What could be better than celebrating 60 years of dedication in the style when it all began?
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That is what Yenda Inner Wheel did on Sunday, with members past and present coming together at Myall Park Hall at Pioneer Park Museum to celebrate their diamond anniversary in ‘50’s style fashion.
President of Inner Wheel Australia Karen Winters attended the celebration, and was proud to recognise the outstanding achievements of the club.
Many women, and some men, took to decking themselves out in fifties finery, matching the outside display of the fashion of the time provided by Pioneer Park Museum. Check out some of the amazing outfits in the video below:
Current Yenda Inner Wheel President Jenny Bamford made special presentations to two of the “special gems” of the club: Berryl Marcus and Betty Blake.
“It’s great to recognise the ladies who have set great examples for us over the years,” Ms Bamford said.
“It was an excellent day, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the staff at Pioneer Park Museum, they went above and beyond and helped make the day a huge success.”
Inner Wheel Members came from Leeton, Wagga, Yarrawonga Mulwala, Griffith East, Hilston, Bathurst, and Narrandera to help Yenda members commemorate the occasion.
Heather Waide set up the beautiful dress display outside, and gave a speech detailing the fashion of the 50’s, and how Christien Dior helped bring fun, flair and luxury to a time when those things were scarce.
The event celebrated the achievements of the organisation, and took a trip down memory lane, starting at the very beginning.
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History
The Yenda Inner Wheel Club was formed in January 1958 by the wives of the Yenda Rotarians, sponsored by the Leeton Inner Wheel Club who had been chartered the year before.
Inaugural president Ilma Piggott was recognised for her “passionate involvement” in the establishment of the club.
The original members ran businesses in Yenda or were bank and rice mill manager’s or farmer’s wives.
The Sixties
In the sixties one of the most memorable fund raising functions was a fashion parade held in the garden of Mrs Beehag at the Rice Mill at Yenda to raise money for the Children’s medical Research Foundation.
Members recalled the day was windy and dusty, with hats blown off, and the mannequins had a “hard time” with the parade, however 45 pounds was raised.
During these years the Yenda Inner Wheel also raised money for Crippled Children, crocheted knee rugs for the elderly and started combining Christmas parties with Rotary.
The Seventies
In the seventies the club helped Berryl Marcus’ father develop Pioneer Park Museum, where the event was held.
They had functions including Spaghetti nights, one of which was held at Una and Roy Golsby Smith’s farm in the rain, which meant tarps were put up, and Mr Golsby Smith would have to pull out hose who got bogged with his tractor.
The Eighties
The eighties saw the club furnish a room at Pioneer Lodge, a local nursing home, and a lot of attention was given to Noah’s Ark Toy Library, Camp Quality, Pioneer Park Museum, Riding for the Disabled and the Fred Hollows Foundation.
The Nineties
Fishing trips were established in the nineties (or fishing trips without the fishing), where the club visited Willandra National Park, Benalla and Shepparton, Yackandra and Beechworth, Young, Tumbarumba among many others.
These trips saw their trailer come home full after visiting nurseries, gardens, going on shopping expeditions, eating, all filled with laughter.
The Noughties
Since the turn of the century, the Yenda Inner Wheel has conducted fundraising for the Wagga Cancer Centre, which several members needed in the following years.
They have cut prune and grape plants, helped beautify the old bridge, donated to many women’s charities in the MIA, donated vouchers to the Women’s Refuge, and held street stalls for Cord Blood.
One of these stalls helped raise a massive $3000 for a young girl battling Leukemia.