We thoroughly enjoyed our guest speaker, retired Lieutenant Colonel Susan Lumsdaine, who has had a most challenging and interesting life, spending 20 years in the Australian Defence Force as an Army Reserve Nursing Officer and later as a doctor in the Regular Army and Medical Corps, before retiring in 2016.

Susan now does locum work in rural areas and has spent five years as a doctor in Darwin and three months in East Timor.

She also spent time in Padang during the earthquakes in the mobile hospital tent clinic and three months in Pakistan checking the women and children in monsoon flood-affected areas. Members were absolutely awed by her story.

VIEW members were invited to sew library bags for Bellingen Primary School. Thirty-eight bags were made which is fantastic, with more to come.

A Soup and Slice Day with whist will be held on May 1. If you would like to attend please ring Anne Hickey on 66558674 or Anne Epstein on 66559073 for further information.

VIEW Clubs welcome The Smith Family's newest ambassador, Australian of the Year, Dr Craig Challen.