The IW Club of Matamata has been putting together care packs for Starfish, a not-for-profit organization that works across the Matamata region and provide professional counselling, education and social services in the community. Their contributions have recently been recognized by Starfish and they have been sent the thank you message below. Great work, ladies of Matamata!

Kia ora Gaylene, 

I hope this finds you well  

Jut wanted to let you know how amazing the packs that the inner wheel put together have been for families in need.
Starfish has a new service where we are providing support to whānau who are isolating with covid. This often looks like us providing kai, cleaning and hygiene products to these families who are in need and do not have access to much at all whilst isolating (often our community’s most vulnerable families). These packs have been such a great addition to what we are providing to the families – so THANK YOU so much Inner Wheel
 
Ngā mihi
Debs
Deborah Galloway-Riwhi
Wellness Facilitator| BHSc 
Starfish Social Services Trust
15 Gordon Terrace | PO Box 71 | Matamata
M 027 419 9413

The June 2022 edition of NZ297 Spoke & Felloe magazine gives a wonderful summary of the 2021-22 Inner Wheel year in NZ297.

Click here to read.

During March 2022, the IW Club of Ahuriri took part in a community effort to send aid to Tonga.

They were approached by the Tongan community in Flaxmere to provide a donation to help purchase necessary items to send. With a contribution from the Clubs Charity fund to both this cause and the National Inner Wheel fund for Tonga. It was inspiring to see how the communities of both Hastings and Napier helped out. Churches, Schools, and other community groups all contributed to the cause.

A few members (President Margo, Joanne and Joy) were privileged to be invited to the closing up of the 20ft container. The container was filled to capacity with essential aid items, including water, non-perishable food supplies, furniture, shelter materials, tools and clothing.

When the organisers were asked how it was that they ensured that each family being supported was given an allocation of the goods being sent. It was explained that Tongan culture is one of sharing and supporting others. To ensure that nobody is left destitute due to this concept, once a donation is shared the items may not be passed on to another. The New Zealand Community has ‘shared’ with the Tongan community. All the donated goods were divided up into barrels with family names and contact numbers on them. Each family will receive an appropriate allocation of the goods and because the aid has already been shared from here, it entitles each family to keep possession of the aid received without sharing again.

The women packed during the day and then the men came home and loaded the container in the evening. Each of the 80 x 40 gallon drums & 40 plastic drums were packed with water & oil first then a sheet of cardboard ; a layer of clothing or soft furnishing and then packaged food & canned goods. There were 2 water drums filled with clothing plus sheets of iron & drainage pipe to gather water as well as other tools & furniture in the container.

A wonderful community project of support for the IW Club of Ahuriri.

The IW Club of Otautahi Canterbury was proud to host this year's NZ297 Empowerment Day event with a great turnout.

A big Thank You to Diane Ladd for organising and presenting such an inspiring event.

Speakers Alyssandra Skerrett and Carol Haskett gave fabulous talks regarding taking on office bearing roles. And our wonderful lifetime member Yvonne was as delightful and entertaining as ever, sharing stories from her experiences while she was in Sweden.

It was great to see Wendy from Rangiora Club able to join us remotely via Zoom.

IW Club of Otautahi Canterbury members put on a delicious selection for lunch, with many guests commenting about the amazing Bacon and Egg Pie from Lynne.

On Tuesday, 12th April, the IW Club of Christchurch West held our AGM and the Committee decided to theme it as a Royal High Tea to honour the Queen's 70th Jubilee and also to acknowledge our 34th Birthday. We were delighted with the numbers of Members who attended. Below are a few photos from the event.

President Joy and Gaynor (Secretary) about to commence AGM

Lorraine, our founding President, 34 years ago introducing two new members: Fay and Elizabeth at our Royal High Tea meeting.

Fay, Margaret, Elizabeth, welcomed by Shirley and Joy who inducted members Fay and Elizabeth.

Vivienne Fitzgerald, SI Coordinator for Muscular Dystrophy NZ
Our inspiring speaker with flowers and card and a donation will be made to them from our Club.

Food fit for a Royal Occasion and our 34th Birthday.

Michele, Gaynor, Shirley and Janette [hidden: Jude].

An excellent turnout for our Royal High Tea with so many Royal attendees all dressed in their finery!

For me, a bucket full of enthusiasm and a team of three amazing women has been the key to growing the membership of our Club. Members are encouraged to invite friends along to enjoy, build friendships, make a difference in the community, and discover a range of opportunities allowing personal growth along side a group of like-minded women.

