DECEMBER IS DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT MONTH
This is one of the Rotary Foundations Areas of Focus and one in which many of us would be aware of the numerous projects around the world supported by clubs and the Foundation. Look at your role in promoting improved health at home and abroad and supporting these vital programs that contribute not only to healthy communities but peaceful communities.
Disease prevention and treatment takes on many forms, from supporting studies to helping immunize people to improving drinking water and the sanitation infrastructure. The world relies on Rotary to tackle these global challenges, and to set an example for others to follow.
President's Report
Welcome to the final edition of the Springword for 2025, and what a great year it has been.
This year saw our Club find a new home at the Springwood Sports Club after a significant period of time at the Ori. Extensive renovations at the Ori meant we no longer had a suitable area in which to meet, but this hasn’t meant a severing of our association with the Ori Hotel. We continue to hold a monthly raffle at the hotel with the prize offered courtesy of the Ori management. I thank Bruce, et. al. for their willingness to continue with the raffle that brings in a steady flow of funds to our Club.
In recognition of the Ori’s support of our Club, this last week Immediate Past President Frank presented the Ori with a certificate of appreciate. I know as a Club we look forward to 2026 and beyond to our continued friendship with the Ori and its team.
Late in November we held our AGM and welcomed in a new Club executive committee as of July 2026. Noting this we still have over six months of the current committee working in the best interests of both our Club and Rotary more generally. For me personally it has been enormously gratifying to work with such a committed group of people who embody the essence of the Rotary ethos and values. As a committee we have worked towards embedding a number of initiatives that will hopefully support the overall effective management of our Club in coming years. Again, none of this is possible without a commitment by all to progress these changes.
Last Monday evening, we came together to celebrate Christmas at the home of Paul and Suzanne Erickson, and what a wonderful evening it was. As a Club we thank Paul and Suzanne’s for their generosity in opening their home to us and to all the members and friends who contributed to making the party so successful. Great food was provided; the secret Santa saw us all go home with a gift and Rachel and Jerome put on a great visual display of the Club activities for the year in a special Christmas screening. Our Christmas raffle was drawn, and it was fitting to see our host Paul as the lucky winner. The proceeds from the dinner will at Paul and Suzannes request be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes charity, a very worthy cause.
had three major BBQ events during the week firstly, with Adam overseeing the Running Wild event on Sunday morning, followed by Carols by the Lake on Sunday evening and then late-night Christmas Shopping in Springwood on Thursday. Due to my recent persistent chest infection, I was officially ‘banned’ from participating in all three as no one wants to be served a sausage by a person with a hacking coughing! Also, our Community Director Johannes returned from overseas quite sick and was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia. So, Johannes and I were both very grateful to know that we have the resources within our Club of willing and well-versed members and friends who will always come to the fore when needed. So, a big thank you to firstly Adam for ensuring Running Wild went off without a hitch and Bruce for overseeing both the Carols and Christmas Shopping night. Finally, to our members and friends who willingly give of their time and energy to ensure these events can occur.
I’m hoping as many of you as possible will make it to our last meeting for the year on Monday. It will be a great opportunity for us to be together and celebrate the year we have had and to look forward to the year ahead – United for Good.
Cheers Liz
Liz Roberts
President 2025-2026
The Rotary Club of Springwood
LATEST NEWS …
1. DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO...
Monday 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. NIGHTS AT THE ORI
a) ORI RAFFLE NIGHT
On Friday night, 4th December, with the temperature hovering around 38 Deg C, we conducted the last ORI Raffle for 2025. I was very hopeful that the hot weather would have hordes of thirsty patrons flocking into the air-conditioned hotel to slake their thirst - I was wrong!! It was a very quiet evening, but the management were not surprised and advised that they have often seen this when the temperature was high. Nonetheless, Deborah and Narelle (our neighbour who has helped out the Club on a number of occasions) went to work and talked those patrons who were present into parting with their money to assist Rotary. We tried to add a bit of Christmas to the process, and it seemed to work - in fact we had many positive comments about our Club from both young and old indicating that our publicity and presence is positive. I acted as the Square operator (bag man) and enjoyed watching the way the Ladies went about their business. The final result of the two hour's work was a profit for the Club of $260, which was an amazing result given the numbers of patrons - my heartfelt thanks to Deborah and Narelle for their outstanding effort.
b) ORI CLUB MEMBERS AND FRIENDS CHRISTMAS PARTY
On Wednesday evening (10th December), a number of Club members and Friends attended the Oriental Hotel's Members Christmas Party. IPP Frank and Mel, Deborah and Moi were present and Frank took the opportunity to present the Managers of the Hotel with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Club. The ORI Managers and Staff have assisted the Club in a number of ways over the years, the Halloween Night at Deana's home in 2023 springs to mind, but their ongoing major contribution to the Club is allowing us to run a raffle the first Friday of every month every month. The Ori provides the prize and the Club keeps the raffle profit which amounts to some $4,500 -$5500 per year, a substantial sum. Cheffie and Tammi were very surprised to receive the certificate and very appreciative. Cheers Bruce
4. AN EXTRACT FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF GREATER BLUE MOUNTAINS
NEWSLETTER, DECEMBER 2025
5. ROTARY DCAF ENDS THE YEAR IN A FESTIVE MOOD
On Tuesday morning, 9th December, we met around the fireplace at the Sports Club and began with Geoffrey suggesting each person telling of the Dementia journey either as a Carer or a person with dementia had been for them during 2025. The opportunity to ventilate their feelings and frustrations was evident as each person shared their story. It became clear that for Carers finding help and answers was a major concern. People in the group were able to share how they went about negotiating the Aged Care scene especially with the recent changes that has taken place. The general feeling was that when they sort help from the anonymous person on the Aged Care phone, they had little understanding of the problems etc they were facing caring for a person with dementia. The group was able to provide positive assistance from their own experiences and show the way to navigate the system. It was evident that this opportunity of just chatting with a group of informed non-judgemental friends was important to all present. It showed in the smiling faces of people when they left the Sports Club.
