BRAND new member of the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays Lynette Corne has received the Thumbs Up award from the Zonta initiative.

The Thumbs Up award is presented by the Zonta membership to acknowledge the humanitarian work of a community member.

Ms Corne was awarded the Thumbs Up award for her project, Swap It Forward, an annual clothes swap that provides loads of fun for the local community and also raises a considerable amount for cancer research.

She first started Swap It Forward when her brother Greg was diagnosed with cancer.

She soon learnt the importance of these events to raise money for the life shattering disease for herself when her brother lost his battle last year.

Earlier this year, Ms Corne was again faced with the devastating news that her other brother had also been diagnosed with cancer.

Zonta member Cath Fernbath described Ms Corne's organisational skills and commitment to the cause as admirable.

"Lynette's passion and enthusiasm is contagious. Well done Lynette thumbs up to you."

"Zonta is thrilled to have new members such as Lynette as they add energy and enthusiasm to the club in various committees that they join. Lynette has amazing organisational skills which we will be utilising in the future and well as vast and diverse life experiences that make her quite unique," she said.

Ms Corne was overwhelmed by the acknowledgment and hopes to make Swap It Forward an annual event.

The Thumbs up award is not awarded to Zonta members but in a turn of events Ms Corne had become a member herself.

"We had identified a wonderfully worthy recipient some time ago who met our criteria, however by the time this person was available to be presented with our award she had joined our club," Ms Fernbath said.

The Zonta club of the Whitsundays is part of a global initiative of like minded women who join together to advance the status of women locally and worldwide.

For more information email thewhitsundays@zontadistrict22.org.