Official visit to Lodge Farrer No.93 (NSW Constitution)
Saturday 6th March 2010
Our member Mal Kidd, who is also a member of Lodge of Honour in Baxter arranged for the VMMA to attend a special Saturday afternoon meeting of Lodge Farrer, situated in Albury. The primary reason for this meeting was to receive visiting brethren from the Lodge of Honour who were making a presentation on the Pierre Robin Australia group. VMMA has made a donation to this organisation in the past.
Unfortunately due to various last minute concerns some VMMA members were unable to attend this weekend event. The arrangement was to meet at the BP servo north of Glenrowan on the Hume Highway. As usual I arrived early and waited patiently for Bob and Jean, then Dave and Viv, then the arrival of the Lodge of Honour members and ladies, followed finally by Brian and Red who were only a couple of minutes late for the appointed time of midday.
L to R Back Row: David Cash, Robert O'Meara, Ian Wheeler and Martin Caddy
L to R Middle Row: Pedro Eberbach, Brian Sanders and Bob Nicholls
L to R front Row: Robert Gillett (Master Lodge Farrer)
Other VMMA members included Ian Wheeler, who travelled independently on his trike and was staying with family in Albury, and Martin and Leanne Caddy (Worshipful Master of Lodge of Honour).
After refreshments and fuel we ventured on to Albury and settled into the very comfortable Australia Park motel. Having finally got the aircon to work in our room we refreshed and showered and headed off to Lodge.
After tyling at 2:30 pm we were quickly admitted after the Lodge of Honour brethren, in a somewhat different way to the Victorian Constitution, and given a hearty welcome by the Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Farrer, WBro. Robert Gillett. The work for the afternoon was to Pass a brother to the Fellowcraft degree.
Again the work was somewhat different but nonetheless very interesting. One noticeable aspect is that in this Lodge/Constitution the Master conducts most of the work i.e. all the charges etc.
The work being completed we adjourned to the supper room and joined the ladies.
The late afternoon reparse included a selection of excellent cold meats complimented by locally grown salad vegetables and finished off with some very tasty desserts.
The highlight of the afternoon was a very interesting and stimulating presentation by Brother Mick Cannon, Lodge of Honour member, who spoke about the effects of Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) and the wonderful pioneering treatment his son Balin (now 3 years old) received from medical staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.
With assistance from family members and paraprofessionals, Mick and his wife Jacinta started Pierre Robin Australia Information Support and Education (PRAISE) initially as a parent support and advisory group. Now however, PRAISE has provided a range of professional development and support to medical centres and maternity hospitals across Australia.
PRAISE was registered in early 2008 whilst their son Balin was being treated for the condition.
Pierre Robin (Pronounced Ro-ban) Sequence is a condition characterised by the existence of three abnormalities:
- a small or underdeveloped lower jaw,
- a cleft palate, and
- an upper respiratory breathing obstruction.
The existence of all three abnormalities together determines the diagnosis of Pierre Robin Sequence. However, children born with the condition are generally combating a range of additional digestive, muscular or skeletal disorders.
Pierre Robin Australia is a community health promotion charity which exists to provide Information, Support and Education to sufferers, families and carers of children diagnosed with Pierre Robin Syndrome/Sequence (PRS) and associated conditions. View their website at: http://www.pierrerobin.org.au/
Following this enlightening presentation we (the VMMA members present) were very pleased to monopolise the raffle yet again. Our bootie consisted of three bottles of nice wine, some beer, and another gift which will find its way into the Mothers Day Hamper. During our time in the South we received musical accompaniment from a piano accordion; this is the first time I have sung Advance Australia Fair etc to the tone of such an interesting instrument.
Our refreshments being ended we returned to the motel to join Jean and Viv.
Our socialising continued around the pool and later we nibbled on pizza before retiring to bed.
Sunday dawned wet and overcast and after a hearty breakfast at the motel we packed and headed off. Bob and Jean leaving first for a quiet ride down the Hume, while I led Brian and Red (in their warm/dry car) down the Hume also. Dave and Viv decided to visit relatives in Benalla.
The much needed rain continued down the Hume but stopped just prior to my turn off to Violet Town. From then on through the Goulburn Valley and into Central Victoria the weather was mild, dry and very comfortable for riding. Arriving home just after 1PM in Sedgwick I didn’t have to wait long for the skies to fill with clouds and the subsequent downpours which continued right through to Monday night of the public holiday.
Reported by Pedro
