Report of Installation at Lodge Of Unity No. 54
Saturday 18th October 2008.
The VMMA was invited by Master Elect W. Bro. Norman Bier to attend his installation at the Bright Masonic Centre on Saturday 18th October and then to the banquet at the Star Hotel for the proceeds of funds raised at the banquet are to be donated to the VMMA and then directed to the "Breathless" 8 Day Ride fund raiser for Cystic Fibrosis Victoria.
It was planned that Dean, Pedro and Chris would attend at Bright whilst other members of the VMMA were at the Lilydale Masonic Centre installing Master Elect Bro. Arthur Irving (VMMA member) into the chair at The Orient Lodge Of Lilydale No. 108.
Unfortunately Dean was unable to attend due to a last minute work commitment, Chris was running about 3/4 hour late and rang Pedro before departing Mooroolbark to the meeting destination at Yea only to find Pedro was already at Yea. This did not prove to be a problem for The Baron was also meeting Chris and Pedro at Yea on his journey to the Lilydale Masonic Centre and would keep Pedro company.
Finally we all met in Yea and had morning tea, Baron then departed for Lilydale whilst Chris and Pedro rode off towards Mansfield for the ride to Whitfield via Tolmie which is one of the best motorcycle riding roads in Victoria, it was decided to ride to Bright via the Lake Buffalo dirt road which was very very dusty if you would following the BMW of Pedro's.
This route took us past the Myrtleford Masonic Centre which stood out to us due to the white painted square and compass's on the gates, refueling at Myrtleford is was only a 30 kilometer ride to the Star Hotel at Bright where we were booked in for an overnight stay.
Soon after arriving at the Star, Rhonda Forster appeared to welcome us once again to Bright, Rhonda then kindly offered to transport us at 4.15 p.m. to the Bright Masonic Centre for the installation.
Bright Masonic Centre lodge room.
After a couple of refreshments it was time for a shower and to get ready for tyling was at 5.00 p.m., Rhonda arrived on time with Barry to pick us up, this caught Pedro out for he was still giving his boots the final brush up.
We were made very welcome at the Masonic Centre by both brethren of Lodge Of Unity and their visitors, as we were about to enter the lodge in the 1st degree the Ceremonial Installation Team and M.W. Bro. Garry Sebo, GM arrived for they were to enter the lodge in the 3rd degree.
The installation of Master Elect W. Bro. Norman Bier was carried out by M.W. Bro. Garry Sebo, GM who had involved a good number of his country ceremonial team 2008/2009.
After closing the lodge we were all invited to the Star Hotel function room for the installation banquet, this was very convenient for Pedro and Chris for we were staying at the Star in room 3.
Installed W.M. Bro. Norman Bier of Lodge Of Unity No. 54 arriving at the banquet at the Star Hotel with his wife Ann.
The banquet comprised of a 2 course meal and drinks were available at the bar, there were approximately 100 people in attendance at the banquet to support the W.M. Bro. Norman Bier on his installation.
It is interesting to note that this was the first time that W.M. Bro. Norman Bier had been installed into the chair in the Victorian Constitution even though he had been installed into the chair three times in the English Constitution and carries English Grand Rank.
Another item of interest is that one of the Lodges in England he was master of had a affiliation with the air force and motorcycle dispatch riders, an image of his past masters jewel with the air force wings and motorcycle wheel is below for your viewing.
W.M. Bro. Norman Bier English Lodge P.M.'s jewel air force and dispatch motorcycle affiliation
It was announced that the proceeds raised at the banquet were to be donated to the VMMA "Breathless" 8 Day Ride for Cystic Fibrosis Victoria and Chris and Pedro were invited to address those in attendance of recent VMMA activities along with an update of the "Breathless" ride that commences on the Saturday 1st November departing from Grand Lodge in East Melbourne.
Rhonda and Barry donated to the VMMA an accommodation voucher and a bottle of wine to the CFV "Breathless" Ride and the proceeds from the banquet amounted to a total of $420 which with the $ for $ from Freemasons Victoria will actually contribute $840 towards the donation to CFV.
L to R: Barry Forster, Rhonda Forster and Pedro all VMMA members.
Lodge Of Unity provided a cooked breakfast on the Sunday morning at the Bright Masonic Centre for everyone who was still in town after the installation, thank you to Ann and the ladies and brethren who assisted with the preparation and cooking of the breakfast, it was most appreciated.
It was very encouraging to hear from a good number of the Country Ceremonial Team that they will be attending a number of the Trivia/Games Nights during the "Breathless" Ride, we had met these brethren during the VMMA past visits to their lodges.
Pedro enlightening those in attendance at the banquet of the up coming "Breathless" 8 Day Ride for CFV.
The weekend concluded with M.W. Bro. Garry Sebo, GM thanking Lodge Of Unity for their invitation to carry out the installation of W. Bro. Norman Bier and their hospitality during the weekend, the Grand Master then presented W.M. Bro. Norman Bier with a pair of cuff links from the Grand Lodge Ceremonial Team 2008/2009.
Pat Sebo then spoke of the hospitality given to the ladies who journeyed with their partners in the Ceremonial Team 2008/2009 to Bright and presented to the W.M.'s wife a token of appreciation.
Sunday morning at the Bright Masonic Centre. L to R: VMMA members Pedro, Rhonda and Barry.
It was now time to depart Bright for the journey back to Bendigo for Pedro and Mooroolbark for Chris, it was decided to travel via Oxley, Moyhu, Tatong to Swanpool via the back roads, but Chris took a wrong turn and we emerge at Glenrowan and now faced a ride down the Hume Hwy.
Chris peeled off at Benella and rode home via Swanpool, Merton and Yea whilst Pedro rode down to Seymour and then peeled off via back roads to Bendigo.
M.W. Bro. Garry Sebo, GM and Pat Sebo thanking everyone for a great weekend.
The weather was darn hot up at Bright and both Pedro and Chris wished they had packed there dehydration packs, the bugs were also very prevalent on both the ride up to Bright and back home with the visors being cleaned at every stop.
This was another successful visit to a lodge that continues to support the VMMA in its community based activities.
Reported by: CW
