THE ILLAWARRA can thank the parents of Dot Hennessy for everything the tireless community worker has done for the region.
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Mrs Hennessy said it was her parents who instilled her community ethic which has seen her awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to vocational education and training, Rotary and the community.
“My parents were very community minded and they always instilled in me the want to give and to put the community as part of my life,’’ Mrs Hennessy said.
”My family, particularly my husband Bob, have always been able to be there and have been a part of what we do in the community.
“It’s been special to meet so many people from so many different walks of life.”
Mrs Hennessy has worked over 50 years in vocational education and training and has had a 30-year involvement with trades and skills competition WorldSkills.
She said one of her greatest joys as an educator was meeting young people and seeing them “achieve personal bests at a regional and international level”.
“I’ve had the opportunity to go to two international competitions, in those days called Skill Olympics, and to experience those is one of those things in life you’d never thought possible,” she said.
Mrs Hennessy was the first female member and president of the Rotary Club of Wollongong, the fifth oldest Rotary club in the country.
The club charted all of the other Rotary club’s in the region and Mrs Hennessy will be the incoming president to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Rotary in the Illawarra this year.
A function to recognise the milestone is being planned for later in the year.
”Being the first female president of that club is very special to me,” Mrs Hennessy said.
“This year is a great opportunity to highlight what our forefathers have been able to do in this city, for example the Mount Keira Summit Park – the most special place in my life and established by our club 60 years ago.”
Among a long list of community roles, Mrs Hennessy has had a strong association with the PCYC and is the current chair of the North Wollongong PCYC management committee.
She is a passionate advocate for Wollongong and the Illawarra region.
“ I love it’s beauty and multiculturalism,” Mrs Hennessy said.
“It has the sea and mountains – the best of both worlds
“We have such a diverse multicultural demographic and that also enriches our city to be quite different to many others.”
Awarded for ervices to Vocational Education and Training, Rotary and the Community of the Illawarra.
Service includes:
Rotary Member, since 1999.
- Since 2000, served as a District Committee member, Chair on numerous committees including:
- District Trainer, Since 2000, Trainer/Chair and currently Trainer for all District Programs
- Chair, Vocational Services Committee, 2009-2016; now Mentor for Chair and member of Committee
- Founder and Chair, Pride of the Illawarra Emergency Services Award, 2011; moved to State level since 2015 The Rotary Districts of NSW Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards
- Chair, Inspirational Women’s Awards since 2016-2017
- Chair, District Alumni, since 201-2017.
- Paul Harris Fellow with four sapphire pins.
- Rotary International Vocational Services Leadership Award – 2013
- Rotary, Team Leader, Vocational Training Team to District 7070, Canada, 4 weeks 2010, Theme Youth Mental Health
- Rotary Club level Current:
- Vice-President, Rotary Club of Wollongong, current, and for four terms
- President elect 2017-2018 – Club’s 90th year
- Interact Coordinator; Chair, Rotary Foundation
- President, 2009-10 – first female member of the Club and first female President
- Past President, Rotary Club of Wollongong Central - 2002-2003
- Past President, Rotary Club of Illawarra Sunrise – 1999-200
- Attended 8 Rotary International Conventions in different countries throughout the world.
Community _
- Chair, Management Committee, North Wollongong Police Citizens Youth Club, current.
- Former Director, Illawarra Area Health Service and Mid North Coast Health Service – 10 years
- State Training Services - Illawarra Vocational Training Committee/State Training Awards – member since 2000, current Media/PR Co-ordinator
- WorldSkills – 30+ years, serving in various capacities to the present – established the TAFE/Worldskills Unit 1993; lead supporters’ teams to two (2) International Competitions in France and Taiwan
Career in business commenced in industry and NSW Government 1958
- Government of NSW – 40 years - awarded Meritorious Service Award
- NSW Government Commemorative Certificate – Justice of the Peace – 50 years
- 50 years in Vocational Education and Training – commenced as a Part-time Teacher, Teacher, College Principal, Head of Studies, to Head of Faculty and Head of State Training Services, Illawarra – retiring in 2000
- President and member of NSW Principals’ Association and AUSTAFE Delegate for NSW – National Association.
- AusContact – formerly Australian Teleservices Association – founding Chair for the Illawarra and current representative and member
- Member, Illawarra Business Chamber, current - Executive Member, 1995-1996.
Current
- 2000 - Founder, Choices and Challenges (a VET business training consultancy), currently providing a range of services to industry and Registered Training Organisation – trained over 80 students in Diploma of Business in 2016.
