Report of VMMA Official Visit
George Bass Lodge No. 889 Daylight
Thursday 28th August 2008
This particular official visit to the George Bass Lodge No. 889 was the direct result of a recent VMMA presentation by Dave Hall at the Village Glen at Rosebud.
Being a Daylight Lodge we still managed to have support of the following members Old Nic, Grumpy, Chris, David Kent and our presenter for the day Dave Hall.
The day started for some of us at Mooroolbark with the trike loaded up with Old Nic at the helm and the dispatch rider being Grumpy, arriving 20 minutes early at Chris's they were dispatched on their way with instructions to pull over on the Monash Freeway and wait for Chris to catch up.
Finally Old Nic and Grumpy arrive at Dromana Masonic Centre, a sight to be seen!!!!!.
Within minutes of them leaving Jean was at the door inquiring have they got lost already for Jean could see Chris's bike and no trike, putting Jean's mind to rest that they are not lost it was time to catch them up.
Following the designated route the dueling pair on the trike were nowhere to be seen, continuing onto Dromana Masonic Centre expecting to see them already there!!!!
Alas no they were not there, a quick phone call that only eventuated in a message being left "where are you?", Dave Hall and David Kent were the next to arrive and still no trike, it was getting close to 10.00 a.m. and we were actually becoming a little concerned then we heard the sound of a thousand men coming up the road, yes they have arrived some 20 minutes after Chris who departed 20 minutes after them.
Grumpy (Ned Kelly) disembarking from his stead!!!!
Grumpy was first out of the blocks to ask were had I been, they waited for 15 minutes on the Monash Freeway and decided to wait no more, they were asked how was the tour around the Peninsula for it took them 40 minutes longer than Chris to get there.
David Kent met Dave Hall on the Phillip Island road and rode down to Dromana together, it was David's first VMMA outing.
The lodge tyled and after the Paster Master's we entered the lodge with a hearty welcome from W.M. Geoff Sandilands who we were introduced to individually as we were all P.M.s.
W.M. Geoff Sandilands then invited Dave Hall to the floor to make the VMMA presentation to the brethren, this was only the second time Dave had made this particular presentation and once again his presentation was very informative and presented with passion, this was evident by real interaction with the brethren in the lodge room.
L to R: Grumpy, Chris, Bob, W.M. Bro. Geoff Sandilands, David, Travis Ellis and Dave.
On closing the lodge we adjourned to the south for a light lunch and a darn good friendly social with the brethren in attendance, it must be noted that these brethren at the daylight lodge have plenty of life still in them even though many are in their late 80's & 90's.
We enjoyed their company and the many jokes and stories they had to share with us, a majority of the brethren had ridden a motorcycle in the early days when it was necessary due to the cost of cars and fuel.
Dave Hall and David Kent with a great bunch of guys. Cheers to all.
The W.M. Geoff Sandilands was a dispatch rider during the war and spoke of a number of his notable memories of those riding days and trying to keep out of trouble.
Chris was asked to respond on behalf of all the visitors, but just prior to this Chris was presented with $115.05 from the George Bass Lodge as a donation towards the CFV 8 Day Ride commencing in November, this donation was in a VMMA stubby holder and the weight of the coinage caused it to promptly slip out of Chris's hand and disbursed it self over the floor in the south, whilst others were on their hands and knees recovering the lost donation Chris continued with the response from the visitors.
Time to get dressed up and go home, we have plenty of time!!!!!
The visit came to an end with the two David's heading back towards Phillip Island and Chris this time leading the trike home ward bound to Mooroolbark.
Reported by CW
