The end of a golden era

Annette Lord, Elizabeth Archer and Lesley Loone at the Inner Wheels’ 50th anniversary. Photo by Jan Atkins

FOR THE Inner Wheel Club of Deloraine it was a bittersweet celebration of their 50th anniversary in February.

Receiving their original charter in 1971, this year the club will close and hand it back.

Fifty years of hard work raising funds and lobbying government makes the list of Inner Wheel beneficiaries a long one.

Local schools and community groups such as Kanangra, Grenoch, Giant Steps and the Folk Museum have all been assisted. Deloraine has enjoyed the beautification of its riverbank with the gazebos and planting of trees and shrubs.

Inner Wheel’s involvement in other projects has included the Rotary Park barbecue, public toilets and seats, and the cemetery’s Memorial Gates.

Five original charter members attended the farewell: Dianne Huett, Ann Haines, Maureen Bennett, Dympna Evans and Hilda Cresswell.

With nearly 100 guests, members heard guest speaker Roger Nutting and enjoyed a slide show of fundraising and fun times with albums on display to bring back more memories.