I am honoured and Ready to serve this great Club as President over the next 12 months.
I look forward to the busy year ahead where we will once again continue our wonderful work in the local community and around the world.
During my 5 years as a Rotarian I have enjoyed serving the community to make a difference, the opportunity to "give back" and hopefully change peoples lives in some small way for the better.
Our goals for this year include continuing to build relationships within the community, increasing our membership, take on extra local and international projects all whilst including an element of Fun to our meetings.
As per the Rotary International vision for 2026 / 2027, our aim is to "Create lasting Impact"
Norm England
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 6 August 5th 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 Spike Bar
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
Spike Bar
School Holidays 21 September - 4 October
October 6
Tuesday
Club Meeting + Board Mtg + AGM
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club Spike Bar
October 20
Tuesday
EDUCATION EXCELLENCE AWARDS
6.00 for 6.30pm
Kooringal Golf Club
November 17
Tuesday
AGM & Club Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club Spike Bar
December 1
Tuesday
Districy Governor Visit Club Meeting and Board Meeting
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club Spike Bar
December 16
Wednesday
CHRISTMAS FUNCTION
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club
2027
January 19
Tuesday
Club Meeting and packing for Australia Day
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club Spike Bar
January 26
Tuesday
Australia Day Event
9.30am – 2.30pm
Central Square Shopping Centre
February 2
Tuesday
Club Meeting + Board Meeting + Guest Speaker
6.45pm for 7.00pm
Kooringal Golf Club Spike Bar
February 8
Monday
CLUSTER BBQ
6.00pm for 6.30pm
Noordenne’s farm
guest speaker tom rujis - dadfit
Our guest speaker on 4 August was Tom Rujis from an organisation called Dadfit.
Dadfit Melbourne is a unique community program that brings fathers together to improve their physical health, mental wellbeing and confidence as parents. Through fun, inclusive workouts, open conversations about the challenges of fatherhood, and practical weekly activities, Dadfit creates a supportive environment where dads can connect, learn from one another and build lasting friendships.
The program is based on a simple but powerful belief that fatherhood is better when it's a team sport. By helping dads become healthier, more connected and more engaged,
Dadfit strengthens not only individual fathers but also their families and the wider community. Best of all, the five-week program is free and welcomes dads of all fitness levels.
To find out more, register for an upcoming program or enquire about bringing Dadfit to your community, visit www.dadfit.au email hello@dadfit.au
Tuesday night's meeting was a special occasion for our club as we proudly welcomed PK Shah as our newest member.
Club President Norm England conducted the induction ceremony, officially presenting PK with the Rotary lapel pin—the internationally recognised symbol of our commitment to Service Above Self—along with a Rotary information pack to help him begin his journey as a Rotarian.
Welcoming new members is one of the most important moments in the life of any Rotary club. It reflects our continued growth, our commitment to serving the community, and the strength that comes from bringing together people with diverse skills, experiences and a shared desire to make a difference.
We warmly welcome PK to the Rotary family and look forward to his friendship, enthusiasm and contributions to the many projects and activities of the Altona City Rotary Club. We wish him every success and many rewarding years of Rotary service.
President Norm England recently introduced a new initiative to our club meetings called Passion Pitch.
The concept is simple – members are invited to spend three minutes speaking about something they are passionate about, giving fellow Rotarians an opportunity to learn more about each other and the causes that inspire us.
Our first Passion Pitch was presented by Hong, who spoke about his work supporting members of Melbourne's Chinese community as they settle into Australian life. Hong shared how he helps people better understand Australian culture, connect with local communities, and build confidence as they establish new lives here. His presentation highlighted the importance of inclusion, cultural understanding, and the positive difference that one dedicated individual can make.
We look forward to hearing many more inspiring stories from our members in the months ahead.
The club will be conducting Mock Job Interviews again on the following dates
Tuesday September 1st, at Bayside College, Newport Campus
Wednesday 9th September at Williamstown High School.
Mock Job Interviews are a way for senior high school students to practice what going for a job might look like when they are ready to choose a profession they would like to apply for. The program run jointly with the schools asks students to put together a resume and cover letter and then sit a mock job interview panel that is as realistic as possible.
Bryan Goodwin is currently putting to gether panel members so if you think you would like to assist drop him an email bgoodwin@bigpond.com
In the past, people who have been panel members have enjoyed the experience. A Working With Childrens Check is required so if you haven't got one apply online here under category of volunteer (no cost) below
Thank you to all of the Rotarians who responded to my message for stories. There is a lot going on in District 9800 and happy to share your projects and achievements.
July was an exciting first month as District Governor with many amazing and varied events and activities across our District. These included multiple Club Changeovers celebrating achievements and renewal. Special events included a Health & Wellbeing Forum for Youth, a National Science and Engineering challenge, a classic Rotary Art Show in its 61st year, the chartering of a Rotaract Club and a Radio Interview.
This photo was taken at the Camberwell Rotary Art Show with Robert Pattison (sponsorship)and PP Peter Pratt (former treasurer)
An article from Mark Rak, Daylesford President Daylesford Rotary’s annual Changeover on the 9th of July was a celebration of many achievements by the Club and by individual members. Mark Rak was inducted as the incoming Club President for the coming 6 months and also received Paul Harris Fellow recognition for his major contributions to our community and Rotary.
An article from Paul Rake, Chadstone East Malvern Seventy-two microwave ovens, ninety-two floor mops, forty-two kettles and thirty toasters – what do they have in common? A Rotary project providing household items for families, refugees or people who had been incarcerated starting new lives in secure accommodation.
Have you a local school you support? Are you looking for new ways to interact with your local schools? Rotary SAFE Families has the solution. We are providing the “Towards Respectful Relationships” program at Melbourne schools. This is an outstanding opportunity for young people to become informed of the need for respectful relationships rather than the traumatic impact of an abusive relationship.
An article from Anne Josefsberg, Rotary Club of Canterbury At a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Canterbury there was a hive of activity as members packed birthing kits on behalf of Birthing Kits Foundation Australia (BKFA).
On Sunday the 12th of July, Norm England was inducted as the Altona City Rotary Club President for the 2026 - 27 Rotary Year. Norm must know a lot of people as the venue was full (approximately 80 people) and has set the bar pretty high for whoever comes in next. It was an opportunity to showcase the year's achievements and to honour those who have had made significant contributions to the club and to welcome a new member to the club.
Using the Rotary Theme of Create Lasting Impact, President Norm's action plan is as follows:
Raise membership by 10%
Conduct a community needs analysis
Conduct one major project
Conduct a major International Project
One on ones with club members
We wish President Norm a great and succesful year adding value to the Rotary Theme: Creating Lasting Impact
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.
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.
July was an exciting first month as District Governor with many amazing and varied events and activities across our District. These included multiple Club Changeovers celebrating achievements and renewal. Special events included a Health & Wellbeing Forum for Youth, a National Science and Engineering challenge, a classic Rotary Art Show in its 61st year, the chartering of a Rotaract Club and a Radio Interview. 
Daylesford Rotary’s annual Changeover on the 9th of July was a celebration of many achievements by the Club and by individual members. Mark Rak was inducted as the incoming Club President for the coming 6 months and also received Paul Harris Fellow recognition for his major contributions to our community and Rotary.
Seventy-two microwave ovens, ninety-two floor mops, forty-two kettles and thirty toasters – what do they have in common? A Rotary project providing household items for families, refugees or people who had been incarcerated starting new lives in secure accommodation.
At a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Canterbury there was a hive of activity as members packed birthing kits on behalf of Birthing Kits Foundation Australia (BKFA). 
Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
