A Short History of the Zonta Club of Bunbury
The Zonta Club of Bunbury Area was chartered on 28th May 1988.
Club Board and Committees: For most of its history the Club Board has comprised: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and from two to four Directors. In 2013 a President Elect was added to the Board. Committees are currently Service, Advocacy & UN; Finance & Fundraising; Organisation, Membership and Classification (known as Membership & Program Committee), PR & Communications and Nominating Committee. Club also has a Parliamentarian and Archivist.
Membership: Club began with 25 members and in October 2022 had 46 members. Members’ milestones are celebrated.
Advocacy Projects: Every year since 1996 the club has organised a very successful International Women’s Day breakfast in Bunbury. Advocacy projects have also included White Ribbon Day since 2007 and International Literacy Day since 1995, and books are donated to newborn babies. Club advocated for the establishment of local women’s refuge; ongoing support still provided. Strong support for Zonta Says ‘No’ campaign.
Service Projects: Service projects have addressed Zonta priorities of health, education, professional status and economic self sufficiency of women and girls as well as projects that support our local Women’s Refuge. Since 1996, a Women’s Non-Traditional Trade Award for Excellence has been an ongoing local project. In 2004 the club established a bi-annual ‘Application for Funding Process’ for [mostly] local projects. A High Schools Debating Competition was initiated in 1992, in response to Zonta’s biennial literacy goal and continued until 2008. Club has also held motivational breakfasts and ‘Reach Out / Pampering’ Days. ‘Protective Behaviours & Self Defence’ workshops for young women were introduced in 2013.
Fundraising Activities: First major fundraiser was a gala day at Minninup Homestead on13/11/1988. 10th anniversary dinner was a major fundraiser for palliative care. Raffles, quizzes, IWD and other breakfasts, play nights, garage sales, fashion parades, high teas and an afternoon of entertainment at Myalup Vines winery have been the main activities.
Fellowship activities: Previously held about 2-3 times a year and include coffee / lunch followed by a movie, theatre, art exhibition or other local event. Currently, members can join a last Friday of the month Fellowship lunch which ice an optional fellowship activity.
Zonta Rose Gardens: Four rose gardens have been established throughout Bunbury with two remaining and another replaced with a sculpture.
PR & Communications: Club website was established in 2004 and club joined Facebook in 2013.
Area Activities: The club has been represented at all Area Meetings since Charter and has hosted 3 or 4 Area meetings. Nan Martella, Jo Wittorff and Tyril Houghton have served a term as Area 3 Director. Members attend the Area 3 Founders’ Day Dinner. Club participates in the Area Woman of Achievement award and contributes to an Area Jane M Klausman Scholarship.
District Activities: Since charter, club has been represented at all except the 1993 District 23 Conference. Our Club has been represented on the Committee of four conferences and hosted the 2003 Bunbury Conference, with Fiona Brockman as Conference Chairman. Ellen Cox served as D23 Treasurer 1988-90 & 2003 Conference Treasurer, and has also served the District as Chairman & Committee member of Bylaws & Resolutions Committee, Chairman Nominating Committee, Centurion, & Parliamentarian. Nan Martella served as Area 3 Director 2002-2004 and PR&C Committee Chair 2004-2008, Centurion 2008-2010 & Secretary 2010-2012. Penelope Northcott served as D23 Designer 2006-2008. Jo Wittorff has served as Newsletter Editor 2006-08, Secretary 2008-10, Nominating Committee 2012-14, 2013 Conference Registration Chairman, 2014-16 Bylaws & Resolutions Committee, Area 3 Director 2016-2018, Secretary, combined Australia & New Zealand Conference (Brisbane) 2018-2020, 2020-2022 Chairman, District PR & Communications Committee and is currently the District 23 Conference Coordinator. Tyril Houghton served on the 2014-16 Advocacy Committee, 2018-2020 District Women in Technology Scholarship Coordinator, 2020-2022 as Area 3 Director and is currently the District 23 Birthing Kit Ambassador. Kimberley Robbins served as District Secretary 2020-2022 and is currently on the District 2023 Conference Committee. Our 2022-24 President Kerry Kerr is currently serving as a member of the District 2023 Conference Committee. Past President Beth Talbot is serving as the secretary of the District 2023 Conference Committee.
District Projects: The club has supported District 23 Birthing Kit project since 2004, assembling 1000-1600 kits each year. Bunbury has supported District 23 Breast Cushion project since 2002 and the Yarri Wada Project in 2008-10. In 2021 the club has become involved in the District Mental Health First Aid Project.
International Activities: The club has been represented at nine International Conventions since 1988 and gave strong support to the 2006 Convention held in Melbourne, Australia. Ellen Cox served as Chairman of Monitors at the 1992 Hong Kong Convention and Ellen Cox, Nan Martella & Jo Wittorff served on the People Protocols Committee for the 2006 Melbourne Convention. Club has provided hospitality to many visiting overseas Zontians and maintains links with several clubs around the world following personal contact at Conventions.
Zonta Foundation for Women: Since 1991 the club has contributed 1/3 of funds raised to Zonta Foundation for Women, (previously known as the Zonta International Foundation). Club members select which ZIF projects/programs to support. Since 1991 the club has supported the Young Women in Public Affairs program by making a local award and contributing funds to the program.
- SOM club: Zonta Club of Perth Inc., Freda Jacob was Chairman of the Committee; Libby Pardoe was the driving force at the local level.
- Inaugural meeting was held on 1 Dec 1987 and the first official Meeting on 16 February 1988, was held at the Bunbury Arts Complex coffee shop; chaired by Nerys Purchon, who was elected as inaugural president but resigned before the charter dinner.
