Stories

Nominate now for Police Officer of the Year

POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR for service during 2025

DOES THE CAP FIT SOMEONE YOU KNOW? This is your opportunity to acknowledge outstanding acts of courage, compassion, understanding or devotion to duty by a member of NSW Police working in the Blue Mountains Command. Complete a nomination form by 15th June 2026 to say – “Thanks for a job well done!”
A community project from the Rotary Clubs of:

Lower Blue Mountains
Springwood
Greater Blue Mountains
Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise

Nominate now

TEA PARTY - FUND RAISER FOR GRACE'S PLACE

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.

FAMILY FUN DANCE

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF SPRINGWOOD INC

Ellison PS held their welcome back to school BBQ on Friday 13th February. This was supported by our Rotary Club

which provided the BBQ with sausage sandwiches and egg and bacon sandwiches. Comments received included the following message from Ellison PS.

On behalf of our school and the P&C, I would like to extend a huge thank you

to you and the entire Springwood Rotary team for your incredible efforts in

catering for our Welcome Breakfast this year. It was a wonderful event,

and everyone I spoke with had only positive things to say.

Your team was welcoming, professional, and so generous with their time,

which truly contributed to the warm and inclusive atmosphere of the morning.

It was a pleasure working with you, and please pass on my sincere thanks to

your entire team for their outstanding contribution. We very much look

forward to the opportunity to work together again in the future.

Ronald McDonalds House Meal From the Heart

On the first of August, 2025, members from our Club went to Ronald McDonalds House to prepare and serve a meal to the residents and their families.

The event was a great evening with a happy, fantastic crew who cooked a delicious meal. Congratulations to those members who were able to attend and help.

Ronald McDonalds Meal From the Heart

On the first of August, 2025, Members of our Club went to Ronald McDonalds House to prepare and serve a meal to the residents and their families.

The event was a great evening with a happy, fantastic crew who cooked a delicious meal. Congratulations to those members who were able to attend and hel

The Rotary Club of Springwood 40th Changeover

The 40th Club Changeover was another happy successful event held at the Springwood Sports Club on Monday 23rd June 2025.

The evening was chaired by member, Al Kellaway.

Outgoing President Frank Ross made a touching and emotional speech at the end of his two year term (2023-2025),

and Liz Roberts was inducted as Club President 2025-2026.

We thank David Thomas for his excellent photographs of the event.

We also thank Frank for all of his efforts, and Al for his amazing job as MC for the event, and we wish Liz all of the best as we progress to the next Rotary year.

Donation to Homes for Older Women

Thank you once again for The Rotary Club of Springwood club’s generous donation to Homes for Older Women. Here is a photo from the presentation of the cheque and a link to our facebook post.

Music Amongst the Autumn Leaves

Pocket Pals

POCKET PALS TO TURKEY

– a story of hope, creativity and frustration and friendship. Written by Deborah Wood a Friend of the Rotary Club of Springwood Inc. Blue Mountains

Background: My inspiration for the Pocket Pals was evoked by seeing the heart wrenching footage on the evening news of Mesut Hancer holding the hand of his 15year old daughter Irmak. Irmuk died in February 2023, close to the Quake’s epicentre in the South East corner of Turkey.

This photograph was included in an article of Rotary Down Under (March issue) accompanying the story of Rotary support in the Earthquake region.

I believed that we could energize our distress for the victims of this Earthquake by sending something which may comfort children of this region.

Paramedic Murray Traynor of the Springwood Ambulance Brigade was part of the 72 member Australia’s Disaster and Response Team who flew to Turkey in the C17 from RAAF Richmond on February 13^th. On his return, Murray spoke to the Club of his experiences and this presentation reinforced my belief that we really could do ‘something’ to make a difference.

The concept and my pattern for the Pocket Pals were included in the March 2023 District Newsletter and it caught the attention of Rotary knitters initially. Soon I was receiving Pocket Pals knitted by individuals also members of other Clubs: Rotary Clubs, The Brown Owl Knitting Group of Springwood and the Happy Hookers of Lithgow who contributed crochet Pals. The Wool Inn in Penrith donated yarn. Pals knitted by family members, neighbours, old friends, and new friends were all welcomed. Non-knitters generously donated so yarn and stuffing could be purchased.

Meals from the Heart - Ronald McDonald House Westmead

Meals from the Heart - Ronald McDonald House - Westmead Children's Hospital - Thursday July 23rd, 2023

We had a chance to go and help cook a meal for the families staying at Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Westmead, next to the Children's Hospital.

I knew when I first read about this opportunity in Springword it was one I wanted to be involved with. More so because I wanted to find out about Ronald McDonald House. It is a separate business, not linked to McDonalds, even though they are major sponsors with large fund raising promotions like McHappy Day.

We were a small, keen group that gathered mid afternoon Thursday July 23rd, 2023 and were welcomed and inducted into the house with a brief history, before going to the kitchen. I learnt you can be a volunteer and stay overnight.

Linda and I got the royal tour, since we hadn't seen the place before/ recently. Nice touch in the lift seeing the dinner menu displayed along with our name and logo for all to see. These Meals From The Heart occur 3 times a week in the communal kitchen.

I noticed the large spaces and modern feel inside whilst walking around the brightly painted corridors. Many open areas with balconies looking into trees to help provide a peaceful place to sit. There was a mini hairdressing salon located at the end of one wing that opened up to allow views over green spaces. Genius idea to allow people to feel pampered and have a bit of “me time” with a volunteer professional hairdresser. It's all about making people feel as much at home as possible whilst they attend to sick or injured loved ones in the next door hospital.

There is no time limit to how long families can stay in RMH and some had been there for over 6 months, at no cost to them. They stay as long as they need to be supported for their children requiring treatment. It's not just treatment of cancer, or a disease, but could be injury or trauma related. In other words, they open their arms for any families and there is always a waiting list. Priorities are for those living further away and those close by requiring intensive treatment.

Shelterbox Australia

The Rotary Club of Springwood, supports the work of Shelterbox Australia. Over the past few years the members of the Rotary Club of Springwood have purchased Shelterboxes, to aid in the relief efforts across the globe including the support of Ukraine refugees. Shelterbox is a quick and cost effective way to help large numbers of people who have been displaced by flood, tsunami, earthquake, conflict and aids in relief efforts.

Buttenshaw Park

Posted by Sherril Daly

The Rotary International Garden donated by The Rotary Club of Springwood Inc. located inside Buttenshaw Park Springwood has proven a favourite with our members, the local community and visitors to the Blue Mountains. The garden has been designed by the Rotary Club working in conjunction with the Blue Mountains Sister City Committee.

Wheel Chair accessible Carousel for Buttenshaw Park Springwood

Polio Plus Program

After 25 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners are on the brink of eradicating this tenacious disease, but a strong push is needed now to root it out once and for all. It is a window of opportunity of historic proportions.