Meet our Members

Thana Akkari - President 2024 -

Thana has been in Zonta since 2017. She comes from a retail background from a 6-year-old, who was shorter than the counter, at her father’s grocery shop in Bronte to state manager at Roger David Menswear and regional manager and trainer at Angus and Coote.

Thana joined Zonta to give back to the community with a group that did not profit from the volunteers. She has a particular interest in the Vintage and Collectable Fair and with Young Women in Public affairs.

She enjoys the camaraderie of the Zonta members and that all of them give what they can to the activities.

After retirement Thana re-joined the work force in a part time capacity.

Thana has 2 sons who live overseas. She enjoys her garden and cheering for a Swans victory.

Ann Selle - President 2020-2024

Ann has been a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay since its charter in 1994, and has been involved in many activities including developing the Breast Care cushions which have become a Zonta project throughout Australia. She received an OAM for this work in 2017. This has led to another interest– that is, training nurses in Sri Lanka in breast cancer detection and treatment. This project was launched in 2018, by forming ‘Zonta Cares’ as a part of Zonta Botany Bay. Training in Sri Lanka took place with the assistance of a breast physician and a breast cancer nurse trainer. The initial program was very successful and hopefully a follow up training course will take place in 2020 or 2021.

Ann was also instrumental in organising the Hurstville Vintage & Collectable Fairs due to her connections in the Antique business where she has worked for over 20 years. Prior to that, she had a dressmaking business in the area. This followed on from her initial career of 20 years teaching high school students Textiles and Design, a topic which to this day she is passionate about.

What drew Ann to Zonta? She wanted to give back to the community, which has been an amazing journey. This has brought with it, the unexpected benefits of some great friendships of like minded people.

Ann’s interests include all things Zonta and working in the antique business. She also loves to lunch with friends, travel to weird places and watch rugby union and cricket, particularly women’s cricket.

Sue Munro

Susan has been a member of Zonta Club Botany Bay since 2016. Introduced by a friend who was a member of Zonta Botany Bay. When first drawn to this club she was drawn to the objectives of Zontians, to assist and raise funds to support women in the areas of health and social needs.

Susan’s career path began as a teacher and then worked in the area of disabilities, teaching Low Vision and Blind students.

Interests include reading, travel, gardening, creative pursuits, environmental & community involvement, social. Assisting others and making a positive change for the better to women’s lives.

Sue Culley

Sue has been a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay since 2006. She was originally introduced to Zonta Club of Botany Bay by the lovely Pam Davidson.

From Sue’s first meeting she was so impressed with the aims and objectives of Zonta Inc. She was a time poor, working mother of two, and in joining Zonta she was able to participate and assist women in small ways that gave her great satisfaction.

As she began to get to know the ladies of the Zonta Club of Botany Bay Inc, she realised she was fortunate to be amongst ‘Beautiful Inspiring Women’ who cared about others and over the years their friendship and guidance is a gift that she had not expected. The Members still inspire her.

She held the role of Treasurer for several years

Sue’s career path was in accounting and she is a CPA (Certified Practising Accountant), which provided many commercial skills so useful in an organisation such as Zonta Inc.

Sue is currently caring for her mother who at 92 is still knitting for “Squares with Love”. Her Mother and Grandmother were always involved in community services and Sue has been helping them since she was a young girl! While a carer, Sue’s love of Nomadic Travelling has been put on hold, but she has dreams of finishing her exploration of Australia one day

She has two adult single children and a rescue dog called Sheila!!

Robyn Fague

Robyn has been a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay since 2009. She originally knew a couple of people in Zonta and after retirement, approached the Club with an interest in joining Botany Bay. Robyn has thoroughly enjoyed her membership of Zonta. It has allowed her to use her skills in various ways, to meet new and interesting people, to be able to be of support to the community in practical ways and most importantly, she has found it enjoyable, stimulating and at times challenging. She has held Board positions as President and Director as well as being a member of various Committees.

Robyn’s career path was initially in cell research and then in Science education at both High School and Tertiary levels which offered her wonderful opportunities to interact with students over many years and to satisfy her own love of all things biological.

Sue Richards

Sue has been a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay since 2007. She was originally introduced to Zonta by Suzie Munro.

Why has Sue continued to enjoy her membership with Zonta? When she first committed to this Club, Sue was drawn to the objectives of the Club to support women’s health and social needs in the community. Over the years, this commitment by the membership has increased and real and obvious outcomes are able to be seen for the fundraising efforts of the Club. Sue was a member of the Board for several years.

Sue’s career path was in administration, which offered her many organisational and “people” skills.

Her interests include aquarobics, and assisting other charities.

She has two adult children and two grandchildren.

