Our Story
Inner Wheel Australia
Inner Wheel Australia’s story began with a shared vision among women who believed in the power of friendship and service.
Inspired by the global Inner Wheel movement, which originated in Manchester, England in 1924, Australian women saw an opportunity to create their own space for connection and contribution.
Over time, what started as small groups of women coming together in friendship evolved into a powerful nationwide network dedicated to making a difference in their communities.
A brief history of
Inner Wheel
Rotary was formed in 1905 in Chicago and soon spread to other countries. By 1914 there were eight Rotary Clubs in the British Isles. Before becoming a constituted organisation, the wives of the Liverpool Rotarians in England had assisted their menfolk during World War I with various projects and had become known as Rotary Ladies. They later called themselves The Service Club.
Many similar Clubs under various names were formed to help Rotarian husbands. However, it was the Manchester Club which in 1924 provided the name and model rules upon which the Inner Wheel movement is based. Our Emblem is a small wheel contained within the Rotary Wheel, hence the name Inner Wheel.
The spread of
Inner Wheel Australia
At an early stage in its existence Inner Wheel began to spread overseas and in Australia, the first interest meeting was held in Ballarat, Victoria during 1931. The Rotary President at Ballarat, Mr Maddern, had written to Mrs Oliver Golding asking for details about the Inner Wheel movement in Great Britain and Ireland. Margarette Golding was overjoyed at the enquiry. In fact she said “This is the first inquiry from the Colonies”. So in 1931, Ballarat, Victoria (disbanded in 2001) closely followed by 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.
News of the formation of these Clubs interested other ladies and many enquiries were received from Rotary Clubs. From these small beginnings and the dedication of original members, Inner Wheel has grown in all States. There are now a total of 12 Districts, two in Queensland, five in New South Wales, three in Victoria, one each in South Australia and Western Australia and five non-districted clubs – Scone, Burnie, Clarence, Mersey and Tamar Valley. National membership is now almost 2 500.
In 1968, under the leadership of Mrs Kath Armstrong from Sydney Club, the Australian National Council was formed. The Council was represented at the International Inner Wheel Board meeting held in London in February 1969. In 1994 our current name change occurred – Inner Wheel Australia.
The first International President from the Southern Hemisphere – in fact outside Europe – was Gwen Davies from Parramatta, NSW in 1975-76. Since that year, Gwen Bowman from Belmont, NSW in 1992-93, Lovise Richardson from Sutherland, NSW in 1998-99 and Carole Buchanan from Berwick, Victoria in 2001-02 have been International Presidents. Australia has had another International President Chris Kirby from Sydney Inner West, NSW. Currently Kay Morland from the Inner Wheel of Berwick is Vice President of Inner Wheel Australia.
Inner Wheel Australia today
Today, Inner Wheel Australia continues to thrive, uniting women across the country in a shared mission to uplift others and build a better world. Through their efforts, members continue to write the next chapter in the legacy of Inner Wheel, showing that when women come together with purpose, there is no limit to what they can achieve.
International Conventions
Members have organised three International Conventions in Australia. The first in May 1976 was held at Willoughby Town Hall, NSW. The second was held at the Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, NSW in October 1993 and the third was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2018. All of these Conventions were a great success with support from all members.
The most recent International Convention was held in Manchester, UK in May 2024 where it all started 100 years ago.
