Report of Visit to Maryborough Lodge No. 22
Saturday 12th April 2008
Reported by Pedro Return to Reports 2008 Index
I am happy to report that the VMMA has, yet again, been involved in another very successful and pleasurable event. Gee, it certainly has been busy the last couple of months.
The outgoing Master, and VMMA member, Wor. Bro Kenneth O’Sullivan cordially invited the VMMA to attend his last night; please read on to see why the visit was so important.
A small group of VMMA members at the BP Servo prior to departing for Maryborough.
VMMA members from Melbourne and Gippsland met at Calder Park servo and rode on to lunch at Castlemaine. After some munchies and a wander around the Restorers Barn in town they ambled over to Maryborough.
The Red Baron arrived at my place in Sedgwick around 1200, and after a casual lunch we headed off to what I had planned to be an interesting back roads trip.
Lunch break at Castlemaine.
Thankfully the weather was vastly improved from the previous night when we received some drizzling rain, and now the sky was blue and the sun warming up the area. We headed off around 1300 towards Mt.Alexander, but on reaching the second last hill before the top the clutch cable on my Triumph decided to disengage from the actuating lever.
Bingo, no forward movement. Fortunately, The Baron and I fixed the problem, temporarily, and we decided to alter our plans and head straight for Maryborough.
This is getting serious, 2 instro's!!!
The remainder of the ride was interesting, and fortunately I had to only use the clutch twice on the way to the motel in Maryborough. On arrival, around 1500, we were greeted by the other VMMA members, who by that time had changed into casual gear and settled in to socialising.
It was reported that Phil Tinker had major battery troubles on his Honda during the trip from Melbourne, and was in downtown Maryborough sourcing a replacement battery.
Apparently during the trip up the battery boiled, got extremely hot and some said it was in danger of exploding. However, all was put right with the new battery fitted and once again Phil's bike was a goer.
Socialising at Maryborough.
Settling in to the rooms and comfortable surrounds at the Bristol Hill Motel is not hard, and our hosts Gary and Deb made us welcome yet again. 1800 hours saw us ‘kitted and spurred’ and ready for light snacks in their restaurant, prior to going to lodge.
The Baron socialising at Maryborough!!!!!
VMMA in attendance included: John and Lois, Chris (no Sharyn as she stayed home to dog sit Jimmy), Bob, Jean and John Nicholls, Dave and Viv Cash, Brian and Vera, Dennis and Anita, Big Red, Richo and Margaret, Izzy, Ricardo, The Red Baron, Phil Tinker, Ron Alderding, Goat, Barry and Rhonda Forster, Walhalla, Kenneth and Jenny O’Sullivan, David and Ross Wells.
At approximately 1930, brethren and guests were invited to enter the Lodge room, whereupon the Master introduced Chris to those assembled.
Bristol Hill Motel finger food prior to going to Maryborough Masonic Centre.
Chris took the opportunity to explain the reason for the VMMA visit, which was to finalise the Dragons Abreast fundraiser, and make a special donation presentation to a local boy.
Consequently, he presented a $500 cheque to Helen Calder, the great aunt of a local 9-year-old boy, Tom, who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy, to assist in the purchase of a voice activated computer.
At Maryborough Masonic Centre, great turn out.
Unfortunately Tom was not able to attend due to illness. The local media were present to photograph the presentation, in addition to the other speakers that followed. Chris then invited our Patron, John Wilson to speak. John, in his normal friendly and open manner asked Mark, a young Fellowcraft from the Maryborough Lodge to join him on the floor of the Lodge to talk about Freemasonry in general, after which John elaborated on the work of the VMMA.
It is always good to see those in high Masonic office like John, as a Past Grand Master, involving brethren who are just starting out in the Craft.
Chris presenting VMMA donation to Helen who in turn will give to Tom.
Brother Matt Turner, a VMMA founding member (not present tonight) always promoted the work and understanding of Freemasonry and the VMMA by saying: “Show me and I might not see. Tell me and I might not hear. Involve me and I will understand”. How true it is!
