IT’S time to pay tribute to a sister act.
Although it’s perceived as one of the city’s newer clubs – being formed on February 4, 1986 – the Dandenong Evening VIEW Club has a high profile on the city scene.
VIEW (which stands for Voice, Interests and Education of Women) was founded as a service to women.
In 1960, Smith Family general secretary George Forbes started up the first club in Balgowlah, NSW.
That was when women were restricted – by law and convention – in where they could go and what they could do. The club’s aim was to be an outlet for the voice and interests of these women, with a bit of entertainment.
The Smith Family believed that if women were to meet up regularly many family concerns arising from social isolation would vanish.
Obviously, the role of women has transformed since the ’60s and the word ‘entertainment’ in VIEW has been replaced by ‘education’, but these clubs are just as relevant now.
Most women need female friends, whether they’re single, married, retired, divorced, a parent, a widow, a career woman or one who works from or in the home. Women, take note: there are VIEW clubs in every state and memberships continue to grow.
You can listen to guest speakers, have a bit of entertainment and take part in special activities.
Members support the Smith Family by raising money and collecting clothing and other goods, which are given to the organisations to support battlers all over Australia.
Do get in touch with the Dandenong Evening VIEW club (95609717). It meets at the corner of Walker and Clow streets at 7pm on the first Tuesday of every month.
Talk about cash flow
Round one – and the community groups are a winner. The city has picked the recipients of some cash from the community grants kitty.
Groups can apply for up to $20,000 to help with activities and programs that benefit our residents, young and old.
Applications for this year’s final round of grants opened earlier this month and will close on September 14. Groups awarded a grant have 12 months to complete their project.
Eligibility requirements are outlined in a booklet that can be obtained from the council. You can get application forms at the council’s customer service centres and libraries or at greaterdandenong.com.
It’s also a good idea to attend information sessions on the programs and how to apply.
They run from 10am-noon on Wednesday at council offices in Springvale and 6-8pm Thursday at the Dandenong office.
Bookings are essential and organisations wishing to apply can call 92395179 to register.
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@yourweekly.com.au or post submissions
to A Moment with Marg, c/o Greater Dandenong Weekly, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
