This is not a time to just focus on restoring peace to war torn countries but to think about how we bring peace and avoid conflict in our everyday lives – in our homes, schools, work places and in our Rotary Clubs. Rotary’s goal is to create environments where peace can be built and maintained through sustainable and measurable activities in communities worldwide. Peacebuilding remains a cornerstone of our mission as a humanitarian service organization.
President's Report
My input this week will be reasonably brief, as much of what could be reported in detail will be addressed at the Club Assembly this Monday 23rd of February. I’m really hoping as many members as possible are able to be there to firstly and most importantly bring any matters you feel are beneficial to our members, the Club or Rotary in general ‘too the table’!
Whilst all our regular meetings are an opportunity to have your say and present matters, Club Assemblies dedicate the meeting to the members more generally. It’s an opportunity for information sharing and learning.
On that note Jerome Pagitz has kindly agreed to attend and go over the newly obtained Club EFT Square, it is great to have this new up to date device and I’m certainly interested in understanding the finer points of its use.
We will also be screening a short presentation that District Governor, Michele has asked us to present to the members. It covers a significant amount of info that will be of interest to members.
In closing I’d like to say what a fantastic meeting we had last week with Jacob Gorrmey, President of the Nepean Region Rotaract Club speaking on his Club and the value it is offering to both the local community and its members. We also had Grace and Javier of the Mountain Youth Services Team (MYST) present on their week at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in January, their enthusiasm was palpable and spoke volumes for the value of RYLA.
Finally, Al Kellaway will be at the meeting this week and will provide members with the opportunity to purchase tickets in the ShelterBox fundraising raffle, I’d encourage members to support this worthy case.
February 28th – Family Fun Dance – ShelterBox (Al is the contact for this event)
March 7th – Buckland Retirement Village BBQ
March 8th – Wellness Day at the Old Farm, Yellow Rock
March 21st – Bunning BBQ
Please take care,
Cheers Liz
Liz Roberts
President 2025-2026
The Rotary Club of Springwood
LAST GENERAL CLUB MEETING
At our last meeting, we enjoyed the company of a significant number of young people who had participated in Rotary programs. Some were Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) participants, Grace Marcer and Javier Strudwick who work for the Mountains Youth Services Team (MYST) and went to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Camp in January 2026. Our previous Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) participants
Robbie Pigram and Cassie Pigram were also present, and Jacob Gormley - President of the Nepean Region Rotaract Club was our guest speaker for the evening. It was a great night, and we were very proud that we were able to sponsor such wonderful young people for Rotary events.
Grace Marcer and Javier Strudwick
Grace Marcer and Javier Strudwick
Sheryn Phillips, Youth Director, introduced Grace Marcer and Javier Strudwick
Jacob Gormley - President of the Nepean Region Rotaract Club
Evelyn Prasad (Youth Exchange)
BOBBIE REDMAN'S FUNERAL, TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY
Last Tuesday I attended the funeral for Bobbie Redman. The Eulogies for this wonderful woman who fulfilled so many roles and actvities despite her suffering from Frontal Lobe Demementia, were amazing. A packed congregation celebrated her passing as she would have wanted.
Personally I would like to thank Valda Bray for staying with Colin from 7.15 am to 3.00pm, and Warwick who came to take over if I didn't get home before Valda had to leave for an appointment. However, I need to tell you the shocking news that two members of our Rotary Club have been sleeping together!!
Marilyn Kenney - Secretary
LATEST NEWS …
1. DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO (IN ADDITION TO THOSE LISTED ABOVE)...
Wednesday, 4th March - Men's Morning Tea, Winmalee
Friday, 6th March - Ori Fund raising Raffle, 5.00 pm
Saturday, 7th March - Working Bee at Buttenshaw Park, 8.30am
Monday, 16th March - Tea Party at the Singh's to raise funds for Grace's Place.
2. WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
You don’t have to be a Rotarian to get involved. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the Springwood / Winmalee community, we’d love to welcome you as a Springwood Rotary volunteer. Whether it’s helping at events, supporting local projects, or lending a hand where it’s needed most - your time and skills can truly change lives. Register your interest here: Marilyn Kenney (Secretary) – ckenney@bigpond.net.au
Together, we can do so much more. Join us in building a better tomorrow.
