By Chi Zhang
Journalism intern from University of Melbourne
Rebuilding a website and learning social media are keeping 82-year-old Faye Juetz busy at Zonta Club of Melbourne’s West.
The long-time member says the fast pace of technological change can feel difficult to keep up with, but continuing her work with the organisation encourages her to keep adapting.
Founded in 1981 in Footscray, Zonta Club of Melbourne’s West is part of Zonta International, a global not-for-profit organisation that works to build a better world for women and girls. Over the years, the club has supported women across the western suburbs through a range of service projects and advocacy.
One of the projects is ‘Home Starter Packs’ which support women and their children transitioning into safe housing from a women’s refuge. The refuge is run by McAuley community services for women, a local organisation supporting women experiencing family violence and homelessness. The club puts together and delivers packs containing household essentials such as pots and pans, cutlery, and cleaning supplies to McAuley where they are distributed to women in need.
“Although they receive support through McAuley, they often have very few belongings,” Faye says. “The packs can contribute to the wellbeing of women as they move into a new community.”
The club also provides new underwear and socks in a range of sizes, as well as toiletries and other essentials, for women and children arriving at the refuge.
“Sometimes they have to leave a family violence situation in a hurry with nothing,” Faye says.
At the same time, the club makes breast cushions for women recovering from breast surgery and assembles birth kits for pregnant women in rural communities with limited access to medical care. It also has an advocacy committee focused on issues such as the prevention of gender-based violence, equal access to education, promoting women in leadership, and gender-equal climate action.
Like many community organisations, the club faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meetings were moved online, however Faye says not all members are computer literate, with some trying to join meetings through mobile phones. They frequently dealt with internet dropouts, misplaced cameras and repeated attempts to hear one another.
“The president at the time was very good at maintaining connections and keeping the club together,” Faye says. “During that whole time, we did not lose any members.”
After 36 years with the club, Faye has served as president three times.
“The last time was [I] quite unwilling,” she says. “It was after COVID, and I stepped up to help us regroup.”
Another ongoing challenge is attracting new members. The club currently has 14 members.
“It’s been pretty difficult to recruit new people, especially since COVID,” Faye says.
“We are trying to develop more social media presence and different ways of reaching the community.”
Over the last year, Faye has been working on the club’s website, social media and promotional materials. “It’s quite a learning thing for me,” she says.
Despite her long involvement with the club, Faye says she has thought about leaving at times.
“It’s not always easy to be a member,” she says. “There are all sorts of pressures in life, raising children, supporting elderly parents, and financial issues.”
“But the values of Zonta and the support of our club have always been there when other things were going on,” she says.
“Zonta gave me an anchor that really made me keep going.”
To find out more about Zonta Club of Melbourne’s West
Website: zontamelbwest.org.au
Facebook: Zonta Melbourne’s West – Australia
