VMMA Installation at Euroka Morning Star Lodge No. 44 - Stawell
Saturday 1st May 2010
Report by David Hall
MAYDAY IN THE NORTH WEST
One of the nicest compliments that can be paid to any guest is for the host to invite them back at the next opportunity as happened to the VMMA Installation Team when Master Elect Mal Pitcher invited the team to install him again in Stawell on Saturday the 1st of May 2010. The invitation was accepted by our enthusiastic team leader Rob (The Red Baron) Lunenburg and a team formed.
As is usual for us in South Gippsland we decided to head off on the Friday taking the pressure off the travel on Saturday, this time meeting up with The Baron & Pedro at Avoca. After a quick lunch Pedro lead the way followed by The Baron both on their respective BEEMA’S , Dave (The Duke) Kent on the flying Yamaha (minus tail lights), the author on the trusty but rusty Suzuki with Bruce (Doc) Procter bringing up the rear in the sporty Subaru through Moonambel to Stawell. After checking in at the motel the contents of my panniers were emptied and sure enough the wine and cheese that was so carefully packed before departing the Island was in perfect condition and ready for consumption. A short time later back up supplies were purchased from the local Safeway. An evening meal was shared with Mal & Lynn Pitcher at the Town Hall Hotel and a visit to their home to inspect an impressive collection of Masonic regalia finished off a terrific day.
A number of the VMMA members traveled up to Stawell on the Friday and enjoyed an extra evening of socialising. L to R: Baron, Duke, Doc and Pedro.
Saturday dawned cloudless and beautiful so your scribe took the opportunity to jump on the Suzuki and head down to Halls Gap for an early morning ride while the four Grand Lodge Officers attended to their ablutions back at the motel. Once completed a quick call on the mobile found me finishing my brekkie at the ‘Gap’ where those three on bikes quickly joined me. Pedro & The Baron had no trouble finishing their meal, however, The Duke struggled so much towards the end The Baron & I helped him out with the remaining mushrooms. Our return ride back to Stawell was interrupted by a visit to the local aerodrome as Dave Kent is a very keen pilot and aviation enthusiast.
Meanwhile Doc Procter visited friends and family around Stawell as it was the town of his birth and youth. (I understand it’s only in recent years he has been allowed back, and only then under an assumed name.)
Saturday at 12 noon VMMA members arrived at the Stawell Masonic Centre for a light lunch and rehearsal.
As morning became afternoon more VMMA members arrived and were treated to a delightful lunch at the Masonic Hall followed by rehearsal.
As the Lodge was due to tyle at 5.30 we had only a short break between rehearsal & performance which had the flow on effect to Sharyn Wells being overwhelmed all at once with the team members shirts to iron, but showing true VMMA fortitude she did what we all expected her to do.
Sharyn you can pray as much as you like, but the shirts still require a quick iron!!!!
The Installation Team performed up to its usual standard under the very capable leadership of Rob (The Baron) van Lunenburg with the ceremonial being all over by 8.30. To the delight of The Red Baron he was able to bowl over two maidens during the ceremony, those being the first appearance in our team of Daryl (Dad) Kennedy a very experienced ritualist & Andrew (Goat) George a true ‘first timer’. Special mention should be made of Goat’s presentation of the’ Pillars’ charge, well done Andrew, beautifully presented. The Baron then took control of the south and kept things moving very nicely indeed while a delightful spit roast was served followed by very fattening deserts. Entertainment during dinner was provided by Pedro & Anita squabbling over who would get the last bit of crackling. For the record Anita won easily.
Back at the Stawell Masonic centre prior to tyling.
George Lanagan proposed the visitors toast on behalf of the host Lodge and it was responded to by the Master of the Wimmera Lodge Phil Nicks, both of whom are members of the VMMA. Despite his youthful looks it was also announced Mal (Mudguard) Pitcher will be turning 50 on the 22nd of this month so as per our custom he received the traditional VMMA fire which depicts the most successful way to start a BMW motorcycle from their very early days to the current time. Drawn on the night was the VMMA Mothers day hamper raffle by Sharyn Wells with 3rd prize going to David Wells, 2nd to Ian Goddard and first to Bron Eberbach. As it was feared the BEEMA of Pedro’s would falter under the weight of such a chock full hamper it was decided it would be much safer to transport the prize back to Bendigo with Ian Ray on four wheels.
The VMMA Installation Team and members of the VMMA with the Installed W.M. Bro. Mal Pitcher.
As usual the VMMA ‘scooped the pool’ of raffle prizes with David Wells, Pedro, Ron Alderding, Mal Pitcher & Rob Fisk all being winners.
Ron Alderding was the Installing Master for the evening and introduced Mal and Lynn in the south.
The W.M. Bro. Mal Pitcher attempting to respond!!!!!
Perhaps the biggest winner on the night was David (The Duke) Kent when he was escorted to the front of the room for a special investiture. Two weeks previous he had the honour of being invested as a Grand Steward on the Grand H.R.A. Chapter Team and your humble scribe ‘innocently’ thought this was the same as Grand Waiter and announced it as such at Dave’s & my Chapter in Wonthaggi. After being corrected I felt it my duty to ‘put it right’ and make it official so special & unique regalia was crafted by my wife Lynne and tools of office were procured (The waiters notebook, a gold pen and a corkscrew) and words of investiture were composed, typed and framed. These were all presented to Dave along with a bottle of Stonemasons Shiraz for his personal consumption. Our congratulations to The Duke and we wish him well in both of his Grand rolls, as Steward and our very own VMMA waiter.
The Duke - The Grand Waiter
The south was concluded with the presentation a unique version of the Tylers Toast, written & performed by Pedro Eberbach for the first time. The singing of The National Anthem followed after which most of us adjourned to the motel for a glass or two of our favourite beverage and some excellent company.
Sunday morning dawned and by 8.15 we had checked out of the motel and were enjoying a wonderful breakfast supplied by Mal, Lynn, Dale and Claire Pitcher. The spread was beautiful and we showed our appreciation by devouring every morsel of food offered. Thank you Mal & family!
David Cash thanked Mal and Lynn for their hospitality over the weekend which included providing lunch on the Saturday and breakfast on Sunday.
Breakfast was followed by a church service attended by quite a few of our number, but a separate report will be published for that.
A safe journey home followed with the knowledge we had done well, and the pleasure of having done it with friends.
Minister M/s Susan Pearse with VMMA members after church.
VMMA members in attendance were; Ian (Isy) Ray, Ron Alderding, Andrew (Goat) George, Mal (Mudguard) & Lynn Pitcher, Robert (Big Red) O’Meara, David (The Duke / Grand Waiter) Kent, George (Uncle) Allen, Rob Fisk, Chris (Captain Fluffy) & Sharyn Wells, David (Grumpy) Wells & son Grant, Daryl (Dad) Kennedy, Robert (The Red Baron) van Lunenburg, David & Viv Cash, Bob (Old Nic) & Jean Nicholls, Colin (Taxi) & Auntie Beryl Fletcher, David Hall, Bruce (Doc) Procter, Phil Nicks, George Lanagan, Dennis (Casper) & Anita Setterfield and Pedro (Sir) Eberbach. It was also terrific to see Roy Trimble, the founder of the VMMA in attendance.
