Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, it was a much smaller occasion than in previous years, but a very successful and enjoyable one.
Outgoing President, Janet Schwartz, opened the meeting by asking members to observe a minute’s silence for respected club member Margaret Juster, who passed away recently.
Janet then spoke of the difficulties that all clubs have faced this year, with drought, bushfires and Coronavirus severely impacting meeting schedules and fundraising events.
Despite this, the club has continued to grow and now has 40 members.
Members have been involved in a range of community service, such as Meals on Wheels, BlazeAid and volunteering at the hospital and other welfare services.
Pre COVID-19, members enjoyed many social events, guest speakers and meeting with other clubs from the district. Although fundraising has been curtailed in the last six months, the club was still able to donate to many worthy causes, including Need for Feed Drought Relief, BlazeAid, Rotary Bushfire Appeal, Moira Health Foodshare, the District International project, and National Project, which is Cord Blood Research.
This is a cause that all Australian Inner Wheel Clubs support and have so far raised $3,000,000 for research and clinical trials using umbilical cord blood cells.
Researchers are now conducting trials to determine if cord blood can reduce the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia, so Inner Wheel is very proud to be able to support this project.
During isolation, members kept in touch and stayed connected to the club through Zoom catch-ups and by the fortnightly newsletter that was emailed out to all.
Janet concluded by thanking the outgoing committee for their work during the year, and commending all members for their friendship and support of each other during this difficult time.
Janet then inducted incoming President Sandra Buckles and wished her well for the year ahead. In our current Corona virus world, manufacturing delays meant badges weren’t delivered in time so Sandra and Janet improvised with colourful headband titles for each position.
In her speech, Sandra emphasised the strength the club have in numbers, and the achievements that come from all working together as a team.
International Inner Wheel’s logo for the year is “Lead the Change” and some of the plans and strategies suggested by the IIW President have already been implemented by the club.
Sandra then proceeded to introduce the new committee members for 2020 – 2021, and said she looked forward to working with all members for a successful year ahead.