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Located in Melbourne’s south-west, Altona Sports Club is a pillar of local community spirit. Since opening its door over 60 years ago, the club has been committed to fostering inclusivity, supporting families, strengthening community connections and remains a hub for members, families and the broader community.
The club originated in the late 1950s thanks to a group of English migrants – aka ‘Ten Pound Pommies’, who wanted to replicate the communal spirit of their clubs back home. Originally named the Altona Working Man’s Club, members enjoyed the same social activities available back in the old country.
From humble beginnings in a Nissen hut, donated by the local oil refinery, which employed many of its early members; the club today is very different and stands as a vibrant community centre, offering a wide range of services and amenities, with a diverse membership based.
Catering for a younger demographic
In recent years, the club has attracted a significant number of young members by enhancing its family-friendly facilities. A notable addition is the new indoor play area, which is easily accessed from the Bistro allowing parents to unwind while watching their children play safely – a feature setting the club apart from others in the local vicinity.
The club also offers a parent retreat, providing a quiet space for caregivers to tend babies in a welcoming environment, separate from the restrooms. Thanks to these new inclusions, the Bistro has enjoyed an increase in bookings and revenue, membership has grown and the club’s reputation as a family-orientated venue has been solidified. Furthermore, the diversification has resulted in year-round events that appeal to young families, from celebrating Australia Dat to the Children’s Christmas party, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Reconnecting through inclusion
Social inclusion is deeply rooted in the Club’s ethos particularly for the elderly and people with disability. Recognising that 20% of the community is over 65, the club actively engages programs and events which cater to this demographic, like its annual seniors Christmas Lunch, wherein residents and caregivers from each of the local aged care facilities are invited and transported to the club to enjoy festive food, entertainment and engagement.
Additionally, the clubs “Morning Melodies” invited aged care residents and disadvantaged groups for morning tea and live entertainment, to assist in fostering a sense of community and togetherness. Social inclusion is a vibrant practice at the club, connecting people across generations and further strengthening community bonds.
Championing community engagement and youth
Strengthening ties with the local community through various initiatives is a key objective for the club. For example, the club recently opened its doors to the BB’s Pool Team, one of eight teams in the Northwestern Pool League. Comprised of players with disabilities – the only such team in Australia competing in a mainstream league – the club’s facilities have been instrumental in providing players with the opportunity to train and prepare for the competition.
The ASC LAWN Bowls Academy was introduced in early 2021 with the aim to engage local students to the sport of lawn bowls and becoming a part of the club. Lawn bowls has been introduced to nine schools in the local area, with over 3,000 children aged 5-12 actively participating.
Post COVID, the club launched a fully funded junior cricket program aimed at providing children from diverse cultures in Melbourne’s western suburbs with the opportunity to play sport for free. Under this program, the club engaged 50 juniors to play the game, with 30 of these players being girls. The program is set to expand in the coming year, with a goal of supporting 150 junior players.
Leadership driving growth and community impact
Under the leadership of General Manager, Gavin Comport, the club has flourished to become a dynamic community hub that now attracts a diverse demographic and serves the local community. Gavin’s passion and transformative impact
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In FY25, Victorian Keno players enjoyed almost 10 million wins worth more than $131.9 million.
For many club patrons across Victoria, FY25 was a year to remember – all thanks to a life-changing Keno win.
Victorian players had a standout year, tallying over 9.9 million Keno wins collectively worth than $131.9 million in prize money.
In FY25, Keno players across the eastern states of mainland Australia celebrated more than 76 million wins collectively worth more than $1.2 billion.
During this time, Keno crowned 20 millionaires and multi-millionaires who together took home more than $57.9 million. Two of these major jackpot winners were from Victoria.
Laverton woman thanks ‘manifestation magic’ for Keno win
A Laverton woman shared she was left thanking the universe after she scored a $60,000 Keno Classic 8 Spot prize at Club Laverton in the weeks leading up to last Christmas.
“It was a big surprise! Especially coming up to Christmas, it’s perfect!” she cheered.
“Do you want to hear something really funny? I just wrote in my diary the day before winning, ‘Thank you, universe, for my Keno 8 Spot win’. Then it really came true!
“I’m a firm believer in the law of attraction and manifestation, and I love affirmations!
“It was awesome seeing all eight numbers pop up on the screen.
“I’ve had a few wins in Keno over the years. It’s like the stars align for me when I play - it’s my thing!”
Club Laverton manager Gus Alimovski said the team happily shared in the excitement with their major Keno winner.
“What an incredible win for our patron! It’s always great hearing these winning stories, and now we have another one to share with our patrons,” he said.
“We’re thrilled for our customer, and we hope to see more Keno winners in our venue soon.”
All eyes on a winning FY26
Keno’s National Partner Manager Luke Harrison said he couldn’t wait to see which Victorian clubs welcomed the next big Keno winners.
“Last financial year, players at Victorian clubs celebrated some impressive victories,” he said.
“A key highlight has been the growing popularity of Keno’s Bonus and Replay features among club patrons. This trend reflects how venues are successfully connecting with their customers, sharing updates on jackpot increases, promotional offers, and game enhancements.
“When players opt into Keno Bonus, they unlock the chance to multiply their winnings by up to ten times, while the Replay option adds another layer of excitement.
“Many players are still unaware of these features, making it vital for staff to start conversations and educate them on the full range of Keno possibilities!”
Mr Harrison said the solid Keno performance at Victorian clubs last financial year laid a strong foundation for continued success in FY26.
“Clubs across Victoria are embracing fresh approaches to elevate the customer experience, and Keno’s rising popularity is playing a key role in that journey,” he said.
“There’s also a wide array of Keno resources available to clubs, from eye-catching point-of-sale materials to engaging promotions, all designed to keep the game front and centre.
“As the new financial year unfolds, Keno is looking forward to celebrating more big wins for Victorian club patrons, and more success stories for the clubs that host them.”
Contact your Business Development Manager to find out how Keno can best support your club in FY26.
Visit Keno Connect for more information on maximising Keno in your club - www.kenoconnect.com.au
