Women Taking Climate Action Award

Our Winner for 2024

The Zonta Club of Melbourne on Yarra in collaboration with Zonta Says Now, started the Women Taking Climate Action Award in 2021.  The award recognizes women making significant contributions to climate innovation, celebrates women-led climate action and aims to build valuable networks for sustainable development.  The award was then established at the 2023 District 23 conference as an official district project, with the prize money of $1,000 being supported by voluntary donations from District 23 clubs.

Congratulations to this year’s recipient, Jane Baker of Mrs Baker’s Still House in Elmhurst, Victoria, exemplifies this mission. Encouraged to apply by the Zonta Club of Central Goldfields, Jane runs an all-female distillery that produces gins, liqueurs, and whiskies using sustainable, low-impact methods. Her business sources botanicals locally, operates on 100% solar power, and reflects the alignment between sustainability and economic viability.

Jane joins a distinguished group of past honorees, including Margaret Hender, South Australia (2021) for establishing Australia’s first revolving solar fund, Emma Cutting, Victoria, (2022) for her efforts to create a Melbourne pollinator corridor and the 2023 co-winners: Alana Mountain, Victoria, who helped influence policy to end native forest logging, and Professor Anne Poelina, a Nyikina Warrwa woman, Western Australia, recognized for her extensive climate action work.

The Women Taking Climate Action Award not only raises the profile of the Zonta Club of Melbourne on Yarra, District 23 and Zonta Says Now but also creates meaningful connections within the climate action sphere, underscoring the role of women-led initiatives in advancing environmental sustainability.

To view the history and deserving award winners since 2021, please click HERE