Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

First Australian President of Rotary International

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, May 23, 2026

1. First Australian President of Rotary International Marker

Inscription. Erected by the Rotary Club of Melbourne
To commemorate the work of Rotary's Founder
Paul Harris
and of
Angus S. Mitchell
First Australian President of Rotary International

Oct. 1953

Erected 1953 by Rotary Club of Melbourne.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 37° 50.022′ S, 144° 58.952′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is on Birdwood Avenue 0.1 kilometers north of Domain Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne VIC 3141, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Domain Road Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Resurrecting a volcano - Guilfoyle's Volcano

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(about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); A Grand Design (about 150 meters away); A new view of Melbourne (about 180 meters away); A prickly problem (about 180 meters away); The Field Collection (about 210 meters away); The Blossfeld Expedition (about 210 meters away); Design Inspiration (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Angus Mitchell Oration. Rotary Melbourne

Angus Mitchell was inducted into the Rotary Club of Melbourne in December 1927. He was President of the Club in 1931-32. He was elected District Governor in 1934-35 and again in 1937-38. In 1948-49 he became the first Australian to be elected to the office of President of Rotary International. He was created a Knight Bachelor by Her Majesty the Queen in 1956. Two years later he was the first member of the Rotary Club of Melbourne to be named a Paul Harris Fellow. Sir Angus Mitchell died on 18 August 1961.

(Submitted on June 4, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Rotary Marker in the Rotary Melbourne Peace Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, May 23, 2026

2. Rotary Marker in the Rotary Melbourne Peace Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.