Zonta club shows women can do anything

IT’S the international club that’s run by women, to benefit women - and Townsville is home to two branches.

Zonta Club of Townsville Mtro President Anna Nicholls is featuring as part of the Bulletin's 100 clubs feature. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

IT’S the international club that’s run by women, to benefit women – and Townsville is home to two branches.

The Zonta Club was first established in Buffalo, New York and has spread to 63 countries, with Zonta Club of Townsville Metro and Zonta Club of Townsville providing a local voice.

Meaning ‘honesty’ and ‘trustworthy’, Zonta is a club for professional women who aim to empower others through projects and initiatives, on both an international and local basis.

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President of Zonta Club of Townsville Metro, Anna Nicholls, says projects carried out by the club of 25 members are helping local domestic violence victims.

“It’s like a big jigsaw and there’s a lot of missing gaps in between, so we spend a lot of time trying to find a project that will link things together a little bit better,” she said.

“There is a lot of government departments, there’s a lot of funding, but there's some big, obvious gaps and I think that’s why it’s good having a range of people in the club who can help identify what those issues are.

“I don’t think our members realise the difference we’re making until we speak to police officers who say our brochures are amazing, or meet someone who’s been overseas and say our birthing kits have made a really big difference.”

Those projects include a number of different initiatives, including building the kitchen for the Domestic Violence Women’s Centre, and creating business-card-sized information packs during November’s 16 days of activism. The pocket-sized guides include information for DV services and act as resources for those who hear of, and support, domestic violence victims.

The club also takes part in international Zonta projects, supplying birthing kits to third world countries.

Attracting a range of members, Anna said the club was a great way to meet other women in different industries while giving back to the community. “It’s an opportunity for women to serve the community in a way that is still economical with their time,” she said.

“Nobody is really retired, everyone has got kids or full careers, so I guess it provides another interest that’s not about you or your work.

“I have four kids and two businesses for example, so if you have limited time but are still interested in contributing to the community it’s a great way to go.”

Originally published as Zonta club shows women can do anything