Rotarians at Mt. Victoria School Photo: Michael Small
People of Action
President's Message
Paul Campbell
Online meetings are now the norm. However, with a lessening of COVID restrictions, we are looking forward to introducing some face to face meetings into our program. We will be meeting regularly at the Robyn Yates Cancer Wellness Support Centre, starting on Tuesday 29th September. See our story below about the Katoomba Op Shop. There is still plenty happening for Rotary in the Blue Mountains, in Australia, and internationally.
I specifically want to mention our "Helping the Homeless" Trivia Night fundraiser on Saturday 26th September next month. Go to our webpage to book, or see details in this Bulletin. Apart from being a lot of fun, it goes towards helping those in dire need in the Mountains. We have so far raised $4,000 so keep the support coming. See you on ZOOM on the night.
On the following day after the Trivia Night, rock up to support our annual Walk4Hope raising money for Huntington's Disease. Meet at 11:00am at Wentworth Falls Lake.
So when this bulletin arrives in your inbox, please have a read and share it with your friends.
There are three “must sees” that are in every visitor’s bucket list when they weekend in the beautiful Blue Mountains. The first two, of course, are the Railway at Scenic World and the Three Sisters. The third, not surprisingly, is the Mecca for the serious shopper, which is the Cancer Wellness Op Shop at 2/27 Whitton Street, Katoomba (4782 6076).
Australia may be called The Land of Op Shops with every charity, hospital, and pet rescue foundation laying claim to at least one storefront selling discarded garments and bric-a-brac. This Op Shop really is different. First, it is as organized and staffed with mostly volunteers who are polite, courteous, helpful, and know the stock. The stock, by the way, is always fresh, stylish, and well priced. The Op Shop, with its diverse customer base, has become an important community hub.
We were given a personal tour by long time Rotarian Bob Reid who is also the Chairman of Cancer Wellness Support. As we sat and chatted on a beautiful almost new beige leather sofa bed, Bob was quick to point out the bed was sold for $300 but similar ones in the stylish furniture stores in Sydney’s eastern suburbs go for more than ten times the price.
According to Cancer Wellness Support's General Manager Bronwen Johnston (who by the way works out of the HQ located in a fantastic rambling Federation style ex guest house a heartbeat from Leura Mall), the Op Shop relies on the generosity of local citizens gifting their goods and belongings. The best news is that the earnings are being put back into our community in a very meaningful way as explained by Viv Maitland, the Client Services Manager. Viv has a background in general nursing, secondary teaching, and marketing fundraising but life over the last 14 years has been spent as a counselor in both private practice and teaching. Given her background, she is the perfect professional to manage community outreach programs.
With over 45 fully trained and insured therapists, Cancer Wellness Support is providing a large range of subsidised therapies such as massage, lymphoedema management, reflexology, art therapy, reiki, meditation as well as facilitated support groups for client members and their families/carers.
Cancer Wellness Support does such great work in the community. Our Rotary Club is pleased to support their ongoing work.
KHS student/artist Sama Cooper Photo: Michael Small
COVID has made life difficult for our Rotary involvement with young people over the past six months or so. However we have kept our networks going. Working in partnership with the other three local Clubs Central Blue, Katoomba and Blackheath and the E-Club (our Rotary Hub) we are committed to connecting to and investing in our young people in the Mountains. We have continued to promote Rotary’s Youth Service Programs through communicating with our local schools.
Firstly, we do this through Rotary’s Youth Service Programs that develop leadership by providing learning and leadership opportunities. Unfortunately most of Rotary’s Youth Service Programs for 2020, such as RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment), MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly), had to be cancelled due to COVID-19. The RYPEN Summer Camp will now be online and is scheduled for next February 2021. It will be over two weekends ( February 5-7 and 13-14 ). However RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) did go ahead this year in January. This excellent program is held annually in January at Elanora Heights and applicants must be between 18 and 26 years of age and have left school for a year. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 RYLA will not be happening until 2022. Great news though we do have an outstanding applicant for 202
The renowned Rotary Youth Exchange Program (RYEP) provides young people around the world with unique opportunities to experience first hand many lifestyles and cultures of different countries. Great ABC story about Rotary's Youth Exchange program, in a COVID environment.
