This year the Orange Evening View Club will be celebrating 40 years with a celebration to be had in May.

As the Orange Evening View was inaugurated as a club in 1981, they are now putting a call out for past members to hear and share each other’s stories and experiences.

Evening View is a group of women who gather once a month to support The Smith Family. They raise money to go directly to The Smith Family but more importantly they support students from under privileged homes.

The club currently support five students, just this year and over the past 11 years, they have supported 11 students through school; seven of these have graduated year 12, and some students have gone onto University, often being the first person in their family to ever attend tertiary education. When a student is on the Smith Family program the whole family is supported and helped to improve their circumstances.

2021 Committee member, Anne-Maree Davis explained, “There are over 300 view clubs across Australia and together they are supporting over 1400 students and their families. There are many children in Orange being supported by The Smith Family. We are immensely proud to help these children and their families.

“As a Club we are supporting our National President in April,” continued Anne Maree. “We will be hosting a luncheon at the Ex- Services Club for all View Club members to attend, we will also be hosting a fashion parade with beautiful clothes from a local store, Black Pepper. It is going to be an exciting time for us!”

The club meet once a month at the Ex-Services Club for a meal and short meeting. “We usually have an interesting speaker or evening of frivolity. Each member pays for the meal and gives a donation to support the students.”

Orange Evening View has been able to send over $6,000 to the Smith Family, mostly raised through meetings with raffles, trading tables, jam and book sales, and outings such as a morning tea, luncheons, or a movie.

“During 2020; during COVID-19, we had 76 incredibly supportive members enabling us to continue support supporting our Children,” said Anne Maree.

“We are always looking for women from all backgrounds and ages to join us and we hope to welcome some new faces at our next monthly meeting.”

Wendy Redden, Michelle Holland, Louise Eggleston; President, Yvonne Walker, Liz Saunders, Election Chairperson – Bev Holland, Carole Thompson, Rohanne Tiefel, Jane Bryant, Anne-Maree Davis, Anne Field Janelle Gibson, and Julianne Grant.