Recent luncheon to celebrate the Inner Wheel turning 100

IT was a special occasion that was a century in the making.

Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Dubbo recently enjoyed a luncheon at Devil’s Hollow Brewery to celebrate 100 years since the charter of the first Inner Wheel Club, the Inner Wheel Club of Manchester, England.

Tables were decorated with flags of the world to represent International Inner Wheel as it is today.

Celebrations included the 100th anniversary celebration cake cut by President Susan Furnell, and Diane Mckeowen, one of the club’s longest serving members.

The concept of Inner Wheel began in Britain during World War I, when the wives of Rotarians voluntarily helped their husbands with community service.

The club itself was formed on January 10, 1924, when Margarette Golding and 27 other Rotarian wives met in the northern city.

The aim was to form a club for women that was based on Rotary, with the objects to foster friendship between the wives of Rotarians and provide community service.

Today, membership is based on friendship and service where like-minded women are invited to join.

The name the “Inner Wheel Club of Manchester”, and the model and rules upon which the Inner Wheel is based, were there adopted. The emblem chosen was a small wheel contained in the Rotary Wheel… hence the name “Inner Wheel”.

International Inner Wheel is now one of the largest women’s voluntary organisations in the world with more than 100,000 members across 103 countries. International Inner Wheel even sits on the Council of the United Nations!

The 2024 International Inner Wheel Convention will be held in Manchester, in May to celebrate 100 years of friendship and service.

The Inner Wheel Club of Dubbo itself was chartered in July, 1962, and celebrated its 60th anniversary in July, 2022. The club meet the third Tuesday of each month.

More information, and how to join, can be found on the Inner Wheel Australia website.

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PHOTO: SUPPLIED Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Dubbo recently enjoyed a luncheon at Devil’s Hollow Brewery to celebrate 100 years since the charter of the first Inner Wheel Club.

Sue Furnell, Helen Mcclean, Meryl Usback, Charmaine Sefton, Margaret Hughes, Di Mckeowen and Louise Sneesby, at the recent luncheon celebrating 100 years of Inner Wheel clubs.

Members Margaret Hughes, Di Mckeowen, Sue Burr, Maureen Mackay, and Barb Norrie

Denise Carmichael, Sue Furnell, and Sue Gown, at the recent Inner Wheel first century lunch event.

Cheryl Pfeiffer, Meryl Usback, Denise Carmichael and Sue Furnell

Adele Oulton, Helen Mclean, and Louise Sneesby

Pauline Hunter, Annette Hoynes, and Jo-anne Murphy

Cutting the cake: Di Mckeowen and Sue Furnell

Judy Pryse Hones and Jan Armstrong

Annette Storer and Wendy Oehlm