The Rotary theme for the month of September is Basic Education and Literacy, which usually brings to mind ensuring that children have an education and learning skills that will support them in later life. Interestingly there are several facts that may or may not surprise you. More than 776 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate, that’s 17% of the world’s adult population.
Rotary’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults. Rotary members worldwide fight adult illiteracy by working with local advocates to offer community literacy programs.
President's Report
Hello and welcome to this edition of the Springword.
I’m looking forward to meeting up with member and friends at this weeks’ meeting, after most of you had last Monday as R&R and the committee held its Board meeting. The minutes of that meeting have now been distributed and I’m happy to discuss any matters noted in these minutes with members.One of the matters that I would now like to raise with members is the incoming committee that the Club will be looking to elect at our annual general meeting in November. Several of our current committee members have indicated that they will either not be standing for a position and others that they may look to relinquish their current role/s and consider another position on the Board. The work of your committee is essential to the effective operation of the Club and as a group the workload is shared with each in support of others. Ours is a service club and as such we are called on to be involved in service of some kind. The opportunities for that service are varied and for each member it is totally reliant on the consideration of your other commitments, family, health, travel, etc.
Personally, I can attest to the fulfilment of acting as a committee member brings; it provides the opportunity to be actively involved in decision making and supporting the Club in meeting its ethos and mission – service above self and making the world a better place. I invite you to think about becoming a member of the 2027-2028 committee, knowing that at the time of election you have a significant period of time to become familiar with the role and have the support and mentorship of the current committee.
This week we have the privilege of Barbarba Mitchell presenting as our guest speaker, Barabara will speak to Days for Girls which is an inspiring global organisation with an Australian affiliate whose mission is to increase access to menstrual products and vital health information to girls both locally and globally. The work of this organisation has allowed many girls to complete their schooling and improve their opportunities on a number of levels – I certainly look forward to hearing from Barabara.
This last Saturday 19 September we were at the Springwood Festival serving up our well renowned BBQ treats. It was a magic day weather wise and the crowds were out in full force. Our team were magnificent right from the get go with the set up and into the afternoon cooking and serving lots of sausages, hot dogs, steaks, bacon & egg rolls and the always popular steak, bacon and egg rolls, topped off with an ice cold drink. An enormous thanks goes to Deana, Logan, Bruce, Frank, Al, Paul, Susette, Warwick, Bill, Margaret, Belinda, Hugo, Donna, Rob, Joe, Bev, Tony Bishop, Thi and then our group of young helpers make up of RYLA/RYPEN alumni - Josh, Beth Mercieca, Jessica Mansfield, Bek Stubbs and Youth Exchange – Addy. It really was a fun day with the public loving our offerings with this being reflected in a very successful day for the Club financially - I will allow Deana to report on this more fully in the future. Again, it takes a team effort to make a big event like this happen and I thank each and every one for the contribution made, with special thanks to Deana who oversaw the management of the day and performed spectacularly for the Council Health inspector who was suitably impressed by our set up and attention to detail. JOB WELL DONE ALL!
So, I no soon thank you for this last week before calling out for more assistance. Spring is really our busy time with so many organisations looking to hold events, so I would ask you all to please dig deep over the coming 4 to 5 weeks.
This Saturday 26 September we are back at Bunnings and we do need to fill 2 shifts, 8.30am-11.30am & 11.30am-2.30pm. I will be there for the duration, but we are still needing another few people – please contact me ASAP if you can help for one of these shifts.
We then move onto:
Sunday October 4 – Running Wild at St. Columba, Springwood; 6-8 people needed
Saturday October 24 – Rotary Monster Garage Sale, Buckland Aged Care; All hands on deck
Sunday October 25 – Mens Mental Health BBQ, Car Park Springwood Sports Club; 6-8 people needed
Please email me for the events you are available for liz.roberts2783@outlook.com
Cheers…Liz
Liz Roberts
President 2025-2026
The Rotary Club of Springwood
LATEST NEWS …
1. MORE DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO ...
Rotary Garden Care for September - Sheryn
Thursday, 24th September - High Tea at Bygone Beauties for Suzanne Erickson
Sunday, 27th September - National Trust visiting group - we are providing lunch
Friday, 23rd October, 2026 - Train Ride to End Polio
Saturday, 24th October - Buckland Monster Garage Sale
2. PITCH FOR PURPOSE CHALLENGE, 19th SEPTEMBER 2026
This event clashed with the Springwood Festival on Saturday which prevented our Club from attending. However, Valda Bray and Marilyn Kenney were tireless helpers at the event. The event took months in the planning and implementation of Heats forstudents in Years 5-6 in the Primary Division and years 8 to 9 in the High School Division, followed byb the preparation and organisation of the Finals which were held at the University of Western Sydney, Parramatta Campus. The Challenge was to come up with a solution for an environmental problem, and the projects were wide ranging in their focus.
The 19 teams of finalists were truly amazing with impressive projects they had designed, extremely well thought out presentations with in depth thinking required to explain their projects to the judges, with the winners in each division having to give a short presentation on the stage when receiving their awards. Their confidence and verbal presentations were truly remarkable, all of which showed maturity beyond their years.
