FOR 60 years, Swan Hill’s Inner Wheel Club has given women a place to socialise and the opportunity to make a difference in their community.
The sister organisation of The Rotary Club, Inner Wheel is a global club of women who want to take action and give back to local groups and charities.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of their formation in 1963, Inner Wheel Swan Hill is hoping they can continue their fundraising far into the future.
The club is holding a morning tea to celebrate the anniversary, at the Swan Hill Racecourse at 10.30am on May 20.
Inner Wheel Swan Hill’s secretary Lyn Ward said the club has grown since they celebrated their 50th anniversary.
“I was president back when we celebrated our 50th anniversary,” she said.
“We’ve had a lot of different members over the years. Recently we’ve had some younger members join us, which has given us all some fresh ideas.”
“Many different people have joined the club over the last couple of years, and it really opens up a whole new world for them.
“For women who have just left work and are thinking ‘What now?’ Suddenly they’re going to conferences and district meetings and travelling across the state.
“They’re given the chance to do things that they wouldn’t get the chance to if they’re just sitting at home.”
Ms. Ward said Inner Wheel members from across the district will be making the trip to Swan Hill to attend the celebrations.
“We’ve got members coming from all across our district,” she said. “We’ve also got some past members who had moved away coming back for the day. They’re all looking forward to catching up and meeting some new faces.”
“We’ll be having a bit of a mingle, and a morning tea with some entertainment.”
For Ms, Ward being a part of one of Australia’s oldest clubs fills her with pride.
“The Australian part of Inner Wheel started 90 years ago, just 10 years after the one in Manchester,” she said.
“I think we are probably the second oldest club in the district.
“There really aren’t many clubs that have continued for this long, and I think there’s only about 15 clubs across the whole country who have reached this 60-year mark.
“We have done a lot of great things over the years. We have donated money to the hospital, helped out the local cemetery. We hold garden parties, movie premieres and other fundraising events, I think we’ve probably raised over $10,000 over the years.”
The Inner Wheel club meets monthly, at 11am on every second Thursday of the month, with a light lunch provided following each meeting.
Anybody interested in joining Inner Wheel Swan Hill or wanting to attend the 60 year morning tea can contact Lyn Ward on 0402 800 086.
