03-04-2007
Joan Wells (right) presented the customary boomerang while thanking Peter Williams
Past District Governor of District 9750 and current member of the Rotary Club of Sutherland Civic, Peter Williams, spoke to the Club about the past and future for Rotary Down Under (RDU). The following points are condensed from Peter's presentation.
- The RDU magazine
- 48,000 copies are distributed in 11 editions each year, through Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Pacific.
- It has been produced for over 40 years.
- Bob Aitken has been the editor for 22 years.
- The recent reformatting, in a back-to-back edition was done to increase its effectiveness as a public relations vehicle. This reformatting has also meant that some advertisers are keener to advertise.
- RDU is the 62nd most widely-read magazine in Australia.
- The directors of RDU are drawn from each state of Australia, and one from New Zealand.
- Peter Williams is the current Chair, following Bill Boyd and Barry Thompson in that role.
- The organisation employs 15 staff, most of whom have been there for 10-15 years.
- The office in Auckland, NZ, has been closed.
- It is planned to sell the supplies arm of RDU, as this is the least profitable part of RDU and is threatened by internet sales.
- The changes within both the magazine and organisation are designed to "futureproof" RDU.
Last changed: 03:19:08 04-10-2008