DISTRICT GOVERNOR
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Jim and Carol Studebaker
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 Jim Studebaker Rotary Club of North Balwyn
A very active Rotarian for 17 years, Jim has fully immersed himself in the humanitarian philosophies and mission of Rotary International. A member of North Balwyn since 1991, Jim became its President in 2004-2005 and served as Chairman of virtually every service committee for the club. Added to this, he was a member of the District Public Relations Committee before joining the District RYLA committee, where he gave eight years’ dedicated service. Appointed Assistant District Governor of the Batman Cluster for 2006-2007, he was also named a Paul Harris Fellow in 2006.
Jim’s passion for youth was clearly evident even before he joined the RYLA committee, having been an active member of the Scouting Movement. RYLA however, truly touched Jim. Seeing young people who lack in confidence being brought together and through their RYLA experience dramatically change and blossom gave Jim a strong desire to make a greater contribution to this program. He has been instrumental in the appointment of youth to actually run this vital program in D9800, further developing their skills and self-confidence.
Jim’s career has been in the banking and finance industry and professional practice management in accounting and legal practices, both in Australia and the United States. Although born in America, Jim is an Australian by choice and is more Australian than Crocodile Dundee! And, like many Australians, he has a true handicap in his enjoyment of golf. Probably better described as “Starship Enterprise,” Jim’s adventures on the golf course certainly see him go where no human has gone before! He and wife Carol also share a love of cooking. They have two adult children who are now living overseas.
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Click here for Contact details for Jim.
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District Governor's Weekly Message
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August is Rotary Membership Development and Extension Month
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Week beginning 25 August 2008
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Dreams & Gold
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The Olympic Games are very special. It seems that it is a time when nations can put their rancour ‘on hold’ and compete in an environment where the measure of excellence is universal and obvious.
I acknowledge that the Olympic Games are not everyone’s ideal measure of ‘what’s good in the world’ or even what’s desirable as a spectacle.
But those people are in the minority. Most of us eagerly anticipate this wonderful gathering of ‘the best’… watching how the participants ply their craft, how they overcome obstacles and how they conquer adversity. We also agonise over the near misses, the frustrations and the devastation of Olympic ‘plans gone wrong’.
The motto of the Olympic Games is ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ … ‘swifter, higher, stronger’. It’s a simple, yet powerful message and encapsulates the aura of the honourable competitor. An Olympic champion is acknowledged forever. One can win world championships in all manner of pursuits… none will rival a gold medal awarded at the Olympic Games.
But the underlying philosophy of the Games is not solely about winning. It is primarily about competing… competing with honour and doing your best. Most Olympians don’t win medals… but they are united in a glorious struggle as they represent their countries to the utmost of their ability.
Stories and legends abound as over two hundred individual nations gather to pit their talents, their techniques and their strengths against the very best in the world. Just think of it… over two hundred nations!! Granted, some have as few as one competitor in their team and some have no chance of winning. It matters little. What does matter is that they are part of an international federation that values the role of the Olympic Games as a forum for people and nations to compete and to interact as equals.
Like many of you, I was privileged to watch Usain Bolt, I marvelled at the achievements of Michael Phelps and I willed Steve Hooker to clear the bar in that last mighty leap for gold. I’m not a sports ‘tragic’, but I defy anyone not to be moved by something at the Olympic Games.
For most competitors, Olympic hopes are not realised. Years of training, expense and sacrifice don’t return the ultimate reward. Yet … something else prevails… they are Olympians, and will always be Olympians.
Certainly, we saw high exaltation, but we also saw wonderful grace in defeat – none more so than Anna Meares in the cycling and Libby Trickett in the 100 metres freestyle. Two different stories which showed me how true champions can lose a race but, in reality, they never lose. These were silver medals that were truly inspirational.
So why does a Rotary District Governor devote a page to the Olympic Games?…
There’s no complete answer. I know that there are parallels between the Olympic Games and Rotary International, but it is beyond my literary skill to draw them adequately. I think that it’s important to acknowledge those athletes who govern our emotions and aspirations once every four years. Like many, I was held captive by the sight of people proudly representing their countries, many of whom had no chance of succeeding. They had trained, they had sacrificed, they were certainly engaging in the reality of pursuing their dreams.
And surely it is the competing and the pursuit that is the essence of the Olympic spirit… and, on a bigger stage… the essence of life. Make Dreams Real.
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- District Governor, Jim Studebaker
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