LJR's March Meeting:12 March

by RWBro Bruce Quirk [originally appeared at District 32 website.]

Lodge Jose’ Rizal was again strongly supported by both members and visitors alike for the March meeting, one Brother visiting from ‘Alice Springs Lodge’ - No 156 -S.A. Const. No fewer than seventy Brethren, Wives and Family were in attendance to witness, take part in and enjoy the Ceremony and Festive Welcome of the now Brother Troy Quimpo and Brother Roderick Buenavista when they were made Masons and became Members of Lodge Jose’ Rizal No 1045.

The Lodge Tyled at Six o’clock sharp with VW Bro Rey Porras as DC and W Bro Emmanuel Maniago playing a dual role as both Secretary and Immediate Past Master and Bro Julio Roson as Senior Deacon. After the business of the Lodge and Correspondence dealt with, all visitors were admitted and made comfortable around six fifteen. An alarm was then sounded and upon inquiry it was ascertained that the DGIW for District 32, VW Bro Paul Larbalestier was in attendance and seeking admission. With consent by the Worshipful Master W Bro Pamplona, and the Brethren standing to order, VW Bro Larbalestier entered the well filled Lodge Room which included two Fellow Crafts and three Entered Apprentices, and was well received by the Worshipful Master.

The work of the evening which was to make Mr Troy Quimpo and Mr Rodrick Buenavista masons then commenced, with Bro Mario Baylon Jnr as Junior Deacon, assisted by Bro Julio Roson as acting Senior Deacon and a most impressive first degree ceremony followed. Particular mention must be made of the delivery, full of authority and command, of the Final Charge by W Bro Ted Balgos, who some in the Lodge Room had had the pleasure of seeing and hearing him install the now W Bro Victor Edilloran in an unforgetable Installation Ceremony at Lodge Celebration of Fairfield the previous week, W Bro Edilloran also in the Lodge Room.

The ceremony over, the Worshipful Master called for any apologies, and many were heard from brethren who had travelled to Raymond Terrace with Lodge Alpha for their annual return visit to Lodge Hunter. Announcements were then called for and W Bro John Morton rose and invited all to Lodge Resurgo’s forth coming Re Installation ceremony scheduled for the Twenty Third of this month where W Bro Merv McGrath will be Re Installed for another term, RW Bro Bob Handley PJGW representing The Most Worshipful Grand Master. VW Bro Bill Driver then rose and invited all to his Re Installation into the Chair of Lodge Burnside, planned for the sixth of April, Hopefully, RW Bro Rex Pollard representing the Most Worshipful Grand Master.

The Worshipful Master then welcomed VW Bro Larbalestier who, in acknowledging his welcome, went down on the floor and congratulated the two newly made brothers, on returning to the dais, he asked the Director of Ceremonies, VW Bro Rey Porras to present Bro Larry Pamplona and Bro Daniel Placido and duly presented them with their Master Mason’s certificates. The DGIW then went on to speak of the Grand Lodge Communication held on the previous Saturday and of how RW Bro Derek Robson became Grand Master Elect by a wide margin, he also spoke of the heart warming presentation of the ‘Lord Carrington Medal of Honour’, presented to RW Bro Ken Mole, a presentation that touched the hearts of all at the Communication where all present responded with a standing ovation which lasted some minutes.

During the course of the evening, the Ladies of Lodge Jose’ Rizal and their friends, whilst not interrupting the meeting in anyway, could clearly be heard having a great time singing and dancing and obviously enjoying themselves while they waited for their men folk, such is the harmony of Lodge Jose’ Rizal, a Lodge which is always a pleasure to attend or visit.

VW Bro Larbalestier then retired and in closing business, the Secretary read out two more applications for initiation which shows the strength of this young and vibrant Lodge. The Worshipful Master then closed the Lodge and all retired to the South to enjoy harmony and beautiful food prepared by the Ladies.

The two newly made Brothers chose to respond to the toast to the Newly Initiated Brethren proposed by Bro Mario Baylon Jnr and immediately after their response, the Worshipful Master presented them with their Jose’ Rizal lapel badges. There were two responses to the visitors toast proposed by W Bro Emmanuel Maniago, responding on behalf of the visitors of District 32 VW Bro Bill Driver rose and thanked Lodge Jose’ Rizal for an unforgetable evening and wished the two Newly Made Masons well in their future Masonic Careers. W Bro Robin Hyde, from Alice Springs Lodge No 156 South Australian Constitution, dressed in his very smart white jacket, who was visiting with his partner Karin Douglas, rose and responded on behalf of the remaining visitors and claimed he could not believe how friendly every one was, surely this was ‘Freemasonry in it’s fullest splendor’.

The hour getting late, the Junior Warden's toast was given, but this was by no means the end of the evening for some, as Karin Douglas seized the opportunity to take up the microphone and in clear and powerful voice sang many favourite songs and many joined in laughter and song making the evening even more enjoyable.

Such is the ‘Peace Love and Harmony’ of this young and vibrant Lodge Lodge Jose’ Rizal may it long continue and be an example for other Lodges to follow ---

To Our Next Happy Meeting at Lodge Jose’ Rizal No 1045’.