Meet the Rotary South Pacific Regional Council
All members of the council and their support team have solid Rotary experience in their clubs and districts. They have a thorough knowledge of the impact of Rotary’s work. Together they oversee the solid functioning of the 1180 Rotary Clubs which have 27500 members across the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia.
The Regional Council was established as part of a Rotary South Pacific Pilot. Read more the pilot.
Regional Council Chair
Jennie Herring
Regional Council Chair
Rotary Club of Ōtāhuhu, New Zealand, (D9920)
Jennie joined the Rotary Club of Ōtāhuhu Inc in 1997 and was Club President 2007-2008, Assistant Governor from 2011 to 2013 and District Governor for District 9920 in 2015-2016, her District theme was ‘Share your Passions - Inspire All’. Since this time, Jennie has mentored seven District Governors.
In her 27 years in Rotary Jennie has held multiple high-level District roles including two Zone roles; Assistant Rotary Co-ordinator 2016-2019 and 2022-2025 Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor. Other high-profile roles have required Jennie to be an Australian Company Director, a Director of Rotary Down Under (RDU) 2017-2023, leading the Editorial Committee. Many other roles have required skills in Board Liaison and change management strategic planning and implementation. Jennie was a Paul Harris Fellow in 2004, a Sapphire in 2012 and 2014, and became a member of the Paul Harris Society in 2015, as well as a Bequest Donor and a Major Donor in 2016.
In 2018-2020 Jennie held the position of Co-Chair of South Pacific President Elects Development Seminar, a national training programme open to all Districts in New Zealand. Jennie was also Chair of RozOps Limited (trading as Rotary Oceania), a position she has held six years.
Jennie’s high level of ethics, leadership and collaboration demonstrates her capabilities and integrity to guide the Regional Council – Rotary South Pacific. Jennie possesses the strategic management skills, financial acumen, and resilient leadership needed to navigate the challenges of this new structure. Her aim is to provide experienced governance to lead the Regional Council to significantly increase the reach and impact of Rotary and Rotaract in Australia, New Zealand the Pacific Islands.
Council Administration
Alan Eyes
Corporate & Administration
Rotary Club of Pukekohe, New Zealand (D9920)
+64 274 987 364
Alan is a Chartered Accountant with postgraduate qualifications in commerce and management. He has worked in a range of industries including dairy, meat and steel. Current role is in energy policy, industry and new energy opportunities for one of New Zealand’s largest industrial companies.
Has spent much of his working life in company secretary and finance manager roles, with experience managing a diverse range of complex financial, commercial, regulatory, and policy matters.
He has a deep understanding of the diversity throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific. He looks forward to being part of Rotary growing and thriving in the South Pacific.
Rotary: 30 years with the support of his wife Claire, District Governor 2011-12, District Leadership team 20 years, Chair of District Finance and Administration Committee.
David Carruthers
Treasurer
Rotary Club of Melbourne, VIC, Australia (D9800)
+61 414 824 635
Chartered Accountant David was Managing Director of the Treasury Corporation of Victoria, Director of Finance and Liability Management in the Treasury and Finance Department of the State Government of Victoria, and Chief Executive Officer for BP Finance Europe. He has also held several non-executive directorships.
David has significant experience in the not-for-profit sector, having spent nine years on the Board of Red Cross Victoria, and being responsible for consolidating the Red Cross’ national investment strategy.
He looks forward to helping the Regional Council maximise its impact by efficiently managing funds.
Rotary: District Treasurer, member of the Rotary Club of Melbourne’s Investment Committee since 2002, club board for eight years, including seven as Treasurer.
Portfolio Leads
Edith Chaney
Diversity Equity & Inclusion Director
Rotary Club of Manakau City Sunrise, New Zealand (D9920)
+64 210 670 865
A connector, weaver of people and leader of learning. Professional roles include working with educational leaders at the strategic level and facilitating regular Wānanga (workshops), giving her knowledge, skills, and confidence to champion the benefits of a diverse and inclusive culture across Zone 8.
Rotary: joined 2020, however, the Chaney whānau (family) has been actively involved in Rotary for 40 years, supporting the Rotary Club of Manukau City Sunrise, enriching her family’s life on many levels, particularly through youth programs.
Involved in Match-Twin Australia NZ Exchange Program 1989-1997, facilitator Step-Up Young Adult Leadership Program Inaugural 2006–2011, Camp Mum Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN). Hosted six Rotary Youth Exchange students, six Match-Twin students and The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) participants from numerous countries. Supported a child from Vanuatu sponsored by Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC). Assisted running three District 9920 Conferences, President, District Leadership Development Chair, Learning and Development Representative.
Peter Rogers AM
Fundraising, Partnerships & Grants Director
Rotary Club of Melbourne, VIC, Australia (D9800)
+61 412 537 534
Emeritus Chair Monash University’s Engineering and IT Foundation, Board of the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute. Throughout his career, he has sourced millions of funding dollars for important projects such as research into regenerative medicine.
Appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his efforts to encourage women to enter the engineering field, his work in Indigenous communities and his use of engineering to facilitate medical breakthroughs.
Rotary: Member 30+ plus. Past positions: Assistant Governor, District Chair of Australian Rotary Health, President of the Rotary Club of Melbourne. Facilitated the Council on Legislation’s approval for corporate membership, for which District 9800 received the Rotary Innovation Award.
PDG Liz Courtney
Learning & Development Director
Rotary Club of Papanui, New Zealand (D9999)
A Past District Governor (D9970, 2014-15), Liz has held multiple roles including Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Zone 7B (2017-2020), ARPIC for Zone 8 (2015-16 & 2020-2022), and has served as Zone 8 Public Image Advisor (2022-24). She is the current Chair of the Rotary International Joint Learning and Development Committee ( 2023-26), shaping global learning strategies for Rotary Leaders.
