General News
15 December, 2025
Beyond dedication
ROTARIAN Gary Turner has been honoured for 50 years of continuous service to the organisation.
Mr Turner first joined Rotary on 3 December 1975 as a charter member of the Rotary Club of Cairns North.
Alongside his father, he helped establish the new club at just 24 years of age.
Over the decades, he has served as Rotary Cairns Trinity Club president (1989-90), been recognised three times as a Paul Harris Fellow and witnessed the amalgamation of Cairns North, Mulgrave and Earlville clubs into Rotary Cairns Trinity in 2017.
“Gary’s dedication over half a century is an inspiration to all Rotarians,” said current club president John O’Brien.
“His leadership, generosity and commitment to community service have left a lasting legacy in Cairns and beyond,” he said.
A special celebratory dinner was held on 3 December 2025 at Brother’s League Club, where fellow Rotarians, community leaders and friends gathered to pay tribute to his remarkable journey.
Also recognised during the dinner was past president Lenny McIntyre and past district governor Phil Dempster.
Mr McIntyre is the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Cairns Trinity and he was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his service and commitment to the club.
Mr Dempster earlier this year also celebrated 50 years of service to Rotary.
He first joined Rotary on 1 February 1975 with the Rotary Club of North Perth and has since served across multiple clubs, including Ku-Ring-Gai, Cairns Trinity (for over 33 years) and now the E-Club of Outback Australia.
Over five decades, he has held numerous leadership roles at club, district and international levels.
Highlights of his Rotary career include serving as district governor (2008–09), national chairman of Rotarians against malaria (2013–16) and multiple district leadership positions spanning membership, service and Rotary Foundation initiatives.
He has also represented his district at the council on legislation and continues his service as district Rotary Foundation chairman (2025-28).
Mr Dempster has been recognised through eight Paul Harris Fellow honours.
