The Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition is one of the highest honors Rotary can bestow upon a member or friend of Rotary. It is named after Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, and celebrates those who have made outstanding contributions to the ideals and work of Rotary — whether through generous financial support or through exceptional service.
Receiving a PHF signifies the club’s deep appreciation for the recipient's dedication, integrity, and commitment to “Service Above Self.” It is both a thank you and a public acknowledgment of the difference they have made — within the club, the community, and often, well beyond.
Paul Harris Fellowship
Presented to Deb Yin Foo
18 June 2025
Citation
Deb Yin Foo was inducted into Rotary Melbourne on 26 April 2006, sponsored by her cousin-in-law, Chris Wang. At the time, Deb was already an accomplished professional—a partner at Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick (POF), a patent attorney, and a PhD holder in Biochemistry. Her Rotary classification is Solicitors – Intellectual Property.
From the beginning, Deb brought her signature energy, intellect, and generosity of spirit to Club life. Despite the demands of a high-level corporate career, she quickly immersed herself in service—contributing to the Healthy Hearts Project, SecondBite, and Promoting Rotary Committee, while also serving as Deputy Group Captain for Central Group. She is currently a member of Central 2 and is preparing to hand over the Group Captain role to a newer member—fostering the next generation of Rotary leadership, as she has always done.
In her professional career, Deb had a deep commitment to science and innovation—where she helped researchers, universities, and pharmaceutical companies protect their discoveries in biotechnology. That same passion for science and education has shaped her Rotary work, most notably through the R100 End Hepatitis Now initiative, where she helped educate other Rotary clubs on the impact of viral hepatitis through thoughtful, evidence-based outreach.
At the heart of Deb’s Rotary journey has been a powerful commitment to fellowship and member engagement. As Chair of the Membership Development & Engagement Committee and more recently as Membership Director, Deb has led with empathy, insight, and quiet determination. Her inclusive style, her curiosity about what members really need, and her ability to turn insight into action have helped strengthen the fabric of our Club. Her work has included Club-wide surveys, targeted member outreach, and engagement strategies that helped bring in 25 new members—while also helping to lower the average age of our membership.
In recognition of her service, Deb received the Forth Bridge Award in 2021–22, honouring her outstanding leadership, warm friendship, and tireless volunteerism.
Deb continues to be one of our Club’s most trusted and forward-thinking leaders - warm, focused, and always ready to step up when needed.
Rotary Melbourne is proud to honour Deb Yin Foo with a Paul Harris Fellowship—a tribute to her unwavering dedication to service, her passion for science and community health, and her deep belief in the power of connection. She exemplifies Rotary at its very best.
