Zonta president with will to empower women

With a cheery disposition and a welcoming smile, Di Tate is someone who leaves you feeling warm and happy after talking to her.

Di has recently taken over as the new president of Zonta Bunbury and is excited to bring her own flair to the role.

For the past 18 years, Di has poured her heart and soul into helping members of the Bunbury community and loves the supportive and diverse community.

“We are really very fortunate,” she said.

She has a passion for uplifting others and this is what drew her to Zonta six years ago.

“I joined because a friend who lives in Mandurah had breast cancer and she received a breast cushion and she raved about how wonderful it was and it came from the club down here,” Di said.

“I thought ‘wow, what a wonderful initiative’ and wanted to get involved.”

Di said the catalyst for her joining Zonta was the club’s dedication to helping young girls and women.

“I’m very much into educating and supporting women and girls and because Zonta’s ethos is empowering women and girls worldwide, it just made a whole lot of sense to me.

I just felt that groundswell of being a part of a local club and then Australia wide and international. I know it sounds a bit cliche, but we can make a difference.

Empowering girls through education and providing assistance for those in need are two things Di is passionate about.

“I love that we help people in other countries, who can’t have their babies in safe and clean environments, by making birthing kits,” Di said.

“We also started the breast cushions in Bunbury and we’ve made over 3000.

“Unfortunately, the demand is higher than the supply, so we’re always making them.”

In her new role as club president, Di hopes to bring a gentle approach to tackling hard issues.

“It’s the small things that make a difference,” she said.

It’s a big club and I guess because of that we’ve got a lot of strength in members and my passion is an inclusive way of working together.

“I know there are some ladies quietly sitting in the background but they’ve got talents we haven’t tapped in on yet.

“If you gently bring people out of themselves without pushing them, they’re more encouraged to come along and that gives them confidence.”

Those who know Di would agree it’s her great listening skills that make her so easy to talk to.

I want to give everyone a voice — I don’t want people talking over each other.

“In the area I work in (social work) our clients don’t have a voice, so it’s important to listen to what they have to say.

“Everybody has emotions and feelings and if they’re not being heard, they go inside themselves and that’s a dangerous place to be for a lot of people.”