What Is your Rotary Club doing to focus on Maternal and Child Health in July 2025?
Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth and millions of children die each year from treatable, preventable causes.At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, we provide immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improve access to essential medical services, and support trained healthcare providers for mothers and their children. Your Rotary projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of healthcare training programs.
President's Report
What a great week our Club has enjoyed. On Friday 25 July the BBQ crew spent a fabulous day at the Ellison Public School sports carnival at Tom Hunter Park, Faulconbridge. The children were all primed and ready to perform from the get go and we all enjoyed watching them compete in the spirit of true sportsmanship. As they came to the BBQ to collect their sausage sizzle, they were just as happy to report they came fourth or second last as the ones that came first. It speaks a great deal for the ethos of the school that all those competing, having given their best felt equally happy with their achievement.
It is also nice to report that ‘our team’ performed well, from Bill towing in the BBQ trailer and parking and setting it up expertly, to Frank, Bruce and Johannes on the cooking duties, supported by the serving crew of Bronwyn, Marilyn, Colin and myself. A worthy mention also to Warrick who assisted with the set up and was his cheerful self as always. A really good day was had by all with the added bonus of the fund raising that will contribute to our programs and projects.
Then on Saturday evening our Club celebrated Yulefest in the company of six Salamander Bay Rotarians. It is always wonderful to see John Fuller, our previous member who now resides in slightly warmer climes and to meet up with his fellow members, Rita Murray, Peter & Sue North and Harry & Jane Parker. Within a couple of minutes of us all meeting up, it felt like we had known each other forever and a really lovely evening of good food and fellowship was had. A very big thank you is extended to Deborah Wood who utilised all her artistic talents to decorate two tables in amazing centrepieces. It really did have a very festive feel and set the atmosphere for the evening. Our Past President, Frank took home the lucky door prize and let hope he keeps it alive in Mel’s absence! A few of us concluded the evening by sitting around the fire with hot chocolates – a good time had by all.
We have a few important events coming up for the District and I would encourage members to think about supporting the Police Officer of the Year Awards on 13 August at Katoomba RSL. As we all know the role the police play in our communities is significant and the opportunity for us as Rotarians to recognise this really shouldn’t be missed. Our Club will be looking to host a table and we have also been asked to undertake the table decorations for the event, which we are obviously happy to do. I thank Valda for her willingness to management and coordinate this and I know as always, she will do a fantastic job.
Congratulations are in order for Rachel Pagitz who took out ‘pick a card’ at last weeks’ meeting – good on you Rachel, and I have to say all at the meeting were genuinely pleased to see you win. Also, it is important to recognise our treasurer Bill who organises the pick a card each week – thanks Bill for making it happen!
Our guest speaker this week is Caroline Fitzpatrick, who will be telling us about the Friends of Nepean Emergency (FONE).
Finally in closing, I would really encourage all members to make the effort to attend our weekly meetings. As previously advised, we have set aside the 2nd Monday of each month as the Board meeting and as such this will be the Club meeting that week. All members are welcome to attend, but also, it’s an opportunity for those that welcome a ‘night off’ to take it, so all the more important to try to be at the other meetings. The Club is only as strong as its membership, and we need your active participation in the day-to-day management of the Club for it to grow and achieve our aims and objectives; so please show your support by way of your regular attendance.
Cheers Liz
Liz Roberts
President 2025-2026
The Rotary Club of Springwood
COMMUNITY SERVICE
They say many hands make light work, and thankfully, we had just enough to keep the tongs turning at this year’s Ellison School Sports Carnival. The trusty BBQ trailer rolled in the same day (cheers to Bill, who brought it in smooth as ever, like a pitmaster on a mission).
By mid-morning, the smell of sizzling sausages had officially outranked the scent of sunscreen and sports socks. We cooked up a storm, 322 people served, no one fainted, and only one mystery veggie burger incident (we don’t talk about that).
Now, full disclosure: the new Community Director (that’s me) may have skipped a crucial step: something minor like circulating a roster or assigning roles. But who needs planning when you have got Rotarians with initiative, sharp spatulas and years of collective improvisation skills?
Despite the organised chaos, everything ran smoothly(ish). Kids were laughing, we got lovely thank-you notes (yes, handwritten and no, I’m not crying, you are), and best of all, we changed up the charges and actually made money (350). For once, the only thing burning was the grill, not our budget.
It was a brilliant day for community spirit, and we’ll absolutely do it again. Same sausages, same smiles and next time, maybe even a roster. Maybe.
Big thanks to the crew. You were sizzling. Literally.
Johannes Brockhaus
RUNNING WILD 17TH AUGUST - SAINTS & SINNERS
I've just received and email from Running wild who are hold their next event 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
Ronald McDonalds Meals From the Heart on Friday 1st August
ORI BBQ on Friday 1st August
Blue Mountains Police Officer of the Year Awards 13th August, Katoomba RSL
2. YULEFEST DINNER WITH ROTARIANS FROM SALAMANDER BAY
As mentioned in the President's Report, the Yulefest dinner at the Sports Club was a warm, friendly and happy event. The meal was excellent and the decorations by Devorah Wood were brilliant. The photos can be seen buy clicking on the following link:
3. LAUNCH OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF GREATER BLUE MOUNTAINS
After a busy week of Rotary activities, the Launch of a brand new Rotary Club in the Mountains took place at the Blue Mountains Plantary Health Centre on a particularly cold day in Katoomba. What a great event, and a wonderful celebration of the start of the "new" Club. Some photos of the lunch held can be seen at the following link:
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.
5. 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.
1. 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
2. 10 IDEAS TO MAKE THE MOST OF MEMBERSHIP MONTH
August is Membership Month in Rotary, a time when we celebrate our members, recognize their contributions, and engage with prospective members. Here are some ideas for an exciting August.
3. PODCAST: HOW WOULD YOU GRADE YOUR CLUB CULTURE?
As a new Rotary year begins, commit a half hour to reflect on ways to grow your club and strengthen its culture. How much do your members enjoy themselves and feel fulfilled and included? Listen to the latest Rotary Voices podcast (30 minutes) to hear RI membership staffers share successful ideas for keeping new and long-time members engaged.
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.
