Speakers

Chris Don brings 35 years of distinguished Rotary service, having held every executive position at Chadstone and Chadstone East Malvern Rotary Clubs. At District 9800, he served in senior roles including Board Director and Chair of the District Foundation Committee. His achievements include establishing Australia’s first District Paul Harris Society, Rotarians at Work, and the District’s Working with Children policy. Chris has 48 years of business experience with Pacific Dunlop and in the mining and material-handling sector. Married to Lyn for over 50 years, he has three children and six grandchildren, and brings extensive experience and valued friendships to our club.

Jes is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)
TBA

John Fitzgerald is a non-resident Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and Emeritus Professor at Swinburne University of Technology. He previously served as The Ford Foundation's China Representative (2008–2013), Director of the International Centre of Excellence in Asia-Pacific Studies at ANU, and Head of Social Sciences at La Trobe University. In professional leadership, he was President of the Australian Academy of the Humanities (2015–2017) and the Chinese Studies Association of Australia (2005–2007). A regular media commentator on China-Australia relations, his research focuses on Chinese nationalism, public administration, philanthropy, and diaspora histories. He has contributed opinion pieces to major Australian national newspapers and was awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal and Member of the Order of Australia for service.