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| Most Worthy Grand Matron Sis.Janet Beck, Most Worthy Grand Patron Bro.Stuart Lang,, Worthy District Grand Matron of the Sydney District, Sis. Phyllis Dehn,Worthy Grand Adah Sis Rachel Gowen, Worthy Grand Associate Matron Sis Pam Sangwell,Worthy Grand Associate Patron Bro Sydney Down. Worthy Grand Treasurer Sis Margaret Down. with Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron and Office Bearers of Porirua Chapter No 678. |
| At the invitation of Porirua Chapter, No. 687, seven members of the United Grand Chapter of Australia travelled to New Zealand to attend the chapter’s 10th anniversary celebrations. |
| The delegation arrived at Wellington Airport on Thursday afternoon, 13th September, and were warmly welcomed by the Associate Patron of the chapter, Bro. Bernard Philpott. After collection of a Tarago van, Bro. Philpott kindly escorted the party to their accommodation in Porirua, 20km south of Wellington. |
| On Friday evening the Australians joined several members of the chapter for a counter meal at the Porirua RSA Club before walking next door to the Masonic Centre for the chapter meeting. |
| Most Worthy Grand Matron, Sis. Janet Beck, and Most Worthy Grand Patron, Bro. Stuart Lang, were accompanied by the W.G. Associate Matron, Sis. Pam Sangwell, W.G.Associate Patron, Bro. Sydney Down, W.G. Treasurer, Sis. Margaret Down, and W.G. Adah, Sis. Rachel Gowen. They were officially invited into the chapter room and warmly welcomed by the Worthy Matron, Sis. Erin Cook. |
| Also in attendance was the Worthy District Grand Matron of the Sydney District, Sis. Phyllis Dehn. Sis. Dehn had been present at the institution of the chapter. |
At the conclusion of the business meeting those in attendance adjourned to the adjoining room for supper.This provided the members and visitors with the opportunity to meet and mingle informally. |
Saturday morning was spent at the local shopping centre, avoiding the wind and rain squalls and aiding the economy of New Zealand. |
The chapter was resumed at 2.00pm and commenced with a solemn ceremony to pay tribute to members who had passed to a Higher Chapter during the preceding ten years; then followed a tribute to Past Worthy Matrons and Past Worthy Patrons of the chapter. |
An impressive service “The Building of a House” related the story of the “building” of Porirua Chapter. The service concluded with the singing of Bless This House after which members of the chapter related their personal memories, mostly humorous incidents, during their membership of the chapter. |
Following an adjournment for afternoon tea the installation ceremony was conducted. Installing Officer was Sis. Jessie Sarney who, as Worthy District Grand Matron, instituted the chapter on 28th September 2002. |
All in attendance received a small photo album containing photographs of Porirua members, a book mark and a history of the chapter. The Australian visitors received an additional gift of a souvenir book of New Zealand. M.W.G.M., Sis. Beck, presented the chapter with small gavel and suitably inscribed plaque commemorating the visit. |
The installation banquet was a wonderful opportunity to fraternise while partaking of a delicious meal. Three of the delegation was lucky enough to win a raffle prize but, unfortunately, our luck didn’t continue and allow us to leave New Zealand major winners in Wednesday’s Lotto. |
Sunday dawned windy and overcast and, with the forecast of rain, it was decided to visit Te Papa, the national museum. The hours flew by and it was soon time to return home as chapter secretary, Sis. Maureen Wilson, was our escort to the home of Sis. Phyllis Wahren. We enjoyed a delightful meal and evening in the company of these wonderful sisters and three other members. |
The next three days were spent sightseeing around Wellington and the surrounding district. Luggage limitations didn’t hinder our capacity to purchase tangible reminders of a wonderful week in New Zealand. |
Our final night in Porirua was spent in the company of several chapter members keen to discuss with us their plans to travel to Tasmania next June to attend the Biennial Sessions of the United Grand Chapter of Australia. |
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