Milton/Ulladulla VIEW Club

30 Year Service Award

Vice-President Denise acknowledged Lynne 30 years' membership with VIEW, and presented her with a badge. Well done Lynne.

A Taste of Paradise In 2022 June 

Members were taken on a virtual tour to the Taste of Paradise Organic Farm, guided by our guest speaker Tim Francis. This Berry-based farm is a Not For Profit registered charity offering mentoring and work experience program for disadvantaged young people.

The Farm is all some kids need to find themselves, re-engage with the world, grow and thrive and learn the life skills. The young people who benefit from the Farm's programs come from a range of care situations with issues such as mental health, intellectual and physical disabilities and behavioural issues often relating to adult neglect and abuse.

Safe Waters

2022 May

Guest Speaker, Sarah Date, is a founding member of Safe Waters Community Care Inc. in Ulladulla, which is a Safe Shelter offering crisis accommodation to those experiencing homelessness. Safe Waters has been in operation for 18 months, starting with a residence in South Street which is the first ever, shelter accommodation in the Ulladulla area.  In that short time, 160 people have passed through the facility.

The services offered aim to benefit the local community to end homelessness, provide safe spaces for the most vulnerable people in our area and help people with substance misuse to safely detox with the goal of moving towards abstinence from alcohol or other drugs.

A second safe house has recently been renovated and is nearing completion with the aim to be ready for habitation within the next couple of months. There is now a third property in St Vincent’s Street, that has recently been added to the portfolio, but will need extensive renovation and refurbishment.  A great achievement in such a short time.

31st Birthday Celebrations

2022 April

Members and guest celebrated their 31st birthday in April with great entertainment by Jackie B

Farewell Phyllis in March 2022

We said goodbye to a long-time member Phyllis, who is moving out of our area. Phyllis joined the club more than 20 years ago; she appreciates all the fun events that the club has had and the many friends she made through VIEW.

L-R:  Birthday ladies Marueen (seated) and Joan (standing) with Denise

Quarantine in Early Australia

Guest speaker Ian Lavering shared some of his life growing up in quarantine stations, including the well-known North Head Quarantine Station. Aware of the stigma attached to kids living on quarantine stations, Ian took advantage of it.

When in Manly Primary school, he was the child who could name the capital city of any country, because the capital city names were often mentioned in his Dad's phone calls over quarantine matters. While he lived at the quarantine station in Darwin, Ian spent many hours 'roaming' on the station and was fascinated by different kinds of rocks, which led him into his career as a geologist.

His advice is Don't let the bad be your bad.

L-R: Vice-President Denise with Ian

Easter Prizes in abundant supply

2022 February

Recycling

Following the February meeting and a lovely lunch, members were able to sit back and enjoy an interesting and enlightening talk by guest speaker, Fiona Schreurs from Shoalhaven City Council’s Recycling and Waste Services.  Fiona’s talk focused on Council’s recycling services:

• Suitable containers and packaging for the yellow kerbside recycling bins come from food, beverages, shampoos, and laundry detergent containers etc;
• Many other recyclable products eg styrofoam, electrical goods and e-waste can be taken directly to the Waste Depots, while soft plastics can be deposited at most large supermarkets.
• New, exciting technology is paving the way for most Red Bin waste to be recycled in the near future, to become bricks, tiles and aggregate etc;
• Council offers free workshops for composting, and also offers group tours of their Recycling and Waste Depots.

Fiona was a delightful guest speaker and was very happy to answer numerous questions.  Vice-President Denise, thanked Fiona and presented her with a small gift.

2022 January

Photo above of Wendy and Cherrie with birthday girl Jean

Successful AGM

Milton Ulladulla VIEW Club recently held a successful AGM with NG02 Zone Adviser, Lyn Gerstenberg, from Nowra, conducting the meeting. 

In her report, President Cherrie noted that despite some COVID disruptions, our Club had a very successful year with interesting meetings and guest speakers.  Cherrie concluded by thanking the Committee and all members for their support in 2021; with special mention to Lorraine who is stepping down from Program Officer, after many years in the position. 

