4 minute read
Wellington Communications
November 2022 District Communications
The November 2022 District Communications was held in Lower Hutt and Petone. One of the joys of Lower Hutt from an Aucklander’s perspective is the lack of traffic and most things being within walking distance. And if car travel was required there was generally free parking right outside where you wanted to go.
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Ground Zero’s were the Angus Inn and the Udy Street Masonic Centre both in Lower Hutt. The Angus Inn looks a bit dated from the outside but inside it is spacious, the staff were very friendly and helpful, and we had the place almost to ourselves. The Udy Street Masonic Centre is also looking a bit tired and dated but inside it is spacious and had a well setup kitchen and refectory to complement the Lodge room that could cater for our numbers. Overall, the venues worked well for us.
The weekend kicked off on Friday night with a meet and greet at the restaurant/bar of the Angus Inn with around 30 in attendance. Drinks and tasty food were available throughout the evening as and when required. The ladies were treated to a game of Meet and Greet Bingo to help them get to know one another and connect for their Saturday events.
On Saturday the ladies had a range of local activities to choose from with most of them going for a meet up and viewing at the Dowse Modern Art Museum which was walking distance from the Angus Inn. This was followed by a leisurely lunch and then free time to relax till dinner. The Dowse had some fabulous displays including crochet 3D Māori figures and sculptures in iridescent colours. You had to be there to appreciate how spectacular it was. For the men it was on the bus down to Udy Street for morning setup and rehearsals before the two meetings in the afternoon. A sumptuous lunch and refreshments were organised and catered for by Andrew Vincent along with the help of three Entered Apprentices. Our thanks to them: Matthew Nicholls, Kevin Kuizon and Chester Amatoria from Aorangi Lodge. The Masonic day ended at 5pm with some racing off to catch flights and the rest of us joining the coach back to the Angus Inn. The Chapter convocation had just over 50 attendees which included E.Comp Richard Taylor, Grand Inspector for the South Island New Zealand. E.Comp John Walworth was promoted to Second Principal and the outgoing Second Principal E.Comp Mark Crawford was thanked for his contributions over his years of service. The Craft communications had around seventy attendees which again included R.W.Bro Richard Taylor, District Grand Master for the South Island. Key appointments were W.Bro Graeme Martin to Deputy District Grand Master and W.Bro Kevin Armstrong to Assistant District Grand Master. The outgoing Deputy District Grand Master Graeme McKandry and outgoing Assistant District Grand Master W.Bro David Leach were thanked for their contributions. A 40 year certificate was presented to W.Bro Roger Everest and a 60 year certificate was presented to W.Bro Ron Penhale. A charity collection was held with a total of $536 received.
Dinner was held in a private function room at the Angus Inn where we were treated to a very tasty ‘as much as you could eat’ smorgasbord meal. On arrival we were each greeted at our tables with a lapel pin showing the Queens Platinum Jubilee medal in memory of the HM Queen which was kindly donated by an anonymous brother. Glenn Forber was the MC for the night and took us through the formalities of the evening being the formal toasts including the toast to the Ladies by Murray Macdonald and reply by Wendy James. The North Island English Masonic Charitable Trust was also donating $6,000 over 3 years to Cystic Fibrosis so we were lucky to have Andrew Cameron from CF to receive the donation from Bill Andrew. Rounding out the evening was the raffle draw for two wooden bowls prepared and donated by Farouk Khan. Gareth Hollows sold the tickets during the pre-dinner drinks, and we made $400 for charity. This brought our charitable collections for the weekend to just under $1,000. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend thanks to the people that attended and participated in helping. Thanks needs to go to Bob McKillop, Andrew Vincent, Steve Elliot, Glenn Forber, Russell Chilton, David Leach, Warren Weir, Tim Warren, Tim Stansfield, Gareth Hollows. Michael James - President, Board of General Purposes
The Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal
Memories from yesteryear Roger and Hélène Everest Those of you who attended the District Communication in Petone will have been witness to the presentation of my 40th Year Certificate. It doesn’t seem like 40 years since I stood in the ladies’ toilet at the Tinakori lodge rooms in Wellington dressed only in underpants, socks and a sort of karate suit. There was a bottle of whisky and a glass supplied, “for courage” I was told. Being mid-winter it was cold – who heats toilets anyway? I was further advised we wouldn’t be troubled by the goat that evening. I was probably the last initiate to have to dress in the karate suit as I never actually saw it again. 40 years ago? No, it was yesterday...
