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Celebrating 65 years of Voice,
Interests and Education of Women!
VIEW’s Blue Sapphire Anniversary is a time to reflect on VIEW’s
remarkable achievements and celebrate the ongoing impact
members have in supporting the education of students
experiencing disadvantage.
VIEW’s history By 1969, there were 134 clubs in
NSW, including 19 in regional areas.
The first VIEW Club was officially The movement continued to
inaugurated on 30 March 1960 in expand, and in 1970, Canberra
Balgowlah Heights on Sydney’s welcomed the first VIEW Club
Northern Beaches. Just three outside NSW. By the decade’s
months earlier, The Smith Family end, there were 213 clubs,
had published an advertisement and VIEW had become a
inviting housewives to step out of formidable fundraising force,
their homes and meet like-minded contributing $275,000 to The
women. The concept of VIEW came Smith Family in that year alone.
from The Smith Family’s General In the 1980s, VIEW expanded
Secretary, George Forbes, who into Victoria (1983) and
recognised that societal roles for Queensland (1986). The
women were shifting. Many wives VIEW National Convention
and mothers were feeling socially (first held in 1962)
isolated and questioning their became a key national
place in the world. At the same event, and members to
time, The Smith Family, which were raising their voices sponsor
had provided welfare support on issues affecting the students
to families since 1922, needed wider community. By supported
volunteers and fundraising support 2011, VIEW had a presence by The Smith
to continue its vital work. Forbes in every state and territory, Family, and
saw the opportunity to create a with thousands of women – members used
women’s network that fostered housewives, mothers, professionals their collective
decision-making, friendship, and retirees – joining to enrich voice to raise awareness about
knowledge sharing and confidence their lives and make a difference the importance of education
while exclusively supporting The in their communities. in breaking the cycle of
Smith Family. At a time when disadvantage. Today, VIEW is
Like many volunteer organisations,
women were largely excluded the largest community sponsor
VIEW has experienced fluctuations
from service clubs, VIEW’s focus on of Learning for Life students,
in membership numbers over the
friendship, discussion and action supporting more than 1,800
years due to changing societal
was revolutionary. young Australians.
demands on women. Some clubs
During the early 1960s, VIEW’s have closed, new ones have As VIEW celebrates 65 years,
popularity grew rapidly. Clubs opened, and others have flourished its legacy of friendship, making
opened across Sydney, and with over 100 dedicated members. connections, sharing knowledge
the organisation expanded into Despite the challenges, VIEW has and making a difference remains
regional NSW, attracting women endured, consistently supporting as vital as ever. With thousands
from all walks of life. VIEW became The Smith Family’s direction and of dedicated VIEW members
known as a place for making mission, and adapting to the continuing to support The Smith
connections and friendships, evolving needs of VIEW members. Family – and each other – VIEW
gaining skills, hearing from guest In the 1990s, when The Smith is honouring its past while also
speakers, debating issues, and Family shifted its focus from contributing to a future where
supporting and fundraising for The welfare to educational support every Australian child has the
Smith Family. Within five years, 80 for disadvantaged students, VIEW opportunity to succeed.
VIEW Clubs had been established embraced the change. Clubs
with 5,000 enthusiastic members. increased their fundraising efforts
6 VIEW MATTERS