The 2022 Committee was sworn in, and presented with their badges by Lyn Gerstenberg.  The new Committee is comprised of: Cherrie, President and Program Officer; Denise, Vice-President and Delegate; Sonia, Acting Secretary and Treasurer; Maureen, Assistant Secretary and Program Officer; Jan, Assistant Treasurer; Shu Publicity Officer and Hostess; and Wendy, Welfare Officer

Christmas Celebrations

Entertainer, Jackie B

2021 November

Milton Ulladulla VIEW Club’s Christmas luncheon celebrations was recently held in the Civic Centre auditorium.    This was the Club’s first meeting following the recent lockdowns, and members and guests were pleased to be able to enjoy one final get-together for 2021.  This was a quieter gathering than previous years as members were pleased to be able to catchup, talk and just enjoy each other’s company, while being entertained by the lovely Jackie B. 

President Cherrie thanked long serving Program Officer, Lorraine, who has decided to step down from the Committee in 2022, after serving for many years in this role.  We wish to extend our thanks to the Ulladulla Civic Centre management and all Café staff for making our luncheon meetings a very enjoyable time, and we look forward to returning in 2022.

Photo above of outgoing Program Officer, Lorraine

Coping in an Emergency

Members celebrated  Christmas in July at the Ulladulla Civic Centre with a scrumptious Christmas lunch, and a lot of chatter and laughter.

Following lunch, two Red Cross members, Judy Johnston and Karen Akehurst gave an enlightening presentation on Dealing with an Emergency, a very apt subject for many.   Although the bushfires are now, thankfully in the past, there are many people who continue to suffer from the aftermaths. Judy gave a number of helpful tips of dealing with emergencies and stressed the importance for everyone to have a Rediplan in place at all times.

Photo above L-R: Judy, Vice-President Denise and Karen

Christmas In July

Photo above:  July birthday ladies                                  

Supporting Families in Our Community

Lesley Labka and Sue Davis from Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra, (SAHSSI), were excellent guest speakers at the recent June luncheon, held in the Ulladulla Civic Centre Auditorium. 

SAHSSI is a not-for-profit Specialist Homelessness Service covering the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions.  SAHSSI’s operations include the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub and Shoalhaven Family Counselling Service which provides support to vulnerable men, women, and children in the Shoalhaven region.  Lesley, Sue, and their co-workers are very passionate and committed to assisting the ever-increasing number of vulnerable people within our Community. 

The next meeting will be our Christmas in July luncheon with our Giving Tree, which contributes to the sponsorship of our four Learning for Life students.

June 2021

Photo above L-R: Sue (sitting), President Cherrie and Lesley

May 2021

Twenty seven members and guests attended the May luncheon, when new member, Shu was welcomed to VIEW and presented with her name badge and booklet.

Guest speaker for June was Maria Mitchell from the Ulladulla & Districts Community Resources Centre (CRC).  Maria explained that the CRC is an information and referral centre that offers free community services to all who seek assistance.    

The Centre operates with minimal paid staff, and approximately 35 volunteers, who really want to make a difference in fulfilling the critical services required in the community.  Staff and volunteers are supported by the guidance and decision-making skills of the Management Committee.

There are currently several visiting services including Legal Aid, Disability Services and Parole and Probation Services.  Programs currently offered by the Centre are Computer lessons for seniors, Work Development Orders, Literacy, Justice of the Peace, Food Store and Tax Help.

President Cherrie with Maria

New Member Welcomed

New member Shu is welcomed by Past National Councillor Jeni

30^th Birthday Celebrations

Members and guests recently enjoyed a wonderful 30th birthday celebrations at the Ulladulla Civic Centre.  Highlight of the day was the presentation of VIEW service recognition badges.  

Top of the list was to Foundation member, Denise Mooney, who was awarded her 30 years of service badge, with a surprise visit by her son, to see this.  Service badges were also awarded to Jean for her 20 years of service and Robyn for 10 years service.  Also presented on the day was the name badge and welcoming booklet, to new member Susan Windiate. 

During lunch the very talented Ukulele Ladies (and Gentleman) entertained with some very toe-tapping enjoyable performances.

Photo above: New member Sue with Foundation member Denise 

The lovely Ukulele Ladies                                        

2021 April

No birthday is complete without a birthday cake, which was cut by our special guests; Shelley Hancock MP, Fiona Phillips MP and Clr. Greg Watson, and enjoyed by all.

Photo above of Greg, Shelley and Fiona cutting the cake

Postcard from Northern Australia

At the recent March meeting, and following the scrumptious luncheon at the Civic Centre, members were fascinated to hear from guest speaker, Mr Jonathan Benyei about his time working in Northern Australia.

