Scotch College

New Lodge year – New Master

The Old Scotch Masonic Lodge celebrates the installation of the new Master, Brother Ray Dawson (’67), for 2007, and continues to support charitable community activities.

Words: Bill Tingate

The new year for the Old Scotch Masonic Lodge actually began last November, with the installation of the new Master and his 2007 team.

In a most impressive ceremony, Worshipful Brother Ray Dawson (’67) was installed into the Master’s Chair by W.Bro. John Bell (’60), assisted by W.Bro. Steve Latimer (’71) and an ‘in-house’ installation team.

A number of our newer members have been progressing on their Masonic journeys in recent months, having reached the stage of Fellow Craft: Paul Daniels (’00) and Xavier Murtagh (’04) in September 2006; Nick Welch (’04) in February; and John Cooper (’01) in March. We are also delighted to have requests to join the Lodge from three more young Old Boys, who will help to swell the growing new generation of Freemasons in the Lodge.

Much further along their Masonic journeys, several members have achieved special long-service milestones:

• W.Bros. Ian Maughan (’47), George Stroud (’47), and John Armour (’46): all 50 years.
• W.Bro. Patrick Wood (’30): an outstanding 70 years.

(Above left) The 2007 team, following the installation in November. Front row (left to right): Steve Latimer (Director of Ceremonies), Peter Turnley (Senior Warden), Ray Dawson (Wor. Master), Ian McMurtrie (Immediate Past Master), Bill Tingate (Assistant Director of Ceremonies); (Above) Master Ray presenting our cheque for $1500 to Mr John Thompson, retiring president of the Best Chance network.

Special presentations and congratulations have been made to them all.

The Lodge has continued its charitable community activities, holding a special film night at Scotch last November, and raising $1500 which was donated to Best Chance, a child family care network. And at our December meeting, Father Christmas appeared and collected $300 from members and visitors, together with a large sackful of toys, all for distribution by the Salvation Army.

On the social side, we had the usual happy turnout of members, wives and friends to our Christmas break-up: a middle-eastern banquet luncheon. In March we visited the historic Fairfield Boathouse by the Yarra for a very enjoyable long breakfast, buffet style.

The Lodge has a busy ceremonial program ahead for most of the year. Our May meeting is our annual Old Boys’ night, when Old Boys from other Lodges are especially welcome to join us. The Lodge meets at 7.30pm on the first Thursday of each month (except January), in the Camberwell Masonic Centre, corner Prospect Hill Road and Station Street, Camberwell. All Freemasons are welcome. For more information please contact the Lodge Secretary, Stuart McArthur, through the OSCA office, Morrison Street, Hawthorn 3122.