A GROUP of inspiring local women has been recognised at an international conference.
Soroptimist International Bayside won two major awards at the recent Federation Virtual Conference.
The SI South West Pacific Conference of Clubs, due to be held in Jakarta earlier this year, had to be cancelled but was transferred online.
The three day biennial conference brought together women from 12 different countries across the Pacific including Mongolia, Cambodia, and Malaysia in the north, through to Australia and New Zealand in the south.
More than 700 women took part.
As part of an awards ceremony on the final day of the conference, there were a number of President's awards, selected by Immediate Past President of the Federation, Malaysia's Anusha Santhirasthipam.
SI Bayside took out two of the eight President's awards.
The club received the Best Interclub Skills Exchange Award for its work in partnership with Zonta Wynnum Redland organising the Walk the Talk - Redlands Coast Unites against Gender Based Violence event, held in Cleveland in December 2019.
This event was part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign last year.
The second award was the Best Club Facebook Page for the Redlands Against Violence page set up by member Anne Marsden.
The page was designed to raise awareness of violence in the community, particularly family and domestic violence, and to promote SI Bayside's advocacy against gender-based violence.
A SI Bayside spokeswoman said a small group gathered at a club member's place for the announcement of the awards on the final day of the conference.
"The organisers crossed live to see the reactions of the members gathered when the announcement was made," she said.
"Club members were very excited to have been acknowledged for two awards."
Other President's award winners included the Malaysia club for their documentary on bringing fresh water to rural communities, as well as a partnership between SI ACT and Monaro and SI Lautoka to foster literacy in Fiji schools.
