Zonta Club launches local foundation

The local branch of Zonta International has used its 50th anniversary to launch Perth Foundation for Women to maximise its community impact.

Zonta Club of Perth is a member of Zonta International, a group that stands up for women’s rights around the world.

The Perth branch was established in 1972 and has since donated items, money and time to local, national and global causes, including establishing Zonta House Refuge Association.

Recently, Zonta Club of Perth president Mary Gurgone and vice president Ping Teo realised they wanted to do more to help women and girls and decided to set up a foundation.

“Globally, the pandemic, intense weather events associated with climate change and geopolitical instability have placed immense pressure on women and girls,” Ms Gurgone said.

“Violence against women has been increasing locally and progress towards gender equality is going backwards.

“Our club is acutely aware that it needs to do more.”

Mr Gurgone said while their activities were making a difference, the organisation wanted to have longer lasting impact on a larger scale.

To do that, more resourcing was needed.

The club is hoping that by starting a dedicated foundation, with tax-deductible status, it will amass donations from the corporate sector.

The foundation has several projects lined up to support homeless women, reduce coercive control, engage with vulnerable young women to teach them about challenging issues related to relationships, and scholarships for Aboriginal students.

It is creating welcome packs for women who are homeless as part of the My Home project; supporting Ruah Community Services’ Safe Night Space program and providing workshops for people at risk of domestic violence and coercive control with Curtin University senior lecturer Marilyn Metta.

Ms Gurgone said the foundation was in the process of setting up a website and creating a marketing strategy to increase the awareness around their activities.