Liz and is the Vice Chair of RDU, where she is a Director and Counsellor and the Vice Chair and founding partner behind the Rotary Community Breast Milk Bank Inc.
Having been the Vice Chair of RozOps Limited for the last 4 years, Liz is now an Independent Director, expanding her portfolio to include partnerships and projects, and is a member of the Philanthropic Society, building bridges between Rotary and future-minded donors. She played a role in the formation of District 9999 and continues to guide its public image strategy.
Liz’s facilitation expertise spans Rotary Leadership Institute, IA and Global Institutes, and she currently leads the GELS and GNLs programmes for 2025-26, mentoring new facilitators and collaborating with RISPPO staff and regional leaders. Her strategic acumen has guided national learning initiatives, including co-chairing South Pacific Presidents Elect Seminars across New Zealand and the Pacific region.
PDG David Barton
Membership Director
Rotary Club of Melville, WA, Australia (D9423)
David joined the Rotary Club of Melville in 1985 and continued to serve there till this day. He has held various Club positions including President, Membership Director, Club President and more. During this service as Membership Director, he grew his local club membership from 15 to 52 members.
David has also served as District Governor for District 9460, Chair of RAWCS, Director in the Rotary Corporate Alliance Program (RCAP) and member of the National Vocational Advisory Committee, as well as the participating on Council on Legislation. David is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow (1995, 2004, 2011).
David has a strong commitment to inclusiveness and prides himself on being a forward thinker. His focus has always been to ensure Rotary continues to thrive and expand within the Rotary South Pacific zone and looks forward to supporting Zone 8 in this capacity. Professionally, David has also held leadership positions as owner of a leading construction and development company and is currently a partner in a real estate company.
Liz McDougall
Public Image & Marketing Director
Rotary Club of Warringah, NSW, Australia (D9685)
+61 419 267 960
A career in journalism, mainly with The Manly Daily but also overseas freelancer. Former media communications specialist at Sydney Legacy, a charity supporting the families of veterans. Mentor and media specialist for the Legacy Centenary trip to Pozieres, France, in 2016 with 75, 16 to 25 years olds: an amazing journey which required stamina and persistence.
Liz lived in Japan, The Philippines and Fiji in the 1990s gaining and understanding of different cultures, earthquakes and cyclones.
Has visited Rotary projects in many countries including Fiji, Timor Leste, Cambodia and Wales.
Rotary: first worked with Rotary teams from Australian and New Zealand at a housing development for Fiji’s poorest at Koroipita, Fiji and ran a youth program there in May, 2025. Joined Rotary in 2016. Past President, Communications chair, District Secretary, currently Chief Storyteller.
Amanda Barnes
Service Projects and Programs Director
+61 410 572 368
Amanda, a licensed mental health first aid facilitator, runs a coaching and facilitation firm in Wollongong specialising in self-actualisation.
Vocationally spent a decade in case management and facilitation in post crisis and early intervention as well as in research grants projects supporting those at risk.
An extensive Rotaract and Rotary experience in establishing and running clubs, restructuring and
Learning and development. Has engaged with Rotary Leadership Institute, many youth programs; Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA), Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN), Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA), Donations In Kind. Also involved with Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM), End Polio, Pacific and Australia Cultural Exchange. Initiated and lead an International Service project to Sri Lanka in 2010. Current Rotary Community Leader, representing them on the council.
Stephen Lovison
Community Group Director
Rotary Club of Sydney Cove, NSW, Australia (D9675)
+61 418 608 029
Stephen is a knowledgeable, driven, and energetic property professional in the commercial real estate space. He joined Rotary in 1999 after participating in RYLA and has held district leadership roles in Public Image, Membership and as District Rotaract Representative. He was president of Como Jannali Rotary 2010-2012 and recently Sydney Cove Rotary 2024-2025. He served as Rotary Community Group Leader for District 9675-1, until appointment to Rotary Community Nominee. Outside of volunteering, Stephen enjoys Stand-Up Paddleboarding, attending RI Conventions (10 at last count) and travelling to explore unique parts of the globe.
Joe Martinovic
Rotaract Director
Northern Gold Coast Rotaract Club, QLD, Australia (D9640)
Joe works alongside community centres and grassroots organisations to help strengthen the way they operate and grow. His qualifications span accounting and finance, community sector management, and non-executive director governance. That combination gives him a practical view of how not-for-profit organisations function, from the financial foundations through to board-level responsibility, strategic planning, and day-to-day delivery.
In addition to being a Rotarian, he is also an active Rotaractor and believes strongly in Rotaract’s place within the broader structure of Rotary International. It serves a distinct purpose, providing a peer-led environment where emerging leaders can take ownership early, test ideas, and develop through practical experience while contributing to the same overarching mission of Rotary International.
Rotaract is not a club, it is a movement. In our part of the world, there is an opportunity to make it more visible and embed it more deeply into the culture of young adults who want to do something BIG. As Rotaract becomes more firmly embedded in our culture, it will help strengthen Rotary International in our region for the next generation. Joe believes in Rotaract and what it can become in our part of the world.
Supported by:
Company Secretary: Anthony (Tony) Monley OAM, secretary@rotarysouthpacific.org
IT Support: Mark Humphries: Mark.humphries@rotarysouthpacific.org, +61 419 340 014
Rotary Specialists: Ian Scott and Marion Kenny: rotaryspecialist@rotarysouthpacific.org
Volunteer recruitment: volunteers@rotarysouthpacific.org