August is Membership and New Club Development Month, a time for Rotary leaders to focus on the most important part of our organization, our members.
This year, we are emphasizing comfort and care for our membership. Throughout the month of August, read inspiring stories of how districts and clubs are creating a nurturing environment and a welcoming culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. And find a variety of resources that will help you build and strengthen your membership.
President's Report
Hi all, I do hope you have enjoyed your week, I’ve had a busy one undertaking a bit of administrative work for our Club, as well as time with my daughter and son-in-law who are preparing for a joint 50th birthday party. I’m sure we are going to have a great celebration, regardless of the predicted rain on Saturday that will drive 100 or so guests inside – should make for a cosy event!
Those who attended last Monday’s meeting were really impressed with Carolyn Fitzpatrick’s presentation on Rotary’s Friends of Nepean’s Emergency Department (FONE). Carolyn is the Vocational director for the Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mts and has for a number of years lead a project that provides support and resources to the Nepean Hospitals’ emergency department. The volunteer work this dedicated group of Rotarians provide to patients in the hospital’s emergency department is inspiring and we were left with no doubt as to the value of their work and commitment. Anyone interested in finding out more about this program can contact Carolyn at carolynfitzpatrick@icloud.com
This coming Monday 4th of August we will be doing the second visioning session with Robert Bredin. Robert will be providing details on the feedback he received from members after the first session he held in early July. Robert has indicated a good response from members with 198 goals registered, which he has stated is ‘pretty impressive’. So I would encourage as many members as possible to be at this Monday’s meeting, so you can hear what Robert gleaned from our input but more importantly for us, to think about our goal setting and planning for the Club into the future.
Included in this edition of Springword you will find details of the Club’s Return & Earn program. This is a really simple way of ensuring we are recycling bottles, cans and cartons that include the 10c return logo on the item. We also have the added bonus of making a few dollars for our Club by using the barcode included with the programs’ details. Please note I am more than happy to collect the bottles, cans and cartons at any meeting and then process them for the Club, but if you prefer to do this yourself just let me know and I will give you a laminated barcode to use.
The Club’s Monster Garage Sale will be held on Saturday 13 September in the grounds of the Buckland Retirement Village. We’ll be pleased to receive any saleable items from members and friends, so that the event is a financial success for the Club. Please get in touch with me if you have items you would like to donate.
Included below you will see a few photos of Paul & Susan Erickson who are currently enjoying time overseas. Paul is keeping in regular touch and sending brief news of their adventures coupled with wonderful photos. Also, Deana Aitkins is visiting the USA with her father Dave, a recent Paul Harris Fellow. It’s lovely to see Dave and Deana enjoying the sunshine with Dave’s sister and her husband. We wish them all safe travels and look forward to seeing them on their return.
Until next week, take care….Liz
Liz Roberts
President 2025-2026
The Rotary Club of Springwood
PAUL ERICKSON'S TRAVELS
Paul has been travelling for some time now, and Paul and Suzanne are still having a great time travelling. Here are just a few photos of their trip.
Morning boat tour of Ice fields, large range of icebergs, glaciers and glacial melt waterfalls. Afternoon walking around Nuuk, capital of Greenland, 20,000 people most speak both Greenlandic and Danish.
Historic old port area and on hill modern city, Nuuk has the only university and international airport in Greenland.
Nuuk, Greenland, fishing port.
Fishing and tourism still major industries. It has been an interesting place to visit but both prefer the variety of Iceland.
Baddeck, the home of and museum for Alexander Graham Bell, originally a speech pathologist and teacher of the deaf (including blind and deaf Helen Keller) then without formal instruction became an inventor including the telephone, bi-plane and hydrocraft. An amazing man.
COMMUNITY SERVICE - FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE ORI
It was a dark and blustery evening, well it wasn’t dark to start with but the weather was adverse (10 deg and raining) . Unfortunately, the very low numbers of people attending the Hotel and closure of the café, caused the management cancel the raffle. Even if every one of the patrons attending had purchased a ticket or two the raffle was not a viable proposition considering the cost of the free BBQ and the raffle prizes.
That being said, we went ahead with the BBQ because the ORI has been very generous to our Club and served us well over the past couple of years. It was a Wood Family affair with Deborah, Stephanie and Moi, but the BBQ was in fact not a BBQ but a hot dog night because we had to work under the eaves of the building due to weather. The fare was American style hot dogs (heated in boilers) with all the trimmings of onions, liquid cheese and all sauces. We served about 38 hot dogs indicating how quiet evening was.
