Gloucester VIEW Club

2023 May HAPPY 34^th BIRTHDAY

Sixty-one members and guests, including members of Myall Lakes and Taree VIEW Clubs, celebrated at the May meeting held on the 16^th of the month at Gloucester Country Club.

Member Pat R researched the Club’s history which revealed that the foundation meeting of the Club was 4^th April 1989 with the inaugural meeting held on 23^rd May 1989 at Gloucester Country Club. VIEW .ladies from Taree, Port Macquarie, and Sydney attended. Interestingly, the joining fee in 1989 was $2 and the annual subscription was $2 also. Today, they are both $20, still great value.

The theme was “Coronation Capers” with many attendees wearing tiaras and other “bling” while enjoying a fun royal quiz with quiz compere Bev M asking “Which Royal Am I?”

The tables and venue were beautifully decorated by Judy H, Robyn H, and other Committee members with some lucky guests leaving with table arrangements of Australian native flowers.

President Vivien W opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking those who had helped with the luncheon arrangements. Reports were tabled; lucky door, raffles, and Club 100  prizes were decided and the Trading Table did a thriving trade with thanks to all who donated cooking and other goodies, helping the members raise funds to support their five Learning for Life students.

The birthday cake was cut and distributed, a goodbye presentation was made to a long-time member who is leaving to live closer to family, and a delicious lunch was served after which guest speaker Courtney Webeck, vice-captain of the Australian Ladies Blind Cricket team,  entertained with tales of her sporting life.  Member Judy McC delivered a vote of thanks and presented Courtney with flowers.

Gloucester VIEW Club members host a luncheon meeting on the third Tuesday of the month and welcome any interested women to join them to decide if they would like to become a member.

Remembering the ANZAC's

April 2023

Our Club members and guests enjoyed the April get-together at the new Gloucester Country (Golf) Club venue on the 18^th of the month. The usual business included wishing the April “girls” a happy birthday and drawing the raffle and lucky door prizes after which a delicious lunch was served.

Club members Lynette H, Judy E,  Marguerite  McN and Judy McC presented an ANZAC commemoration prepared by Bev M entitled  Women at War, paying tribute to those nurses and Land Army women who served their country during World War II. Judy McC added some of her remembrances at the conclusion of the presentation.

The tables were appropriately decorated with rosemary by Judy H while Pat R, in addition to contributing a CD of war music, also made and donated ANZAC biscuits for all in attendance.

Picnic In The Park

March 2023

The skies were grey but the rain held off and 22 Members and two guests enjoyed the March Monthly Meeting which was a PICNIC in the PARK.

Business was conducted in the usual manner before a delicious picnic lunch consisting of a variety of sandwiches, muffins, fruit and cold drinks was served.

Long time member Elaine Maslen gave  a potted history of her life which sent several members to reminiscing about Gloucester as it was back then.

Member Judy M moved a vote of thanks to the Committee for all that went into organising a successful and fun meeting.  It was a lovely relaxed get together with much chatter and laughter along the way.

International Women's Day

2023 March

Just over fifty Members of the Gloucester community celebrated International Women’s Day with a delicious morning tea on 8th March hosted by Gloucester VIEW Club.

VIEW members were joined by guests Dianne Fiddes (VIEW National Councillor), Ashleigh Hickman (President of Rotary), David Layzell MP,  members of the CWA and guest speaker Mayor of Mid Coast Council Claire Pontin. Apologies were received from Dr David Gillespie (Federal Member for Lyne) and Councillor Katheryn Stinson.

President Vivien welcomed everyone and spoke about the history of International Women’s Day. She was followed by Dianne, David and Claire, all speaking on the theme of Embrace Equity, highlighting the difference between equity and equality while noting that although we have come a long way there are still areas where improvements need to be made (such as domestic violence issues, childcare and flexible working hours among others). Claire added a brief history of her education and working life while also thanking VIEW members for supporting disadvantaged Australian children.

Morning tea was served and guests caught up with each other in an atmosphere of friendship as women supported women.

