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Hobart VIEW Club
About
Hobart VIEW Club was formed in 2011.
Currently, the Club sponsors five Smith Family Learning for Life students and is actively involved in fundraising activities to raise donations for The Smith Family programs.
We are always open to new members, so please get in touch today and come and see what it's all about.
Membership of the Club is made up of women from Hobart and environs who meet on a monthly basis on the second Wednesday evening of the month. We have dinner, followed usually by a Business meeting then a guest speaker. Our guests have ranged from a Civil Celebrant talking about her career, to a presentation by a School Principal on how The Smith Family program Learning For Life has improved life for children in her school.
Ours is a small but growing group of committed women from different walks of life, who welcome newcomers to the organisation as well as visitors from other VIEW Clubs from interstate.
We are always open to new members, so please get in touch today and come and see what it's all about.
Location
- When: Meeting Day on 2nd Wednesday each month
- Time: 5.30 pm for a 6.00 pm start
- Where: at the Black Buffalo Hotel
- Cost:: a la carte from extensive pub menu. Choice also includes $17 seniors meal package for 2 courses.
- Address: 14 Federal Street, North Hobart TAS 7000
History of Hobart VIEW Club
Members are in the process of compiling the History of Hobart VIEW Club. This is an ongoing project, but please click here to read chapters 1 and 2
Club News
Meet Our 2025 Committee
Our Annual General meeting was held on Wednesday 12th February 2025, and the new Committee is shown below.
Back row L-R: Jane (President), Barb (Publicity), Yvonne (Publicity), Ann (Correspondence Secretary), Sue (Publicity and Treasurer), Fiona (Agendas & Minutes), Carol (Vice President), Deb (Agendas & Minutes), and Tanya (Publicity).
Front row: Liz (Treasurer), and Lee (Agendas & Minutes)
Celebrating 65 Years of VIEW
On Saturday 15th of March, 2025, our Club celebrated the 65th Anniversary of the foundation of VIEW Clubs in Australia by The Smith Family.
The RACV hotel in Collins Street, Hobart was the venue for our celebration. The hotel generously provided the room for free, as well as extra food. The room was decorated by some of our talented Members:
As can be seen by the accompanying photo, our speakers spoke to a full house.
Speakers at the 65th Anniversary
Unfortunately our President (and her husband) were absent from the event due to illness; however Vice President, Carol was able to step into the role.
Other speakers included Lesley MacKay, The Smith Family General Country Manager for Tasmania, who spoke about the work of the TSF in Tasmania and Clair, who presented the Acknowledgements. to Lesley.
Guest Speaker Cassandra
The celebration took the form of a Literary Afternoon Tea. Our guest speaker was well-known author and historian, Cassandra Pybus.
Cassandra has recently published two books on Tasmanian history; Truganini – Journey through the apocalypse, a biography of Truganini probably the last Tasmanian Aboriginal, and A Very Secret Trade, the story of the scientists and collectors, local and world-wide, who traded in body parts of Tasmanian Aboriginals.
Cassandra was presented with a bottle of wine from the local Stefano Lubiana winery. Photo L-R: Carol (Vice President and Chair), Yvonne (Publicity), and guest speaker Cassandra Pybus.
January 2025 Annual Memorial Lunch
In January of each year for the past few years, our club has met for lunch to celebrate the lives of Members who have passed away and their contribution to our Club. This year the celebration was held at The Boathouse, Cornelian Bay – delicious food, great views, and lots of laughter and conversation.
Remembering Michelle and Winsome
Former Members Michelle Fish who served our Club as a Publicity Officer, and Winsome Badman, our birthday lady, who introduced the idea of presenting flowers grown in her garden, to members celebrating a birthday. Winsome had been a member of VIEW for around 50 years.
December 2024 Guest Speakers
President Jane welcomed Lesley Mackay (General Manger, Tasmania, TSF), and Antony Giannini (Regional Programs Manager, Tasmania, TSF) to our December meeting. Both Antony and Lesley spoke to our meeting about changes that have occurred in the management of TSF programs in Tasmania.
Photo L-R: Antony Giannini (Programs Manager, TSF); President, Jane; and Lesley Mackay (Manager, Tasmania – TSF).
Special Things in Our Lives
At our September meeting, we were invited to bring along something that was important to us and tell the other attendees why it was significant. Some Members wore special rings, another had a large collection of key rings. No matter how varied, all the items held a special place in their owners’ hearts.
Here are just a few:
- Liz: an old flat iron. My mother and I would visit antique shops when I was in my early teens. This was my first purchase, a miniature flat iron.
- Lee: a locket from her mother Lee and her sisters were each presented with a locket with their name engraved on the front.
- Yvonne:This walking stick is made from whale bone – known as scrimshaw. It has been in my husband’s family for many years and may have been carved by a Captain Pybus -a whaling ship captain who owned the original land grant at Bull Bay, Bruny Island. The property was later farmed by my in-laws. The stick was repaired after my husband’s grandfather hit his dog with the stick, to make the dog behave! “
- Carol: showed a lithograph of Port Issac in Cornwall completed in 1925. She purchased the art work in 1974. This scene was exactly the same in 1974 and again on a subsequent trip in 2010, following the filming of the television series Doc Martin which was filmed in the village.
- Sally:an old Christmas Card, dated 1918 This postcard was sent to my grandparents in 1918. They lived in Adelaide. It was dated the 12th of October of that year, so may have come from overseas. My mother was only one year old at the time.
May 2024 with The Smith Family
Vice-President, Carol, welcomed Lesley Mackay (General Manager for The Smith Family, Tasmania) and Anne Hampshire, Head of Research and Advocacy for The Smith Family to the meeting.
Anne spoke to Members and guests about her recently released research in conjunction with the Tasmanian Department of Education.
Photo L-R: Anne, Carol and Lesley
May 2024 Guest Speaker
Guest speaker, Donna Wright spoke about her work as the Coordinator for the Moving on Independent Living program for 20 years with the Kennerley Kids Organisation. The organisation provides out of home care services to children and young people aged 0-22, in Southern Tasmania.
Photo L-R: Donna with Publicity Officer, Yvonne.
Friendship Day 2024
What a wonderful afternoon Members and friends had for their Friendship Day at the Hobart Tea Rooms.
As can be seen in the photo. the room was filled to capacity at 26 with 13 non-members supporting our club.
Friendship 2024 Continues
We aim for these days to focus on friendship and connection not fundraising. Such a feast and generous lucky door prizes of tea and tea cups donated by Lily and Ron, the proprietors. Many will spread the word and return for sure.
Thanks to member Gianna for suggesting the venue and helping in the kitchen!
Welcoming New Members
President Jane Kerin presented new member packs to Dee and Gianna. Welcome to the Club ladies!
Birthday Celebrated
One of our founding members, Bev, celebrated her June birthday at our meeting on Wednesday 14th of June. Flowers were presented by Barb Hayes in the absence of Winsome who was an apology for the meeting.
