THE DUKE’S BIG DAY
Saturday 17th April 2010
Report by David Hall
After many active years in the craft Dave ‘The Duke’ Kent accepted an invitation from the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter Ceremonial Team to join them 2010 / 2011 as Grand Steward. As any current or former Grand team member can tell you it takes a lot of very hard, but satisfying work to qualify, and once a member even more work and dedication to achieve the high level of ritual expected and enjoyed in our constitution.
The quarterly convocation and installation of Grand Chapter took place on Saturday the 17th of April 2010 at the Masonic Centre East Melbourne. Bruce (Doc) Procter, Pedro Eberbach, Rob (The Red Baron) van Lunenburg and your humble scribe (David Hall) represented the VMMA in support of ‘The Duke’ in addition to a number from Dave’s & my mother Chapter in Wonthaggi. As this was my first Grand Chapter visit I found it most interesting and thoroughly enjoyed the pageantry. We were seated ‘up in the gods’ so had a good view of the proceedings and after his investiture Dave looked up our way and his expression was almost daring us to throw the Jaffa’s at him as we had previously threatened to do, however, he had searched us before we had gone in and confiscated all the Jaffa’s we had hidden in our regalia.
L to R: David Hall, Doc, The Baron and Pedro.
It might be of interest to note that the South Gippsland Chapter was well represented on the main floor that day as in addition to Dave the Asst. Director of Ceremonies, a presenting officer & and the head of another degree are also our members.
At the conclusion of the proceedings the VMMA boys had a quick chat over Pedros BEEMA and then went our separate ways to Euroa, Bendigo and the Island.
Although not a formal VMMA activity it was terrific to see we can support each other in other Masonic pursuits and we wish Dave every success during his year with the team.
