Nowra Evening VIEW Club

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Meet Our 2022 Committee

L-R: Jan C, Margaret J, Jennie J, Prue K, Lynn B, Robin O, Ann W, Dot W, and Di M. 

Absent from photo: Marilyn J, Anne T, and Lyn T

THE SMITH'S FAMILY ORIGIN

On a hot dusty day, just before Christmas 1922, five Sydney businessmen were driving back to the city from a weekend getaway in Katoomba.  As the summer temperatures soared, they decided to stop at a Parramatta pub.  Over cool drinks, the conversation turned to Christmas, and to those people unable to celebrate the festive season.  The men made a resolution to research poverty in Sydney, as some believed it was non-existent, others that it was a serious problem.

One week later the men met again to discuss their findings.  The five agreed that they were shocked by the extent of the problem and agreed to take action against the problem immediately.  With only days left before Christmas they decided to launch their campaign at Carlingford Boy's home in Sydney's west. 

On Christmas Eve the group drove out to the Home with a carload of toys, puzzles and sweets for the boys.  The Matron of the Home had no idea where the mystery men had come from or why they had decided to spoil the Carlingford boys that Christmas.  When she asked them for their names each one in turn said just call me Smith as they all wished to remain anonymous.  And thus The Smith Family was born.

THE SMITH FAMILY SERVICES IN THE ILLAWARRA REGION

The Wollongong Welfare operations commenced in 1931, initially the services were issued from an old shed in Stewart Street, to be moved at a later stage to a property at 28 Market Street.  This property was later extended and then extended again as the service providers tried to keep up with the needs in the community.

The provision of emergency aid in the form of financial and material supplies was continued over the years and remains at the basis of our welfare operations.  However, in more recent years our programmes have gone beyond alleviating the effects of poverty.

It was realised some years ago that the cycle that keeps many families entrenched in poverty from one generation to the next can only be broken if the contributing factors to that cycle are remedied. 

One major factor in the continued poverty cycle is the often poor level of education gained by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.  The Smith Family has developed the learning for life program (EDU-CATE) which now reaches youngsters from as early as primary school level and goes as far as providing scholarships for University studies.  Specially selected mentors assist these Tertiary students whilst our EDU-CATE support workers liaise directly with all students and their families in order to give these young people a better start to life.

Other services, now provided, include Family Support and Financial Counselling.