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A message from Jennifer Hartnett and Phill Isaacs our 2024/25 Presidents

Being a member of Rotary gives you both a local and an international connection. Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who solve real problems with commitment and vision.

For more than 110 years Rotary people have united and taken action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

We take action on sustainable projects, from literacy and peace to water and health, staying committed to the end.

Membership to Rotary is by invitation and using the Rotary classification system a club should contain a cross section of the community, its interests, vocations, and activities. Rotary is no longer an all male domain, women were first admitted into Rotary in 1987 and currently make up more than 1900 of our presidents.

Our club is a friendly group of people and who get involved in a number of Rotary focus areas – Community, International, Youth, Vocational and the Environment.

2024-25 ANNUAL REPORT

In Rotary we believe in transparency and accountability. This report details all the things we have done over the past year. The money we have spent, the community projects we have supported and our fundraising efforts. Have a browse. If you have any questions or comments or, if you would like to know more, and perhaps be part of this group, please talk to our Presidents.

ABCD

The story of our involvement with the Association of Bell, Clarence and Dargan Inc (ABCD) is well known. Last month it was the fifth anniversary of the catastrophic bushfires that ravaged these communities. We attended a special Christmas anniversary event put on by the local community. With our help of Rotary and others, we have now built a new Community Hall. The fit-out contract has just been let and we expect it to be completed early this year. We have put together this video to be featured at our District Conference which tells the story. This project exemplifies the power of Rotary to deliver to the local community.

One focus for Blue Mountains Rotary Clubs last year was the reconstruction of the Association of Bell, Clarence and Dargan (ABCD) Community hall. The picture below shows the ABCD coordinator, Dennis Jones receiving the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship at our recent Changeover Dinner for his dedication and time commitment to this project.

Some focus areas for us this year will be to:

increasing membership in our clubs
develop more diverse fundraising projects
implement our new strategic plan with recommendations agreed to by all members of our Club. This will include continuing and further developing a number of our current successful projects
continue our work with all Mountains Clubs to enhanced Media presentation to the public
work in with a great team in this first year of the trial Regionalisation Project for Rotary.
to have another great year of service and fun

Click Me!

Youth Programs

Every year, thousands of talented and dedicated young people, ages 12-30, have an incredible experience in a Youth Services program. From leadership and experiential learning, these programs can change a young person's life.
Click here to find out more about the great programs Rotary has to offer you .

Fundraising

Most community programs need not only our time and attention but they need funds. Our Club like most Rotary clubs are out there fundraising for a specific purpose or cause. Click here to find out more about some of our fundraisers.

Projects

The members and friends of Upper Blue Rotary are a committed group of men and women who manage and implement a range of projects benefiting our community, both locally and overseas. These projects often start with an idea from an individual. Click here to find out more about some of our fundraisers.

A Story of Purpose and Mental Health

In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today.

This free event is being hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba.

Bookings essential: https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz

Where We Meet

We meet for breakfast at the Robyn Yates Cancer Wellness Support Centre, 105 Railway Parade, Leura.

If you would like to join us please contact Liz Romalis via email:

eromalis1@bigpond.com

January 2026

02 03

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2024-25 Annual Report

Homelessness

Our Club has made a long-term commitment to helping the homeless in the Blue Mountains. We have now raised over $100,000, to this critically important Mountains initiative. This is just the beginning.

A group of Rotary Clubs are now negotiating with a range of stakeholders, including state government, BMCC , social housing organisations and corporates on advancing this major project. Though this process has been complex and taken some time, we will be making progress in this project a priority over the coming months.