John began his professional life as a civil engineer and made a mid-career change to the computer industry. His engineering experiences included major developments in Australia's Northern Territory, Canberra, and the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, PNG. He then to work for Microsoft as a marketer and technical adviser. He then returned to his engineering building career and has since retired. He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2007 for community service through Rotary and the Anglican Church.
He joined Rotary Club of Woden in 1988 and was District Governor 1999-2000 for D9710.
John served as Director of Rotary 2008-2010 focusing on the Pacific, SE Asia and ANZ
He subsequently served Rotary as Board liaison for the Future Vision Committee, Rotary International convention promotion member and was an RI training leader. In 2014, John served as moderator for the training of regional coordinators i.e. the RRFC institute. Currently John is a currently a member of RI’s Peace Centre’s committee (2021-2024).
John was the chair and CEO of Rotary’s partner ShelterBox Australia in 2012 and served as a director for the maximum tenure of 9 years. Through ShelterBox, John assisted in delivering help to victims of the Japanese tsunami and earthquake in 2011. He was Australian Rotary’s man-on-the-ground, providing medical supplies after the Bali bomb and working in Indonesia to deliver Australian-donated funds after the 2004 tsunami.
Following the creation of his Club’s Educational Resource project “Teacher in a Box” in 2015, John accepted the role as Chairman when the TiB project became a District Project. The educational resource has been deployed to countries as diverse as multiple African nations, SE Asian countries and is currently deploying to nations of PNG and Vanuatu. (Teacher in a Box - Teacher In A Box)
John is a recipient of Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award. He is a level 2 Major Donor, member of the Paul Harris Society and charter member of the Bequest Society of The Rotary Foundation.
In 2011, he was invested as a Knight of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, an honor bestowed on individuals in recognition of their works of Christian charity. He was also a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
John’s partner, Pamela Day, was his late wife Janet’s closest childhood friend. John has four sons – Peter and two grandsons live in Boulder, CO, USA; Andrew and wife Megan and two granddaughters live in Sydney; Richard lives in Brisbane; Chris and partner Camille and daughter Lily live in Melbourne.