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Australia - District
XVI – Zonta Club of Perth
By the time the Zonta Club
of Perth was formed in 1971 there were 13 Zonta clubs in Australia and New
Zealand. They were part of Zonta International’s so-called Area III, the
name being changed to Region III in 1972 and elevated to District XVI in
1974. From this nucleus the organization of new clubs was undertaken and by
1990 it became necessary to split the District into three, at which time the
Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western
Australia were grouped into a new District 23, as it is today.
A further grouping of clubs
was made in 1977 when the District was arranged into four Areas, which have
now been increased to five. Western Australia became Area 3.
In alternate years, when no
International Convention is being held, each District holds a Conference.
When District XVI was
created our intrepid inaugural President offered Perth as the venue for the
initial Conference to be held in 1975. What the members lacked in
experience they made up in enthusiasm.
The Conference was held at
the Riverside Hotel with 73 Zontians attending including the Zonta
International President Eleanor Jammal and the Past International President
Harriette Yeckel. One of the delegates was Mary Magee from Brisbane, who is
now the International President. There was also an impressive array of
dignitaries at the opening ceremony, including the Premier.
By chance Perth was again
the venue for an inaugural Conference in 1991 for the new District 23. This
was held at the Sheraton Hotel and attended by 140 Zontians including the
International President Leneen Ford. Guided now by a more experienced
committee it was far less hazardous than its forerunner.
The organization and
sponsoring of new clubs is promoted by Zonta International through the
provision of an instruction kit and a small amount of funding towards
expenses. The sponsoring club provides the remainder of the funding and the
perseverance and mentoring required.
The Zonta Club of Perth is
proud to have been the organizer and sponsor for seven further clubs in
Western Australia. These are South of Perth in 1979 (now defunct), Perth
Northern Suburbs in 1981, Darling Ranges in 1983 (now defunct), Bunbury in
1989, Dunsborough in 1991 and Peel Region in 1993.
The Club’s monthly dinner
meetings were initially held in members’ homes. In 1972 the charge was $3,
$2 per head being given to the hostess, making a profit of $1 per head.
Membership grew from its
initial 27 to the highest figure of 56 in 1989 and has gradually come right
back to 28 again, despite efforts to increase its numbers.
When the size of the Club
outgrew home hospitality various other dinner venues have been used, such as
the Gateway Inn (now the Perth International Hotel), University House at the
University of Western Australia, the Karrakatta Club, Edith Cowan Claremont
Campus, the Victoria League and currently the University Club, University of
Western Australia.
Christmas meetings have
always been special, early ones at the home of Helen Watson-Williams, then
at the home of Jean and John Oldham and a number of commercial restaurants.
Much emphasis is placed on
fellowship within Zonta. Time at meetings is always set aside for talking
to friends and meeting new members. Fund raising and service activities are
also occasions for fun and fellowship.
In the 1980’s a
constitution was compiled and finalized with incorporation in 1990. With a
downturn in the general economic climate in the 1990’s it was realized that
careful planning for the future was required and forward strategies were
developed. These followed somewhat along the lines being formulated by
Zonta International and it was at this time that the committee structure was
streamlined bringing together 17 committees under four groupings. Financial
and budget procedures were also examined.
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