By CASEY NEILL
DANDENONG Evening VIEW Club is welcoming women from all walks of life to help those who are less fortunate.
VIEW stands for Voice, Interests and Education of Women and the club empowers women to have their voices heard on issues that are important to Australia’s future wellbeing.
The organisation also fund-raises and volunteers for The Smith Family to help Australian children in need reach their full potential through education.
“The sad story is that 10 per cent of Australian children live without the basic education and support they need,” Dandenong Evening VIEW Club publicity officer Brigitte Billimoria said.
The club is using Seniors Week, 5 to 12 October, as an opportunity to celebrate its older members’ contributions.
Retiree Shirley Constantine has been a Dandenong Evening VIEW Club member since 1985 and said she’d found it hugely rewarding.
“Not just in terms of the impact we have through our fund-raising or by volunteering in Smith Family education programs and working directly with children in need but also through the lifelong friendships I’ve been able to establish,” she said.
“With many VIEW members being older Australians, we have a bit more time up our sleeves to commit ourselves to these activities.
“I enjoy every minute of it. It’s a way of giving back to students who are doing it tough. It gives them other options.”
But Ms Constantine said VIEW wasn’t just for older women.
“While many of our members are retirees, we’re always looking for women from all backgrounds and ages to join us,” she said.
“Growing our membership is really important to VIEW so we can continue our volunteer work with The Smith Family and support local children and families.”
Members read with children to advance their literary skills and help them with homework at Smith Family Learning Clubs.
They act as mentors for students, make library bags, donate school stationery packs and donate funds for toys and books for children in need at Christmas.
Dandenong Evening VIEW Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm at the Dandenong RSL for dinner and a guest speaker.
Phone Dandenong Evening VIEW Club president Dianne Black on 9703 2516 for more information.
