“Welcome to this week’s edition of The Duo’s Discourse.
Friday, 23rd October – Train Ride to End Polio
Congratulations to all Rotarians from District 9685 and District 9675 who rode the trains across Sydney’s metropolitan network, stopping at all 189 stations in just one day, to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation’s End Polio Now campaign and support the global effort to eradicate polio.
A big THANK YOU to those Rotarians who responded to our request for donations to PolioPlus during the month of October recognizing World Polio Day on 24th October. We raised $700 which will be remitted to the Foundation this week. Remember, it’s never too late to donate to Rotary Charities – PolioPlus, the Annual Fund or Disaster Fund; all great places to consider directing your donation dollars.
Rotary Club of St Ives Spring Raffle – Closed 11.59pm on 30 October 2026 and winning tickets were drawn automatically by RaffleLink at 5PM on 31 October 2026 using the RaffleLink system draw process. All winners were notified directly, via email, from RaffleLink.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our raffle. We are delighted to announce the winners.
This is a summary of the Draw with only the initials of the Winners and the ticket numbers drawn.
1st Prize: Winner: HM - Ticket #548
2nd Prize: Winner: BB - Ticket #576
3rd Prize: Winner: IT - Ticket #427
4th Prize: Winner: MJ - Ticket #459
5th Prize: Winner: SS - Ticket #319
6th Prize: Winner: BB - Ticket #047
7th Prize: Winner: GR - Ticket #009
8th Prize: Winner: BB - Ticket #600
9th Prize: Winner: CM - Ticket #348
All prizes can be collected from 73 Pentecost Avenue, Pymble. Please contact Harold on 0418 370 354 to arrange a suitable time for collection of your prize,
Wednesday, 4th November – Monthly breakfast meeting at the Living Room Café, commencing at 8.00am.
This is always an enjoyable occasion and a great way to start the day!
Why not join us? Friends of Rotary are especially welcome.
Remembrance Day11 November marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting with Germany in World War I.
Every year since 1919, many nations have paused on Remembrance Day (11 November) in memory of their fallen service people. It’s a day for people to acknowledge the service personnel who have died while serving, including in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, people in Australia and many other countries pause for a minute of silent reflection in memory of those who died while in military service.
Whether you observe a minute’s silence at 11am, wear a poppy or attend a service, help keep the legacy of our service people alive on Remembrance Day.
Wednesday, 11th November – Celebrate the final day of Diwali/Deepavali the Festival of Lights
Diwali or Deepavali starts Sunday 8th and finishes Wednesday 11 November so we get to celebrate this beautiful festival of lights by sharing authentic curries, rice and naam together.
Our meeting will be held in a private room at The Indian Accent Restaurant, 175 Rosedale Road, St Ives at 6.15pm for 6.30pm start. Ladies be prepared to borrow beautiful authentic colourful Indian scarves for the night.
Meal includes:
3 curries (mild)
Rice
Naam
Corkage for BYO - OR - one can of soft drink
Cost: $45
Wednesday 11 November is also Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is one of the most important days on our commemorative calendar. At 11am we stop we stop our usual routine and remember World War I hostilities ended on the Western Front in 1918 "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month". On Remembrance Day, pause with other Australians at 11 am to remember the service and sacrifice of those who have lost their lives in wars, conflicts and peace operations.
The red Flanders poppy is worn as the traditional symbol of remembrance.
Saturday, 21st November - Club Presidents' Meeting and District Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The Club Presidents Meeting and District Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, 21st November 2026 from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Castle Hill Country Club, 7 Spurway Drive, Norwest NSW 2153.
All Club Presidents are asked to register their attendance. Registration is particularly important to ensure that the required quorum is achieved for the District AGM.
Monday, 23rd November – Sunday, 20th December 2026 - Tree of Joy
Our annual Tree of Joy program commences on Monday 23rd November at St Ives Village Shopping Centre, in the usual location adjacent to Santa’s set up and will continue until Sunday, 20thDecember.
This is a long-standing community project that spreads Christmas cheer to elderly residents in local nursing homes and aged-care facilities.
The project was started in 1999 during the “Year of the Senior Citizens” and has become a much-loved local tradition.
Gift tags are placed on the Christmas tree with the name and wish of a resident; shoppers and visitors take a tag, buy and wrap the gift, then return it to the tree.
Rotary volunteers collect and deliver the gifts in time for Christmas – now more than 1300 each year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share the Rotary spirit, chat with the members of the community and help brighten someone’s Christmas.
Greg will be distributing the Volunteer schedule during the coming days so, please put your name down for as many shifts as you can manage. Remember we have a total of 108 two-hour shifts to be filled during those weeks. Your assistance is greatly needed.
We especially thank our Friends of Rotary who join us in supporting this important community project.
Wednesday, 25th November - Hornsby Ku-ring-gai DFV Walk the Talk – PCYC 1 Park Lane, Waitara
Join your Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai community at the 2026 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign under the UNiTE theme: "Ensure justice, protect survivors, end impunity".
This will be A 20-minute walk, commencing at 7.30am, with guest speakers and the remembrance of those who lost their lives due to domestic and family violence in Australia and followed by a breakfast BBQ provided by the Rotary Club of Wahroonga Inc. Cost is Free.
Watch this space for more details.
Thursday, 26th November – Board meeting at Harold’s
7.00pm at IPP Harold’s. Board members are reminded to share their portfolio reports a few days ahead of the meeting so they can be shared and reviewed prior to the meeting.
Sunday, 13 December – Carols on the Common
The Rotary Clubs of North Ryde and Macquarie Park, in partnership with the City of Ryde, are seeking volunteers to assist with many tasks relating to the 2026 Carols on the Common to be held at:
The North Ryde Common cnr Wicks Rd and Twin Rd North Ryde from 5.00pm.
Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Pamela Wood direct at her email address, included in the following link:
District Conference Mudgee – Friday, 12 March to Sunday, 14 March 2027
Registration cost is now $370 until 31st December 2026!
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 the district.
Zone 8 Restructuring
Districts within Zone 8 (which includes Australia and the local region) have paused specific 2028–29 District Governor elections to accommodate an active re-districting pilot and working group ahead of a new district rollout.
The exact changes are not yet finalized. Some districts may remain as they are, some will merge, and others may absorb new clubs.
New districts will be in place from 1st July 2028.
2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona
Standard Registration cost is US$795 from 22 September 2026 until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 to 30 June 2027 the cost will increase to US$895.
Once again, my sincere thanks to PI and Youth Director, Di, for collating, editing and distributing our newsletter while Joint President, Russell is absent from Rotary duties.
Best wishes
Russ and John”
