Well, we have just completed one of the busiest periods this last year.
With BarBQ’s at Woolworths, Medlow Bath Community event, The Leura Garden Festival and Vic 100 at Mount Victoria all in November. Please see photographs within the Newsletter. It was great to work with other Clubs on Vic 100 and all the Clubs in the RCG were involved in different parts of the 100K race.
It was good to see the End Polio train ride again this year and we attended Emu Plains station with other mountain Clubs to make our donation to this essential project.
We have also had socials at Hazelbrook Bowling Club (thanks to David and Joan for organising), and a beautiful night to celebrate Tanya’s significant Birthday.
And now we approach the Christmas silly season. Our Christmas Party is in the middle of being planned. We had planned on having at the new Hall for ABCD, and although completed, has not been granted an occupancy certificate as the landscaping has not been completed. Our part in providing funding for the Hall construction, the kitchen and toilets and the water storage will allow us to complete the final report for the Global Grant. It was pleasing to see the seven Bunnings stores in the area provide the undercoat paint and seven staff do the painting without recognition.
We will be setting up our new Sister Club with a Zoom meeting with Gravesham with Ebbsfleet Rotary in District 1120, United Kingdom early December.
We have been involved with the Katoomba Schools with several of our members attending a Menkind breakfast. We have also applied and been successful in receiving a grant from Bendigo Community Bank in Katoomba to help Katoomba Primary School obtain a new Oven. The students from Katoomba High who took part in Model United Nations (MUNA) won the local competition, came second in the National Competition and have been invited to New York in January. A great effort for a great school. Between now and the end of the year we will have a major event at Planetary Health on Mental Health with the Chairman of the Black Dog Institute Peter Joseph AM on Saturday November 29. We will also have our December BarBQ at Woolworths. and a Monster Garage Sale at Bob Reid's Home December 6th.
We have already planned the program for the first half of calendar 2026 which looks very exciting. Don’t forget to register for our next District Conference in Newcastle March 20 -22, 2026. If anything like the past Conferences, it will be great as it will be a combined Conference with District 9660.
Well, a Christmas party to end the year will be held at Wild Valley Art Park 321 Blaxland Road, Wentworth Falls, Sunday December 14 at Noon. The restaurant is BYO and there will be a two-course luncheon for $55.00.This should be a good ending for a busy year
We take this opportunity to wish all a very safe and happy Christmas and may the new year be all you can wish for with health and happiness
Yours in Rotary Service
Jennifer Hartnett and Phill Isaacs OAM
FROM BUSHFIRE DISASTER TO COMMUNITY RECOVERY
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 the 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.
MEMBERSHIP FOCUS GET TOGETHER
Mark Huddleston Presentation
As part of the Regionalisation Pilot, Building Membership continues with Mark Huddleston's third presentation to Clubs in our District, and particularly those from the Blue Mountains. “Fit For Purpose” is an innovative program designed by Mark and others, and we are sure it will give you many ideas how we can grow Rotary's participation and membership. We are all part of Rotary’s Regionalisation program, so we would welcome you to this event and how to develop the "Fit for Purpose" program.
How to create an inclusive and irresistible club experience
How to leverage artificial intelligence to increase your club’s impact
How to initiate change in your club
Drawing on their learnings from the presentations, each club representative in attendance began crafting their Club Fitness Plan, a document detailing their club’s strategies to overcome their unique challenges and achieve growth. Even if your club isn’t participating in Fit for Purpose, there’s good news – you too can access the insights from the workshop to strengthen your own club!
“At the end of the program, clubs can choose whether to continue with the changes they have implemented from their Club Fitness Plan. We hope participating clubs will reap such enormous benefits from implementing change that they will not only retain these changes, but act as a membership beacon to the rest of the Rotary world,” says Mark.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE March 2025
This year in Penrith, Sydney, we are hosting Our Better World: Through People & Rotary, a summit dedicated to environmental sustainability and the people who depend on it. Featuring keynote speakers such as Alan Finkel, Australia’s former Chief Scientist, and Veena Sahajwalla, a leading UNSW scientist, this event promises to inspire. Explore our expo showcasing impactful community projects and the Pitch for Purpose Student Innovation Challenge, which highlight enlightening ideas for a sustainable future. You’ll leave empowered with practical steps you can take to contribute to ecological harmony.
Our summit brings together passionate professionals from the community, humanitarian, environmental and sustainability leaders and other key fields, providing the perfect opportunity to build new connections. Located just 45 minutes from Sydney, the event will be held at the brand-new Pullman Hotel in Penrith, within the state-of-the-art Western Sydney Conference Centre. Attendees can also take advantage of our exclusive accommodation rates.
If you’re passionate about environmental sustainability and humanitarian causes, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Register today.
See the video of Our Better World to see what is on at the summit:
Learn about impactful sustainability, environmental and humanitarian projects in critical areas like water and sanitation, education and youth development.
Discover Rotary’s major global initiative to eradicate polio.
Gain insights into how Rotary volunteers create local and global change.
Explore how Rotary is addressing pressing Australian issues, such as domestic violence, homelessness, mental health, and environmental protection.
Pitch for Purpose Student Innovation Challenge: Be inspired by school and university students showcasing innovative solutions for a better world.
MANAGING CONFLICT
Jennifer Scott AM
Reflecting that February is Peace and Conflict Resolution/Prevention month, Jennifer Scott AM was our Guest Speaker this week. Jennifer is a Past District Governor and now appointed a Rotary International Director Elect. She has worked on major global projects, like Polio and sustainability projects in Cambodia and Mongolia.
ROD STOWE
In January, we were priviledged to have Adjunct Professor Rod Stowe share his lifetime experience as a champion of consumer laws and protection.
Rod Stowe is the current Chair of the Consumer Advocacy Trust Board,
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
Advance Notice
We are participating in a local clean-up Australia Day at Gordon Falls Leura on Sunday 9th March. Note this a week after the official day but we will have people and resources ready for the 9th. Mark in your diaries.
AN EMERGING ARTIST
Piercarlo Cuneo
Rotary is made up of a diversity of people, some with creative talent. One of those is our Leura based, International Director, Piercarlo Cuneo.
He started painting two years ago, following online art courses to explore different styles—abstract, landscape, impressionism, and more—to discover what resonates most with him. To further his learning, joined the Blue Mountains Artist Society, where he continues to refine skills and grow as an artist.
Currently he is exhibiting at Portland, where this year’s theme is "Colorful." With his latest painting, inspired by the vibrant villages of Bosa, Italy, he is hopeful that its rich hues and lively composition will be appreciated in the exhibition.
We now meet every 2nd Tuesday with an additional social/vocational meeting to suit members. Our breakfast meetings are at The Robyn Yates Centre. We will still have some ZOOM meetings for service activities. Check Calendar for details.
