Official visit to Powlett Lodge No. 661 - Wonthaggi
Thursday 3rd June 2010
The VMMA was invited by the W.M. Bro. Bill Gillespie and W.Bro. David Kent who is a active VMMA member to attend Powlett Lodge No. 661 regular meeting at Wonthaggi on Thursday 3rd June 2010.
Work for the evening was a Walk Through the 1st Degree in open lodge with Powlett Lodge's EA being actively involved in the presentation.
Even though a cold frost nightly VMMA members rode their motorcycles to Wonthaggi.
VMMA members rode their motorcycles to Wonthaggi even though it was cold, foggy and when riding you would have thought it was icy, members who attend were Phil Tinker (Happy Phil), Russell Medhurst (Salty), Dave Cash (Cash man), Colin Fletcher (Taxi), Bruce Procter (Doc), Chris Wells (Captain Fluffy), Pedro and David Kent (The Duke) the DC of Powlett Lodge.
Pedro and Taxi had already traveled down during the day and booked themselves into a motel at San Remo for they are also representing the VMMA at Venus Bay on the Friday with other VMMA members who are providing an escort to terminally ill Penny who is on her last two legs of an around Australia ride comprising of 21,000 klms.
Wonthaggi Masonic Centre Lodge Room, very well presented.
Chris and Dave met at Tooradin and rode down together whilst Phil rode down by himself a little later, as we rode past the Phillip Island aroundabout Salty was waiting for us and joined with us for the ride to Wonthaggi.
On our arrival at the Wonthaggi Masonic Centre we were once again made very welcome for the large number of brethren in attendance, this is always a good start to a great evening.
We entered the lodge after the PM's as the Members of the VMMA, welcomed by the W.M. in global and sat in the body of the lodge.
What a great evening with over 40 brethren in attendance. Pedro giving an overview of the VMMA history in the south.
Work for the evening comprised of a Walk Though the 1st degree in open lodge with the Powlett Lodge EA being actively involved in the Walk Through, this Walk Through generated many questions from the brethren with the end result that a good number of brethren will attend other Walk Through's in the other degrees when they take place.
Following the Walk Through the lodge presented two Grand Lodge certificates to members of the lodge.
Retiring to the south we mixed with the brethren by being seated on the various tables to enjoy an extremely social time.
The VMMA was invited to make a presentation to the brethren in the south, Pedro commenced the presentation by giving an overview of the VMMA History from its inception including the basic concept of involving freemasonry and motorcyclists for the better of the community in general.
Chris who spoke of VMMA current activities and every one was listening.
Pedro conclude by introducing Chris who spoke of current activities of the VMMA which include both the Escort to Penny who has terminal cancer on her last two legs of an around Australia Ride of 21,000 klms and the Cystic Fibrosis 8 Day "Breathless" Ride 2008 that raised $45,000 which led into our current Major Event for 2010 which is the Cystic Fibrosis 8 Day "Breathless" Ride 2010.
Chris spoke about the concept of the "Breathless" Ride and how this 2010 ride has been planned around utilising commercial venues rather than Masonic Centres to encourage the general community to become involved in the event, this presentation conclude with a short enlightenment (awareness) presentation on what Cystic Fibrosis is and how it effects individuals and families.
The VMMA did not win one prize in the raffle, this is extremely unusual.
David Kent of Powlett Lodge No. 661 making a $200 donation to VMMA Secretary Pedro towards the "Breathless" Ride 2010
But we did come away feeling very humble for the Powlett Lodge No. 661 made a donation of $200 to the VMMA which is the first donation received for the CFV "Breathless" Ride 2010.
Pedro received the donation from David Kent and ensured everyone that the donation would be well applied to the Cystic Fibrosis cause.
By now it was around 11.00 pm and it was time to get rugged up for the ride home, Chris, Phil, Dave and Russell rode together with Russell turning off at Phillip Island roundabout whilst we kept riding through to Melbourne in the fog getting home around 12.45 am.
Reported by CW
