Dennis was in Apex (a service club for under 40’s) for nearly 10 years before being invited to join the Rotary Club of Aspley in Queensland in 1980. He was subsequently a member of the Rotary Club of Traralgon in country Victoria before joining the Rotary Club of Hawthorn in 1984. He served in numerous positions at club level and was President in 2002-3.
Dennis was District Governor in 2012-13 and before that an Assistant Governor, GSE Team Leader to D5520 (New Mexico) in 2005 and was District GSE Chairman for 4 exchanges. At District level Dennis has also been District Foundation Chair and District Council on Legislation & Resolutions Representative for 2 terms. He was previously Chair of Boroondara Cares Forum.
Dennis has also served as District Secretary, District Governance Director, District Finance Committee Chair (twice), Global Grant Scholar Committee Chair, District Peace Fellowship Committee Chair, Club Vision Chair and District Chair for Leader Training. He was Vice Chair of the Melbourne RI Convention Host Organising Committee and Promotions Director.
Dennis was Endowment and Major Gifts Advisor for Zone 8 from 2019 to 2022 and is a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation from 2023 to 2027. He is also Vice Chair of the Rotary Foundation Australia and a recipient of The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award.
Outside of Rotary Dennis has been involved in a number of Community activities, including the Australian Shareholders’ Association, a volunteer based not for profit association and was a Director for some years. He served in a number of community and industry roles associated with Monash University for more than 25 years and was honoured to receive the University’s Sir John Monash Medal for distinguished service to engineering education. He has been involved with Scope and a community retirement village.
Dennis has been married to Lynda for many years and they are proud parents to 2 adult daughters and grandparents to four grandchildren.
Outside of Rotary Dennis enjoys trying to play golf , walking, photography and travelling.