District Governor - Michael Pedler (Canberra-South)

Michael was born in Adelaide and grew up in the Adelaide foothills in Bellevue Heights. He has two sisters and a brother, all younger than he. Michael attended Blackwood Primary and High Schools.

Michael attended the University of Adelaide in which he completed a Bachelor of Economics. Michael later completed a Bachelor of Commerce in the Australian National University, a Master of Economics in the University of New England and a Master of Internet Communications in the University of Canberra. Michael is a Certified Practicing Accountant.

Michael’s exposure to community service began as an instructor (and ultimately Head Coach) and committee member of the Blackwood Gymnastics Club Inc.. He was following the lead and example of his parents. As a result of their involvement and commitment, all three are life members of the Blackwood Community Recreation Association Inc.

From this community involvement, Michael attended a RYLA seminar in 1976, thereby beginning his association with the family of Rotary! Following the RYLA seminar, Michael became the Charter Treasurer of the Rotaract Club of Blackwood. After holding many Directorships, Michael was President of the Club in 1981-82. Michael also held most Rotaract District positions and was District Conference Chairman in 1983.

Michael and Julia met when Julia joined the Rotaract Club of Blackwood. Holding several board positions, Julia too became Club President.

Michael and Julia married in Adelaide in 1984 and have two children: Tiffany (1989) and Daniel (1993). Tiffany was a Global Youth Exchange Student to Sweden in 2006. Daniel has been selected as a Global Youth Exchange Student to Poland in 2010.

Michael was inducted into the Rotary Club of Canberra South in June 1986. Michael has held most of the Directorships and been Secretary of the Club. He was President of the Club in 1989-90 and again in 1999-2000. Michael has been a member and Chair of the District Rotaract Committee and of the Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars Committee. He was an Assistant Governor between 2003 2005 and Beyond 2000 (Membership) Committee Chair in 2005-06. Michael was instrumental in the successful nomination of three candidates for Peace Scholar, including one in the first intake. He was Sponsor Counsellor to two of them. Michael has been Host Counsellor to nine Ambassadorial Scholars.

Michael joined the Australian Taxation Office in December 1979 in Adelaide and moved with them to a position in the National Office in Canberra in 1985. Since moving to Canberra, Michael has also worked at the Australian Bureau of Statistics and in 1993 and 1994 was a Lecturer in Information Systems at the Australian National University and has since been a sessional Tutor and Lecturer. During 1997 the family lived and worked in Melbourne. While there, Michael was a member of the Rotary Club of Toorak Inc.

Michael is one of three Trustees of the Staff Welfare Fund for the ACT, associated with the Australian Taxation Office.

Michael is a member of the Board of Alzheimer’s Australia – ACT, serving as Treasurer between 2005 and 2007. He was elected President in November 2007. Michael is also a Director of Alzheimer’s Australia and is Secretary of that Board. Michael was elected to the Board in 2006.

Julia has recently joined the Rotary Club of Canberra South. Julia is a Project Officer in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. Julia is also an active volunteer with the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter.

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