I am honoured for the opportunity to serve this club as President.
Rotary International's message for the 2025-2026 year is "Unite for Good".
This theme encourages Rotary members to use human connection to create positive change and foster unity in a world often divided.
It emphasizes the power of collective action and collaboration to address global challenges and improve communities.
I look forward to working together as a team in a year of service, fellowship, and fun.
The Rotary Club of Altona City meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Kooringal Golf Club, Wilga Avenue, Altona at 6.30pm for 7.00 pm start.
Keep checking the calendar as it is subject to change. Version 4 January 5th 2026
Date
Day
Event type
Time
Venue
January
1
BUNNINGS BBQ
All day
Bunnings Altona
January 5-14
January 13-21
week
National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)
Bronnie volunteering in Bris.
Canberra
Brisbane
January 19
Monday
Labelling day
9.30 – 3.30
53 Blackshaws Road
Newport
January 20
Tuesday
Club and Board Mtg
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
January 25
Sunday
Packing and labelling afternoon
2.00pm – 5.30pm
Central Square Shopping Centre
January 26
Monday
AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATION
9.30am
CENTRAL SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE
School Term begins 27th January
February 3
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
February 11
Wednesday
CLUSTER BBQ
6.00 for 6.30pm
NOORDENNE’S FARM
February 17
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
February 21
Saturday
BUNNINGS BBQ
All day
Bunnings Altona
March 1
Sunday
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
10am
100 Steps
March 3
Tuesday
Club Mtg and Board Mtg
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
March 14
Saturday
BUNNINGS BBQ
All Day
Bunnings Altona
March 15
Sunday
BLACK DOG RIDE
All day
Wyndham Harbour
March 17
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
March 27
Friday
Werribee Rotary Golf Day
All day
Werribee Golf Club
March 27-29
Fri - Sun
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
HORSHAM
March 31
Tuesday
Club Meeting in lieu of Easter
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
Easter 3-6 April and School Holidays 7-19 April
April 21
Tuesday
Club Meeting and Board Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
24th April - 26th April
Weekend
Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) CAMP
tba
Anzac Day 25 April
MAY tba
Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA)
May 1
Friday
CHARITY GOLF DAY
7.00am – 2.30pm
Kooringal Golf Club
May 5
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
May 19
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
May 26
Tuesday
WYNSPEAK HEAT
5.30pm - 9.30pm
ALTONA CIVIC CENTRE
June 2
Tuesday
Club Meeting and Board Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
June 3
Wednesday
WYNSPEAK FINAL
THOMAS CARR COLLEGE
Public Holiday King’s Birthday
June 16
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
July 12
Sunday
CLUB CHANGEOVER
5.15pm for 5.30pm
Kooringal Golf Club
School Holidays 29 June – 12 July
July 7
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
July 21
Tuesday
Club Meeting and Board Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
The Charity Golf Day for Very Special Kids on the 1st May, 2026 was a resounding success with a full course of players who enjoyed the weather and their game followed by a formal lunch and award winners presentations. Golfers and supporters dug deep through the auctions, raffles and other fundraising activities to raise a sizeable amount for Very Special Kids.
Overall winners Mancini Team 1
During formal proceedings, a cheque for $10,000 was handed over by President Bronnie to Very Special Kids CEO Michael Wasley, to continue the great work that his organisation does.
A big thank you to all our supporters and donors and special recognition for the following:
Naming Rights Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
A big shout out to the organising team and in particular Lenore Thornton for her tireless efforts to make the day such a success.
We will be back next year so mark in your diaries Friday the 30th of April, 2027.
upcoming guest speaker - julie mason AM - 19/5/26
Julie will be our guest speaker at our meeting on the 19th of May. Where does one begin to describe Julie's contribution to Rotary and the Education Department for over 40 years?
She has served in many community roles over the years including being a Past District Governor and Chair of District 9800 Rotary Foundation Committee.
Julie received a Australia Day award in 2020 for her services to education and the community.
Julie will be speaking about the Rotary Foundation.
We are looking to make this a cluster event so bring your partners and friends along and enjoy what promises to be a wonderful and entertaining night.
Once we have your notification to attend, we will send out a menu for you to pick from.
