Most of us are familiar with the reference to the “Twelve Days of Christmas” but did you know about the “Twelve Months of Rotary”? Rotary has identified a theme for each month. July is the first month of the Rotary year and is when the annual theme kicks in. It is also the month when new leadership takes over at Clubs, Districts and at Rotary International.
This month's theme is Membership and New Club Development Month, and this year’s theme is “Create Lasting Impact.”
The monthly themes are meant to highlight the wide range of Rotary’s good work and give clubs some suggestions, timing, and guidance for their programs and activities.
President's Report
Hi and welcome to this weeks’ edition of the Springword. We’ve had some beautiful weather this week and I’ve enjoyed a bit of time in the garden, catching up on some jobs that were well overdue – it’s always a good feeling to spend a couple of full days out there, weeding, late pruning and just tidying up and to then have a late afternoon cuppa out there enjoying the efforts of your labour!
Onto Club news; on Friday evening Bruce and Deborah were at the Ori to do the monthly raffle, a very big thank you is owed to the Ori team who put together a great meat and seafood tray that had the punters keen to purchase tickets. I’ll leave it to Bruce to give you the full story on this in a later report. I offer the Clubs ongoing thanks to Bruce and Deborah for their commitment to this fundraiser.
There is no regular meeting this Monday 10 August as the Club committee will be holding its Board meeting, as always and member who would like to attend is welcome.
On Sunday of this coming week, the Running Wild marathon will take place and our Club will be hosting the BBQ sausage sizzle for the hungry finishers. A big thanks to the team of members and friends who have volunteered to assist with this event, which is always a fun event to be involved with.
On Wednesday the 5th a few of our members attended the Police Officer of the Year (POOTY) awards at Katoomba. The Clubs of the mountains support this event that is organised by Lower Blue. It really was wonderful to be there and see these officers acknowledged for the work they do in our community and to also raise funds for Police Legacy. As well as financially supporting this event, our Valda did a great job in creating the centrepieces for the tables, these also raised some funds to boost the Police legacy fund.
Our exchange student Naya has continued to climatise and settle into life in the Blue Mountains, her commencement at Winmalee High School has been delayed by a week as her school cohort are off on a camp. I will leave an update on what Naya has been doing to Bronwyn in a later report.
In the coming week or so I will forward to members and friends specific details on several fundraisers we have coming up. These events noted below allow us to support our community whilst raising funds.
Sunday 13 September Springwood United Football Presentation
Please contact liz.roberts2783@outlook.com
Saturday 19 September Springwood Festival
Please contact liz.roberts2783@outlook.com
Saturday 26 September Bunnings
Please contact 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 August - Sheryn
Monday, 10th August - Board Meeting (No General Meeting)
Monday, 24th August - Club Assembly plus visit from District Governor Michele Ellery
Friday, 23rd October, 2026 - Train Ride to End Polio
2. OUR EXCHANGE STUDENT - NAYA JORGENSON
We had three exchange students come to our meeting last week. Left to right :
Addie Quicke (our previous outbound Rotary Exchange student), Naya Jorgenson (our current inbound Rotary Exchange student), and Ruby who will soon leave for exchange.
3. ORI RAFFLE
The Ori Raffle went ahead on Friday on a rather frosty evening. I'm not sure the weather was the cause of the modest number of patrons at the Hotel but there were fewer than normal, although numbers increased somewhat as patrons arrived to watch the Panthers match on the big screens. We, my family and I, ably assisted by Frank, did our very best to convince the patrons present to buy the raffle tickets on offer and our efforts were helped by the prize the ORI manager, Cheffie, had organised - one prize consisting of a huge meat tray and a seafood tray. As a result of the above, and some very generous donations, the Club now has $220 more in the coffers. My thanks to my Ladies and Frank for what is a solid result from a quiet but convivial evening. The next ORI Raffle will be held on Friday 28 August - the last Friday of the month.
