Zonta offer Christmas help for women in need Myall Coast Myall Coast - popup ad Myall Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 30, 2023 Hostess Helen Blackbourn with Zonta Club of Hunter Newcastle Vice President Jill Maclachlan. WOMEN’S service organisation, the Zonta Club of Hunter Newcastle (ZCHN), held a delicious early Christmas luncheon in Tea Gardens on Sunday, 26 November, amidst a warm spring afternoon. Part of Zonta International, the Club’s focus is ‘Building a Better World for Women and Girls’, and runs fundraisers and awareness-raising events throughout the year. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “We run scholarship programs, make breast cushions for cancer survivors and birthing kits for women in disadvantaged countries, run movie nights, high teas, Bunnings BBQs and cake stalls, and sell special bags,” explained Jill Maclachlan, Vice President of ZCHN. Recently, a spectacular ‘yarn-bombing’ on 22 November saw the ladies’ hand-knitted woollen goods wrapped around the trees in the Rotunda area of Warners Bay. “The importance of generating greater awareness of the devastating impact of Domestic Violence cannot be overestimated,” ZCHN President Kate Magee said. “The yarn-bombing display stands as a local way to highlight the ending of violence against women, and will remain until the end of the ‘16 Days of Activism’ (on 11 December).” “The next day, Zontians wore their orange tee-shirts at the opening, and joined a short remembrance walk to commemorate the 55 women who have lost their lives this year to domestic violence.” In Tea Gardens, a much more relaxed affair saw homemade Christmas fare come out, with mouth-watering ham, duck, salad and rice dishes, followed by absurdly scrumptious and authentic pudding and cheesecakes, made by expert country cooks Helen and Lee. “More than $2000 raised today, and the gifts under the white Christmas tree donated by attendees, and will go to the women’s refuge, helping them out at this time of year, which may have been enjoyable in the past, not now, but hopefully a bit happier for those in need,” hostess Helen Blackbourn told NOTA. “In January, the focus will be on helping women in disadvantaged situations with the ‘back to school’ scenario.” Details, for those interested in the activities of Zonta Hunter Newcastle, can be found online at https://zontadistrict24.org/d24-clubs/area-3/hunter-newcastle/. By Thomas O’KEEFE The Tea Gardens luncheon was happy to give more to Zonta’s women’s aid work. No-one will bother with Christmas dinner after the incredible spread supplied by Helen and Lee. The white tree garnered donations aimed at making life better for women in refuges. Zontians were assisted by Lake Macquarie City Council workers in ‘yarn-bombing’ Warners Bay trees. A grand effort was made to illustrate Zonta’s aim to end violence against women.
