VMMA Official Visit to Bendigo City Lodge No. 714
Friday 11th June 2010
The Red Baron rode over to my place in Sedgwick and stayed with us. This afforded him the opportunity to be chauffeured to Lodge in a warm and comfortable car. Needless to say he was appreciative of this arrangement which also allowed him to enjoy the refreshments of the evening.
Unfortunately our Melbourne contingent brought the wet weather with them to normally fine and sunny Bendigo.
Hope Taxi's got all the gear on for his solo ride!!!!!!
Consequently all but two VMMA members in attendance decided it was wiser to drive than ride. Our Melbourne travellers stayed at the Golden Hills motel which apart from being owned by a local Mason is also managed by our own VMMA member Mark Henderson.
The VMMA was very kindly invited to attend this lodge meeting by the sitting Master and VMMA member W.Bro. Isy Ray. VMMA members in attendance, including Bendigo City brethren were: Isy Ray, Mal Pitcher, Red Baron, Alan Bonnett, Ron Alderding, Nigel Christie, Mal Pethybridge, Ken Baker, Chris Wells, Taxi, Bob Nicholls, Richard Penna, Andrew George, David Cash, and Pedro.
VMMA members arriving at Bendigo Masonic Centre
Upon our arrival at the Bendigo Masonic Centre we were warmly greeted by the Bendigo City brethren.
The VMMA group was admitted at 7:45 and led in by sitting Worshipful Master W.Bro. Mal Pitcher of Euroka - Morning Star Lodge (Stawell).
It was very pleasing to see three other newly initiated Entered Apprentices from Bendigo City Lodge also in attendance to witness the Initiation ceremony of Mr. Luke Anthony Delia. The ceremony concluded around 9:40 at which time 45 brethren adjourned to the South.
Pedro commenced the presentation and then invite Chris to speak of our current activities.
After the obligatory toast to the Craft, Chris and I were afforded the opportunity to speak about the VMMA. I presented a shortened history while Chris expanded on our more recent works and concluded with a very comprehensive talk on Cystic Fibrosis and our future fundraising events.
The toast to the new initiated Brother Luke Delia followed and subsequently received an appropriate response from him.
The raffle was duly circulated. The VMMA, unusually, did poorly but those successfully were Ken Baker, Chris, and the Red Baron.
In the meantime our table was suitably entertained by a variety of very humorous jokes delivered by the Baron and Andrew George.
W.M. Bro. Ian Ray (VMMA member) of Bendigo City Lodge No. 714 presenting a donation to VMMA President Elect David Cash towards the Cystic Fibrosis "Breathless" 8 Day Ride Fundraiser, thank you very much for the $180 donation.
Isy Ray then presented the raffle proceeds ($180) to David Cash. It is also pleasing to report that Bob Nicholls (never one to miss a sales opportunity) sold $150 of VMMA merchandise on the night. I am also happy to report that we handed out two membership forms on the night, one of which is for the new member Luke Delia.
Bob has always set up the VMMA merchandise in the south, sold over $150 worth.
Our happy night of warmth and friendship formally closed at 11 PM but many of us stayed a while, to catch up and chat.
I once again chauffeured The Baron back to my house, quite slowly on the now icy and kangaroo populated Sedgwick road to our warm house at 11:30. Being careful not to wake Bron, we toddled off top bed and sleep.
After the south was finished VMMA members continued to socialize.
Another great night in the company of brethren and friends.
Chris, Bob, Taxi and Dave drove back to the motel and found there was a night club raging at the motel, with those standing outside thinking the Yellow GT was a Taxi.
Saturday morning Chris, Bob, Taxi and Dave had breakfast at the Bendigo - Beechworth Bakery and was pleasantly surprise to have young Daniel who was at lodge last evening drop in for a chat.
Ciao for now, Pedro
