This was a very important evening for VMMA member Mal Pitcher for he was to make a presentation to The Lord Brassey Lodge No. 170 of a number of items that belonged to his deceased Grandfather of W. Bro. Theo Sage, P.M. who was the oldest member of the VMMA along with being the oldest Worshipful Master in Freemasonry Victoria.
The VMMA visited The Lord Brassey Lodge in August 2005 to join with Mal when he presented to Bro. Theo with his VMMA badge and shirt.
Chris and Dennis rode to Leongatha to join with Mal who had also ridden all the way from Stawell for the evening, we all arrived with minutes of each other around 7.15 p.m.
Surprisingly it was not cold!!!!
The weather during the ride to Leongatha was surprisingly not cold, quite a lot of roads works with sections of gravel road on the approach side of Leongatha.
We were made very welcome on our arrival at the Masonic Centre, Mal carefully unwrapped his framed presentation that he transported from Stawell on his bike, no breakage all looks good.
All in one piece after being transported on Mal's bike from Stawell.
We entered the Lodge as visiting members of the VMMA with the both Chris & Dennis being welcomed as Past Masters and Mal as W.M. of Euroka Morning Star Lodge No 44. The work for the evening was The Vacant Chair with a Lodge member addressing the brethren with his own words and emotional emphasis, the bugle player was spot on and really added to The Vacant Chair presentation.
Retiring to the south we enjoyed our selves with no shortage of brethren inquiring on our charitable activities and wanting to know what we have planned for later in the year, it was a privilege for us to join with like minded brethren.
Chris was asked to respond to the visitors toast, of which he mentioned the friendliness of the brethren from when we arrived and that it has continued for the whole evening.
Mal making a personal presentation of his deceased Grandfathers (W. Bro. Theo Sage) Jewel's to the Lodge.
A short time later Mal was invited to make his presentation The Lord Brassey Lodge No. 170, this was a very reflecting moment for Mal and brethren of The Lord Brassey Lodge. Mal presented to the Lodge a glass framed cabinet that contained a number of very symbolic items of Mal's deceased Grandfather W. Bro. Theo Sage, it was a very generous donation of Bro. Theo's Past Masters Jewel, 50 year Jewel, VMMA name badge along with various printed articles relating to Bro. Theo.
Mal spoke of Bro. Theo's Masonic life and his passion for the craft, this included the fact that Bro. Theo was the oldest member of the VMMA along with being the oldest W.M. in Freemasonry Victoria.
After the presentation Mal was invited to enlighten the brethren of the VMMA activities that included our charitable work within the general community.
The evening was getting late and we needed to hit the road (not literally), all the good warm gear was put on and we rode together back to Tooradin were Dennis peeled off for Frankston whilst Chris and Mal rode to the Berwick freeway were Chris peeled off for Mooroolbark and Mal continued his ride all the way back to Stawell, yes Stawell for he had to start work at 7.00 a.m.
It was indeed a important lodge visit for Mal and it was a pleasure for both Chris and Dennis to share this moment with him.
Reported by CW
