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President's Profiles

James [Jim] Donnar President Rotary Club of Altona

Born Melbourne 1941, Jim started in the building industry 1956. He married "Jan" in 1963,and their son Brett was born in 1965, and their first daughter was born in 1967. Their youngest daughter Joanne was born in 1969

In 1967, Jim joined the Apex Club of Altona,which was our introduction into the service club 'experience'. After holding many portfolios in the Apex Club, he was voted into office as the President of the Apex Club of Altona for 1977-1978. He was then elected to the position of District Governor of District 10 in the Association of Apex Clubs for1979-1980. He was appointed Life Member of 'Apex Clubs in 1982.

Jim and Jan started a Building Contracting Business in 1974. In 1984, Jim joined the Rotary Club of Altona. His early involvement in Rotary, was in Youth Committee and Rotaract activities.
He held the role of Bulletin Editor for two years, and then became Club Service Director. In 1995-1996 Jim became President of the Rotary Club of Altona, so this is his second time in the role. After a stint as Foundation Director, he was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 1997. In 2007 Jim was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow [Sapphire]

In 2003 Jan and Jim traveled to Germany to attend the wedding of Viktoria Thal an exchange student who had stayed with them in 1991. After the wedding they toured Austria & Switzerland.
They visited New Zealand in 2004, and Canada and Alaska in 2005.Later in 2005 Jim got involved in stage management activities for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. in 2006 he continued with this, and worked on the closing ceremony.

In 2008 Jim became a volunteer at the National Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Over many years the family have been involved in Calisthenics - daughters competed in this arena. Jan designed and made their costumes, and this has continued on as they now have three grandaughters competing, and Jan is once making costumes for them.

Jim enjoys building the props they use and is also involved working backstage during competitions.
He is a golfing enthusiastic and plays regularly (sometimes three games a week). He also enjoys cycling and walking.

On the 19 June, Jim was inducted as President of The Rotary Club of Altona for the year 2009-2010.
With his background and experience, Jim's leadership qualities will prove to be a big advantage in the club this year.

Charlie Hommelhoff President of the Rotary Club of Altona City
(The photo is of his beloved ‘best friend’ Spoodle “Ned”

Why do we join a service club? In my case it was for free beer. The deal was to listen to some community minded people tells us why we needed a service club in our town and for our time they would offer “light refreshments”.

We formed that club, an Apex Club, and 39 years later I still enjoy a beer but more importantly I have been fortunate to have experienced the joy and satisfaction that service to the community can deliver.

As President of the Rotary Club of Altona City I thank the members for their trust in allowing me the opportunity to lead and with their support we will continue to build on the programs that Rotary offer through local community needs and District projects.

Rotary has been positive influence on my life, affording me the opportunity to meet many great community leaders. I have had the great fortunate to meet many Rotary friends over the years all of whom inspire and challenge me to meet new goals.

I will not have the opportunity to meet all 1.2 million Rotarians, more the pity, as each has a story to tell and a vision worthy of pursing.
What I do have is family, a nuclear one and a Rotary one both of which I treasure and thank God for daily, however if God is truly merciful and great, please in my lifetime, grant the Melbourne Football Club, “The Mighty Demons”, a premiership.

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