Civil Service 338

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

Saturday 19 November 2005

Return to Reports 2005

 

The Wor. Bro. Colin Fletcher, and wife Beryl.

 

Saturday 19 November 2005 will go down in the VMMA history books as being a milestone, for a variety of reasons.

 

It was the first time we have held a general meeting on the same day as an Installation, and consequently we had a very strong attendance.

 

And of course second was the important event of the day which was attending Colin (Taxi) Fletcher’s installation. Once again the VMMA Installation came together, and yet again it was a pleasure to install a Master Mason in to the chair.

Eric on the new Beast

Meeting at midday we nibbled on sambo’s, made by Taxi’s wife Beryl, prior to conducting a shortened rehearsal. Around 2:30 pm we started the meeting which was completed in 50 minutes. This then left sufficient time for members to freshen up and get changed for the Installation.

 

A couple of refreshing VB’s were very welcome at this time. After tyling at 4.40pm the VMMA visitors and Team members waited patiently for our turn to be admitted. Richard Penna cut it pretty fine and had only a few minutes spare before we entered the Lodge, having travelled down from Bendigo in rather a hurry.

 

Dave Cash looked like he was going to drop off to sleep at any moment as he and Vivienne had attended their daughters wedding the previous night and got home in the wee hours of the morning.

 

As usual the ceremony went very well, thanks to the hard work of the team, whilst under the strong and professional leadership of our Patron; Most Worshipful Brother John Wilson – Past Grand Master. Our duties and work being completed we retired to the supper room to enjoy the lighter social side of the event.

The team with the newly installed Master Wor. Bro. Colin "Taxi" Fletcher (center).
Flanked on the right by this lovely wife Beryl and his left, Most Wor. Bro. John Wilson

Awaiting us was a feast of hot and cold food, not to mention the delicious deserts which were prepared and arranged by the ladies of the lodge. A special mention must go to Karly, Taxi’s grand daughter, who was a tremendous help to her Gran and Pop on the day. It was very nice to see her sitting at the top table during the supper with Taxi and Beryl.

Beryl Colin and Karly

Not unusually the VMMA members bought up big on the raffle and were again rewarded with some excellent prizes. Lindsay Clow had brought along some ‘clean skin’ wine to which was stick a local Civil Service Lodge label. A cheeky little red wine, produced from a selection of tasty grapes... Actually the label said it was a mix of Shiraz, Sauvignon and Merlot. If nothing else, the label was probably worth $10 as a talking point for the future. As regards tasting it, well I might leave it to mature for a year or so.

After some illuminating speeches from various people we finished the night with some rousing singing of Advance Australia Fair. And so the clean up began, and people drifted off to their homes, being satisfied that another excellent night of fun, food, and fellowship had been enjoyed.

The enigmatic J. Wilson in flight!

VMMA members in attendance were: Russell Kent, Chris Connor, Richard (Ricardo) Penna, Rob (The Red Baron) van Lunenburg, John Wilson, Colin (Taxi) and Beryl Fletcher, George (Uncle) Allen, Brian Price, Larry King, Rob Fisk, Garry Porter, Paul Willett, Dave and Viv Cash, Tony and Ena van Ree, Dennis (Casper) Setterfield, Graham McPherson, Robert (Red) O’Meara, Russell Medhurst, Don Bloomfield, Stuart McMillan, Warren (Wazza) Combes, Eric Palant, Lindsay and Cheryl Clow, Drew Webber, and Pedro Eberbach.

Report courtesy of Pedro Eberbach