Gloria Chan read Psychology for her B.A. and did post-graduate work specialising in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Queensland in Australia. She has also done post-graduate work in Social Planning.

She started her counselling career with the Australian Queensland State Government, and worked as University Counsellor at the University of Queensland full-time, with a part-time private practice. Since her return to Hong Kong over ten years ago, she has been working full-time with the University of Hong Kong, with a part-time private practice. In 1997, she moved to full-time private practice in Counselling and Therapy.

Her professional interests focus on communication, dealing with stress, developing human potentials and problem-solving. By and large, she continues to offer training in counselling skills, leadership development and learning strategies in groups. Her research and professional papers were presented at various international conferences on counselling and therapy, representing the University of Queensland and later the University of Hong Kong.

Community Services

Her community work first started while she was working full-time at the University of Queensland. She founded the first Ethnic Radio with a committee of local Chinese. Using both English and Cantonese she presented broadcast programs on international news, music and film critique, with the aim of helping Australians to better understand Chinese culture and customs, and for the Chinese to blend in with and adjust more easily to the Australian life style. Since returning to Hong Kong, she continued her community service through the University Women's Association and Zonta International.

Service in Rotary

In 1992, she chartered the Rotary Club of Queensway with thirty-two members, opening thirty-two classifications for women to serve Rotary. One month thereafter the Club had its first male member. At present the club is composed of 1/3 men and 2/3 women.

Gloria served two terms as Club President, during which time she was awarded the Presidential Citation on Balanced Achievement in the Four Areas of Service in two consecutive years. She was Secretary General of the Intercity meeting for the visit of RI President Clifford L. Dochterman and Chairman of the Intercity meeting for the visit of RI President Robert Barth. She has helped in the hosting for the G.S.E. Team, and acted as Host Counsellor for Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars from the USA. She has served two consecutive years as Rotary Foundation Scholarship Committee Chairman, one year as World Community Service Chairman, and a year as Club Service Committee Chairman. She is a four-star Paul Harris Fellow.

When the Rotary Club of Happy Valley was chartered, she served as the District Governor's Special Representative to the Club. She is now the District Governor Elect for the 2002-2003 Rotary Year.

Government Appointments

Since 1992, the Hong Kong Government has appointed her to a number of Public Services positions. She was a member of the Law Reform Commission, working on "Codification of Bail in Criminal Proceedings", a Member of the Broadcasting Authority, Chairman of the Panel of Television advisors for the Kowloon area, and a Member of the Film Censorship Advisors Panel.

She was appointed Justice of the Peace of Queensland, Australia in 1974.

She was elected as "International Woman of the Year" in 1994 for "Services to the Community" by the Board of the American Biographical Institute, USA and as "Woman of the Year" in 1993 based on "Outstanding accomplishment to date and the noble example she has set for her peers and entire community" by the Board of the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England.

Furthermore, in 1994, she was awarded the highest honour - "International Order of Merit" for "Services to the Community" by the Board of International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England.

District 3450 is privileged to have such an accomplished and public-spirited leader for its next District Governor.