The Fellowship of Rotarian Magicians

PICTURED: PDG Jonathan Usher’s journey into magic is anything but typical. (Photo: Georgie Daniel Photography)

Rotary and magic collide in the inspiring story of Jonathan Usher – a professional magician, Rotary leader and dedicated community volunteer bringing The Magic of Rotary to life on and off the stage.

Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick’s 2024-25 theme, The Magic of Rotary, celebrates the transformative power Rotarians have to create change – with every project completed, every dollar donated and every new member welcomed. It’s a fitting sentiment to introduce the unique Fellowship of Rotarian Magicians (FORM).

FORM began in the early 1960s, launched by a Clergy Rotarian who struggled to keep it active. It vanished in the late 1970s but was revived in 1992 by Past District 5550 Governor Jim Toth of the Rotary Club of Regina, Canada, following encouragement from Rotary International after his term as governor. A clergyman and educator, Jim brought FORM back to life and into the Rotary fellowship community.

In the years that followed, FORM members Stan Sorrentino (Rotary Club of Providence, US) and Jim Lang (Rotary Club of Trumbull, US) modernised the fellowship. They updated its constitution, embraced electronic communications and collaborated with Rotary leadership, including past RI Vice President Abraham Gordon, to build membership and increase visibility.

FORM even shared a booth with the Rotarian Wine Appreciation Fellowship at the 2017 RI Convention in Atlanta, where members performed magic to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Rotary Foundation.

In Zone 8, one of FORM’s most active members is Past District Governor Jonathan Usher from Cromwell, New Zealand. Jonathan, a professional magician, served as District 9980 Governor in 2014-15 – the year of RI President Gary Huang’s theme, Light Up Rotary, another fortuitous nod to his magical profession.

Jonathan’s journey into magic is anything but typical. There was no childhood magic kit or inspiring visit to see a magician. Instead, it began by chance when he was 29, at his wife’s Christmas party in 1999. A simple trick with a red hanky sparked his curiosity. After seeing the secret behind the illusion, he was hooked.

The very next day, he ordered the trick from Robert Clark’s Castle of Magic in Christchurch and began performing for family and colleagues. Each subsequent trip to Christchurch saw new purchases and new tricks. He soon began performing at children’s birthday parties and eventually took out a Yellow Pages ad. Bookings soon started flowing in.

A pivotal influence on Jonathan’s journey was Greg Britt, aka Elgregoe the Magician.

I found out that Greg was performing close-up magic at the Christchurch Casino, so I followed him around and finally plucked up the courage to say hello. He was incredibly supportive and gave me some great advice,” Jonathan says.

Greg recommended he attend one of Sean Taylor’s Superday Magic Weekends in Sydney – conventions that brought together some of the world’s leading magicians.

These and other magic conventions made a real impact and played a huge part in helping me understand the varied types and styles of performing magic,” Jonathan says.

Inspired by these events, Jonathan began inviting international magicians to New Zealand’s deep south, either to lecture in Dunedin or to take a break from their travels and relax in Central Otago.

Guest lecturers in Dunedin have included Karl Hein, Marcelo Insua, Francis Menotti and Trevor Duffy. At his Cromwell home, he’s hosted renowned names like Michael Ammar, Chris Congreave and John Carey.

Today, Jonathan’s professional work spans corporate events, comedy shows and MC gigs across New Zealand and Australia. He still performs at school fairs, A&P Shows and children’s parties, keeping his performances accessible and inclusive.

But Jonathan’s impact reaches beyond the stage. He has volunteered extensively with Rotary and other organisations, including the JR McKenzie Trust, ShelterBox, ChatBus, Business Mentors, Triathlon NZ, local government (Saddle Hill Community Board), the Malcam Trust and the Cancer Society.

His dedication to community and magic has earned widespread recognition. In 2015, he was named Local Hero of the Year in the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Magic New Zealand for his contributions to the art and the community. At the 2021 NZ Magician Day Convention in Auckland, he swept three awards – Best Comedy Magician, Best Performance of the Convention and Best Performance in the Gala Show. In 2022, the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand honoured him with the prestigious Lou Clauson Variety Artist of the Year award.

Behind the scenes, his wife Lisa plays a key role – testing new tricks, offering feedback and warmly welcoming visiting magicians from around the globe.

Through his magic and service, Jonathan embodies The Magic of Rotary, reminding us that joy, wonder and service can go hand in hand.

For more information, visit rotarymagic.com