Young woman gets Zonta leadership award

THE Zonta Club of Bendigo recently awarded its Young Women in Public Affairs Award.

Year 12 student at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, Brook Mazey, received the nod which recognises a young women’s capacity for leadership, potential for public service and awareness of issues affecting women and girls.

“I was really grateful and humbled to hear I’d won, and really excited to share the news,” Ms Mazey said.

“I think it’s really important for young women to be involved in their community in leadership and being active in their community and standing up for what they believe in.

“When I applied felt I fit the brief because I’ve always taken leadership opportunities in my life, whether it’s in my school community or outside of school.”

Ms Mazey is a former chaplain and is currently secretary of her school’s student leadership team.

She volunteers at her local church and helps pack hampers during Christmas holidays.

A keen performer, she said the $750 prize from the award will go towards her dream of studying acting in Los Angeles.

“Acting is a creative and expressive way to explore women’s empowerment and I think it’s such a privilege that women actors get to share about women’s empowerment and tell the stories of women and other marginalised communities,” she said.

Ms Mazey is now nominated for Zonta International’s District 23 award, up against club winners from Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, and Western Australia.