1st August 2025 – Chris McGullian – Crime Stories as set in East Timor
Details to be advised
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6th June 2025 – The benefit of travel for seniors – Adam Taylor, Director – Taylor Made Tours
I am Sydney born and bred, and one of 8 children. As a school prefect at Waverley College, I was actively involved in Representative Rugby, Swimming and College Cadets and a humble recipient of various awards.
After successfully completing an Economics degree at Macquarie University my journey took me to Financial Markets as an Institutional Interest Rate sales broker working in various locations around the world.
Over the course of that journey, I had developed a strong research and client customer service ethic, in a team environment.
My wife and I are proud parents of 2 young ladies who are active in study, work and team sports.
My hobbies vary from all team sports, cycling, swimming, gardening and golf.
I’m an active volunteer member at the Queenscliff Surf Club, serving as a Patrol Captain. Over the last 17 years, I’ve successfully gained various Club Certificates and recently was a recipient of the Club Distinguished Service Award and The National Medal for service.
I strongly share my brother Simon’s interest, who started Taylor Made Tours back in 1997. Those interests being travel, history, geography and most importantly, actively engaging with people.
My professional goal is to provide a personal service for like minded travelers ensuring they have a holiday experience to fondly remember, and ideally share with others.
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2nd May 2025 – BMCC Workshop – How to avoid home food waste
Guest Speaker is Patricia Healy Project Officer Waste and Resources Blue Mountains City Council.
Want to learn how you could save up to $1000 per year by simply planning and maker clever choices when buying food and using leftovers. then this workshop is for you.
The workshop will be interactive and there will be giveaways.
4th April 2025 – Robyn Catchlove – Presenter – Radio Blue Mountains
It’s been an unpredictable, nomad gypsy life Ive led with a CV which includes selling Lightening Ridge black opals in the USA, owning/running a T-Shirt printing factory in Cairns, being Promotions Officer of the South Australian Jockey Club, a travelling saleswoman in the western Queensland mining country, a tour operator, for many years running a used car yard on Parramatta Road, Five Dock and managing a three storey Tibetan Buddhist temple (Tara Mandala Retreat Centre) in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
And whilst in amongst my heroes of Chips Rafferty, Mahatma Gandhi, Germaine Greer and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, little did I expect to meet one of them!
Additionally in the late 70’s I built a fishing vessel (30 ft by 11 ft 2) with a 1000 kilo freezer, and for 8 years was a professional fisherwoman in the prolific Torres Straits bout 20 kls south of New Guinea (Spanish Mackerel by hand line) and down into the Gulf of Carpentaria in amongst the Wit Mughan aboriginal country around Aurukun (Barramundi by nets)… where I fought crocodiles, sharks, cyclones and men – the crocs being the easiest!
I am also a poet, and an Author including my book, Somewhere Down a Crazy River, an autobiography, which came out through Pan MacMillian some years ago now.
Finally am now gladly residing in Leura for the last few years, where I am both honoured and delighted to be weekly host of two brekky radio shows and one tourism show on 89.1FM Radio Blue Mountains.
Sooooo … shall share some of my background, especially the fishing years and the extraordinarily stunning Gulf country, and most importantly talk about the crucial role community radio plays (including being recognised as Secondary Emergency Broadcaster) in our society.
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7th March 2025 – Junction 142 – Kerry Jordan and Stephen Bradley
Junction 142 is a Support Network in Katoomba for the Homeless & Disadvantaged people of the Upper Blue Mountains. they will be talking about its origins, history, clients and the support activities that are available.
Kerry Jordan has a background in Primary Teaching & Youth activities, is the Treasurer of Leura Uniting Church and, by default, also the original Treasurer of Junction 142 and a Board Member.
Stephen Bradley has a background in Art & Corporate IT & Communications. He joined Junction 142 as a volunteer in 2018, and was crucial in maintaining the Shower & Laundry Service during the Covid restrictions. He is currently the hands on Site Manager, responsible for oversight of all activities.
February 2025 – Harley Rustin – Photographer
Harley Rustin is a brilliant photographer with many national and international awards. He will take us on a photographic journey to France and Japan with an in depth presentation of the people and their culture. We will be taken on a river cruise though parts of France. Another highlight will be a trip to Paris. Harley’s presentation will be one not to be missed.
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December 2024 – Paul Kearney – Entertainer
Paul’s journey as an entertainer began in 2010 when he introduced nostalgia video shows to his mother’s retirement village. These featured iconic artists from the 1930s an 1940s such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, Andrew Sisters etc. The residents embraced these shows.
His success led him to prepare a series of lectures and videos on The History of Rocks & Roll from the 1950s to the 1980s which became a hit on international cruise ships.
Today Paul is a sought after presenter for Probus Clubs, View Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Friendship Groups and retirement villages around Sydney, sharing his passion sharing his passion for music and nostalgia with diverse audiences.
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November 2024 – Soap Box Forum
We have five of our members speaking on a topic of their choice – their life – past professions – past adventures.
Our membership is full of most interesting people so their stories should be most entertaining.
October 2024 – “Campbell Rhododendron Gardens” – Deborah Wells
What’s Happening Now – at the Rhodo Gardens
Blue Mountains Rhododendron Society member Deborah Wells is a professional performer who thoroughly enjoys talking about the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens (among other topics).
Deborah’s life was spent in Musical Theatre with short bursts in pharmacy between shows. After retiring from the stage she taught singing and drama voice skills and with a theatre colleague, created the company Powerhouse Presentations working in the corporate world. Deb moved to Blackheath in 2010 and joined BMRS a year later. Since joining the committee in 2013, she has taken on the roles of Kitchen Manager (for Welcome Weeks), Marketing Manager, Vice President and President. Deb says
“the most enjoyable job I do for the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens is talking about it and that I can do for days…so be ready to stop me when needed”.