Julie Mason is gearing up for the role of a lifetime when she becomes a Rotary district governor next month.
Her 12-month tenure, which begins on July 1, will give the Wyndham Rotary member authority over 69 Rotary clubs across the 9800 district, which includes the Melbourne central business district and stretches north through central and northern Victoria, including Bendigo, Echuca and Moama.
Ms Mason will take leave of absence as principal of Baden Powell College until early next year to fully immerse herself in the role.
“The biggest change for me is that I won’t be getting up and coming to school – and I’ve been doing that all my life,” the Sanctuary Lakes resident said. “The first few months, I’ll visit all the clubs in a formal capacity and understand their needs and challenges.
“I have some aspirations as their district governor and one of them is to significantly increase membership of all the clubs.
“Securing new members and sustaining new members is proving to be quite challenging in our busy world.”
Ms Mason is particularly keen to forge stronger relationships between schools and Rotary clubs.
“My background shows me there are enormous opportunities for schools and for Rotary clubs if they’re a bit more connected and understanding of what both can offer one another.”
Ms Mason has been a Wyndham Rotary Club member for 20 years, and in 2000-01 she became the club’s first female president.
After her presidential year, she served on district committees before being approached to take on the governor’s role.
