VMMA Installation of WBro. Philip John Nicks - Wimmera Lodge No: 70
Saturday 23rd October 2010
There were a few wise ones amongst the group that travelled all the way up to Horsham - and they were the ones that travelled on the Friday. Ian and Kerry and Bob and Jean all went on the Friday and from what I can gather had a nice leisurely trip with no deadlines to meet.
When we arrived on the Saturday they were all bright and bubbly and totally relaxed. Us Saturday travelers - especially those coming from Melbourne were not quite so relaxed.
I travelled up with George Allen as it made sense and as starting point for the journey was within a kilometre of each other, and both of use were travelling alone.
Horsham Masonic Centre.
Taxi dreaming on David Cash's new BMW, dream on!!!!!
The weather was terrible and when I realised, when George was already at my place waiting, that my shirt was not ironed, I thought - it is going to be one of those days. And in many respects, it was.
1) First off the rain was that horrible drizzle - not strong enough for full wipers but enough to make visibility poor if not cleared from the screen. If nothing else, it reminded George that new wipers are the order of the day as we 'squeaked' ourselves nearly the whole way up and the breaks of sunshine were a blessing to the ears.
2) Next came the really bad patch of weather and road spray from a Statesman right on top of the BP turn off just outside of Ballarat. The visibility was that bad that we missed the turn off and didn't get a coffee then until we got to Ararat.
What is Mal up to with David's apron?
3) Ararat seemed like 'forever' to get to due to a detour just outside Ballarat that ended up taking us via Avoca. George calculated that it must have added 60k plus to our journey as well as the best part of an hour due to the traffic we got caught behind on those lovely single lane country roads.
4) Next I text messaged Chris to let him know we missed the BP so we would see him up at Horsham. There was stunned silence when the message came back that he and Sharyn were crook and would not be making the trip. While George was driving - I was diving into my bag on the back seat of the car in search of the ritual book to start refreshing up on the Address to the Master that Chris did so well in Bendigo. Thankfully I was able to get it reasonably under control by the time we got to Horsham - and several run throughs during the afternoon saw it right by the time in needed to be delivered.
Pedro and David carrying out some Last minute fine tuning.
5) The other challenge thrown at me was that the Wimmera Lodge had not performed their Obligation of Master Elect prior to the day and they asked if I could DC that part of the evening for them as their DC was unavailable for the evening. This was going to be interesting as I have never performed the role of DC before - I only ever learnt the part relating to Proclaiming at Installations. We got through this as the Deacons were very experienced - and we then went on to have a great evening.
There were a few Team Changes with Dave Cash, Ian Ray, Mal Pitcher coming in and Dennis Setterfield, David Hall, Daryl Kennedy and Brian Sanders leaving the team for this event. The Installing Master was also changed with WBro. John McTaggart PJGD stepping in for MWBro John Wilson PGM.
You just cannot wipe that smile of Mal's face, it has lasted 2 weeks so far.
Want a fine group on men!!!!
Again the night went well with Rob Fisk stepping into the role as one of the Presenting Officers in the absence of Dennis he did a very good job. Ian's confidence was now starting to grow with the Herald work and the Address to the Wardens which was great to see too. Mr. Fixit - George Allen filled in for Chris as Jnr Warden and was word perfect with his one line response to the Installing Master - and thankfully my Address to the Master came out okay as well, (because George can tell you that it took several goes to get that first paragraph out when we were travelling up in the car).
Installed Master WBro. Philip John Nicks with the VMMA Installation Team.
The new WMaster Phil Nicks gave quite an emotional response in the South due to a death in the family - but he assured everyone that he had still enjoyed his evening and the work put in by the Ladies of the Lodge, and our Installation Team made it a night that he would remember. Once the Installation cake was officially 'cut' I asked the 'almost' newest Master in the VMMA Mal Pethybridge to retire the cake to the kitchen for slicing and distribution. It was a more subdued evening back at the motel this time around and for many of us - some sleep was very much a greater priority than a nightcap.
WBro. Philip John Nicks making a donation to the "Breathless" Ride.
We left in staggered groups on the Sunday - in much finer weather - and again - everyone had a safe journey home.
I would just like to finish by thanking all members of the teams at both Bendigo and Horsham for your good work and support for both myself and our two Installing Masters.Your good work makes our jobs so much easier - and I wouldn't want it any other way..... Thank you all.
Cheers, David Wells.
