Mark Williams was raised on a 50,000-acre cattle station on the Burnett/Dawson watershed and was educated by correspondence and School of the Air until he was sent away to boarding school in Toowoomba at the age of 12.

At the end of grade 12, Rotary changed Mark’s life forever by giving him the opportunity to spend a year in Germany on the Youth Exchange Programme. It was in this year that Mark learned that he had interests in culture, history, and languages.

On return to Australia, Mark attended The University of Queensland where he studied a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Honours Computer Science. From there it was a move of about 100m to the Computer Centre of the University where Mark worked for the next 12 years, interrupted by a year as a research associate at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. During his time at The University Computer Centre, Mark worked on data communications, and as the new guy on the block he was given the new technologies like the Internet. At about 3am one morning in 1989, Mark completed the first connection to the global Internet in Queensland.

While working as an engineer, Mark pursued his passion for languages and gained a BA (Hons) in Chinese. In 1998, to take the language to the next step, he resigned from his role of Chief Engineer at the Computer Centre to start a new career in Product Marketing for network equipment vendors, based in Beijing, where he stayed for 17 years. During that time, he undertook a number of roles in Product Marketing, pre-sales solutions architecture, business development and channel management.

Returning in 2015, Mark finally got around to joining Rotary with the Rotary Club of Brisbane. He has served as Secretary and President of the Rotary club of Brisbane, and at district level, Mark has spent 3 years as District Webmaster.

Immediate Past District Governor Sue Mulraney

Rotary Club of Loganholme

Born and raised in a small town in the Barossa Valley, Sue Mulraney attended a rural school with a total enrolment of 20 students in grades 1 to 7. Growing up in an area with a strong sense of community and caring for others, Sue developed a deep appreciation for the power of collective effort.

After school, Sue embarked on a career in banking, where she met and married John. Together, they welcomed their daughter, Rachelle. Sue resigned from the bank when Rachelle was born, and the family relocated to sunny Queensland. She then held various positions at Beenleigh Rum Distillery before retiring in August 2020.

Sue’s first contact with Rotary was in March 1995 when John joined the Rotary Club of Beenleigh. She supported John in his various club roles, and together they welcomed numerous Youth Exchange students into their family. They witnessed firsthand the positive impact this program had on both inbound and outbound students. A highlight was accompanying students on a District 9630 Roundabout Tour. Rachelle was an Exchange Student to Brazil in 2006, and her host family continues to hold a special place in their hearts.

Sue was inducted into the Rotary Club of Loganholme in August 2009 and quickly became a leader within the club. After being inducted as President in 2011, her first project was the instigation of the Tour de Logan (in partnership with the Rotary Club of Beenleigh), which ran from 2010 to 2018. Funds from the Tour de Logan were divided among The Rotary Foundation and Diabetes Queensland, both causes Sue is passionate about. This event demonstrated her commitment to Rotary and the community, showcasing the joy of working together for a common goal.

Sue’s leadership extends beyond her club. She has served in a range of District roles, including The Rotary Foundation committee, District Youth Protection Officer, District 9630 District Secretary, and on the board of District 9620 as Administration Director. She attended the Future Leaders Seminar in 2017 in Darwin and attended the Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore International Conferences.

Family is Sue’s number one priority. Rotary is certainly in the blood, as Rachelle is also a passionate member of The Rotary Club of Beenleigh, along with her father John.

After experiencing “The Magic of Rotary” and witnessing the ripple effect of positive impact our clubs are making in their communities, I am looking forward to the year ahead with optimism, excited to see even more positive growth and connection across our district in the next twelve months.

District Governor Elect Ian Hope

Rotary Club of Nundah

Since 1983, Ian has been a member of five Rotary Clubs, starting with Ross River, then Cairns West in 1985, and later the Rotary Club of Mackay from 1986 to 2012, where he served as President in 2002/03. His dedication to the cause continued as he joined the Rotary Club of Glasshouse Country in 2012, serving as President in 2014/15. Ian joined the Rotary Club of Nundah in 2022, where he is the Treasurer for the 2024/25 Rotary Year. 

Before 1983, his ten-year involvement with Mount Gravatt Rotaract and Ross River Rotaract (including being District 9550 Rotaract Representative in 1981/82) and Interact at Mackay State High School (1970/72) for two years showcases his long-standing commitment to the Rotary movement.

With District 9600, he was District Administrator and Company Secretary (2013/14 and 2017-21) and then Assistant Governor for three years for the Hinterland Cluster (2014-17). Following the merger in 2021, he was Company Secretary for District 9620 until 2024.

Born in Mackay, Ian began working as a Teacher of the Hearing Impaired, teaching in Brisbane, Townsville, and Cairns. In 1986, he managed the family fishing tackle and ships chandlery business for several years.  Ian later joined the Department of Communities as the Regional Business Manager, based in Mackay, until his retirement in 2012.  Ian currently volunteers two days a week at The Community Place (Kalinga), co-ordinating the NILS program.

Ian enjoys travelling, sailing and gardening. He is married to Margaret and they have two daughters.

District Governor Nominee Stefan Boni

Rotary Club of Hamilton

Maggie is originally from Macau, she migrated to Australia in 1996 and lived in Sydney and then Hobart. She relocated to Brisbane in 2012 and studied at the Griffith University for her Bachelor and Master degrees. She now works at the University of Queensland as Talent Acquisition Advisor. Maggie is a driven individual who is passionate about people and aiding their development strategies that will best further them towards their short and long-term career goals. She is passionate about building leadership capability at all levels to deliver exceptional employee experience, grow engagement and align individuals with business objectives. She believes that people are the most important aspect of any organisation’s success and advancement.

Maggie, along with her husband Chris, are members of the Rotary Club of Sunnybank. Maggie jointed the Rotary Club of Sunnybank in 2022, and is now a member of the Rotary Club of Sunnybank Hills. She enjoys meeting different people from different Rotary Clubs and learning from their experience and expertise.  Maggie can speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin, she enjoys travelling, painting, dancing and social interaction with her friends.

Finance Director Jenny Smith

Rotary Club of Sumner Park

Information Management Director Roger Klaassen

Rotary Club of Toowoomba East