Rotary International President-Elect Ian H.S. Riseley spoke at today’s multi-district Presidents-Elect Training Sessions (PETS) event in Syracuse.

Riseley, who lives in Sandringham, Victoria, Australia, will become RI president on July 1. While in Syracuse, he shared his vision for the 2017-18 year with the theme “year on Rotary Making a Difference.”

Riseley is a practicing accountant and principal of Ian Riseley and Co., which specializes in advising local and international businesses, and has a strong interest in international affairs.

He received the AusAID Peacebuilder Award from the Australian government in 2002 in recognition of his work in Timor-Leste. He also received the Order of Australia medal in 2006 for service to the Australian community.

“Governments see Rotary as positive representatives of a civil society,” he says. “We should work with them to advocate for peace and conflict resolution, just as we are advocating for polio eradication.”

Riseley, a Rotarian since 1978, has served Rotary as treasurer, director, trustee, RI Board Executive Committee member, task force member, committee member and chair, and district governor.

He also is a former member of the Australian Polio Eradication Private Sector Campaign and a recipient of The Rotary Foundation’s Service Award for a Polio-Free World.