Report of VMMA Official Visit to Civil Service Lodge No. 338
Friday 7th September 2007
The VMMA was invited by W.M. Bro. Colin Fletcher (VMMA member Taxi) to attend the Regular Meeting of Civil Service Lodge No. 338 on Friday 7th September 2007 at the North Brunswick Masonic Centre to make a presentation in the lodge room of the continued development of the VMMA within its own structure and how this has involved the general community working with the VMMA and Freemasonry Victoria.
The visit also had a more personal purpose in that Taxi is about to conclude 2 years as W.M. of Civil Service Lodge and both he and Civil Service Lodge continue to be very supportive of the VMMA and its on going activities.
Taxi and Beryl have been members of the VMMA from day 1 about 6 1/2 years ago and have contributed to its success by being involved at committee level, organising events ( one of the primary people involved in setting up the Annual CanTeen Ride Day) and now as our incoming Web Master.
Some of the VMMA in attendance at Civil Service Lodge.
The following VMMA members were in attendance Bob, Jean, Dean, Terri, Chris, Sharyn, Colin, Beryl, Graham, Lindsay, Garry, Tony, George, Larry, Wazza, David (Chris's little brother!!) and Phil.
The lodge was opened in good time with visitors being admitted before 8.00 p.m., VMMA members were admitted and introduced as Members of the VMMA, David also being the W.M. of Healesville Lodge was formally introduced to W.M. Colin and sat in the East.
The W.M. thanked the VMMA for attending and introduced the President of the VMMA Chris to the brethren and gave him the freedom of the lodge to make his presentation in relation to the VMMA.
This presentation was different to others for many of those in attendance due to their support of the VMMA had a good sound knowledge of its past history, Chris spoke of the devolvement of the structure of the VMMA and that the organisation has changed over the past 2 years which has seen more members becoming involved in various committees and forming groups to carry out tasks such as Newsletter Publication, Web Site Updates and Publicity as examples.
Good time in the south. Taxi in the middle, well done for the past 2 years.
Chris spoke of changes to what has been known as the "Annual CanTeen Ride Day" traditionally being held on the 3rd Sunday of February each year, at the request of CanTeen this event will no longer continue in its original format of being one large motorcycle ride day, but CanTeen have asked us to integrate into a number of their already planned activities by providing rides to and from camps, participating in camps by sharing our time with members. Cystic Fibrosis also have welcomed continuing activities with the VMMA, it is planned to have a "Annual Motorcycle Ride Day" for Cystic Fibrosis with about 20 people requiring a ride, we will also be involved in a number of their planned activities during they year. Another organisation we will become involved with is the Genetic Disabilities who have some 300 members throughout Victoria.
VMMA Charity Funds distribution now has an emphasis on not a few large donations to well known organisation but to a large number of worthy organisations throughout Victoria, this will be achieved by VMMA members forming District Groups within their local areas to identify in their particular locality organisations that would appreciate a donation. This also leads onto these District Groups becoming involved and lends to the VMMA visiting our members throughout Victoria to support them in their locality, it also gives the opportunity for media coverage of the donations which in turn promotes both the VMMA and Freemasonry Victoria.
Examples of recent activities that have been acknowledge through media press is the Maldon A.G.M which involved donating a total amount of $465 to Maldon CFA, Maldon Masonic Centre and the Maldon Machinery Shed. Also the recent donation of $500 to Shanae who was the 11 year old school girl that was caught under a bus and required part of her left leg amputated.
Great time at Civil Service Lodge.
The VMMA presentation concluded at 8.30 p.m. with Chris returning the freedom of the lodge back to the W.M. who in turn thanked Chris for this different presentation of the VMMA development and structure changes that will continue to evolve to meet the requirements of the day.
On closure of the lodge a good number of VMMA members including our ladies returned to the lodge room for the traditional group photographic, finally retiring to the south for a fun time with friends.
It is interesting to note that we have been displaying at our official lodge visitations our information pamphlet, newsletter and business cards and on each occasion good numbers of items have been taken by those in attendance.
Reported by CW
