VIEW Clubs of the Clarence Valley celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) at a luncheon, which was held at Bowlo Sports and Leisure Yamba, on Friday last week.
The event was the VIEW Clubs major fund raiser – The Smith Family’s “Learning for Life” programs, sponsorship of disadvantaged Australian school children. The program aims to provide them with a better education, to help turn their lives around.
The day was a double celebration as the VIEW Clubs celebrated the 60 years of VIEW Australia’s, Diamond Jubilee Anniversary.
Around 190 ladies attended the event, including 77 members from Clarence Valley VIEW Clubs – Grafton, Maclean, Yamba Day, Yamba Evening.
Also, in attendance were members representing VIEW Clubs from Woolgoolga Day and Evening Clubs and Nambucca/Macksville VIEW.
Several community groups attending included Lower Clarence United Hospital Auxiliary, Yamba Bridge Club, U3A “Little Bit of Culture” and Choir, Iluka dance group and ladies from within the community, supporting the day.
National Councillor (Northern Mid area) Elizabeth Birch was the presenter for the day with Clarence Valley Councillor Karen Toms giving the welcome and acknowledgment to Traditional Custodians.
Guest speakers on the day were:
Barbara Mahoney – Smith – Spoke on the IWD theme: “Each for Equal” and encouraged the ladies in the audience to stand and participate in the pledge and sign “Equal for Equal”.
Wendy Hunter – past National Vice President of VIEW Australia,spoke about VIEW Diamond Jubilee – 60 years of VIEW.
Prue Leggoe LLB OAM – “Dress to Impress” founder of job readiness programs for women in Australia, gave a very interesting speech that also addressed the IWD theme.
Entertainment on the day included: Iluka Community Dance group who performed two dances “Individual women” and “Lady Marmalade” as the final number for the day. The ladies who had dressed in very colourful costumes for the performance, were very well received.
Skye McKinney of Yamba sang two brackets of folk songs and had the audience crying out for more.
A video presentation by The Smith Family of two stories of past Learning for Life student’s stories, were played as well as the History of VIEW Australia and the Smith Family celebrating the 60 years of VIEW.
Leonie, from Leonie Apps Millinery, compered a fashion parade of her elegant hats and fascinators that she had made and gave an insight into what goes into making the perfect head attire.
In between the speakers and entertainment there were plenty of raffles, lucky door prizes and Tombola draws throughout the day.
Five market stalls were on display: Jewellery by Helen Smith – Grafton, Heart of Space – Maclean Women’s Apparel, Craft Items Ruth Toyer – Maclean, Sachi from Yamba with Pippi Bees wax food covers and Leonie Apps Millinery stall.
The VIEW Clubs would like to thank the following sponsors of the day: Bowlo Sports and Leisure Yamba, Yamba Lions Club, Clarence Valley Council, Bendigo Community Bank South Grafton, Yamba Florist “Flowers by Debbie May” and Monique Turner – “Weddings and Events Yamba”.
