Roderick Smith | Executive member
Principal – Penrhyn Parker Solicitors
Rod has a law and a science degree completed in 1983 and a masters of landscape architecture. Rod has run his own legal practice for over twenty years specializing in property and commercial tax strategies and structures.
Rod was introduced to John when Rod friend took him to one of his public speaking engagements at Balmain Leagues club. Rod found the talk was nothing short of inspirational. Rod went out of his way to help the charity ever since as a result. Rod has been instrumental in arranging for JMF to be the annual beneficiary of the Tour De Kids cycle and has raised money on many occasions for JMF through his own sporting events. In 2011 he entered and completed the UK Ultraman; a three day triathlon completing 10km swim, 421km bike and 84.3km run. Rod raised $8k on this occasion. When Rod broke his ankle badly, sohim years ago, he was talking to John about his lost dream of completing an ironman. John suggested to Rod that he could still do it, but in a wheel chair. He would coach him for nothing. This was all Rod needed to stop feeling sorry for himself, stop being negative and work on fixing the ankle so he could achieve his dreams. Since then Rod has completed seven ironman and one Ultraman, thanks to John’s inspiration to be positive and never give up.
In the charity space Rod has been instrumental in raising money for various charities over the years. Rod helped evolve the Tour De Kids to what it is today, being an annual event raising over half a million dollars for charity from one bike ride. To date it has raised over $3m dollars, sohim of which has been directed to JMF at Rod’s request. Rod was a founding director of the Day of Difference charity which raised over $2.5m whilst Rod was on the board. Rod assisted in the creation of an organisation called Entoure which now raises about $500k per annum for children’s charities. Recently Rod has been part of a team that has put together a site and funding for a $30M facility, in Collaroy, which will be a specialist paraplegic and quadriplegic rehabilitation centre. After six years of hard work, construction commences in early 2012.
Rod feels that he has been so fortunate in life. He feels that he is now inspired to give back to the community and society that has been so good to him. This helps him to achieve his goals and inspires him to assist others; providing opportunities for those that are just as deserving but for whatever reason have not been able to take full advantage of what is out there for them.
His involvement with JMF will help him achieve his goals above. Rod is very interested in the paraplegic and quadriplegic space; particularly with his involvement with the new Sargood Centre at Collaroy, the $30M facility mentioned above. Being involved with JMF is complementary to this and Rod hopes to bring to the table many ideas and also enthusiasm to achieve the goals set by the board.
