A Bendigo service club is preparing to mark a milestone, with COVID-19 restrictions bringing festivities online.
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The Zonta Club of Bendigo celebrates 40 years of service on November 30.
Festivities are set to take place virtually using video communications software Zoom.
The club has been getting into the birthday spirit early with a series of Facebook posts delving into moments in its history.
One of its members, Sue Brown, has been with the club since it was chartered.
"I enjoy supporting women to achieve their dreams and further their education," Ms Brown said.
The Zonta movement champions women's rights. It was founded in the USA in 1919 and has grown to 1200 clubs in 61 countries.
The Bendigo club was chartered under the leadership of president Heather Winderlich, treasurer Gwen Symons and vice-president Dorothy Crothers.
Zonta Bendigo's activities range from making breast cushions to providing scholarships for women and girls.
In 40 years, the club has awarded $83,000 worth of scholarships and awards to 119 women and girls.
Zonta Bendigo has produced more than 1800 breast cushions, which are distributed to breast cancer patients after surgery.
More than 5000 toiletry bags and 700 overnight tote packs have been distributed to women and girls in need.
The club this month made its 40,000th birthing kit for women in developing countries.
With COVID-19 preventing the wider community from helping assemble the kits, as they have since 2003, club members and their families constructed 1800 in their homes.
"In addition to our trademark scholarships, toiletry packs and breast cushions, we have supported isolated elderly folk with a day centre for activities and fellowship and provided a Zonta bus for their transportation," club president Jan Cobden said.
"The club also provided a garden for the very first Otis Foundation breast cancer retreat in Mandurang."
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