AG Don Heath - Person Behind the badge
Don grew up on an orange orchard near Swan Hill. He went to Swan Hill High School and was a keen footballer, playing for a NSW team on the other side of the Murray River. He went to the University of Melbourne in 1963 where he studied science and education. He lived at Queen’s College and played football at University. After graduating, he worked as a high school teacher for 40 years, teaching at various country high schools and then at St Michael’s Grammar in Melbourne. He is married to Glenys, also a teacher, and they have two sons. Don had 12-13 years out of teaching where we worked for a computer company selling educational software, and he eventually became director of the company. He then ‘retired’, but continued to do part-time teaching for 8 years. He is now more fully retired and is very active in Rotary, having been president of his club on two occasions.
Don sees the role of Assistant Governor as being to support President Ian Ada and to liaise between the District and the Club. He was impressed with the Club after meeting with the Board.
Don’s ‘defining moment in Rotary’ occurred through the Sumba Eye Program, which is a main activity of RC of Glenferrie. Sumba is a small island between Bali and Timor. It is poor with people living by subsistence farming. Eye problems are common. The Eye Program involves ophthalmologists, optometrists and nurses who work for periods on Sumba with the support of volunteers. The RC of Glenferrie was able to get a grant of $34K to buy equipment for the program. Don has worked as a volunteer on Sumba, collecting data for the College of Surgeons and helping to move patients after surgery. He gave several case studies of people who had been greatly helped by having their vision improved or restored. Don’s ‘defining moment’ came when he was present when a man who had lost his sight had his bandages come off. The man was so happy to be able to see his daughter.