Inner Wheel makes cents

The ladies of the Inner Wheel Club of Pakenham took to the streets today, led by trustee of the Kylie Blackwood Foundation, Brian Paynter. The group rattled tins to collect five-cent pieces for the White Ribbon Foundation. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 124817_07

By BRIDGET SCOTT

ONE by one, the ladies of Pakenham Inner Wheel Club gathered outside the Pakenham Newsagency this morning, to shed a positive light on one of the biggest tragedies to hit their local community.
Exactly one year to the day that Pakenham mother of three Kylie Blackwood was murdered in her own home, around 15 ladies made their presence felt on Pakenham’s Main Street to raise money for the White Ribbon Foundation, dedicated to preventing violence against women.
Led inspiringly by trustee of the Kylie Blackwood Foundation Brian Paynter, the army of volunteers wandered down the streets, tins in hand, and even picked up an extra helper along the way.
One volunteer, a member of Inner Wheel for more than 20 years, said this was the first time she had raised funds for a cause like this.
While some stopped in their tracks to dig out the unwanted five-cent pieces from the bottom of their bags, others had collected jars full over the past few weeks to really make a difference.
Pakenham resident Joan Shelton emptied her coin box this morning and arrived with a small purse full of the five-cent pieces.
Mrs Shelton, a Pakenham resident of 50 years said it was “such a good cause.”
The women also dropped off tins in local businesses through Pakenham, which will remain there until the end of the month.
Grab a copy of next week’s Pakenham Gazette for the full story and a wrap-up of the day’s events.