Heidelberg VIEW Club

Embrace Equity in 2023

The Suffragettes L to R: Suzanne, Roz and Jenny

      Photo above: Lyn Geer, Roz, Kate from TSF, Julie TSF Alumni.

Big smiles from Banyule VIEW Club ladies

International Women's Day

Three suffragettes greeted members of VA01 Zone as they arrived for Heidelberg VIEW Club’s IWD celebration. Suzanne, Roz and Jenny proudly channelled the suffragettes of the past who fought for women’s right to vote. Members arrived wearing the colours of purple, teal and white; suffragist colours and also, fittingly, our VIEW colours. Like the suffragettes of old, VIEW women raise their voices for change for the common good.

Embrace Equity, the theme for this year’s IWD, was celebrated and commemorated throughout the day’s event through informative speakers, music videos, a wonderful attendance of members, collaboration and catch ups.  

Members heard from speakers who told of their own successes, despite facing numerous challenges. Kate Baddiley, the Senior State Manager (Vic) for The Smith Family shared her own story of difficulties and then the educational successes of both herself and her mum, as well as thanking VIEW Members for the work they do for TSF. We heard from TSF alumni, Julie, who, thanks to a Learning for Life scholarship from TSF, was able to complete her university studies and work in the medical field. She told us that if it wasn’t for the support she received from TSF, she wouldn’t have been able to attend university. Angela Zilberman, KOGO’s (Knit One Give One) Community Education Liasion Officer spoke to us about the many organisations that benefit from the knitted clothing and toys lovingly created by people from all over Australia. Many of our Heidelberg Club members knit for KOGO and were thrilled to hear of the benefit their knitting efforts give to so many in need.

The raffle and trading table were both popular, with treasures bought and won. Bev was thrilled to purchase the painting of the kookaburras and it was poignant that it appeared to be painted in suffragette colours!

Our final speaker was Lyn Geer; Past National Vice President, Member of future of VIEW working group and the Victorian Development Team. Lyn informed us that new VIEW clubs are opening or have recently opened and updated us on other VIEW news.

The final music number, singing about what women need and want, was the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin. Members smiled and bopped along to the sounds of R…E…S…P…E…C….T. It was an uplifting note to a spectacular day!

  Karen and Bev with Bev's trading table painting

Celebrating Christmas and New Member

2022 December

The final meeting for 2022 saw a Christmas theme (of course!) and fundraising for The Smith Family Toy and Book Appeal. 

New member Jan received her VIEW badge from President Elizabeth.

Members were entertained by the singing group Ruby Tuesday. Carols and goodwill rang around the room as Christmas wishes were given and members sang along with the music, along with a feeling of thanks for all the club’s achievements, friendship and fun that we experienced through the year.

Photo above: Gillian and Beth smiling behind the centre-piece of firs and candles.

2022 November

We were thrilled, at the November meeting, to hear that our 35^th birthday raised $1250 for the sponsorship of our six, and soon to be seven, Learning For Life students.

Our Welfare Officer Jenny keeps us informed about letters and cards that are frequently sent from our club to our students and vice versa. It is always so rewarding to hear of their interests and achievements and also to know that we as a club make such a difference to their educational outcomes.

This month our speaker, Associate Professor Louis Roller, spoke to us about ‘Diseases and Medicines in Shakespearian Plays’. His talk was fascinating. We learnt that in his thirty-seven plays, Shakespeare mentioned nearly all of the diseases and medicines that were known then and also described them in the evocative language of his time. The pic shows the Professor with our table decorations of magnificent bottlebrush in the foreground.

There’s so much to learn and share when involved in a VIEW Club! Our December meeting will welcome the Ruby Tuesdays singing group and we’ll also be raising funds for The Smith Family Christmas Toy and Book Appeal.

Everyone is welcome.

35th Birthday Celebrations

Photo above L-R: Club President Elizabeth, Banyule Mayor Elizabeth Nealy, Federal Government Jagajaga MP Kate Thwaites and VIEW National President Marg Woodhouse. 

               Sandra displays her very colourful butterfly wings!

2022 October

Members celebrated our 35^th birthday! It was an absolutely wonderful occasion. The theme was butterflies. 

We were so very privileged to welcome VIEW dignitaries National President Marg Woodhouse, and National Councillors Bev Orgill and Lyn Geer. Government representatives were also in attendance, being Banyule Mayor Elizabeth Nealy, Federal Government Jagajaga MP Kate Thwaites.  They all spoke about the wonderful contribution made by VIEW members and congratulated Heidelberg VIEW on their 35^th birthday.

We were also thrilled that VIEW members as far away as Sunbury and Castlemaine, along with other local VIEW Clubs were there to enjoy the celebrations. Valda and Mary, two of the longest serving members of the club cut the cake, along with Vice President Roz.

