By John Granger
It used to be just ‘Altona’, but now there’s North Altona, Altona East, Altona Green and Altona Meadows – quite a development story for a mostly bypassed hamlet near the Melbourne-Geelong road. But like many places, post-World War II development changed everything.
No mention of Altona would be complete without reference to the Wiltona Migrant Hostel. In the late 1940s, migrants from war-ravaged Europe began to arrive and were housed in a cluster of ex-Army, corrugated half-cylindrical sheds … brutal in summer and winter. But the migrants stayed and many settled, contributing enormously to Altona and nearby suburbs. In fact, many of the local professions are, and were, peopled by the children (and grandchildren) of the original arrivals.
Tucked in behind the original Wiltona site is another historical location, the old Williamstown Racecourse. And yes, Phar Lap raced there (and won) in the 1931 Underwood Stakes. The army took over the course in 1940 and a mysterious fire in 1947 sounded its death knell.
Housing development at Altona was immense and finally there has been a greater appreciation of the area’s existing and future attributes – wonderful access to the CBD and a magnificent foreshore boasting one of the best and most popular kitesurfing spots in Australia.
The Rotary Club of Altona has been an integral part of the community for over half a century. It was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Williamstown and chartered in 1963. Like all Rotary clubs, the COVID-19 pandemic has thwarted many international endeavours – for Altona, the most recent one of note was a combined club water project in Uganda. On the local scene, the Club assisted the Salvation Army with their Christmas Hamper Drive by distributing supplies and exchange vouchers to 80 local families. In conjunction with the Rotary Club of Williamstown, the Club is embarking on a project at Williamstown North Primary School to reconfigure a section of the playground to make it more accessible to children with disabilities. Meanwhile, support for Donations In Kind, Model United Nations Assembly and Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment have been maintained.
The Rotary Club of Altona meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 6.45 for 7.00pm. The address is 31 Sargood Street, Altona … a very short walk to the beach, ideal for a daylight saving makeup and with a warm welcome guaranteed by President Craig Ryder and the members.