Lodge of Unity No.54 Installation
Bright - Saturday 3rd November 2007
Yes folks we did it all again; this time in Bright.
For those who have been following our Installation Team progress you would have noticed that we are very, very busy.
Now, fortunately the team has only one more installation to do for this year – Civil Service Lodge on the 17th November.
So, what you ask, did happen over the Bright weekend. Well from my prospective it was another very successful, if not slightly wet weekend. As is my usual custom I rode up to pick the Red Baron at his place at Euroa on Friday afternoon.
We had planned to meet Chris and Sharyn at Mansfield and stay there overnight. The Baron and I tootled through the Strathbogie’s to Merton. I took the opportunity, rare as it may sound, to follow Rob through the twisties, and I was quite surprised to see how nibble that BMW of his is around the twisties. I have to admit that I couldn’t keep up with him on some of the corners.
Fireworks at Mansfield Mansfield VMMA members Peter & Pam joined with us for the fireworks.
I had advised Rob that we were likely to encounter an increased police presence from Merton to Mansfield and my comments were proved to be correct as we saw two cars patrolling and parked. Luckily we zipped past a line of cars just out of sight of one particular bright orange highway patrol car. I spent the next few minutes watching my mirrors but clearly the police officer was probably more interested in Porsche and BMW drivers.
On entering Mansfield we booked in to the Commercial Hotel and rang Chris to ascertain his whereabouts. He must have got bored waiting for us as he informed us he and Sharyn had ridden up to Merrijig Pub for dinner. The Baron and I went to the bistro, and even though I ordered Chicken ‘in pyjamas’ I ended up swapping meals with Rob as his chosen pasta ‘something or other’ that had garlic in it – which he can’t eat!
On the balcony at the Commercial Hotel at Mansfield watching the fireworks.
I think he got the better end of the deal as the chicken parma was huge, just as well actually as he had a thirst like a drovers dog and had little difficulty in consuming a jug of one of his favorite beverages. Chris and Sharyn arrived back from Merrijig and we subsequently adjourned to the hotel balcony to watch the last stages of the annual street parade and the spectacular fireworks display from the nearby footy oval.
Chris got busy with his camera and as well as snapping the fireworks he had some fun lighting up the camera flash to see the reaction of the passing cars and their speeding habits. During this time the Baron sat on the parapet wall with feet dangling some 5 metres above the footpath, casually smoking a half corona cigar and as usual providing a cheeky commentary to all and sundry who were passing on the footpath below.
Peter and Pam Mahoney (local residents and VMMA members) also joined us for a chat and catch up. Peter was the very first VMMA member to be Installed by our team, and those longer standing members will remember the excellent weekend we had with Peter and his crew in Mansfield.
The Red Barons instruments also got wet!!!! Bike uncover at the Star Hotel.
With the witching hour creepy ever closer I toddled, no not staggered, off to bed. In the morning the Baron told me that he came to bed some time later and found me well settled under the warm doona with earplugs firmly affixed, whilst making noises not dissimilar to a misfiring Vincent or Harley. Hm, I didn’t hear the Baron at all – just as well.
We awoke to an overcast sky about 6ish and procrastinated over whether it was a day to be wearing ‘wets’ or not.
Around 7 it started raining and that really sealed the decisions as to our riding attire. Toast, cereal, and coffee were had, as well as some interesting conversation about Freemasonry and medical research and technology. Gee, we certainly cover a broad range of interesting topics on our trips. Packed up, dressed and ready to go we exited the back of the pub and somehow got separated and went to two different petrol stations.
Having regrouped after refueling I led the way to Whitfield in conditions which were now worsening due to the increased rain. Chris followed close behind, then Sharyn, and Baron as tail rider because his rear tyre was not a grippy as he would have liked. I was expecting Chris to join me at a rather quick pace through the twisties but he declined and maintained contact with the others. As many would know the Mansfield to Whitfield road has claimed its fair share of inexperienced and foolhardy riders. Although the road was wet it was clean of moss etc, and this allowed me to arrive at Whitfield in time to have a longish rest whilst awaiting the arrival of my riding companions. First Chris and Sharyn, and then the Baron arrived.
Socialising at Bright. Lunch provided by Barry and Rhonda at Bright Masonic Centre.
But as Rob arrived he exclaimed with fright and dismay that his tank bag was missing, it appears he left it sitting on the top box whilst refueling in Mansfield and forgot to re-fit the tank bag when leaving the servo. We decided not to go back but push on to Bright then make some phone calls to the servo and police.
Initially we had planned to turn right at Whitfield and experience the mostly dirt road through Chestnut; which brings you out at Lake Buffalo. This was not to be as the wet and slippery conditions dictated a more sensible ride to Bright on the bitumen. Our journey to Bright was uneventful and on arrival at the motel we met up with Don and Eleanor, soon to be followed by the other team members.
VMMA Installation Team with Installed Master W.M. Bro. James Barry Forster.
