Judy Ross introduced Louise Brennan who was born in Terang to Kevin and Pat Brennan. Louise was one of the original Dixie Chicks. Louise has four sisters and one brother. Her parents were dairy farmers with dad also a Dalgety’s agent. They sold the farm and moved to Port Campbell for six months as Kevin became the manager of Dalgety’s. Then the family moved to Birregurra to run the local hotel for three years, then to Colac East Hotel during her teenage years, when she attended Colac High School. Louise later attended Saint Martin in the Pines boarding school Ballarat, meeting her best friend Carmel.

First job was with the National Australia Bank Colac, transferring to Mildura, as the family was now proprietors of the Manangatang Hotel. There she met her husband Sam White and lived on a grain and cattle farm, raising two children Tehan and Naomi. During difficult times they opened a piggery to supplement their income.

Louise left the farm to move to Horsham on her own to start a life with the two children. During this time Tehan trained to become a diesel mechanic and Naomi experienced 12 months as an exchange student to Sweden.

Louise worked for a local accountancy firm for 7 years. She then took on a position with the Country Fire Authority and joined Horsham East Rotary Club. Whilst on a work course, Louise met Stephen Giddens and a friendship was struck, which has flourished. Two years ago she was asked to become the Secretary of the District Youth Exchange Committee, which consumes a lot of personal time.

Louise has hosted four students to date, Rebecca from Chicago, Mikaela from Brazil, Sophie from Denmark and Heta from Finland, all wonderful girls she refers to as her ‘daughters’. Both of her own children are now living in Ballarat. Tehan is married to Georgie and Naomi is a nurse at Ballarat Base Hospital.

Louise moved to Warrnambool on 23 December, leaving her work with the CFA. After a short time settling into Warrnambool, she is now working for Victoria Police.

Louise has been fortunate to have travelled to China, India, Thailand, North America and recently to Spain with her best friend Carmel to walk the Camino. This year she has planned a long awaited trip to Sweden along with her daughter to meet the families who hosted her.

Louise has kept fit over the years with running, completing a ½ marathon as a milestone and bike riding in events throughout Victoria.

Louise and Stephen became engaged in December 2014 and Stephen is in charge of wedding arrangements, so Louise is looking forward to that.

Louise classes her biggest achievement as raising two wonderful young adults and she is extremely proud of them both.

Louise looks forward to getting to know all the members of Warrnambool Rotary Club and contributing to the local community.

Welcome to RCW Louise.

Graeme Ross was invited to come forward to the speaker’s box. District Governor Jane  Cox  presented Graeme with a Paul Harris Fellow (a certificate, lapel pin and a medallion).  DG Jane said a Paul Harris Fellow is not an award, it is a way of recognising the work of a member or person in the community’s whose selfless work to makes a difference in other people’s lives.  Graeme said he felt honoured, after nearly 30 years in Rotary, to receive such recognition.