Soroptimist International of Melbourne Inc

09/10/2026

This Sunday, October 11 2026 is International Day of the Girl Child.

End Child Marriage. Invest in Girls’ Rights.

International Day of the Girl Child is an opportunity to celebrate girls, recognise their potential and raise awareness of the challenges they continue to face around the world.

This year's focus reminds us that millions of girls are still denied their right to education, safety and the freedom to choose their own futures, with around 12 million girls married before the age of 18 every year.

At Soroptimist International Melbourne, we believe every girl deserves a childhood filled with opportunities, not limitations. Every girl deserves to be heard, supported and empowered to follow her dreams.

💗 A childhood. Not a marriage.
💗 Her future. Her voice. Her choice.

Together, let's stand with girls, speak up for their rights and help create a future where no girl is left behind.

💗 A LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF CAMPAIGN

If you could go back and sit beside the girl you once were, what would you tell her?

Would you tell her to believe in herself a little more?

To stop worrying about what other people think?

To be brave, speak up, follow her dreams and never let anyone tell her she isn't good enough?

This International Day of the Girl Child, Soroptimist International Melbourne is inviting women to reflect on the girls they once were and share a letter to their younger selves.

Because while we can look back on our childhoods, our choices, our mistakes and the lives we have built, millions of girls around the world are still being denied the opportunity to choose their own futures.

For girls forced into marriage, childhood can end far too soon.

Every girl deserves the chance to grow up, learn, dream, make mistakes, find her voice and become the woman she chooses to be.

So, what would you tell your younger self?

And what would you want every girl growing up today to know?

💗 Write your letter. Share your story. Inspire a girl.

A childhood. Not a marriage.
Her future. Her voice. Her choice.

Soroptimist International Melbourne

20/09/2026

What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon! 💙💛

President Cherrie Power and Treasurer Liz Butler had the pleasure of representing SI Melbourne and supporting our fellow Soroptimists at SI Shepparton at their Annual High Tea.

It was a wonderful afternoon filled with friendship, laughter and connection, while helping to raise funds to support the valuable projects SI Shepparton delivers for women and girls in their community.

It is always lovely to come together with fellow Soroptimists and support the incredible work happening across our clubs.

Congratulations to the ladies of SI Shepparton on another fantastic High Tea! 🌸

Also pictured, President Cherrie Power with SI Shepparton member Jeni Fitzgerald.

11/09/2026

☕ Siptember is here! 🌿
During September, SI Melbourne is encouraging everyone to make a small change and help reduce the amount of disposable waste we use every day.
Siptember is all about making a difference, one cup, container or utensil at a time.
It might be remembering to take your reusable coffee cup with you in the morning, taking your own container for takeaway food, using reusable shopping containers, or saying no to disposable plates and cutlery.
These small changes really do add up. Around 1.87 billion single-use coffee cups are estimated to end up in Australian landfill each year, along with huge amounts of other packaging waste.
So, during September we would love you to join us.
📸 Take a photo of yourself using your reusable coffee cup and post it on our page or tag us at .
We would love to see how many people we can get involved throughout the month.
A reusable cup might seem like a very small thing, but if we all make a few small changes, together we can make a difference. 💚🌏
Happy Siptember! ☕️

07/09/2026

Soroptimist International Victoria (SIV) officially launched the Soroptimist International Victoria Foundation, a $5 million fund dedicated to empowering women and children across the state in November 2025.

When SIV sold its South Yarra headquarters after more than 50 years, members saw an opportunity to turn bricks and mortar into a legacy that would continue advancing women’s and girls’ rights for generations to come.

“Our vision is that women and girls will achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide,” says Kerry B**r, Chair - Management Committee Soroptimist International Victoria Foundation (SIVF).

“We are guided by Soroptimist principles including the advancement of education, human rights, equality, and ethical standards. One Major Grant of $100,000 per year for five years to support older women (55+) experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness has been awarded to Women’s Property Initiatives to enable establishment of a new Housing Fund (100 Homes for 100 Women).

Older women are the fastest-growing group experiencing housing insecurity in Australia.

The WPI Women’s Housing Fund is a bold, scalable new model designed to deliver 100 homes for 100 women experiencing housing insecurity. This SIVF grant supports the essential operational foundations required to establish and scale the Women’s Housing Fund.

Nine Community Grants totaling $179,075 which support projects that promote education, mental health, family violence recovery, refugee and migrant support, and girls at risk.

River Nile School – SI Melbourne Melbourne - $20,000
Literacy development Program for Secondary School Age Refugee Girls where they do not speak English at proficiency levels required to continue/complete their education.

09/07/2026

What can we say? What an incredible day we shared with our fellow SI Sigatoka sisters!

It was such a special experience to see firsthand the wonderful projects our SI Sigatoka sisters are leading within their community and the positive impact they continue to make.

Liz and I, along with fellow SI Brisbane Sisters Lorna and Lou were especially honoured to visit the local hospital, where we were given a tour of the different areas that have benefited from the generosity and dedication of SI Sigatoka members. It was a privilege to witness their work in action and to take part in the presentation of much-needed medical equipment to support the hospital and its patients.

Thank you to our SI Sigatoka sisters for your warm hospitality, friendship, and for inspiring us with your commitment to improving the lives of women, children, and the wider community. It was a day we will always remember. 💙 💛

19/06/2026

A huge congratulations to SI Melbourne member Sarah Barnbrook on this incredible achievement!!!

I won!! Honestly, I nearly didn't think I belonged in the room. I'm not in mining, construction, or transport. I work in digital safety and AI governance -- and I dragged a folding chair to the table anyway. Tonight at the Women in Industry Awards, I was named Safety Advocacy Award winner. And I'm s...

17/06/2026

Stand with us on this Thursday 18 June, supporting (Women's Property Initiative) WPI's A Home for Her Life - Giving Day, aiming to raise $1 million for secure and affordable housing for women.
This year, every dollar donated will be tripled by generous matching partners, giving you three times the impact!
We, at Deakin by the Yarra, support WPI for the 100 Homes Fund.
Donate:
https://charidy.com/wpigivingday
Together, we can create a home for her life. That includes projects in inner Melbourne, outer Melbourne and regional Victoria.

17/06/2026

Ever thought:

“I’d love to meet new people.”
“I’d like to give back to my community.”
“I wish I could do something practical to help women and girls.”

Good news.

There’s a club for that.

We raise funds, support local projects, advocate for women, eat dinner, have a laugh and occasionally wear very fetching blue aprons.

If that sounds like your kind of people, come and join us. 💙💛

EDIT: we've had a lot of people reach out in response to this post. Please send us an email to [email protected] and we can send you more information about our delightful, small but mighty club! :)

17/06/2026

🧥 Got Spare Winter Woollies? We’d Love Your Help!

Tony’s Community Kitchen is collecting warm clothing and blankets to support local community members during the colder months.

Clean, quality donations of jackets, jumpers, blankets, scarves, beanies and socks are all greatly appreciated.

A simple donation from you could help someone stay warm this winter. ❤️

📍 Donate in-store today and help us care for our community together.