September is Basic Education and Literacy Month for Rotary. This is one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus. We all know how critical reading and writing are for success in life – for gaining information, communicating, making agreements, and so forth.
Enhancing Basic Education skills and Literacy are essential in reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace. Improvements can reduce maternal death, improve childhood survivability, and reduce poverty. They can also enable success in business or a profession. Projects undertaken by a Rotary Club can address low adult literacy, returning youth to school, enhancing student performance, or supplementing limited school resources.
President's Report
Well, what a weekend our Club has had. On Saturday we held our Monster Garage Sale at Buckland. The day was a fantastic success and this was only made possible by the efforts of many. Firstly, those who donated items for sale, then the willing workers who turned up on Friday to sort masses of items and set up the tables with these goods; a very big thank you to our honorary member and the two friends of Rotary who put in the hard yards on that day. Then came the big event on Saturday, where we were all doing our bit - members, again our honorary member and friends of our Club who turned up on mass, all so happy to be there and working for the good of Rotary and the programs and projects the funds raised will go towards. Days such as these are really ones to be celebrated where we come together in the true spirit of Rotary – Service Above Self.
It certainly made me proud to be a Rotarian and specifically a member of the Rotary Club of Springwood Inc. The final financial outcome of the day is still to be confirmed, as expenses still need to be deducted, but I can say at this stage it was a huge financial success.
Then on Sunday we again turned out to support the Springwood Football Club’s Junior Presentation Day. It was another long day, but again lots of fun and good fellowship was had. It was fantastic to see so many happy young faces receiving their sporting awards and being able to provide them with the obligatory sausage sizzle. What can I say about the members and the friend of our Club Alan who cheerfully worked for many hours to make this another success for both our Club and the community.
So having said all this, we are again calling on members and friends to again show your support with the Springwood Festival this coming Saturday the 20th. A call out will go out on Monday confirming those who have already put their hand up and seeking a few more to share the load on the day. It is a big event and as many willing workers as we can get will certainly ease the load for all. Finally, a few hearty souls will back up on Sunday to assist with the Running Wild event. Adam will send out the call and I’m sure those that always enjoy supporting Adam and Running Wild will be there.
I do hope as many members and friends can be at our meeting on Monday. We are really honoured to have District Governor nominee Haran Ramachandran OAM & District Foundation Chair as our guest speaker. Haran will speak on the Foundation and the important work that comes from this avenue of Service. Also, a reminder that this week we will be meeting in Function Room 1 at the Sports Club as we have handed over our usual room to Toastmaster who are celebrating an important milestone for their Club.
Until next week, take care….Liz
Latest News
1. DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Springwood United Football Club Junior Presentation, Sunday 14th September.
Springwood Rotary Club General Meeting, Monday 15th September at the Sports Club. DGN Haran Ramachandran OAM will be our guest speaker at this meeting.
Bush Poet Gregory North 125th Anniversary Banjo Paterson Boer War Lecture tour, 16th September (see below)
Springwood Festival, Saturday 20th September. Note: No Bunnings BBQ today.
Bunnings BBQ, Saturday 27th September
Robertson Brothers & Deana Atkins Concert, Saturday 27th September (see below).
2. Bucklands Monster Garage Sale, Saturday, 13th September.
What an amazing event this was. The Monster Garage Sale was both a successful and happy event for all who took part. Here are some of the photos of the event which show the size and scope of the sale, complete with Rotary BBQ. The financial result was also an incredible result - refer to the President's Report.
The weather was very favourable for us, and the Rotary team of helpers worked very hard to meet the needs of all of the people who came to explore bargains, buy food, and spend money.
We are very grateful for the support from all of our members who donated goods for the sale, and for the tireless support of Robin Ingram and Rachel Pagitz in addition to Liz Roberts and Johannes Brockhaus, who all worked at high intensity all day.
3. SPRINGWOOD UNITING FOOTBALL PRESENTATION, SUNDAY, 14TH SEPTEMBER
Here was our team again performing their magic best at the BBQ for the presentation. Approximately 900 children and their families attending this very streamlined event organised by the football club.
