The Z Club at Avonside Girls’ High School celebrated its 30th year on Friday, 7 June. Z Club is run by the members of the Zonta Club of Christchurch-Canterbury, and they encourage girls to follow similar principles of service and advocacy within their local communities. Each year the club supports a local charity with service and fundraising and this year they are supporting Good Night Sleep Tight, a wonderful organisation that provides warm winter bedding and clothing for children in families who are struggling financially.
Z Club was started 30 years ago by Janet Messervy, a long-standing member of Zonta. Janet now lives in Auckland but flew down especially for this special anniversary celebration. Since 1994, eight more clubs have formed, plus two Golden Z Clubs in Universities.
Speakers at the more formal part of the celebration were Phillippa Jacobs-Lory, Governor of Zonta New Zealand and a member of the Christchurch-Canterbury club; Avonside Principal Catherine Law; past Principal of Avonside Girls’ Sue Hume, and Anna Arps, a Trustee of Good Night Sleep Tight. The Keynote speaker was Zarah Dittmer, a previous student and Z Club member at Avonside. Zarah has won student awards and joined the Police Force five years ago. Zarah is a passionate advocate for Z Clubs in schools and spoke about her time at Avonside, and subsequently with the Police.
There were other guests helping Z Club to celebrate their milestone – Sarah Lilley the wonderful teacher who does so much for the Z Club, members of the Zonta clubs in Christchurch, representatives from Aviva and Good Night Sleep Tight plus current members of Z Club who all received a certificate of attendance for 2024.
Before moving through to the canteen for afternoon tea, a celebration cake was cut by Milly Carson, the current President of Z Club.
Over a sumptuous afternoon tea everyone was able to mingle and relax and catch up with old and new friends.
As Phillippa said in her speech, Avonside School is to be congratulated for being a strong supporter of Z Club over the years, and many of the girls have gone on to achieve successful and fulfilling lives.
Christchurch-Canterbury President Deb Platt, Governor Phillippa Jacobs-Lory, Janet Messervy who started the club.