Inner Wheel Members are united by friendship and a common aim of service to the community.
Clubs meet regularly. Their individual programmes, including speakers on varied topics, are organised by their President with a small committee.
Social and service activities are arranged to help members form friendship links, both with each other, and with their local community.
Clubs are orgnised into Districts. Each District has a Chairman and an Executive Committee to oversee and support the work of Inner Wheel in their area.
Each District meets several times during the year and arranges one of the meetings at which the Association Prsident is in attendance.
The Districts form Inner Wheel Australia Inc.
The Governing Body is comprised of the Executive Committee and the Council headed by the President.
Inner Wheel Australia Inc holds a National Conference annually, giving members from all parts of Australia the opportunity to attend. They are usually held in a different State each year.
A stimulating Business Session is conducted where delegates from every Club and District throughout Australia have voting rights.
Functions and tours are planned, enabling members and guests to enjoy fellowship.
Inner Wheel had its beginnings in Manchester, England on 10 January 1924, when Mrs Oliver Golding presided over a club formed by the wives of Rotarians. This club was the first one 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.
During 1931 Ballarat, Victoria (disbanded in 2001) closely followed by the still active North Sydney, NSW, were the first Inner Wheel clubs to be chartered outside the UK. A quirk of fate saw both clubs issued Overseas Club No 1.
By 1967 Inner Wheel Clubs had been formed in many parts of the world and it was then decided to form International Inner Wheel.
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One of the main objects of Inner Wheel is friendship. This is fostered through many events, which combine fund-raising, personal service and fun.
Members offer help wherever and whenever it is needed, to each other and at local, national and international level.
Events organised by Clubs are many and varied and are enthusiastically supported by members.
Members throughout the world support international charities.
Those undertaking education in self-sufficiency, particularly in Third World countries, are strongly endorsed. In conjunction with Rotary, much help has been given in recent years to war-torn regions and areas stricken with natural disasters throughout the world.
International Inner Wheel holds a World Convention every third year in one of the many countries where Inner Wheel flourishes. Each Club and District Committee may send delegates to discuss and vote on Constitutional matters. This is the only time the Constitution can be changed.
All members throughout the world may also attend the Business Session as observers. Together with guests they are able to enjoy social functions and guest speakers.
Today, Inner Wheel has extended to all five continents and is one of the largest women's organisations world wide.
Wherever there are Inner Wheel Clubs, oportunities for friendship and service are boundless. Clubs support their local community, often in cooperation with their Rotary Clubs. Members not only raise money for local, national and international charities, but also provide personal service wherever possible.
As Inner Wheel continues to expand worldwide, many new opportunities for friendship and service will present themselves. No doubt these challenges will be met by members with continued personal commitment and enthusiasm.
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