“Whatever Rotary means to us, to the world it will be known by what it achieves”

OUR CAUSES

The Rotary Club of Dromana has been involved with community events for over 50 years now. Different projects have been successfully conducted over the years to meet local and international needs at the time.

On this page, we will share some of the worthwhile activities we have been involved with over the years, this demonstrates the breadth of our work and how it appeals to a broad sector of our community. What sort of project would you be interested in supporting; we are always interested in hearing about new ideas and causes?

If you would like to know more about what Rotary International do, please see their website here.

OUR LATEST PROJECT

Our major focus of late has been on the Tiny House Project. A project where we have recently met our funding target and look forward to realising the tiny house in the near future.

The project is led by us at the Rotary Club of Dromana but is supported by a range of other local community groups and businesses as well, in particular, local support centres who are at the frontline of disadvantage on the Peninsula.

The project aims to demonstrate how we can provide fast solutions to the growing need for crisis accommodation, to assist people at risk of homelessness. This small, compact, and affordable tiny house plan can be easily moved to different sites, making it a flexible solution. Plans have been drawn and we await the next step of building our tiny house.

OUR PROJECTS AND EVENTS

Whether you become a member or a friend, you’ll make a difference to the world.

BECOME A MEMBER

OUR PROJECTS AND EVENTS

DROMANA COMMUNITY MARKET

DROMANA CHRISTMAS CAROLS

HALLOWEEN

PICNIC SHELTER PROJECT

DROMANA PRIMARY GATE REFURBISHMENT

DROMANA COMMUNITY MARKET

On the last Saturday of the month, from September to May, you’ll find us at the Dromana Community Market, held at the Community Park on Point Nepean Road from 8am-1pm. If you haven’t been, you must come to the next one, it’s a fun community event with live bands, food stalls, and a variety of market stalls, with something for everyone.

The major benefits the market brings to the club are a regular annual income stream while raising Rotary’s profile and relationship with local business, the community, and other local organisations.

THE DROMANA CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Running since at least 1986, the Carols on Christmas Eve are held annually in the park outside the Community Hall. The event has become a highlight for the Dromana community with families, individuals, and seniors flocking to the fun evening.

Local singers and bands entertain the crowds with traditional carols and even Father Christmas makes an appearance for the children. The Rotarians put on a BBQ to feed the crowd and the feeling in the air is festive and joyous.

HALLOWEEN EVENT AND BONFIRE

Aiming for an event that would bring young families to a low cost but inclusive social evening, a Halloween Event at the Hillview Reserve in Dromana was devised. The idea of including a large bonfire makes the event quite spectacular; the Dromana CFA also participates to ensure the safety of all.

Adults and children alike attend in fancy dress and participate in a range of activities including rides and traditional style games while also feasting on the range of food available.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS: THE PICNIC SHELTERS

The Picnic Shelter Project began with a need for more picnic and BBQ shelters on the foreshore at Dromana. Hours of research was conducted with shelters far and wide inspected to gain ideas for a shelter that needed to be easy to erect, bird proof, enduring through salt air, simple to enlarge and still be attractive and blend into the environment. The ability to partly construct the building off site to make it quicker to erect on site was necessary.

Several neighbouring Rotary Clubs saw our shelter and asked if we could supply one for their needs. A kit form of the shelter was designed so members could build the trusses and posts before it was delivered to site. Several members would then attend on building day to supervise the construction. Approximately 10 of these shelters have been constructed with varying configurations chosen to suit the site with many including BBQs and seating.

DROMANA PRIMARY GATES REFURBISHMENT

As part of the 150 years of Dromana celebrations in 2010/11, the club decided to refurbish the entrance to the School. Looking very run down, our Past President, Greg Fitzgerald, cleaned up and repainted the gates and organised new stonework on either side of them. A local stone mason then used local granite from Hillview Quarries to construct a very attractive and substantial gate post and wall area. This project had a cost of well over $30,000 and has improved the school aspect immeasurably.

A Recent Cause: MANA Youth Project

MANA Youth Project offers an Akademy club system as a structured extracurricular program that fosters mentorship, skill development, and leadership among youth in our community on the Mornington Peninsula. It provides a high-quality learning and social environment for young people to pursue their interests, build skill capacity, and meet new friends.

MANA Akademy is a mentorship-based education initiative designed to provide alternative learning experiences for young people. They integrate academic, creative, and leadership development through clubs and structured extracurricular programs. The philosophy is inspired by Plato’s Akademy, the Japanese Bukatsudo System, and experiential mentorship models, ensuring that students engage in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.

Run curently as a not-for-profit model, Dromana Rotary has stepped in to provide financial support to this valuable activity. A recent Community Bank Southern Peninsula Grant auspiced by us, will also assist in further building the capacity of the project.

Image of a group of young students at the MANA Akademy

You’ll find plenty of opportunities to get involved in a range ofcommunity projects, with the added benefit of networking and forming friendships with our club members.

Plan a visit

INTERNATIONAL CAUSES

Rotary International support causes worldwide with the aim of building a better world. Read more on the International website about how we work towards promoting peace, fight disease, provide clean water, save mothers, support education, grow local economies, and protect the environment.