Service News

What Has Z Club Been Up To This Year?

On 19 August, our Z Club President, Natalie L, and I had the privilege of attending the Zonta Club of Mackay’s August meeting at Ocean International. We joined Zonta members and fellow Z Club representatives from other local schools to share, connect, and celebrate the work being done across our community.

Each Z Club presented highlights from their year, and our Holy Spirit College Z Club was proud to showcase a range of impactful initiatives. One standout was our participation in the 58 Squats Challenge, where members completed a minimum of 58 squats daily throughout March. This effort raised over $3,000 for National Breast Cancer Research, and received enthusiastic support from those in attendance.

Our term themes also resonated strongly:

• Women in STEM – supporting students interested in health and science careers.
• Financial Independence – educating members on housing, budgeting, and university life.
• Women in Leadership – encouraging Year 11 students in their leadership journeys and inspiring younger students to follow.
• Women Supporting Women – preparing for the It’s in the Bag campaign, which supports individuals fleeing domestic violence or experiencing homelessness.

The meeting was an inspiring opportunity to foster community, support fellow Z Clubs, and stay true to Zonta’s mission of building a better world for women and girls. We were especially moved by initiatives from other schools, such as Friendship Day at St Patrick’s College—a popular and meaningful event.

Birthing Kit Packing Day

On Sunday, 24 August, Holy Spirit College had the honour of hosting Mackay’s Zonta Birthing Kit Packing Day. These kits—containing soap, plastic sheeting, gloves, gauze, cord ties, and a sterile blade—are designed to support safe childbirth in remote regions of developing countries. Thanks to an incredible group of volunteers from across Mackay, we packed 1,500 birthing kits, most of which will be sent to sub-Saharan Africa.

These kits are a simple yet powerful tool for preventing infection and improving health outcomes for mothers and babies. They help remove barriers and support access to essential health services.

It was heartwarming to see so many members of our community come together for such an empowering cause. I especially enjoyed connecting with like-minded students from other schools who are also passionate about making a difference through Z Club.

This experience was truly eye-opening—a reminder of the impact we can have when we show up, work together, and commit to making the world a better place.

For more information on birthing kits, visit Birthing Kit Foundation Australia.

Neve D - Z Club Publicist

HSC Z Club Supports the Ponytail Project

On Friday, 22 August, I was honoured to be one of eight students and two teachers who bravely chose to #RockTheChop for the Ponytail Project, an initiative proudly organised by Holy Spirit College’s Z Club.

To participate, you only need to donate 20cm of hair—but many of us went above and beyond. Kallarney H (Year 12) donated an impressive 30cm, and I went all in with 35cm. It felt incredible knowing that something as simple as a haircut could make a real difference in someone’s life.

The Cancer Council’s Ponytail Project raises funds and awareness while helping create wigs for people affected by autoimmune disorders, cancer treatments, and Alopecia—conditions that often result in significant hair loss. It’s a powerful and inspiring cause that encourages individuals to take action and support those facing these challenges.

All donated ponytails were sent to Sustainable Salons, where they will be transformed into wigs and gifted to those in need. The event sparked overwhelming support from our school community, with students and staff gathering to cheer on participants and celebrate this meaningful act of generosity.

We hope this event inspires others to learn more and take part in future years. Together, we can continue to make a difference—one chop at a time.

For more information, visit Cancer Council's Ponytail Project.

Talia K – Z Club Vice President