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
Welcome members and friends of the Club.
Those of us that attended last weeks’ meeting were treated to a very interesting presentation by Barbarba Mitchell on Days for Girls. The work of this organisation in providing menstrual products and education to girls and women in a number of third world countries as well as in remote areas of Australia is truly inspiring. Over a number of years our Club has provided funding to Days for Girls to support their essential work.
We had another busy week of service to our community with first, Bruce, Deborah and Frank selling raffle tickets at the Ori on Friday night, my ongoing thanks on behalf of the Club for their efforts. Bruce will present an article on this later in the Springword.
On Saturday we had our second monthly Bunnings outing! It was a glorious day, with lots of people out and about getting their garden and home repair supplies. My thanks are extended to Belinda, Paul, Pat & Alan, the first team of the day and then to Susette, Warwick and Frank who covered the last shift and the clean-up jobs. It really was a fun and enthusiastic crew who made the day a very pleasant one for both Rotary and the general public – bonus is the funds raised to support our community projects.
Then on Sunday we provided lunch to 68 members of the National Trust Women’s Committee who were visiting the mountains to take in a number of historic properties. Valda and I were up early at mine, making 110 sandwiches and then boxing them to take to Christ Church at Springwood where the group met for a sit down luncheon, followed by a guided tour of the historic Christ Church. An enormous thanks is owed to Marilyn who was the co-ordinator for the event and arranged for the fruit platters, drinks, etc. etc. etc. The luncheon was complete with a large array of cakes and slices provided by Bronwyn, Valda, Marilyn, Robin Ingram and myself. Finally, the event couldn’t have occurred without the assistance of our own Rev’d Dr Geoffrey Glassock AM, FAPS who was instrumental in obtaining the church hall for the luncheon and liaising with the bright and bubbly Trich who acted as the church tour guide. A really lovely day was had by all, with the group being very thankful and complimentary of the lunch provided.
Next Sunday we have the Running Wild event at St. Columba, Springwood and I thank the members and friends of the Club who have committed to be there.
We then have a short respite from community work prior to the big one on Saturday October 24 the Monster Garage Sale, at Buckland Aged Care, as I mentioned last week, please try to make yourself available for this one, as we will need you! Please email me liz.roberts2783@outlook.com to confirm you can be there.
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
Saturday, 17th October - Bunnings BBQ
Friday, 23rd October, 2026 - Train Ride to End Polio
Saturday, 24th October - Buckland Monster Garage Sale
2. ORI RAFFLE, FRIDAY 25th SEPTEMBER
Fridays ORI raffle was a very quiet affair, only about 15 folks in the main bar when we arrived. We put that down to the start of school holidays and the fact that the 'mother of all storms' had just passed through the town. Nonetheless, with the help of Frank, Deborah and I persevered and we ended the evening with $200 and change for the Club's coffers.
While this is a small amount for the evening compared to the usual $300 plus takings, from our point of view it was very convivial and worth the 1 1/2 hours work. Attached photographs unfortunately don't include Frank (where were you Mate?) but do show the very generous prizes offered by the ORI management, and the happy winners.
Cheers
Bruce
3. BREAKFAST CLUB TERM 3
Another successful term of Breakfast club has come to an end. We fed many hungry Winmalee High students on Tuesday mornings in conjunction with Grace, Zac & occasionally their CEO, Mark. The sight of students leaping down the steps of the main quadrangle to get to us was always encouraging. It lifted our spirits, particularly on the chillier mornings at the beginning of term. Once again, thank you to our Breakfast club volunteers - Bronwyn, Deborah, Bruce, Bev, Frank & Mel. You are all a pleasure to work with.
Thanks,
Sheryn
4. 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. LISTEN: THE PATH TO MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
Membership attraction and engagement are crucial for Rotary's success. The Rotary Voices podcast recently spoke with several women in Rotary leadership positions who increased membership in their clubs or districts. Listen to the two-part series "How Four Women Grew Membership."
2. OUR STARFISH: RELIEF FOR QUEENSLAND FAMILY
September 18, 2026
PICTURED: Cade and his mum, Carissa, presented the Rotary Club of Greater Springfield’s Community Services Director, Sharon Clark, left, with a portrait to thank her and the club for their support of the family.
Words Sarah Atkins. Immediate Past President. No Borders Rotaract.
Seeing a family in dire need after a traumatic accident that resulted in a local Ipswich child losing his left foot, the Rotary Club of Greater Springfield, Qld, stepped in to help, raising over $35,000 through a compassionate grant. Click on the image above to read more of this tragic, yet emotionally fulfilling story.
3. HOW WILL YOUR CLUB PARTICIPATE IN WORLD POLIO DAY?
4. GREAT ROTARY WHITEWATER DUCK RACE -18th October
Please mark in your calendar Sunday 18th October the annual Great Rotary Whitewater Duck Race. Tickets are now on sale to purchase an excitable duck to take on the challenging course at the Olympic Venue Penrith Whitewater Rafting. Please contact email Liz Roberts (liz.roberts2783@outlook.com) for the purchase of your tickets.
5. HEARTBEAT IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
Rotarians and friends from across the State are invited to visit Katoomba and encouraged to stay for a long weekend and enjoy all that the Blue Mountains has to offer. The Carrington is offering a discount off their rooms for anyone attending these events, as long as they book by the end of September.
There are two events and people can register for one or both:
Cocktail style fundraiser function at The Carrington on Thursday 19th November with silent auction and lucky dip activities.
‘Rotarians in the Sky’ event at Scenic World on Friday 20th November, where we will present a ‘cheque’ to NSW Ambulance.
People can also make a donation to the cause. The overall objectives of the initiative are to:
Have fun and promote fellowship among Rotarians and supporters from across NSW.
Promote Rotary and draw attention to the good we do in the community.
Provide an opportunity to involve and promote local businesses, who will be invited to donate prizes for our fundraising activities.
Raise funds for the HeartReady program and raise awareness of the initiative.
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...
"Friendship was the foundation rock on which Rotary was built,
and tolerance is the element which holds it together."
Paul Harris, Rotary
... 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.
