Josie Grinblat z'l

Josie Grinblat z'| (nee Van Praag) was born in Perth in 1915.

During her teen years she spent a lot of time being a voluntary worker in hospitals, reading and serving afternoon teas.Josie was very involved in the Girl Guide Movement and travelled interstate to meet with other Jewish Guide Groups. She married and came to Melbourne in 1940., when she became involved in Southern WIZO which, in turn, became WIZO Darom.

Josie held the position of Group Treasurer, became Honorary Secretary of WIZO State Council of Victoria and eventually Honorary Treasurer of WIZO State Council of Victoria, a position she held for 35 years. Josie held the Chairman of Public Affairs portfolio on the WIZO Federation of Australia, and in that capacity represented WIZO in the United Nations Association.

She was also very proud to have been invited to have tea with Queen Elizabeth 11 on one of the Queen's visits to Australia. Josie was also very proud of the fact that she had been an Executive member on both State and Federal level continuous since

1940. Josie was one of the founders of "Josie's Opportunity Shop " in 1955 where the goods were supplied by the community and the money raised went to both Jewish and Non-Jewish Charities. When she retired, Josie was honoured by Rotary as "Woman of the Year ". Josie was presented with a cheque for this honour and as it was United Nations Year of the Child, she donated this to UNICEF.

She was also honoured by B'nai B'rith with a Menorah Award.

She was a recipient of the Rebecca Sieff Award, and made an Honorary Life Member of the WIZO Federation of Australia. Josie passed away in 2007 at the age of 92.