VMMA Official Visit to Phillip Island Lodge No. 512
Wednesday 8th September 2010
75 CRAFTY YEARS ON THE ISLAND
The 8th of September 2010 was a very special night for the Phillip Island Lodge as it marked the 75th anniversary of Freemasonry on the Island, the 65th Masonic birthday of Bro. Travis Ellis P.G.Tyler and the authors last working night as Master of the Lodge and as usual an excellent number of VMMA members (both male & female) were there to support the Lodge, the Master (me) and Freemasonry.
Some of the VMMA members who turned out for David's last night in the chair.
When taking on the master ship of a Lodge the Master – Elect is always faced with formulating an interesting programme for the members during his year. We were fortunate as we had a candidate (a Yamaha riding mate from Mt. Martha) and it was the first year the Lodge decided to close for two of the winter months leaving only ten meetings, less the two the Lodge had agreed to have Past Masters in the chair; so it was down to eight for me to organize. It has always been my style to pull ‘stunts’ to get the brethren along and this year was no exception, a wine & cheese night in January, John & Lois Wilson in June, a musician who is also a lay preacher in July, a major celebration in September, a couple of degree ceremonies and a social night or two and the year was full.
Before and after images of David Hall.
To ensure the September night was successful we invited along everyone we could think of ranging from the Grand Master to our local church leaders, local, State & Federal politicians, and of course the VMMA. The Grand Master being already committed that night sent R. Wor. Bro. Mervyn Hallam PDGM along with an escort team to represent him and a fine job they did too, with R. Wor. Bro. Mervyn adding to the evening by presenting a talk on the petitioners of the Lodge and how Freemasonry contributes to the community across the State and beyond. The VMMA was well represented with Dave & Viv Cash, Gary Power, Brian (The Colonel) Sanders, Graham (Grumpy) Hocking, Dave (The Duke) Kent, Bob (Old Nick)& Jean (even older Nick)Nichols, Keith Fulstow, (Sir) Pedro Eberbach, Bruce (Doc) Procter, Dennis (Casper) Setterfield along with our local State Government representative The Hon. Mr. Ken Smith also in attendance. Ken commented to me during the evening how impressed he was by the amount Freemasonry & the VMMA contributes to the community and how we don’t shout it from the rooftops.
Everyone was invited into the lodge room.
Non Masonic visitors were admitted after the Lodge was closed and I then had the wonderful opportunity to present my good friend Bro. Travis Wordrow Ellis P. G. Tyler with his 65 year jewel. His Masonic career has been one of support for his brethren and their families as he has spent the past 49 years as an Almoner of three different Lodges. His sons were present and we called on them to pin their fathers jewel and badge on his dinner suit. Another memorable moment in Freemasonry! Bro. Hallam then proceeded with his talk followed by Bruce (Doc) Procter who gave a brief but enlightening presentation on the history of the Phillip Island Lodge.
Is David smiling as it is his last time under the wands?
The exit procession then followed with Bro. Travis accompanying me under the wands for the first time in his 65 years in the Craft while it was my last, again a wonderful moment, all the while his late wife’s favourite hymn ‘be still my soul’ was being played by our organist. (Thanks Bob!)
Answer is simply YES!!!!
Those assembled then adjourned to the neighbouring Anglican Church Hall for a tasty and plentiful supper provided by the church ladies at which time the normal toasts and responses took place. It was during this time that Dave Cash presented a cheque for $500.00 on behalf of the VMMA to the combined nursing homes of the island to enable them to buy a set of ‘dongers’, otherwise known as musical therapy instruments for the residents. This donation equalled the amount donated by the Phillip Island Lodge at our installation in October last year. The VMMA was warmly thanked by the activities organizer of the nursing homes and partner of one of the Lodges senior Past Masters Cathy Whiteoak.
VMMA President David Cash presenting a cheque for $500.00.
Both in the Lodge room and in the South we had the opportunity to demonstrate how the VMMA has had a positive impact on our island community with the Stone 33 run being mentioned and the monies collected at the MOTO GP over the years on the behalf of many worthy causes, and more recently the ride to support Penny Holyoake on her round Australia odyssey.
The evening’s proceedings were brought to a conclusion with the presentation of the full Tylers Toast and the singing of our National Anthem.
Report by David Hall
