Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Opotiki met on Jan 10th at Ken and Carole Young’s home to celebrate International Inner Wheel Day 2019. Everyone met for drinks and nibbles between 5 pm and & 7 pm and were very lucky when the early rain cleared so they could sit on the deck to enjoy good company, nibbles and the stunning view out over the sea. In attendance were IW Members, husbands and friends.

President Carole had the welcoming mat out and even a pretty Coat Lady named Sue in attendance. The tables were all set , husbands and partners were soon putting the World to rights while the Inner Wheel members had a Business meeting. The evening outside was a bit grizzly with a low mist and drizzle. It was well made up for by the conviviality of the 19 guests. The Inner Wheel candle was lit and the Collect said. The queuing started for the delicious meal set out -- Ham, turkey, bread sauce, new spuds--- the works. accompanied by a great variety of tasty salads. The serious part of the evening commenced after grace was said and great inroads were made! President Carole read out IWNZ President Darlene's Christmas message. Between courses Ruth was our Speaker and gave us lots to think about with just the simple word " CHRISTMAS" C=Cherish; H=Help; R=Respect; I=Inspire; S=Search; T=Think; M=Make time; A=Amuse(Fun); and S=Sing. she gave great examples. There were 7 birthdays for October, November and this month. Carole acknowledged them by name and a gift and the time honoured birthday song was sung. Lana, Sue and Bronwen won the lovely Christmas raffles. Sue had organised a Nativity video and she preceded it with the warning " Be careful when you are encouraged to stand up and be heard" there was a school nativity play and the earnestness of one of the singers had to be heard to be believed! Even the tiny tot by the baby in the manger kept turning round in awe! Sue then read her Parting Thought for December. " Let us keep Christmas beautiful without a thought of greed, that it might live forevermore to fill our every need, that it shall not be just a day, but last a lifetime through, the miracle of Christmas time that brings God close to you." Sue was thanked by Carole and the Inner Wheel candle was then extinguished and the official part of the evening ended. Members lingered to share what the next few weeks would bring and to wish one and all a Blessed and happy Christmas time.

Annabelle was invited to represent IWNZ at a breakfast at Parliament House to recognise that 125 years ago, on November 28th 1893, more than 90,000 New Zealand women were the first in the world to vote in a General Election. This also marked the online version of Women Together. A History of Women's Organisations in NZ. To view online go to www.nzhistory.govt.nz/women-together and click on Inner Wheel.

Inner Wheel Club of Opotiki president Carole Young and treasurer Jean Smithson present W.I.S.H. Representatives with gifts the Club members raised for underprivileged children of Opotiki. W.I.S.H. is the acronym for Whakatohea Iwi Social and Health services.

IWNZ President Darlene, Constitution Chairman Annabelle, NZ291 District Chairman Sylvia and District Chairman NZ297 Shirley joined IIW President Chris and members of Inner Wheel Australia at the IWA 50th conference in Canberra on 19 & 20 October. A wonderful weekend of friendship.

Some photos from the NZ293 District meeting, held on Saturday 13 October 2018.

Last Christmas, the Kapiti Inner Wheel club in New Zealand partnered with the local Whitcoulls bookstore to collect and distribute Christmas bears to donate to needy children. Shoppers who spend over a certain amount in the store are invited to purchase a bear and then either take it away for a gift, or donate it to a local charity. Last Christmas more than 250 bears were donated by generous locals and collected up by IW members, and most were given to Foster Hope who support foster children. The Women’s Refuge were also recipients. Both organisations were so grateful for the donation of the bears, which are soft and cuddly and can be very comforting for children at a stressful time. This arrangement provides an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of Inner Wheel, as our name and logo are proudly displayed in the store during the promotion. Our ongoing partnership with Whitcoulls will continue this coming Christmas. Everyone benefits from the arrangement – Whitcoulls and Inner Wheel get great publicity, and needy children get a wonderful Christmas gift.

The Inner Wheel Club of Opotiki celebrated New Zealand Inner Wheel Day on 1 September Cherry was there and Elsa and Gary. The day was blue skied and sunny, amazing to sandwich it between two very wet fronts. Bronwen and Brian, Fiona and Bob then Jean with a friend Anne. Off we set through the green and shadowy obviously loved five acres of native trees and shrubs. The track has been renovated or whatever term is appropriate for such hard work that has been done. Gravel laid with wooden sides over the wet spots, a board walk through high Tree ferns. Most impressive are the steps leading down through the valley and up to a wooden walkway surround encompassing Taketakarau, the ancient Pourere tree that is wound into local history of long ago. The sun slanting through the leaves made the bush sparkle and the birds were quite vocal in their Spring busy ness. After all it is September 1st. It is the first day of Spring and it is NZ Inner Wheel Day. We wandered on commenting on the shapes and shadows and growth that caught our eye. Finally into the sunshine up an incline and out to where our cars were parked. Back down to the town to meet up with Ruth and Lois at the Hot Bread shop for a well earned coffee and “goodies” and of course more discussion and exchange of news that is important to us all. HAPPY INNER WHEEL NZ DAY.———-GREETINGS TO SPRING.

President Carole and Ruth Wilkinson present knitting done by the IW Club of Opotiki to Whakatohea Iwi Social & Health Services to be distributed to families in need. This is an on-going project for the IW Club of Opotiki.

The Inner Wheel Club of Opotiki held their Changeover luncheon at Jean Smithson's home on 29th June. This year the club changed the format of their Changeover and decided to have a catered meal - 2 courses - at Jean Smithson's home with the a meat dish and a fruit salad as 2 extra dishes. The committee acted as waitresses. The meal was delivered to the house ready to eat. Husbands were included and Jean had set up tables in her dinning room and these were decorated with lovely floral arrangements which were auctioned off to raise a bit of money. As the club had shared presidency the year, each of the Presidents wrote a few sentences of their time in office and Secretary Fiona put them together, with a few added comments, and these were read them out at the changeover. After the group photo, they tea or coffee and this brought the luncheon to a close. Photos: 1. Waitresses (left to right) Bronwen Hough, Lana Morgan and Jean Smithson. 2. President Carole Young receiving the Chain of Office from Past President Jean Smithson. 3. Committee for 2018/2019 (left to right) - Lana Morgan, Past President Jean Smithson, President Carole Young, Secretary Fiona Laming and Editor, Bronwen Hough. 4. Group photo