Highlights

Since a Zonta Club was first founded in Australia in the 1960s, Clubs have spread in keeping with the growth of Zonta around the world.

Australia is home now to three Zonta International Districts.  

Together they represent around 2300 members in over 100 Zonta Clubs that are spread right across all States and Territories.

We also have the privilege of being supported by many thousands of people – friends, family, and work colleagues who are a very broad cross section of the community.  This wider network of support injects pro bono expertise and goods, assists with fundraising and donations, and works alongside members on activities to support the service provided by our Clubs.

 

Early days

Between 1965 and 1967, Miss Dorothy Thompson found 12 Zonta Clubs in Australia and New Zealand.  These Clubs became Zonta International District 16.

In 1990, at the Zonta International Convention in Dallas, District 16 was divided into three:

• District 16, being New Zealand,
• District 23, being the Australian States of Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia along with the Northern Territory; and
• District 24, being Queensland and New South Wales along with the Australian Capital Territory.

 

Growing Australian involvement

Three Australians have been elected to the highest office in Zonta International.

Before becoming Governor of Queensland, Leneen Forde AC became the first Australian to be International President of Zonta International and served for the 1990-1992 Zonta Biennium.

In 1984, Australia first played host to the Zonta International Convention, which was held in Sydney.

In 2006, the Zonta International Convention was held in Melbourne.

 

Recent developments

At the Zonta International Convention in Rotterdam in 2008, District 24 was further divided into two Districts.

Essentially, these are now:

• District 24 – being New South Wales and the Australia Capital Territory; and
• District 22 – being Queensland.