President Margaret introduced and welcomed Area AA national councillor Jan Roberts, zone councillor AA02 Marilynne Weston, Learning for Life Family Partnership Coordinator Robyn Seager and LfL mother Melissa and Jo-ann Fitzsimmons from Leisure Link. A special welcome was extended to Maryanne Graham, Ellen Silvester and Kaye Anderson and to past GDVC president Pat Delaney who was accompanied by daughter Natasha.

NC Jan thanked all members for the invitation to attend our IWD and informed us the Area AA Gala will be held on May 19 at the Helenic Club, Woden ACT. This will be a great day with plenty of variety, a debate, a fashion parade, a raffle and lots more. Special guest speaker will be Toni Thomas, national vice president, VIEW Clubs of Australia. A day for all VIEW members and friends to attend and enjoy.

Robyn Seager appraised members and guests of the four new primary schools that have come on board with Goulburn LfL: Bradfordville, Goulburn North, Goulburn South and Wollondilly. 

These will join Goulburn High and Mulwaree High along with Goulburn West and Goulburn Public covering two secondary and six primary schools in Goulburn. This will mean that a further 300 students can be covered under the LfL program in Goulburn. The advertisement for a Program Coordinator for Goulburn will soon be noted and once filled Robyn can resume the role of Family Partnership Coordinator and will not have to cover both positions. In 2016 the State Government gave $48 million to help with LfL. This means that 24,000 students are able to be recruited for the program.

Melissa, a LfL family mother, has for the past two years been assisted under the LfL program. Melissa said that this sponsorship has helped with school items, stationary, books and school bags etc. Melissa thanked Robyn who has been available no matter what the reason and giving knowledge of services available for Melissa’s family needs. Melissa thanked all present for their support of the LfL program, which helps to support her and her family as well as many others like Melissa who need help. 

VIEW Clubs of Australia support The Smith Family, a national independent children’s charity, helping young Australians in need to participate fully in their education, so they can create a better future for themselves.

Jo-ann Fitzsimmons from Leisure Link has worked there for the past 15 years. This service provides peer support and social activities through the McDermott Centre for clients aged 18 to 45 years with mild to moderate disability.

Leisure Link provides individuals and families with options for children and adults with disabilities to do different things. Newsletters are second monthly and outline different events that are happening during that time frame and two to three times a year all contribute to plan a program of what they would like to see happen and places to go: concerts and shows, holidays away, Saturday Fun Club, Thursday Girls Group with craft, tea and cooking etc, after Easter there will be a Boys Group starting. There is also sports training being held in Canberra with the view to having representation at the next Special Olympics.

Funding is made available from the State Government; however, since the introduction of the NDIS some funding has diminished as the service users have had this built into their payments to cover their individual needs and choices. Referrals can come from anywhere: individuals, families, friends, schools etc.

Jo-ann concluded her talk with a power point slide show showing the different types of activities and places that Leisure Link provide for individuals who access this service.

Robyn, Melissa and Jo-ann answered questions from members and guests and were presented with a gift in appreciation by Joan Scott.

Vale Fiona Harvey: members were advised of the death of Fiona Harvey on February 27. Fiona had been a member of GDVC for the past 13 years. Members were asked to remember Fiona with a celebration of her life, a wonderful lady, a friend and VIEW member who had left us with special memories to cherish. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Don and her family.

Our GDVC program for 2017 has been completed and we have a comprehensive list of guest speakers and social day activities for all to partake in. Please see Wendy for your copy if you have not received it. 

Invitations have been received from Cooma Day for their 30th Birthday, Canberra City Evening for their Games Day and Western Creek for their Champagne Brunch. More information for these events will be available in your April Newsletter.

The next Goulburn Day VIEW Club meeting will take place on Thursday, April 6 and Margaret O’Neill OAM will be our guest speaker. RSVP to Margaret Gooch, 4822 1859, by April 3.

Goulburn Day VIEW Club meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Goulburn Soldiers Club. If anyone would like to join us for our Luncheons or for further information on Goulburn Day VIEW Club please contact Margaret on 4822 1859 or visit view.org.au.