Page 4 - VIEW Matters magazine

Message from

The Smith Family

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate VIEW on another outstanding
year supporting disadvantaged students and their families.

s you may know, I joined The Smith That ability to transform lives is Despite these challenges, I am very
Family in August. Unfortunately, what inspired me to join The Smith excited about 2022, which will be The
A as this was during the NSW Family as CEO. Much of my working Smith Family’s Centenary year. This is a
lockdown, this has hampered my ability and volunteering life has focused on wonderful opportunity to showcase the
to meet my new team and our wonderful supporting people in need and I feel generations of support provided by The
partners, like VIEW, in person. privileged to continue this work at The Smith Family to Australian children and
Smith Family and work alongside each
However, in September, I was delighted of you. families. From my perspective The Smith
to meet with the VIEW National Family is one of Australia’s ‘National
Executive, Anne-Louise, Beryl and Jo, I have come onboard at an extremely Treasures’ and I don’t take for granted
virtually, prior to dropping in (albeit via challenging time. COVID-19 is having an the trust placed in us by the wider
adverse impact on many of the students
Zoom) to the VIEW National Council and families we support, particularly in community and our supporters, including
meeting. This was an opportunity to Victoria and New South Wales where valued partners like VIEW.
introduce myself. I was glad to be able residents have experienced long periods I’m looking forward to celebrating the
to acknowledge how VIEW members, of lockdown. Many of our families have work of VIEW’s 14,000+ dedicated
despite this year’s ongoing COVID-19 limited space for appropriate home- members who have helped us to reach
disruptions, have managed to continue based learning, as well as limited or no this milestone. We have a bright future
providing vital sponsorship to our access to the internet or technology, together and I look forward to meeting
Learning for Life students. Thank you making it difficult for them to adequately you, in person, in the not-too-distant
everyone – your support through these support their children with their learning. future!
times is very much appreciated. While we know our families are doing
their best, we also know it’s very hard Stay safe
I have always felt strongly that for them. Our staff are going above
everyone should have the opportunity and beyond to support families, but Doug Taylor
to reach their potential. I am the first in sadly, many students we support are Chief Executive Officer
my family to receive a tertiary education falling even further behind. The resolute Editorial note: See page 10 for more about Doug
and I’ve seen personally how education support of VIEW is needed now more Taylor and The Smith Family’s Chairman, Nicholas
can change lives. than ever so I thank you all. Moore.

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4 VIEW MATTERS