The Duo's Discourse - 2 September 2026

“Welcome to this week’s edition of The Duo’s Discourse. Once again, my sincere thanks to PI and Youth Director, Di Barnes, for collating, editing and distributing our newsletter while Joint President, Russell, is taking a temporary leave of absence from Rotary duties.

Last week there was no official Rotary meeting, although the Food & Wine Festival Committee has been busily working behind the scenes to ensure our major community event runs smoothly on the day.
 
With only 3 weeks to go, our sponsors are secured and participating stallholders confirmed. St Ives members will shortly be receiving a copy of the Volunteer schedule of tasks for Saturday, 19th September and Sunday, 20th September 2026.
 
You’ll notice that your names have been prefilled, based on the tasks you undertook last year.
Please let Di Barnes, Harold Morgan or President John Steel know, if you cannot fulfil any of your allocated times/tasks. 
 
Our next Rotary club meeting will be the monthly breakfast at 8.00am at The Living Room Café on Wednesday, 2nd September.
 
Please join us for some scintillating discussion on current affairs and issues affecting our world! Members find the informal nature of these meetings highly engaging. Friends of Rotary or anyone interested in learning more about our club would be made very welcome.
 
The Rotary Foundation
 
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment and alleviating poverty.
 
The Foundation is a not-for-profit supported solely by voluntary contributions. This support is essential to make possible projects, funded with Foundation grants, that bring sustainable improvement to communities in need. As most Rotarians know, the Foundation is often referred to as “our charity of choice”.
 
Thanks to Rotary leaders, members, donors, and supporters worldwide, Rotary Foundation continues to advance Rotary’s mission and create lasting change in communities both locally and globally. During 2025-2026, US$477 million (unaudited) was raised in gifts and commitments. These gifts empower Rotary members to carry out sustainable projects that improve people’s health, expand access to education, protect the environment, alleviate poverty, and promote peace around the globe.
 
Thanks to the collective efforts of Rotary members, leaders, and supporters, Foundation was able to:
·       Award 1,804 global grants, 463 district grants, and 61 disaster response grants in 2025-2026.
·       Work with partners to vaccinate more than 350 million children in 28 countries during 2025.
·       Open the newest Rotary Peace Centre at Symbiosis International University in India.

Regional and district-level fundraising reports will be shared soon, and audited financial results will follow in the coming months.
 
District Conference Mudgee – Friday, 12 March to Sunday, 14 March 2027 
 
District Governor, Michele Ellery reminds all Rotarians and Friends that Early Bird registrations ($345) close on 30th September 2026.
 
After that, prices increase and accommodation will become harder to secure.
 
The conference has been designed with something for everyone—outstanding keynote speakers, practical ideas to take back to clubs, the Country Fair, Bush Dance, local food and wine experiences, and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with fellow Rotarians from across Rotary District 9685.
 
It would be a fabulous weekend away for our members to catch up in a wonderful rural with a balanced blend of inspirational guest speakers, engaging local attractions and a beautiful location for a replenishing couple of days in a relaxing and enjoy the best of country life.
 
Check out more details at:
 
Best wishes 
 
Russ and John
 
Home Page Stories
Profile on two of our members ....
Membership Month reminds us how Rotarians can be an inspiration to others, including their family members! 
 
We all join Rotary for many varied reasons, but what keeps us in Rotary is a shared commitment and passion to make a positive difference in our community and beyond.

Over many years joint President John Steel's son watched his dad work for the greater good in Rotary. Back in 2008-2009 Michael was our outbound Rotary Youth Exchange to Finland. In recent years his admiration for the work his father has done over many years inspired Michael Steel to also join his father's Rotary club. We are fortunate having a younger generation working with us on many and varied projects. There can be nothing more rewarding for a father than to have their son follow in his footsteps and work side-by-side on Rotary projects.

 

 

 

Meet our two St Ives Food and Wine Festival Gold Sponsors!!
Thanks go to our two fabulous GOLD SPONSORS supporting their local community and St Ives Food and Wine Festival Sunday 20 September 2026!!
 

Kieser Pymble is a premier health and fitness centre located in Pymble and known for its welcoming atmosphere and highly knowledgeable staff.

Kieser Pymble is a physiotherapy, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning facility. The clinic has no music, no mirrors and no distractions as we believe this creates a non-intimidating environment that welcomes clients from all levels of ability. At Kieser Pymble can design a strength training program for whatever is important to you, whether you're looking to manage back pain, build muscle for sport or simply looking to remain strong. Kieser Physiotherapists treat a wide variety of conditions in their facilities including spinal conditions, pre-surgery or post-surgery, peripheral injuries/ pain (shoulders, knees, hips, ankles, etc.) and many more.

Visitors consistently praise the professional and friendly demeanour of the team, which includes physiotherapists, exercise scientists, and trainers dedicated to helping clients achieve their fitness goals thanks to expert staff, customized programs, excellent facilities, a positive atmosphere and convenient location.

We invite you to personally experience the Kieser difference at 939 Pacific Highway, Pymble

 
 

For more than 45 years, North St Ives Medical Practice has cared for generations of patients. This Spring, the practice will become St Ives Doctors and move to a purpose-designed home at St Ives Plaza Shopping Village.

The name and location are changing, but the established doctors, practice team, patient records and independent character of the practice will continue. The telephone number remains unchanged.

The new practice has been designed to support coordinated and connected care. It will offer more consulting rooms, step-free access and accessible bathrooms, together with a Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology collection centre within the St Ives Doctors health hub. The additional space will support greater appointment capacity and more care within one practice, while patients maintain a relationship with a regular GP who understands their history.

The move represents a long-term investment in the practice and St Ives community. It gives a local practice the facilities needed to serve patients well into the future.

St Ives Doctors is proud to support the St Ives Food and Wine Festival as a Gold Sponsor. Visit our stall to meet the team, learn about the move and enjoy activities for children and adults.

Opening Spring 2026
Shop 11, 351 Mona Vale Road, St Ives

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