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President's Report
Hello all, hope you have had a fantastic week.
Last Monday evening a number of members and friends visited Grace’s Place at Doonside, as mentioned last edition, Grace’s Place is a residential trauma centre for children and young people affected by homicide.
To say we were overwhelmed by the facility itself and the incredible work undertaken there would be an understatement. I don’t feel anyone could visit this centre and see and hear the work undertaken and not be impressed by the selfless service performed on a daily basis. Martha Jabour OAM, is the Executive Director and CEO of Grace’s Place and was named the NSW 2025 Local Hero; so, it’s not surprising that Martha is also a proud member of the Rotary Club of Carlingford – Rotarians are certainly a force to be reckoned with.
This Monday 24 November we hold our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Springwood Sports Club. I do hope as many of you as possible will be in attendance to register your votes of support for members who have put themselves forward for election. The 2025-2026 Springwood Club year has already been very busy, and we expect to continue on in the vein for the remainder of this term. Whilst as a committee we do keep ourselves active, it is also enormously satisfying to feel as a group we are representing the members and undertaking the required work to showcase Rotary in a positive light. Please also remember to bring along some cash to purchase tickets in our Christmas raffle. The prize is a lovely hamper of hairdressing products, chocolates and a perfume and hand lotion gift pack. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5.
We still have a few Community events scheduled for this calendar year, and I would ask if at all possible, you consider if you can make a commitment to be there.
7 December – BBQ at the Wentworth Falls Lake – lots of happy helpers required.
11 December – BBQ & Santa for the Christmas Shopping Night
20 December – BBQ at Bunnings
Currently Johannes is away overseas, so I would ask that if you haven’t responded to his previous email, that you let me know at liz.roberts2783@outlook.com
Finally, don’t forget to register your attendance at the Club Christmas party on 8 December; it’s going to be a fantastic night and all members and friends of the Club are welcome.
Cheers Liz
Liz Roberts
President 2025-2026
The Rotary Club of Springwood
NEXT WEEK'S MEETING
Our speaker next Monday, 1st December, is from Destiny Rescue. This should be a fascinating presentation from this speaker. In preparation for the night, Hosanna Siv has sent this email to give us a little more information about his topic for the presentation. It would be great if members can view the Destiny Rescue link and the website before the meeting (see below for the links).
"As discussed, I wanted to attach a video that shares a little bit about the work that we do at Destiny Rescue here, as well as a link to the about us page on our website
I am very much looking forward to being with you all on the 1st Dec and sharing about the Work of Destiny Rescue. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything that I can help with."
Hosanna Siv
Partnerships Manager NSW
Destiny Rescue Australia
LATEST NEWS …
1. DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO...
On Monday, 24th November, the Club will be holding the Annual General Meeting. All of the required documents have been emailed to Active Members.
On Tuesday, 25th November, we are having lunch at Wentworth Falls TAFE. If you have not already replied to Valda Bray about attending, please contact Valda ASAP.
Monday, 1st December - Our speaker is Hosanna Siv from Destiny Rescue.
Wednesday 3rd December - Men's Morning Tea, Winmalee Shopping Centre.
Thursday, 4th December - Bunnings Family Night - PR only, no BBQ.
Sunday, 7th November - Carols at Wentworth Falls Lake / BBQ is required.
Monday, 8th December will be our Christmas party at the home of Suzane and Paul Erickson. Please RSVP to Jenny Thomas.
Thursday, 11th December - Springwood Christmas Shopping Night, IGA carpark, Santa and BBQ required.
Moday 15th December - last Club meeting for the year.
Saturday, 20th December - Bunnings BBQ
2. DATES IN JANUARY 2026
Monday, 19th January - First Rotary Club meeting for 2026
Monday, 26th January - PUBLIC HOLIDAY - no meeting
Monday, 2nd February - General Club Meeting
Monday, 9th February - Club Board Meeting. Normal meetings in weeks 1, 3, 4, (and 5 if relevant) will follow from this date.
