Zonta Wins Pine Rivers Queensland Day Award

The Zonta Club of Pine Rivers has received a Pine Rivers Queensland Day award by Nikki Boyd MP, State Member for Pine Rivers.

The awards are a new initiative to recognise local individuals and groups who go above and beyond for the community.

The club is a member of Zonta International, a global organisation that works to build a better world for women and girls. Club President Bronwyn Evans said she was delighted to hear the club had been selected to receive the award.

‘We are a small club comprised entirely of volunteers and I’m so glad the work by our members has been recognised through these awards,’ she said.

At a local level, the Zonta Club of Pine Rivers provides hampers and other donations to CADA (Centre Against Domestic Abuse) at Strathpine to support those who’ve escaped violent home situations. Its members also make breast care cushions and drainage bags for those who’ve undergone breast cancer surgery.

Zonta recognises the importance of education in empowering women and girls and funds an annual $2,000 bursary at University of the Sunshine Coast (Moreton Bay) to help a female student with study related costs. Members also work with high schools to assemble kits for Birthing Kit Foundation Australia, providing a clean and safe birth experience for those in remote regions of the developing world.

Advocacy is an important part of the club’s mission and it works with other Zonta clubs in Brisbane to campaign against gender-based violence.

‘We actively participate in the international Zonta Says NO campaign,’ explained Bronwyn.

‘You’ll often see us wearing our orange Zonta Says NO polo shirts and we also use our social media channels to raise awareness. During November-December we take part in the global 16 Days of Activism and it’s during that time that you may have seen our orange banners hanging on council posts in local parks.’

The club raises funds for their projects through Bunnings sausage sizzles, raffles and events, including their popular International Women’s Day brunch held in March.

Members currently meet monthly at the Kakowan Community Facility in Bunya. New members are always welcome. If you’d like to know more about the club or are interested in joining, email pineriverszonta@gmail.com