Popular sporting identity Rod Wee Hee is the new chief executive officer of the Bendigo Regional YMCA.
The former Bendigo Braves championship player is settling in to his new role and one of his first tasks will be to oversee the centenary celebrations for the organisation.
“This organisation is so well known and well respected across the region and has been well managed in the past and it has a wonderful history,” Rod said.
“This year we want to promote the organisation as it is a vital part of the Bendigo community.
“It links with so many people and in a sense I am here to listen, learn and partner.
“My vision is really to build on all the great work that has been done over the last 100 years of the Y.”
This year will be a big year for our newsmaker.
As well as the 100 years of the Bendigo Regional YMCA there are also plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bendigo Braves first championship in the South East Australia Basketball League.                 
“It is a very exciting time for our organisation,” Rod said.
“We now have 260 people working with us and a lot of those are casual positions especially in the area of the management of the swimming pools and the recreational facilities managed by the YMCA.
“At Easter we will be kicking off our 100 year celebrations and we will be holding a gala dinner.
“We are going to recognise the great history of the organisation.
“The Y service clubs have been fantastic to this organisation over the journey and they support us through volunteer labour as well as through fundraising.
“A crucial part of our centenary celebrations will be to pay tribute to some special people who have made dynamic contributions to the YMCA over the years,’’ Rod said.
Our newsmaker said the celebrations will also  involve the community especially families and the youth of the region.
“We want to continue to work on programs involving young people,” Rod said.
“The recent development of the McKern Skate Park is a fantastic example of connecting young people and it is programs like that of working closely with young people.”
Our newsmaker was born in Bendigo and went to school at Gravel Hill and Bendigo Senior Secondary College before studying biochemistry at university.
Rod has been working in the human services environment and also worked in employment
and training programs in the youth area and also with disability programs.
Our newsmaker has also been heavily involved in basketball.
He was a foundation player with the Bendigo Braves and continues to have a special interest
in watching the development of the younger generation.
“Basketball has been a huge part of my life,” Rod said.
“In the early days I played on the old basketball court at the present YMCA site.
“I have coached junior teams and I also follow the Bendigo Spirit.
“Back in the ’80s it was greatly to play alongside some of the great local stars such as Mick Spear, Steve Kelly and Justin Cass.
“Then we saw the arrival of David Flint and David Johnson.
“Clearly David Johnson was the best player to ever come to Bendigo.
“His performance in the 1988 championship was just sensational,’’ he said.
For Rod basketball is enjoying good growth and he attributes this to the facilities on offer to the players of today.
“The Schweppes Centre is one of the best basketball stadiums in regional Australia.
“It is a wonderful facility and one in which we can all be extremely proud of,’’ he said.
Our newsmaker is set for a hectic year in his new role and is thriving on the planning for the celebrations of the Y.