Milton/Ulladulla VIEW Club

Zephyr Lavender Farm Visits

2023 February

The recent February luncheon meeting held at the Dunn Lewis Centre, was again a small gathering; however the ladies who did come were treated to a special afternoon when Guest Speakers Ros Christie and John Miskelly from the Zephyr Lavender Farm took centre stage.  Ros spoke of their journey establishing their current business, which is situated on Comerong Island, a picturesque spot, just east of Nowra.  Their five acres of the Island is Zephyr Farm, which provides a peaceful, idyllic haven for their business. 

They have been farming lavender for eleven years, and although they no longer grow this beautiful plant, they currently craft, create and produce over eighty lavender-based products.  Ros and John were interesting speakers and Members loved pursing, and in many cases purchasing, some of the huge variety of lavender products that were on display.  Each product is handmade on the farm and is available via their website or through selected markets.

97 Years Young

Vice-President Denise with the beautiful Joyce, celebrating her 97th birthday

                              September and October birthday girls

Community Connecting in 2022 October

Guest speaker for October was Matt Dell, representing Community Connect Southern Shoalhaven (CCSS), whose mission is to support local community groups and volunteers to better communicate, share, collaborate and succeed in their own goals and activities. 

Matt explained CCSS's goal is to help community volunteers and groups to Connect, Communicate and Collaborate through assistance, advice, information, education, and regular public meetings.  The overall plan to achieve these goals is to: 

• Connect volunteers and groups for easier communication, collaboration and minimise competition – groups / events are more successful and sustainable through collaboration.
• Facilitate cost sharing through shared resources and attract additional financial support eg shared grants.
• Source affordable training and local shared opportunities.
• Improve information sharing and local awareness.

Matt offered on-going support for all Milton/Ulladulla and District organisations, and said he is happy to come back to speak to us.

Guest Speaker Matt Dell with Vic-President Denise

Community Expo

Set up and ready to go.  Pictured L-R: Cherrie and Sonia (Milton Ulladulla); Mary (Mollymook) and Janelle (Ulladulla Evening)

The 'story-teller' in progress

During the Keynote Speakers Address

2022 October

Community Connect Southern Shoalhaven (CCSS) recently held their inaugural Community Expo at the Ulladulla Civic Centre where sixty (60) local Community not-for-profit organisations came together to show their wares.  This was run over the two floors of the Ulladulla Civic Centre and was a wonderful event which took many volunteer hours of the CCSS Committee to organise and coordinate.  A highlight of the day were the Keynote speakers, being; Shane Fitzsimmons, former Commissioner of NSW Rural Fire Service, and currently the inaugural Commissioner for Resilience NSW; and Brett Kirk AFL Sydney Swans co-captain, and assistant coach.   

VIEW was well represented on the day with our three local NG02 Clubs in the Milton Ulladulla area, being; Milton Ulladulla, Mollymook and Ulladulla Evening, combining together, to showcase our organisation to the community.  A number of local ladies, some who were new to the area, stopped by with some showing an interest.

Pictured above: Janelle, Mary and Shu setting up.

   Shane Fitzsimmons addressing a captive audience                                

Across The Alps

Brigitte with Vice-President Denise

2022 August

Members enjoyed our delightful guest speaker Brigitte Nairn for her informative talk In Otzi's footsteps - A walk across the Alps.

Guided by pictures and talk, Club members journeyed with Brigitte from near Innsbruck in Austria to Merano in Italy. Members enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the trek across the Alps and got a glimpse into the huts and food along the way. It was a joinery through place and time.

More than 5000 years previously, a man scaled the mountains, fleeing hostile compatriots and succumbing to injury high up, near a pass in the Otztal Alps on the Italian-Austrian border. There he lay until 1991, when walkers strayed off the path and found him preserved in the ice. This glacial mummy was dubbed Otzi after the discovery site, and he is now housed in Bolzano, Italy.

In her talk, Brigitte also brought our attention to the contemporary issues that face this alpine wonderland. The melting snow is changing the landscape and adds stress to the unique biodiversity of the Alps.

Spectacular Spectacles

Christmas In July 2022

Members enjoyed a fun filled day at our recent Christmas In July luncheon.  It was great to see Nicki again with her Bagz'N'Bitz, enabling lots of 'necessary' shopping.

Members also enjoyed modelling the Spectacles in their varied designs and colours; in  celebration of The Smith Family's one hundred year anniversary, an awesome milestone.

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