- Charter Dinner was held at The Lord Forrest Hotel on Saturday 28thMay 1988. Vice Area 6 Director Bobby Porter installed the new Board and inducted members and District Governor Val Sarah was in attendance.
- The club had 25 Charter members. Charter President: Pauline Vukelic; Treasurer: Patricia Shelley; Secretary: Jenny Phillips
- Club was incorporated in 1993 and its name changed to Zonta Club of Bunbury Inc. in 2005 at request of Zonta International.
Club Board and Committees: For most of its history the Club Board has comprised: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and from two to four Directors. In 2013 a President Elect was added to the Board. Committees are currently Service, Advocacy & UN; Finance & Fundraising; Organisation, Membership and Classification (known as Membership & Program Committee), PR & Communications and Nominating Committee. Club also has a Parliamentarian and Archivist.
Membership: Club began with 25 members and in October 2022 had 46 members. Members’ milestones are celebrated.
Advocacy Projects: Every year since 1996 the club has organised a very successful International Women’s Day breakfast in Bunbury. Advocacy projects have also included White Ribbon Day since 2007 and International Literacy Day since 1995, and books are donated to newborn babies. Club advocated for the establishment of local women’s refuge; ongoing support still provided. Strong support for Zonta Says ‘No’ campaign.
Service Projects: Service projects have addressed Zonta priorities of health, education, professional status and economic self sufficiency of women and girls as well as projects that support our local Women’s Refuge. Since 1996, a Women’s Non-Traditional Trade Award for Excellence has been an ongoing local project. In 2004 the club established a bi-annual ‘Application for Funding Process’ for [mostly] local projects. A High Schools Debating Competition was initiated in 1992, in response to Zonta’s biennial literacy goal and continued until 2008. Club has also held motivational breakfasts and ‘Reach Out / Pampering’ Days. ‘Protective Behaviours & Self Defence’ workshops for young women were introduced in 2013.
Fundraising Activities: First major fundraiser was a gala day at Minninup Homestead on13/11/1988. 10th anniversary dinner was a major fundraiser for palliative care. Raffles, quizzes, IWD and other breakfasts, play nights, garage sales, fashion parades, high teas and an afternoon of entertainment at Myalup Vines winery have been the main activities.
Fellowship activities: Previously held about 2-3 times a year and include coffee / lunch followed by a movie, theatre, art exhibition or other local event. Currently, members can join a last Friday of the month Fellowship lunch which ice an optional fellowship activity.
Zonta Rose Gardens: Four rose gardens have been established throughout Bunbury with two remaining and another replaced with a sculpture.
PR & Communications: Club website was established in 2004 and club joined Facebook in 2013.
Area Activities: The club has been represented at all Area Meetings since Charter and has hosted 3 or 4 Area meetings. Nan Martella, Jo Wittorff and Tyril Houghton have served a term as Area 3 Director. Members attend the Area 3 Founders’ Day Dinner. Club participates in the Area Woman of Achievement award and contributes to an Area Jane M Klausman Scholarship.
District Activities: Since charter, club has been represented at all except the 1993 District 23 Conference. Our Club has been represented on the Committee of four conferences and hosted the 2003 Bunbury Conference, with Fiona Brockman as Conference Chairman. Ellen Cox served as D23 Treasurer 1988-90 & 2003 Conference Treasurer, and has also served the District as Chairman & Committee member of Bylaws & Resolutions Committee, Chairman Nominating Committee, Centurion, & Parliamentarian. Nan Martella served as Area 3 Director 2002-2004 and PR&C Committee Chair 2004-2008, Centurion 2008-2010 & Secretary 2010-2012. Penelope Northcott served as D23 Designer 2006-2008. Jo Wittorff has served as Newsletter Editor 2006-08, Secretary 2008-10, Nominating Committee 2012-14, 2013 Conference Registration Chairman, 2014-16 Bylaws & Resolutions Committee, Area 3 Director 2016-2018, Secretary, combined Australia & New Zealand Conference (Brisbane) 2018-2020, 2020-2022 Chairman, District PR & Communications Committee and is currently the District 23 Conference Coordinator. Tyril Houghton served on the 2014-16 Advocacy Committee, 2018-2020 District Women in Technology Scholarship Coordinator, 2020-2022 as Area 3 Director and is currently the District 23 Birthing Kit Ambassador. Kimberley Robbins served as District Secretary 2020-2022 and is currently on the District 2023 Conference Committee. Our 2022-24 President Kerry Kerr is currently serving as a member of the District 2023 Conference Committee. Past President Beth Talbot is serving as the secretary of the District 2023 Conference Committee.
District Projects: The club has supported District 23 Birthing Kit project since 2004, assembling 1000-1600 kits each year. Bunbury has supported District 23 Breast Cushion project since 2002 and the Yarri Wada Project in 2008-10. In 2021 the club has become involved in the District Mental Health First Aid Project.
International Activities: The club has been represented at nine International Conventions since 1988 and gave strong support to the 2006 Convention held in Melbourne, Australia. Ellen Cox served as Chairman of Monitors at the 1992 Hong Kong Convention and Ellen Cox, Nan Martella & Jo Wittorff served on the People Protocols Committee for the 2006 Melbourne Convention. Club has provided hospitality to many visiting overseas Zontians and maintains links with several clubs around the world following personal contact at Conventions.
Zonta Foundation for Women: Since 1991 the club has contributed 1/3 of funds raised to Zonta Foundation for Women, (previously known as the Zonta International Foundation). Club members select which ZIF projects/programs to support. Since 1991 the club has supported the Young Women in Public Affairs program by making a local award and contributing funds to the program.
