SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL CLUBS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

ADELAIDE INC	NARACOORTE INC
BAROSSA VALLEY INC	NORTHERN HIGHLANDS INC
EASTERN DIST OF ADELAIDE INC	PORT PIRIE INC
MOUNT GAMBIER INC	SOUTHERN DIST OF ADELAIDE INC
MURRAY BRIDGE INC	TORRENS INC

SI South West Pacific Federation project 2016-2020

These are emergency shelters for women and children who are victims of violence and natural disasters. This project reflects the voice of Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific and its goals and objectives. Fiji is ranked 4th in the world in terms of violence and is also prone to natural disasters; cyclones in particular. Fiji's rates of violence against women and girls are among the highest in the world. There is a severe lack of shelters in Fiji and victims are often brought back to their homes, where perpetrators can re-offend.

The project has now commenced Read More

International Presidents Appeal 2017-2019

Every SI President proposes a ‘President’s Appeal’: a project to which Soroptimists worldwide are called to raise funds during the President’s two-year tenure. For the period 2017 – 2019 the President’s appeal is the project Women, Water & Leadership. At least five projects will be supported in five continents with a view to enabling women to become active leaders in water management. More specifically, these projects will connect to Sustainable Development Goals 4 – Quality Education, 5 – Gender Equality and 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, for all purposes

Visit to Government House 2018

Mrs Le, Patron of SISA, welcomed the region executive with SA club presidents to a morning tea and tour of the beautiful gardens of government house.

Soroptimist International 2019 CONVENTION will be held in our own Region of South West Pacific

Early bird registrations are now open.

Conference of Clubs Melbourne 2018

Every 2 years in Federation of South West Pacific a conference of Clubs is held in the destination of choice of the Federation president. In May 2017 it was held in Melbourne. In 2019 the incoming President will choose a destination. The Conference is a time to renew friendships , make new friends, attend workshops, listen to inspiring speakers and catch up with club projects. A gala dinner on the last night sees the installation of the Federation President for next bienium 2018-2020. We welcome Anusha Santhivasthipam from Maylasia as our 2018-2020 Federation President. President Anusha's theme is..

Soroptimist International OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

support the worldwide campaign to Stop Violence against women

Family and Domestic Violence Advocacy Network

DV Panel held on Friday August 10th 2018

The advocacy network has undergone some changes this year and has refined its focus on DV advocacy. Co facilitators Lorelle Molde and Matthew Morris Uniting Communities have re energised the group and we now have a facebook page and a website. SISA was one of the early partners.

We are putting together a series of speakers for the year.

Organising of the White Ribbon march is now being done by a separate group, including several White Ribbon advocates, meeting on a separate day.

The first main Advocacy event was the recently held DV panel, with Assistant Minister Carolyn Power (Habib), Katrine Hildyard, Frances Bedford MP, Heather Stokes Barrister and Michael O’Connell, former Commissioner for Victims of Crime. Joining this group were Susie Smith and Kathy Lilis both from the DV Coalition and long term sector workers.

The panel was moderated by Advertiser journalist, Lauren Novak.

In the large audience were interested parties from a wide range of services and sectors.

Carolyn Habib said that the government’s intention was to carry through on its election promises, including consultation with regional services similar to the city based Roundtable and increasing penalties for Intervention order breaches.

There was a strong sense of needing continuing bipartisanship and political commitment to funding DV services and DV related Legal Services, a point strongly made by Heather Stokes and reported in Lauren Novak’s Advertiser article the following day.

Michael O’Connell recounted being on similar panels in several previous decades and was somewhat despairing of our lack of progress.

Interesting questions came from the floor on a wide ranging group of issues.

This was a morning well spent, as accessibility to political leaders brings greater opportunity for real change.

The Adelaide white ribbon breakfast

Soroptimist International South Australia are strong supporters of The White Ribbon Campaign. The WRC works to prevent men's violence against women. It seeks to promote wide-scale awareness about the positive role men can play in its effective prevention, to foster leadership, particularly by men and boys, and to bring about social change. Each year the Adelaide White Ribbon holds a breakfast in November. The numbers have increased over the past 11 years since the first breakfast from 400 to 1400. South Australia has the largest event in Australia and Soroptimists are proud to have a member in the organising committee.

2018 The White Ribbon Breakfast

The White Ribbon Breakfast Committee are proud to have held another successful Breakfast this year with the Adelaide White Ribbon Breakfast themed "Breaking the Silence" on domestic violence.

In a first for this long-running event, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the committee explained to the audience their commitment to a program aimed at building respectful relationships and stopping violence against women.

Veteran South Australian journalist Ron Kandelaars interviewed students from across the state who have embraced White Ribbon Australia's "Breaking the Silence" program which has been rolled out across schools in South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT.

This unique event was opened by His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le, AC, Governor of South Australia.

