Ruth Carlos Martinez – a tireless and inspirational Rotary ambassador
By Tony Thomas, Rotary Central Melbourne
Ruth Carlos Martinez of Melbourne Rotary had an early introduction into humanitarian work through her mother. She helped as a volunteer at age 14 in Manila’s slums, and even then, she learnt something about pushing back on bureaucracy and establishment.
Ruth came to Australia from the Philippines in 1979. With a BSc and MBA, she progressed to senior IT roles in a career spanning 24 years with Coles and Wesfarmers. She also qualified in professional counselling and ran a regional women’s wellness retreat.
Ruth was never just a wage slave: she also had a sideline interest in property development. Her biggest project was subdividing a foreshore farmland block opposite French Island.
“It was challenging. I had no idea on the complexities of surveying, dealing with Westernport Water, Met Water Sewerage, SES and Shire planners”, she says.
Joining Rotary in 2004, Ruth went straight into overseas projects. She became Club President in 2009-10, and was for years a member of the Paul Harris Society.
“Rotary’s such a powerful engine with its humanitarian mission, infrastructure and global network,” she says. “Its vital RI aid reaches the poor, and my background in due diligence helps.”
While Ruth’s projects are mainly in the Philippines, she is a charter member of Rotary International’s Water and Sanitation Action Group. As Chair for Southern Region RAWCS on Sustainable Development, Water and Sanitation, she has worked on projects in Thailand, Uganda and Nepal.
In 2018, Ruth was the first recipient of Rotary International’s Zone 8 (Australasia) Humanitarian Service Award. She has been recognised with multiple awards for her humanitarian work, including from DFAT and the Philippines Government. In 2010 she received a Presidential Award conferred by the Philippines President Benigno S. Aquino III for successful projects carried out across infrastructure, livelihood, women and children empowerment, education and combating child slavery. She is the first and only Australian to receive this award.
While Ruth is reticent when it comes to self-publicity, she does not shy away from promoting her projects. “We make a living by what we get,” she says. “But it is through hard work, effort and wilful tenacity to help the underprivileged that we make a life by what we give.”