2023 Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund Recipient - Zephyr Education

Zephyr Education is the recipient of the 2023 CBCA WA Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund.

This organisation, which is 100% run by volunteers, was founded in 2013 to assist children living at domestic violence shelters. Its aim is to minimize any disruption to the children’s education by providing the resources and materials needed to continue their learning journey at a new school.

In May, committee members Jenny Botje, Julie Muir and Denise Robins spent an enjoyable morning choosing books to the value of $1000 to be given to Zephyr Education. We were ably assisted by Margaret Walton from Child Education Services. In July, Jenny and Denise presented these to WA Coordinator of Zephyr Education, Nicola Henderson. Added to the collection were books donated by committee members. These books were distributed between two domestic violence refuges, one of these having four separate sites. These will be used in a variety of ways, including:

 - Use as 'buddy bags' for children when they first arrive at the refuge in a time of crisis with
very few personal possessions. They may be the first new items the children own after
arriving in the refuge.
 - Book packs to be kept in the accommodation units to encourage the clients to bond with
their young children through reading.
 - Addition of the books to an onsite library which children can use.

WA Branch committee member Jenny Botje presenting the books to Nicola Henderson, WA Coordinator of Zephyr Education

In her letter of thanks, Nicola said, “On behalf of Zephyr Education, I would like to sincerely thank you for your donation of the wonderful books that we received recently. At Zephyr Education we strive to ensure that disadvantaged and vulnerable children affected by domestic violence have every opportunity to continue their education with minimal disruption. We believe that books are at the heart of education and learning, so it was an honour to be gifted these beautiful books and in turn, to be able to pass them on to some of the domestic violence refuges supported by Zephyr Education.
These families have been through so much before they finally arrive at a refuge so you can be
assured that your kindness in supplying these books will be very much appreciated by the families involved. We appreciate the care and time taken to select books that are appropriate for these children.”
We were delighted that Nicola was able to join us at the annual Book Week Dinner this year. In the talk she gave, she provided an insight into the work that Zephyr Education is involved in. A number of attendees interested in the organisation spoke to Nicola after her speech.

From left, Julie Muir, Nicola Henderson, Jenny Botje and Denise Robins at the Children's Book Week® Dinner