We flew, via Kuala Lumpur, to a tropical paradise to enjoy the Convention.
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It was a spectacle of colour, costumes, culture, combined with friendship, food, functions and ….. heat. We all experienced these things, happily, willingly and have returned to our various homelands with pledges to correspond, to remember and to ‘see you at the next Convention’ – which will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, 2012. |
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Nigerian women with their
cololurful head scarves |
The global economic crisis was blamed for a smaller attendance of 791. There were huge groups from Great Britain & Ireland (with colourful blue check identifying scarves), and Nigeria (with wonderful, bright, headscarves), from India (in an array of saris), France (in white skirts and white Tshirts) and Australia (just looking like we always do!) - plus some from Iceland, Turkey, Mexico, South Africa, Slovenia, etc … in all, there were 35 different nationalities - all members of Inner Wheel – all instant friends. What a pity the world doesn’t have the same ideals as our great organisation – instant friendship.
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IIW President Suzanne at the
Welcome Reception |
Inner Wheel was privileged to have The Mayor of Kota Kinabalu as its guest at our Welcome Ceremony on Wednesday 6th May and on Thursday the Convention was opened with the Chief Minister for Sabah, The Right Honourable Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman. As his car pulled in to the resort entrance, he was welcomed by two boys dressed as white lions (similar to a Chinese New Year), a row of girls in golden costume with interesting headwear, ceremonial drums. The Chief Minister was thanked, by the Conference Co-ordinator, for ensuring that the international airport terminal had been finished in time for the influx of foreign visitors! The economy of Kota Kinabalu will be enhanced by its completion. |
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Welcoming line of Malaysian Boys |
A fine military band, The Royal Malaysia Police Sabah Contingent Band, entertained, some regional dancers performed Malaysian traditional dances, the Flame of Friendship was lit, the 14th International Inner Wheel Convention was opened by IIW President Suzanne Neilsen. |
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Liz Ralston and
IIW President Suzanne
at an outdoor meal |
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Unique ethnic costumes of
some dancers |
On Thursday evening, the attendees, in 15 coaches, were escorted by 12 uniformed, motor bike policemen who stopped the evening rush-hour traffic to allow us to drive to the Menara Tun Mustapha (Yayasan Sabah) beside the sea – to watch the sunset.
Unfortunately there are some things which even the most assiduous organisers cannot arrange – and large, grey clouds formed just one hour before the sunset. Not that it spoilt the atmosphere – outdoor tables filled by members of all nationalities, eating Malaysian food chosen from wonderful stalls – some familiar and some not so familiar foods, but all delicious.
Again, we were entertained by ethnic groups of dancers and singers, each in their own unique costumes – wonderful sights and sounds. The night ended with a Stick Dance, moving bamboo poles with the dancers trying not to have their ankles hit! You know the one! Some IW members enjoyed this too. The evening ended with a stunning display of fireworks, the gift from the Mayor of Kota Kinabalu to IIW.
Business Sessions were held during the three days; Proposals and
Amendments discussed, some with passion, all with feeling - then
voted upon. |
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A53's Joan Brown, A80's Bev Hite,
A51's Liz Ralston -
at the Business Session |
Workshops on Zoning, New Gen Clubs, Fund Raising, Speech Writing & Presentation were held and hopefully giving their attendees something to think about. Liz Ralston and Joan Beech Jones each co-facilitated workshops. The business of the Convention was conducted in a most professional, friendly way by International President, Suzanne Neilsen. A cheque for £150,000, raised through the IIW 2006-2009 project – Global Education Programme for Girls, was handed to the Danish UNICEF Secretary General for use in Madagascar.
The IIW project for 2009-2012 will again be for Girls Education
– this time in Bolivia. |
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Pre-schooler, waiting to entertain
at the Closing Ceremony |
Two formal dinners (western cuisine) were thoroughly enjoyed in the ballrooms of the two hotels in the Resort complex. Members of the local Inner Wheel Club gave an elegant Fashion Parade. We gasped at the beauty of the silk clothing.
The very colourful Closing Ceremony gave us the pleasure of hearing a band of 30 young drummers (bongo) – from SRJK Chung Kwa, KK, thoroughly enjoying not being at their school for the afternoon! They were followed by The Children of Kibunut Village, Penampang - pre-school children (who hadn’t been to the big town before, but came with their teachers in a bus to entertain us) in their tiny ethnic costumes - doing little dances, but as soon as they realised that their picture was showing on the big screen behind them … dancing was forgotten …. “there’s me!” Very cute indeed. |
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As I said initially - it was hot, intense, busy, colourful, great fun.
I’ll be in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2012 for the 15th International Inner Wheel Convention… will you? |
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Liz Ralston
IIW National Representative
2008-2009
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