Report of   "THE V.M.M.A. DIVIDED"

Koo-wee-rup Lodge No. 323

Thursday the 22nd of November 2007

Reported by David Hall                                                                       Return to Reports 2007 Index 

On Thursday the 22nd of November 2007 a split occurred within the V.M.M.A. ranks that could have serious consequences; two, yes two official visits of V.M.M.A. members took place on the same night at very different locations.

 

While a brave bunch ripped into an interesting and delicious meal of minced offal encased in sheep’s stomach in that well known Scottish outpost, Bendigo, a more civilised group met at Koo -wee-rup, where the fare was the more traditional party pies, sausage rolls (more offal), beautiful home made cakes and cashew nuts, not peanuts mind you, but real cashews. This in itself will ensure the writer attends Koo -wee-rup much more often.

 

Among the many strengths of the V.M.M.A. is our ability to ‘split’ and still put up an excellent showing of members.

 

VMMA members with 3 visiting masons from Scotland, whom 1 is a VMMA member.

 

Whilst a good number attended Sandhurst Lodge for Bag Pipes, Kilts and Haggis around fifteen turned up at Koo Wee Rup including five on bikes.

 

The Colonel was in the Chair for a P.M.s. demo of a First and he and his team performed well for us all. At the risk of breaking with protocol a special mention must be made regarding Red’s (Rob O’Meara) delivering of the North East Charge – brilliant! If G.L. doesn’t pick this bloke up soon for an active team it will be their loss, big time.

 

VMMA member Danny with his son visiting from Scotland.

 

Also among the visitors were three Scottish Brethren, which struck me as rather ironic when we consider what the other group of us were enduring, sorry, enjoying in Bendigo.

 

It has always seemed strange to me when Germany lost the war they inflicted Volkswagens on us as revenge, the Japanese Yamaha motorcycles, but what did we ever do to the Scot’s that was so bad they had to give us kilts and haggis?

 

 

Visiting masons from Scotland, Danny's son is on the right.

 

Back to Koo -wee-rup, a good night was had by all, the Colonel and his Lodge performed a great ceremony and their hospitality in the South was fantastic.

 

It’s no wonder their Lodge is strong and growing with a vibrancy rarely seen. Even the supper room is well designed and doesn’t have the normal Masonic echo making it possible for people like me, who don’t hear too well, to actually hear the toasts being proposed.

 

Great night and now its time to part!!!!

 

At the conclusion of the Tylers toast, Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem it was time to head for home. A quick forty five minute squirt down the Bass Highway aboard the Suzuki in drizzling rain on the tail of a very sporty Subaru ably piloted by Doc saw us back on the Island just after midnight.

 

A nip of Bailey’s and off to the land of nod, on the couch, I had promised to be home before midnight you see! !!!!