Dr Roe Currie, Life Member

Dr Rosemary Currie (Roe to most of us) has been a formidable advocate for extension and APEN for almost 27 years many years having held the role of APEN Executive Secretary. As well as being the contact and communications point for APEN and looking after the membership database and finances, the role involves assisting the APEN Board and Committees and especially the President, Treasurer and Secretary. Roe has supported the organisation in everything that it has achieved including the delivery of conferences, the mentoring scheme, regional events and communications and organisational governance and the transition of APEN into a company limited by guarantee. 

Roe began her career having completed a PhD from University of New England, Armidale in the field of behaviour and physiology of sheep. She then joined the Department of Science and Environment in Canberra and later the Victorian Department of Agriculture at Rutherglen Research Institute where she was a Livestock Research Officer for ten years.   

During time at home with a young family, she became involved in the consultancy business run by her husband. In July 1995, Roe and her husband won the tender for the APEN Secretariat. In 1997, she took the Secretariat to her own business, Creative Management Services, and has continued in the role of APEN Executive Secretary ever since.

When recognising Roe for 25 years’ service to APEN, Roe indicated that she was motivated by her desire to keep APEN running, ticking along, and progressing and working closely with the APEN Board, Committees and Members.  Roe has also demonstrated a strong commitment to APEN, and to its efforts to build positive, productive relationships, networking and working with members as agents of change. Those that have worked with Roe can attest to her ‘can do’ attitude in driving and supporting the work of APEN through its committees, programs, and events. APEN is indebted to the contributions of Roe over her 27 years with the organisation.

To quote Roe, “Working with all the APEN Committees and Editors and getting to know them all and see them grow with experience as they work for APEN’s benefit continues to be a satisfying and rewarding experience. Putting faces to APEN members’ names at events is a highlight of the role.”

So many friendships, so much professionalism. Roe will be missed!

We believe that Dr Rosemary Currie fully meets the criteria to be awarded an Honorary Life Membership of APEN.

Honorary Life Membership awarded 10 February 2022.