What a wonderful meeting full of fun, fellowship and catching up last Monday. It was good to see so many back especially some we hadn’t seen for some time.
Looking forward to another exciting day Sharing and Celebrating Australia Day at Springwood Aquatic Centre with the “Community“ at our Free Sausage Sizzle. If you haven’t volunteered by now please contact Bruce urgently and do so.
This Monday we have Philip Hammon speaking on Blue Mountains Health Trust, set up in memory of his parents.
Then on Monday 30th, which is our 5th Monday Vocational night we will still be meeting, normal meal arrangements, at The Ori with Paul Rogers our Assistant Governor from Kurrajong- North Richmond for a light hearted “Wine Appreciation” evening. YOU need to bring your favourite bottle of wine which will then be “judged” using notes etc provided by Paul. To comply with “Liquor Laws” youmust deposit your bottle – suitably identified with your name - at the Bar upon arrival. It will then be delivered and opened by Staff when the tasting/judging begins.
A reminder, that President Elect Frank, still has the positions of President Elect (2024-2025) and Membership Chair unfilled. Give it some thought if you wish to take up, or talk to a suitable fellow member, either one.
We are starting off our year with a Bunnings BBQ this Saturday, and an Australia Day BBQ at the Springwood Aquatic Centre on Thursday 26th. We now have a full roster for both events although we struggled with the Australia Day event with a number of our Club and Friends away and some having to work. Nonetheless, it will be a good day and the information for those who have volunteered will be distributed tomorrow i.e. Saturday the 21st.
I am in the process of planning for our Club to support the Ellison Public School annual breakfast welcome BBQ to be held Friday morning of 10 February 2023. We will be providing a BBQ breakfast of sausage sizzles and egg and bacon sandwiches from 8 to about 9.30am.
It is a very busy 1.5 hours because we serve about 300 adults/children in that time. I will advise precise times at a later date but we will need a set up crew and have to be ready to serve by 8am so 7-7.30 arrival will probably be the go.
Please advise me ASAP whether you will be able to assist for this event. I will need at a minimum 2xcooks, 4xservers, 2xsaucers, and a gofor.
We are also considering a request from Norman Lindsay Gallery to assist in their 50th Anniversary celebrations on the weekend of 25/26 February. More information to come if we decide to participate.
Bruce W.
Philip Hammon - Monday 23rd of January Speaker
Philip Hammon, Chairman of The Blue Mountains Health Trust and President of the Rotary Club of Katoomba. Philip has agreed to come and speak to our Club about The Blue Mountains Health trust, which was set up in memory of his parents, Mary and Harry Hammon, and which provides scholarships for Blue Mountains locals studying heath related courses or doing health related research and funds to meet the needs of Blue Mountains residents with health related needs not covered by Govt subsidies etc.
We all know that Australia has a shortage of health-related professionals. In our indigenous communities, the need is even greater. Australian Rotary Health has a program to help address this by awarding scholarships to assist indigenous students when undertaking a course to benefit other indigenous people in our remote areas.
Lower Blue Mountains RC is committed to raising $2,500, which will be matched to provide a $5,000 ARH scholarship for one year.
Details of our High Tea at Katoomba RSL - Sunday 19th February 2023 are attached
While we are looking for substantial support from the other mountains clubs, the success of the event will depend on a good roll up from everyone. Perhaps invite family, friends & neighbours to experience how Rotary makes a real difference. An ARH Scholarship Awardee will be there to meet and speak on their experience.
We would like to acknowledge the Gundungurra and Darug peoples past, present and emerging as the traditional owners of the land where our Club resides and pay our respects to them.
President's Report 
