D9700 GSE Team to D1080 – May 2008

John Roberson - Past President – Team Leader

Farmer (Retired)

 Born in 1950, I am a retired farmer looking after my son Sam (13) and pursing my interests in Rotary and snow skiing. I am divorced but have a new partner, Carolyn. Left school in 1967. Farmed merino sheep for wool and grew oats and triticale for grain until 12 month ago. Spent 13 years in the Army Reserve rising to the rank of Lt. In 1987 the experience of being invited to the Solomon Islands as a Rotary Volunteer lead me to join the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga Kooringal. Club President in 2001-02. I am Project Volunteer Co-ordinator for Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd. (450 volunteers in 60 teams to 12 countries last year). I now live in Wagga Wagga.

Julia Andrews

 Media & Marketing Consultant

I am 38 years old, married with two children – Angus 7 and Eleanor 4. I studied Arts at the Australian National University in Canberra and Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane . Ten years ago I moved from Sydney to Canowindra where my husband Jamie was establishing a vineyard. Since then I have worked in the wine industry, regional tourism and local government. I now work from home as a Media and Marketing Consultant…and mother!  My passions include politics, the arts, gardening, food, preserving regional heritage and regional development.

                                        Shane Atkinson

                                        Community Development Officer

Born in 1979, I am an Aboriginal man of the Yorta Yorta Nation.  My working life has consisted mainly of working in Indigenous Affairs and Community Development.  I have been a member of a very successful community group, known as The Black Suns that worked for the socio-economically disadvantaged community in Wagga Wagga.  I am very passionate about creating a better future for the next generations; hence I like working closely with youth and children.  I am passionate about sport but in particular enjoy Australian Rules Football and basketball.

                                                  Jennifer Coombes-Pearce                  

 Radio Broadcaster

I live in Bathurst (125km west of Sydney ) with my husband Justin and two gorgeous children Thomas 7 and Ella 2. My career in radio broadcasting is somewhat accidental. On a whim in 2001 I applied for a job as a Creative Writer at 2BS and B-Rock FM and was successful. From there I learned on-air skills and discovered a passion for interviewing and journalism. In 2006 I won an Australian Commercial Radio Award for my news and in 2007 picked up a second award – Best Talk Personality. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, photography reading, writing and catching up with friends over a good latte.

Coombes-Pearce is my married name however professionally I am known as Jennifer Menchin.

Shane White

Police Local Area Commander

I live on a 50 acre property near Young with my wife Kelli and sons, Jacob 7 & Riley 4. Whilst I commenced my working career as an accountant, I was attracted to the rough & tumble of policing in 1988, building a solid career through study & the school of ‘Hard Knox’ as a detective.  My passion was drug law enforcement as an undercover officer, however at 39, I now command over 100 staff in 17 police stations covering an 18,000 km2 area, as the district Superintendent.  I’m currently studying a Masters of Public Administration at Sydney University .  I love to water ski, read books, keep fit, and spend time with my boys.

Rotary District 9700

D9700 is in New South Wales , Australia and is part of ZONE 8 in the Administrative Region of South Pacific & Philippines.

 It is located in the regional areas of the Riverina, South Western Slopes and Central Western New South Wales. The district runs from the towns of Parkes in the north to Henty in the south (300klms) to Oberon in the east and Hay in the west (500klms).

 D9700 is approximately 150,000 sq kilometres an area nine times larger than District 1080.

 We currently have 43 Clubs with 1240 members making it almost half the number of members and clubs in D1080.

 D9700 has agricultural, viticulture, winemaking, gold mining, manufacturing, softwoods forestry, textiles, defence, transport, tourism and retail industries.