V.M.M.A. Inc. Installation Team

Report of Mansfield Lodge No. 158

Installation by the V.M.M.A. Inc. Installation Team

Saturday 13th November 2004

Return to Reports 2004

Reported by Drew Webber

Installed W.M. Bro. Peter Mahoney with the V.M.M.A. Installation Team.

“Rain, Rain and then more rain” was the forecast for Saturday 13th November 2004, and for a change the weather bureau was absolutely correct. 

 

But that wasn’t going to stop the V.M.M.A. from getting to Mansfield for the installation of Wor. Bro. Peter T.  Mahoney. It was to be the Wor. Brother’s 3rd time in the Chair, and the V.M.M.A. installation team’s first ever “live” installation. All that rehearsing must have paid off as the response to our leather clad brethren was overwhelmingly positive.

V.M.M.A. Installation Team partaking in coffee and scones prior to the final rehearsal of Installation.

Over 29 members attended the weekend, with 9 brave souls piloting their bikes and pillions through some atrocious weather (at least those coming from the south had a hard time, it is reported that those coming from the north had it easy), with active installation team members arriving early for a final rehearsal and pep talk from V.M.M.A.’s esteemed patron M.W. Bro. John Wilson P.G.M.

 

Non active members had coffee at one of the fine local cafes and then went on to sort out their lodgings at various places around Mansfield.

Final rehearsal In Mansfield Lodge Room for the V.M.M.A. Installation Team. 

All returned to the lodge by 6.00 p.m. to prepare for the coming ceremony, and while there was certainly a buzz in the changing rooms, there was also an air of nervousness. Which is no surprise, a lot is expected of the V.M.M.A. installing team from many areas - The “traditional” brethren who may be seeing the biker bothers not only for the first time but performing such an important and lengthy ceremony, and most tellingly, the immense pressure that the team put on themselves to perform. And perform they did.

V.M.M.A. Patron M.W. Bro. John Wilson, P.G.M. prior to entering the lodge.

Our lady members were entertained throughout the meeting by the incoming Master’s niece who came all the way from Geelong to discuss many different craft ideas that could be used to jazz up the Christmas season, very interesting by all reports, and thankfully received, as it keeps our lovely wives and partners away from the sherry at least for a little while! 

M.W. Bro. John Wilson, P.G.M. presenting W.M. Bro. Peter with the gavel of the lodge.

Inside the lodge the work went without a single hitch, not only in the charges given but in the preciseness of the floor work. Again the response was favourable, with even the whispered comments approving of the quality of the work.

M.W. Bro. John Wilson, P.G.M. debriefing V.M.M.A. Installation Team. 

Then it was over, and it was on to the south for the usual toasts and a veritable feast provided by the ladies of Mansfield lodge, and delivered by a group of the hardest working young girls from the local Guides, they well deserved the round of applause they received during the toasts.

Great attendance in the south. 

After the all the toasts were complete, and the “game of chance” won (or miserably lost!) we parted ways with the local brethren and headed off at Pedro and Matt’s insistence to one off the local pubs. Unfortunately due to some wires being crossed many made it to the Mansfield pub via the Commercial Hotel (where a number of them were staying) where - and let me note at this point that all items not witnessed by this reporter will heretofore have a dirty great big ALLEGEDLY tagged to them – A LOT of beer was consumed in a very short period of time, with the most likely suspect being Pedro, followed quickly by Matt. It seems that our beloved Vera had organised with the publican that a number of beers would be organised and ready on the bar for the arrival of the other members.

 

Most of the members went to the Mansfield and waited figuring that the others had headed to the Commercial to get changed. Matt figuring out that there must be a communication issue went off in search for the missing few. Returning some time later with stories of “…didn’t want all that beer to go to waste” and “…would have come to get you folks but the bar was closing…” all backed up by a very sheepish looking Pedro.

 

1 a.m. found us separating for the night and heading back to our accommodations for a good nights sleep before heading back to Mansfield lodge for yet more food the next morning. 

 

The morning was clear of rain if a little overcast, and saw the remaining V.M.M.A. members back at the lodge for breakfast/morning tea/lunch, again put on by the wonderful folk of Mansfield lodge. All were quite chipper apart from Drew who had set the alarm for 6.45am to watch his beloved Wallabies (Rugby Union for the uninitiated) get spanked by the French, and Pedro who at best could be described as “Looking a little second-hand”.

All smiles for a motorcycle ride. 

After more food than most of us had seen in one place at one time was prepared, our irrepressible El’Presidente Matt assumed the BBQ duties, which has become a little bit of a tradition.

 

Added to this was the almost competitive attitude by some of the local ladies to produce the best sponge cake for Matt to try.  Not one of the V.M.M.A. went away hungry, and we are very grateful to the Brethren and Ladies of Mansfield Lodge No. 158 for the fantastic hospitality and welcome they extended to us all.

Girl Guides all geared up for their promised motorcycle ride. 

The guides returned to cash in the promise made by the V.M.M.A. to take them for a ride around town, the look of excitement in their faces as they were donning all the protective gear was worth their weight in gold, and they eagerly leapt onto the back of the 4 bikes put into service - Robert & Erwin’s BMWs and Matt & Drew’s Triumphs – all got on and off the bikes with grins that suggested that they were having a fantastic time. Drew was surprised at one point while talking to Dennis and waiting for the next kid to climb aboard when the bike tilted under the weight of what was obviously not a child, a strong but elderly voice pronounced from the pillion seat “ I used to own a Triumph, let’s see what yours can do Son”. It seemed that after the girls had finished, some of the older members decided it was their turn. Happily all those who wanted a ride- Man, Woman, Boy, Girl - got a ride, all were happy to take part.

V.M.M.A. providing a ride around Mansfield prior to departure.

After lunch goodbyes were said, and promises to not take too long to return were made.

L to R: W.M. Peter Mahoney and V.M.M.A. President Matt Turner. 

A fantastic weekend was had by all, and again many thanks to all those that took part, and to those that looked after us so well.