In July, 1967 I received a telephone call from a Victorian Rotarian who introduced himself as Royce Abbey, recently-appointed youth committee chairman of the then District 280 (now 9890) and who had been told that I could impart some information about RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) and perhaps arrange for him to visit a RYLA seminar. I promptly invited him to the District 275 (9750) seminar to be held in October of that year and he, equally promptly, accepted.

During the course of his two-day visit to the camp we were able to exchange information about Rotary youth activities in general and RYLA in particular; and, after meeting and talking with the awardees, he needed no convincing that RYLA was a valuable program, worthy of sponsorship in his own district. In the following year we were both chosen to serve as members of the newly-established Australia-New Zealand RYLA Committee; and our paths continued to cross in various Rotary assignments in which I always found his unfailing good humour admirable, his boyish enthusiasm infectious and his quick intelligence invaluable in all our deliberations.

When Royce was elected to serve his district as governor he invited me to participate in his conference. As a member of the R.I. Youth Activities Committee in 1975-76 he found himself the recipient of my unsolicited advice. As a member of the R.I. Board and in subsequent years he served as a member and chairman of the Rotary Down Under Committee of which I was secretary; and when he was chosen to be Rotary International President he honoured me with an invitation to write the brief biographical article for the Rotary World Press (The Rotarian, Rotary Down Under and all the other Rotary regional magazines).

Because of our long friendship and my admiration for Royce Abbey, I welcome the opportunity afforded by this assignment to tell my fellow Rotarians a little more about him. (author unknown)

Obituary 2/20/2014

Past RI President Royce Abbey: Rotarians around the globe mourn the passing today of Royce Abbey AO, DCM in Melbourne, Australia. Royce was a decorated soldier, a successful businessman, an outstanding Rotarian and a great humanitarian. Royce joined the Rotary Club of Essendon in 1954 and was Club President in 1963-64. He served as District Governor in 1969-70 and went on to hold Rotary’s highest office, Rotary International President in 1988-89. In that year, his Presidential Theme was “Put Life into Rotary; Your Life”. Royce certainly put his life into Rotary and was an inspiration to all who knew him. We extend our sincere sympathies to Jean and the Abbey family as well as to the members of his own club, the Rotary Club of Essendon.

1988abbey/abbeyfuneral.pdf Thanks to RGHF member DG 14/15 Murray Verso

We were saddened to hear of the death of Mr Royce Abbey AO DCM. Last year marked the 25 th anniversary of Royce Abbey’s induction as Rotary International World President. Royce joined the Rotary Club of Essendon in 1954, was Club President in 1963-64 and served as District Governor in 1969-70. He held Rotary’s highest office in 1988-89. In recognition of Royce’s significant achievements, the District Governors of 1988-89 established The Royce and Jean Abbey Endowed Fund as part of the Rotary Foundation.

The Australian YMCA Movement is greatly saddened by the passing of Royce Abbey AO DCM, Past President YMCA of Australia and Melbourne Metropolitan YMCAs. A man committed to working with young people, he worked tirelessly for the YMCA in a number of appointments including President of the Melbourne Metropolitan YMCA from 1972 to 1975 and President of the National Council of YMCAs of Australia from 1982 to 1985. For his services he was elected an Honorary Life Governor of the National Council.

http://www.rotarydistrict9800.com.au/news/5262/royce-abbey-award-milestone

http://www.royceabbey.com/

http://www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au/Information-About/Research/Current-Opportunities/Mental-Health-Research/Royce-Abbey-Post-Doctoral-Fellowship.aspx

I am sure that there is a whole lot more that could be written about him and Paul Henningham's book has it all. Hopes some of this is helpful for you. There is also a Vocational Scholarship available as well (see below) Thanks to RGHF member Wayne Robinson