Bendigo Evening VIEW Club

Our Craft group enjoy what they do, and in the process, create some wonderful items to sell to help raise money which helps pay for our Learning for Life students.

At the beginning of October, they got together at Bunnings for a DIY session where they were instructed on how to make Christmas Wreaths. 

In September our most important activity of the year was our joint 30th birthday celebration together with Shepparton and Keilor. Guest speaker Alana McKindley, a former Las Vegas showgirl and model wasn’t backward in coming forward and persuaded the Presidents of the three clubs, Sue, Suzanne and Lesley along with National Councillor Janet and MC Sunnie to get into Showgirl mode!  

Accompanying photo shows MC Sunnie, President Sue, Entertainer Alana,, NC Janet, Keilor President Lesley, and Shepparton President Suzanne.

In August Members held a fundraiser movie at the local Star Cinema which included the raffle of a Pamper Hamper won by Marg, one of our Members. 

Photo of Marg holding the huge raffle prize.

Throughout the year our Club raises money at our local Bunnings Store through Barbecues and Cake Stalls.

Accompanying photo of just one of these occasions.

In May Members gathered for a tour of the Bendigo Law Courts, where we were provided with an excellent tour and explanation of the new precinct including VCAT, Country, Children’s and Koori Court.

Information was given about the architecture of the building and the significance of incorporating many natural elements. It was a very interesting tour enjoyed by all those who took part. 

In April Members enjoyed an outing to Peppergreen Farm, which is a social enterprise, located in North Bendigo. that has been developed as a tourist and employment precinct. 

The Farm provides a tourist attraction as well as being an experience to visitors and the community, school programs, environmental practices and workshops, horticulture, and a range of biodiversity activities so we were able to combine a lovely social outing while supporting a worthwhile cause with a group, that like ours, supports disadvantaged young people.

In March, Nicole, gave us some wonderful tips on how to look after our feet.  The photo shows Nicole being thanked on our behalf by Robyn!

March 2024 saw our group celebrate an early Easter by having an Easter Bonnet competition at our Dinner Meeting. First prize went to one of the leaders of our Craft Group, Bev, with her hat full of beautiful flowers and second prize was awarded to Margaret, whose hat was likened to one suitable for the Easter Bunny's bride.  

Photo L-R: Bev and Maggie

International Women's Day saw a group of our Bendigo Members attend a special event run by the Sunbury-Macedon Ranges (SMR) View Club, where we shared beautiful food, interesting guest speakers and a fashion parade with Members from several other Victorian VIEW Clubs. 

Photo L-R: Elaine from Bendigo; Judith from SMR and Kath from Keilor

We have been fortunate to have Dave Allen as our guest speaker in February. As can be seen in the accompanying photo, Dave demonstrated the finer points of the Art of Bonsai.

Shrove Tuesday saw members enjoy a wonderful, combined fundraising social event, a Pancake Day in the home of one of our members.

Marion and Bev, two of our valued Members recently received their ten year service badges in recognition of their service to VIEW.

Photo shows Janet with Marion and Bev.