The Zonta Club of Wangaratta’s annual dinner and silent auction will be making its return on Saturday, 15 November at the King River Café, from 6pm.

Zonta Wangaratta fundraising convenor Lois Knox is anticipating a fun evening of camaraderie and food, and said although an annual dinner could imply a seemingly endless supply of speeches, its nothing of the sort.

“It’s a lovely evening at the King River Café – we’ve always held it at King River Café in Oxley,” Ms Knox said.

“But you read ‘annual dinner’ and think that means speeches; but no, we have no speeches.

“It’s just fun and friendship.”

All profits from the event will fund Zonta’s various local and international projects, most recognisably, the International Women’s Day girls breakfast, the year 11 boys breakfast, and the various leadership awards they issue, among other initiatives.

“For many years, we’ve continually put two girls through their entire education from prep to year 12 via the Smith Family,” Ms Knox said.

“We (also) produce birthing kits to ensure clean birthing for women in third world countries; we make breast cushions.

“We have a whole lot of awards which have monetary value - there’s the Anne Bell Award, which is at the high school, the Anne Bell Memorial Scholarship, which we have at the hospital.

“Then we have young women in leadership.

“Just this year, we have a new award: Young women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

“Of course, we have the 16 days of activism coming up against gender-based violence and support Centre Against Violence and the Orange Door.

“All these things… they all need monetary support.”

Aside from connection and fulfilling social interaction, the silent auction is expected to be a highlight of the evening, with plenty of goods to be won.

“We’ve got hampers – we’ve got books, lots of wine, cosmetics, some really interesting Christmas decorations, some preloved items… it just goes on,” Ms Knox said.

The admission fee is $60 and should be deposited to Zonta Club of Wangaratta under the BSB number 083 945 and account number 04850 6182.

Please include your full name in the reference, as well as any dietary requirements.

Bookings will not be accepted beyond close of business Wednesday, 5 November, so direct your bookings to Lois Knox either by contacting 0488 867 797 or knoxs@iinet.net.au.