Mary Deakin receives national honour for growing WA Voice, Interests and Education of Women community
By Madelin Hayes,View Club
Copyright thewest
South West community advocate Mary Deakin has received national recognition for her leadership in expanding the Voice, Interests and Education of Women (VIEW) Club movement across Western Australia.
Ms Deakin, past president of the Capes VIEW Club in Dunsborough and current WA zone councillor, was awarded the national president’s award at the September 5-7 VIEW National Convention in Brisbane, attended by more than 550 delegates from across the country.
The award acknowledged her contribution to growing the club in WA, including her instrumental role in establishing the Busselton branch.
“I was absolutely gobsmacked,” Ms Deakin said. “VIEW is a national women’s organisation with around 14,000 members, so to be recognised at that level is incredibly humbling.”
The club is a network of volunteer-led clubs supporting the work of national children’s education charity The Smith Family.
“VIEW Clubs were established 65 years ago by The Smith Family as a women’s group, because women in the 60s did not have an outlet outside the home,” Ms Deakin said.
“Once you got married and you had children, you were more or less stuck at home. So, they decided that it would be nice to have an organisation where women get outside the house, speak to one another, make friends, while also supporting The Smith Family.”
The Capes VIEW Club currently sponsors 10 disadvantaged students through the Learning for Life program.
Ms Deakin’s involvement with VIEW began when she was invited to a meeting by a friend’s mother. “I went along, and that was it,” she said.
Looking ahead, VIEW continues to grow in the South West, with plans under way to establish a new club in Bunbury.
“We need at least 25 members to get started, and we’re keen to connect with women in Bunbury who want to be part of something meaningful,” Ms Deakin said.
VIEW Clubs across Australia will celebrate their 65th anniversary in 2025, with a major event planned in Perth.
Those looking to join the Bunbury VIEW Club can get in touch with Ms Deakin on 0427 335 158.
