Guest Speakers
Francesco Arezzo
Rotary International President 2025-26
Member of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy
Amanda Wendt
End Polio Now Coordinator
Michael McQueen
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Philippa Chong
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Dennis Shore
Dennis J. Shore
Trustee 2023-27
Rotary Club of Hawthorn,
Victoria, Australia
Rotary Club of Hawthorn,
Victoria, Australia
Dennis is a Chemical Engineer by profession with degrees from the University of New South Wales and completed postgraduate courses at Stanford University and INSEAD (France). He has spent his working career in the Pulp, Paper & Packaging industry, most recently as a consultant and has lived and worked extensively abroad associated with his work.
Dennis joined Rotary in 1980, and has served as endowment/major gifts adviser and is currently vice chair of Rotary Foundation Australia and a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation (2023 to 2027). He was a vice chair and promotions director for the 2023 Melbourne Rotary International Convention Host Organization Committee.
He has served in numerous roles for District 9800, including District Governor, District Foundation Chair and twice District Council on Legislation Representative. Prior roles included Assistant Governor, GSE Team Leader and GSE Chairman, Vice-Governor, District Secretary, Finance Committee Chair (twice), Chair of the Peace Fellowship Sub-Committee, Global Grant Scholar Committee Chair, Club Vision Facilitation Chair and District Chair for Leader Training.
Dennis’s passions in Rotary include peace and education initiatives and he has worked to grow Rotary Foundation grants in his zone and convened a million-dollar dinner in 2017 that raised over $3.5 million for the Foundation.
Outside of Rotary Dennis is a fellow of the Australasian Pulp and Paper Industry Technical Association and a recipient of its Distinguished Service Award. He served in several Australian industrial advocacy groups and has been involved in numerous Community activities, including Australian Shareholders’ Association, a volunteer not for profit association and was a Director for some years. He served in a number of community and industry roles associated with Monash University for over 25 years, where he continues as a Trustee of a University Foundation and was honoured with the University’s Sir John Monash Medal for distinguished service to engineering education.
Dennis and his wife, Lynda, are Major Donors and Bequest Society members. He is a member of the District 9800 Paul Harris Society and PolioPlus Society and a recipient of The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award.
Dennis and Lynda are proud parents to 2 delightful adult daughters and grandparents to four treasured grandchildren.
Outside of Rotary Dennis enjoys golf, walking, photography and travelling.
Andrew Best
Supervisor, Club & District Support
Rotary International
Rotary International
Andrew has worked at Rotary International since 2016 and is currently in the role of Supervisor, Program & Member Experience in the South Pacific and Philippines Office. This role leads the local Club and District Support team, Membership Officer and Grants Officer, who strengthen Rotarians, Clubs, and Districts on RI policy, grants, membership, governance, learning and development, and conflict management.
Here, his engagement with volunteers who believe in a cause greater than their own provides Andrew with the enjoyment and satisfaction of supporting the community sector in Uniting Rotary across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
Barbara Mifsud
Regional Membership Officer
Rotary International
Barbara has worked at the Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines office for over 14 years ago.
During the last six years in her role as Regional Membership Officer, she has supported clubs and districts in Rotary South Pacific with their membership efforts. This includes advising on strategy, analysing data, providing resources, as well as sharing best practice and stories.
Barbara has over 25 years’ experience in the not for profit sector, including disability access and refugee resettlement. In her spare time, she is a member of Toastmasters International, helping others develop their communication and leadership skills through public speaking.
PDG Brian Coffey
