Our Leaders
Our leaders at Rotary exemplify all of the qualities that make our members extraordinary: integrity, expertise, and a commitment to service.
Rotary is led by a diverse team. Whether developing Rotary policy, providing financial support, managing a global project, or advancing Rotary’s strategic plan, each member of the team is dedicated to helping our members connect and take action to create sustainable change.
District Leadership Team
District Governor: Mike PATTEN
District Governor Elect: Pam SCOTT
District Governor Nominee: Craig PERKINS
Immediate Past District Governor: Bob CALVERT
District Secretary: Richard HORSWILL
District Finance Manager: Michael PLUNKETT
District Learning and Development Coordinator: C Ross CARYLE
Assistant Governor - Group 1: Mellisa HARVEY
Assistant Governor - Group 2: Peter FITZGERALD
Assistant Governor - Group 3: Paul FERNYHOUGH
Assistant Governor - Group 4: Craig PERKINS
Assistant Governor - Group 5: Gayle PLUNKETT
Assistant Governor - Group 6: Russell BROWNLIE
Assistant Governor - Group 7: John GLEN
Director - Membership: Ricky CHARLES
Director - Public Image: Roslyn TEIRNEY
Director - Service Projects: Heather CHONG
Director - Youth Projects: Liz BULMAN
Director - Vocational Projects: Bert DORGELO
Director - The Rotary Foundation: C Ross CARYLE
Director - Rotaract Taylah WILCOX
Key District Officers
District Rotaract Representative: Taylah WILLCOX
District Insurance Officer: Paul SWIFTE
District Insurance Support: Michael COOKE
My Rotary / RDU Support Richard HORSWILL
District Protection Officer: TBA
District Legal Officer: Ross HART
District Webmaster: Dante BONGIOVANNI
District Photographers: Rod OLIVER, Mike QUINN
District DEI Chair: Una HOBDAY
District Governor News Editor: Richard HORSWILL
District Governor 2022-23
Mike PATTEN
Michael (Mike) and Margot have lived in Lindisfarne for the last 30 years and are both members of the Rotary Club of Lindisfarne. They met while still at school and have been married for 49 years.
They have two adult sons and six grandchildren, all living in Tasmania. After graduating from Tas Uni, both were employed by the Department of Education, and they lived and worked in Schools and Libraries in many locations around Tasmania and Overseas before settling in Lindisfarne.
Mike is the son of a charter member of the Rotary Club of Glenorchy and his Rotary journey started in 1971 when he attended RYLA. He joined the Rotary Club of Oatlands in 1992, Moonah in 1993 where he was President in 1997-98 and Lindisfarne in 2000 where he was President in 2006-07 and again in 2019-20 and 2020-21. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 2010. Margot joined the Rotary Club of Lindisfarne in 2006, was President in 2010-11 and was awarded a PHF in 2013.
Margot was Charter President of the Innerwheel Club of Clarence in 2007-08 and was again President in 2018-19. She was Innerwheel District Chairman 2021-22.
Both Mike and Margot have been involved in many Rotary projects. They have hosted five overseas exchange students and both sons did Youth Exchange with RC Hobart. (Matthew Finland 2000 and Andrew Austria 2003) As inaugural Secretary, Margot assisted in the establishment of Rotary Youth Driver Awareness in Tasmania, and they worked together for nearly 10 years on the Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment committee. Mike has been a long-time presenter at RYDA, RYPEN and the (RLI) Building Future Leaders Program and was a long-term member of the District Membership Committee. He was Assistant Governor Group 1 2015/16 and 2016/17 and District Trainer 2017/18, 2021/22 and 2022/23.
As we celebrated 100 years of Rotary in Tasmania, Mike is focused on ensuring Rotary adjusts to meet the needs of a changing world. Clubs and the District need to be fun and inclusive. They need quality projects to motivate new and existing members and they need to look for opportunities to start new Clubs. Mike will promote Rotarians as ‘People of Action’ and will work hard to support Clubs in their endeavours. Mike is looking forward to his project to increase awareness of Domestic Violence in the community and Margot is keen for her project to assist Clubs to conserve their Club histories.
Outside of Rotary, Mike has had a lifetime involvement in Scouts and was a Queen Scout in 1971. He has been a Scout, Venturer and Rover Leader for 41 years and was Chief Commissioner of Scouting in Tasmania 2010-16. He has a Silver Kangaroo Award and is a Life Member of the Tasmanian Branch. Mike was 2005 Australia Day Citizen of the Year, City of Clarence, for service to the residents of Clarence. In their spare time Mike and Margot have tried their hand at house renovation. They enjoy traveling, camping and 4WDing and spending time at their holiday place on the East Coast.
District Governor Elect
Pam SCOTT OAM
Pam was born and grew up in Melbourne, moving to Tasmania in 1999. Tasmania has provided many opportunities for her that would otherwise not have been available both personally and professionally.
Pam has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree and was initially employed in medical research, primarily in the area of high blood pressure research, before moving to forensic science.
As a forensic scientist Pam has examined evidence relating to crime, attended crime scenes and given evidence in Courts of Law. Since moving to Tasmania in 1999, Pam initially carried out DNA profiling on forensic casework and now manages the Forensic Biology section.
Pam has been fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to the investigations relating to the Thailand tsunami and the Bali bombings, for which she was awarded an OAM.
Pam is also a Justice of the Peace for the State of Tasmania.
Outside of work bushwalking has been a passion; day, overnight and multi-day walks. Pam has also led bushwalks and taught bushwalking and navigation skills and had great pleasure from seeing the new leaders and navigators gain confidence in their own abilities to lead and navigate – the old-fashioned way with map and compass! Pam also enjoys camping, travelling and gardening.
Pam first joined Rotary in 2002 as a member of the Rotary Club of Salamanca but after several years work commitments made it difficult to continue with Rotary. Pam re-joined Rotary, again at the Rotary Club of Salamanca, in 2017 and since then has had various roles including Secretary, President and currently Assistant Governor for Group 1 clubs.
In her time in Rotary Pam has participated in a number of Rotary programs including RYDA, RYPEN and NYSF. Pam was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Salamanca in 2021.
Pam is keen to see knowledge and experience of Rotary increased throughout the community by promoting the work that Rotarians undertake.
District Governor Nominee
Craig PERKINS
Craig has worked in local government (6 years) and regional development for nearly 20 years including 15 years as CEO and Director of Regional Development for the Regional development Australia Tasmania Committee. Over this period, he has worked with communities to support their strategic development, economic growth and improving social capacity.
Craig is currently the Regional and Economic Development Manager for Northern Tasmanian Development Corporation, he has a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and International Business), Master of Business Management, a graduate of the Tasmanian Leaders Program, and has also been awarded a Diploma for successfully completing the AICD Company Directors course.
Craig was elected member with the Meander Valley Council for 9 years, including the last 7 as mayor, having stepped down in October 2018.
Craig joined the Rotary Club of Central Launceston in 2005 and has been actively involved in the club over that time. His commitment acknowledges the valuable role that Rotary plays in our community, and he strives to continually be the best Rotarian he can be, notwithstanding his many other commitments. Craig has strong networks across Tasmania and a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges that community’s face. Craig is the immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Central Launceston,
Craig is also the Chair of Ten Days on the Island, a board member of Crimestoppers Tasmania, the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, and the Launceston City Football Club. He is also an active hockey and golf player and a recent convert to caravanning!
Craig is married to Leith.