REGIONAL ROUNDUP
MASONIC NEWS FROM NSW & ACT
L achlan M acquarie L odge No 1042
Camp Fire Lodge Meeting L
achlan Macquarie Lodge No 1042 held a very special commemorative meeting on 26 September in the wine cellar at the Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Winery at Port Macquarie. The theme of the evening was to turn back the clock 150 years, hence the mode of dress was casual, no suits or ties. A lot of preparation was carried out by the Worshipful Master, W Bro Bill Krantzcke and members of the Lodge, including a beautifully hand quilted floor cloth, miniature tracing boards, working tools and pedestals. It was interesting to note that the Junior Warden’s pedestal was the bar. The officers of the Lodge were assisted by officers from Lodge Corrective Services No 1039 who held a meeting at Port Macquarie on the previous evening. The work was an abbreviated First Degree Walkabout followed by the Second Degree Walkabout. In keeping with the theme of the evening ‘Botany Bay’ was sung at the opening, ‘Click go the Shears’ in the Second Degree and ‘I still call Australia Home’ at the closing. These were accompanied by the Lodge’s organist playing an accordion. Wives and partners were given a tour of the Historic Homestead and had an
Gathered around the campfire for an instructive and entertaining evening
opportunity to sample the wines from the vines before all assembled around the fire pit for the lighting of the camp fire. During the meeting VW Bro Ces Scaysbrook PDGDC presented Australian poems with a highlight recitation of Henry Lawson’s classic ‘The Fire at Ross’s Farm’.
L iverpool P lains L odge No 191
A ton for Eddie W Bro Edwin William Buckmaster celebrated his 100th Birthday in fine style at ‘Eloura’ Quirindi, on 26 August this year. Eddie was initiated in Liverpool Plains Lodge No 191 on 18 December, 1948 and has maintained continuous membership since that date. He was the Worshipful Master in 1962–63.
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FREEMASON DECEMBER 2015
The staff at ‘Eloura’ provided a celebratory function complete with decorated birthday cake. A congratulatory award from the Grand Master, MW Bro Melville was presented by VW Bro John Egan, DGIW District 18 as well as congratulatory messages from many dignitaries and a special award from the local RSL sub-branch.