 | PO Box 1395, Bunbury WA 6231 bunburyzonta1194@yahoo.com.au |
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| 2008 Woman Of Achievement | 14 Nov 2008 |
| Evee Knight – Area 3 Woman of Achievement 2008 Dardanup woman, Evee Knight, was named the 2008 Zonta International District 23, Area 3, Woman of Achievement at the annual Zonta Founders’ Day Dinner in Perth on the 8th November 2008. The Zonta Club of Bunbury was proud to nominate Evee, who was recognised for her tireless and completely voluntary dedication to implementing programs to support victims of trauma and adult survivors of child abuse. Evee is responsible for establishing an organisation called Mayumarri in Western Australia. This organisation operates healing workshops for people whose lives are disabled by past traumas. Evee began this journey when she tried to help a family member who had been involved with a tragic accident and was not coping with life. Through this counselling experience, she realised that she had not dealt with all her own baggage, that she was facing enormous challenges and needed help. To address this situation, she attended a Mayumarri Healing Week Retreat in NSW in 2003. Mayumarri was founded over 10 years ago by a Sydney woman, Liz Mullinar. She was named Australian Humanitarian of the Year in 2000 for her work. Liz established a retreat on a property in the Hunter Valley and offers programs to assist adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. The key to the success of Mayumarri is that the programs are run by survivors for survivors. Mayumarri is the only counselling organisation which offers residential retreats and until it was established in WA, they were only available in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. The clientele are often those who have turned to substance abuse or are unemployed and who could not afford to travel to the eastern states for the treatment. Evee was determined to make this program available in Western Australia. To that end, she undertook intensive training in counselling in NSW in 2004 and began the challenging process that now has Mayumarri operating as an incorporated body in WA, offering Healing Weeks in a program that is supported by funds raised through her tireless efforts in raising awareness in the community and writing submissions for grants. Her selfless commitment to achieve this has taken her on an inspirational but challenging journey of personal growth and development, changing her negative childhood into a positive by assisting others to reclaim their lives and potential and to become functioning adults. Evee is determined to raise awareness of the effects of child abuse. She wants to break the cycle of inter-generational abuse, of parents abusing their children just as they were abused. Victims need to become survivors. Her priority is to raise the profile of the work of Mayumarri with mental health organisations. Evee has begun consultative programs with families, parents, teachers and health professionals. She has introduced innovations to improve the Healing Week programs in WA and has the ultimate dream of Mayumarri owning its own retreat in WA. Another goal is to extend the program in WA to have retreats for young female teenagers. At present, girls suffering from traumatic childhood situations and living in dysfunctional families or on the streets, who are eligible to undertake the course, are assisted with the cost of travel to attend specific courses in NSW. Evee’s efforts are entirely voluntary and have contributed immeasurably to strengthening individuals and making positive changes to them, their families and their communities. Members of Zonta International in Area 3 of District 23 are honoured to acknowledge Evee’s incredible contributions in her field of endeavour and were delighted to give her due recognition at the 2008 Founders’ Day dinner by selecting her as their 2008 Woman of Achievement. To learn more about Mayumarri go to www.mayumarri.com.au or email mayumarri_wa@iinet.net.au |
| Zonta Club Of Bunbury Celebrates 20 Year Milestone | 30 May 2008 |
The Zonta Club of Bunbury celebrated its 20th anniversary at a dinner at the Parade Hotel in Bunbury on Saturday, 17th May 2008. The club was chartered in May 1988 and has had 11 Presidents during this time, with Pauline Vukelic the first president and only one to serve two terms. MC and past president Nan Martella acknowledged guests and announced, “We are fortunate to have all but two of our past presidents attending tonight.” Guests included Area 3 Director Karen Groves, Presidents and members of other Zonta Clubs in WA, many past members, club award winners, partners and friends. MLA John Castrilli developed a close relationship with the club during his time as Mayor of Bunbury and attended the dinner with his wife Loretta to help members celebrate 20 years of service to the community. Zonta International’s mission is to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy and past presidents outlined the many and varied projects that have helped to do this. Club archives revealed that Bunbury Zonta was represented on the steering committee for the establishment of the women’s refuge in Bunbury, with the club offering support for a resubmission of an application for a refuge when it was refused by Council in 1989. The club continues to support the refuge today. Continuing projects and activities that were started during Zonta’s first 10 years are the high schools’ debating competition, books to newborn babies on International Literacy Day and awards including the TAFE Non-Traditional Trade award, Young Women in Public Affairs award, the Woman of Achievement award and the Jane M Klausman Women in Business award. The club’s International Women’s Day Breakfast has become well established and is always supported by the local community. Breast care cushions for breast cancer patients and birthing kits for third world countries are two projects that have started in the second decade of Zonta in Bunbury and have now gained ongoing status. The club has an application for funding process that supports local projects that improve the status of women. Forms are available on the club's website. The club’s latest project is the publication of a book of anecdotes written and retold by local breast cancer survivor Caron Wade entitled ‘A Weight off our Chests: Dealing with the lighter side of breast cancer.’ Proceeds of the book will go to projects that support those who have been affected by breast cancer and copies can be purchased from La Femme, at the Bunbury Plaza and also through the web site under 'Club Merchandise'. Technological advances and club interaction and involvement at the District and International levels were cited by past president Tyril Houghton as significant advances since charter. Tyrtil said, "Every member is on email; the club has a well developed website and produces a widely distributed newsletter." Several members have been and are currently serving on the District team and past president Ellen Cox outlined our International and District ties and affiliations. "The Zonta Club of Bunbury is well respected in the Zonta circles," Ellen said. Past members were thanked and present members were congratulated. Josephine Spaull and Fiona Brockman, the two remaining charter members, cut the 20th birthday cake with Freda Jacob of the Zonta Club of Perth, who was instrumental in the formation of the Bunbury club. New president Penelope Northcott said, “It is a privilege to be elected as president of the club.’ She said she intends to continue the good work started by past members and fine tune processes the club has in place to become more efficient and effective in its service to the community. Members who have been in the club for 10 or more years were presented with a certificate to acknowledge their service. |
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Contact Name: Jo Wittorff Contact Email: bunburyzonta1194 Contact Website: http://bunburyzonta.mysouthwest.com.au |
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