We reported that there was gas leak from the fireplace, and we were asked to move so that they could rectify the problem. We moved into the Macquarie Room to continue our discussion which gave the opportunity to change the focus to something more positive and in keeping with the festive season.
Each person was asked to recall what was ‘special’ about Christmas for them. Sharing with family and friends and enjoying the Christmas puddings whose recipes had come down from mothers and grandmothers. Putting up the Christmas tree and fairy lights. Someone mentioned the special music – the Christmas carols we learned from an early age which led to us all joining together (fortunately in the Macquarie Room where we didn’t disturb others). So, from Away in a Manger, Silent night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing - through to our closing rendition of O Come All Ye Faithful – where we joined hands around the table to share in the celebration. After that each person received a gift to go on their Christmas tree or to hang up somewhere special. We then went and stood beside the Christmas tree for a photo.
A Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New year.
Geoff Glassock
DCAF organiser
Photo: Annette Brown
6. AN UPDATE ON THE AMOUNT TAKEN FOR THE CHRISTMAS CAROLS, 6TH DEC.
Once again, thank you to members for an outstanding contribution at the Carols on Sunday which was conducted under adverse weather conditions. Despite the weather those of the public who purchased our offerings appeared to be very satisfied and were met with your enthusiastic and friendly service. We had quite rush of the public for our sausage sizzles for about one hour in the middle of the event but the cooks managed to keep the chafing dishes supplied the entire time - a great effort. Overall it was a very successful and convivial event.
Bil has finalised all the financials and has advised that the overall profit for the day was $1452. Under the agreement we have with the Holy Trinity Church he has advised President Liz that we will be donating $500 to the Church. That will leave us with $952 for the Club coffers. Given the low numbers attending the Carols this is a wonderful result and, once again, my thanks for your efforts.
Kind regards
Bruce Wood
7. CHRISTMAS NIGHT SHOPPING EVENT, 11TH DECEMBER
Thanks Team for a wonderful effort under somewhat trying conditions. While sales were initially very slow they picked up later and we had a couple of periods when the public were lined up for a sausage sizzle. Perhaps surprisingly, when we packed up and Rachel toted up cash sales and Square sales we had a total of $1447. We have an overall profit from the night of $1096. So, we had a very pleasing result from the uncomfortable time we spent fighting the inclement weather.
Once again thank you all, especially Jerome who towed the trailer and transported the drinks, some sausages and located and transported the marquee frame when we were advised that, despite being told otherwise, the BMCC were not providing one for us. Everyone contributed to what was a profitable, convivial and somewhat wet afternoon/evening. It was a pleasure to share the time with you.
Cheers
Bruce Wood
8. OUR MEETING LAST MONDAY, 8th DECEMBER.
Photos from our fabulous Christmas Party (15th December) will appear in our next newsletter on the 19th January. A great night filed with fun and camaraderie. Many thanks to our hosts, Paul and Suzanne Erickson, and all of the little elves who helped. This newsletter will be the last one until our next meeting on 19th January.
9. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
The Rotary Club of Springwood wishes you a wonderful Christmas and all the joy and happiness this special season brings.
May the remainder of 2025 be good to you and yours and 2026 hold the promise of all that are good in our world.
Please click on the link below to see a few of the things Springwood Rotary have enjoyed this year.
Our Koolewong community is hurting. In the recent bushfires, several families lost their homes, their possessions, and their sense of security in a matter of minutes. Rotary has stepped in to coordinate a compassionate, community-driven response, bringing Rotary clubs together to offer practical help, support, and hope.
If you’re able, please donate via the RAWCS Koolewong Fire Disaster Relief Fund by scanning the QR code. Your contribution is tax-deductible and will go directly to families who are beginning the long journey of rebuilding their lives. Let’s rally together and show them that we care.
2. HER COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LETTER WAS MAILED TO THE HOMELESS
SHELTER
If this story were a Hollywood movie it would be an inspirational biopic in which a determined woman survives life in a homeless shelter and repays the service organization that rescued her. Janelle Hall says all her accomplishments, and there are many, are “thanks to the magic of Rotary.” Read her story: A woman’s journey of self-empowerment leads to Rotary.
3. PEACE BEGINS AT HOME – International Online Mega Meeting (The Rotary
Mega Meeting)
Dear Rotarian and Peacebuilder,
You are warmly invited to register for the upcoming PEACE BEGINS AT HOME – International Online Mega Meeting (The Rotary Mega Meeting).
This global gathering will feature inspiring messages from distinguished leaders and dedicated peace advocates from across the world.
PP. Ozuem O. Esiri (AmbP)
Host & Convener – The International Online Mega Meeting
International Service Director – Rotary Club of Sapele GRA
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK...
Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." - Directly echoes the philosophy of Rotary, of selfless giving and service above self.
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.
DECEMBER IS DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT MONTH
