Projects In and Around Rockhampton

Education Awards:

Through Central Queensland University (CQU) Zonta awards three encouragement awards for women entering their final year of full-time study of their first degree, in traditionally male dominated courses. The awards are presented to the best overall female student in the areas of Informatics and Communication, Engineering, and Science.

Amelia Earhart Commemorative Young Pilots Award:

The Zonta Club of Rockhampton together with the Zonta Club of Emerald has established an Amelia Earhart Commemorative Young Pilot's Award to encourage and assist young women in our Central district to advance their skills in flying. Amelia Earhart was a pioneer in aviation being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and the first woman to be awarded the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross. The winner of the local Young Pilot's Award receives financial help for flying lessons to be conducted at a RFACA Aero Club or an approved flying school.

Young Women in Public Affairs Award:

The Young Women in Public Affairs Award held annually is designed to encourage secondary school women to enter careers or seek leadership positions in social policy-making, government and volunteer organizations. The program ultimately increases the number of women in decision making positions in order to make a difference in the lives of women and men worldwide. The winner of the local Club Award moves onto the District judging and if successful to the International judging.

Breast Care Cushions:

The club adopted the service project of making and supplying Breast Care Cushions to patients who have undergone breast surgery. Working bees are held to cut and sew the cushions. Outside voluntary help is also used and appreciated. In the first year of involvement, 120 cushions have been donated to the Cancer Fund for distribution.

Women’s Shelter:

The club supports the local women’s refuge with the purchase of furniture and equipment. The newest project is the supply of Pamper Packs containing essentials for personal use.

Support for Blue Nurses and White Nurses:

Previously, the Zonta Club of Rockhampton has supported the Blue Nurses and White Nurses with the supply of an exchange vehicle. With a change of policy in the supply of vehicles, the club now supports the White Nurses with payment of the yearly registration of the vehicle.

Royal Brisbane Hospital Skin Bank:

Zonta Club of Rockhampton along with other Zonta Clubs in District 24 are leading the way in providing vital funding for the Royal Brisbane Hospital Research Foundation. The Clubs support the research and development of the Queensland Skin Bank, which is an initiative of the RBH Burns Unit, the Red Cross Blood Service and the RBH Research Foundation. Zonta Clubs alone have raised $140.000. The Zonta Club of Rockhampton has donated $3.000 to the Skin Bank, the money being raised through the sale of speciality biscuits and macadamia nuts. The purpose of the Skin Bank is to have a reserve of cultured skin available to treat major burns victims or patients suffering major wounds. Skin is cultured from donated skin and then kept in reserve, ready for use. New skin can also be cultured from the skin of the burns victim.