Jonathan, together with his wife, VIEW member Christine Bell, moved to Northern Australia in 2013, to work for the Australian Government Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy. This project was established in 1989 to provide an early warning system for exotic pests, weeds, and disease detection, across northern Australia and to help address unique biosecurity risks facing the region.

With over 10,000 kms of coastline, inlets and islands, northern Australia is vast and remote, therefore very vulnerable to exotic pests, weeds and diseases from close neighbouring islands and inlets. 

There are several ways exotic threats could reach northern Australia; infested boats, military aircrafts, as well as windstorms from close lying countries and islands; also deer have been known to swim the three kilometres from mainland New Guinea to the most northern tip of Australia.

The success of this organisation is due to all sides of government and the First Nation people, harmoniously working side by side, for the ultimate goal of protecting our shores, our industries, and our population. 

March 2021

L-R: President Cherrie, Christine and Jonathan

  March birthday ladies; Patsy, Pat, Jeni, Joan, Jan and Jenny

IWD Award to Jeni

At the annual International Womens Day awards ceremony conducted by the Ulladulla and Districts Community Resources Centre, one of the three ladies awarded recognition was our own Jeni Wilkins.  Jeni was recognised for her many years of work supporting children through TSF's Learning for Life program as well as her involvement in local Community projects.

Congratulations Jeni, well deserved.

Senator Marise Payne visits

Senator Marise Payne recently visited several communities along the NSW South Coast, spending a few hours in Batemans Bay, where both Senator Payne, and her escort, Senator Jim Molan, were hosted by VIEW Clubs of Australia NG02 Zone. 

NG02 Zone’s Advisor, Lyn Gerstenberg, welcomed the guests and gave an outline of VIEW Clubs along the South Coast.  Also attending was VIEW National President, Anne-Louise O’Connor, who had traveled from her home in Maitland to attend. Ann-Louise spoke of the role of VIEW in the Community, the comradeship and support it offers to women, which was especially evident through-out the lock-down period of the pandemic, and VIEW’s support of The Smith Family Learning for Life (LfL) program. 

Senator Payne primarily spoke of the es4W (Economic Security for Women) network, which is a national women’s alliance, funded by the Australian Government.  The main issues identified by es4W as the priority of women are, leadership, economic security, and safety, and round table discussions with women are being held across Australia.   Senator Payne also advised, she is very aware of the great work of The Smith Family’s LfL program, as she sponsors a student herself, enjoying the regular updates of his progress.

Photo above L-R:  National President Anne-Louise chatting to Senator Marise Payne

     Photo above L-R:  Senator Payne with Zone NG02 Advisor Lyn

Photo above L-R:  Members Maureen, Cherrie and Christine      

Local Wildflowers

A successful AGM and a delightful guest speaker, Dr Ann Eggings, was a great start to 2021 for Milton Ulladulla VIEW Club.  Ann is a member of the Trustees and volunteers who look after the Wildflower Reserve located behind the Leisure Centre. 

This reserve is on 25 acres of protected land on the corner of Warden and Green Streets.  Severely affected by fire in 2019, the flowers in this reserve have bounced back in abundance, with a number of varieties appearing for the first time in many years. An example being the NSW National flower emblem, the Waratah.  Ann explained the waratah responds to panic, so the anxiety of the fire resulted in some 40 waratah plants re-appearing last Spring.  Some of the other wildflowers Ann spoke of were; the golden weather-grass, dwarf blue trumpet, Christmas bells, Christmas bush, honey flower that is also called the mountain devil, the hairpin banksia and helmet orchid, just to name a few. 

Ann concluded her talk by saying the reserve is managed by a group of trustees appointed for a five-year term; the current group’s term expires in April this year, and she encouraged anyone who is interested, to think about nominating when the next round of nominations is called for. 

Guest speaker, Ann with President Cherrie

Successful 2021 AGM in January

At the Clubs AGM, Past Zone Councillor Glennis presented badges to the new 2021 Committee, comprising: 

Cherrie, President; Denise, Vice-President; Christine, Secretary; Maureen, Assistant Secretary; Sonia, Treasurer and Publicity Officer; Jan, Assistant Treasurer; Lorraine, Programs Officer; and Wendy, Welfare Officer;

New to the team and to VIEW is Shu Zhang, Hostess.

Hostess Shu, (far left) with 2021 Committee and Past Zone Councillor Glennis (far right)

  Wendy with birthday girl Jean