3. CENTURION DONATIONS
It is that time of the year once again when we as Rotarians are asked to support the Centurion Fund, which is the basis for the Rotary Foundation. By each subscribing, we gain to benefit from the grants available, both district and global, which in turn means Rotarians can spread their community service a little further. Each member subscribing $100.00 each year shows the club's support for this worthy part of being a Rotarian, and service above self.
To those members who have already subscribed this year, a big thank you. The money, $100.00 can be put in the general account, with your name attached for Bill. I know the times are tough, but if we could have a 100% contribution, it would a feather in our club's cap!
Thank you.
Valda Bray
Foundation director.
4. OUR VOCATIONAL EXCURSION TO GRACE'S PLACE, MONDAY 17TH NOVEMBER
Last Monday, Geoff Glassock organised an excursion to Grace's Place in Doonside. Grace’s Place was set up to support children affected by homicide. It is a world first trauma recovery centre. It has been built to provide even more help where it is needed.
It is a place of healing and restoration for children and young people affected by homicide. The best way to get through difficult times is when everyone is involved. Grace’s Place, with the support of the Homicide Victims’ Support Group (Aust) provides tailored help, counselling and programs for children and young people, as well as providing the tools for their families, community and broader network to work through this difficult time together. Grace’s Place is a place where children and young people learn to trust and feel safe again.
The excursion was a total success. Many thanks to Geoff for organising the excursion. Those who attended did not regret it one bit! We all came away impressed with the Centre, in awe of Martha Jabour OAM, who is the CEO of Grace's Place, blown away by the depth of planning and organisation that went into the establishment and ongoing running of the Centre, and the care and programs set up for young people who have experienced the most horrendous time of their lives.
Here are some photos:
5. CHRISTMAS FAMILY NIGHT AT BUNNINGS
Our Rotary Club will be holding a table at the Bunnings Christmas Family Night on the 4th of December 6-8pm at the timberyard. No BBQ is required from us.
STORIES FROM ROTARY...
1. REGIONALISATION UPDATE
Click on the image below toview the latest news about Regionalisation:
2. THE SECRET TO A FLOURISHING CLUB
Successful clubs set goals effectively. When club leaders plan for the future, they give the club a sense of direction. Whether you aim to welcome more members, complete more service projects, or improve the experience that your club offers, setting goals motivates members to work toward a common purpose.
Rotary Club Central makes it easy for Rotary and Rotaract clubs to set their goals and track their progress. Club leaders can set yearly goals for up to three years and record the club’s accomplishment, and all members can view the club’s progress. Plus, new club leaders can use previous goals to make informed decisions about the club’s direction.
Click on the image below to view the latest news about "Discover Rotary":
4. ROTARY ACTION GROUPS HAVE A LOT TO TEACH
When Rotary club members thousands of miles apart decide to collaborate, something has to bind them together. For Marion Bunch and Stephen Mwanje, it was a shared awareness of the devastation of AIDS. Bunch lost her son to the disease, and Mwanje saw how it ravaged his country. Together with the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention, they made AIDS testing and a variety of other health services widely accessible throughout Africa. As Rotary Action Groups celebrate their 20th anniversary, read more about their successes and the lessons they offer.
5. SERVICE PROJECT CENTRE OFFERS ENHANCED RESOURCES
Showcase your club’s achievements on the updated Service Project Center, Rotary’s central destination for all your service project needs. Record and track projects, collaborate with partners, and share your successes with members and your community.
New features include:
A streamlined Resources page with project planning tools
An Impact page supporting Rotary’s Action Plan that debuts with a quiz game to expand your knowledge about how to measure impact
A refreshed, mobile-friendly Grant Center dashboard, now fully integrated into the Service Project Center
Visit the Service Project Center today and keep coming back as we continue to enhance your experience.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK...
Let us be a source of hope for those in need, and contentment for those who are lonely. Let us give gratitude for our opportunity to serve Rotary.
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.
