VIEW - National Convention - The Smith Family

VIEW (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) Annual National Convention

Over 1,000 VIEW members seize the opportunity to attend Convention each year, held at different locations around Australia. Held over three days, participants are able to hear stimulating guest speakers, learn new skills, contribute to debate about issues of relevance for the future of Australia and learn more about VIEW and The Smith Family.

The social aspect of each VIEW Convention is also important; members experience the best that the host city has to offer by taking local tours and attending social functions where they meet and make friends. An important aspect of Convention is the opportunity for VIEW members to showcase their contribution in local communities to VIEW Clubs from other areas. The Annual Convention is largely organised by a skilled team of VIEW volunteers.

"For a lot of women it's the only holiday they have every year, so they form friendships and have a lot of fun"  VIEW spokeswoman Marilyn Macfarlane[1]

2010 VIEW National Convention

This year's National Convention will be held in Canberra from 17 to 19 September and will be celebrating 50 years of the women's organisation in Australia.  Speaking at the Convention is a forum of influential women from the last 50 years including Ita Buttrose, Pru Goward MP, Senator Kate Lundy, Naseema Sparks, Virginia Haussegger and Noeline Brown. They will reflect on what women have achieved in that time, whether there is anything left to achieve and what the future of women in Australia holds.

Resolutions - the Voice of VIEW

The Resolutions Process represents the 'V' in Voice, Interests and Education of Women, giving VIEW a platform to raise issues that the VIEW membership believes reflects the values of VIEW and The Smith Family.

The Resolutions process commences at the local VIEW Club level, where VIEW members research and suggest issues of national importance. From this stage, the issues are referred for debate at the National Council where National Councillors conduct a process to determine the final five Resolutions for national debate. The final five Resolutions are then referred back to Clubs for final voting.

Annual National Convention provides an open forum for members to debate publicly the final five Resolutions. This culminates in a vote by members on behalf of their Clubs, which together with the votes from members unable to attend convention, forms the end result. 

Once the resolutions have been voted upon, the VIEW leadership work to influence governments (state and federal) as well as non government organisations, leaders and interested parties to bring about the intended outcome.

2009 VIEW Resolutions

These resolutions were debated at the 2009 VIEW Annual National Convention.

1. That the Federal Government develops intervention and prevention strategies, in consultation with the community, that will address the issues surrounding domestic violence. The strategies should include funding for perpetrator rehabilitation as well as the establishment of "domestic homicide review teams" to record and research data pertaining to domestic violence related deaths.
2. That a national policy be introduced for the licensing of drivers over 75 years and that this policy involve an annual medical examination and on-road testing, with compulsory refresher driving lessons where deemed necessary before the re-issue of a driver's licence.
3. That seat belts be made compulsory for all children travelling to school or excursions on designated school buses.
4. That the Federal Government amends its criteria for the allowable deductions under the Education Tax Rebate in order to specifically include tutoring costs for curriculum subjects and tutoring related to school achievement, particularly for children with disabilities.
5. That an amendment to the Consumer Credit Code should be enacted by the Commonwealth Government (and thus passed into the law of the States and the Territories) banning the advertising of terms offering no deposit, no interest and no repayments for an extended ("honeymoon") period.

[1] page 2, The Northern Leader September 15, 2007

Learning for Life alumnus Mark Gurd and The Smith Family's Executive Director - Engaging Paul Henderson discuss the positive impact VIEW's support of the program has on disadvantaged Australian families.