The Rotary Club of Laurieton Inc
Heres a collection of
Brad Mildern: Current Director of MembershipBorn in the first half of the last century of the last millenia (over 59) Brad was raised in Victoria but has lived all over the eastern states of Oz.
Brad was trained as a mechanic and did time in the regular Army but reckons his career was in adult industrial training. He was National Training Manager for Goodyear and Training manager for Coal and Allied at Singleton for many years.
Brad retired due to cancer but retrained in business and IT at QUT in Brisbane.
He has lived in North Haven for just three years.
Brad can be contacted at 65598167 or by email at bmildern@optusnet.com.au
Born in Gourock Scotland in 1939, joined Ellerman City Line in 1956, traveled to many parts of the world until 1961 during which time I had obtained by 2nd Mates and 1st Mates Certificates. Came out to Australia and joined Union Steamship trading between mainland Australia and Tasmania until 1970 during which time I got married, obtained my Masters Certificate and had three kids. Joined Maritime Services Board in Sydney Goat Island as a dredge master, relieved the pilot at Eden for a while and finally got appointed as Pilot Harbour Master at Yamba in 1971, covering eventually Richmond, Evans, Clarence, Sandon and Wooli Rivers. Joined Maclean Rotary in 1971, chartered Yamba Rotary in 1984 and finally Laurieton Rotary, having held most positions several times
Stayed there until retired in 1998, shifted to Bonny Hills, Vice President & Training Officer for Sea Rescue at Camden Haven, Lake Cathie Bowls Club Member plus various volunteer church and community activities.
Gordon can be contacted on 65854198 or my email at scotsmangray@ecopost.com.au
Born in Cessnock, Has four children, all who have moved on.
Married to Peggy who has her own clinic & is an Osteopath.
My Rotary career has spanned more than 30 years with
responsibilities in all positions on the Board & many on District
including Group Study Team Leader to Denmark.
My vocation has included Life Coaching, Church Leadership, Politics,
Sales & General Manager of a number of Companies in Sydney, &
currently Wealth Creation. I am also a grief counsellor & have
been involved in the "Death & Dying" Industry for many years.
Born at Taree and raised on a dairy farm across the Manning River from Taree between Wingham and Tinonee. Had to get a Commonwealth Scholarship or milk cows – chose the former. Became a statistician and worked for 30 years with the Department of Agriculture. Married Lynne Kidd, a local girl and had 3 daughters. Was about to become an academic in Brazil in 1982 when Lynne had a major CVA. Became a consultant statistician for 5 years then joined the AFP for the next 12+ years until retirement in October 2007. Moved to Laurieton in April 2008 and enjoys retirement life. Contactable on 65596014 or cameronkir@bigpond.com .
Born in Auburn, NSW in 1928, I attended St.George Tech. College, Sydney Tech. College, Sydney Teacher’s College, Univ. of Technology Sydney and the Uni. of NSW
I was apprenticed as an Electrical Fitter and worked at that until 1955 when I became a Teacher of Electrical Trades with the NSW Dept. of Technical Education, Electrical Engineer.
I was the Principal of Temora Technical College 1966-69, Assistant to Deputy Director General of TAFE 1974-76, and worked up to being Regional Director of TAFE for the Orana Region NSW. I retired in 1986.
For a while I was Superintendent Technical Division Dept. of Education, Papua New Guinea and worked for the Australian Dept of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh and Tonga
I am married to my lovely wife Gwen and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Now I am retired I find I am as busy as a black ant. I have found the only thing wrong with retirement is ‘you never get a day off!’
Phone: 6559 8560, Email aks28@bigpond.com
Leslie Williams – Current Director of Public RelationsBorn and raised in Kingscote on Kangaroo Island Leslie enjoyed the many benefits of life in a small country community.
The second of four children, Leslie completed her 12 years of schooling on the Island before moving to the mainland for university study and a teaching degree, never returning as a permanent resident. Leslie’s parents, brother and sister still reside on the Island. Leslie taught in country South Australia for only eight years before romance and a move interstate to the Northern Territory saw her take on new challenges and employment. Leslie worked for a local accountant in Alice Springs and a move to Darwin saw her take on the position of CEO of SIDS NT.
Don and Leslie moved back to South Australia before moving to Lake Cathie to take on their roles as Postal Managers. Leslie completed her nursing degree part time and now works in the medical and palliative care ward at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
She has a keen interest in local issues and enjoys the challenges and opportunities of being an advocate and lobbyist for her community.
Leslie and Don have two teenage children, Ben and Meredie and two very spoilt King Charles Cavaliers!
VINCE BEECHER: (Member 39 years).Born at Narrandera, NSW, 1926, moved to Rankin Springs, NSW, at a young age and then to Laurieton in 1936 where I have remained up to the present time except for a short stint in Taree. Educated in Narrandera, Rankin Springs and Laurieton Public Schools and in the School of Hard Knocks.
Trained as a butcher and subsequently opened my own business at North Haven, ‘Beecher’s Quality Meats’, in 1968 which was a most successful enterprise. I was a keen Surf Club member, a rugby league footballer and an avid worker for the community and as a consequence was awarded the Order of Australia Medal, 2002, in recognition of the latter, an award of which I am justly proud.
I married (wife Beryl), I have two children, 4 grand-children and 2 great grand-children. Unfortunately I lost my wife Beryl on 12 August 2009 after 60 plus years of a loving relationship.
Ellis Aldridge: Immediate past president Born in Taree and raised around Kendall, Ellis did most of his schooling at Kendall District Rural School. His grandparents on both sides were Upsall's Creek dairy farmers, whilst his father was a bushman.
Ellis' first full time job was with the ES&A Bank where he stayed for 10 years. After leaving the bank and a couple of false starts he moved into electrical retail where he spent the next 30 or so years as a salesman and/or a manager. The last 10 years were spent as a Harvey Norman Franchisee.
Nowadays, he is involved in community work through Rotary, The Camden Haven Historical Society (President) and volunteer work through his music.
Ellis can be contacted on 65596632 or at ellisa2@bigpond.com
Martin Shanny President: 2010-2011
Born in Sydney, Studied Accounting and worked as an accountant for three years n the late 1960’s. Worked in travel (P&O lines) and oil exploration (Geophysical Services International), before joining Charge Card Services Ltd (CCSL), the service company for Bankcard, in 1973. Moved to National Business Systems in 1987 and held the position of Production Manager, responsible for card production, mailing, warehouse and security. Managing director of two family investment companies from 2000 till 2005 then retired.
Interests include first and foremost Family. Martin has three daughters and one grandson.
Other interests include Bush walking, camping, skiing, sailing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking. Martin skied competitively for Boonoona Ski Club from 1972 to 1994, was on the ski club board for twelve years, captain of the ski team and Director of Cross Country Skiing. Martin swum competitively for North Sydney AUSSI (Masters ) Swim Club from 1988 till 2006. Was on the Swimming club committee from 1990 till 1998 serving three years as President. In 2000 Martin was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for contribution to swimming in the North Sydney area. Martin is a Foundation Member of the Port Macquarie Hastings Canoe Club and currently President of that Club. He has been a Rotarian since he was invited to join the Rotary Club of North Sydney Sunrise in 1996. Martin was President in 2002-2003 and served on the board in various positions for eight years. He joined the Rotary Club of Laurieton in July 2007. He served on the District RYLA committee in 2007-8 and Club Service Director 2009-2010.