About Zonta Club of Caboolture

Zonta Club of Caboolture - About

We are a group of like-minded individuals gathering together to serve women and girls in our local and international community. Zonta Club of Caboolture is located in Caboolture, Moreton Bay Region. Our club is zoned in District 22 of Zonta International. Established in 1993, Zonta Caboolture celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2023. 

Our Club

Zonta Club of Caboolture Inc was chartered on 3 August 1993.

​On 14 September, 1993, The Charter Presentation Dinner was held in the Supper Room of the Caboolture Memorial Hall. The current Zonta International President, Sonja Renfer (1992-1994) and the current District 24 Governor, Mary Magee, attended the dinner. Mary Magee went on to become the Zonta International President. The sponsoring club was the Zonta Club of Redcliffe Area.

The elected board of Zonta Club of Caboolture is made up of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and two Directors.  The current elected board (2023) is currently Sue Droughton, Deb Symes, Glenda Moor, Patricia Clunes, Lyn Howells and Karen Whalan, respectively. 

Our club's structure is underpinned by the three mandatory committees of Service, Advocacy and Membership. These sub-committees are supported by the Finance and Fundraising, Bi-laws and Constitution, Public Relations, United Nations and Archives Committees.

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30th Birthday Celebrations

On 5 August 2023, invited guests from District 22 executive including Lyn Agnew (District Governor), Petra Ladwig (Lieutenant Governor), Gwen Jull (Area Director); chartered member, Sandra Cooke; current and past members of Zonta Club of Caboolture; HonZons (the partners of members); and friends of Zonta including our special friends from the Dragons, celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Caboolture club. 

Birthday celebrations were held at the Beach House in Beachmere. Tables were beautifully decorated and every guest received a souvenir program and gorgeous baked cookie decorated with the words "Zonta 30".  HonZons (partners) of new members were awarded with Honorary Zonta badges for the support and assistance they provide to the club even though they are not official members. 

During the 30th birthday celebrations stories were told of how the club evolved over the years. Meetings were held in many interesting places including not so reputable hotels. We sadly recognised the passing of our late member, Diana Wallman. The cake was cut by Gwen Jull and Sandra Cooke.  It was a beautiful day at Beachmere and everyone had a lovely time, looking forward to new and exciting adventures for the next 30 years.

To mark the special occasion our new website was launched on this day.

Our Projects

We support a variety of local projects within our community (Caboolture region) as well as international projects. Zonta Club of Caboolture provides awards, donations and services to build better lives for women and girls. This is done by empowering and assisting women and girls to achieve their goals and aspirations.

​Our local and international projects include:

• International Women's Day Luncheon (8 March)
• Banksia Awards for a Year 11 female student in local high schools and colleges
• Annual support of the Domestic Violence Emergency Housing Project in Caboolture
• Breast cushions and seat belt buddies for women recovering from Breast Cancer treatments
• Centre Against Domestic Abuse information magnets and safety cards
• ZONTA says NO - 16 Days of Activism and awareness activities
• Emergency packs and food hampers given to care groups for women and children
• Memorial wreath for fallen police officers at the Annual Police Memorial Day 
• Memorial wreath for fallen soldiers at the Caboolture Anzac Day Service
• Inclusive swimming program (Caboolture Special School)
• Annual support of Caboolture Community Action
• Annual support of Open Minds (women experiencing mental health)

• Annual support of RUBY Program PCYC Caboolture
• Annual support of Micah Projects (Caboolture Young Mothers for Young Women)
• Support for young women in educational and sporting endeavours
• Annual support of Adult Literacy programs
• Contribute to Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarships when applicable in our area
• Safe buses in PNG Awareness Project
• Sandra Cooke Further Education Award for a female student finishing high school and commencing further education
• Support annually Agoonoree (disadvantaged girl guides)
• Support annually Alola (Timor-Leste) 
• Support annually Coral Sea Foundation - Sea Women of Melanesia
• Annual assembly of birthing kits for use in developing countries
• Annual support of Scripture Union Australia Chaplaincy (involving all state primary and high schools in the Caboolture region)

Our Committees

​Zonta Club of Caboolture has four main sub-committees including the Service, Advocacy, Membership and Events Committees. 
​Other committees include:

• By-Laws and Constitution
• Public Relations
• United Nations

Service
​Committee

Advocacy
​Committee

Membership
​Committee

Events
​Committee

Our Executive team

The Zonta Club of Caboolture executive team as at 1 June 2024:

Pam Berkett
President

Pam has been a past President of Zonta Club of Caboolture and a member of Zonta International for over 25 years. As well as being president, Pam is the Membership Chair, and member of the Advocacy committee.

Carol Tomvald
Vice-President

Carol has been a member of Zonta International for over 25 years and a past President of Zonta Club of Caboolture. She is also the Chair of the United Nations and a member of the Advocacy and Membership committees.

Lynda Galway
Treasurer

Lynda joined Zonta in 2023 and is excited to accept the responsibility of Treasurer. Additionally, Lynda is the Co-Chair of Advocacy.

Susan Lepper
Secretary

Susan joined Zonta in 2023 and has enthusiastically accepted the position of secretary. Susan is also the Co-Chair of Advocacy.

Meleitta Lowrey
Director

Meleitta joined Zonta in 2024 and is eager to learn more about the operation of the Club as a Director.

Karen McNab
Director

Karen has been a member of Zonta for over 12 years and past President. Karen does a lot of work in events for the club.

The Zonta Club of Caboolture past executive team 2023-2024:

Sue Droughton
President

Deb Symes
Vice President

Glenda Moor
​​Treasurer

Patricia Clunes
Secretary

Lyn Howells
Director

Karen Whalan
Director

About Zonta International

Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a leading global organisation of women empowering women world wide through service and advocacy. Zonta International has more than 30,000 members, belonging to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 67 countries and geographic areas.
​
Zontians all over the world volunteer their time, talents and support to local and international service projects, as well as scholarship programs aimed at fulfilling Zonta's mission and objects.

Zonta Mission

Zonta International is a leading global organisation of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.​

Zonta Vision

Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential.
In such a world:

• women have access to all resources and are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men.
• no woman lives in fear of violence.​​​

Zonta Objects

• To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local level through service and advocacy.
• To work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of members.
• To promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• To be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, to implement service programs, and to provide mutual support and fellowship for members who serve their communities, their nations and the world.

Learn More

The Zonta Logo

What is the meaning of the Zonta logo?

Zonta means honest and trustworthy. It is derived from Lakhota (Teton Dakota), a language of the Native American Sioux peoples. The Zonta logo was adopted in 1919 to symbolise the combined qualities of honesty and trust, inspiration, and the ability to work together for service and world understanding. 

The Zonta Rose

Why is the Zonta Rose significant to Zonta Club of Caboolture?

Since 1999, the Zonta Rose has served as the symbol of Zonta Rose Day, which falls on 8 March and coincides with International Women's Day. 
​On this special day, Zontians worldwide are encouraged to publicly distribute yellow roses, or items bearing the image of yellow roses, accompanied by information about Zonta International and issues relating to improving the lives of women.