesia, Solomon Islands and Sri Lanka. He has had a special concern for fund-raising and project development for restoration initiatives after the Bali bombing, the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami and the Western Solomons tsunami in 2007. He has also served as a member of the Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisors.
John received a ‘Service Above Self Award’ in 2006 in acknowledgement of his wide-ranging contributions both within the district and beyond. Outside of Rotary he is committed to service through the Anglican Church. Since moving to Brisbane he has been involved in the life of St John’s Cathedral, and produces its quarterly magazine. He recently completed two years as People’s Warden and member of Chapter (the cathedral’s governing body), drawing on his experience in business and information technology to give guidance on governance, management and new technologies to this large enterprise.
In 2006 John was admitted as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. And in the 2007 Australia Day Honours List he received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), an acknowledgement of his contribution to the community through Rotary and the Anglican Church.
His wife Janet is also a Rotarian (and Past President then Assistant Governor). They are both multiple Paul Harris Fellows and charter members of the Foundation Bequest Society. They love spending time with their four sons and extended family of partners and grandchildren. |
