Global action at a local level

“Zonta is very much about empowering young girls to be who they are and to do what they can to stand up for their own rights, right across the world,” explains Margaret White, the president of Zonta Club Northern Beaches.

Here on the peninsula, Margaret and her past and present clubmates have been emboldening women of all ages for 44 years through several local initiatives.

Notably, this includes providing work skills grants for women from the Northern Beaches’ refuge and shelter; offering study grants for disadvantaged young women at local schools; hosting birthing kit assembling days to create kits to be distributed in developing countries; and sewing breast care cushions for women in the post-operative phase of breast cancer.

Their latest project is contributing as an active member of the council-led Northern Beaches Local Domestic Violence Committee.

The committee, which meets bi-monthly, includes local agencies such as police, Manly Warringah Women’s Resource Centre, Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter, Relationships Australia, Northern Beaches Hospital and other healthcare services, and aims to identify and rectify the causes and impact of domestic violence on the peninsula.

It is Zonta’s dedication to tackling localised issues such as this that first inspired current member Julia Hornsby to join.

“It’s really good global action at a local level,” Julia says.

“I think what’s really great is it’s not earth-shatteringly large and glamourous. It’s a small group of women working together to make a difference to other women. We’re not promotional. We just get on and do it!”

Her words are echoed in the fond anecdotes shared by President Margaret White, who talks of women reaching out to the group, sometimes many years after the received assistance, to thank Zonta Northern Beaches for changing their lives.

“It is helping these individuals that is the primary driver for me,” Margaret’s close friend and Zonta Club of Northern Beaches Chair of Public Relations Ann Asker says.

“You might only help a very small number, but you’re making a difference to an individual and it’s that ability to make a difference that has been meaningful to me personally.”

“It’s enough to keep me going for another 100 years!” Margaret adds, laughingly.

To celebrate the global organisation’s milestone centenary, the local branch is hosting an advocacy dinner to raise funds for its projects on the Northern Beaches.

Held on 21 October, the gathering will see renowned Australian columnist, author, social commentator and broadcaster Jane Caro as the keynote speaker. Tickets are available at $80 per person until sold out.

While the Zonta Club of Northern Beaches currently has 24 active members, the busy organisation is always open to newcomers interested in empowering local women.

The club recommends prospective members come along to two of the monthly meetings before they submit a request to join, in order to fully understand the activities and mission of Zonta.

For more information about the club or its advocacy dinner, phone Margaret on 0416 182 393 or email zontanb@gmail.com.

To keep up to date with the Zonta Club of Northern Beaches, visit the group’s Facebook page facebook.com/ZontaNorthernBeaches/ to learn about any upcoming initiatives or meetings.