Members were entertained by duo Island Harmony Singers. Their music was so joyous that many members were up dancing.

Valda and Mary with Vice-President Roz

Parliamentary High Tea

Members at the table in the parliamentary dining room

  Lalantha, commanding attention in the Premier’s chair

2022 October Outing

An excursion to State Parliament along with a sumptuous High-Tea was enjoyed by nine members this month.

Members felt very important, while seated in the parliamentary dining room, enjoying the delicious spread.  After High-Tea we were taken on a tour of the library and the legislative assembly, and legislative council chambers.

This beautiful stately building began construction in 1856 and the chambers of government were completed in an incredible nine months!

It was a wonderful day, enjoyed by all.

L-R: New members Jan and Sandra

2022 September

It was a very exciting month as four members headed off to the National Convention in Adelaide. President Elizabeth, Vice –President Roz, Welfare Officer Jenny and Programs Officer Suzanne enjoyed a wonderful weekend of learning, socialising, fun and reconnecting with other members.

The club celebrated many birthdays this month, the BIG birthday being a special one for member Beth. 90 years young! The pic shows Elizabeth presenting Beth some beautiful flowers to celebrate.

Next month is our club’s 35^th birthday. There is a wonderful program planned, local dignitaries are attending, and we’ll be entertained by the Coral Island Harmony Singers.

You are warmly welcome to join us. Please contact Elizabeth or Joan. Details are at the top of the club page.

New Members Welcomed

Our meeting went off in fine style, despite a number of members absent due to illness and travel. President Elizabeth was pleased to present new members Bernadette and Maria with their member’s badges.

Guest speaker, Bronwyn from Bob’s Beekeeping, was very interesting, especially in light of the current problem with the varroa mite destroying bee hives interstate. Bronwyn spoke about Bees and the Wonders of Honey. She described how she cared for the bees, their social order, the different flavours of honey, and the impact of the varroa mite. There were lots of questions from Bronwyn’s fascinated audience!

2022 August

Our excursion for the month was to the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub. The new building was opened in 2021 and offers a myriad of events, activities, technological offerings, art and quiet and noisier spaces in a modern setting which melds the old building with the new. Members reminisced at how libraries have grown to encompass so much more nowadays in comparison to our own school and community experiences growing up. We were shown a 3D printer and how it worked. Sandra is holding a small yellow hand created by the printer; the hand so detailed as to include the lined pattern on the palm.

Our Members embrace the learning that enriches them from speakers, visits and also from each other.

Our Guest Speaker at the September meeting will be telling us about the benefits of massage and myotherapy. All are very welcome. Please contact Elizabeth or Joan (details at the top of our club page).

Spectacular Celebrations

Christmas In July 2022

The centenary of The Smith Family was celebrated by members at the July meeting in a very colourful way!

VIEW Clubs across Australia have been encouraged to decorate a pair of 100 year spectacles and enter their best pics in a competition.

Members got into the swing of things and, as can been seen in our photos, some spectacular creations emerged!

It was a very busy meeting as Members also enjoyed a Christmas in July lunch and heard from a very interesting speaker.  Alan told us about his life Surrounded by Money. Alan assisted in developing the decimal notes and explained that each note had a story to tell. It was interesting to see how currency has changed over the years. 

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday August 10^th. The guest speaker will be telling us about the importance of bees.

2022 June - Cruden Farm

Eighteen members of our club enjoyed a day in beautiful surrounds at Cruden Farm, Langwarrin, Victoria. The property was gifted to Dame Elisabeth Murdoch by her husband Keith as a wedding present. The gardens were designed by Edna Walling with Dame Elisabeth also having a great interest in the garden’s development and upkeep.

The photos show some of our members thoroughly enjoying the day. Thank you to our Program Officer, Suzanne, for organising such a wonderful excursion.

Future excursions planned include a Parliament House Tour and high tea, the Ivanhoe Cultural Hub and library as well as movie sessions.

You would be more than welcome to accompany us and to attend our meetings.

2022 May

Photo above: Jenny and her flowers

                 Photo of Joan on the right with her sister Joy

  Photo of Heather and Beth                                          

Mother's Day Celebrations

Mother’s Day was celebrated and lots of chatting ensued as we met for our May meeting. The room was so pretty, with arrangements of flowers and beautiful centre-pieces on each table, thanks to creative committee member, Jenny.

Some members brought a special person in their lives. Joan brought her sister Joy, a member at Sunbury-Macedon VIEW Club. Mother and daughter duo Beth and Heather, who joined Heidelberg VIEW at the same time, were happy to celebrate our VIEW Mother’s Day together.

We also welcomed new member Bernadette, pictured with President Elizabeth.  

