In a bid to enhance their impact in the community and further their mission of empowering women and girls, Zonta Club Burdekin Inc applied for the Bendigo Bank Community Grant – and emerged victorious. The $11,000 grant received in 2023 has significantly bolstered the club's ability to carry out various projects and initiatives aimed at uplifting the Burdekin community.
President of Zonta Club Burdekin Inc, Judy Sgarbossa, expressed her gratitude towards Bendigo Bank, stating, “Our club members were 'over the moon' to receive such wonderful support from Bendigo Bank.
“The Grant has allowed our club more resources to do things professionally and provide support in additional areas of community need,” she said.
Zonta International was founded on November 8, 1919 and supports international service projects that seek to improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women around the world. Meanwhile, Zonta Club Burdekin Inc celebrates its 30th Birthday in May this year, with two of the club’s Foundation members, Mary Anne Fraser and Robyn Haller, still active club members today. Most of the organisation’s 22 current members have in excess of ten years of service and come from various career backgrounds.
The grant has facilitated the club's endeavours in numerous ways, allowing them to provide top-quality resources to the community. Notably, funds were allocated towards purchasing materials for breast cushion and drainage bag packages, purchasing birthing kits for developing countries, enhancing the value of STEM and Citizenship Awards for Burdekin school students, providing hygiene packs to disadvantaged groups, and assisting with the costs of their International Women’s Day function.
Reflecting on the role of Bendigo Bank Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr branches in the Burdekin community, Judy noted their vital contribution in providing localised, quality service to customers and supporting community needs without requiring residents to travel to larger cities. She underscored the importance of Community Grants in fostering collaboration and enabling not-for-profit organizations like Zonta Club Burdekin Inc to realise their visions for a better community.
“The Community Grants are distributed to various Not for Profit Organisations within the Burdekin community who make a Grant application, which, if successful, supports their future vision and as a result, benefits the local community,” Judith said. “Our club recognises that the opportunity to secure a Bendigo Bank Community Grant allows us to develop, expand, ‘do sooner’, or more professionally, some of our community planned projects and meet some of our club’s goals. The Zonta Club Burdekin Inc also acknowledges that as part of the Grant application, we are forming a valuable partnership with Bendigo Bank.”
As Zonta Club Burdekin Inc. celebrates its successes, they extend a warm invitation to individuals interested in contributing to their cause. For those interested in joining or learning more about Zonta Club Burdekin Inc, inquiries can be directed to bknzonta@gmail.com.
Zonta Club Burdekin Inc works with other community organisations to support international service projects that seek to improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women around the world
