Members and guests of the Cowra Inner Wheel Club recently celebrated their Changeover Luncheon at The Japanese Garden Restaurant.
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Inner Wheel is one of the largest women's voluntary service organisations in the world. Cowra member Peggy Chivers called the assembly to order and welcomed the guests.
Inner Wheel Australia Council Member Patsy Mansell from Lithgow Club was present as well as A50 District Chairman Elizabeth Tooke and husband Ian. Inner Wheel members from Blayney and Bathurst Clubs joined Cowra members on this special day.Special welcome was given to Cowra's Foundation Member Eunice Bishop of "Marandoo", Cowra.
Inner Wheel originated with members being the wives of Rotarians and so many local Rotarians were present including Cowra President Larry Walsh, Cowra Immediate Past President John Rankin and Past District Governor Peter Chivers.
President Sue Brown in giving her annual report told how the 2013-2014 International theme of "We for Women" had been fulfilled. Guest speakers were invited to tell how they had dedicated themselves to the improved well-being of people in need. Speakers included the 2014 Cowra Citizen of the Year Barbara Newham who with her CAG committee, work to improve the wellbeing of cancer sufferers.
Varied fund raising events were conducted and donations were made to five local schools, the Cowra Eisteddfod, Cowra Community Chest, Salvation Army and St Vincent's de Paul. The Cowra community gave generously to support the Street Stall held in May for the Inner Wheel National project, Coin for a Cord. A total of $2 million has now been raised Australia wide, since 2002, to fund research into the use of cord blood stem cells to cure many diseases. Leukemia was the first success and since then progress has made in the fields of auto-immune diseases, heart disease, cystic fibrosis and stroke victims.
President Sue presented the M & M Award to Sylvia Pereira, for her years of dedicated service.This award is given each year in memory of the service and dedication of Cowra's former members, the M & M s, Marie Sullivan and the late Marjorie Bassingthwaighte.
In presenting personalized photo books to her outgoing committee, Sue thanked them and the members for their enthusiasm and wonderful support throughout her year .They were friends that were special to her, friends being 'the most important ingredient in this recipe of life'.
Anne Holloway was then inducted by Sue as Cowra's 56th president and wished a very happy and successful year. Anne responded by saying it was a great honour to be elected President of Cowra Inner Wheel Club and she looked forward to the year ahead with great enthusiasm and also some trepidation.
Anne complemented Past President Sue with the words "you are an inspiring act to follow and as I think of your time as president I remember meetings efficiently run but with such an element of style, humour and fun. Members have enjoyed the meetings and come away with knowledge from the guest speaker but also uplifted by the friendship and good will of the club so exemplified by Sue".
"As president I hope I can maintain that wonderful spirit"
"In addition, I would like to be able to increase our membership because unless we have more people joining and being willing to take on the roles of leadership this precious gem in the form of Cowra Inner Wheel Club, will cease to exist.
As I combine the roles of president and International service Officer (ISO) I plan to have guest speakers with an international flavor whenever possible. I know this won't always be practicable, but we have a diversity of cultures in Cowra and by extending the hand of friendship to some of these newer members of our community, we will all be enriched.
I'm sure the year ahead will be interesting and rewarding with some challenges but with friendship and a willing membership these will be overcome. To use the words of International President, Mrs. Abha Gupta, Inner Wheel will remain vibrant and strong as long as we move forward together and "Light the Path"."
The Committee for 2014-2015 was introduced by President Anne: Past President/ Correspondence Secretary /Publicity Officer Sue Brown, Vice President and Social Convenor Diane Walsh, Treasurer Diane White, Minutes Secretary and Public Officer Beverley Bundy, Club Correspondent Beverley Rolfe, Historian Madeleine Rankin, Cord Blood Co - Coordinator Peggy Chivers, Social Committee of Jenny Kelly, Pam Boler, Sylvia Pereira and Mandy Howard.
The next meeting of Cowra Inner Wheel Club Inc. will be held in Cowra's Multipurpose room on Monday 18th August, 12 noon for 12.30. New members welcome. Contact Anne Holloway at 6345 1819 .
-Inner Wheel Club of Cowra