VMMA Installation of Bro. Malcolm Carl Pethybridge - Bendigo City Lodge No: 714
Saturday 9th October 2010
A nice sunny day was provided for our journey up to Bendigo for the Installation of Malcolm.
As my Son Grant was doing the driving to increase his hours on 'L' plates, I took the opportunity to relax a little and enjoy the scenery not often viewed when behind the wheel.
We stopped for coffee at the usual BP station just past Thunderdome but our timing was out as we did not catch up with other VMMA members coming through as we would normally have done.
VMMA Installation team members arriving at the Bendigo Masonic Centre prior to the rehearsal.
Arrived at the Bendigo Masonic Hall to be be greeted by Ian and Kerry Goddard and Bob and Jean Nicholls who had travelled up together. Soon after many of our other members for this particular Installation started to arrive.
Before rehearsal I attempted to take Grant off to the hotel so that he could do some school work that he had brought up with him. We relied on the 'local' knowledge of Pedro to give us directions to the new motel as there was a change in accommodation from the one just down the road from the Masonic Centre. Sadly after 45 minutes we both returned without finding the motel.
Bendigo Masonic Centre Lodge Room
The tall and short of things!!!
L to R: Master Elect Mal with Daryl (Dad)
MWBro John Wilson PGM was our Installing Master for this Installation and he put us through our paces during rehearsal. John touched on a few things that he expects we will need to change going forward into next year if we are to continue to be engaged by VMMA members to Install them in the chair of King Solomon. We took these on board and they progressed quite well, but we all realised that there will be much more hard work, as well as other changes to be made, for us to gain approval and qualify as an approved Installation Team.
We had a new Team Member at Bendigo - Ian Goddard - who was with us for his first time on the Installation Team. Ian had agreed to perform the role of Herald for the team, but we didn't let it end there.
Due to the late unavailability of David Kent, Ian was asked if he would be prepared to step up to the mark for the Address to the Wardens as well. On behalf of the whole team I would like to say that Ian did a great job for his first night.
The VMMA Installation Team and members with Installed Master WBro. Malcolm Carl Pethybridge (VMMA member).
It was tremendous for me as Proclaiming Officer to be able to stand up with a Herald and have everybody rise to his perfectly pitched note. I also enjoyed his 'fanfare' from the east with the StKilda football club song - but I wish he had played a few more bars before stopping.
While Chris Wells has been a regular member of the team over many years - I also threw him a challenge by asking him to learn the Address to the Master. This is one that I have often done when not Proclaiming and it was a golden opportunity to allow me to work with Chris doing something we both greatly enjoy.
One very happy Installed Master WBro. Malcolm Carl Pethybridge.
Like Ian, Chris also did a great job and we now have that extra little bit of experience within the VMMA Installation Team 'squad' through these members taking on the challenge.
Next was the South and I might add here that Bendigo City put on an absolutely marvelous South where we were all made extremely welcome. Several Members walked away with raffle prizes, the cake was magnificent, and mighty tasty too. Due to the size and weight of the cake, it was proposed by John Wilson and eagerly seconded by myself that a local boy - Richard Penna - should have the pleasure (or strain depending on your outlook), of taking the cake to the kitchen for slicing.
John's presentation is always an unknown, but never fails to involve everyone.
The VMMA ladies were also entertained by the local ladies and I believed they had a pretty good time too.
From the feedback that I received personally and other feedback that was passed on to me - I can say that the VMMA Team performed well and should be congratulated for the displayed they delivered.
A few 'wind down' drinks were had back at the motel before we all retired for the evening. Grant and I had to leave early on Sunday due to other commitments later that day - but all members of the team had a safe trip home.
Cheers, David Wells.
