Chris Milligan has a BSc in Zoology; a MSc in marine biology; a MPhil in Catchment Water Quality Assessment; and was a Certified Environmental Practitioner.
He worked for 38 years as an Environmental Scientist in assessment and water quality management of marine, estuarine and freshwater systems, toxic waste disposal, infrastructure and mining environmental management and community disaster management.
Chris has worked in nine different countries outside Australia, mostly in the Indo-Pacific region, primarily on AusAID (Australian Government) community assistance projects. He also undertook voluntary work helping his wife in her voluntary community work in mitigating the effects of domestic violence, such as helping resettle affected women and children.
He went onto part-time work (three days a week) from January 2013 reflecting continued low work-loads post-GFC, anticipating retirement at the end of 2013. Chris was retrenched into retirement in August 2013. He and his wife moved to Golden Beach at the end of 2012 and have never regretted leaving the increasingly crowded lifestyle in inner Brisbane.
With (supposedly) more spare time, they sought opportunities to continue helping the disadvantaged and quickly became involved in helping the homeless and socially isolated.
A chance meeting with a Rotarian on a street market stall in mid 2014 resulted in becoming a member of Caloundra Pacific Rotary Club (aka CalPac) realising Rotary matched his own wish to be of service to the wider community. His subsequent four years in Rotary has entrenched this view. Chris moved to the Rotary Club of Caloundra as early morning meetings better fitted with his other activities.
Highlights of his life in Rotary include being part of awarding High School students bursaries; being amazed at the skills selected student(s) (sometimes two) acquired during the annual National Youth Science Foundation in Canberra; meeting Rotary Exchange students; Rotary Youth Leadership courses; and the program he is particularly proud to be part of, RYDA Youth Driver Awareness to greatly improve their skills, be better drivers and reduce their chances of becoming part of the road toll.
Through all these and other inputs Chris is proud to be counted in the team where we all try to make a difference.