Report of Visit to Lodge Of Balnarring No. 850
Friday 10th August 2007
The W.M of Lodge of Balnarring , Nigel Cookson invited the VMMA to attend the regular meeting on Friday 10th August 2007 to make a presentation to the brethren of our history and activities in the lodge room.
Lodge of Balnarring is also our Membership Officers Lodge (Dennis) who is a regular attendee to VMMA visitations along with being one of the first brethren to join the VMMA.
This VMMA official visit to Lodge Balnarring is the first time Dennis has met the criteria over the past 6 1/2 years to wear the VMMA approved mode of dress.
This particular Friday evening was not really suited to motorcycle riding due to the very strong gust of winds and the forecast of rain later in the evening, but alas a good number of VMMA members rode to Balnarring and those who attend were Dennis, Antia, Dave, Viv, Dean, Chris, Mal, Richo, Graham, Murray and our newest member Rick.
Dave and Viv were luckily riding to Balnarring for a large limb of a tree had fallen on a car traveling in front of them.
VMMA members with Lodge Balnarring W.M. Nigel Cookson back row in middle
The format for the evening was for the VMMA to inform the brethren in the lodge room of our history, activities and future directions within Freemasonry Victoria and the General Community.
We entered the lodge together as members of the VMMA, W.M. Nigel welcomed us to Lodge Balnarring and after the visiting W.M. was admitted formally introduced the VMMA to the brethren and gave Dennis the freedom of the lodge for the purpose of the VMMA presentation.
Dennis spoke of his involvement in the VMMA and that this particular meeting at his own lodge is the first opportunity he has had in 6 1/2 years to actually wear the approved VMMA dress, Dennis then introduced the VMMA President Chris who then proceeded with the presentation to the brethren.
Good turn out of bikes and a south that VMMA members did well from the exchange of Masonic property.
The presentation commenced by all VMMA members in attendance being asked to stand and briefly introduce themselves along with an enlightenment of what the VMMA means to them personally, Chris then continued with a brief history of the development of the VMMA commencing at the 1st gathering of Freemasons with an interest in motorcycles some 6 1/2 years ago at Albert Street, were the saying "they came in hundreds and left thousands".
Chris spoke of the continued increase in membership from within Freemasonry Victoria and the general public, for the membership is not limited to freemasons, along with the fact that the VMMA has over the period of 6 1/2 years assisted in the raising and donation of $180,000.
The presentation went for about 1 hour and concluded with questions from the brethren, it was a pleasure to answer the many questions asked by the brethren.
The freedom of the Lodge was returned to the W.M. Nigel who thanked the VMMA for a very informative presentation that enlightened them of the many activities undertaken within Freemasonry Victoria and the General Community.
First VMMA outing for Viv's new 600 and proof that nothing has changed with British Bikes leaving their mark!!!!
On closure of the lodge it was interesting to see how Lodge of Balnarring dismantles the lodge and packs all the items up and stores it away and returns the lodge room back to the community hall.
In the south the VMMA split themselves up on different tables so they could mix with those present, there were a number of brethren who had been associated in years gone by with early British motorcycles who entertained us with their own stories of those days, along with brethren who still have a motorcycle and ride occasionally.
Lodge Room set up in Balnarring Community Hall and Donation Presentation from W.M. Nigel to VMMA President.
At the end of the evening the W.M. Nigel presented to VMMA President a cheque from money raised in the south to go into the VMMA Charity Fund for distribution in the 2007/2008 financial year, Chris responded by thanking Nigel and all those present for the donation along with ensuring them the money will put to good use later in the year and with the cash donation received from one of the brethren.
Reported by CW
