Immediate Past District Governor Andy Rajapakse

Andy is a champion in attracting young people to Rotary. His visionary leadership helped our district have the largest number of under 40’s in Australia and in Zone 8. He served as District Membership Chair in 2016 & District Public Image Chair 2017 to 2020. His innovative membership & public image campaigns enhanced our image and become Australia’s the largest growing Rotary district in the last two years. In 2018/19 he initiated and formed two new format Rotary clubs, Varsity Lakes and the Gold Coast Passport, the 25th passport club in the world.
 
Andy is a practicing international marketeer & public image professional. An active member of Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce and Australian Institute of Company Directors. Currently he is CEO of an international marketing company recruiting high school students from Australia, NZ, and Asia for leadership programs at Harvard University in USA. He is an Ex-Co member of Enterprise Asia in Malaysia, Asia’s largest entrepreneur network. He worked in twelve countries with three of world’s largest marketing & media companies. Prior to migrating to Australia seven years ago, as CEO he led a 650 strong workforce at Orange Electric, Sri Lanka’s largest manufacturer & exporter of electrical switches.       
He joined Rotary in Sri Lanka when current Foundation Trustee Chair and Past RI President Ravi Ravindran was DGND. Andy was a charter member of Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan. After migrating, he joined Burleigh Heads Rotary that will celebrate 65 years in 2020. He has introduced 12 members to his club to help become the 5th largest in our district. Burleigh Rotary sponsor 2 Interact Clubs and a Rotaract Club.
 
Andy has held many club, district and regional leadership roles during his 25+ years in Rotary. A recipient of Rotary International’s highest honour to a Rotarian, the Service Above Self Award, he led a GSE team in 2006 from Sri Lanka to Denmark. Andy is a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation, a PHF +6 & Paul Harris Society Member. He has spoken at over 100 Rotary clubs in 22 districts in 16 countries & at the UN and 1st Rotary Virtual Convention in June 2020. His one big goal is to grow our district to 1400 members by 1st July 2021! Andy will lead our district with confidence and enthusiasm into the 100th year of Rotary in Australia.