Portarlington local elected VIEW national president

A LEADING women’s national volunteer organisation that takes care of more than 300 communities nationwide and sponsors more than 1,400 disadvantaged students has named a new president for 2022-23.

Portarlington resident, Margaret Woodhouse, was elected national president of the Voice, Interests and Education of Women (VIEW) Clubs of Australia, a national organisation for women with over 15,000 members supporting students through their primary, secondary, and tertiary education.

“It is a massive honour to be elected the president of VIEW,” Ms Woodhouse said.

“It’s a great organisation for women who are on their own in particular and the support we give each other is amazing. It is like we have been friends forever and we are there for each other.

“The position comes with a large amount of responsibility, but I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Ms Woodhouse’s key roles as president will entail working with The Smith Family, an independent charity helping children make the most out of their education and guiding the numerous VIEW clubs across the country to work together to engage the community and remain prominent in the public eye.

The Bellarine resident has had a long-standing relationship with VIEW ever since joining a group based in Ocean Grove back in 2012, continuing her philosophy of giving back to her local community as a former teacher.

“It fitted in with everything I stand for,” Ms Woodhouse said.

“I was moving into the Bellarine Peninsula at the time, and it was also a great way for me to make friends and to meet new people. Now I’ve got friends everywhere.”

Ms Woodhouse has aided clubs on the Bellarine Peninsula and in Geelong to raise funds in sponsoring a total of 44 students to improve their education to date.

Local VIEW clubs in the region also donate to the Winter Appeal and The Toy and Book Christmas Appeal. Joyspreader charity gifts and educational support programs are also purchased for the children from the funds local VIEW clubs raise.

COVID-19 has put a dampener on things over the last two years according to Ms Woodhouse, but the organisation has remained strong.

Currently Ms Woodhouse remains a member of both the Ocean Grove Evening and Point Lonsdale VIEW Clubs.

For more information on what role VIEW plays across Australia head to its website at view.org.au.