About Us

Irene, the founder of Really Useful Calendars, was born in Adelaide, South Australia. After a lifetime of working closely with people, she shifted her focus to creating products that help others. Determined to support her community, Irene committed to ensuring all products sold in Australia are South Australian-made. For overseas sales, local printers may be used to support their communities, but the foundation of her business remains proudly South Australian.

Irene’s inspiration came from an older Italian couple who struggled to fit their medical appointments on their small calendar. That was her “aha” moment. She reached out to Jo from Bittersweet Design, a trusted graphic designer, and Really Useful Calendars emerged in 2023. The first creation, the Calendary, was a unique hybrid of a calendar and diary in a large textbook format.

While the Calendary wasn’t ideal for the Italian couple, who preferred a wall calendar, it found a different audience. Irene, working in the NDIS sector, introduced the product to others, including a woman with dementia who said it “saved her life.” This feedback sparked Irene’s deeper reflection on time—how we use it, cherish it, and share it.

As Irene grew older, her appreciation for time deepened. She wanted products that could do more than track appointments—tools that could capture life’s moments and provide a tangible way to reflect on how time is spent. She envisioned products for people like her, who value memories, celebrate small successes, and seek to improve their lives every day.

From this vision, Really Useful Calendars expanded to include:

  • The Fitness Calendar: Encourages health and mobility improvement while allowing users to track progress over time.
  • The Savings Calendar: Helps monitor daily, weekly, and monthly savings, from skipped coffees to larger financial goals.
  • The Business Calendar: Provides a clear overview for home-based businesses, side hustles, or hobby projects.
  • The Baby Calendar: Captures milestones and memories for parents and grandparents, creating a valuable health and life record.
  • The HUGE Calendar: Designed for busy families, individuals with low vision, and older adults with multiple appointments, this large-format calendar is also a keepsake.
  • The Calendary: A versatile A3 product that combines diary and calendar functions. Portable and practical, it’s ideal for meetings, documentation, and long-term use.

Irene’s philosophy is simple: time is precious, and we all have a limited amount. By making the most of her time, she hopes her calendars will inspire others to do the same—whether to track goals, reflect on memories, or cherish daily moments.

“I hope my calendars make a difference in your life,” says Irene.

Please contact Really Useful Calendars if you have any questions, are interested in selling these products or have a suggestion. You might be a Florist wanting to add the Baby Calendar as a gift to flower orders congratulating new parents or you may be an OT wanting to give one to each of your clients. Let's talk if my products can add value to your business or organisation.

Email  - rucalendars (at) gmail.com

Write to PO Box 225 Smithfield SA 5114

Thanks for visiting,

 Irene



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