Branxton Day VIEW Club

On 13th August our Club celebrated their 38th birthday with a lunch at the Greta Workers Club.  President Anne-Louise welcomed 84 members and friends including members from Cessnock, Maitland, Myall River and Tilligerry VIEW Clubs, the President of the Greta Workers Club Greg Olive and his wife Cheryl and community supporters attending this special day. Anne-Louise also took the opportunity to thank Greg and the Greta Workers Club for the support they continue to give to our club.

In closing Anne-Louise thanked IGA Branxton for their donation of a very generous Lucky Door prize of a fruit and vegetable box, for members making all the lovely home-cooked morning tea and the work they did in getting this day together.  As always, the day was full of friendship, laughter and fun.

Our next big event will be our Fashion Parade at the Branxton Community Hall on Monday 21st September.  For more information contact Sandie on 0407 787 487

Accompanying photo of just some of visiting VIEW Club Members

Assistant Secretary Bethany presented Catherine and Lindsay with their 20 year badges and Helen with her 10 year badge. 

While Janette, Trish, Denise and Debbie (pictured with President Anne-Louise) were presented with their badges as new members of Branxton VIEW Club. 

Anne-Louise read a short story from a former Learning for Life student who was so appreciative of the support received during her school years through the program.  She also thanked all present for their support over the years which has enabled our Club to support 9 Learning for Life students.

Assistant Secretary, Jane, took us on a trip down memory lane with many events that had happened during 1988.  She even showed the original telegram (pictured) from VIEW National Office congratulating Branxton on the formation of our club.

Guest speaker, Madeleine Banister who had driven from Canberra especially for the event, went to school at both Telarah, Rutherford and then Newcastle University, gave a very interesting and inspirational talk about her working journey and the jobs she has had since leaving school and now working in Canberra. 

Madeleine explained how, over the years, women have come to have their own power, be recognised for whom they are and what they have, as women, can achieve and be grateful for what we have. Madeleine spoke, briefly, about some of the fields she has worked on such as Bio-diversity, climate change, UN and other interesting topics.

Accompanying photo of Madeleine with Jane.

The first of our major fundraisers was held on 18 May 2026 being a fashion parade with fashions from Donna Lou Fashions a mobile fashion company who also supports our VIEW Club with a percentage of their sales donated to go towards our Learning for Life students.

Held at the local Branxton Community Hall we are very grateful to Helen, the caretaker of the hall who donated her time to set up the hall for us.

This year 80 people attended with members from our Club and the local community.  Also attending were 20 from Singleton Partners of Veterans.  Lunch was soup and rolls as well as a grazing platters on each table. Slices, made by our members, was also for sale as well as raffle prizes which were all donated.

Whilst it was a long day for our 34 members it was worth all the hard work with all proceeds going to our eight Learning for Life students from primary through to senior school.  A big thank you to everyone for your efforts in helping to make it such a successful day for our Club.

The Branxton, Denman and Muswellbrook VIEW Clubs combined to hold a very successful International Women’s Day luncheon at Greta Workers Club on Monday the 9th March 2026.

Over 70 attended which included Members from Maitland, Bel Air, Myall River, Denman, Muswellbrook and Branxton Clubs along will 40 members of the local community. We were very privileged to have Angie Carroll, one of our National Vice Presidents in attendance, give the opening address which set the tone for the inspiring speakers, basing her address on the theme of  Balance the Scales.

Please see Inspiring Speakers item below.  All in all a very successful and inspiring day.

The keynote address was given by Marny Cringle who spoke of her horrendous experience and injuries suffered after being dragged under a train in the London underground in 1996.  Giving up was never a choice for Marny and it was through her resilience, adaptability and determination she has gone on to be a successful writer, sports person and inspirational speaker. By her example Marny has used her experiences to, “think about how small steps can help you to get started, provide opportunities to learn/adjust, and create the big outcomes you desire”.  (quote from her book).  Marny’s talk reflected on the theme Balance the Scales’ by addressing justice for all regardless of gender and disability.

Our second guest speaker was Peree Watson, Singleton Councillor.  Peree spoke of her life growing up in Branxton , raising a family , becoming a single parent and now entering the world of politics in Australia. Her talk addressed the theme “Balance the Scales” in many ways, but especially in reference to domestic violence having worked for a time with the organisation Got Your Back Sister, to the gender gap closure in the Labor party in Australia.

Sarah Bennett, daughter–in-law of the well know Australian author, Liz Byrski was our third guest speaker.  Sarah spoke of Liz’s life and her foray into writing , especially books of a certain genre (ie. Women of a more mature age) that she felt was missing on shelves of book stores and libraries.

On February 12, 2026 our Club held their Annual General Meeting and were thrilled to get a full Committee.  Our Club comprises 33 fun, friendly members sponsoring 8 Learning for Life students.  As well as having interesting guest speakers throughout the year they also have friendship days and hold two fashion parades each year. 

On March 9, 2026 Branxton we will be holding an International Women’s Day luncheon in conjunction with Denman and Muswellbrook VIEW Clubs. 

At the AGM Judy brought along three beautiful blooms from the VIEW Clubs 50th Anniversary Rose, which can be seen in the accompanying photo.