PAUL HARRIS FELLOW CITATION - The Hon. GERALD ASHMAN
“The swan is often used analogously to the unrecognised and unseen work that is essential for success just as the unseen feet of a swan are necessary for it to glide so gracefully across the water. Today we recognise a member who for many years has been a stalwart of “dad’s army” – the Lunch Organisation committee who set-up the venue for our weekly meetings week in and week out.
Gerald Ashman was born in 1941 and was educated at Monash University. He was inducted into the RCM on 10/07/1985 (that’s 34 years membership as of last month) with his sponsor being David Jones. At that time of his induction Gerald was the Executive Director of the Small Business Association of Victoria. Since 2014 Gerald has been a Member of the Board at Kyneton District Health and is the Deputy President. He was its treasurer from 2014 to 2017.
He is also the Chair of the Project Control Committee. Ambulatory Care Centre construction.
Prior to that, Gerald was the Secretary of the Victorian Congress of Employer Associations from 1986 to 1988; Deputy Director of the State Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1984 to 1988; and from November 1988 to November 2002 was the Member of the Legislative Council for Boronia and Koonung Provinces in the Parliament of Victoria. During his terms he served as the Chairman of the Economic Development Committee and the Transport Committee and was on the Board of VicHealth.
Additionally, Gerald was Executive Director of the Small Business Association of Victoria, and a long-term member of the Liberal Party. He chaired the Aston Federal Electorate Committee in 1984 and 1988, and was convenor of the Small Business and Public Works Policy Committee in 1986 and 1988.
He was also Conference Director of 10th Confederation of Asian Chambers of Commerce (CACCI) and 2nd Asian Bankers' Council Conference, Melbourne, 1985. Sec. General, Aust. delegation to 11th CACCI Conference, NZ, 1987. Organised first Small Business Trade Fair and Forum for new business intendees and operators 1984. Director, KnowBiz project 1985-88. Director RMIT Innovation Ltd 1996-97. Director Technisearch Limited 1997-99. Deputy Chairman, RMIT Innovation P/L since 1998.
In 1988, Gerald was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for Boronia Province, which he held until its abolition in 1996, when he moved to Koonung Province. He left parliament in 2002.
He was the club’s Honorary Secretary for two years: 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, the Presidential terms of Mev Connell and Chris Wang respectively. During this term of office Jo was recruited, and the arduous task of bringing all aspect of the office administration, membership and the Treasury back into the office was completed. He has been an active member of the Canterbury-Waverley group for many years even though he now lives in Kyneton. Gerald has been the group captain.
Additionally, Gerald is on the roster as a photographer at our lunch meetings. Over the years Gerald has been on a number of committees of RCM: Public Issues, Rotary Conference (1993), and Vocational Service - Police Mentoring.
But it is his long-term membership of “dad’s army” that drew our attention. It’s a thankless task unseen by most but if not done correctly, in a timely manner, and the pack-up completed effectively and efficiently, our “swan” would surely sink.
It is with great pleasure on behalf of all members that I ask Gerald Ashman come forward to receive his Paul Harris Fellowship.”
