Deni’s first Rotary District Governor

It’s a role he’s been preparing for over the last two years, and which will take him all over the district and overseas in his quest to support and guide other Rotarians.

His acceptance of the role will also allow for Deniliquin to be showcased, with Mr McPherson choosing to hold the 2023 district conference in his home town.

“One of the roles of a Rotary District Governor is to host the district conference, which will be held in Deniliquin in March.

“It is the first time Deniliquin has hosted one of these conferences.

“I thought it was important to showcase what Deniliquin has to offer, and what small communities in general have to offer, as these conferences are usually held in larger centres.

“Tony Kew - this year’s Deniliquin Rotary president - is chair of the conference committee, which also includes other Deniliquin Rotarians.

“We will look to put on one of the best shows we can, and we want all businesses and accommodation providers to make people welcome.

“Our aim is to encourage them to come to Deniliquin - not just for Rotary events, but at other times of the year.”

Mr McPherson said the district conference generally attracts up to 350 members, but that his role means he will oversee 1500 district members for the next 12 months.

And he intends to meet as many of them as possible as part of the required district tour.

“The district spans from Deniliquin, across to Holbrook, Corryong, all of north east Victoria, northern suburbs of Melbourne, back up to Shepparton and then back across to Deniliquin,” Mr McPherson said,

“I will be visiting each of the 63 clubs over the next 12 months, to see what they do in their communities.

“My role is to provide leadership and inspiration, but my main role is to support those clubs in their ventures.

“There are 24 people in my committee of management, and each of us has a role of supporting the clubs in a certain way - whether it be memberships, community service or one of the many other roles Rotary plays.

“We’re continually looking at how we can do things better in our communities, nationally and internationally.”

Mr McPherson said his ascension to Rotary District Governor has come off the back of his work within Rotary, including as a member of the district board in other roles in the past few years.

He said he was approached some years ago to take on the District Governor role, but could not accept because of work commitments.

Now retired from his pathology role, Mr McPherson said it was time to give it a go.

But there is a process before you can become District Governor.

“There is a two year lead up,” he said.

“You spend a year as the district governor nominee and another as district governor elect, and in those two years you take part in a mandatory training program.

“It’s all laid down by Rotary International, and is conducted both in Australia and internationally.

“I was meant to go to the USA during my elect year, but it was cancelled two weeks out because of the Omricon (COVID-19 strain) outbreak.

“But I have only recently returned from the Rotary International Convention, which was held in Houston, Texas (USA).

“It was attended by 11,500 people, which is on the smaller side. They can often attract 20,000 people or more.

“The next one will be held in Melbourne, in May next year.”

Mr McPherson said the training program not only covers leadership, but also aims to educate future district governors on the many aspects of Rotary all over the world.

As someone who has been involved in community organisations most of his life, Mr McPherson sees his appointment as Rotary District Governor as a chance to ‘give back’ more.

“When you’re in an organisation like this - and I have also been involved with Scouts when I was younger, Apex and Rotaract - I have always had a belief that we need to live in and put back into the community more than we take out.

“Now I am retired I can put back in other ways.”

Mr McPherson was officially inducted to his new role on Sunday, June 26.

A small group of Deniliquin Rotarians made the trip to Wangaratta to witness the induction.