Half a century of advocacy, service and community connection is being celebrated this year as the Zonta Club of Armidale marks its 50th anniversary – a milestone that speaks not only to longevity, but to a sustained commitment to improving the lives of women and girls.
For Jennifer Miller, Chair of the club’s Advocacy Committee, the anniversary is both a moment of reflection and recognition.
“The Zonta Confederation was initiated in the USA in 1919 by a group of professional women who wanted, post-war, to improve the status of women,” she said. “From an early group of 100 women in the United States, Zonta clubs are now found in over 60 countries throughout the world.”
“Zonta has only been in Australia for 60 years, so for the Armidale Club to have been active for most of that time is confirmation of the willingness of women in our community to help others.”
That willingness has shaped some of the region’s most important social support systems. Among the club’s earliest and most significant achievements was its role in establishing one of Armidale’s first women’s refuges – a project born from both necessity and determination.
“The first refuge had been set up in 1974 in Sydney, and so it was in the consciousness of women, particularly in NSW, to be talking about how to practically help women in crisis,” Ms Miller explained.
An unexpected conversation between two local veterinarians during a sheep caesarean sparked the idea locally, leading to research, advocacy and ultimately action.
“They gathered information and statistics from many sources and presented persuasively to the newly formed Zonta club with this project becoming their dominant purpose,” she said.
“One member took leave from her job at the Armidale Teacher’s College for 12 months to advocate and collaborate with Council and a local solicitor to bring the project to fruition.”
What followed was a remarkable community effort – a building purchased for just $1, relocated to a council-owned site, and transformed through the hands of volunteers.
“Zonta women worked tirelessly to fund the fit-out of the house, and administration of the service in the early years,” Ms Miller said. “The opening of the refuge in the late 70s was a testament to the leadership of Zontians pulling the community together to provide a safe haven for women and children escaping domestic violence.”
Over the past five decades, the club’s work has grown well beyond that foundational project, evolving to meet changing needs while remaining grounded in its mission.
“From the initial focus, we have expanded our impact through service projects and advocacy,” Ms Miller said.
Today, that includes creating leadership pathways for high school girls, encouraging participation in STEM, providing breast care cushions to hospitals across a vast region, and assembling birthing packs for women in countries without access to safe, clean facilities.
The club also contributes to global initiatives through Zonta International, including campaigns to end child marriage and the development of Laaha, “the first-ever platform designed by and for women and girls in humanitarian and development settings to address gender-based violence.”
Collaboration remains central to Zonta’s approach. Locally, the club works alongside organisations such as HealthWISE and Rotary, as well as supporting youth-led initiatives through school-based Z Clubs.
Advocacy is also a key pillar, particularly during the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism, with campaigns like Zonta Says NO raising awareness around domestic and gender-based violence.
That commitment continues through the club’s longstanding partnership with the local Women’s Shelter – a relationship that remains as vital today as it was in the 1970s.
“We have continued to support the Women’s Shelter through such projects as micro grants for white goods and homeware packages when women have left the refuge for private rental accommodation,” Ms Miller said.
“To bring a little cheer at Christmas time, we donate gifts for women and children living at the refuge.”
More recently, the focus has turned to the Shelter’s Food Project, which addresses growing food insecurity in the region.
“Between 400–500 meals are being prepared weekly for locals who are experiencing food insecurity,” she said. “This practical help means mothers can leave with meals for their children so they can eat consistently and with dignity.”
“It also gives the option of being able to redirect limited cash toward rent or electricity. Parents can breathe for a moment instead of constantly calculating what can be skipped.”
The milestone was formally marked earlier this month, with the club celebrating in style at a special anniversary event held on Saturday, 11 April at the Armidale Ex-Services Club.
The evening brought together past and present members, supporters and the broader community for “club history, food, live music and catching up with friends,” with a strong sense of pride in the organisation’s legacy and impact. True to its roots, the event also served as a fundraiser, continuing Zonta’s long-standing support of the Women’s Shelter and its Food Project.
The club’s 50th anniversary celebrations have directly supported this work, raising significant funds through community generosity.
“Earlier in the year, we donated $2000 to this project, which covered the cost of supplies for approximately six weeks,” Ms Miller said. “Our 50th anniversary fundraising generated more than $5000 by the night of the dinner, through the support of our local community and a generous donation from Rotary Central of $1000.”
“Our total contribution will be just over $8000, once accounts are paid.”
Looking ahead, the club is already turning its attention to emerging challenges, including the gendered impacts of climate events.
“Given the impacts of severe weather events both within Australia and globally, we have embraced the Zonta International campaign, Zonta Says Now, to gender-equal climate action,” Ms Miller said.
She noted that recent hail and snow events in the region have highlighted the need for more inclusive emergency responses.
“In particular, older women may not have the contacts or resources to clean up debris in a timely manner, so collating information on volunteers could be a future project.”
As it enters its next chapter, the message from the Zonta Club of Armidale is clear: its future will be shaped by the same community spirit that has defined its past.
“The future of the club depends on ongoing membership,” Ms Miller said. “We welcome a diverse range of people wanting to build a better world for girls and women.”
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