Edition 14

Meeting Notice for 21 September 2026

The Family Hotel at 6:00 for 6:30pm

PROGRAMME: Glenn Sim - Building Consultant & Engineer

This evening our club welcomed Lisa Rennie (Program Ambassador for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library), and Jacqueline Smith (Librarian with the Tamworth City and Robert St Libraries and the TRC Imagination Library Administration and Enrolment officer) who shared the remarkable impact this program continues to have on local families. 

The Imagination Library was founded by Dolly Parton in 1995 in East Tennessee in tribute to her late illiterate father and has over 50,000 children enrolled worldwide. It was introduced to Australia in 2013 and is administered by United Way Australia. When the Imagination Library launched in Tamworth in 2019, around 398 children were enrolled by the end of the first year. As at September 2026 there are 3,328 children across Tamworth and surrounding communities who receive a free age-appropriate book every month, helping to build a lifelong love of reading. Lisa explained that the Tamworth Library also runs regular Baby Book Time sessions and every child registered is automatically signed up for library membership.

Over a 5 year period each child receives 60 books. The program does cost a lot to run and relies heavily on donations and sponsorship. It costs $108 to fund one child for 1 year so the current level of enrolment costs $359,424 annually. The benefits are definitely worth the outlay. Lisa shared a recent study from Dr Claire Galea (head of research at United Way Australia) which was completed on the Tamworth LGA program in 2025 which revealed that:

. Children in the program in the Tamworth LGA were being read to more often and had more books in the home than the average Australian child; and

. After receiving the first 10 books children in the program were 2.3 times more likely to be interested in reading.

Lisa reminded us that while technology has its place, nothing replaces the experience of opening a book, exploring new worlds, and sharing stories together. She shared that one of her treasured memories was sitting on the knee of her late grandfather being read the story of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

As Rotary marks Basic Education and Literacy Month this September, Lisa and Jacqueline's presentation is a wonderful example of how programs like the Imagination Library change lives and help children to reach their full potential. This year, the Rotary Club of Tamworth West proudly donated a further $3,000 to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, helping sponsor books for local children and supporting a program that is delivering real results in our community. Our Club were thankful to receive as part of the presentation tonight a Certificate of Appreciation from TRC in recognition of our ongoing support for this wonderful program.

Thank you to Lisa and Jacqueline for providing an update on the incredible work you undertake to promote the benefits of the Imagination Library and to strengthen literacy across our region.

To learn more about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library or make a donation, visit: 

https://www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/.../dolly-partons...

Thanks to James Hindmarsh fot the notes.
 

PRESIDENT’S  REPORT 

  There was a great roll up on Monday night to hear from Lisa Rennie and Jacqueline Smith from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which boasts some of the best stats around uptake by families in the local government area. Please see the full report, manufactured by our friends at AI headquarters! (thanks James and Dillo)   
     Mal MacPherson has been beavering away behind the scenes with all things Youth related. Firstly the next round of the Public Speaking competition will be held this Saturday 19/09/26commencing at 2pm at Oxley High School. I will be attending along with our representative speaker, Lauren Sharkey and her mother, Kristine. We wish her well at this level of the competition.  
      The Brighter Day Event to be held on Saturday 24/10/26 is in support of Youth Insearch and we will be involved by way of a BBQ as we have done in the past. More information on that event as it comes to hand.   
     Peel High School Celebration Day is on in December. This is their presentation day and Mal has indicated that he will be attending in a bid to keep communication channels open between the school and our Club, something that is becoming a little more difficult in recent years.           Last but not least, our representative for the National Youth Science Forum, Darcy Bowe has made a significant contribution to getting himself to that event which validates our decision to support him financially. The board will ratify the decision on Wednesday eveningso payment can be made to NYSF and cement his inclusion in the program. Good Luck Darcy!    
    Scott Edwards is following up on our commitment to the CanAssist event in November. This will be another BBQ, so keep your aprons ready.     
   The Board will also be formally considering the two new member applications on Wednesday night and make preparations for another two inductions in the near future. It is a busy time and thanks to all who are helping keep the wheels turning.   
 
Enjoy your week.    YIR Gav

https://hume-and-hovell.raiselysite.com/jim-booth

Jim Booth is retracing his family history and walking 70 kms to raise money for ShelterBox. Click the link above to donate to this worthy cause

ATTENDANCE - Meeting of Monday 21st September 2026

Select the link below to the next meeting attendance ONLY if you are attending our next meeting on Monday.
The cut off time is 7pm on Sunday.

The caterer is advised of numbers just after 7.00pm Sunday evening

Tony Summers is Road Crew Support for his son’s team who are raising money for Motor Neurone Disease by jet skiing 2000km down the Murray River from Albury to Goolwa.

Scan the QR Code below to donate to Tony’s cause.