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 5 July 1st 2026
CLUB CALENDAR OF MEETINGS and EVENTS
July 2026 – February 2027
DATE
DAY
EVENT TYPE
TIME
VENUE
July 12
Sunday
CLUB CHANGEOVER
5.45pm for 6.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
July 21
Tuesday
Club Meeting + Board Mtg
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
August 4
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
August 18
Tuesday
Club Meeting + Board Mtg
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
August 31
Monday
CLUSTER BBQ
6.00pm for 6.30
Noordenne’s farm
September 1
Tuesday
Mock Job Interviews
10.00am – 12.30pm
Bayside College
September 5
Sunday
Polio Plus Society Afternoon Tea
2.30pm
Uniting Church Hall,
Camberwell Road, Camberwell.
September 9
Wednesday
Mock Job Interviews
tba
Williamstown HS
September 15
Tuesday
Club Meeting + Board Mtg
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
School Holidays 21 September - 4 October
September 29
Tuesday
Social Dinner with Partners and friends
6.45pm for 7.00pm
tba
October 6
Tuesday
Club Meeting + Board Mtg
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
October 20
Tuesday
EDUCATION EXCELLENCE AWARDS
6.00 for 6.30pm
Kooringal Golf Club
November 3
Tuesday
Club Meeting + Board Mtg
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
November 17
Tuesday
AGM & Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
December 8
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
December 15
Tuesday
CHRISTMAS FUNCTION
6.45pm for 7.00pm
tba
2027
January 12
Tuesday
Board Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
January 19
Tuesday
Club Meeting and packing for Australia Day
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
January 26
Tuesday
Australia Day Event
9.30am – 2.30pm
Central Square Shopping Centre
February 2
Tuesday
Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
February 8
Monday
CLUSTER BBQ
6.00pm for 6.30
Noordenne’s farm
February 16
Tuesday
Club Meeting + Board Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
assistance required from romac
We are seeking your assistance in reaching out to members of D9800 to assist with an incoming ROMAC patient.
John Nauka from Tanna Island Vanuatu is 4 yrs old and has a club foot which needs correction. He will be accompanied by Mary who has good English.
John’s arrival has been delayed due to an injury to the foot needing surgery. The surgeon has finally agreed that the foot is now healthy enough to operate on.
Johns surgery will be done at St Vincent's Private in the city following initial consultations which will be on August 12th.
We urgently need assistance with home hosting and /or attending medical appointments until end of September. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Rotary at work and be part of changing a child’s life forever.
We have hosted many children and can guarantee that you receive far more than you give! No medical experience is necessary, just a loving heart.
For further information do not hesitate to contact me,
Our speaker at our last meeting was Trent Bartel of the PFI Fersa Engineering Group. Trents comapany was a silver sponsor at our recent charity golf day and mentioned his own charity work.
He spoke of a charity golf day he was running in August and that moneys raised would go to Challenge - An Organisation that provides funding for children with cancer.
We were pleased to announce on the night, we would be providing $500 towards Challenge and support the golf day. Details to follow in the next edition.
Our incoming president Norm is a powerhouse and has some great ideas to lead the club forward. We have just found out that he has received Paul Harris Recognition particularly with his work with Donations in Kind. Well done Norn.
Norm articulated his tideas 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. More details to follow soon.
We would love to see as many of you there as possible.
A fabulous turnout with 23 people attending and hearing from Joan Roose and her work with the Jacob’s Well Foundation. Jacob’s Well hopes to break the poverty cycle by sinking fresh water wells in villages, establishing health and resource centres and providing life changing education for children from tribal villages and the slums. https://www.jacobswell.org.au/our-vision
Joan gave us an update on a child we had sponsored and how she was progressing as well as other improtant projects. Thanks Joan for the update.
We also had David Berner and Robert Mason from the Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed who spoke about the Mystery Box Rally raising funds for cancer research with a car rally that lasts for several days. https://www.mysteryboxrally.com.au/rallies
Our club will be making sizeable donations to both organisations.
Club Member TJ a keen motorcycle rider gave our club a certificate of appreciation at a recent meeting to acknowledge the support our club had provided to the ride in March This year.
Our club put on a BBQ for the riders upon the completion of the ride at Wyndham Harbour as well as fundraising on the day.
As a result the Black Dog Foundation was able to raise over $6000 for the cause.
Pictured left is TJ giving President Bronnie a certificate of appreciation.
The Hobsons Bay Wynspeak Heat at the Altona Theatre on 26 May 26 was terrific- the standard was high, and the adjudicators had a tough job. This was the first year the Hobsons Bay Community Fund sponsored the hiring of the Altona Theatre, and they recently advised us of a new grant for the 2027 Heat.
Students from 8 schools participated in the Hobson Bay Heat: Altona College, Bacchus Marsh Grammar, Bayside College, Footscray High School, Mount St Joseph Girls’ School, Saltwater P9 College, Suzanne Cory High School and Williamstown High School.
Overall, the 2026 Wynspeak competition had 128 students (68 Juniors and 60 Seniors) representing 46 different schools from the Western Suburbs. The 60 reserves available to fill gaps in the program at short notice illustrates the high interest in this program.
Congratulations to the HB Heat winners, who will compete in the Wynspeak Finals:
Junior: Maddie Lamb, Year 8, Bayside College- Williamstown Campus
Senior: Leila Todd, Year 11, Footscray High School- Kinnear Campus
A huge thank you to Altona City RC, Altona RC, Point Gellibrand RC, Williamstown RC, and the main Wynspeak Organising Committee for supporting this heat.
Julie was 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.
She spoke about the Rotary Foundation and many of the projects happening locally and overseas. These include, the continuing fight against Polio which has been reduced to a handful of cases, however she reminded us that being complacent could see it rise again.
Other projects such as clean water, education opportunities and economic development. She spoke of peace projects and simple practical things we can do such as erect peace poles with a simple message : May Peace Prevail on Earth.
Our club presented Julie with a sizeable donation for the Rotary Foundation to use in projects that make a difference to peoples lives.
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.
Another $2000 has been handed over the VSK to make it a total proceedings of $12,000
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.
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.
Charlie, Lenore and Anne were all invited to Anzac House to thank all those volunteers who helped out. "Volunteers don't get paid, not because they are worthless, but because they're priceless"
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.
