Having grown up in Boroondara, Glenferrie Rotarian, John Hudson, has been devoting his retirement years to volunteering in the community that provided he and his family so many benefits.
A Fellow of the Certified Public Accountants and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries, John’s career included the role of Company Secretary at McIlwraith Davey Ltd, which employed over 7,000 people, and finally as Finance Manager at Trinity Grammar until 1990.
John joined Glenferrie Rotary in the late 90s and served in a variety of roles including Club President in 2004-05. His impressive financial background proved helpful in many of the community programs in which the club has been involved, including the Boroondara Family Network for which he served as Treasurer for six years. John was responsible for obtaining Deductible Gift Recipients taxation status for this organisation that is now in its 20th year of providing valued support to around 70 families annually.
In 2003, in conjunction with the City of Boroondara, Rotary Glenferrie established, and now runs the highly successful Boroondara Farmers’ Market. John took on the role of Administrator in 2008, being responsible for setting up the market, collecting fees from stallholders and donations from patrons, and reporting to City of Boroondara and Glenferrie Rotary Club. John has had enthusiastic support from his fellow Glenferrie Rotarians, resulting in the market grossing more than $1.6million over its operating life. After nearly 12 years in his role as voluntary administrator, John recently handed the management reins over to a committee of fellow Rotarians, but still retains involvement.
John has also served as Treasurer for Boroondara Cares Foundation, which supports local projects including EDUCATION CHANCES Scholarships. For over a decade, this organisation has given financial support to more than 1,100 secondary students in Boroondara so that they can complete their schooling and enter University. Still actively involved in this work, John believes the current difficult times will see more students seeking support from EDUCATION CHANCES.
In 2010, John, in a support role, took part in the Sumba Eye Project, joining fellow Rotarian Dr Mark Ellis and a group of ophthalmologists, optometrists and nurses who provided free eye care services to the local third world population of Sumba, an island in eastern Indonesia. John found this experience particularly emotional, having witnessed many amazing transformations including an operation to restore the sight of a 6-year-old boy. Members of the visiting team pay their own expenses and it is completely voluntary.
On Australia Day in 2019, John was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), and named 2019 Boroondara Citizen of the Year. He was “surprised and extremely honoured” to be recognised for something he enjoys … volunteering with others in the community.