What is your job
I am wearing my club colours as the Advoacy Chair of Zonta Club Nepean Valley. This is a voluntary role I have held for the last four years. Prior to that I was the President of the club. I have been a member of the club for 8 years.
When I am not doing voluntary work for Zonta Nepean Valley I work full time for company as a Health and Safety Manger in the aged care and disability sector. One of the risks I assist Managers and staff to manage is around assault and violence. I also serve as the Education Director for PMI Toastmasters and also volunteer for Anglicare as a Disaster Relief Volunteer.
How did you get it
While Zonta is a voluntary role, I have a personal interest in the cause, having experienced violence and prejudice myself. As well as through my work as an Occupational Therapist and a Risk Practitioner working in both the community and for organizations. Professionally I have a back ground as an Occupational Therapist as well as Masters degrees in Safety Science , Risk Management and currently in the process of completing a third Masters in the Social Psychology of Risk.
Why do you love it
Penrith and Western Sydney has one of the highest levels of homelessness through Domestic Violence. While I recognise it is not a problem that can be solved, or eradicated. It is a problem that I consider can be managed, through a bipartisan approach from both gender and the community. My role is in encouraging conversations to occur and promoting opportunities for education. Which in turn, I am hoping will result in effective solutions being implemented. These solutions include providing increased funding for safe places for people escaping violence, counselling to people who have experienced violence and psychological and medical help to those who recognize they need help to manage the stress and anger they are currently experiencing.
What is your connection to Penrith
I live here. I have been a resident of Glenmore Park since 2003.
What is Zonta?
The name Zonta derives from the Sioux Indian word meaning honest and trustworthy. You can check out their Facebook page here.
The colours in my shirt of yellow and brown are symbolic of the Zonta organization colours of gold and mahogany, representing friendship, enlightenment and honesty.
Zonta is an international organization that is committed to empowering women through service and advocacy. This year we celebrate 100 years. The paper I am holding up with the words “Honour and Empower” is the theme for our centenary year. These two words represent the journey that has been taken by women in advancing and improving the status of women around the world and the work that has to come.
The colours in the scarf I am wearing green and purple are the colours of International Womens Day. These colours were the orginal colours of the Suffragette movement. The purple representing “loyalty” and green “hope”. The other colour white represents “integrity”.
The shoes in my hand represent the shoe display we do as an annual event during the Penrith White Ribbon day. In recognition of women who have lost their lives to domestic violence during the year.
The white badge on my collar is the “He for She “ Award. An annual award we give to men in Penrith Western Sydney Region for their contribution to supporting women in the community. To date 9 men have received this award.
What is Women of Penrith?
An opportunity to take those negative comments that girls and young women hear and turn them into a positive reflection of their personality and skill.
I have so many more female ambassadors lined up, join my mailing list (click here) to make sure you get the bios for these inspirational women to your Inbox.