The regular monthly March meeting invited well-known local and ex-pharmacist Trish Thatcher as guest speaker.

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“As a tribute to International Women’s Day, Trish spoke about some women who had inspired her, in particular her mother, who urged all her children to demand respect and abhor violence,” VIEW Publicity Officer Lois McShane told NOTA.

“Trish described her upbringing with eight siblings, her education, and her journey to retirement in Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens – her talk was often funny, sometimes poignant, but always interesting.”

The VIEW Club also began its social outings, traditionally on the third Friday of the month, with the an enjoyable evening get-together by the river in ANZAC Park, Tea Gardens, where, despite the day having been unpleasantly hot, those brave members and partners who attended had an enjoyable evening cooled by a breeze off the river.

The March outing saw members have an hilarious morning at the Raymond Terrace ten-pin bowling alley, followed by lunch at the Lakeside Tavern.

“Some members saw their bowling balls knock only a few pins, some ended up in the gutters, some missed altogether, but some had great strikes,” Lois related, reflecting on the wildly different outcomes that, in and of themselves, were secondary to the social value of the outing.

The local VIEW Club has also reaffirmed its close connection with The Smith Family’s charitable works.

“Last year, The Smith Family reached more than 57,000 children under five-years-old participating in early-years programs, more than 47,000 primary school students, almost 56,000 secondary students and over 1,500 tertiary students across every Australian state and territory, and of the sponsored students, 23.9 percent (or over 15,000) in 2022-23 identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people,” Myall River VIEW President Hilary Gall told NOTA.

“We have all been hit by the rising cost of living, whether it’s power prices, food, rent or petrol, but these rises have had an even greater impact on those already doing it tough, which is why it is so important that we endeavour to help children experiencing disadvantage with their education.

“Myall River VIEW Club has been sponsoring students for 26 years and last year, supported the education of eight students through the Learning for Life program, ensuring they have what they need for their schooling.

“As of December 31, 2023, this local club has contributed more than $6,300 to The Smith Family, and this year the club will support nine students, having just added a little six-year-old girl called Phoebe from Tasmania.

“Our other students come from Western Australia (two), NSW (three), South Australia (one), and Victoria (two).”

In addition to its ongoing support of The Smith Family, Myall River VIEW Club invites guest speakers to the monthly luncheons, the speaker at the May luncheon will be Margie Abbott, a New Zealand businesswoman best known as the wife of Tony Abbott, the 28th Prime Minister of Australia.

Social events are also organised for the luncheons with the 27th Birthday Luncheon in July hosting a fashion parade which will be the major fundraiser for the year.

By Thomas O’KEEFE