Founded in 1968, the Kiama VIEW Club has been a figurehead for empowering local women and community.

With over 13,000 members nationally and active in approximately 280 communities, VIEW Clubs are the largest community sponsor of The Smith Family’s ‘Learning for Life’ program.

Kiama VIEW Club publicity officer Marie Coughlan explained that through their fundraising efforts, they provide much-needed support to the Learning for Life program.

“We’ve got two students, and we are with them from primary school through to high school,” she said. 

“Because most of these kids are disadvantaged, either living with grandparents, single mothers or fathers that are working full-time.

“We hear from The Smith Family that they are requesting more library bags, or they need more warm blankets, so we will all knit, sew, crochet, and send it off.

“It’s all us volunteering our time and to see that these kids benefit. Not only did we raise enough to support their school costs, but we had enough to send to the Winter Appeal for The Smith Family.”  

While The View Club does not know the particulars of the child they are supporting, the group does hear from the sponsored children. 

“We do get feedback on how they are doing and that comes from The Smith Family,” Coughlan said.

“They write back to us and say, thank you for my birthday voucher or thank you for my Christmas voucher.”

When the children finish their schooling, another child is allocated to the VIEW Club for sponsorship.

The Kiama View Club members meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month at Kiama Leagues Club at 12:30pm and is always looking for new members.

“First off, we’ll have lunch together, just to touch base with everyone and how they are doing,” Coughlan said.

“Then we have a lucky door prize where we all get a raffle ticket.

“We also talk about what our next fundraising is or read letters from Smith Family children.”

With regular meetings, VIEW Clubs help members establish lasting friendships, attend social activities, form new skill sets and give them the opportunity to contribute to better life outcomes for Australian children and young people in need.

VIEW is the acronym for Voice, Interests, and Education of Women and was founded by charity organisation The Smith Family in 1960.

VIEW Clubs are a non-religious and non-political organisation.

For more information head to https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/view-clubs/find-a-club/nsw/kiama-view-club.