With a passion for education and giving community members the opportunity to be the best they can be, Dennis believes The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s engine room, giving power to Rotary so it can deliver amazing programs.
As a chemical engineer, Dennis has spent his working career in the pulp, paper and packaging industry, most recently as a consultant to the industry. He has lived and worked extensively abroad associated with his work.
Dennis was in Apex for nearly 10 years before being invited to join the Rotary Club of Aspley, Qld, in 1980. He was subsequently a member of the Rotary Club of Traralgon in country Victoria before joining the Rotary Club of Hawthorn, Vic, in 1984. He served in numerous positions at club level and was president in 2002-03.
Dennis was District Governor in 2012-13 and an Assistant Governor prior to that. He has served as District Foundation Chair and District Council on Legislation & Resolutions Representative for two terms. Dennis has also served as District Secretary, District Governance Director, District Finance Committee Chair (twice), Global Grant Scholar Committee Chair, Club Vision Chair and District Chair for Leader Training. He was Vice Chair of the Melbourne RI Convention Host Organising Committee and Promotions Director. Dennis was Endowment and Major Gifts Advisor for Zone 8 from 2019 to 2022 and is a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation from 2023 to 2027. He is also Vice Chair of Rotary Foundation Australia and a recipient of The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award.
“I want to assist in making it as easy as possible for people to get involved with The Rotary Foundation, whether they are an existing member or not.”
Dennis may have a long and impressive Rotary résumé, but he believes at the end of the day we are all human, and being Rotary members allows us to make a difference to a person’s life, a community or to the world.
Outside of Rotary Dennis has served in a number of community and industry roles associated with Monash University for more than 25 years and was honoured to receive the university’s Sir John Monash Medal for distinguished service to engineering education.
Dennis’s passion for education has been reinforced by the experience of his wife, Lynda, who worked as an integration aid for kids who have physical or mental disabilities. Dennis has witnessed the challenges people face and has put his effort behind making an impact in education and giving people the best shot in life. He feels fortunate that Rotary has provided him that platform.
“Whether there is a natural disaster or an existing community in need, The Rotary Foundation and its amazing external partners help us deliver fast and effective programs.”
He also supports mental health initiatives and is proud of the work his club is doing through a recent project providing comfort packs for hospital mental health units.
Dennis gives 100 per cent in every role he takes on. As a Trustee he looks at the Foundation from a global perspective but also takes into account our region’s needs.
“I want to assist in making it as easy as possible for people to get involved with The Rotary Foundation, whether they are an existing member or not.
“Whether there is a natural disaster or an existing community in need, The Rotary Foundation and its amazing external partners help us deliver fast and effective programs.”
Outside of Rotary Dennis enjoys trying to figure out golf and spending time with his two children, their spouses and his four grandchildren.