VIEW club zone gala day 2023

Gunnedah’s Day and Evening VIEW clubs hosted the Zones N101 and N102 gala day at Gunnedah Services & Bowling Club with a total of 55 VIEW Club members gathering for a day of business, fun and friendship.

Delegates from Tamworth Day and Evening VIEW Clubs, Tamworth Peel Evening, Glen Innes, Manilla and Narrabri clubs were welcomed by local members to the black and white themed event, with morning tea served on arrival.

Inverell, Moree Day and Evening and Coonabarabran clubs were unable to attend. The 12 zone clubs, currently sponsor 37 disadvantaged students through the Smith Family charity’s Learning for Life program with some clubs looking to increase their numbers by the end of the year.

Each table was decorated with black and white paper flowers, pearls and mirrors, black serviettes and white linen table cloths, with members also embracing the colour theme.

VIEW national advisor Sally Cronberger welcomed local Gomeroi representative James Hogbin and Lahni Griffiths, who delivered the Welcome to Country in both the native Kamilaroi language and English. James Hogbin explained what the boomerang and the Southern Cross mean to Aboriginal people and then demonstrated this by way of a song and dance using boomerangs.

Sally Cronberger and zone councillor Aletia Norman co-chaired the day with a special mention made of Mary Hollingworth from the Glen Innes Club, recognised for her volunteering roles which saw her named Local Woman of the Year on Australia Day.

Club representatives shared funny stories both true and ‘not so true’ and spoke about fundraising programs and ideas they have instigated to raise the needed funds for their students. Aletia Norman gave a report on behalf of Cindy Pearce from The Smith Family, who was unable to attend.

Delegate meetings are important as a way of sharing what is happening throughout Australia with VIEW and The Smith Family as well as what changes are being made at national office. Members were encouraged to attend National Convention in Hobart in September if possible.

Members of the national executive will soon be on the road to meet with all the clubs within the zones and encouraged as many members as possible to attend their closest meeting.

A skit from Tamworth Evening club members performing “Let’s Get Physical” from Menopause the Musical, was great cause for laughter. The final skit performed by Tamworth Peel club members ended the day with loud applause and laughter, as the hilarious marriage scene from The Vicar of Dibley series, took centre stage accompanied by the song ‘It Should Have Been Me”.  The gala was a day of fun and friendship which reflects what VIEW (Voice Interests and Education of Women) is all about.