Secondly, by supporting Youth Projects and Events in the local community and involving young people in fundraising efforts to support these projects. In 2019 our Rotary Club under the leadership of club member Bill Pixton worked together with MYST (Mountains Youth Services Team) to support a ‘Music Mentoring Project’ through helping to fund the fitting out of the recording room and to repair drum kits and fix the sound equipment. The young musicians were mentored by professional songwriters and musicians, resulting in the launch of the Youth Band ‘Safire Palm’ and the release of their single at ‘Funktion at the Junction’ at Junction 142 on 26 October 2019.he Operations Manager of MYST, Kim Scanlon, was also a guest speaker at our breakfast meeting on 15 October 2019 where she outlined what MYST does and what the Music Mentoring Project would involve.Also two of the young musicians involved in this project, Rory and Nic came along and helped out at our September BBQ at Woolworths.
Members of our Rotary Club were invited to attend the Upper Blue Mountains Dance Festival that was held at Katoomba High School on 15 October 2019. Four of our members attended this wonderful event (Anne M, Jenny H, Peter S, Sandra de ) and were very impressed with the talent of these amazing young people. Congratulations must go to all participating students, teachers and schools who helped to make this event such a success, showcasing what our Primary and Secondary students are doing in the creative area of Dance.
Two Year 12 students and two Year 11 from Katoomba High School, were guest speakers at our breakfast meetings in June and September via zoom along with staff member Mrs Charmaine Tully. They spoke about career path planning and their participation in TAFE as part of their Higher School Certificate studies.
Thirdly, recognising students who exemplify Rotary’s ideals of service through offering awards for exemplary young people in the local community. Our club in 2019 funded an award to be made to a student/students at Katoomba High School. The award acknowledges those students who have achieved or done something for their school community. Three of our members, President Paul Campbell, Jenny Hartnett, and Sandra de Gruchy attended Katoomba High School’s 2019 Presentation Night. It was a pleasure to be part of this Awards Evening to recognise the many achievements of the students at Katoomba High School.
Working with our Youth, instills Rotary’s values in future generations to come. As they become our Youth grow to become adult leaders, it is hoped each will achieve that same desire and spirit to serve future generations. As Rotarians we have been inspired, entertained and impressed by some amazing young people who are achieving great things in their communities. It is our Youth of today that will be the Rotarians of tomorrow!
We are grateful for this story from the secretive Mountain Ghost.
The Editor managed to snap an image outside the Ghost's misty mountain lair.
The Mountain Ghost on his walk from Mt Victoria to Glenbrook passes through 14 townships (actually his walk was from his front door to his car) Anyway he has often wondered where the names came from although he did have an inkling with Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson. This is the result of his research:
Mount Victoria – Originally known as One Tree Hill in 1834 but changed to Mt Victoria in 1876 when the Post Office opened. Population 1,000.
Blackheath – was named Black Heath by Governor Macquarie in 1815. Highest railway station in the Mountains but Mt. Victoria is actually a higher town. Population 4,400.
Medlow Bath – Originally called Brown’s Siding after the railway opened in 1880 to service Brown’s Sawmill. Renamed Medlow in 1883 and then Medlow Bath in 1904. Population 600.
Katoomba – the local indigenous tribe called the area “Kedumba” meaning shiny falling water. Kedumba became Katoomba. Population is 8,000.
Leura – This is the mystery name in the Mountains. No one knows where the name came from. First appeared on a map in 1881. There was a Leura House about this time. Population 4,600.
Wentworth Falls – Originally known as Weatherboard after the Weatherboard Inn built in 1814. In 1879 it was renamed Wentworth Falls. Population 6,000.
Bullaburra – Does not have a commercial area, the local service station shut down in 2008. Bullaburra is an aboriginal word meaning clear day. Population 1,230.
Lawson – On original maps this was known as 24 Mile Hollow and for a short time it was known as Christmas Swamp. When the Blue Mountains Inn was opened in 1848 the village became known as Blue Mountains. This became confusing so it was renamed Lawson. Population 2,600.
