INNER WHEEL and THE INNER WHEEL CLUB of HERVEY BAY INC                          

Inner Wheel had its beginnings in Manchester, England on 10^th January 1924, when Mrs. Margarete Golding presided over a club formed by wives of Rotarians.   This club was the first to bear the name INNER WHEEL.   The anniversary of this meeting is celebrated each year as World Inner Wheel Day.   The name Inner Wheel was chosen to describe the connection with the Rotary Wheel with the smaller wheel contained therein.

Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, was the first Club to be chartered outside of Great Britain and Ireland.    By 1967 Inner Wheel Clubs had been formed in many parts of the world and International Inner Wheel was formed.   Today Inner Wheel extends to five continents and is one of the largest women’s organisations in the world.   In the UN, IIW holds the highest available status to NGO’s.   IIW has held consultative status since 1973.

THE AIMS and OBJECTS of INNER WHEEL are:

1. To promote true friendship.

2. To promote the ideals of personal service.

3. To foster international understanding.

                                                                                                 MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, widows and partners of Rotarians and lady Rotarians.   Step-families of Rotarians are included.   Those who have been members of Rotaract are also eligible.   There is no upper age limit.   A member may visit any other Inner Wheel club in the world.

                                                                                                    STRUCTURE

Club meetings are generally monthly.   Clubs are grouped into Districts, the Districts form Inner Wheel Australia.   Each country with one or more districts may elect a representative to serve on the Board of International Inner Wheel.

                                                                                                     CHARITIES

International Inner Wheel is currently (2006-2009) supporting UNICEF Education for Girls.

Inner Wheel Australia is supporting (2001-2010) Cord Blood Research, with over $1 million raised to date and 17 Research Grants allocated.   The Inner Wheel Club of Hervey Bay Inc. since charter in June 2006, has donated to Cord Blood Research through the sale of merchandise and through the Banana Bender Beach Fashion Parade, August 2007.   At A77 District level our current project is the Forget-Me-Not Foundation.   Through our governing bodies charities are voted upon at the respective IIW, IWA and District conferences.

Locally clubs may make their own selections, as a one-off or on a continuous basis.

1. The Inner Wheel Club of Hervey Bay Inc. has donated to the Look Good/Feel Better Program towards the purchase of wigs.  (September 2007)

2. Through the USQ , Hervey Bay Campus, we will be giving a $200 Bursary; each year for the next 3 years. (2008-2010)   This Bursary will be in the form of Book Vouchers to a Second Year Nursing Student, who is supporting a family.

3. In March 2008 we donated, through St Stephens Hospital, towards a proposed Lymphatic Mapping Device, for use with breast cancer patients in the Maryborough-Hervey Bay area.

4. With generous support from Dew Drop Inn, we have a beautiful patchwork quilt to raffle during 2008 with proceeds to support our preferred local charities.

5. For Christmas we prepared Pamper Packs, donating them to WE CARE 2 – in lieu of personal gifts.

6. Friendship Day, 10^th January 2008, presentation to first baby born at HB General Hospital.

                                                                                                          FUTURE

By encouraging improved educational and health opportunities for women, Inner Wheel provides the key to an enhanced future for women, their families and communities.

                                                Marilyn Bennetts   President  (2007-2008)   Phone. (07)4124-1868/ dbennetts@bigpond.com