Ken’s now the big wheel

By Shaun Inguanzo
A FORMER Dandenong chief superintendent of police is Rotary’s latest district governor in the south-eastern suburbs.
Ken McDonald, a member of the Rotary Club of Dandenong, was last week inducted as Rotary’s district governor for the 9820 district stretching from Greater Dandenong to Orbost.
Mr McDonald, 71, has been a Rotarian for 23 years, and spent 34 years working for Victoria Police including four stints at the Dandenong Police Station.
He rose to the rank of chief superintendent and played a vital role in the Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit.
But this week he was gearing up for the next 12 months of Rotary commitments, which will involve Mr McDonald visiting every club within the district and offering support where necessary.
His love for Rotary first began in 1986, when he lived in Noble Park, after a neighbour spruiked the good work the club had been doing.
“He invited me along to a Rotary meeting, so I thought perhaps it was something I could do to give back something to the community,” Mr McDonald said.
In 2004, Mr McDonald accompanied Rotary on a mission to build a school in East Timor, and in 2005 he was a Rotary aid on a trip to New Guinea where an Interplast team of surgeons performed vital operations on citizens who were otherwise without adequate medical attention.
“I thought, ‘this is good, and perhaps I can be on a district committee which helps arrange these things’,” Mr McDonald said.
“When I was club service chairman I was talking to the district governor of the day and past district governors who all asked me if I’d consider being a district governor.”
While Mr McDonald was willing, the process involved gaining the club’s support, and three years of work.
In 2006, Mr McDonald became a district governor nominee, and the following year he was district governor elect.
And, this year, he has become district governor.
“I’ll be tied up with Rotary solidly for the next 12 months,” Mr McDonald said.
“Dandenong is the western border of the district and we cover right through Carrum Downs and Frankston, and all of the Peninsula, and then Gippsland, the Latrobe Valley, and Orbost is the furthest club east,” Mr McDonald said.
But despite his big commitment, Mr McDonald said he still planned to have time for the essentials: his wife Margaret, his four kids, eight grandchildren – and the golf course.