Walking, the ukulele group, the craft group, and dinner out before our monthly meetings are just some of the social activities which are attracting many of our new members. Getting to know a small group of women helps grow their enthusiasm, confidence and empowers them to become active members of our amazing Ashburton IW Club.

 

“If someone offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.”     

 

L – R - Luda McLellan, Wendy Smith and Clare Chapman of the IW Club of Ashburton at the Library display.

Clare Chapman

Membership Chair

Ashburton IW Club NZ        

Club’s 20th Birthday Celebratory Lunch

McHugh’s Restaurant 14 Feb 2022

The Inner Wheel Club of Shore City's  20th anniversary lunch was held at to Mc Hugh’s Restaurant - the same venue where on 14th Sep 2001, the Club had held its Charter Night Dinner.

The Charter President, Rae Innes lit the candle of Friendship and was given the President's Chains for the day, in honour of her work to charter the Club.

A Flame of Friendship, A Flame of Light A Flame of Warmth Which Burnt so Bright A Candle of Friendship A Candle of Light A Candle of Warmth Which Burnt so Bright It showed the way on Charter Night. A Candle of Hope A Candle of Peace Which Burnt so Bright twenty years ago And still it shows the way to go. By Sue Blenkhorn, Australia, District A62 Extension Office (adapted by Mary Bingham, IW Club Shore City)

After the Candles of Friendship & Remembrance were lit, President Gwyneth introduced special guests National President Michelle, with her mother, Hazel, and District NZ291 Chairman Adrienne, with husband Jack. She paid tribute to the three charter members still active in our club – Rae, Innes, Maureen Kearney and Denise Bullus.

Gwyneth outlined the ground work Rae had put in to establish Shore City Club. In acknowledgement of Rae’s pivotal role, she handed over her own chain of office for Rae to wear for the rest of the day.

National President Michelle also spoke and later she and District Chairman Adrienne presented three recipients with Honoured Active Membership awards –Judith Cowie, Joan Simpson and Gwyneth Higginson.

After lunch, drinks, and cutting Elsa’s scrumptious cake, Mary B, Nancy and Maureen entertained with the song “A Few of my Favourite Things”. Well done the Park Lane Singers. Members were able to reminisce looking at the memorabilia table, with photos, awards, lists of previous officers of the club and newsletters – all reminding us of the many charities and causes we have supported over the years and, importantly, the friendships made.

Jill and Marjorie delivered the 30 story books to MYPLC for the young children of the teenage students. These were purchased from the raffle proceeds in December, in memory of Wendy, who began our liaison with this centre. They were impressed with the selection of books and appreciative of the sentiments behind our donation.

Murihiku Young Parents Learning Centre (MYPLC) English Teacher Sarah with some of the books donated by the Club  

It was so enjoyable to celebrate the 98th anniversary of International Inner Wheel with a morning tea at Nancy and Brian’s home. There was lots of chatter as it was our first successful attempt to get together in 5 months and we thank the O’Sheas for hosting this event and for their warm hospitality. (Especially Brian for his continuous supply of hot water and coffees throughout the morning.) 

The South Indian harvest festival of Ponggal which celebrates renewal is observed annually in Malaysia. In the throes of thanksgiving for nature’s bounty, the Inner Wheel Club of Butterworth decided to bring hope and opportunity to five economically challenged women. The Club undertook to donate a brand-new sewing machine to each of them so that they may uplift themselves and their families through a new venture. This task was made possible with the support of Club members who generously contributed towards the project which culminated in the handover of the five machines to the recipients on 15thJ anuary 2022. Project leads appointed by President Santhi Sundara painstakingly vetted the list of recipients and narrowed it down to five of the most deserving and likely to embark and persevere in a new business endeavour. Members also undertook the task of scouring the local market for the best possible bargain in acquiring the most popular brand of sewing machines with the most sought after features. Thus, eight Club members got together to handover the sewing machines . Mr Phang, the supplier of the machines, efficiently put the ladies through the paces and even got them to have a feel for the machines themselves as he fielded their questions and showed them the ropes. President Santhi Sundara in her address at the gathering, congratulated the five ladies who hail from five different locations on the mainland of Penang state. A successful businesswoman in her own right, she pledged continued support for the ladies and promised to set up a chat group with them to collect data and help them in their new business ventures Club members were touched by the gracious words of appreciation by the five recipients. Everyone then adjourned for masala tea and snacks.