Rowing hero Eleanor Carey's tales of the high seas will be a highlight of next month's Zonta Club of Bundaberg’s International Women’s Day (IWD) Breakfast.
Eleanor was the first Australian woman to row the Pacific Ocean, joining English women Cazz Lander and Megan Hoskin in a 7.6 metre boat to complete the 4000km North Pacific crossing from California to Hawaii in 62 days, 18 hours, and 36 minutes when contesting the Great Pacific Race in 2018.
Not only did former Bundaberg resident Eleanor make history on North Pacific waters, she also kept her then business, The Generator, afloat in her absence.
The IWD Breakfast at Rowers on the River Restaurant and Function Centre on Sunday, March 7, is the Zonta Club of Bundaberg’s major fundraising event of the year, with all proceeds going to female-focused charities.
Club president Tanya McLoughlin said it was a popular celebration of women and their achievements.
“This worldwide event celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and also serves to increase awareness about the need for women’s equality and gender parity in all facets of society,” Tanya said.
“The international theme for 2021 is #ChoosetoChallenge and that is exactly what Eleanor Carey did when she rowed across the Pacific.
“I am sure her recounting of the epic feat will prove inspirational to all who are participating in the Zonta Club of Bundaberg IWD breakfast.”
Tanya said Eleanor was one of many high profile and high achieving women who had served as guest speaker for the Bundaberg club’s IWD Breakfast.
“This year is the 29th IWD event and they have been run continuously since our first dinner in 1992 when former Brisbane Lord Mayor Sallyanne Atkinson was guest speaker,” she said.
“We’ve also hosted other high profile women including Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen and Brisbane business icon Lorraine Martin.
“In 1993, Zonta Club of Bundaberg hosted a breakfast, along with 30 other clubs in Australia, at which English movie star Julie Andrews appeared via video link in her role as UNIFEM’s Goodwill Ambassador.”
The event will feature raffles, prizes, and a glass of ‘sparkling’ on arrival for all guests in addition to a delicious breakfast.
Tickets can be purchased online and more information is available on the Zonta Club of Bundaberg’s Facebook events page.
