Contributed by Inner Wheel Club of Dubbo

Members, partners and friends from Orange and Blayney attended the Inner Wheel Club of Dubbo’s Annual Changeover Luncheon celebrating 63 years of friendship and service.

After the official welcome, District A50 chairman Tricia Cuming lit the ‘Flame of friendship’, an Australian Inner Wheel tradition, typifying the friendship and understanding that members share.

New member Liz Heilbronn was inducted into the club by chairman Tricia.

President Denise Gough then presented special awards to members Diane McKeowen, Judy Pryse Jones, Jean Slack Smith, Margaret Hughes, and Barbara Howells who had achieved 25-plus years of service in Inner Wheel.

An Honoured Active Membership Brooch was awarded to Annette Storer who had given outstanding service to Inner Wheel.

In presenting her 2024-25 report, president Denise thanked members for their support and participation in club activities that helped achieve the International Theme for the year, ‘Heartbeat for Humanity’.

A vision to make the club more visible in the community was achieved by numerous activities, including participating in the Regional Expo, Cord Blood ‘Walk Two for Ten’, a Bunnings Barbecue, a Melbourne Cup Luncheon and an Afternoon Tea and Fashion Parade.

Regular coverage of club activities in Dubbo Photo News has helped increase awareness of Inner Wheel in the local community.

Funds raised went to support the International Project in Temor-Leste, the National Project, Cord Blood Research and Community Projects including The Sing Out Choir, Hear Our Heart Ear Bus, and Country Hope.

The club also continued to sponsor a student in KINI, Kenya.

Special mention was made of the installation of a bench seat and plaque in the Japanese Gardens to celebrate 100 years of Inner Wheel.

President Denise thanked the outgoing committee, before inducting Ruth McKenzie as the incoming president for 2025-26, presenting her with the president’s collar and wishing her a successful year.

New president Ruth thanked Denise and presented her with flowers and a book of her year.

Ruth then spoke of the International Theme for 2025-26 ‘Step up and Lead by Example' and encouraged members to help achieve this, before introducing the incoming committee.

The changeover concluded with extinguishing the ‘Flame of Friendship’ by Diane McKeowen, one of the club’s longest service members, having given 44 years of service to Inner Wheel.

If you would like to find out more or how to join the Inner Wheel Club of Dubbo, contact the secretary on iiw.au.dubbo@gmail.com

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