As the Covid-19 Pandemic continues to affect people across the world, our thoughts are with those who have suffered the loss of loved ones, or have experienced illness and so many significant changes to their way of life.
Welcome to
Soroptimist International Australia
Older women are the fastest growing cohort facing homelessness in Australia right now. Read more in our Advocacy section.
About Soroptimist International Australia
Soroptimist International is a worldwide volunteer service organisation for all women
who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Through its General Consultative Status (Category One) as a non-governmental organisation at the United Nations, Soroptimist International seeks equality, peace, and international goodwill for women.
SI Australia works under the umbrella of Soroptimist International South West Pacific and wants to spread our message of hope and compassion. We believe that a single action can make a difference in the community, and that collective action can greatly impact the world. Through advocacy and outreach activities, our team works tirelessly each day to contribute their part to the greater good.
Describe your image
Describe your image
Find out more about Soroptimist International here.
Wendy Evans
National Representative
Soroptimist International Australia
2020 - 2022
I became a member of Soroptimist International in Devonport in 1999 before transferring to Hobart in 2001.
I have held various club positions including President, Secretary, Treasurer and ICT. At Region level, I have been a delegate and held office as Secretary and Treasurer.
I attended the Conference of Clubs in Sydney (2016) and Melbourne (2018) and was an observer at the IBM in Sydney in 2014.
As a member of SI Hobart, I represent our club at A Fairer World, a social justice hub that provides diversity education in schools and workplaces, through a Human Library.
My professional background is in Finance and Management, working in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. I am a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants.
During my term as National Representative, my main focus will be on strengthening our advocacy activities.
International Advocacy
UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres has stated that achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the “unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world.”
The adoption of the 2030 Agenda pledged to ensure “no one will be left behind” and to “endeavour to reach the furthest behind first”.
The Road to Equality will focus on the role Soroptimist International can play in achieving gender equality as we develop capacity and raise awareness on human rights challenges that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential. Child Marriage, FGM, Domestic Violence, Trafficking, Migration and the rights of Older Women are some of the issues that our UN representatives and SI teams advocate for globally.
Making Masks on the Road to Equality
Soroptimists around the world have leapt into action in light of the global pandemic, supporting local communities and those facing increased physical, mental, and financial challenge.
Read all about it here.
Bushfire Recovery Support Appeal
Due to the recent bushfires in Australia at the beginning of 2020, extensive parts of Australia have been severely damaged and SI Australia have decided to start an appeal for funds for second-level response that will help raise money to assist the long-term recovery of affected communities, in particular women and girls. In consultation with local governments and the communities themselves, projects will be planned and undertaken in badly affected areas.
How to Donate
Donations can be paid to Soroptimist International Australia using international banking. Details can be obtained by overseas clubs and Federations by contacting swpaustralia2020@siswp.org
In your email please state your name, phone number and “Bushfire support.”
Advocacy in Australia
Homeless Women Over Fifty-Five
Older women, those aged 55 and over are the fastest growing cohort of homeless Australians.
Kath Gribble, National Representative SI Australia 2018 - 2020, opens up the statistics, the winners and the losers, and the effects of homelessness on this demographic for the National Older Women's Network newsletter.
Read her article here.
SI Mandurah Advocates for
Women Visiting Australia
SI Australia agreed to SI Mandurah's proposal to advocate on a national scale for the fair treatment of students, backpackers and other migrant workers in Australia, especially women, to contribute to a safe and positive experience whilst travelling, studying and working in this country.
SI Launceston Advocates to
Ban The Plastic Bag
Write to the Prime Minister in support of people working in Australia via the Seasonal Worker Program?
Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Charitable Fund
Rhodanthe Lipsett’s dream is for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to have improved pregnancy and birth outcomes by having the benefit of care from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwives.
By establishing Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Charitable Fund (“The Fund”) we aim to make a contribution to both ‘a better start in life’ and ‘Closing the Gap’ for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies.
The fund was initiated by Kath Gribble (NR Australia 2018-20) and is inspired by the stories from Indigenous women in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, where Indigenous midwives provide culturally appropriate care in the same language as that of the women accessing care.
This logo designed by Leona McGrath, our co-Chair and midwife.
The painting is a real representation of what the scholarship fund is all about:
* The centre circle (purple circle) is the fund offering support through the scholarships.
* The purple dots are Aboriginal women wanting to do midwifery.
* The darker purple circle with the blue dots on it is the woman’s family and support network.
* The white dots following out are the Aboriginal midwifery student’s journey through their studies.
* The larger purple dots on the outside are the Aboriginal midwives working and caring for women and families.
Get Involved
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Soroptimist International Australia
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