Report of Installation at Lodge Noble No. 783
Saturday 19th July 2008
The VMMA was invited by W.Bro. Dave Cash, PM (VMMA member - Vice President Elect) to install him into the Chair of King Solomon at the South Eastern Masonic Centre at Keysborough on Saturday 19th July 2008.
VMMA and Lodge Noble members.
All week the weather forecast was for a cold and bleak weekend, yes they got it correct for Saturday was wet with a high chill factor that saw The Baron fully dressed in thermals for the ride down from Euroa. (not a pretty sight so Viv informed us!!!!)
Our team started to arrive at the South Eastern Masonic Centre at midday for a light lunch prior to the rehearsal, "started to arrive" is the keyword for our President had the sausage rolls and did not arrive until 12.45 p.m., may be he thought everyone would be full and not want any of Jean Nicholls sausage rolls and he could have them all to himself. This was definitely not the way it went, everyone knows Chris likes a dozen or so of Jeans sausage rolls so everyone made a rush for them, sorry Chris good try!!!!
VMMA members after the rehearsal. Dave can now smile it is all over and time to reflect with the family!!!!
After lunch we adjourned into the lodge room for our rehearsal whilst Viv took our ladies Sharyn, Beryl, Anita, Eleanor and Terri out for a drink, on their return we had an hour of socialising prior to the lodge tyling.
Other members of the installation team arrived later in the afternoon having traveled from Bendigo for David's installation.
Installing Master M.W. Bro. John Wilson, PGM and VMMA Patron in the south.
Our Installing Master M.W. Bro. John Wilson, PGM had made special arrangements to be part of this installing team for David, even though Richmond was playing in Melbourne, it must be noted that Richmond won this particular game by 4 points, thank you Lois for covering for John's absence.
David Cash has been an active member of the VMMA Installation Team from its inception and it was a little strange to have Dave in a dinner suit and being installed by the team he would normally have been part of.
Fostering of ex greyhounds into family environments presentation.
Whilst the installation was taking placing the ladies were presented with a very interesting presentation on the fostering of ex racing greyhounds and all the processes involved to evaluate the suitability of each greyhound for fostering into a family environment.
This particular installation was somewhat strange due to Life Member and Secretary of the VMMA Pedro who always plays an active part of the installation team was not with us, Pedro was missed by all and a toast to a quick recovery was most appropriate.
In the Lodge room after the installation, what a great atmosphere!!!
After closing the lodge both Lodge Noble and VMMA members were invited to join together for the traditional photograph to record Dave's installation.
Retiring to the south we awaited the entry of Installed Master of Lodge Noble W.M. Bro. Dave Cash and Viv, their entry was announced by The Baron blowing the now traditional horn.
The "great horn" of the Baron gains everyone’s attention to Dave and Viv entry into the south.
The south was run by The Baron who ensured there was never a dull moment, M.W. Bro. John Wilson, PGM played a large part in the south by involving Dave's family in the overview of Dave's life achievements along with explaining what the VMMA represents to himself and freemasonry Victoria.
Images of the south.
The exchange of the 12 prizes was well weighted towards the VMMA membership who managed to win 8, some questioned the validity of how could 4 prizes go to others!!!!!
Chris responded to W. Bro. Louis McGregor toast to the visitors and spoke of the large number of visitors who were seated when the Lodge Noble members stood to make the toast.
Chris responding on behalf of the visitors.
The VMMA attendance list was quite impressive with John Wilson, The Red Baron, Big Red, Casper & Anita, Don & Eleanor, Rob, John, Uncle, Dave & Viv, Grumpy (Hocking), Ricardo, Grumpy (Wells), Bob & Jean, Dean & Terri, Captain Fluffy & Sharyn, Taxi & Beryl, Izzy, Matt & Jane, Lionel, Mal and Innis.
To summarize this was another successful event in the VMMA calendar and we now look forward to next Saturday at Sandhurst Lodge at Bendigo.
Reported by: CW
