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 Elizabeth Clayton is originally from New South Wales,
Australia, and is a graduate of the University of NSW where she
received a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioural Sciences. Elizabeth
began her career as a counselor and also a teacher, teaching
several subjects, including psychology and sociology, in colleges
in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
Elizabeth had an entrepreneurial spirit early in her career, and
started her first business as a consultant in corporate
communications. In 1987, Elizabeth moved to Fiji to start new
venture manufacturing furniture under license for the Swedish giant
furniture retailer, IKEA. After many successful years, Elizabeth
decided to sell off the majority of her business in 2001 to focus
on other things.
Elizabeth served as President of the Rotary Club of Suva during
2003/2004, and through this experience, she became more involved
with the needs of the community, putting her emphasis on neglected,
underprivileged, exploited or abused at-risk children within Suva,
Fiji. It was in the year just prior to her election as President,
that Elizabeth and her colleagues in the Rotary Club found Sujit
Kumar, and began the effort of his rehabilitation and later, the
conception of Happy Home.
Elizabeth has been the recipient of numerous awards for her
leadership, dedication, and contributions to the community,
including Rotarian of the Year for June 2007 - June 2008 for
District 9920, The Paul Harris Fellow award, an award of the
highest distinction in the Rotary Club for her contribution to the
community, recognition by The Order of Fiji for her contribution to
commerce, Exporter of the Year in her sector, among
others.
Elizabeth Clayton recalls:
The
day two lives changed forever
From
my childhood to my current calling
One of Elizabeth's favourite mottos was first written by Marian
Wright Edelman:
"If you don't stand up for children then you don't stand up
for much"
 
 
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