Below is one of the responses form one of the competing schools which I am sharing with you. It ws addressed to PDG Niranjan Deodhar as the Project Coordinator.
Hi Niranjan,
I just wanted to send you a huge thank you for such an incredible Pitch for Purpose experience.
The whole day was absolutely amazing. From the preliminary workshop, which was such a fantastic introduction and really got the students thinking, right through to the final event, everything was so thoughtfully organised and delivered.
The quality of the speakers was exceptional. They were engaging, inspiring and genuinely motivating for our students. It was wonderful to see the students so immersed in the experience and listening so enthusiastically to the stories and ideas being shared.
What I love most about Pitch for Purpose is the concept itself. It gives students the opportunity to think creatively, identify real-world problems, develop solutions and then have the confidence to pitch their ideas. It brings together creativity, entrepreneurship, collaboration, communication and community in such a meaningful way.
Thank you for your vision and for the enormous amount of passion and work you put into making this program possible. I hope you know the impact you have had on so many young people. Experiences like this can genuinely stay with students and influence the way they see themselves, their ideas and what they are capable of achieving.
Our students were incredibly fortunate to be part of it, and we are so grateful for the opportunity. It really was an amazing day.
Thank you again for creating such an inspiring program and for giving our students an experience they will remember.
Kind Regards,
Sabina Heinrichson
Assistant Principal
Dural Public School
3. NATIONAL TRUST WOMENS COMMITTEE TOUR GROUP
Click on the image below for more details.
On Sunday, 27th September, our Club is hosting the National Trust Womens Committee Tour for lunch and a tour of Christ Church, Springwood.
We need some help from our members and friends. If you could provide a plate of sanwiches or a plate of cakes, please let Marilyn Kenney know (0404 041 325). We would need these by the afternoon of Saturday, 26th or first thing on Sunday morning, 27th. All food needs to be carefully sealed to preserve its freshness for the 27th.
4. HIGH TEA AT BYGONE BEAUTIES FOR SUZANNE ERICKSON
On Thursday, 24th September, we are having a High Tea at Bygone Beauties for Suzanne Erickson at Bygone Beauties at Leura. If you would like to attend, it costs $67 and you will need to contact Valda Bray ASAP. These High Teas are an amazing experience which you will not come across anywhere else.
5. WENTWORTH FALLS TAFE LUNCH
At 12.00pm on Tuesday, 10th November, we are having another of our enjoyable lunches at Wentworth Falls TAFE. If you would like to join the fun and the fantastic chatter of the day, please let Valda Bray know that you would like to attend at:
valdabray@hotmail.com / 0414 974 686
STORIES FROM ROTARY...
1. HOW WILL YOUR CLUB PARTICIPATE IN WORLD POLIO DAY?
World Polio Day is 24 October, so start planning your club’s event now. Visit the Rotary Brand Center for polio-related resources, including new World Polio Day graphics, to support your fundraising and awareness-building efforts. Check back often for more resources in September and October. And don’t forget to register your club’s events!
2. WORLD END POLIO DAY 24TH OCTOBER
End Polio Day 24 October World Polio Day on 24 October is much more than a date on the calendar. It’s a vital time for Rotary and Rotaract clubs around the world to join our partners, supporters, and public health advocates to raise awareness and funds that will help us end polio for good.
3. HOW WILL YOU OBSERVE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE?
International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, is observed 21 September. Rotary and Rotaract clubs support peace year-round through projects around the world. Learn how they build peace every day.
4. TAKE ACTION FOR PEACE, 21 SEPTEMBER
From Rotary Leader, September 2026
The United Nations will observe International Day of Peace on 21 September with this year’s theme “Invest in Peace - For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” Rotary members do invest in peace every day. It’s one of our areas of focus, and since 2002, Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,900 fellows in peace studies and sustainable development.
Another way districts can mark the day is to designate Rotary Peace Fellowships subcommittee chairs for 2026-27 if they haven’t already. These leaders promote peace fellows’ work, as well as recruiting and guiding candidates for Rotary Peace Fellowships. Since 2002, Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,900 fellows in peace studies and sustainable development.
Clubs and districts can support Rotary’s commitment to peace in many ways:
Follow the Rotary Peace Centers Facebook page for updates on the program and stories about peace fellows during and after their studies.
Become a Global Peacebuilder District by contributing US$25,000 in District Designated Funds (DDF) or district cash to support Rotary Peace Centers or the peacebuilding and conflict prevention area of focus.
5. THE ROAD TO MUDGEE 2027 CONFERENCE
David and I are absolutely thrilled to invite you to our Rotary District 9685 Conference 2027, held in the picturesque regional town of Mudgee, NSW. This conference is a highlight for our district, and we can't wait for you to be a part of it!
Yours in Rotary,
Michele Ellery
District Governor
Rotary District 9685
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK...
"You have a brain in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go." Dr Seuss
... and now for something different ...
Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to acknowledge the Gundungurra and Dharug peoples past, present and emerging as the traditional owners of the land where our Club resides and pay our respects to them.