Our incoming president Norm is a powerhouse and has some great ideas to lead the club forward. Norm articulated these ideas at a recent club meeting.
He would like during his year to:
Raise membership by 10%
Conduct a community needs analysis
Conduct one major project
Conduct a major International Project
He also will have one on ones with club members to get their thoughts and identify skills and passions within club members.
We know our club has great people and while we are small we often punch above our weight to achieve so much. With Norm at the helm, the future of the club looks bright.
Norm will be inducted as President on Sunday the 12th of July, 5.15 pm for 5.30 pm start at Kooringal Golf Course.
We would love to see as many of you there as possible.
Bunnings Altona North will be running a fundraising Sausage Sizzle on Saturday the 16th of May to raise funds to combat Motor Neurone Disease. We need two to three people from the club to help out from 11am to 2.30pm at the store to be cash handlers. Let Lenore know if you can do a shift.
As always, our dedicated members are happy to donate their time to support worthwhile causes. Club members Anne, Charlie and Lenore giving their time to raise money for ANZAC Day.
CLUB CHANGEOVER - 12 July
Please note that the Club Changeover date has changed to Sunday the 12th of July. 5.15 pm for 5.30 pm start at Kooringal Golf Course. Note the changes in your diaries now.
Road Safety Education Limited (RSE) is a not for profit, leading learning organisation operating throughout Australia and New Zealand. RSE are committed to creating communities free from road deaths by equipping young people to take lifelong responsible action through best practise road safety education.
At the heart of our programs lies RYDA – a whole school approach partnership which supports teachers on the journey as they provide their students with the tools and understanding they need to see themselves as active, responsible road citizens.
Ryda features a highly engaging and memorable one-day workshop which front-loads students’ understanding of road safety and gives them the tools, habits and motivation to take action and stay safe on our roads as both drivers and passengers throughout their lives.
Click the link below to see how you as a Rotarian can support this program.
Ray Lipscome a former club member is a passionate bicycle rider and dog owner who over many years has ridden his bicycle across Australia raising money for the Lost Dogs Home.
Being an octogenarian hasn't stopped him and indeed has made him even more determined to ride on. His faithful sidekick Charlie has been there for his journeys as support and safety. Ray visited our club recently and recanted his latest ride and that in 2030 he is planning an even bigger ride. Ray has raised thousands of dollars for the Lost Dogs Home. Well done Ray. The club has made a donation for Ray's cause.
***IMPORTANT UPDATE***
Ray will be taking to the road again on May 8th. Heres the details of that ride so you can support this worthwhile cause.
WYNSPEAK, a youth public speaking competition for secondary school students in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, was established to provide students with an opportunity to practice and test their public speaking skills in front of a live audience.
Through this comprehensive program students develop a skill for life. Since the inauguration of Wynspeak, over 1000 students have participated.
Our club will host Heat 8 of this competition on Tuesday 26th of May at the Altona Civic Centre
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Welcome to the March issue of our Rotary District 9800 Networker. We really do want to hear and see your Club projects and events. Tell your fellow Rotarians how successful your recent fundraiser was or the progress on a local or overseas project.
To everyone who shaped this unforgettable weekend—thank you. What we experienced together at the Summit in Horsham was more than a program, more than a gathering. It was a living, breathing reminder of what humanity can be when kindness, courage, and community take centre stage.
An invitation from DGE Graeme Hope, Camberwell Rotary
Fresh from a landmark gathering in Horsham, District Governor Elect Graeme Hope has cast his gaze westward — inviting every member of District 9800 to join him on the south-west coast of Victoria in April 2027 for what promises to be one of the most compelling Rotary Impact Summits in recent memory.
An article from PDG Bronwyn Stephens, Brighton North
From building infrastructure to launching small businesses, lives in rural Uganda are being transforming by equipping young people with practical skills, income opportunities and renewed hope for the future. Brighton and Brighton North Rotary-supported initiatives, funded through a Rotary Foundation District International Grant, are delivering meaningful outcomes across construction, agriculture and hospitality training, creating sustainable pathways for young people and vulnerable communities.
An article from Aviv Palti and Jessica Palti, Melbourne Passport
An extraordinary international collaboration brought together the Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne, Rotary Clubs of Balwyn, Keilor East and Melbourne, supported by a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation through Rotary District 9800.
