A GRANT has helped Zonta Club of Mitchell to make fire recovery gift packs for families whose lives were impacted by the Longwood bushfires earlier this year.
The collective volunteer network promotes equality for women and girls. Zonta is a worldwide movement that says No! to gender-based violence.
Zonta Club of Mitchell President Patricia Bulluss
Local President Patricia Bulluss said: “[Following the fires] it was identified that people wanted bathroom and laundry staples. When the grants were announced (by the Community Bank, Wallan, Kilmore and Broadford) we had to say what our ideas were. It was a quick turnaround to a generous grant of $2000.”
“It was very meaningful to us that we could buy quality items,” she said.
The grant made it possible to assemble 20 welfare packs and these are being distributed by Mitchell Shire Council’s Fire Recovery Officer Abby Egan.
The practical washing basket gift pack contains laundry liquids, cleaning detergents, insect repellent, pegs, soap, bath towels and toilet paper.
What keeps the Zonta Club of Mitchell moving forward is members’ similar sense of purpose around helping its most vulnerable communities.
Three new members joined last year, increasing the numbers to 12.
“One of our core values is friendship and we always welcome new members,” Mrs Bulluss said.
“The core group has stayed the same over the years. We work hard but our friendships grow deeper all the time. We all have the same sense of purpose around helping our community.”
One of those values aligns with the 2026 International Women’s Day theme to “Balance the Scales,” underscoring the fact that women, girls and gender diverse people still face discrimination in laws, policies, and practices.
HELPING IN A CRISIS: Detectives Senior Constable Matthew Whiteside, Detective Leading Senior Constable Andrea Taylor and Detective Sergeant Julie Trimble of the Seymour Sexual Abuse and Child Investigation Team appreciate Zonta’s trauma packs.
Zonta’s children’s trauma distraction bags are distributed by Detectives at the Seymour Sexual Abuse and Child Investigation Team (Mitchell Shire Police Service Area).
Designed for children in times of family trauma, these are distributed across Mitchell Shire via various organisations, including Orange Door, Beyond Housing and schools as they contain colouring books, art items and squishy stress balls to distract and ease the stress of a crisis.
The Zonta dignity bags are another practical measure to help local women and girls in a crisis to access free, essential toiletries and these are also distributed via the Orange Door, Beyond Housing and schools.
All genders benefit from Zonta’s work as members also hand sew breast cushions for men and women recovering from breast surgery.
Across the year, the Zonta Club of Mitchell will be preparing for its annual craft market and also creating ‘yarn bombs’ for the 16 Days of Activism campaign, held annually across November and December.
Volunteers are asked to knit or crochet (in orange) any sized square for it to become part of a display the club makes for the campaign. It fits into the world-wide movement to address gender inequality.
Zonta meetings are held at the Broadford Living and Learning Centre on the second Thursday of each month from 7pm. Occasionally a local guest speaker is invited and there is always a tasty supper complete with beverages.
To get involved with the group and support not only your neighbours, but also women around the globe, email zontaclubmitchell@gmail.com
