The club’s longest serving member, Gwen Lever, was among them.

Mrs Lever said she enjoyed the friendships and helping people.

“It’s a day out – you meet all your friends and have a good chat,” she said.

Her membership has spanned 48 years.

Mrs Lever said some of the club’s activities over the years included collecting clothes, running street stalls and collecting toys for children at Christmas.

VIEW is a women's national volunteer organisation.

Women from all walks of life meet regularly, establish lasting friendships and help disadvantaged Australian children through supporting the work of The Smith Family.

The Port Macquarie Day VIEW Club had its inaugural luncheon at Clifton.

Port Macquarie Day VIEW Club vice-president Dawn Sage said an excellent attendance of 75 women made the luncheon a great success.

“Our first guest speaker was Alderman Adams with guests from the newly-formed Taree club and women from Wauchope and Camden Haven areas,” she said.

“Babysitters were organised as many women still had young children.”

In the past, members collected clothes, bought and dressed dolls and had trading tables, winter appeals and toy appeals.

The club, some 50 years later, helps The Smith Family by supporting Learning for Life children with certain aspects of their schooling.

VIEW clubs (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) have reached a milestone of 1200 sponsored Learning for Life students this year.

More than 16,000 women belong to VIEW across the country.

Port Macquarie Day VIEW Club president Joan Field said members had lots of fun and lots of lasting friendships.

VIEW members from as far as Taree to South West Rocks and Kempsey attended the 50^th birthday celebration at Port Macquarie Panthers.

The Port Macquarie Day VIEW Club has 45 members.