Hazelbrook – Took its name from Hazelbrook House built in 1870 and stood opposite the current railway station. The house no longer exists. Population 5,000.
Woodford – Originally known as 20 Mile Hollow. The Woodford Inn built in the 1830’s eventually became the Woodford Academy and the name Woodford was adopted in 1871. Population 1,900.
Linden – Named in 1874 after Linden Lodge. The original name was 17 Mile Hollow. It is the smallest town in the Blue Mountains. Population 500.
Faulconbridge – Was named after Sir Henry Parkes house. Originally his property covered 600 acres and the original station was just to service his property. Faulconbridge was the home of Norman Lindsey. Population 4,000.
Springwood – Named by Governor Macquarie in 1815 because the springs in the area and “wood” from the local Blue Gums. Population 8,500.
Valley Heights – named after the Railway Museum there. Population 1,300.
Warrimoo – The railway was opened in 1898 and called Karabah. In 1918 a new station was built and called Warrimoo by the developer, Arthur Rickard. It is believed the name is an Aboriginal word for eagle’s nest or place of the screaming white bird. Warrimoo’s most famous resident was Dorothy Wall, the author of Blinky Bill the lovable koala. Population 2,500.
Blaxland – Originally known as Wascoe. Renamed Blaxland in 1879. Wascoe Siding Miniature Railway was established in 1964 and is still going. Population 7,500
Glenbrook – Takes its name from Glenbrook Creek which must be crossed to access the Blue Mountains National Park. The township was established in 1870 to service the new railway.
Well, the Ghost hopes you are now equipped for your worthy Trivia Night to support the homeless folk in September. During his research the Ghost did learn a thing or two himself. The name 17 mile hollow, 20 mile hollow and 24 mile hollow is the distance from Penrith when the original Great Western Highway was being built. Another useful piece of information is that Don Bradman hit a century off just 3 overs for Blackheath in 1931 at Blackheath Oval in a social match against Lithgow. He went on to make 256. Also, the Ghost learnt that Springwood has more residents than Katoomba.
Someone you know? First in to the editor@bluemountainsrotary.org.au, will be highly commended.
I have been in involved in various community activities including Rotary for over 40 years. Love mathematics and do at least one 5 grid Sudoku each day – often more. Born overseas - Came to Australia to find true love! Love to travel – first overseas trip in 1977 and enjoyed Octoberfest – discovered beer and squash don’t mix! Wear funky socks. Have played cricket, tennis, hockey, squash, golf (very badly) and bowls (very well) Love living in Blue Mountains with such a great community Have 2 adult children and grandkid(s).
Please join us on Saturday 26th September from 7:00 - 9:00 pm for a fun and easy way to test your knowledge and help the homeless in the Blue Mountains. Get your Dream Team together, at $20per team member. Your team can be at your place (depending on current COVID rules) or remotely. Pay online through Rotary at https://directory.rawcs.com.au/102-2019-20 and make sure you call it a “Donation.” Donations are tax deductible. Then, register your team with Paul at president.ubmsunrise@gmail.com.
We will be using ZOOM (everyone knows about that now) and Kahoot! (a fun app to download on your Smart Phone that really gets the trivia night buzzing). Press the links to learn more. Both ZOOM and Kahoot are free to use.
Please read these instructionson how to join and play trivia on the night.
Since 2016 our Club has supported this annual event, organised by Huntingtons NSW, to raise funds for those suffering with Huntingtons Disease and their families. This has been their major fundraiser. However, with social isolating COVID restrictions in place, the annual walk in Parramatta will not take place, at least in a formal way.
We are very grateful to everyone who supports the vital work of Huntington’s NSW & ACT by holding external events or activities to help raise funds so that we can provide essential services for people with Huntington’s disease and their families. The need is greater than ever. Bill Pixton and Bob Montgomery are planning a gentle walk at Wentworth Falls Lake on Sunday 27th September at 11:00am. Registration this year is free, but we ask you to make a donation instead. You can do this directly on the Huntingtons NSW, or donate via the Everyday Hero site. Further details will be provided closer to the date.
