Milton/Ulladulla VIEW Club

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      

Christmas November 2020

A wonderful end-of-year Christmas luncheon meeting was held on Thursday 26 November in the Civic Centre auditorium.    An attendance of over 40 members and guests enjoyed a great day of fun, laughter, and gaiety, which was combined with good food and the much-anticipated annual appearance of our very own VIEW Tops.

We wish to extend our thanks to Michelle and Allison, and all Café staff of the Ulladulla Civic Centre, for making our Club feel welcome since returning from lock-down, and we look forward to returning in 2021. 

The lovely VIEW Tops

Fabulous Christmas Cake created and donated by Iced Magic Cakes

Iced Magic Cake Creations | Facebook                     

President Cherrie presents Kerry a thank you gift for her many years of Hostessing

VIEW Zone NG02 Advisor Lyn Gerstenberg with Cherrie   

November and December Birthday Ladies 

VIEW Diamonds in October 2020

Smaller gathering at the recent October luncheon, with a theme of diamonds and sparkles to recognise VIEW's 60th Anniversary.  No guest speakers today, but it was great to welcome four guests.  

The October birthday girls received their gift, with a special mention to Joyce who celebrated her 95th birthday.  Joyce is a marvelous lady.

Next luncheon in November will be our Christmas celebrations featuring the VIEW Tops.

Photo above of Joyce - 95 years young

October birthday 'girls'

Thank you to the staff of the Ulladulla Civic Centre for highlighting the Theme of Diamonds