Welcome to Zonta International District 23

History and Goals

Zonta International

History
Zonta International was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1919. Five women attended a social meeting of Kiwanis, an established all male service club, and conceived the formation of a new service club, to be composed of women who were recognised leaders in their businesses and professions. The primary purposes of the club was to standardise and disseminate business principles and practices and to provide service to humanity. Individual Zonta clubs select, fund and participate in community projects as well as supporting the work of the International Foundation.

Zonta International Service Projects
Zonta International selects service projects in various countries to benefit the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women around the world. These include:

For more information about Zonta International Award and Service Programmes visit Zonta International's website

Zonta In Australia

History
Zonta first started in Australia in 1929 with the establishment of a club in Sydney, one of the first to come into existence outside the United States and Canada, but by 1935 this club had disappeared and it was not until 1965 that Dorothy Thompson was asked to re-introduce Zonta in Australia and New Zealand. New clubs were formed in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. Between 1965 and 1971, this remarkable woman organised clubs in all the capital cities in Australia, and in five cities in New Zealand. Today, what was originally District 16, covering Australia and New Zealand is now divided in to four districts - District 16 - New Zealand, District 24 - New South Wales and ACT, District 22 - Queensland, and District 23, covering South Australia and the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania.

Three Australians have held the highest office as International Presidents, Leneen Forde (1990-92), Val Sarah (1998-2000) and Mary Magee (2000-2002).

District 23

History
District 23 was formed in 1989 with 33 clubs divided into four areas. Elizabeth Harris became the first Governor of District 23. The first Conference of District 23 was held in Perth in 1991, followed by the Hobart Conference in 1993, Melbourne in 1995, Alice Springs in 1997, Adelaide in 1999, Geelong in 2001, Bunbury in 2003, Glenelg in 2005 and Hobart in 2007.

District 23 Service Programmes
All Clubs in District 23 support Zonta International programmes but in addition provide support for local projects. Support by fundraising or active involvement is given. Charitable community groups are able to enlist support of local clubs by direct communication with local clubs.

The Breast Cushion Project
District 23 has a project which involves all clubs. This project is the Breast Care Cushion project. Clubs provide these cushions to women having breast surgery. The cushions provide comfort in the post-operative phase. Cushions are supplied to most hospitals in each Area. Distribution in hospitals is by Breast Care Nurses.

Birthing Kits
Last year, District 23 Zontians voted to support the Birthing Kit Project, an initiative of the Adelaide Hills Club. This project will produce 20,000 birthing kits that could save the lives of women and babies. The kits, costing a mere 65 cents each, provide for a clean birth thus decreasing the risk of death from infection and bleeding.

Yarri Wada - Strong for Country Puppet Project
Yarri Wada is a Ngarinyin phrase meaning ‘many dreamings’. Senior Law women of the Ngarinyin, Wunambal and Worrorra clans have one thing in common - a deep love of their country and the people within it. They dream of finding a way to guide their communities out of the cycle of poverty, domestic violence, child abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, disease, youth suicide, poor education and unemployment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUT DISTRICT PROJECTS, CLICK HERE