Rotary Club of Tamworth West

Quarterly Report 

1 April to 30 JUNE 2026

This quarter our Club continued to provide Rotary services within our community. From ANZAC Day commemorations to hands‑on volunteering, inspiring guest speakers, and our 70th Anniversary celebrations, Tamworth West Rotary continues to demonstrate leadership, fellowship, and commitment to Service Above Self.

Club Activities & Community Service Projects

ANZAC Day – Gipps Street Memorial Service - 25 April 2026

We were blessed by the weather as we conducted the 7am ANZAC Day Memorial Service at the Gipps St Memorial again this year. A very well attended community event with over 300 people gathering to reflect. Highlights included:

• Service led by RCTW President Scott Edwards
• ANZAC address by Retired Major Wayne Clarke (pictured below)
• Prayers by Rev. Gus Batley
• Music by Tamworth Brass Band
• Vocal performance by Max Ellicot
• Address by Hon. Kevin Anderson MP
• Wreaths laid by community organisations and schools
• Breakfast at The Family Hotel raised $120 for Rotary Foundation
• Strong volunteer support from club members
• Special thanks to Jemma and The Family Hotel who in addition to the breakfast supplied all the chairs for the event.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Charity Golf Day – BBQ Volunteers

8 May 2026 – Tamworth Golf Club 

Members staffed the BBQ throughout the day, supporting fundraising efforts for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Volunteers included: Ron Carr, Gordon Austin, Richard Chaffey, Tony Summers, Phil Chaseling, Allan Guan.

70th Anniversary & Annual Changeover Dinner

14 June 2026 – Tamworth Jockey Club 

The Celebration of the 70 year Anniversary of the charter in 1956 of Rotary Club of Tamworth West was a very well organised lunch time event where Rotarians and their partners gathered to acknowledge this great milestone. Highlights of the event were:

• Beautifully decorated function room accompanied by a delicious three‑course dinner;
• The anniversary cake cut by longest‑serving members: Gordon Austin, Jim Hombsch, Bob Donoghoe and Bill Forrest recognising their combined membership and dedication to Rotary for in excess of 230 years of Rotary service;
• Entertaining Speech by guest speaker retired MP for Parkes Mark Coulton about his life and experiences with Group Study Exchange;
• Guests including District Governor Di Hall and her husband Past District Governor Ken, President of our founding charter club Tamworth Rotary Club Kay McCorkell along with past and returning members;
• Presentation of Clubman of the Year Award the John Rogers Trophy to Jim Bannigan and a number of Paul Harris Fellow awards; and
• History slide show created by fellow club member Brian Cox of Rentfast with the history and memorabilia for the club on display. (follow the link at bottom of report to view).

A huge thankyou to Phil Lyne for his efforts in championing and organising the event.

Over 230 years of service - Gordon Austin, Jim Homsch, Bob Donoghoe and Bill Forrest

Guest Speakers (April–June 2026)

We hosted some very interesting guest speakers during the quarter for our evening meetings including:

13 April – Shoko Shimomuro & Wendy Kay

A heartfelt presentation marking the 50 year anniversary of Shoko’s return to Australia 50 years after her Rotary Youth Exchange year and start of a lifelong friendship with Armidale resident Wendy Kay. Themes included:

• Learning English in Japan;
• Her life‑changing exchange experience in Australia;
• An emotional reunion with fellow Rotarian Bill Forrest after 50 years; and
• Wendy’s Kay photo collection and an original song she had written for Shoko in 1977.

18 May – Bill Forrest

Pictured above with Shoko (Left) and Wendy (Right), Bill Forrest spoke on his “64 Years of Rotary Membership” A reflection on decades of service, club history, and Rotary values.

25 May – Charles Impey

Councilor Charles Impey visited and spoke to our members on Tamworth Regional Council Insights and how Council may be able to support Rotary Initiatives.

1 June – Bryan Singh (Friends of Nioka)

Bryan Singh presented to our Club on the importance of Friends of Nioka, Palliative Care in Tamworth of which he has led as President for around 17 years.  This is an incredibly important service in our community which is focused on helping individuals living their last days as well and as comfortably as possible with family supported throughout the journey.   

Our Club took great pleasure to be able to present Bryan and Friends of Nioka with a cheque for $1,000 on the night to go towards Kylie Patient Slides used to move patients safely at home. 

President Scott Edwards presenting Bryan Singh with a cheque for $1000.

Club Promotions & Public Engagement

Throughout the quarter, the club continued promoting:

• Membership opportunities;
• Youth programs;
• Community service projects;
• Partnerships with local charities; and
• Rotary’s 70‑year legacy in Tamworth

From fundraising throughout the year our Club was proud to be able to distribute over $20,000 to local community organisations in our region and support some overseas Rotary Project initiatives to improve the lives of others not so fortunate as ourselves.

President Gavin Hombsch presenting Geoff Roese of Legacy with a $500 Donation

Rotary Club of Tamworth West - Serving the Tamworth community since 1956 Meetings: Mondays, 6:00pm – The Family Hotel 

Want to find out more about Rotary Club Tamworth West!!  Follow the links to the Website Stories Page and our Facebook Page along with our 70th Anniversary Slideshow below.