Rotary Theme for July 2025: Maternal & Child Health
July 2025 is dedicated to Rotary International's focus on Maternal and Child Health, highlighting the significance of ensuring the health of mothers and children globally. Key points include:
Healthy Development: Early childhood is crucial for physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.
Empowerment of Families: Healthy mothers raise healthy children, strengthening communities.
What Rotarians can do in July 2025:
Increase Awareness: Organize seminars on prenatal care and nutrition.
Support Healthcare Facilities: Provide funding, donations, and volunteer support.
Implement Community Projects: Establish mobile clinics and vaccination drives.
Collaborate with Partners: Work with NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and local governments to align initiatives.
For more information on the efforts of Rotary, follow this link.
For information on the Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, follow this link.
President's Report
Welcome to the last Springword for July, it’s hard to believe we are already almost one month into this new Rotary year. The reason this is forefront in my mind is we have a lot to pack into this year, if we are to continue on our current successful path!
The previous Rotary year for me was one where we as members took the opportunity to consolidate membership and start to look at ways in which we can enrich the Club experience. The fact that during the first half of the 2026 calendar year we induced 5 new members was amazing and I believe it speaks volumes for the current membership and what each of you do to make our communities a better place for all; for me this is what Rotary is all about – doing good where we can.
So as mentioned, I believe the growth in membership of the Club has really invigorated us and is now challenging us to continue to progress and build on this
achievement. Our DG Michele Ellery has put out the edict to see if each Club in the District can grow its membership by 5 between now and 31 December. I really believe we can do this and your Board is seeking your input for ideas and initiatives that will make this a reality for the Club. So please put on your thinking
caps - what can we do to attract members? Who do you know who is looking to contribute to our community and others? The District is offering each Club $1,000 to fund a membership drive; so, I ask what do you think could work? We have a short timeframe in which to apply for the funding and I would ask you to provide to me your thoughts in the next week. As a Club we are being offered a real financial incentive to grow our Club, please let me know what ideas you can come up with – liz.roberts2783@outlook.com
The Board can advise that a date has been set for our annual general meeting (AGM), where members have the opportunity to elect their Board for the 2027-2028 year. The AGM will be held on Monday 23 November, and I would ask each and everyone of you to start thinking about who you think could represent you on this Board; and more importantly, do you think this is a way in which you can enrich your Rotary experience, whilst giving back to other members. Our current Board is one that is very supportive of each other, and I can assure you all the assistance you would need in taking on a position would be offered to you. Please feel free to speak with me or any other Board member, if you want some further information.
This Thursday we will assist Ellison Public School at their Sports Carnival by providing a BBQ. It’s always a fun day seeing the children compete and do their best and I thank the members who have come forward to make sure this is a great day for the school and its students.
The next big fund raiser we have is Running Wild at Glenbrook National Park on Sunday 16 August. We will be providing a sausage sizzle for over 400 runners, 40+ volunteers and a good number of spectators. Currently a very capable group of members and friends of the Club have come forward and volunteered, but due to the sheer size of the event at least another 4 are required. It’s a 9am to 2pm day, and its sure to be a great day – the Running Wild organisers and running fraternity are really lovely people and always appreciative of our efforts in providing a post run sausage on a slice of bread. Please let me know if you can assist?
The Rotary South Pacific conference will be held in Melbourne later this year and it certainly looks like an exciting and stimulating few days. All the details are available at https://rotarysouthpacific.org/Page/zoneconference2026
Finally, this Monday evenings meeting will be a real bonus with our own Rachel Pagitz presenting on a project she recently worked on and presented throughout regional areas of NSW. The topic is Natural Disasters and I’m sure it is going to be super interesting. I’d encourage members to be there and learn more about this important topic and the work Rachel is involved in.
Wednesday, 5th August - Police Officer of the Year, Katoomba RSL 6.30pm.
Friday, 23rd October, 2026 - Train Ride to End Polio
2. OUR EXCHANGE STUDENT - NAYA JORGENSON
Naya is a 16 year old student from Denmark who will be staying with us for 12 months. She is artriving at 10pm on 31st July and Sheryn Phillips and Bronwyn Berriman are going down to the airport to meet her. Naya will first stay with Bronwyn for about two weeks until moving to her first hst family. We warmly welcome Naya to our Springwood "family".
3. DESTINY RESCUE ANNUAL REPORT 2025
This report has been sent to us from our previous Guest Speaker, Hosanna Siv.
4. POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR - BLUE MOUNTAINS AREA COMMAND
Please find following the flyer for the 5th August Police Officer of the Year event.
There is a QR code on the flyer to be used for bookings. The Try Booking link for those who can't use the code is http://www.trybooking.com/DNIYA.
Looking forward to a great night.
Susan Wakefield OAM
Chair of Blue Mountains POOTY
This is a wonderful night of celebration. It is well worth the drive up to Katoomba RSL for the event.
STORIES FROM ROTARY...
1. DG'S MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE
Click on the image below to view the PowerPoint presentation.
2. WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ROTARY INTERNATIONAL?
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A public health breakthrough. Rotary celebrates as the World Health Organisation declares trachoma eliminated as a public health problem in Australia.
On 29 April 2026, the World Health Organisation formally announced that Australia had become the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem – a milestone recognised as both a public health victory and a significant step by Australia towards improving the environmental health of Indigenous Australians.
“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma.”
Rotarians throughout Australia can also celebrate this achievement, as Rotary has been involved in a national project to end trachoma for more than 10 years.
The project began in 2016, was founded by and is still led by Rob McGuirk, of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, with project directors Kerry Kornhauser OAM, of the Rotary Club of Brighton North, and Past District Governor Murray Verso, of the Rotary Club of Williamstown. The initial project manager, Lien Trinh, was a Rotary Foundation scholar and the current project manager is Sandi Fulcher, of the Rotary eClub of Change Makers.
In addition, District Champions have worked with clubs throughout Australia to educate them about trachoma and other health issues that our Indigenous Australians face. They have harnessed support, raised funds for the project and also kept their clubs informed of its progress.
PICTURED: The Warburton ‘clean faces, strong eyes’ mural was the first in a series of trachoma art murals in remote communities across Northern Territory and Western Australia. It is located at the Warburton community store, where many community members visit on a daily basis. The mural was completed by IHHP artist Adnate and was part of a larger project that included a community music video ‘Kulilla Kulilla Pay Attention’ about eliminating trachoma with clean faces and safe working bathrooms.
Rotarians have participated in practical ways by obtaining products and packing more than 12,000 hygiene kits for schools and families, collecting stamps to raise funds and even travelled to communities to help with installations of washing facilities. In total, the project to date has raised more than $1.2 million and, in addition, contributions of time and donations of products would be valued at several hundred thousand dollars.
“While this announcement marks a historic achievement, the work is far from complete,” said Rob. “Continued investment in environmental health, hygiene infrastructure and Indigenous community wellbeing remains essential to prevent this disease from returning and to address other preventable health conditions affecting remote communities.”
Rob expressed the hope that Rotary clubs nationally will continue to provide assistance with this and other initiatives to improve the lives of our Indigenous Australians.
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...
WHAT DID ARCH KLUMPH SAY ABOUT THE FOUNDATION’S IMPACT? “The Rotary Foundation is not to build monuments of brick and stone. If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work on brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds, if we imbue them with the full meaning of the spirit of Rotary ... we are engraving on those tablets something that will brighten all eternity.” — Arch Klumph, 1916-17 Rotary president
How do these words resonate now as we think about increasing our impact?
... 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.
