DISTRICT GOVERNOR ELECT (DG 2025-26)

Evan Burrell

 

He grew up in Manly on Sydney's Northern Beaches where he toiled in the soil to become a qualified horticulturalist and had a dream opportunity to work at the famous Taronga Zoo!

After a few career changes and a stint working for Rotary Down Under magazine, Evan now works as a bus driver in the Newcastle/Hunter region. In his spare time he continues to build his career as an actor
and has featured in advertisements for brands such as Budget Direct Insurance, AFL, Aldi, Nescafe, and Cadbury Chocolate.

Evan began his Rotary journey as a fresh-faced 18yr old in 1999 as member of Rotaract in District 9685 and was an active Rotaractor till the age of 30, before joining Rotary full time as a member in 2011.

Before joining the Rotary Club of Greenhills Maitland, he was a member of the Rotary club of Turramurra and was active in their graffiti removal project and the “Jumbo Joy flight” for sick and disadvantaged children.

He is a two-time past president, leading Australia’s first online club, the Rotary e club of Greater Sydney and then most recently the Rotary Club of The Ponds, “the first Rotary coffee club of Australia”

Evan as also served Rotary beyond the club and district level as an Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Zone 8 and a past member of several RI committees such as the Communications Committee, Rotaract & Interact Committee and the 2018 Rotary International Toronto Convention Promotions Committee.

Evan is an accomplished public speaker, emcee, trainer, social media advocate and he is in high demand as an "outside the box" international speaker, with requests for his perspective coming from all over the world. He is able to present serious issues such as inter-generational engagement, membership, public image and marketing in an humorous and fun way which leaves participants feeling inspired, engaged and motivated.

One of Evan’s great skills is that he uses social media to show that Rotarians are not only making a positive difference in the world, but they are having fun doing it! He presents Rotary in a lighter more personally engaging way, showing the more fun and humorous side to our organisation. He is very active on social media and grabs people’s attention, member and non-member alike on these platforms. This makes the idea of Rotary more relatable, especially to new generations, who are avid users of social media.

Evan has two sons, a boisterous young James and a very welcomed new addition in baby Sam. Evan and his partner, Kath, live in lovely laid-back Newcastle – or 'Newie' as it's
affectionately known and spend what little free time they have swimming, dominating at pub trivia and indulging in degustation dinners.
Evan’s message is “Let’s have fun in Rotary” and it’s with this message that has him passionately promoting Rotary at every turn.