President 2006/2007 - Chris Wang (Janet)

Born in Adelaide, Chris a fourth generation Australian born Chinese was educated at Melbourne Grammar School and The University of Melbourne completing his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1965.  

Directly from university Chris joined the family business of David Wang and Company - Importers, Wholesalers & Retail specialists in Asian merchandise.  The family company has been trading with Hong Kong, China & South-East Asia since 1949.

Currently Chris is Managing Director of CWI International - Importers / Wholesalers to major chains & Specialty Stores in the home-wares market.  He also holds directorships in other family companies.

Chris has been active in assisting both Australian and Chinese companies establish themselves in Australia and China.  Chris has also been active in:

1978 - Founding Member of the Australia-China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCCI) now the Australia China Business Council. Vice President 1983 - 1991. Honorary Life member in 1991.

1980 Deputy leader of first official ACCCI/Vic. Govt. trade mission to China.

1980 - 1984 - Member of the Victorian Government VCE Chinese Subject Committee.

1984 - 1992 - Member of the Victorian Government China Advisory Committee.

Chris has strong links to Melbourne's Chinese community and currently is very active in supporting Melbourne's Dai Loong Association (Millennium Big Dragon).  If you look hard you will see him during Chinese New Year and Moomba parades.

Chris was inducted into the Rotary Club of Melbourne on 25 May 1988.

As Events Chairperson, Chris has overseen:

1998 - Welcome Reception for RI President Glen Kinross at Caulfield Racecourse with 1000 guests.

1998 - Hilton Hotel Auction to support RYTE Programme raising $20,000.00.

2001 - Cosgrove Breakfast at Crown raising $42,000.00 for East Timor.

2002 - Welfare of the Young Fundraiser at the Melbourne Aquarium co-chaired with Tony Kosky.

2005 - Rotary Centenary Dinner to mark 100 years of Rotary.

He has also served on the following committees:

Vocational Service, Student Exchange, Welfare of the Young, Community Welfare, Events, Membership Development, Horizons, Young at Heart, Healthy Hearts, RCM Community Foundation and an active member of Toorak No.1.

1999 - 2001 Club Director

2002 - 2003 Vice President

Chris was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 2001.

Chris and Janet were married in Melbourne in 1969. They have three children Annabel, David and Michael and a grand-daughter Emma. 

Message from the President

It is indeed an honour and privilege to serve as President of the Rotary Club of Melbourne for 2006/2007.  In my presidential year, I aim to positively reinforce three key elements within the Club:

Fellowship, Membership and Administration.

The following statement made by R.I. President Bill Boyd is my central theme for the year:

"Strong Rotary clubs stand out by the quality of their Fellowship.  It was important in Chicago in 1905, and is as important today."

I, like R.I. President Bill Boyd, believe that Fellowship is the catalyst for a strong Rotary club and I believe in "Service through Fellowship".

Fellowship

I will be encouraging and implementing activities to promote fellowship, participation and fun throughout all areas of the Club.  I believe that more interaction between Committees and Groups can only be positive.  The inclusion of partners in more of the Club activities is essential.

The Club has no shortage of worthwhile projects both International and local, large and small, but each project requires positive volunteerism - "Service above Self". By promoting active fellowship within the Club, it will become much easier for you to obtain positive assistance when needed.

When I was asked to join Rotary, I was impressed by the phrase "The Internationality of Rotary", so just as importantly, fellowship should extend to International Fellowship.  To this end I will be actively promoting our engagement with overseas Rotary Clubs and in particular our "sister Clubs".

Again, by building fellowship we can more easily implement international humanitarian projects.

Membership

Membership is vital to the long term viability of the Club. I encourage all of you to actively seek potential new members, with the aim of increasing our numbers substantially over the following twelve months.

A membership of 300 would be fantastic!

Fellowship is the frontline of Membership Retention.  It is the responsibility of us all, who have been in the Club for some time to be pro-active in assisting new members find their way in our great Club.  I am looking to all Groups to take special responsibility in this area.

Administration

Our size dictates that we must be far more accountable both within the Club and in the broader community.  We must continue the great work that has been done over the past year in streamlining the management procedures of the Club with regard to efficiency, professionalism and compliance.

By quality fellowship, our Club will remain a club known for its strength, leadership and prestige within the family of Rotary.