Report of VMMA Official visit to Healesville Lodge No. 247
Wednesday 12th November 2008
The November Meeting of the Healesville Masonic Lodge was a ‘Non-Ceremonial’ Meeting. The evening was an opportunity for Lodge Members to invite their partners and guests, both male and female, to join with us in what turned out to be a fantastic night of Community activity. Several Local Community Groups were also invited to be a part of this event. The format of the evening was as follows:
This was an evening that encompassed the Healesville community and Freemasons Victoria
Master of the Lodge Welcomed Guests and provided a brief overview of Freemasonry.
Wor. Bro. David Wells, the current Master of Healesville Lodge welcomed everyone to the Lodge. There were 73 people in attendance with nearly 50 of them being visitors. Apart from partners of our own members, the visitors included people from Healesville CFA, Healesville High School, a large group of teachers, parents and students from the Badger Creek Primary School, Representatives from Anglicare and Healesville SES, and members of other local Lodges.
David gave a rundown of the evening’s agenda then asked the children about what they thought was the most important item in the Lodge Room. As the children were told not to stand on the centre carpet square this was their obvious first answer. After a few guesses, they were told about the Lodge Charter, which was followed by a brief discussion about our aprons and the rough and smooth ashlars.
W.Bro. Chris Wells had the pleasure and honor to present W.Bro. Bob Nicholls with his 40 year pin. and a family from Badger Creek Primary School in the East.
Presentation of a 40 year Membership Badge.
The next item on the agenda was the presentation of a 40 year Membership Badge to Wor. Bro. Bob Nicholls.
The badge was presented by Wor. Bro. Chris Wells who provided some information regarding Bob’s Masonic history and also some insight into Bob ‘The Man’. David then presented Bob with an engraved miniature hip flask as a token of thanks for the support Bob has given him from his Initiation Night right through to today. David also proudly announced to everyone that Bob had received confirmation on that day that he had been granted Grand Rank by Grand Lodge.
WM Bro. David Wells presenting a donation to Anglicare Victoria, represented by Marg Kearsley and Paul Dayman, for $4400. This money is to support their ‘Boys to Men’ programme which Paul gave an overview of to everyone in his thank you comments.
Cheque Presentations to Anglicare and State Emergency Services (Healesville Division).
There were two cheque presentations on the night.
The first was to Anglicare Victoria, represented by Marg Kearsley and Paul Dayman, for $4400. This money was to support their ‘Boys to Men’ programme which Paul gave an overview of to everyone in his thankyou comments. This money was raised by Healesville Lodge during their 2007-2008 Masonic year through a Games Night (including additional funding from the Grand Lodge Board of Benevolence), a Raffle, money won at a District Charity Dinner and money from the Master’s Charity bowl which was collected at each of the 12 meetings for the year.
WM Bro. David Wells presenting a donation to the Healesville Division of the SES, represented by Karen Picone and Steve Collins, for $4882. This money was to assist them with the purchase of Search and Rescue equipment, Portable Radios and GPS equipment, and the set up of a Storm Damage trailer.
The second was to the Healesville Division of the SES, represented by Karen Picone and Steve Collins, for $4882. This money was to assist them with the purchase of Search and Rescue equipment, Portable Radios and GPS equipment, and the set up of a Storm Damage trailer. This money has been raised by Healesville Lodge during their 2008-2009 Masonic year through a Games Night (including additional funding from the Grand Lodge Board of Benevolence). There will be a second presentation next year which will include money won at this year’s District Charity Dinner, money raised via a raffle, and money from the Master’s Charity bowl which is being collected at each of the 12 meetings for the year.
Badger Creek Primary School Music Group performing several musical pieces for us in the Lodge Room.
Badger Creek Primary School Music Group.
The Badger Creek Primary School Music Group then performed several musical pieces for us in the Lodge Room. This included several group items as well as several solo pieces. The school has many fine ‘budding’ musicians which should be encouraged to continue with music after they leave Badger Creek and move on to High School. They finished their presentation by playing the Australian National Anthem to which everyone in the room stood and sang heartily too.
Badger Creek Primary School Music Group played the Australia Anthem in the lodge room to the very gusto voices of everyone in attendance.
Retire from the Lodge Room to the Supper Room to enjoy some food and refreshments.
Everyone then retired to the South for some food, drink and plenty of mingling and socialising. The children were each presented with a ‘Santa Bag’ by the Wor. Master as a token of thanks for their fine work. All the feedback received from Members and Visitors was very positive and a great night was had by all.
Every one was invited to the supper room, when was the last time you joined with young members of the community in the supper room?
A few notes of thanks to finish off with. A big thank you to Kerry O’Sullivan who was our caterer for the evening. Kerry, you did a fantastic job – it was very much appreciated. To Jean Nicholls who made our sweets – I have never known anyone say no the delights that you produce. A thank you to the ladies that supported Kerry in the kitchen and finally a thank you to all of the Healesville Lodge members who assisted in the South and the Lodge Room on the night. All of you helped to make this a very special night.
Report by David Wells W.M. Healesville Lodge 2008-2009
