Lion Rod was born in Kingaroy Qld, the eldest of 4 children.
He was educated in Dalby, completing his secondary education at the Dalby State High School. His education was interrupted for over two years when he contracted polio, rejoining his former class mates halfway through grade 7. 

He played tennis and cricket and represented his school in those two sports. 

After High School he was employed by the local Shire Council and continued to work in Local Government until retirement four years ago. He worked in Administration all those years, retiring as the Manager of Finance.  Rod was elected to Council in 2004, but decided not to continue after the amalgamation of Queensland Local Governments.

Rod’s wife, Val, was born in Ipswich, and they met in Dalby. 
Val was a Primary School Teacher. Rod and Val were married in 1966, they have three children, David, Jason and Nicole and four grandsons.

In 1976, Rod accepted a position in Tully, where they still live. Their children have all married and two of them live away from Tully. 

He was an active member of a number of Sporting Clubs and was a member of the inaugural Junior Soccer Club assisting coaching for a number of years. He is still a member of the Tully Golf Club.

Rod joined Lions in Dalby in 1975, transferred to Tully where Val joined Lioness. Val later became a Lion, they have held many positions at a local level.  Rod also has been on Cabinet, first being appointed Zone Chairman in 1991/92. Val has also been a cabinet member, holding a number of positions.

Rod and Val have attended 5 International Conventions, many Multiple District Conventions and have only missed a couple of District Conventions.  Rod was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship in 2006 and a Top Ten Chairman Youth Exchange Awarded by Lions Club International in 1999.