A Century of Service,
A State of Impact
How Western Australian Rotary Clubs are transforming communities in 2026
W | elcome to the Rotary Club of Palm Beach homepage! As proud Rotarians serving the Rockingham and Palm Beach coastal communities, we are part of an inspiring, colourful, and highly active statewide movement operating under the unified banner of Rotary District 9423 (Rotary Western Australia). |
The year 2026 marks a monumental milestone for our organisation: exactly 100 years since Rotary was first established in Western Australia following the historic gathering of civic visionaries at Perth's King Edward Hotel on 1 September 1926. To explore the definitive record of this incredible milestone, we encourage you to reference the historical document Rotary in Western Australia: A Century of Service. A century later, from the red dirt of the remote East Kimberley down to the bustling streets of Perth and right here along our beautiful southern coastline, that founding spirit of "Service Above Self" is burning brighter than ever.
We are delighted to share this curated, magazine-style showcase of what our fellow WA clubs are achieving this year. It is a vibrant tapestry of service that proves the life-changing power of ordinary Australians joining together to achieve the extraordinary.
1. Impactful Community Projects
Across Western Australia, Rotary clubs have rolled up their sleeves in 2026 to deliver hands-on care, grassroots empowerment, and vital support to vulnerable communities.
The Kimberley Dental Team’s Landmark Final Tour
Co-founded in 2009 by Jan Owen AM and Dr John Owen AM, the Kimberley Dental Team (KDT) embarked on its 18th and final clinical outreach tour in May 2026. Partnering with the Rotary Club of Perth, City Rotary, and Heirisson Rotary, the volunteer team travelled thousands of kilometres from Broome across the East Kimberley. They treated 701 patients and delivered over $229,000 worth of free clinical dental services to remote Aboriginal communities, including Halls Creek, Bayulu, and Frog Hollow. Alongside emergency extractions and restorative fillings, their vital "Strong Teeth for Kimberley Kids" programme distributed thousands of preventative oral hygiene kits across regional schools to safeguard young smiles.
Standing Beside Homeless Youth at Passages
For over 25 years, the Rotary Club of Perth has partnered with Vinnies WA to operate the Passages Youth Engagement Hubs in Perth and Peel. Passages serves as a safe, non-judgemental drop-in sanctuary for marginalised and homeless youth aged 12 to 25. By providing access to laundry facilities, warm meals, the 360 Street Doctor mobile clinic, and crisis counselling, Rotary helps ensure that "homeless" does not have to equate to "hopeless." In 2026, Rotarians reinforced ongoing operational funding and transitional housing support through dedicated vocational site reviews.
Grassroots Food Relief and Sustainability
Community action remains at the heart of our operations. In October, the Rotary Club of Western Endeavour spearheaded the Floreat Forum Food Collection, gathering over a ton of non-perishable goods for families facing hardship. Meanwhile, environmental programmes flourished, with the Rotary Club of Scarborough supporting the 'Trees for Survival' initiative. Partnering with local high schools, they funded native seedling camps that planted thousands of trees across the WA Wheatbelt and urban water catchments to restore vital urban canopies.
2. Global Reach & Youth Empowerment
Our impact extends far beyond state lines, reaching across the globe while simultaneously nurturing the next generation of leaders right here at home.
Global Mobility from Wangara
Operating out of their volunteer workshop, Wheelchairs for Kids Australia reached a historic milestone in 2026, manufacturing and gifting over 70,000 custom-built, rough-terrain wheelchairs free of charge to children with disabilities across 80 developing countries. Founded by Brother Olly Pickett, this world-renowned humanitarian effort continues to receive steadfast material and volunteer backing from clubs like Karrinyup Rotary.
The Rotary Youth Exchange (RYEA) Legacy
City Rotary and other metropolitan clubs continue to champion the Rotary Youth Exchange programme, providing high school students with the opportunity of a lifetime to discover themselves and foster international goodwill. In October 2026, Fremantle’s iconic Esplanade Hotel hosted the national RYEA Conference, drawing delegates from across Australia and culminating in an emotional statewide alumni reunion.
3. Major Fundraising Initiatives
When Western Australian Rotarians unite behind a cause, their collaborative fundraising power transforms lives.
The Centenary Flagship Medical Project
In 1955, Rotary led a historic public appeal to establish the UWA Medical School. Honouring that legacy during the 2026 Centenary, District 9423 partnered with UWA to champion the upgrade of the Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (BMRIID). Rotarians are financing this world-class medical facility by selling 1,200 copies of the official Centenary commemorative book.
Finishing the Fight: End Polio Now
In the lead-up to World Polio Day, the Swan to Surf Rotary Group hosted the Liquid Gold Polio Dinner featuring Nobel Laureate Professor Barry Marshall AC. This was matched by grassroots action on 24 October 2026, when Rotarians took to the tracks for the statewide "Ride the Train to End Polio" campaign to raise public awareness and vital funds for eradication.
4. Key 2026 Events and Gatherings
Rotary in 2026 brought thousands of Western Australians together through landmark conferences, vibrant expos, and community festivals.
- District 9423 Conference in Northam: From 13 to 15 March, Rotarians converged on the historic Avon Valley township of Northam. The host club proudly marked its 80th charter anniversary, creating an unforgettable weekend of fellowship.
- Bricktober 2026 LEGO Exhibition: The Rotary Club of Ascot and Curtin Rotary transformed Curtin Stadium into Western Australia’s largest community LEGO wonderland, drawing thousands of families to support youth leadership foundations.
- Technological Innovation Forums: Rotary Means Business WA (RMBWA) actively hosted innovative industry evenings, including a highly attended panel exploring sustainable ocean power technology with wave-energy engineers from WaveX, bridging the gap between commerce and community service.
- Community Festivals: Across local neighbourhoods, clubs brought people together in style. Applecross Rotary prepared for its signature Jacaranda Festival, while the Rotary Club of Perth prepared for its 38th annual New Year's Eve Vienna Pops Concert at His Majesty's Theatre.
Service on Our Coast: Connecting Back to Palm Beach
Seeing the incredible breadth of service across Western Australia reminds us why we wear the Rotary wheel with such pride. Here at the Rotary Club of Palm Beach, we channel that exact same energy right into the heart of the Rockingham coastal strip.
Whether we are staging our flagship Rockingham Beach Cup Festival on 14–15 November 2026—drawing thousands to our pristine beachfront for community celebrations and charity horse racing—or walking shoulder-to-shoulder with our neighbours in the "Mind the Walk" mental health initiative on 1 November 2026, our members are dedicated to making a hands-on difference where it matters most.
You do not have to look far to be part of this century-old legacy. If you have a passion for community welfare, environmental care, or simply want to connect with warm, like-minded locals, there is a place for you here.
