Former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones gave insight on leadership at a Rotary dinner in July.
More than 70 members attended the inaugural Northern Beaches Rotary Cluster dinner, which was designed to forge greater bonds between members of the five Northern Beaches clubs: Balgowlah, Belrose, Manly, Upper Northern Beaches and Warringah as well as Northern Beaches Rotaract for young adults.
“It is important that we get together to support and assist each other in all the important work we do,” said Northern Beaches Assistant Governor John Campbell.
Nick Farr-Jones, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove, spoke about the importance of leadership, teamwork and collaboration – during his career and in life.
Nick said he grew up playing soccer, and when he enrolled at Newington, he asked the rugby coach where the “round ball” was. The coach identified him early as a scrum half and gave him the number 9 jersey but didn’t select him for the First XV.
Nick Farr-Jones.
His success blossomed soon after at Sydney University, then Sydney, NSW and finally for the Wallabies.
Through these years, he learned the importance of consistency in performance, teamwork and identifying what others were good at. He said it is also important to pick out what people are not good at.
His first two years as Wallaby captain were extremely frustrating, but he learnt from the series’ loss. On a game on Anzac Day in Lille, France, the team visited the Australian National Memorial at Villers Bretonneux in the morning, then went on to win the game and then finally the Bledisloe Cup.
A rethinking of how the team focussed on the process of the game instead of watching the scoreboard helped them to a period where they won 22 out of 26 games.
He also spoke about Stand Tall, the charity started by his wife Angie and Janine Treharne to provide hope and inspiration to young people. It is building year by year, reaching more and more teens.
Nick gave a personally signed photo as an auction prize which was auctioned by Rotary Club of Belrose President Brian Fairweather, raising more than $1000 for Rotary.
Another highlight of the night was when John presented Ken Farrow from the Rotary Club of Manly with a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition for the part he played in bringing the Northern Beaches Clubs together, supported by the other outgoing Presidents.
For more information on Rotary, email rotarynorthernbeaches@email.com
