SI Western Australia held its region meeting on August 31, 2013 and again it was a showcase of the exceptional work being done by Soroptimists across the State at a local, regional and International level. Congratulations to the 2013 recipient of the Stella Giles Award for Excellence Teresa Lee. Teresa is the creator of an innovative project to address the food needs of African refugee families in Perth. Photos by Smithson Media

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WA's glittering celebration of 60 years Soroptimist International of Western Australia marked 60 years of service to the community this year with a glittering event on May 25. About 100 Soroptimists and guests donned their diamonds for the dinner dance which was attended by the Hon. Helen Morton MLC (representing the WA Premier), Fremantle Mayor Dr Brad Pettit, and Soroptimist luminaries President Elect SI South West Pacific Carolyn Hudson, Past Soroptimist International President Margaret Lobo, Immediate Past National Representative of SI Australia Catherine Evans, Past President SISWP Eileen Mitchell and Ralda Forzin from SI Bayside. It was fantastic to see that every club from across the State was represented on the night. There was entertainment from Willetton High School Music Department students and entertainer Debrah Lievense got the crowd going. Chris Hughes from SI Canning District Club was MC and kept everything running smoothly. Soroptimist International of Perth was the first club established in Western Australia in 1949 and has clubrooms in West Perth. With the formation of a club in Fremantle in 1953 the region of Western Australia was established. Over the years, new clubs have continued to be formed, or expanded, throughout the State with the latest being Mandurah in 2012. "SIWA has a rich history spanning the past 60 years and we have much to celebrate remembering the wonderful women who have preceded us," SIWA president Heather Joppek said. "In WA we have one of the largest regions with 17 clubs and within and between those clubs there are many special friendships that have been made along the way. Here's looking forward to the next 60 years of Soroptimist in WA." During the evening past president SIWA Delores Caboche and President Elect SIWA Lisa Bowen gave a history of the 60 years of the region which documented all the different activities clubs are involved in. Another highlight was a presentation by Carolyn Hudson of two special awards one was to Bobbi Buckle for the establishment and chartering of SI Mandurah in 2012 and the other was to Jennie Van Driel for ideas and enthusiasm about membership development. What would such a celebration be without a cake? Two special women Delores Caboche and Ronda Williams who have been in Soroptimist for 50 years did the honours and cut the SIWA cake. At the conclusion of the dinner there were some great moves on the dance floor - finishing off a delightful night celebrating Soroptimism in WA.

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