Zontians champion women’s success

EARLIER in the month, the Zonta Club of Melton united to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Local Zontians dined alongside community members and leaders, including Shire of Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik.

Bacchus Marsh local Jade Addicott was awarded Zonta Woman of Note for founding Cailin’s House, a service that provides respite care to families in the community who have children with disabilities.

Zonta Club of Melton president Bianca Heaney, said the committee decided to award Ms Addicott the honour for her willingness to help others while searching for a solution for her own family.

“Her daughter had a disability and she was struggling to find the assistance and help in the community.

“So she decided while there were so many other families facing a similar dilemma, to establish Cailin’s House to help other families.”

The Zonta club of Melton has celebrated IWD for 26 years and what started as a social breakfast has grown to be an event that provides local women with the opportunity to celebrate each other.

“We can just be local, and have the opportunity to be inspired, to be here and laugh and cry at some of the stories these women have to tell us,” Ms Heaney said.

Other awards announced on the night included the Phoenix Football Club’s Woman of the Year Award, which went to Liz Bajada in recognition for her work with the junior members of Melton Phoenix.

The guest speaker was author and journalist Kerry Cue, who centred her speech around the 2024 IWD theme of “count her in”.

Cue reminded the audience of women’s past protests to change discriminatory laws including one from the 60s that stipulated women resign from public service once married.

“This is why we have a Zonta Club,” said Cue. “To remind everyone, but also to keep the pressure on.