"Breaking the Silence" is an award-winning professional learning initiative developed by White Ribbon Australia to equip principals and teachers to implement domestic violence education in schools, both primary and secondary, as schools play a pivotal role in White Ribbon's aim to create real generational change to prevent violence against women and children in our community. Further information available by visiting https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/stop-violence-against-women/get-school-involved/breaking-silence-program/

“If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. For more information about a service in your state or local area download the DAISY App in the App Store or Google Play.

INTERNATIONAL Women's Day

Many of our South Australian clubs hold a breakfast or an event in their local area on International Women's Day March 8th each year to celebrate women's achievements, while also remembering the struggles faced by women around the world. In 1993 the Adelaide International Women's Day Breakfast was established and is now the largest event celebrating IWD in Australia and, it is the largest Annual Women’s Event in the Adelaide. In 2019 the breakfast will be hosted by Senator Hon Penny Wong.

Tickets go on sale online in February each year. Don't hesitate, as tables fill very fast!

Soroptimist International of South Australia

Welcome to our website! Read through our club pages, see where we are and what we do, add event dates to your diaries and look at the galleries of photos. You're sure to find something that interests you.

Soroptimist International is a world wide service group for women. We work towards improving the lives of women and girls through a gobal network of members and international partnerships. Women linked as sisters around the world working to enable the best in all women everywhere.

"Soroptimist" is derived from two Latin words, "soror" meaning sister and "optima" meaning best for. We interpret is as "women helping women to be their best". read more

Latest SISA Events

soroptimists supporting THE 2018 WHITE RIBBON MARCH

SI Adelaide's 2018 DV Forum

A very successful evening as Fiona shared her research on Relationships between women and their children following domestic violence

DR. FIONA BUCHANAN Senior Lecturer…. UNISA School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences

Morning Tea at Government House

Region presidents and members of SISA executive enjoyed a morning Tea and tour of government house gardens hosted by our Patron Mrs Lan Le

Region President Christine Plunkett visiting SI Adelaide April 2018

Handover to new sisa region president

At the February 2018 AGM, Allison Hobbs handed over the reins to Christine Plunkett, after a successful 2017 year of activity. Christine has a focus on homelessness during her 2018 year as President and this topic was reflected in the theme of the AGM.

ACSO Awards October 2017 (Association of Combined Service Organisations)

Congratultions to South Australian Soroptimist clubs on their awards.

Soroptimists attend the Zonta women of achievement awards night

It was a privilege to be invited to attend the Zonta Club of Adelaide’s ‘Women of Achievement for 2017’ Awards at the Adelaide Town Hall in March. A wonderful event where nine "Women of Acheivement" were presented awards by Lord Mayor of Adelaide Martin Haese, Zonta Club President Beverley Gum, and Awards Chairperson Raema Mahony

Pictured at the event with the Lord Mayor is Kath Gribble President Elect SI Australia, Allison Hobbs SISA President and Di McCarthy Immediate Past President SISA.

SISA Region AGM 2018

SI Mt Gambier hosted this years Region AGM to welcome their long time member Christine Plunkett as the incoming president for 2018. A weekend of fellowship, catchup with friends and of course the business meeting with new executive for 2018. Christine's theme for 2018 is Homelessness

Latest SISA News

IPP Allison along with Pauline SI Adelaide, Karen Eckermann SI Murray Bridge and Karen’s daughter Ruby, attended the lady Mayoress’s HERSTORY event at the Adelaide Town Hall. This is a follow on event from last year's HERSTORY celebrating SA women volunteers. This year the event was focussed on celebrating and acknowledging the wonderful SA women Mayoress’s and women Mayors since 1840.

congratulations si murray bridge on receiving Australia day awards!

Soroptimist International Murray Bridge - in conjunction with Carers SA and Raptcha’u Beauty - held a ‘Pamper Day for Young Carers’ last year to give four young women (with too much responsibility) some well-earned time off to focus on themselves This community event was awarded the Rural City of Murray Bridge Community Initiative of the Year at the Australia Day celebrations held yesterday. Big congratulations to our President, Bronwyn Heard, for her fantastic efforts in pulling this together. Well done.

Bangka Day Memorial Service

Very moving Bangka Day Memorial Service at SA Women's Memorial Playing Fields. What an honour to be amongst those present to honour those brave nurses. Recognition too, of vision in the establishment of those playing fields for women and girls and continuing dedication of trust members. Credit to current SA Govt for recent funding anouncement will be a huge benefit.

South Australian members attending service, Allison Hobbs SISA President, Susan Newton SI Torrens, Kath Gribble SI Barossa Valley, Pauline Nutt SI Adelaide, Jenny Hughes SI Port Pirie, Pam Lacey SI Adelaide, Anne Berry SI Torrens. Not shown in photograph was the Region Representative on the SA Women's Memorial Playing Fields Trust Helen Fischer as she was working at event.

SI Adelaide Travel Award

Soroptimist International of Adelaide Esther Bright Travel Award. Open for female tertiary students for travel within Australia or overseas as part of their studies.

Contact siadelaide@siswp.org for criteria, further information and application forms.