Volunteers Needed – Join Us at DIK! DIK is currently in urgent need of extra volunteer support to help deliver on several important projects. If you, your members, or friends can spare some time, we’d love to welcome you.

Help needed on 

February 3rd - Loading a Samoa bound Container

February 10th - Loading a South Soudan Container 

Give Norm a call if you can spare a couple of hours to help out -  0405 032 631 

Our club will be again supporting the Black Dog Ride which will occur on Sunday 15th of March at the Wyndham Harbour.  Last year we helped Black Dog to raise $6000 for mental health programs.

TJ is organising this event and we will need people to help out.   Give him a call on 0428 966 644

Barry Hanson is leading the charge for our Clean Up Australia effort on Sunday 1st of March.   It will start at 10am at the 100 Steps in Altona.  More details to follow. 

The following guest speakers are planned for the month of February.

February 17th - Julie Mason, PDG 

If you have any ideas for guest speakers let Danny Civitico know. 

We started off the year with a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Altona North. 

As you can see Gianni lowered the average age of our club by quite a lot helping at the counter. 

Moneys raised will be used to fund worthy community projects during the year.  Well done to those who helped out on the day. 

Altona City and Altona Rotary Club had a combined christmas party on Tuesday with 40 people in attendance.   Presidents Bronnie and Jodi shared their christmas messages as well as our district governor Peter. 

It was a great night with lots of fun and fellowship.   There was live music, carols, raffles and a visit by santa and his helper elf.    A good time had by all.   

Our guest speakers recently were Debra Slogget and Helen Penna from the Rotary Club of Keilor East.  You may recall that they gave a presentation a few years ago on a water and sanitation program in Cambodia at Siem Reap.   

They provided an update on how that was progressing, with many new schools and communities having access to clean water and basic hygiene. 

They spoke of how the students have taken ownership of maintaining these initiatives and training other students with good hygiene habits.   It was pleasing to see the progress that their projects have been making and changing lives in Cambodia.   

Water and sanitation are things we take for granted.  In these countries, that is not so and that is why supporting these initiatves is so important. 

Our International Director Judith Coghill made a presentation to Debra and Helen and that contributioon will be used to fund further projects. 

At a recent meeting, we heard from Les Mather and David Harwood who spoke of the important work that the Westgate Prostrate Cancer Support Group does to support men and their loved ones for those living with prostate cancer. 

They shared their very personal stories about the disease and the importance of getting regular check ups after the age of 4o.   If it is caught early, then the success rate is very high to beat the disease.   

You can help by making a donation and spreading the word about getting regular check ups.   

Our club made a donation to Les and David to continue their great work. 

Thanks to Charlie M who organised our guest speakers.

The Hobsons Bay Teachers Excellence awards were celebrated at the Kooringal Golf Course function room on Tuesday the 21st of October.   This awards event has been going for 8 years and this year saw a record number of awardees (25) from 4 schools;

• Altona P12 College
• Bayside College
• Emmanuel College 
• Williamstown High School

There were three categories of awards being

Encouragement Awards (for new or teachers with limited experience)

Achievement Awards (for more experienced teachers and their portfolios)

Team Award (for groups of teachers involved in a major project or initiative)

Award Recipents were

The amazing work these educators do and continue to improve upon was amazing to hear during the citations.

Our key note speaker was Rebecca Fry a person who at a young age embraced rotary which enabled her to follow her dreams and provide guidance for many other young people.  Her presentation was inspirational.

Local member for Williamstown, the honourable Melissa Horne also provided a wrap up presentation at the end of the night.   

We also would like to thank Biljana Cvetic and the Community Bank of  Altona and Laverton for their ongoing support. 

And a huge thank you to Bryan Goodwin who pulled the whole event together as he has each year the event has run.   He was honoured on the night with an Rotary International Service Award which was presented by Past District Governor Michael Lapina.

The AGM was held on Tuesday the 28th of October, 6.30pm Kooringal Golf Course and the following members were nominated and appointed to these roles for 2026 - 2027.   Congratulations to Lenore on being the PE for the next rotary year and all those who have put their hand up to support Lenore.

We took the opportunity to thank Lenore for her year as president 2024 -25 with a small presentation of a certificate and Past President's Pin. 

During her year, she instigated and managed the club activities with distinction leaving the club in an excellent position going into the future.  Well done Lenore on your very succesful year at the helm. 

DIK celebrated a special morning tea and the presentation of Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Awards to longest-serving volunteers, Barry Douglas and Rosemary Rogan. These amazing people have been working at DIK, West Footscray for 23 years.

Barry has assembled and packed approximately 18,000 stationery kits that have been distributed to schools in Timor Leste, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and the Pacific Islands.

Barry is now moving to regional Victoria to enjoy his retirement. Rosie will continue at DIK in a reduced capacity.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR WONDERFUL CONTRIBUTION TO DIK.

Long time friend and devoted rotarian DG Peter Shepheard and his father Neil, joined our meeting where Peter gave an overview of his term as governor as well as an update on major developments.  He took questions from the floor and the opportunity to exchange ideas and information was well received.

We look forward to DG Peter's continuing support of our club. 

Members of the Altona City Rotary Club and the Hobsons Bay Mens Shed combined to assist the local constabulary to landscape the police station front gardens.   The weather was harsh but the hardy crews moved a mountain of mulch to bring back the former glory of the front area of the police station.   There was a morning tea and cakes provided to the workers.   Thanks to Hong who came down to help and the Dave Hopwood from the Hobsons Bay Mens Shed. 

The club changeover was held on Sunday the 22nd of June, where we saw outgoing president Lenore hand the reins over to Bronnie to take on the rotary theme of "Unite for Good"   

The changeover showcased the amazing work that the club had done under Lenore's fabulous leadership.   Now its Bronnie's turn and the club is in great hands. 

The night was also an opportunity to recognise the great work done by individual members of the club.  Bryan Goodwin, a club stalwart was recognised for his work in projects such as, Australia Day Celebrations, Time Capsule Project, Mock Job Interviews and Wynspeak.     

We also took the opportunity to recognise the tireless work of Brian and Jenny Noordenne with Paul Harris Fellowship recognition. 

They have made a significant contribution to the club through the Australia Day celebrations and the use of their marvellous facilities and expertise for club events and projects.   Well done to all.  We now look ahead to an exciting year.