December First Light Bulletin (Nov 26, 2025)

JOINT PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Jennifer Hartnett Phill Isaacs OAM

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

KHS Peace Poles

KHS Muna

KHS Menkind Breakfast

Katoomba Primary veggie garden pizza oven

ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

In November we had the pleasure of leading a walk at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains for six visiting Rotary exchange students. After a healthy lunch we did a two hour walk from Govetts Lookout to Evans Lookout. They were good company and despite the heat and flies, they seemed to enjoy themselves. Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the most successful Rotary programs, that provides life opportunities for young people.

ROTARY ASSISTING CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA.

The Rotary Club of Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise is situated in the beautiful Blue Mountains.

It is the aim of the Club to keep the Mountains beautiful and for this reason take part in the annual Clean Up Australia program in March. Additionally, this year we all worked in our own areas to Clean Up Springtime. All Club members worked in their own areas to ensure all was a showcase for the Mountains.

One of the areas was the Gordon Falls Reserve in Leura. We came across a HUGE dump of bottles which had been covered with soil. The rain had exposed some of the bottles. We collected 28 Clean up Australia Bags with bottles and glass. Each bag weighed 40 kg. Bottles were dated in the1950’ s and 1960”s so had been there for a long period of time.

Also uncovered were old milk bottles, one pint, half pint, third pint and cream jars. Maybe somebody is interested in buying these historical relics and giving Rotary funds to use in the Community.

Next year, Rotary will join forces with Blue Mountains division of National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure we can continue to make this scenic area even more enjoyable.

The discovery of so many bottles raises intriguing questions about their origins. It would be interesting to research the history behind the dumping of these bottles and attempt to identify those responsible. After all, someone must still remember the events that took place sixty-five years ago.

VIC 100 COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE

Last montgh our Rotary Clubs were cooking up a storm at the inaugural VIC100 bike ride from Penrith to Mount Vic. This event organised by Ed Kirk from Go For Broke, raised serious $s for Lifeline and was an outstanding success. Some 450 riders took part and our volunteer teams kept them fed at the finish line. Well done everyone.

Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.

Robyn Yates Centre for Cancer Wellness Support

105 Railway Parade
Leura, NSW 2780
Australia

Phone:

0488 729 869

Send Email to Club

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.