Robyn Cameron

Robyn has been a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay since 2004. She was originally introduced to Zonta by Ann Selle at a time when she was experiencing some changes to her life.

Why has Robyn continued to enjoy her membership with Zonta? When first committing to this Club, she was drawn to the objectives of the Club to support women’s health and social needs in the community. Over the years, this commitment by the membership has increased and real and obvious outcomes are able to be seen for the fundraising efforts, which is very rewarding. She has held a number of positions, including Treasurer, Secretary and Board Member.

Additionally, the opportunity to attend area and district Zonta conferences has been interesting. Friendships established through being a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay is very fulfilling.

Robyn’s career path was in administration which offered her not only a variety of positions, but also the ability to develop skills to keep up with technological advances in business.

Robyn’s interests include walking, yoga and travel when the opportunity arises. She has two adult children and two grandchildren.

Pam Lancaster

Pam has been a member of Zonta Club of Bay Botany Bay since 2005.

Pam was introduced to Zonta by Pam Davidson, a work colleague.

Zonta has given Pam an opportunity to support and help women and children e.g. those with breast cancer or going through domestic violence.

Over this period Pam organised several projects; birthing kits and commenced Zonta’s commitment with St George Women’s Housing in 2006 (now Moving Forward) which helps women going through Domestic Violence.

Pam has made many friends with her involvement in Zonta through committee’s and social activities.

Pam was a General and Midwifery Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, St George Visiting Nursing Service and Day Surgery Nurse.

Pam is interested in sewing, gardening, flower arranging, reading, travel, caravanning and enjoying time with her grandchildren.

Pam has been married to Terry for 48 years.

Pam and Terry have two married children and four grandchildren. Their children and families live in Orange and Canberra.

Bronlyn Schoer

Bronlyn has been a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay since 1994. She was originally introduced to Zonta by a work colleague who was a member of the Zonta Club of Sydney.

Why has Bronlyn continued to enjoy her membership with Zonta? When first joining Zonta, Bronlyn felt that she was giving back to her community by contributing to programs that focused upon supporting the needs of women and girls. She has held a variety of roles over the years including club president and vice president, co-ordinator of various award programs at both a club and District 24 (state level) and represented the club with some community organisations focused on supporting women in difficult circumstances. Bronlyn also values her membership of the club because it has led to the nurturing of many friendships with women who enjoy working together with a common purpose and having fun.

Bronlyn’s career path career was in school education through which she developed many skills of team leadership and a knowledge of the lives of young women within our community. This has contributed to numerous programs within Zonta that support young women and celebrate their achievements.

Bronlyn’s interests include travel both within and beyond Australia, attending the theatre, chamber music and opera. She also loves writing illustrated memoirs of her travel experiences.

Elaine Brus

Elaine has been a member of the Zonta Club of Botany Bay since December 2017, serving as a Board Member for 2 years. Prior to joining, she had been a supporter of ZCBB fundraising for a number of years through her friendship with long serving member Ann Selle.

Elaine has found Zonta to be an organisation that not only talks about helping women but actually does something about providing that help in practical, no-nonsense and no strings attached ways. In addition, the fellowship with like-minded women from so many different backgrounds and life experiences is very enjoyable.

Now retired, Elaine practised as a Barrister at the NSW Bar for over 21 years.

She is an avid, if average golfer; a politics tragic; and keen observer of world events.

Gayle Cale

Gayle has been a Member of the Zonta Club of Botany Bay since September 2006. She was originally introduced to Zonta by another member, Marilyn, whom she has been friends with for many years, and had served in other Organisations with. When first committing to this Club, Gayle was drawn to the objectives of the Club and Zonta. Gayle had been in other Organisations that supported women in many ways, and was impressed that the Zonta Club of Botany Bay not only talked about projects, but enacted and worked on them tirelessly to make them a reality. Gayle’s commitment to the Club and its ideals and many worthwhile projects which support women has increased over time, as she sees the positive outcomes that Club efforts produce to enhance the status of women. Gayle is, or has been, part of the teams who organize and run YWPA, Birthing Kits, Breast Care Cushions, Kookaburra Kids, the Golf Day, the Vintage and Collectibles Fair and Bunnings BBQ’s. Gayle also organizes Speakers for our Dinner Meetings and leads our support of Platform 9, a local refuge for women fleeing domestic violence and homelessness. She writes articles for The Voice bimonthly for District 24, and writes Grant Applications to local councils for Platform 9 assistance.

Gayle’s career path was in Education which offered her many years as a classroom teacher, followed by a Cadetship from the Department to retrain as a Teacher Librarian.

Gayle’s interest include travel, reading, music, theatre, ballet, quilting and knitting, swimming, her family and gardening, and she is an involved member of her local church.

Gayle has been married 47 years and has 3 adult children and 7 grandchildren.

