12 March, 2023

 

Greetings Fellow Rotarians,

On Sunday, 5^th March, Ric Tasker organised volunteers to help with “Clean-up Australia Day” around our beautiful Wentworth Falls area. My thanks go to Ric, Ian, Jennifer, Tom and Allan for doing a splendid job of cleaning up.

On Tuesday 7^th March, we held our “autumn” themed D’café at the Katoomba RSL. We sang songs (like “When autumn leaves”), and we did trivia questions on autumn followed by some energetic dancing.  The time just flew as we didn’t even get around to doing our ten pin bowling.  We now need to expand the group with more people coming to join us.

Afterwards, many of us had lunch at the RSL Club. I sat with one of the gentleman who has been regularly coming to our D’café. His wife, who suffers from dementia and is now in an aged care facility, told me that being able to come to our gatherings has helped him so much.  He drives up from Lithgow and he finds that talking to like minded carers and/or partners has helped him mentally to come to grips with this dreadful disease that his wife has and the realisation that he is not alone.

It is great to know that Springwood Rotary Club is starting up their D’café on Tuesday the 14^th March at 10.30 at the Oriental Hotel.

At our meeting on Wednesday 8^th March, I acknowledged that it was “International Women’s Day” and the theme is “Embrace Equity”. International Women’s Day movement began in 1911 and was taken up in Sydney, Australia in 1928. Today it is celebrated throughout the world.

For Rotarians it’s extra special as a Canadian Rotarian, Jennifer E Jones, is currently the first female International President of Rotary (in its 117 year history).

Viv Byrnes introduced our guest speakers, Graham and Roslyn from “Ask Roz” tourism digital information service. For the next hour, Graham told us about how “Ask Roz” came about and how it was built up to what it is today.  He then went on to tell us about AI (artificial intelligence).  It was very interesting and gave us some really great ideas as to how we, Rotary, could promote ourselves in the digital space. Interesting questions were asked and a vote of thanks was given by Steve Cookson presenting Graham with a certificate of appreciation, and a donation on their behalf to Australian Rotary Health.

As usual, Friday started off with a healthy breakfast for our little munchkins at Lawson Public School.

On Tuesday 14^th March we will hold our Board Meeting, at the Grand View Hotel at 5pm.

Next Wednesday15^th March will be our monthly Foodbank delivery day to three charities in the Upper Mountains.

 Friday 17^th March starts off with the Lawson Public School Breakfast Club  to be followed by the Annual District Conference at Cowra. Registrations begin at 9.00a.m., going through to BBQ dinner with a  guest speaker, local historian, Lawrence Ryan and entertainment will be provided by local musicians.  Saturday will be a day of information and outstanding speakers ending with dinner (1940’s themed), music and dancing. The conference concludes on Sunday after brunch and a tour of the famous Japanese Gardens.  I am really looking forward to this very full and exciting weekend.       

 

Until next week, stay safe.

Lora

President