We shared a delicious luncheon at The Manningham Hotel and listened to our guest speaker, Fay Veitch, who spoke to us about the work of Mercy Ships. It was very moving to hear of the incredible impact of medical and ancillary volunteers who care for people who would otherwise have no access to life-changing treatments.

The next meeting is on Wednesday June 8^th. We would love to have your company. Please contact Joan or Elizabeth on the above numbers.

New member Bernadette on left with President Elizabeth

Easter Celebrations

2022 April

Heidelberg members were welcomed by a vista of Easter decorations at the April meeting. Bunny ears were the order of the day, as can be seen in the accompanying photos. Anne showed off the raffle prizes of multiple baskets of Easter eggs and Suzanne and Robyn some of the table decorations.

Another way we raise funds for our LfL students is through the trading table. Roz and Lucy show some of the wares available. This month, a wonderful $200 of items such as books, jewellery and delicious food items were purchased.

The speaker, Dr Brenda Fitzpatrick, talked about the topic Unlikely Heroes in Unlikely Places.  Dr Fitzpatrick has had extensive experience in refugee camps and has helped to bring attention to the reality of girls and women in war. While a sombre topic, members were enriched to hear about those unlikely heroes, who, enmeshed in war themselves, also helped others around them facing the same horrific circumstances.

Next month, the theme is Mother’s Day. Members and visitors are invited to wear something pink and/or white and to bring along someone who is important to them. Last year we had many daughters, mothers, granddaughters and even a niece. You’re very welcome to attend. Please contact Joan on the number above.

Books and Stationery for the New Year

Heidelberg VIEW ladies responded to the call for stationery items and hand-made cloth bags. VIEW members pack prep packs each year for children starting school next year in The Smith Family hubs in Dandenong and Collingwood.

There were so many items brought by the members, from scrap books to glue sticks, pencil cases to picture books! Some of our members who are handy with the sewing machine made gorgeous bags, which will help ease the costs involved for parents with a child starting school.

Where there is need VIEW ladies are there!

Its a Heidelberg Christmas  

Christmas cheer abounded as we celebrated with a sea of red, music and fun! For our final meeting of the year we were entertained by the brilliant singing group Ruby Tuesday.

Members sang along to known carols and also some new ones ‘Dashing through the bush, in a rusty holden ute….’

The picture below shows assistant treasurer Elizabeth and vice-president Jenny raising a glass to a wonderful year of VIEW friendship and achievements.

Heidelberg VIEW sends Christmas wishes to all, a happy and safe New Year and a very warm invitation to join us in 2020.

Strong Beginning for 2020

What a memorable first meeting and a wonderful start to the VIEW year!

Valentine’s Day was the theme and the love was certainly in the room as members greeted each other after the summer break.

Heidelberg VIEW warmly welcomed our new VAO1 Zone Councillor Lorraine Beasley, who officiated at the AGM and presented the new committee to the members. The committee consists of twelve dedicated members who were proud to receive their badges from Lorraine.

This year, through The Smith Family, we are sponsoring five Learning For Life students. Fundraising to support their scholarships is well under way. We are proud to be part of an organisation that supports Australian children in achieving their potential.

A wide-ranging program of excursions, movies and speakers is already planned for the year.  For our first meeting, we listened to an interesting presentation from psychologist Linda Black. Her motto is ‘Thrive At Any Age’. So very true, and something that we at Heidelberg VIEW do through our purpose, friendship and learning.

What an inspiring start to the year!

Photo above of Lorraine delivering her message

2020 March

It’s been a busy month for the members of Heidelberg VIEW!

National Vice President, Beryl Pike, was welcomed to the club meeting. Beryl spoke about her own history with VIEW Clubs, having traveled from QLD, and expressed her pleasure at being able to share time with a Victorian Club. 

The speaker at the meeting was Leading Senior Constable Alison Keppel, who spoke about safety in the community and the home.

Photo below:  L to R, Heidelberg VP Jenny, Beryl and club President Roz.

IWD Celebrated

The next day, fourteen members attended the VIEW International Women’s Day celebration at the World Trade Centre in Docklands.

What a day! An excited buzz, the ambiance of the Yarra vista, glass of champagne in hand, a delicious meal and most importantly celebrating the numerous achievements of women and acknowledging that there is still a long way to go for women’s equality in many areas, were but part of the focus of the day.

We also heard from Emily, a Learning For Life scholarship holder. VIEW Clubs raise funds for The Smith Family, which distributes these scholarships to socially and economically disadvantaged Australian children. Emily told us how grateful she was that a complete stranger wanted to help her. She is now studying law. Stories such as Emily’s give VIEW members joy that we make a difference!

Please scroll down to National and Regional News for more about the IWD celebration.

Photo below shows some of the happy members of Heidelberg VIEW in the purple-themed room.