Report of Installation at Sandhurst Lodge No. 194
Saturday 26th July 2008.
The VMMA was invited by W. Bro. Andrew George, PM (VMMA member) to install him into the Chair of King Solomon at the Bendigo Masonic Centre on Saturday 26th July 2008, this was the following weekend after the VMMA Installation Team had Installed the W.M. Bro. David Cash into the chair at Lodge Noble.
VMMA members with W.M. Bro. Andrew George and Judy.
Once again the weather forecast for the weekend was not motorcycle friendly even though Saturday turned out to be okay with clear blue sky with the sun shining down upon us.
A small group assembled at the BP Servo just past the Calder Racetrack for the ride up to Bendigo it included Rob, Dennis, Dave, Viv, Chris & Sharyn, we departed around 10.00 a.m. after a cup of coffee and a catch up chat.
It was decided to ride directly up the Calder to Bendigo and check into the motel and then proceed to the Masonic centre for a light lunch and rehearsal, well that was the plan.
Arriving at the Bendigo Masonic Centre for lunch.
We missed the motel and promptly arrived at the Masonic Centre and was greeted by both Master Elect W. Bro. Andrew George and the current W.M. Bro. Collin Adams, PGStdB, it was only 11.30 a.m. so we departed the Centre to seek the Motel, arriving at the motel we found Taxi and Beryl settled in with a hot coffee.
A majority of the installation team progressively arrived at the motel over the next 3/4 hour, we then headed back to the Bendigo Masonic Centre for a light lunch with our partners, it must be noted that in Jean's absence we still managed to be provided with home made sausages rolls for Judy or provide our lunch, thank you Judy.
Our Installing Master Ricardo (VMMA member) then arrived to commence the our traditional rehearsal in the actual lodge room, some one must have known that the J.W.'s chair and pedestal are fixed to the ground with very, very, very little room between the chair and pedestal, it was some feat for Chris to maneuver his torso between these obstacles, but miracles do happen!!!!
These images are a follow on from the cartoon of spot the difference.
Whilst rehearsal was in progress our ladies took off around Bendigo for some shopping and a coffee, finally we all met back at the motel for a social gathering prior to the tyling time of 6.30 p.m.
Pedro was able to visit us at the motel on Saturday afternoon, it was great to see him for his presence was missed last week at Lodge Noble, some business did take place in regard to the CFV ride in November 2008.
Andrew and Judy arranged entertainment for the visitors whilst the installation took place, it comprised of a chef demonstrating what can be cooked with various food types that you would not normally consider to compatible and then watching DVD's whilst consuming the cooked product.
A number of the VMMA ladies had already planned an evening in Bendigo and did not attend the Masonic Centre for the installation, we joined with then later in the evening back at the motel.
Glenn and Debbie's brand new 168 klms old Guzzi
Arriving back at the Masonic Centre the lodge had already tyled for the masters obligation in the 2nd was to be carried out on the evening, rather than the current practice of obligating the master at the meeting prior to installation.
The lodge was opened in the 3rd degree and the VMMA Installation Team and members entered the lodge with 1st time Installing Master Richard Penna, after being welcomed to Sandhurst Lodge we were seated and the Installing Master took the chair to commence the evenings work of installation Master Elect W. Bro. Andrew George.
1st time Installing Master you can now smile, job well done.
The installation team worked very well together and were once again proud of the privilege to install a VMMA member into the chair, we now have 4 members who have taken the chair as Installing Master giving us further depth and experience to the team, everyone was satisfied with the evenings performance.
On closing the lodge the VMMA members including W.M. Bro. Andrew George and Judy returned to the lodge room for the traditional photograph to record Andrew's installation.
The "great horn" of the Baron once again announces the entry of a newly Installed Master W.M. Bro. Andrew George and Judy into the south.
Once again the south was run by The Baron who entertained everyone with his own personal style, Installing Master Richard Penna enlighten everyone with an overview of Andrew's activities both in and outside of freemasonry and spoke of the support Judy and his family have and will continue to give to Andrew over the next 12 months.
W.M. Bro. Andrew George proposing a toast to the Grand Master.
A number of jewels were presented in the south to the IPM who received the Sandhurst Lodge perpetual jewel and the Master's Jewel to the out going IPM, these presentations were significant to the Sandhurst Lodge and the recipitants.
Due to the concern of a number of VMMA members had for Chris and the maneuvers he had to perform to finally be seated in the JW's chair they made a special request for a supper that may assist Chris with future entrapment situations.
Chris with his supper comprising of a carrot slice and a single pea.
The evening continued to around 11.30 p.m. when the VMMA members adjourned back to the motel for a sad social evening, other than 2 members who still had some life in them everyone else went to bed.
Sunday morning was definitely not motorcycle friendly for it had been raining heavily over night and was still determined to continue raining, once everyone was attired in the wet riding gear we departed for breakfast at the Beechworth Bakery in Bendigo.
After rearranging the bakery seating arrangements we all enjoyed our breakfast and continued to enjoy each others company, finally it was time to once again gear up for the ride back home.
Breakfast at the Beechworth Bakery at Bendigo prior to departing for home.
Dave, Viv, Dennis, Rob, Glenn, David and Debbie rode off down the Calder Hwy together whilst others enjoyed a comfortable drive home on four wheels, Baron, Chris and Sharyn rode off to Sedgwick to see Pedro and Bron, on our arrival Pedro had the garage door opened so we could ride straight in to a dry area and to top that off the wood fire was stoked up along with a cuppa and home made scones.
Around 12.00 p.m. we departed Sedgwick for the ride home, we decided to ride together to Heathcote were Baron would turn off to Nagambie whilst Chris and Sharyn continued home via Broadford, Flowerdale with a stop at Glenburn Pub to warm up in front of the yes magnificent open fire before the final leg home.
Reported by: CW
