Tania Black
Tania was born in Olesnica, Poland in 1946 and migrated to Melbourne with her parents and 2 older brothers in 1948. As a child she attended the Bialystoker Centre Kindergarten, Mt, Scopus College, Elwood Central and Elwood High School, and then R.M.I.T.
During her teen years Tania was a member of Habonim, a tradition started by her older brother and followed by her children and grandchildren. She later collected Blue Boxes for the J.N.F.
Her mother was a member of WIZO Negba and in 1967 she was approached to take part in the JNF Queen Competition ,as Negba’s Candidate, which she won. This was Tania’s introduction to the workings of WIZO. She enjoyed organizing successful fundraising functions for the young people in the community, as well as shlepping tables and chairs for the older ladies of the committee. The following year, when she used her prize of a flight to Israel, she visited Ahuzat Yeladim for the first time. She was impressed by the work and commitment of the staff.
Shortly after she married in 1969 she was invited to join a newly formed group. Her husband, Mel, encouraged her to join. Whilst in that group she took on the portfolio of Education and Information. After a few years she changed groups, and then again was Chairman of Education and Information, followed by being Treasurer, Vice President and eventually President.
In 1976 Tania was invited to join the WIZO State Council of Victoria, of which she is still a member. During that time she was Assistant Treasurer and then Treasurer, for a total of over 30 years. She also served as Vice President. During those years she attended the United Nations Association of Vic meetings as a co-representative with Josie Grinblat Z”L, as well as being WIZO’s representative to numerous CWA AGMs.
In 1982, together with Mel, she joined B’nai B’rith and after 6 years became President of her Chapter. In 1989 Tania was elected to the Executive of the Australian Federation of WIZO, holding the portfolio of Fundraising Chairman for 9 years.
She has been fortunate to attend many Aviv Seminars and EGMs in Israel. The first being the very first ever Aviv Seminar in 1979. In 1989 World WIZO organized a mission to Paris and Poland, a forerunner to March of the Living., and she was 1 of the 25 Australian delegates.
Amongst her many awards are the Rebecca Sieff Award.
She is currently a Councillor on the WIZO State Council of Victoria and an Honorary Life Member of the WIZO Federation of Australia. Her husband and 2 children have always been supportive and involved in her WIZO work.
A very special moment for her was when her daughter, Lisa Sellyn, became Co-President of WIZO Kids. As her grandchildren are also members of WIZO Kids, they have become a 4 generational WIZO family.