At about 1830 hrs, while I did the serving, Deborah and Stephanie took the initiative and, with the Square and the donations bucket (a new smaller one which Deborah had constructed), went through the Pub explaining to the patrons the reason why there was no raffle while also asking if they would like to make a donation to Rotary. Through the charms and silver tongues of my Ladies we ended the evening with $78.21 in donations which, while nowhere near that which we usually make with the raffle, was an exemplary result and amounted to an average of about a $2.00 donation from every patron in the Pub. As Bill is want to say “Every bit counts!” These donations indicated the generosity of the patrons and the esteem with which Rotary is regarded in our community. The new café should be up and running for our next event at the ORI so we can expect a lot more people available to buy raffle tickets.
Cheers
Bruce Wood
COMMUNITY SERVICE - RONALD McDONALD HOUSE MEAL FROM THE HEART
On Friday,1st August, A numbwer of our members went to Ronald McDonald House where they helped to prepare a delicios meal for the patients and their parents. The canaraderie and good humour amongst our helpers was fantastic, and the event was enjoyed by all.
Many thanks from the Club to all who attended.
Adam Law
RUNNING WILD 17TH AUGUST - SAINTS & SINNERS
The Running wild next event is on the 17th August (Details Below)
Looking for 5 People to run a very easy day of serving runners as they finish the run. We may need a cashier as at the last event we could have sold a few extra on the side but this will be confirmed shortly.
Its a nice and relaxed 6 hours with pleanty of sit down time so only one shift required .
Norm and Cheryl have already put their hand up for the event . Please let me know if you can help.
Adam Law
Latest News
1. DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Club Visioning 2 - Robert Bredin to take us into Club future planning based on members suggestions following Session 1 - Monday 4th August at our Club Meeting.
Blue Mountains Police Officer of the Year Awards 13th August, Katoomba RSL
District Governor, Michele Ellery, will be making her official visit to our Club on Monday, 18th August, 6.30 for 7.00pm.
On Monday 25th August, Matt Cavanagh from Springwood Police and possibly a colleague, will talk about Security in Springwood and the need for Security Cameras in various areas to improve our business owners security.
2. MONSTER GARAGE SALE
Buckland Retirement Village,
39 Hawkesbury Rd, Springwood,
on Saturday 13 September, 9am-12pm
Rotary stand alone stall will be held at the invitation of Buckland .All proceeds of sale from the Rotary stall, retained by Rotary. Light meals and drinks available at the on-site café.
We are seeking donations of saleable goods, including household items, furniture, antique/vintage items, new/near new clothing and general bric-a-brac.
The 2024 Police Officer of the Year Awards will be presented on Wednesday 13th August 2025 at Katoomba RSL, 6pm for 6.30pm start. The cost will be $64 per head. This evening is a celebration of the Police Officers working in the Blue Mountains
DATE : Wednesday 13 August 2025 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM (UTC+10)
This is a great event and one that is enjoyed by all who attend it. We would like you to consider attending to show "the flag" for the Rotary Club of Springwood.
4. RETURN AND EARN PROGRAM - SUPPORT YOUR CLUB
HERE ARE A FEW ROTARY STORIES...
1. ROTARY OCEANIA MEDICAL AID FOR CHILDREN (ROMAC)
Ken’s heartwarming story can be found on page 5 on the following link:
3. REGISTER NOW: THE STATE OF ROTARY MEMBERSHIP WEBINAR
In an increasingly fast-paced yet sometimes disconnected world, Rotary can offer people what they need most in life – connection and relationships, a place to give back, and purpose. To accomplish everything we want to do together, we need our club, district, and zone leaders to commit to growing Rotary and Rotaract.
Register now for the upcoming webinar, The State of Membership, on Thursday, 21 August, at 11:00 Chicago time (UTC-5). A recording will be available to everyone who registers.
During this 45-minute webinar, we will:
Review the current state of Rotary and Rotaract as of 1 July 2025
Discuss the recent research findings from the all-member and Rotaract surveys
Share ideas about how club and district leaders are improving the club experience for members and participants. All ideas generated during the session will be documented and shared with all attendees. Please note that this document will be available in English only.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions.
The Membership Development Team
Rotary International
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.
