About Us
The Perth Foundation for Women was founded by the Zonta Club of Perth Inc. Western Australia's first Zonta club ( established in 1972). For more than 50 years, members of the club have worked to
build a better world for women and girls.
The Perth Foundation for Women extends that legacy by supporting women experiencing disadvantage through practical assistance, educational opportunity and community partnerships.
Our Story
Local violence against women is rising, and progress towards gender equality is regressing. The Zonta Club of Perth recognizes the need for increased efforts.
Zontian Ping Teo, who envisioned establishing a 'Deductible Gift Recipient', diligently worked for almost three years to create the Perth Foundation for Women. This foundation, affiliated with the Zonta Club of Perth, operates similarly to the international Zonta Foundation for Women.
With support from pro-bono lawyer Alison Wallace and senior club members Ping and Alison facilitated the foundation's development, including name, constitution, entity registration, initial Board formation, and charity registration.
Ping Teo (President 2022-23) officially launched the Perth Foundation for Women at the Zonta Club of Perth's 50th Anniversary Dinner on April 20, 2022.
Our Vision
We envision a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to learn, thrive and contribute to her community, regardless of her circumstances.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to drive transformative investment that empowers women and girls and creates a more equitable, inclusive, and prosperous Australia.
Advancing the welfare of women in need by collaborating with both domestic and international entities operating for operating for the benefit of women in need.
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Supporting the development and implementation of projects and programs for women in need and their families who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic and family violence and/or homelessness.
Providing services, support and relief to women in need.
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Raising funds to support the objects and activities of the company.
Promoting and raising public awareness of the objects and activities of the company
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MEET THE TEAM
Ping Teo B comm. MBA. FCPA
Director - Chairperson
Acting Treasurer
Ping spearheaded the formation of the Perth Foundation for Women Ltd and her vision is to see the Foundation becomes a major revenue raising vehicle for the benefit of women and girls in need.
She has worked in the tax and accounting profession for more than 40 years and run her own public practice for more than 20 years.
She was the President of the Zonta Club of Perth (2022-23) and had served for two years as a Director on the Board. She is motivated and committed to use her professional skills and experience to collaborate with the public sector, community leaders, supporters and sponsors to achieve the goals of this charitable foundation.
Ping is currently a Fellow member of CPA Australia, a Fellow member of National Tax and Accountants Australia (NTAA), a Registered Tax Agent, and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
Judy Gorton
Director
An active member of the Zonta Club of Perth for 35 years having held leadership positions at Club, District, and International level.
Elected as International Director at the 2018 Convention in Yokohama, Japan, Judy fulfilled the role of Director of Zonta International and Zonta International Foundation, served as Liaison to Districts 4: Canada New York and Pennsylvania USA, District 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah and District 21: Sweden and Latvia.
Currently, Judy is the Chair of the Zonta International Convention to be held in Brisbane, Australia in June 2024.
Judy served as a Counsellor on the school Board of Methodist Ladies College Perth for 7 years.
In her professional career Judy held senior Government roles in Management and has served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisors to various Ministers in the West Australian Parliament.
Mary Gugone
Director / Secretary
Mary’s twenty year membership of Zonta Club of Perth has included roles in the Board for several years including roles as Treasurer, and two terms as President of the Club. She led the Zonta Club of Perth’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations in 2022 and spearheaded plans for the next phase of Club’s development. She served for 10 years on the Zonta House Refuge (ZHR) Board.
She was the inaugural Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, Policy and Administrative Committee and Chair of the Board leading the establishment of Positive Pathways Program and the significant growth in funding and social impact of ZHR. Mary continues to serve on the ZHR External Relations Committee.
Mary has a Master of Business, Bachelor of Arts, and qualifications in governance, teaching, vocational education, and interpreting/translating. She is a local and national leader of Gender Equality, and Diversity and Inclusion programs in public, private and community sectors.
Victoria Nazer
Director
Victoria is the current President of the Zonta Club of Perth Inc, having been elected to that position in May, 2023 after eight years active service for the Club. She is also a Director of the Board of the Perth Foundation for Women Ltd, and has served on the Board since the Foundation was launched in 2022.
Now retired from paid employment, Victoria enjoys contributing her time on a voluntary basis to not-for-profit organisations in her areas of interest.
Her career was in secondary education, international development assistance with what is now AusAID, university admissions and student equity programs, and policy development for State Government. Prior to her current Board experience, she served on the governing body of Murdoch University, the University Senate, for the period 1997 - 2000.