Once the presentations and talks were completed the Master invited his non-Masonic guests to adjourn to the supper room. A very short open and closing of the Lodge was conducted after which we moved to the supper room to enjoy further friendship and merriment.
VMMA Patron M.W. Bro. John Wilson, PGM in the Lodge Room.
The Red Baron was given the honour of taking charge of the proceedings in the south, at which time it was also announced that all monies raised on the night would go to Tom.
Chris was once again invited to address the attendees, and on this occasion he explained how VMMA members had recently participated in the annual 3 day Presidents Ride, which raised donations for Dragons Abreast.
The fundraising for this charity concluded tonight and culminated with the drawing of a fundraising raffle, with prizes going to Mansfield and Bendigo.
VMMA members at Maryborough Lodge No. 22
The whole Dragons Abreast fundraising activity, conducted over 8 weeks, realised a total of $4800, and was greatly assisted by a substantial grant of $2000 from the United Grand Lodge of Victoria via the Board of Benevolence.
During the 3 day ride VMMA members visited Mansfield Lodge, Cohuna Lodge, and Lara Lodge (Geelong), and concluded with a number of dragon boat races, with the Dragons Abreast ladies, on the Barwon River.
Pedro taking about Nov 2008 CFV ride. Chris with Kenneth announcing total amount raised for Tom.
Chris then asked me to explain our forthcoming bi-annual ride, to occur in November 2008. The aim of this ride around Victoria is to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Victoria, over the period 1-8 Nov 08. We will kick off the ‘Breathless’ ride with a departure from Grand Lodge in Melbourne, and stay overnight at Stawell, Portland, Ballarat, Echuca, Wodonga, Bairnsdale, Warragul, and Queenscliff. Each night will include a trivia competition, conducted at a local lodge, and the final night at the Queenscliff Bowling Club will involve an auction of donated items.
Chris, the ever talkative one, took the floor again and announced that between the VMMA donation of $500 and all the other donations during the night, plus the raffle proceeds a total of $1300 had been raised for Tom’s computer.
The Worshipful Masters wife Jenny then kindly donated a number of hand knitted garments to the VMMA to be utilised to assist us to raise funds for future charitable activities.
Not to be outdone by all the talk and banter, our own Red Baron rose to continue with the central theme of involvement on the night. He explained, and some would say poorly demonstrated (what is now becoming infamous) ‘VMMA Fire’ – not a scotch fire mind, but our own version, which has strong links to vintage motorcycling.
Back at Bristol Hill Motel and Breakfast Sunday morning.
With much encouragement the Red Baron got everyone up and delivered a rousing VMMA Fire to the Master.
This then completed the official proceedings of the night.
And so to bed, well, not quite as there were some who believed that more socialising was needed back at the motel.
Fortunately the noise we created was not excessive, compared to the wedding party guests in adjoining rooms.
Tom, Tania, Dennis and Anita at Ballarat.
After a substantial breakfast we packed up and enjoyed the warming sunshine.
Chris rang to determine where Tom was, we found that Tom was now out of hospital and would love to meet with us, it was arranged to meet Tom at 12.30 p.m. at McDonalds after he and his friends from a local Ballarat Genetic Disorders Group had been to the cinema.
The following VMMA members rode from Maryborough to Ballarat to meet Tom and his friends Chris, Dean, Phil, Dave, Viv, Anita, Dennis, Bob, Jean, John.
Happy times at Ballarat.
Meeting Tom and his mum Tania and a large group of Tom's friends and parents who also have various disabilities was truly the highlight of the weekend for those who attend.
Tania was informed of the $1300 raised for Tom by the VMMA and Maryborough Lodge No. 22 to assist with the purchase of a voice activated laptop computer.
Over a period of 3/4 hour we had many a happy face as the children with disabilities enjoyed sitting on the motorcycles and having their photographs taken.
Happy times at Ballarat.
So as I close this report I can confidently say that the VMMA has again actively supported a number of people and organizations within various communities around Victoria.
It has been a very satisfying weekend, and we have had a great time with old friends, and the pleasure of meeting new friends.
Ciao Pedro
