Bunbury stalwart to be awarded for a living legacy of women’s empowerment, education and enablement

Bunbury Soroptomists will honour the work of one of their founding members at a meeting next month.

Bobbi Buckle, who has been a member of the Bunbury chapter of Soroptimist International in WA for more than 20 years, will be granted lifetime membership at the meeting on March 16.

Members from around the State are expected to attend and pay tribute to Ms Buckle, who previously served as the group’s president.

Ms Buckle said that while it was “nice to be recognised”, that wasn’t why she continued to work with the club.

“It’s a fulfilling thing to do and I love giving back to the community” she said.

“It’s nice to be recognised although you don’t do it for that reason. I have a whole team of people around me and we have all become friends.”

Soroptimist International works to further women’s “empowerment, education and enablement” and Ms Buckle said one of the highlights of her time with the club was forging international connections.

“We raised money for very underprivileged girls in Sierra Leone, getting them ready for re-employment and we also went to East Timor where the club helped poor communities and women’s groups there,” she said.

Closer to home, the club also supports women who have experienced domestic violence and mental health issues.

For more information visit soroptimistinternational.org.