INDUCTION - GRAEME WARD
Michael Boyd introduced Graeme Ward to be inducted into the Rotary Club of Warrnambool. Graeme was born and educated in Kyneton in North Central Victoria. Raised on the family mixed farm near Malmsbury. He has the distinction of being the last baby christened in the Malmsbury Methodist Church!
Graeme should have been the 5th generation on the farm, but urban encroachment and compulsory acquisition of much of the land by Vic Roads for the Kyneton Bypass put an end to that.
He studied Agricultural Science at the University of Melbourne, then went onto do post-graduate research on native pastures. Was fortunate to be asked to fill the position of District Pasture Specialist with the Department of Agriculture in Warrnambool; one of his supervisors being one Michael Boyd at Ballarat.
Graeme came originally to south west Victoria for 3 years in 1981 and is still here after 36 years. Graeme’s home is just outside of Panmure where he manages a highly productive grazing property.
He has 3 children:
- Rachael - a Dairy Extension Officer with Agriculture Victoria in Ballarat;
- Sarah - who's other half is a dairy farmer at Scotts Creek, and
- Christopher a post-graduate student in IT at Deakin Geelong.
Graeme's past involvement with Rotary
- First joined Sunshine Rotaract Club when a post-grad student at the Universities Mt Derrimut field station in 1979.
- Transferred to Warrnambool Rotaract Club when moved to Warrnambool and was a member until kids and Army Reserve training got in the way.
- A number of uncles and cousins are/have been Rotarians.
- Graeme’s mother has been a member of the Kyneton Probus Club since its inception.
Graeme was inducted into the Rotary Club of Warrnambool by Acting President Judy Ross and welcomed by everyone there on the night. Congratulations Graeme.