Members of 14 Voice, Interests and Education of Women (VIEW) Clubs came together at Mittagong RSL on May 11, for a gala luncheon, where they socialised and fundraised for The Smith Family.
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More than 15,000 VIEW Clubs members across Australia sponsor about 1500 students through the charity's Learning for Life program, which assists families and provides children with school essentials.
The clubs present, which make up the NB district, raised more than $83,000 for 75 Learning for Life students in the last financial year.
Clubs such as the Southern Highlands Evening (SHE) VIEW Club, get creative when it comes to fundraising, such as doing fashion parades.
"We do morning teas, get togethers at member's places, and different fundraisers," said SHE VIEW Club President Val Bunyan.
The Smith Family's CEO Doug Taylor thanked all of the women present for their support and said it was critical to work together.
He talked about the charity's goal to go from supporting 58,000 students to 100,000 in the next five years, and the importance of internet and technology access.
"You've got to have that digital access for young people to have the same opportunities as their peers," he said.
The Smith Family's head of state and territory operations Leonie Green estimated about 25 per cent of students do not have digital access, and has heard stories of families going to school car parks and McDonalds' for Wi-Fi connections.
Learning for Life scholarship recipient Margaret also spoke about the "life-changing ways" the scholarships and the charity's mentoring programs helped her through school, and university.
"It goes to show if you help and lift someone up," the university student said.
"They (recipients) have gone on to [have] great successes," said the national councillor for the NB district Sandra Jankovskis.
Attendees enjoyed a three course meal, raffle prizes and purchased items from stalls which donated sales back to The Smith Family.
Chevalier college students Ethan Lucock, Tannah Warner, Amelia Lester and Micaela Perinich also performed six musical items at the luncheon.
Women in the Highlands can join the SHE VIEW Club, who meet on the second Monday of the month at Mittagong RSL at 7pm.
They can call Wendy on 0414 451 271, email southernhighlands.viewclub@gmail.com for more information, or join the Southern Highlands VIEW Club Facebook group.
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