The Beechworth Lodge of St. John No. 14 invited the VMMA to participate in the celebration of 150 years of Freemasonry in Beechworth, the days activities included a Street Parade, Re-enactment of the Consecration Ceremony to Mark the 150th year Anniversary of the Lodge with the day’s celebrations culminating with a dinner dance at La Trobe Reception Centre.
The following members assembled at Yarra Glen for a 10.30 a.m. departure Matt, Jane, Dennis, Anita, Dave, Viv, John, Dean, Mal, Chris and Sharyn with Steve, Darlene and Andrew joining with us at the commencement of the street parade at Beechworth.
One happy pillion for the Beechworth Street Parade.
Our first leg of the ride was via Yea, Merton, Boonie Doon with a fuel stop at Swanpool then onto Tatong Tavern for a good pub lunch, Tatong Tavern provides excellent ice wrapped up in towels for those unfortunate enough not to see flying sticks from up in the tree tops (just ask Matt).
Seriously if you are riding through the area the Tatong Tavern is well worth a visit for a counter meal, it has a bar area with character, big lounge area and a well protected beer garden with well priced meals.
Tatong Tavern for lunch.
After lunch we rode to Beechworth via Moyhu, Oxley and Everton arriving in Beechworth Main Street around 3.30 p.m. where other members of the VMMA Steve, Darlene and Andrew joined with us for a coffee before assembling at the top end of Main Street for the commencement of the Street Parade at 4.30 p.m.
Mode of Dress for VMMA members in the craft was apron, white long sleeve shirt, bowie tie, plain leather vest, black motorcycle pants and boots of which the President had emphasised leading up to the event, guess who forgot his plain leather vest and wore a nice plain black fluffy number (no prizes for guessing The President).
The Street Parade was lead by a Scottish Marching Band followed by Grand Lodge Officers, local brethren and VMMA members on their motorcycles and concluded at the Hall for an Re-enactment of the Consecration Ceremony.
Street Parade down Main Street of Beechworth.
Our participation in the Street Parade generated a lot of interest within the general public who took many photographs during the Street Parade followed up by talking with us outside the hall at the conclusion of the Parade. Matt spoke to a Grand Lodge Officer in a walker whom he had not met before and found out that he lives just around the corner from Matt in Melbourne, Matt will be dropping in to see him for a cuppa whilst out on one of his walks (all good stuff).
This is what it is all about!!!!!
Due to the fact this was a day ride the VMMA was unable to attend any of the other activities in Beechworth to Celebrate 150 Years of Freemasonry in the area.
It was decided to return to Melbourne via Oxley, Moyhu, Whitefield, Mansfield and then straight back to Yarra Glen, all went to plan other than the Whitfield/Tolmie Road being closed again due to a fire flare up so off we went down the detour dirt road to have a grand tour of some lovely country side before eventually resurfacing at Swanpool at around 6.15 p.m.
We stopped at the pub near the Boonie Doon Bridge for a counter tea, if you are in the area this pub is also worthy of consideration for a meal at reasonable prices.
Last leg home with all the good gear on!!!!!
The weather for the day was mostly overcast with a very strong cold breeze blowing, it was not to be any different for the last leg back to Yarra Glen so on with all the good gear to keep warm for we were not going to arrive back home till around 11.00 p.m.
Reported by CW
