VMMA Official Visit to Mansfield Lodge No. 158
Wednesday 8th July 2009
Having not officially visited Mansfield Lodge for some time it was great to get an invitation to a night when our won Red Baron was to deliver the lecture on the First Degree Tracing Board. (The Mansfield Lodge is also quiet special to the VMMA as it was at this lodge back in November 2004 that the first installation was conducted by the VMMA Installation team).
Bob, Taxi and Baron at Merton just about ready to depart for Mansfield 6.30 pm. The trike always is an eye catcher, Bob reports that since the Square and Compass has been added even more interest has been shown.
Apart from local VMMA member John Smith, the 'out of towners' included Chris Wells, Brian Sanders, Pedro, the Red Baron, Colin Fletcher, Bob Nicholls, Gary Power, and David Hall.
Pedro met David Hall at Seymour then rode on to meet Brian at Yea, while Chris, Bob, and Taxi left Melbourne later and met up with the Red Baron at Merton for the ride in to Mansfield.
Brian must have been in somewhat of a hurry to leave Blind Bight as he left his leather vest at home. However, he was seen and photographed wearing a rather fluffy jumper!
Garry Power drove up from Moe for the night and was heading to Melbourne the next morning for a business meeting.
Taxi, Smithy, Gary and Pedro in the south.
As usual we were admitted to the lodge room after the Past Masters and warmly welcomed by the Master.
We didn’t have long to wait for the Baron being given the nod to do his stuff. The First Degree Tracing Board explanation is very extensive and requires the speaker to learn 12 pages of ritual. The Baron did an excellent job, and although he did receive one prompt I believe he was in fact catching his breath rather than requiring a prompt.
Six Mansfield Lodge brethren, led by the Director of Ceremonies then presented the Second Degree Tracing Board explanation. This presentation was done very well and by involving a number of brethren, some of whom were Master Masons, made the work much more interesting and meaningful.
Chris responded on behalf of the visitors. Pedro spoke of the VMMA mission statement and that charity to others in the community is always a high priority.
We left the lodge room around 9pm and the 40 odd members and guests retired to the supper room. Smithy, one of our local VMMA members proposed the toast to the visitors and Chris responded on behalf of all the visitors. He also thanked the Lodge for its continued support to the VMMA and spoke briefly about our recent work and future intentions to support Cystic Fibrosis Victoria.
Pedro spoke briefly about the mission and goals of the VMMA.
Having eaten, drunk some nice beverages, and growing somewhat merry we departed.
Chris and his band headed for home, while Baron, Pedro, David, and Brian retired to the Commercial Hotel just across the road.
Well what an image to finish the evening with, our very own Gary Power all the way from Moe, yes Moe. Clear competition for the "Captain Fluffy" title !!!!
Last seen Gary was decked out in a rather swish overcoat and apparently disappeared (we think) to a motel.
Reported by Pedro
