Bendigo Evening VIEW Club

President Deidre McDougall welcomes Brenda MacDonald and Sue Williams, the first of ten new members to join the Bendigo Evening VIEW Club in 2021.

 In May 2021 members were delighted to finally to able to have a Special Breakfast to celebrate the Big O Birthdays of eight members who had their special birthdays during the Victorian Lockdown in 2020. The birthday girls received a beautiful cyclamen each.

25 Members enjoying the Breakfast Mary Spender with Kaye Shaw and Lyn Matthews

2021 May 

Bendigo VIEW welcomes the organisation’s first VIEW Clubs' National Patron

The Bendigo and Castlemaine VIEW Clubs say their new national patron will help promote the work the organisation does with disadvantaged children.

Beverley Orgill, Sunnie Watts, and Elaine Smart.

Her Excellency Linda Hurley, wife of the Australian Governor-General, said she was honoured to move into the role of the first VIEW Clubs of Australia patron.
"I have long admired the work VIEW members do in their communities, including their fabulous fundraising events, inspiring monthly lunches, fun-filled social activities and importantly, their generous sponsorship of students in need through The Smith Family," she said.
Local VIEW zone councillor Beverley Orgill said Mrs Hurley was a wonderful choice for the role.

"It's the very first time that we've had our own national patron," she said. "I think that's excellent in itself, but the fact that it's her is great.
"She's an ex-teacher. She's really quite passionate about the VIEW Club and she knows a lot about The Smith Family."

The Bendigo and Castlemaine VIEW Clubs promote the voices, interests, and education of women. The groups also work closely with The Smith Family to support children experiencing disadvantage.
Former national VIEW Club councillor Sunnie Watts said there were about 600 children in the region receiving support through the VIEW Club's Learning for Life program.

2021 April Guest Kellie Dadds

DINNER MEETING 

Kellie joined the army in 1996, was deployed eight times and is an army veteran of 22 years. She is now a full-time mother with three young children.
She started a movement to highlight the role of women on Anzac Day as many servicewomen had been questioned about their participation in marches.
Members of the public automatically assumed they were representing male relatives and had failed to recognise the women were veterans themselves. Veterans wear their medals on the left and those wearing a family member’s medals must wear them on the right.
Veteran Kellie Dadds was determined to make a change, so she started the By the Left campaign which highlights the role of women in the Australian Defence Force and hopes to broaden the stereotypical image of what a veteran looks like.
Kellie is one of the many interesting Guest Speakers that we have at our meetings.

Our Guest Speaker, Kellie Dadds

2021 March International Women's Day

Bendigo  members  at  the  International  Women’s  Day  Event  staged  by  fellow  Victorian  Club  Sunbury-Macedon  Ranges.  A  meal  and  Fashion  Parade  by  Australian  company  Veducci  was  enjoyed  by  Ann  Hardy,  Sue  Rawlings,  Maxine  Burns  and  Robyn  Tickner.

Milestone Badges were presented to these Members – Ann Hardy (30 yrs) Maxine Howlett (10 yrs) and Heather Brook (20 yrs) and Michele Matthews (10 yrs) presented by Jocelyn Cato

2021 February

VIEW  Fundraising  tables  at  the  Uniting  Church  Fair

2020 NOVEMBER

After the eight-month Victorian Lockdown ended, although not able to hold meetings indoors, Club Members were able to have an Outdoor Picnic in the Botanic Gardens.

The ladies filled a table with the Crafts created during Lockdown which were sold, raising over $400 toward our fundraising for the Smith Family.

2020 DECEMBER XMAS WRAPPING

What a magnificent effort by the 34 volunteers who took up the gift- wrapping challenge at the Bendigo Marketplace raising an incredible amount. A challenge it was at times with air fryers and other large parcels being presented for wrapping! Gold coin donations flowed freely from grateful members of the public, happy to have their gifts wrapped for them and feel good about because they were supporting the Smith Family

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25 Years of VIEW in Bendigo

The Bendigo Evening VIEW Club recently celebrated its 25^th Birthday and held an enjoyable lunch at the Kangaroo Flat Sports Club. Seventy three VIEW members and guests attended, with many travelling long distances to join the celebrations.  Special guest on the day was the Mayor of Bendigo, Councillor Margaret O’Rourke.

Photo above: L-R Mayor of Bendigo, Councillor Margaret O’Rourke with Bendigo VIEW members Cheryl and Robyn

               Photo Above: The Silhouettes had our toes tapping

Photo above: Five original Bendigo VIEW members cut the cake L-R  Sunnie, Jenny, Elaine, Margaret and Sue