THE winners and finalists of Coffs Harbour’s 2025 Zonta International Young Women in Leadership Award (YWLA) program have been acknowledged for their exceptional leadership and active volunteerism in the community.
The Zonta Club of Coffs Harbour hosted the awards dinner in the Rainbow Room at C.ex Coffs on Monday 17 November.
Bellingen High School student Laura McNeil was announced as this year’s winner, receiving a cash award of $500, sponsored by David Funnell.
The other finalists were Elizabeth Silver (Coffs Harbour Senior College), Maliha Jaffari (Woolgoolga High School), Eva Smith, Whitby Collins and Keira Welsh (Toormina High School), Dayna Loy, Amelie Suokallio and Tahlia Amos (St John Paul College).
Laura is a member of OzGREEN Bellingen, a juvenile advocate for the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA) and plays a lead cello in the Bellingen Youth Orchestra.
Eva Smith and Whitby Collins, both from Toormina High, were recognised with Highly Commended awards.
Also celebrated on the night was Charlie Knight of Bishop Druitt College, who was recently announced as the winner of the Zonta District 24 Achievement Award for a Young Indigenous Woman from a field of 45 applications across NSW and ACT, receiving a prize of $1000.
All finalists participated in two Young Leaders Panels, ably facilitated by Sue Bunch, a member of the Zonta Club of Coffs Harbour Inc.
Laura McNeil entertained the audience of 57 students, school leaders, school staff, parents and community with a beautiful musical interlude on cello.
Zonta Coffs Harbour member Dr Moira Scerri, from the UTS Business School, explained the benefits of intergenerational learning to students and our aged population, outlining a future collaboration between Orara High School, UTS and Zonta.
Zonta Coffs Harbour thanked David Funnell who continues to provide sponsorship for the Zonta Club of Coffs Harbour Pat Funnell and YWLA Awards, and C.ex Coffs ClubGrants for their sponsorship of the venue.
Zonta Coffs Harbour meets monthly at Park Beach Bowls Club.
To join Zonta and help build a better world for women and girls, contact zontacoffsharbour24@gmail.com for information and meeting times.
By Andrea FERRARI
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