Dressed in glitter and gold, Zonta club members gathered in Bunbury on Tuesday night to honour Ellen Cox as she celebrated her 50th year as a member of Zonta International.
Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a human rights organisation with a goal to advocate and build a better world for women and girls.
Mrs Cox joined the Zonta Club of Perth on April 8 in 1976, later transferring to the Bunbury club in 1992 when she moved back to her family farm in Cookernup with her husband Tom.
Mrs Cox said she was thrilled with the celebrations which had snuck up on her and said one of her favourite things about the club was its camaraderie.
“I’ve met some stunning people,” she said.
“I’ve had an opportunity to travel quite extensively around the world.”
In her five decades with the club, Mrs Cox has held a number of roles on local, district and international levels including president of the Bunbury club from 1995-1997, club chairman of the international committee, district parliamentarian and more.
She has attended conferences all over the world including Helsinki, Dallas, Paris, Hong Kong and more, while having worked on countless projects to help improve the lives of individuals.
Mrs Cox said one of her favourite projects she was involved in was the Dairy Village Project in Thailand.
Zonta district 23 governor Debbie Schmidt said it was a privilege to celebrate Mrs Cox’s milestone and years of dedication to Zonta’s mission.
“Fifty years is more than a number,” she said.
“It represents a lifetime of commitment, compassion and unwavering belief in the power of women supporting women.
“Through decades of challenge, change and progress, you have remained steadfast in your dedication, resulted ideals, advocacy, empowerment and service.
“Your journey is one that inspires us all.”
Outside of Zonta, Mrs Cox’s contributions to the community extended in the accounting world where, for 28 years, she was a partner in a private accounting practice alongside her husband.
In a bid to advocate for women in accounting, Mrs Cox was instrumental in establishing the Western Australian Women’s Accountants group where she served as its first president and in 2001, was awarded with an honorary degree of doctors of letters for her service to Curtin University.
In the community, Mrs Cox was heavily involved in the Harvey Art Gallery, where she is now a life member, as well as the Yarloop Workshop Museum’s administration.
https://thewest.com.au/news/south-west/zonta-international-members-gather-in-bunbury-to-celebrate-a-members-significant-milestone-c-22175106