 Birthday ladies - Catherine W, Dianne F, Judy H

2023 February Annual General Meeting

Twenty nine members and two guests attended the Annual General Meeting on 21st February 2023. (Seven apologies were registered.)

It was lovely to catch up with members after our holiday (January) break.

Birthdays were celebrated, 100% Attendance Certificates awarded, raffles drawn and the lucky door prize awarded followed by a delicious salad (thanks Land & Sea) and sweets (thanks Pat R) before the serious business of inducting the incoming committee. (See separate post.)

President Vivien gave her report, thanking the outgoing committee for their work over the last 12 months and also thanking the members, all of whom have contributed to the fun and friendship we experienced last year.

We are looking forward to a great 2023.

100% Attendance Ladies

Christmas Celebrations

Zone Councillor Diannne opening proceedings

Raffle winner President Vivien and local artist Bev Barbour

2022 December

Members and guests celebrated Christmas with a luncheon held at Club Gloucester.  With thanks to Judy H, the auditorium was made festive with a tree, decorations and Christmas music playing and the table decorations, were beautifully done as usual.

As some guests had travelled from Taree, Tea Gardens Hawks Nest and further afield, it was thanks to Judy E that morning tea was available, while others checked out the Trading Table (thank you Margaret), Guessing Competition, 100 Club or bought tickets in the major fundraiser artwork.

The major fundraising raffle of a framed pastel artwork of irises by local artist Bev Barbour was drawn and the lucky winner was President Vivien. Congratulations Vivien and a huge thank you to Bev for her generous donation.  Lunch was delicious with special attention paid to providing a festive meal (thanks to Land & Sea and member Pat R). Zone Councillor Dianne Fiddes cut the Christmas cake which was made by member Rae and later distributed.

The afternoon wound up with a fun festive Trivia Quiz organised by  Bev - no prizes but plenty of chocolates!

Your Committee of Vivien, Judy H, Jenny J, Bev M, Chris R, Marlene M, Judy E, Pat R and Jenny G wishes all members a very happy Christmas and all the best for the coming year. We are in recess until the Annual General Meeting on 21st February 2023 when the new Committee will be inducted.

Happy Christmas Everyone

Members Entertain

Member Delsie B (pictured below in blue) entertained with her life’s profile while Pat R (pictured below in pink) read some hilarious poems by well-known British poet Pam Ayres.

2022 November

A good turn up of members and guests enjoyed an interesting and fun November Luncheon Meeting.

President Vivien thanked several Committee members for their hard work and dedication including Judy H, Pat R, Jenny G, and Margaret S; also reminding members to lodge their nomination forms for the 2023 Committee.

Lunch was, as usual, delicious, thanks to the catering by Land & Sea. Along with the Trading Table, raffles and lucky door prize a special lucky door prize from Milady Hair Salon was also presented. Tickets in the major fundraiser (pastel depiction of irises by Bev Barbour) are selling well and the winner will be announced at the Christmas luncheon on 20th December. (Remember the theme of Christmas Colours.)

L-R: Marlene and Christine looking after the finance

Benefits of Pilates

With eleven apologies our numbers were down a little, but twenty-six members enjoyed a meal provided by Land & Sea before settling down to listen to guest speaker Mandy Tomlinson.  Mandy spoke about the benefits to be gained from practising Pilates.

2022 October

The Trading Table was packed with goodies ranging from books, magazines, plants, fresh vegetables to cooking items while tickets for the major fundraiser, an artwork donated by artist Bev Barbour, were selling well.  The winning ticket will be drawn at the Christmas luncheon; a wonderful present for someone!

Guest Speaker Bev

After another delicious meal the guest speaker, well known local artist Bev Barbour, spoke about how her interest in art began while she demonstrated how to use pastels by producing a picture in blue of the iris flower. Members thoroughly enjoyed Bev’s talk and Assistant Secretary Bev M presented her with a thank-you gift.

Guest Speaker Bev Barbour, with some of her art

2022 September

Recently thirty members, and guest Bev Barbour, attended the September Luncheon meeting.  In addition to the usual business and celebration of birthdays two members, Robyn and Margie were presented with their badges by President Vivien.