3. BBQ TABLES
A special thankyou to Bronwyn Berriman who took our BBQ tables home and scrubbed them so that they no longer look "unpleasant". A great job, Bronwyn. Who would have thought they could look this good.
4. FAMILY FUN DANCE
Following, you will find the flier for this exciting fundraising event, all details are there.
It is being held on Saturday 28th February at 5.00 to 8.00 in the evening at the Old Farm, 35 Purvine Rd, Yellow Rock. Please share the information with all of your friends, relatives and neighbours. Let's make this a big occasion for our Club.
For this event to be successful we will require a team of our trusty helpers for the evening in the following areas:
parking attendants 3 people 4.45pm - 7.45pm
front gate registration checking, raffle ticket selling 3 people 4.45pm-7.45pm
BBQ trailer cooking, serving and sale 5 people 5-7pm
Dessert server 1 person 6.30-7pm
Dam watcher (kids) 1 person 4.45-7.45pm
ShelterBox support for their display team 1 person 5-7pm
Kindly contact Al Kellway to indicate where you are able to help, so a roster will be prepared.
5. TEA PARTY FUNDRAISER FOR GRACE'S PLACE TO BE HELD AT THE SINGH'S
This is a great event to raise funds for Grace's Place. The goal is to raise funds to purchase a ride-on mower. Grace’s Place is a residential trauma centre for children and young people affected by homicide. To say we were overwhelmed by the facility itself and the incredible work undertaken there would be an understatement. I don’t feel anyone could visit this centre and see and hear the work undertaken and not be impressed by the selfless service performed on a daily basis. Martha Jabour OAM, is the Executive Director and CEO of
Grace’s Place and was named the NSW 2025 Local Hero; so, it’s not surprising that Martha is also a proud member of the Rotary Club of Carlingford – Rotarians are certainly a force to be reckoned with.
STORIES FROM ROTARY...
1.VOCATIONAL KEY DATES/MILESTONES FOR RESCA, RIWA AND VEA .
RESCA (Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards)
Soft launch/nominations open online: Monday 2 March
Nominations close: Thursday 30 April
Judging: Friday 1 May to Sunday 31 May
Announcement of Finalists at Government House (TBC): Tuesday 23 June
Awards Dinner at Bankstown Sports Club: Saturday 25 July
The Club Excellence awards, formerly the Rotary Citation awards recognize clubs that achieve specific goals throughout the year, such as increasing their membership, engaging members in sustainable service projects, giving to The Rotary Foundation, building awareness of Rotary in your community, and having an up-to-date strategic plan. When clubs achieve these goals, they contribute to Rotary's overall health and culture for generations to come.
Rotary and Rotaract Club Excellence Awards
Rotary and Rotaract clubs can find their goals in Rotary Club Central. To achieve the Club Excellence Award, review all the available goals, select at least half of them, achieve those goals, and report your achievement in Rotary Club Central. All achievements need to be reported in Rotary Club Central by 30 June.
By Wendy Protheroe; Endowment and Major Gift Advisor — February 13, 2026
For ten days last December, we had the of privilege of welcoming the Chair of the Rotary Foundation, Past Rotary International President – Holger Knaack and his wife Susanne visit Zone 8.
For their visit to Zone 8 Rotarians, we aimed for them to gain a picture of the many ways that our Rotarians make a difference, have him help us recognise donors to our Foundation and inspire others to make that connection .
What we hadn’t factored in to the planning was the enthusiasm he and Susanne would bring to all of our events; the genuine interest he demonstrated whether it was unveiling plaques, dressing for black tie dinners or casually for Christmas lunches. Holger always had a positive frame of mind.
On top of all of the travel and the enjoyment of meeting everyone, Holger had the Knaack of making us all feel a special part of the Rotary family. During the different events, Holger and Susanne were prepared to give open and honest feedback regarding whatever was raised. They engaged in ways that I am sure left everyone within their remit with a feeling that they were really being listened to – and they were.
What great memories we can take away
Holger had the Knaack of making us feel valued
He had the Knaack of sharing his knowledge of the Foundation
He had the Knaack of showing us the world of Rotary, not just in our local areas
6. ROTARY DOWN UNDER
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK...
What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”— Dr. Jane Goodall, environmentalist
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.
