Zonta Club of Gladstone Inc embraces equity at International Women's Day breakfast event

After canceling its 2022 International Women's Day function due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Zonta Club of Gladstone Inc, Australia, was delighted to bring back its annual International Women's Day breakfast in 2023 with the theme "Embrace Equity." Approximately 180 Zontians and guests attended the Yaralla Sports Club for breakfast.

During the event, the club presented its Gladstone Living Treasure award to Anna Turetschek, a former gymnast and dancer from Czechoslovakia and the founder of the Gladstone Gymnastics Club, in recognition of the service she has provided to the Gladstone community since 1976. Anna has run classes and mentored countless girls and women to excel as community leaders. The club also announced its 2023 Young Women in Public Affairs Awardee, Sarah-Jane Kiernan. Sarah-Jane completed Grade 12 at Toolooa State High School in 2022 and is now studying at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.

The club invited Lacey-Jae O'Halloran and Margot Plant as its guest speakers this year. They spoke about the #HometoBilo campaign, which fought for the rights of refugees, and how friendships were formed due to their advocacy work for a local refugee family.

Area Director Robyn Liddell spoke of women's challenges due to conflict, COVID-19 and climate change. Club President Margaret Esdale reminded the audience about some of the alarming news stories seen in the last year highlighting the lack of gender equality around the world.

The club raffled off 12 months of club membership at breakfast as a novel way to generate interest in club membership. The idea was taken up enthusiastically by guests, and they have already gained one new member and many names to contact about future membership opportunities.