A GOLDEN MOMENT AT GOLDEN & CORINTHIAN.

As any Freemason can attest the best moment in their Masonic career would be the opportunity to obligate their son into the craft, however, very few of us ever get that chance. Graeme Parry, the Worshipful Master of both the Powlett and Woolamai Daylight Lodges located in Wonthaggi became one of the lucky few on the 12^th of July 2011 when his son Morgan became the newest member of Victorian Freemasonry. Graeme is also very active in the Wonthaggi based Mark and Chapter degrees of which Dave (The Duke) Kent & I are both members.

As Morgan lives & works in Bendigo it was logical he join a local Lodge and Golden & Corinthian Lodge No. 7 was chosen. It may be of interest to learn that G & C is older than the U.G.L.of V. itself.

Graeme Parry and Morgan’s seconder, Wor. Bro. Rev Phillips & I travelled up to G & C for their June meeting to enable them to speak on his behalf; all went well and he received the vote of the Lodge.

As there were a number of South Gippsland based V.M.M.A. members intending to attend the initiation it was thought an official visit was in order, this request was quickly agreed to by the Master of G & C.

Accommodation was booked and travel arrangements made. From Phillip Island were Bruce (Doc) Procter, Mike (Mickey D) Dixon and your humble scribe. Representing Wonthaggi was Dave (The Duke) Kent. Mooroolbark was well represented by Graham (Grumpy) Hocking, George (Uncle) Allen & Bob (Old Nick) Nichols. Even Moe was represented by the presence of our President Elect Gary (Dapper Dan) Power. Our Bendigo members were out in force in the persons of Sir Pedro Eberbach, Ron Alderding, Mal (Moonshine) Petherbridge, Richard Penna and Ian (Isy) Ray. Our number was complete with the arrival of The Baron from Euroa. Fourteen V.M.M.A. members in total, not bad for a midwinter Tuesday night in Bendigo!

Wonthaggi’s Powlett Lodge also had an official visit on the night with a total of eight attending from there. Coupled with home Lodge members and the usual local visitors a great atmosphere was created in both the Lodge room and the South, a wonderful first impression for our new member.

As is the usual custom the V.M.M.A. was welcomed into the Lodge Room as an official group followed by the Powlett boys. Work for the evening got underway with the highlight of an impressive display of ritual being Morgan obligated by his father Graeme, who had had plenty of practice in recent times with both of his latest meetings being first degrees, the last a rare double.  

With the large number of brethren in the room the odes were well supported with Graeme Parry’s voice being heard above all others, he is after all an amply proportioned, red bearded Welsh Blacksmith blessed with that wonderful Celtic voice. Also as a result of his determined Welsh heritage he invited his son to ‘arise, duly obligated brother amongst masons’ in his own way.

When it came time for the stewards to retire and prepare the South a number of V.M.M.A. volunteers led by our very own Grand Waiter Dave Kent departed the Lodge room and set to work.

The ladies of Golden & Corinthian did a fine job catering for the larger than expected number of mouths to feed and a good time was had by all, we even won a couple of raffle prizes.    

After the Tylers Toast a few of the Powlett boys headed back to ‘faggy’ (Wonthaggi) while the V.M.M.A. lads returned to our motel to finish off the wine & cheese.

We thank the Worshipful Master (Bob Robinson) and his brethren for their invitation and hospitality; it was great to be a part of this wonderful Masonic event. In these days of corporate Masonic thinking being dominant it is rare for such a personal moment to take place.

Reported by; David Hall.