VIEW Clubs celebrate 50 years of service to the community

VIEW (Voice, Interests and Education of Women ) Clubs of Australia is a nationwide self-governed women’s organisation formed in 1960 by The Smith Family. From a single club in Sydney with just 10 members, VIEW has grown over the past 50 years into a network of 21,000 women and 400 clubs stretching across every state and territory in Australia.

At a time when women were excluded from service clubs and discouraged from voicing opinions, VIEW encouraged women in the 1960s to voice their opinions on gender inequality and a range of other issues of concern to women, their families and local communities.

“In the 1960s VIEW offered women the chance to get out of the home, meet with like-minded women and contribute to their communities via VIEW’s association with The Smith Family,” said VIEW National Manager Maryanne Maher.

“In 2010 the status of women is a world away from that of the 60s, yet VIEW has remained relevant as a result of the network it offers women; the friendship, sense of self-worth and empowerment it provides via continued commitment to community and the aims of The Smith Family.”

VIEW Clubs of Australia will celebrate 50 years of service to women and the community this Tuesday, 30th March 2010 with a morning tea hosted by the Governor of New South Wales, Marie Bashir at Government House.

Following the morning tea at Government House in Sydney, Vice Regal Receptions will be staged in other capital cities throughout the year, with celebrations culminating in the VIEW National Convention in Canberra in September 2010. This event will bring together more than 1,000 VIEW members and female dignitaries.

“The VIEW 50th anniversary will give us the chance to not only recognise past achievements, but also look to the future of VIEW and continue to grow and evolve to suit a modern world,” said Ms Maher.

VIEW’s 50th Anniversary celebrations will also include a travelling road show whereby the National Manager and members of the National Executive will visit VIEW clubs across the country.

VIEW members contribute in excess of 50,000 hours of volunteering and raise more than $1.2 million for The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program every year, contributing to the learning potential of more than 600 disadvantaged Aussie kids.

This year members will focus on establishing new objectives for the next 50 years, connecting with new female audiences in communities around the country and finding new ways to engage with the work of The Smith Family.

Women of all ages are encouraged to become involved in VIEW. For more information call 1800 805 366 or visit the website www.thesmithfamily.com.au/view.