Cheers
Bruce Wood
4. LAST MEETING MONDAY 3RD AUGUST
The speaker at our last meeting was our member, Susette Fleming. What an amazing speaker she proved to be. Susette described her life experiences and fascinated us all with the number and variety of life experiences that she has had, all told with a great sense of humour. No-one would have expected such a quitely spoken woman who recently joined our Club, to have had such a wide range of amazing experiences. It was such an enjoyable presentation and we sincerely thank Susette for her unexpectedly interesting presentation and fantastic life story.
Susette was introduced by
by Valda Bray,
and thanked by Bruce Wood.
5. POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR - BLUE MOUNTAINS AREA COMMAND
Five of our members attended the POOTY Awards night on a cold Katoomba night. It ws a very successful and fun event with the police who attended quite obviously enjoying the event as well.
Valda Bray was responsible for the centrepiece decorations. They proved to be a real hit on the night. Many thanks to Valda for all of her efforts.
6. JENNA JONES - PARALYMPIC SWIMMER
The daughter of Therese Jones from the Firepit Cafe, Jenna has been swimming competitively since 2016. At the recent Commonwealth Games, Jenna won a gold and a bronze medal for her paralympic swimming events. We send our huge congratulations to Jenna and her family.
7. 2025–2026 ROTARY CLUB EXCELLENCE AWARD
We are very proud to have received the Club Excellence Award for Rotary International.
Congratulations to Liz Roberts and all of our members.
STORIES FROM ROTARY...
1. MAXIMIZE ENGAGEMENT DURING MEMBERSHIP MONTH
Rotary International staff write thank you cards to some of Rotary’s new members – an annual tradition.
In August, we celebrate Membership Month, a time to appreciate our members and recognize their many contributions. It’s also a great time to engage with prospective members. Clubs are encouraged to plan activities that will remind your members of all the ways they can make connections, participate in meaningful service, develop their leadership skills, and expand their perspective. Check out this list of 10 things you can do during Membership Month to make it an exciting August for your club. Find additional membership resources.
2. HANDS ON ROTARY CLUB GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
One of the most important things your club can do early in the Rotary year is to set meaningful goals in Rotary Club Central. These goals provide your roadmap for the year ahead and help measure the impact your club will make in your community.
I'd like to invite you to join me for a hands-on, interactive Zoom workshop where we'll work together to complete your Rotary Club Central goals.
During this workshop, you'll:
Navigate Rotary Club Central with confidence Understand the key goals every club should consider Set realistic and achievable club goals Enter your goals during the session Ask questions and receive live support
Please come prepared:
A laptop or desktop computer (recommended) Logged in to My Rotary (my.rotary.org) before the session begins Your My Rotary username and password Presidents, Secretaries, Membership Chairs, Foundation Chairs, Club Leaders and Board Members are encouraged to attend.
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!
Our Theme: Connect. Collaborate. Celebrate
This theme is the very heart of Rotary, isn't it? It speaks to the incredible friendships we forge, the innovative ideas we share, and the profound difference we make together through dedicated service. A District Conference is so much more than just a gathering; it's a dynamic opportunity to recharge your Rotary spirit, gain fresh perspectives, and strengthen the bonds that make our district so special.
Connect with Passionate Leaders
Discover new friendships and strengthen existing ones. Mudgee offers a perfect setting to reconnect with Rotarians from across the district and share your passion for service.
Collaborate on Inspiring Ideas
Brainstorm impactful projects and share best practices. This conference is your chance to collaborate with fellow changemakers and ignite new initiatives for our communities.
Yours in Rotary,
Michele Ellery
District Governor
Rotary District 9685
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK...
I live in the shadow of hope,
I look to visions of the future.
Svetlana Ciric - Poet.
... 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.
Navigate Rotary Club Central with confidence
A laptop or desktop computer (recommended)
Logged in to My Rotary (
Your My Rotary username and password
Presidents, Secretaries, Membership Chairs, Foundation Chairs, Club Leaders and Board Members are encouraged to attend.
Register [