Stories of the ride/drive up were shared around including that of Terri being totally drenched and having no dry clothes at all, so a hot shower borrow some of Dean's clothes and off to the laundry mat to use the clothes dryer, at 1230 we departed for the Bright Masonic Centre for lunch and the necessary rehearsal. We were greeted very warmly by the Master Elect Barry Forster and his wife Rhonda and enjoyed a fabulous lunch before going to work. With the rehearsal over we adjourned to the motel to freshen up prior to going back to lodge at 1730.
The VMMA Team and ladies now included: John and Lois Wilson, Don and Eleanor Lowe, Dennis and Anita Setterfield, David and Viv Cash, Graham and Marilyn Elso, Dean Lugton and Terri King, Chris and Sharyn Wells, Brian (The Colonel) Sanders, Robert (Big Red) O’Meara, Robert Fisk, George (Uncle) Allen, Richard (Ricardo) Penna, Robert (The Red Baron) van Lunenburg, and David Payne.
M.W. Bro. John Wilson, P.G.M. and VMMA Patron involving everyone at the banquet.
John Wilson once again led our team of merry men and his ability to add humor and make the installation interesting and personal was I’m sure appreciated by all in attendance. I am again pleased to report that Chris received information and feedback from those in attendance that the work was up to our usual high standard. Well done to all on the team. Having completed the formal portion of the evening’s ceremony we all retired to the banquet room at the Star Hotel (very well thought out Barry, particularly considering that is where we were staying!).
Once again we enjoyed the company of both the VMMA and lodge ladies in a truly friendly atmosphere.
John Wilson gave a stimulating speech and again as is his style involved many people including the Entered Apprentice who had been in the craft less than a month, Rhonda and Sharyn were involved by clarifying some statements made earlier in the day and finally Lois was invited to lead the ladies in the Scotch Fire to Installed Master Barry.
M.W. Bro. John Wilson, P.G.M. and VMMA Patron involving everyone at the banquet.
On many occasions people drift off soon after the final (Tyler’s) toast. On this occasion however it appeared that no-one was really ready to leave so most stayed on to chat.
Feeling a bit lucky, The Colonel and I had a flutter on the pokies next door and were favorably rewarded. Most of the VMMA members had gathered outside our rooms to have a nightcap and talk prior to retiring to bed. For the hungry ones amongst us our search for a pizza shop open at 0030 was futile, so bed was the sensible option.
Our early risers on Sunday morning witnessed a very heavy thunder storm and lighting, while some others were woken up by it whilst the rest of us with earplugs just slept through the commotion.
Rhonda and Sharyn with John. Socialising after the banquet.
That nasty little individual who persists in yelling out ‘morning campers’ was again in our presence but his efforts were wasted as most just ignored it and slept on. I was somewhat surprised that the phantom horn blower was either not around our motel or had somehow lost his horn. Slowly people appeared and breakfast and riding plans were discussed.
Some other friendly motel patrons, a group of men on a 4 day golfing holiday, offered us BBQ sausages – very nice too.
Due to the heavy rain over night and within the previous 24 hours no-one was inclined to ride/drive over Mt.Hotham on the home journey – quite sensible really. Richard Penna and I had appointments back in Bendigo, so we were unable to stay for the pre-arranged BBQ breakfast at the Masonic Centre starting at 1000. Ricardo and I departed at 0900.
That nasty individual looking pleased with himself!!! The Red Baron trying a bigger horn, what is going to blow first?
Our trip was uneventful via the Hume Highway and Violet Town, Murchison etc. I made it home around 1230. Having a shower to clean up as well as warm up, then get changed, Bron and I headed out to our grandson’s first birthday party in Bendigo.
Clearly the weekends riding caught up with me as by mid afternoon I was dozing on the couch in the lounge.
Other VMMA members in attendance took up to invitation to join with Lodge of Unity at the Bright Masonic Centre for a cooked breakfast, what a turn out of local brethren and their ladies to have breakfast with us.
The Saturday night banquet had shown those present how you can have a fun time whilst maintaining decorum, this was evident by large red horn and the outstanding large horned helmet that was produced at Sunday's breakfast specially for The Red Baron to try out.
The Red Baron trying not to be out done!!!!! Barry, Rhonda, Chris and Sharyn concluding the weekend.
Chris invited Barry, Rhonda and Sharyn to join with him on the floor after breakfast so he could on behalf of the VMMA membership thank Barry, Rhonda and members of Lodge of Unity and ladies for their hospitality and friendship, Chris also attempted to cover his ground by thanking Sharyn his lovely wife on their 29th Wedding Anniversary, good try Chris!!
Barry responded to Chris by showing his appreciation to his fellow VMMA members who joined with him and Rhonda on his Installation as Master of Lodge of Unity and indicated that in his personal opinion that VMMA continues to demonstrate what can be done both within Freemasonry Victoria and the General Community.
Barry and Rhonda were tremendous host's to the VMMA giving the Saturday and Sunday activities good planning and timing so that everything flowed.
The Red Barons charge homeward!!!!!
Another great weekend away with great friends. We put the F (fun) back in Freemasonry this weekend in Bright and this was confirmed by favorable comments from lodge members and their ladies.
It was our pleasure.
A big vote of thanks to Barry and Rhonda for their hospitality and warm greetings.
Ciao Pedro
