District Governor 2025 - 2026
District Governor Elect 2026 - 2027

Craig PERKINS

Craig is a seasoned community leader and strategic thinker with nearly two decades of experience in regional development and local government. He served for 15 years as CEO and Director of Regional Development for the Regional Development Australia Tasmania Committee, working closely with communities to drive strategic planning, economic growth, and social capacity-building. His public service also includes nine years as an elected member of the Meander Valley Council, seven of those as Mayor, where he championed grassroots leadership and collaborative change.

Today, Craig works in stakeholder relations at TasWater, continuing his commitment to communication, connection, and service. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and International Business), a Master of Business Management, is a graduate of the Tasmanian Leaders Program, and has earned a Diploma through the AICD Company Directors course.

A proud Rotarian since 2005, Craig is deeply engaged with the Rotary Club of Central Launceston and commenced a two-year term as District Governor for District 9830 (Tasmania) in June 2025. His leadership reflects a strong belief in Rotary’s power to unite people in meaningful service—locally and globally. Craig brings extensive networks across Tasmania and a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing its communities.

He has held recent roles as Chair of Ten Days on the Island, board member of Crimestoppers Tasmania and the Launceston Chamber of Commerce. He continues to serve on the board of the Launceston City Football Club. Outside of his professional and Rotary commitments, Craig is an active hockey and golf player and a recent enthusiast of caravanning adventures. He is married to Leith, and together they share a love of community, travel, and making meaningful memories.

District Governor Nominee 2027 - 2028

Gayle PLUNKETT

Gayle is the Principal Architect of Gayle Plunkett Architect as a Sole Practitioner. Born in Kingaroy on the Darling Downs and growing up in a farming family at Pittsworth allowed her to pursue ‘country kid’ hobbies including horseriding. Design talents stemmed from an extremely practical father who designed and built many useful things for the farm. Artistic talents coming from a mother who was musical and skilled in many crafts.

Gayle married husband Michael (PDG) quite young, together they have lived and worked in Brisbane, moved to Cairns in 1996 and relocated to Deloraine 2013.  In her work Gayle has a clear understanding of, and commitment to, sustainable architecture and the issues of climatic impact on new, old and heritage buildings.

Throughout the development of the practice, projects have been commissioned as far north as Badu, west to Mornington Island, along the coast from Cairns to Rockhampton, and, Brisbane; numerous locations in Tasmania; and, overseas to the Pacific Nations of Vanuatu, the Cook Islands and Tonga. 

Projects have included many for Federal and State Governments through the National Aboriginal Health Strategy; Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; Health Infrastructure Programme; and, Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; EuroAid; NZAid; AusAid; and Grants; projects for the Government of Vanuatu and other Vanuatu clients; and numerous private clients.

Gayle (with Michael) joined Rotary in 1993 just after son, Connal, was born. As charter members of the Rotary Club of Sumner Park a whole new ‘family’ was added, with friendships remaining strong. On the move to Cairns both joined the Rotary Club of Cairns-Mulgrave with Gayle serving as President, Secretary, Treasurer, International Director, Membership Director and Bulletin Editor. At District level serving as RYE Secretary Zone 5.

On moving to Tasmania Gayle, alongside Michael, became a member of Rotary Deloraine and has been President, Secretary, and Membership Director. District positions include Assistant Governor for PDG Michael Cooke and PDG Ross Carlyle, Service Projects Director and current Youth Projects Director.

In the community of Deloraine Gayle is a Board member of Giant Steps, a school for autistic children; Board member of Aged Care Deloraine; and, past Member of Cultural Landscape Committee for Oura Oura, Liffey (now disbanded).

I am a Dental Prosthetist and committed Rotarian, born and raised in Hobart, third in a family of six, attended Taroona High School. married to Meg Oliver, we have four children, three sons and a daughter, eight grandchildren.

I began my Dental Prosthetic training in Hobart before later graduating in Launceston after a life changing relocation. I’ve had a long 56-year career to date (I’m still working, part time) serving communities across Northern Tasmania through my founding and ownership of ‘The Denture Centre’ Launceston, Scottsdale, Deloraine then later serving the communities of Smithton, Swansea and King Island for the Royal Flying Doctors Dental team. In total I had forty-four years in private practice.

I became involved in dental politics, enjoying the cut and thrust, becoming Tasmanian president for fifteen years, with many notable achievements. Including my state responsibilities, I served on the National Body for thirty-three years concluding my time as National Vice President. I was largely responsible for creating a National single entity, a four-year task, one that was ultimately successful.  I am a Life Fellow of the Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (FADPA).

 In 1992 I became a Rotarian as a member of the Rotary Club of Launceston. I was President in 2010-11 and again in 2020-21. During my membership there I was awarded a PHF, later to triple ruby status before moving to Major Donor. I’m very proud of those acknowledgements.  Thirty-two years later I am delighted to say I still love being a Rotarian.

During my Rotary membership I have always felt ‘we can do better’ I have endeavoured to be innovative where we can, learning from the past but always looking forward to a brighter future. Following a move to the RC Devonport North I (we, Meg is a Rotarian too) were welcomed, quickly becoming acquainted with a very active club. I soon began a Peace Pole project, that became a statewide movement with in excess of fifty poles currently installed.  I am also a ShelterBox Ambassador.

In my new role as your Community Leader, I will seek to do my best to represent your views as we continue to “enjoy the magic of Rotary”.

 Rotary Community Leader 2 - North East Tasmania

Alan HARRIS

Born and educated in Launceston, Alan lives in Norwood, married to Katrina and they have 2 adult children, Ben a lawyer for Legal Aid and Brittany an Interior Designer in Melbourne. Alan enjoyed a 35 year career with Telecom & Telstra before 3 years working for a Federal MP and a further 4 years in working in a NFP Aged Care retirement living. Alan was elected as a Councillor to the City of Launceston in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Alan enjoys cycling, classic motorcycles & cars, is a keen St Kilda AFL supporter and loves spending time with his family at his shack at Shearwater.

Alan is an active member of the Rotary Club of Central Launceston since 2003, undertaking all Club Directorships and leadership roles except Treasurer. He was the Director of the Rotary Duck Race fundraiser 2005 & 2006, Club President in 2010/11 where he was awarded a Presidential Citation with Distinction in 2011. Alan was the Group Study Exchange Team Leader to Denmark in 2012, an Assistant Governor 2012 to 2014 and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow & PHF with 1 Sapphire by his Rotary Club for his service to the community.

Alan helped establish the successful “Sally's Ride” fundraiser in 2009 and in 2022 he helped to establish the very successful “Rotary Readers” reading and mentoring program at Ravenswood Heights Primary School. Alan presents the monthly City Park Radio program "Rotary Roundup" providing media exposure of all Northern Tasmanian Rotary Clubs past  & upcoming activities since 2011.