PRESIDENT’S REPORT
It was unfortunate that our guest speaker was unable to attend on Monday night, however, it gave us an opportunity for extended fellowship which is never a bad thing. It is with sadness that we heard of the passing of PP Scott Edward's mother, Carol, last week. Our thoughts are with the Edwards family at this time and Scott would like to thank all those who have reached out with support via their texts, emails and phone calls.
There is quite a few things happening over the next couple of months so keep an eye on the bulletin for details re Brighter Day, Say No to Domestic Violence and more! I attended the public speaking event on Saturday which was a great demonstration of the talent we have in our young people. Below is a full report courtesy of Ruythe Dufty.
Rotary District 9660 Area 7 Public Speaking Finals Report
On Saturday, 19th September, the Rotary Club of Tamworth Sunrise, supported by the Rotary Club of First Light and the dedicated Area 7 Public Speaking Coordinator, Simon Guest, hosted an inspiring and memorable finals event.
We were privileged to witness four outstanding students showcase their public speaking talents, representing diverse local Rotary clubs and schools. The finalists were:
• Sanza Arzal from McCarthy Catholic College, representing the Rotary Club of Tamworth First Light
• Lauren Sharkey from Calrossy Anglican College, representing the Rotary Club of Tamworth West
• Eva George from Oxley High School, representing the Rotary Club of Tamworth Sunrise
• Calum Frost Guider from Quirindi High School, representing the Rotary Club of Quirindi
Each student delivered a compelling five-minute prepared speech on a personal topic, thoughtfully incorporating the values of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Their confidence and eloquence impressed everyone in attendance.
Adding to the challenge, the finalists were tested with a spontaneous two-minute impromptu speech on the thought-provoking theme of artificial intelligence and whether it impacts what makes us uniquely human. Despite the complexity of this topic, all four students rose to the occasion brilliantly, leaving the audience captivated by their insight and poise.
After careful deliberation, adjudicators Alison Edwards and Lesley Lamb, both respected community members, awarded first place to Calum Frost Guider from Quirindi. We are excited that Callum will represent Area 7 at the District Showcase in Tamworth this coming November 2026, and we wish him every success.
This event also provided a wonderful opportunity for the four participating Rotary clubs to share the unique qualities and achievements they are proud of within their club and community. Bryan, as our valued community representative, spoke about his role, while District Governor Di Hall inspired us by sharing her personal journey into Rotary and her commitment as the District Governor of District 9660.
Heartfelt thanks to presidents Yvette, Gavin, Naomi, and Ray for their unwavering support and to Tamworth Public School for generously allowing us to use their excellent school hall.
Overall, the event was a fantastic showcase of the remarkable talents of our students, the spirit of Rotary,
Congratulations to Bill and Ruth Forrest on their 75th Wedding anniversary, a wonderful achievement and milestone very few people have reached.
Support is hitting the ground in Nepal in a bid to ease the suffering post flooding. Over 1100 families have had assistance by way of shelter, food and essential personal items. Realistically, it will take years to get everyone re homed and much longer to rebuild the infrastructure (roads and bridges) that has been destroyed.
Until next week, YIR Gav
