The Zonta Club of Macarthur 2017 awards night was a celebration of outstanding young women and their achievements.
None more so than Amity College student Mirac Mermi, who won two honours, including the big one, the Young Women in Public Affairs award.
Ms Mermi, who was also named the winner of the District award for Zonta clubs across NSW and the ACT, was recognised for her commitment to the volunteer sector, leadership and dedication to the empowerment of women.
The Zonta Club of Macarthur Achievement Award for a young Indigenous woman was presented to Georgia Eggert, of Elderslie High School for her outstanding commitment to her studies and school service.
She was also the recipient of the district award.
Runner up for the club award was Katarina Ferkula-Cohen, of Mary MacKillop Catholic College.
She was highly commended at the district level and also recognised for her school leadership and academic and service achievements.
A Zonta club encouragement award was presented to Mesha Holder, of Sarah Redfern High School, for her school attainments, dedication and community service.
The club’s Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship was presented to Western Sydney University student Claudia Rodr for outstanding achievements in her business and finance studies.
Another highlight of the evening was an inspirational presentation by special guest speaker Pranee Liamputtong, Professor of Public Health at the School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University.
Prof Liamputtong outlined her own journey to obtain an education, her academic achievements as well as the current work and research that she is undertaking.
Zonta District 24 (NSW and ACT) Governor Dr Janette Curtis attended the presentation evening, held recently at Wests Leagues.
Zonta International is an organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
It was founded 98 years ago in New York and currently there are around 1,200 clubs across 67 countries across the world.
Zonta Club of Macarthur Inc was chartered 24 years ago in 1993.
Local members dedicate their time to supporting women by raising funds for local, national and international projects.
Examples of their work include:
• Birthing Kits – they fundraise to purchase the kits then hold an event with local community supporters to assemble them;
• Breast Care Cushions – working in conjunction with Macquarie Fields TAFE college, Zonta raise funds to create and send special breast care cushions to women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer. Cushions are distributed to both local and NSW hospitals and treatment centres;
• Fundraise for annual education scholarships, Jane M Klausman women in business award, Young Indigenous woman award and TAFE awards;
• support a local women’s refuge by providing items to assist women who are establishing a new home after experiencing domestic violence;
• hold annual events to support Say No to Domestic Violence campaign and work with other local organisations on specific projects (library displays);
• participate in local community events (Ingleburn Alive) and various White Ribbon projects.
♦ A great way to find out more about Zonta is to attend one of their monthly meetings. For more information on Zonta Macarthur go online here.