An article from Rhys Williams, Rotary Central Melbourne
Through her 2025 scholarship, Vietnamese high school teacher Ms Doan Thanh Thu successfully strengthened her professional capability in modern English as a Second Language (ESL) pedagogy.
March is Rotary Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month, so what better time to launch the new water reticulation system at the Aladura Primary School in Buedu, Sierrra Leone, than March! The Sierra Leone Water Storage and Reticulation project, a project of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and the Rotary Club of Bo, Sierra Leone, was funded with proceeds from the Boroondara Farmers Market supported by generous grants from Rotary Balwyn and the Australian Government through Australia Aid.
Making a Lasting Impact Together: As Rotarians, we’re united by a common purpose: to do good in the world and uplift communities in need. The Rotary Foundation stands at the heart of our service, empowering us to tackle challenges such as eradicating polio, providing clean water, advancing education, and promoting peace. However, the Foundation’s ability to support life-changing projects relies on the generosity and commitment of members like you.
An article from Colleen McCarthy, Bendigo Sandhurst Rotary
Is Leadership in Rotary About Position — Or Participation: Earlier this year, I attended the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI). It delivered an engaging leadership course designed to strengthen knowledge and confidence within Rotary. The program is structured into four parts, each exploring different aspects of Rotary and effective leadership.
The environment sustains all life on Earth, providing clean air, water, and natural resources. Protecting it today ensures a healthier planet for future generations. Every small action, from reducing waste to conserving energy, helps protect the environment. Supporting the Environment is Rotary's Seventh Area of Focus. Collective efforts can create lasting positive change for our planet.
Our club supported the Black Dog Ride again by cooking sausages and providing info on Rotary to the 100 plus riders who made their way down from Ballarat to raise money for The Black Dog Foundation. This foundation raises much needed funds for suicide prevention awareness and programs. Club member TJ led the riders down from Ballarat to Wyndham harbour where there was food, good conversation, raffles and auctions were aplenty. The event helped raise thousands of dollars. Well done to all those who participated.
Another successful Australia Day Event at the Central Square Shopping Centre. A big thank you to all those that participated and many thanks to Brian Noordenne for making his centre available to us.
With the Multi District Impact Summit bringing March to an end it was always going to be a big month but I am only now just realizing how big.
To everyone who shaped this unforgettable weekend—thank you. What we experienced together at the Summit in Horsham was more than a program, more than a gathering. It was a living, breathing reminder of what humanity can be when kindness, courage, and community take centre stage.
Fresh from a landmark gathering in Horsham, District Governor Elect Graeme Hope has cast his gaze westward — inviting every member of District 9800 to join him on the south-west coast of Victoria in April 2027 for what promises to be one of the most compelling Rotary Impact Summits in recent memory.
From building infrastructure to launching small businesses, lives in rural Uganda are being transforming by equipping young people with practical skills, income opportunities and renewed hope for the future. Brighton and Brighton North Rotary-supported initiatives, funded through a Rotary Foundation District International Grant, are delivering meaningful outcomes across construction, agriculture and hospitality training, creating sustainable pathways for young people and vulnerable communities.
An extraordinary international collaboration brought together the Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne, Rotary Clubs of Balwyn, Keilor East and Melbourne, supported by a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation through Rotary District 9800. 
Through her 2025 scholarship, Vietnamese high school teacher Ms Doan Thanh Thu successfully strengthened her professional capability in modern English as a Second Language (ESL) pedagogy. 
March is Rotary Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month, so what better time to launch the new water reticulation system at the Aladura Primary School in Buedu, Sierrra Leone, than March! The Sierra Leone Water Storage and Reticulation project, a project of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and the Rotary Club of Bo, Sierra Leone, was funded with proceeds from the Boroondara Farmers Market supported by generous grants from Rotary Balwyn and the Australian Government through Australia Aid.
The environment sustains all life on Earth, providing clean air, water, and natural resources. Protecting it today ensures a healthier planet for future generations. Every small action, from reducing waste to conserving energy, helps protect the environment. Supporting the Environment is Rotary's Seventh Area of Focus. Collective efforts can create lasting positive change for our planet. 
Wyndham Harbour
