VMMA members and our Installation Team were once again able and willing to support a Master Mason going into the chair. Bro Stephen Blake had booked the team 12 months ago, and this was certainly a very important event not to be missed. It was especially important for Stephen because his father Ken came down from Queensland to perform the duties of Installing Master.
My trip started with a ride, as is becoming quite frequent, to pick up The Red Baron at Miepoll. We then proceeded into Euroa to pick up Dean and Terri who were staying with family. Our quick ride through the Strathbogie Ranges was slowed somewhat by a damp road and traffic, and subsequent arrival at Mansfield around 1030. We found the rest of our latte sipping crew in one of the busiest cafes, and it appeared that most were enjoying a cooked breakfast of some kind. Baron and I ordered coffee at what can only be described as the slowest serving café in town, and again, as is becoming the norm I was served last. It was very nice to catch up with John Smith, one of our local Mansfield area members, who stayed and chatted the whole time we were at the café. Whilst gulping down the remains of a mug of ‘black’ the bulk of the group departed for Whitfield. Baron, Chris, Sharyn (on her 50th birthday present – a shiny new 1200 Suzuki Bandit) and I duly kitted up and rode on to catch up with the main group through the twisties. My new rear tyre, chain and sprockets were working well and the challenge of the twisties was exciting albeit that the road in parts was wet – no interruption by kangaroos this time thank goodness. The Triumph was running very smoothly, and all was well with the world. Stopping at Whitfield to regroup momentarily, some riders decided to put on more ‘wets’ as the clouds were threatening to dump a bucket load on us. However we were lucky that it only rained lightly on the final run into Myrtleford.
Having arrived 1 hour late, we hurriedly ate a very nice lunch of sandwiches and other goodies before proceeding to rehearsal at the Senior Citizens Centre (this is used while the Myrtleford Lodge building is being re-built after a fire in January 2006).The rehearsal is always a good time to iron out the bugs and ensure that any new team members are comfortable with the procedure. Due to an installation at Kooweerup Lodge on the same night we were missing some of our regular team members: Brian Sanders, Robert O’Meara, Graham Elso, and John Wilson. It was great to see Don Lowe back on the team after a break, and also David Payne for turning up the second weekend in a row to play his part. At the completion of rehearsal we sauntered back the 150 metres to the Myrtleford Hotel which was where most of us were staying, whilst the Phillip Island members went back to the Railway Hotel which they had booked many months ago. Some of us waited nervously over the few hours before tyling and took the time to continue practising our work. We eventually headed down to the Senior ‘Cits’, with the Lodge tyling a little after 1800. We waited patiently to be admitted, and once seated I glanced around to see a good number in attendance, maybe 60 to 70, with very few spare seats available – very encouraging for a country lodge. The work during the installation was polished and professional, and on closing the lodge all 20 VMMA members in attendance were asked to form a guard of honour for Wor Bro Stephen Blake as he retired from the lodge room.
Arriving back at the banquet location in the local Anglican Church hall around 2115, we were lucky to just miss a heavy downpour of rain. What better reason to enter a warm and cosy room which was now made even brighter by the attendance of many ladies. I counted 104 at the banquet; again a positive indication of support for Stephen. VMMA members in attendance were: Ken Blake and his wife from Queensland, Stephen and Darlene Blake accompanied by their children, Graham Hocking, Bruce Proctor, Rick Higginson, Pedro, Dennis and Anita Setterfield, Kim Wright (friend of Dennis & Balnarring Lodge member), Chris and Sharyn Wells, Mal Kidd, Bob and Jean Nichols, Don and Eleanor Lowe, Dave and Viv Cash, Colin and Beryl Fletcher, Richard Penna, David Hall, Rob van Lunenburg, David Payne, Rob Fisk, Terri King and Dean Lugton, John Gorman. During the banquet Ken Blake presented both Darlene then Stephen with their own gavel; I guess to confirm who is in charge at home and in the Lodge room!
During the next presentation Rick Higginson informed us that when the Phillip Island crew are away with David Hall he is likely to wander off to explore railway stations and equipment, cinemas (after all he is a projectionist) plus any other things of interest without saying how long he will be or exactly where he’s going. To correct this problem Rick presented David with a cow bell, which was duly hung around his neck, and rattled many times during the evening.
A number of VMMA members were involved in preparing various things/aspects of Sharyn’s 50th birthday. It was therefore timely and appropriate that we shared that celebration at the banquet dinner. Terri quietly distributed a candle to 50 people and at the appropriate time we all stood up, lit our candles, and formed a procession to the top table to allow Sharyn to blow out each one. She had no idea this was coming and it was great to see the surprise on her face. Thanks to all others involved for keeping the secret of all the arrangements. Raffle time came and went and it wasn’t until some extra wine came out that Sharyn, Jean, and Mal picked up prizes. The evening finished in fine style with Wor Bro Michael Porter presenting the full Tylers toast. This we don’t hear often, but is a beautifully worded charge that ends the night perfectly. And so it was that the official festivities had concluded at 2330, and we adjourned to our hotel to continue Sharyn’s birthday celebrations. The hotel bar closed at 0100, around the same time we had a visit from the local Police who were rewarded with a piece of birthday cake. The barman sold us some stubbies and we went upstairs to continue the party on the balcony.
It was a dark and stormy Saturday night with amounts of good rain throughout. Most of us arose to a cloudy and overcast sky. The Baron bravely fought off a sore head and managed a feeble little toot on his now famous VMMA horn (see St.Arnaud report). The Phantom was in our presence as yet again we heard the cries of ‘Morning Campers’, but this time at the more civilised time of 0800. I wonder who that person might be? Around 0800 we went downstairs to start the BBQ breakfast. Stephen and Ken Blake arrived just before most of us departed. The plan was to ride over to the Hume Highway and have coffee at the big servo at Glenrowan. This we did and on arrival found most of the car parks full of Harley’s as they had been attending a HOG rally in Wodonga. Watered and rested we headed off again, this time for home, with the Baron and me peeling off at Euroa whilst the others did the highway shuffle. Got home to Bendigo at 1330 then went out to the new house to do some work.
This weekend like many others was fantastic, and I would like to thank all those who attended for making it so enjoyable.
Ciao Pedro.