Three resolutions which had been read for consideration at the August meeting were again presented and voted on. It was noted that the Centenary Gala had made a profit with our Zone’s share of $2440 being donated to several different programs such as Literacy Support Packages and Links to Learning. Well done to those who supported the Gala.

Another time of fun and friendship.

Robyn and Margie were presented with their badges by President Vivien.

Members had brought in photos of themselves as babies and participants tried to guess and answer "Who do you this this is?"

2022 AUGUST LUNCHEON REPORT

Although numbers were down slightly our guest Carol and those members who did attend enjoyed the usual fun and friendship that is always on display at any VIEW Club get-together.

The greeting committee of Chris R, Pat R and Judy E were as busy as usual with Judy “learning the ropes” so she can fill in  for Chris next month (wearing two hats as she is also our Delegate). As usual the tables were beautifully decorated by Judy H .Elaine  M provided her usual cooking for the Trading Table which is always much appreciated and assisted Bev M who was replacing Marg S for the day. Welfare Officer Jenny G brought us all up-to-date on those members who are going through some health issues while Newsletter Editor Pat R distributed the August copy - as usual, a job well done.

A delicious and warming lunch was served followed by the special activity of “Guess Who This Is”.

Members had brought in photos of themselves as babies. Secretary Jenny had laid these photos out and provided paper and pens for members to write their answers (mostly guesses) on. Much laughter and conversation later President Vivien read out the correct answers and it was generally agreed that next time the photos should be of older children - perhaps first day at school -as it had been exceedingly difficult to guess the babies! Difficult but interesting.”

Banner Presentation

2022 June

Members and guests enjoyed a delicious lunch  at the recent June Luncheon Meeting, at Land & Sea Restaurant at Club Gloucester.  Thanks also to Club Gloucester; both these businesses continue to support our Club which is much appreciated.

The new Club banner was presented and was met with the approval of both committee and general members.  Following the general meeting, a non-competitive Trivia Quiz took place with much laughter and chat as answers were discussed.

Several members will travel to Taree next Tuesday to join in them for their 55th birthday celebration.

2022 May

The cake which was shared amongst the members and guests

Zone Councillor  Dianne with President Vivien

33rd Birthday Celebrations

Sixty members and guests celebrated this milestone with a delicious lunch at Club Gloucester on Tuesday 17th May 2022.

With a lucky door prize for each table, raffles, 100 Club and Trading Table in full swing there was fun and friendship aplenty topped off with a great fashion parade presented by local business Elk & Willow Boutique.

One of the models on the catwalk

2022 April

L-R: President Vivien, Assistant Secretary Bev M, Vice President Judy H, Newsletter Editor Pat R, Member Kate

ANZAC Memories and Remembering the Vietnam War

Members and guests enjoyed a lovely get-together on 19th April and it was great to see so many arrive early to catch-up with friends before the meeting.

The usual business was attended to, birthdays and anniversaries celebrated and raffles drawn. Much laughter ensued when the lucky door prize went unclaimed despite several efforts but was finally claimed on the sixth attempt!

A delicious lunch was served after which an ANZAC presentation featuring the Vietnam War, prepared by Committee members Bev M and Pat R was  delivered, followed by the distribution of home-made ANZAC biscuits.

Lest We Forget.

Members are looking forward to the next meeting on 17th May when the Club will celebrate its thirty third birthday and its support of five Learning for Life  students.

St Patrick's Day

2022 March

Our monthly meeting was held on 15th March where, as well as the usual reports given, a celebration of all things Irish was held.

This year we attempted something different - members took turns delivering Irish jokes which caused much laughter and chatter.

Tables were beautifully decorated by Judy H; the Trading Table thrived under Marg S’ salesmanship; lucky door prize and raffles were drawn while March birthdays and anniversaries were celebrated followed by a delicious Irish meal.

International Women's Day

2022 March

Gloucester VIEW Club hosted a morning tea on 8th March to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Despite inclement weather 24 ladies enjoyed a morning of friendship while acknowledging the strong women they know.