Milton/Ulladulla VIEW Club

Planning for Ageing 

In February 2019, thirty-four members enjoyed an enlightening talk from guest speaker, Carol Tomlinson, who explained the benefits of forward planning in our latter years.  Everyone is unique, requiring individual planning.  The steps towards aged care are:

• Planning
• Assessing options;
• Searching for services to meet individual needs;
• Understanding costs;
• Covering the costs;
• Estate planning; and
• Moving into care facility.

                                                     Carol with Denise

 January AGM

Milton Ulladulla VIEW Club’s January luncheon meeting which incorporated the AGM, was held on Thursday 24 January at the Milton Ulladulla ExServos Function room.   The new Committee for 2019 is President Denise; Vice President and Program Officer Cherrie, Secretary Sue; Assistant Secretary Maureen; Treasurer Sonia; Assistant Treasurer Jan; Delegate Jeni; Program Officer Lorraine; Welfare Officer Wendy; and Publicity Officer Sonia.

2018 was another successful year for Milton Ulladulla VIEW; as well as supporting our four Learning For Life Students, the Club again donated significant funds to the Smith Family’s Book and Toy Appeal.  

Peggy, Jean and Pat had birthdays during January

Trekking the Kokoda Trail with Eleanor 

Members enjoyed a great start to the New Year, with our outstanding guest speaker, Eleanor Drury, who spoke of her experiences trekking the Kokoda Trail as a year 12 student representing Ulladulla High School.

Eleanor said this was a gruelling experience, both physically and mentally, however she felt extremely privileged to having been chosen, especially as her Pop, who she was very close too, had served there during WW2.  

20 trekkers, with the aid of 22 porters and a former soldier as leader commenced this journey, with 17 trekkers managing to finish.  Prior to commencement of the trek, they were introduced to a Port Moresby school where students were taught life skills such as literacy, cooking, agriculture etc, quite different from Australian schools, and Eleanor was thrilled to be offered a teaching position there if she ever wished too. 

The trek commenced at 4am on 25^th September 2018, with the next 10 days encompassing both memorable and exhausting experiences.  The trek is 96km and along the way students were able to comprehend the bravery, and hardships experienced by the soldiers who served there.  The trekkers were also able to see first hand the incredible poverty of the Papua New Guinea people. 

The final evening was both exciting and sad, as it had been such an amazing experience and Eleanor said at that time, she did not want it to end; she now views the world through different eyes and feels it has made her a better person with a greater perspective on life.  Eleanor recently commenced a double degree in law and psychology at UNSW; she plans to use these skills to give back to the community.   We wish her well.

Denise with Eleanor

September 

This meeting was well attended, with members enjoying the presentation by guest speakers, Nick and Lorraine Cauchi of NC Services, who enlightened us on both the benefits and pitfalls of the National Broadband Network (NBN).  Nick explained that current technology being rolled out in our district is 1991 technology, so already out of date, however within the next  5-6 years all copper cables are expected to be replaced by fibre optic cables which should vastly improve our services.

Lorraine and Nick with Denise (centre) 

October

Bunnings community officer, Kay was a wonderful guest speaker.  Bunnings contribute significantly to the local community, supporting many local community organisations in numerous ways, tailoring their assistance to the individual organisation, such as:

• Sausage sizzle facilities allowing local groups/organisations to fund raise;
• Facilities for cake stalls for Red Cross Big Bake and RSPCA;
• Allowing in store table displays for clubs/organisations to show their wares;
• Supported the local Robotic Team with a car wash facility to fund raise;
• Donations of cooking equipment to SES;
• Contributions to the RFS during the recent fires;
• Painting of the Community Resources Centre reception area; and
• Much more…

June High Tea

During June, twenty-six members and friends enjoyed a wonderful High Tea, at Jeni Wilkins house.  As can be seen by the photos, many rose to the occasion, dressing in movie, cartoon or song title characters.   It is sincere thanks to Jeni for opening her home.

Birthday Celebrations

Approximately 40 members and guests, enjoyed a wonderful day celebrating our Club’s 27^th birthday.   Many members embraced the theme The Great Gatsby dressing in the style of the day, and The Shoalhaven Performance Troupe provided some splendid entertainment.

Among the April birthday girls was Sharon Steptoe who celebrated being 90 years young in April.

Special birthday girl Sharon, assists Cherrie and Denise to cut the cake