West Australian Premier, Doctor Geoff Gallop, has announced that Past President Doctor Ken Michael PHF, of the Rotary Club of Perth, W.A., has been appointed as the next Governor of Western Australia. District 9450 Governor Bill Benbow has praised the appointment, saying District 9450 was very “proud and pleased” and saw it as fitting recognition to PP Ken’s dedication and enthusiasm to serve the community through his involvement in and support for Rotary International.

The appointment will take place from Australia Day, 2006, and DG Bill announced at the District 9450 changeover that the new state governor has already agreed to officially open the District Conference at Geraldton next year.
Ken Michael has been a member of the Rotary Club of Perth since 1987. He was president in 1997/98, and has served on many other committees. He was awarded Paul Harris Fellow recognition in 1998 and a sapphire pin in 2001.

Always well supported by his wife Julie, the Michaels are a widely-respected couple and have contributed much to the community. They are proud of their Greek heritage.
Born and educated in Perth, Ken Michael completed a Bachelor of Engineering degree with honours at the University of Western Australia and completed his degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering at the University of London in 1968. He had a long career with Main Roads Western Australia, retiring as its chief executive officer in 1997. As the gas pipelines regulator and acting rail access regulator, Ken Michael was responsible for determining third party access to gas pipeline and rail facilities. He is currently alternate chairman for the recently-established Economic Regulation Authority responsible for gas, rail and water regulation.

The current chancellor of the University of Western Australia, Ken Michael is also the chair of the Board of Trustees of the W.A. Museum, which comprises six regional and metropolitan sites, including the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. He is also chairman of the East Perth Redevelopment Authority Board.

Ken Michael was appointed a member of the General Division of the Order of Australia in the 1996 Australia Day Honours for his contribution to public service and engineering. He was awarded West Australian Citizen of the Year in 2001 in the category of professions and the Centenary of Federation Medal in 2003 for service to the public, engineering and the Greek community.

Is there life after Rotary?: According to past Rotarian Joe Mulder of Waikanae, New Zealand, there certainly is life after Rotary
. . . The Association of Past Rotarians was formed in the United Kingdom in 1948 and now offers more than 1,000 members in 45 clubs. Similarly, such a group was formed in the Netherlands and today has some 1,500 members in 75 clubs. Both associations work closely with the Rotary movement in their respective countries. They are aimed at Rotary-minded people, without the heavy commitment of time, effort and finance.

Joe Mulder, a former member of the Rotary Club of Plimmerton, N.Z., was the driving force behind formation of the Kapiti Past Rotarians Group. This group now meets monthly at the Waikanae Golf Club (first Tuesday of each month) and Joe extends a cordial invitation to any interest people to attend. Meetings for the remainder of the year are scheduled for September 4, October 2, November 6 and December 4. The aim of the meetings is fellowship, good food, and a informative address from a guest speaker or member. For more information, contact Joe Mulder at 12 Manu Grove, Waikanae, N.Z., or telephone 04 904 1922.

100 members in Centenary year: Special 25th anniversary celebrations for the Rotary Club of North Balwyn, Vic., were made all the more memorable with the induction of two new members that took the club’s total membership to 100 (94 active and six honorary) in Rotary’s Centenary Year!

The 25th anniversary dinner took place on May 6 at the Manningham Club and was supported by a happy crowd of 174 members and guests. Entertainment also provided a special treat for patrons with a performance by Alan Kogosovsky (winner of the inaugural television Showcase quest) who played various Chopin pieces.

Zone Institute at Penrith, N.S.W.: PDG Brian Coleman, Chairman of the Zone 7a/8a Institute scheduled for Panthers World of Entertainment at Penrith, N.S.W., from Friday, November 18, to Sunday, November 20, comes a reminder for all past, present and future officers of R.I. to move quickly if they want to secure accommodation within the Holiday Inn at Panthers. PDG Brian says remaining rooms will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis and – at $A142 for a double room and cooked buffet breakfast – they represent excellent value.