The camaraderie amongst the Rotary team was incredible, and even though September has been an incredibly busy month, everyone rocked up and pitched in for the jobs at hand which made for a very successful day.
Once again, thank you to all of our members who attended.
Blue Mountains residents flocked to Springwood and District Preschool on Saturday, September 6, to celebrate the beloved institution's 50th birthday. Children who currently attend the preschool on Macquarie Road rubbed shoulders with alumni, entertainers and local dignitaries including Susan Templeman and Trish Doyle to acknowledge the milestone.
From the Pre-school's Facebook page, here is the following information.
What an incredible day! Our hearts are full after celebrating 50 wonderful years of our preschool today. It was so special to see past and present families, staff, and friends come together to mark this milestone
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible:
Our amazing past and present educators – your dedication has shaped the preschool into the beautiful place it is today.
You are warmly invited to the International Online Mega Meeting (The Rotary Mega Meeting) in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Peace 2025.
🎙️ Hear from Esteemed Leaders
Francesco Arezzo – Rotary International President
Stephanie Urchick – Immediate Past Rotary International President
Steve Killelea A.M. – Founder & Executive Chairman, Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP)
Districts 9685 and 9675 are gearing up for the annual Polio Train Ride which will be held on World Polio Day - the 24th of October 2025. The Illawarra train ride will be held on the 23rd of October.
Where possible, donations of US$1,500 per club are being sought or whatever you are able to donate would be greatly appreciated and will make a significant impact.
Details for payments are
Club Donations : BSB 342 011 Account 523 370 001
Personal Donations: BSB 342 011 Account 663 499 001
To increase awareness about Rotary Global Polio Eradication Initiative, this year politicians are being invited to join the train ride by coming aboard at a station in their electorate and having their photo taken. See the attached list of politicians. Please feel free to follow up with your local members to see if they have received their invitation and if they are able to participate.
Action List for our Club
Commit the Club to donating $US 1,500 or whatever we can donate during October.
Encourage fellow members and others to support the campaign by
giving $1 per station
there are over 200 train and light rail stations in Sydney stations so $200 donation to show support would be amazing.
If you are not already Polio Plus Society members, this is the best way to become a member.
Invite our local members to join the train ride.
Put it in your diary: Thursday 24 October, get your Red END POLIO NOW Shirt from RDU Supplies and join the train ride to end Polio.
We need to know which clubs will be participating in the train ride, so please let us know whether you will be joining the train ride and at which station. Our Club usually meets the train with members from Lower Blue Mountains Club at Emu Plains Railway Station.
For anyone who has joined Rotary recently, one of the major projects Rotary International has committed to is to eradicate Polio through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. We are very fortunate to have a partnership with the Bill Gates Foundation which has just been extended for another 3 years. During this time the Bill Gates Foundation will donate US$2.00 for every US$1.00 we raise. We are close to the end with polio now in two countries- Afghanistan and Pakistan, however, if we don't eradicate polio, the risk is that within 10 years there could be 200,000 cases across the world including Australia.
Timetable for Train Ride
Our District Governor, Michele Ellery, has sent everyone the information above and the train timetable. You will need to view the Excel file from that email. When you open it, you will need to scroll to the right across the spreadsheet to find when the train will come closest to us.
3. DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2026
Registration
Secure your spot and take advantage of early-bird pricing by registering before September 30, 2025. Some events have limited capacity, so we recommend booking early.
Join us in Newcastle to shape the future of Rotary—Together for Tomorrow.
4. WORLD POLIO DAY
5. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
The Rotary way is to light a candle. I light one, you light one, 1.2 million Rotarians light one. Together, we light up the world.
6. ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
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.
Our amazing past and present educators – your dedication has shaped the preschool into the beautiful place it is today.
Brendan Kerin – for your beautiful Acknowledgement and smoking ceremony, which our community always appreciates.
Our preschool management committee – for your hard work behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
And of course, our wonderful families – past, present, and future – for being the heart of our preschool 