Daniella Luchi

Daniella has been a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay since February 2020. She was originally introduced to Zonta through the Young Women in Public Affairs Award which she won in 2015.

Daniella was extremely excited to join the ZCBB knowing of the knowledge, wisdom and expertise that all the members bring to it.

Daniella finished her bachelors degree in 2019 with a Bachelors in Politics, Philosophy and Economic - majoring in Politics.

Daniella's interests are travelling, her dog and friends and she is extremely active within her church community.

Daniella is very passionate about ending domestic and family abuse and works for a not for profit that aims to reduce the impact of violence within our community.

Judy Bendl

Judy has been a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay since 2006. She was originally introduced to Zonta when invited to a birthing kit assembly day and joined soon afterwards.

Judy was immediately attracted by the collective desire to support a variety of women’s causes at local and international levels, the practical nature of this support and the dynamic, friendly movers and shakers in the Botany Bay club. Since 2006, Judy has held positions including President, Vice-President and Board member.

Judy’s career in education has included 35 year’s teaching in secondary schools and working for Macquarie University and NESA in part-time roles since retirement from full-time teaching

Interests include travel, art, gardening, environmental issues and family activities. She has two adult sons and five grandchildren.

Kerry Parsons

Kerry joined Zonta Botany Bay in May 2014 following her retirement from the health service where she was a consumer advocate. She is a widow, has two children, both of whom live away, and two young grandchildren. Kerry was introduced to Zonta by an old friend who is an inaugural member. As she is a strong advocate for social justice Zonta has provided Kerry the opportunity to become involved in a variety of projects that support both women’s health and their social needs. She has found members to be welcoming and friendly and was recently allocated the task ( with another member) of organising social events for the group.

Jeannette Werda

Member of Zonta Club Botany Bay since November 2019.

Zonta brings to me a platform to utilise the skills I have acquired in a number of areas over many years. It enables me to provide practical help to women and girls whilst personally developing within the club.

A career path in health over many years has given me a keen interest in helping others.

My interests are strongly driven by a philosophy of balance in life. To enjoy life while personally achieving new goals. Exercise and art are currently main leisure focus.

Marilyn Lowder

Marilyn Lowder has been a member of the Zonta Club of Botany Bay since December 2006. She originally found out about Zonta when the Port Macquarie Club gave her niece an education award. When she looked up who Zonta was and what they did, they were a perfect fit for her. Dedicated, determined women actively working to help all women everywhere, ideal!

Working with the members of the club has given her a great group of like-minded, intelligent friends and colleagues. The amazing amount of things the club achieves in the local community is very satisfying. Through Zonta International they are also helping women elsewhere and through the connection with the UN bringing about changes in the health, education and status of women worldwide. ZCBB members manage to do all this while having fun and supporting each other.

She has been on the board and secretary of the club.

Marilyn worked in education as a teacher in primary schools, Tafe and adult education. She is now a textile artist, specialising in quilts.

Her interests include ballet and classical music. She has grown children and young grandchildren.

Pam Davidson

Pam has been a member of the Zonta Club of Botany Bay since May, 2000. She was introduced to the club through the breast cushion program. At the time, as a registered nurse, she was caring for women having surgery for breast cancer. On admission the women were given one of the cushions.

Zonta has given Pam the opportunity to continue a caring role by providing support for women at stressful times and encouraging young women’s education and community roles. Her knowledge has broadened through working with women from diverse careers.

Pam is a board member and is a member of the membership and women’s services committees.

Pam trained as a registered nurse and midwife and followed the path of surgical nursing in private hospitals. She completed a Bachelor of Health Management and was committed to mentoring staff and ensuring best nursing practise.

Pam’s shared interests with her husband include their pet dogs, sailing holidays and motor racing. Her other interests are overseas travel, yoga, opera and reading.

Susan Lowe

Susan Lowe has been a member of Zonta Club of Botany Bay since 2011. She was originally introduced to the club by Bronlyn Schoer.

When first committing to the club Susan was committed to the notion of giving back to the community in a practical way that made a difference to the lives of others. The objectives of Zonta and the needs of girls and women locally and globally inspired her to join this local club that had been successfully operating for many years. Susan has been a board director and vice President of Zonta Botany Bay. While supporting fundraising activities Susan has had significant involvement in the Young Women in Public Affairs Program and the Outstanding Young Indigenous Women Program. Currently Susan leads the Membership Committee and facilitates the Committee structure for the Club.

Susan ‘s career path was through Education over 40 years holding the positions of Assistant Principal, Deputy Principal, Principal and Relieving District Superintendent.

Susan’s interests include travel, painting (watercolour), reading, theatre, ballet, photography and bush walking.

She has two adult children and two grandchildren