Scotch College

Busy, productive year for Lodge 396

With the installation of Worshipful Brother Ian McMurtrie (’58) as the Master of the Old Scotch Masonic Lodge last November, the Lodge prepared for a very busy 2006.

Ian’s installation into the Chair of King Solomon was undertaken by an in-house team led by W Bros John Bell (’60) and Steve Latimer (’71) assisted by Ian’s brother, W Bro Duncan McMurtrie (’55), who came across from Perth. The old year finished with a visit from Father Christmas, who collected toys and donations from members for distribution by the Salvation Army.

The new year started with Stan Lacey (’53) advancing to become a Master Mason at the February meeting. At the March meeting Paul Daniels (’00) and Xavier Murtagh (’04) were welcomed into Freemasonry, becoming our youngest members, to be joined soon by Nicholas Welch (’04) and several other Young Old Boys, who together with Bro Andrew Silver (’01), will become the foundation of a new generation of Freemasons at No.396. We are also looking forward to welcoming Bro Lindsay Parkhill (’70) as a joining member, on his return to Melbourne from Darwin.

In April we visit the Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Lodge, and return in May when they host the annual Combined Schools’ Lodge meeting. Also in May (Thursday 4) we have our annual Old Boys’ meeting, when Old Boys from other Lodges are especially welcome. In June, W Bro Ian Morrison’s 10-year team will be back on deck!

The Lodge is involved in a number of charitable activities. During the March long weekend several members joined a Masonic taskforce to help with restoration work around Stawell, following the devastating bushfires in January. We also have an active social program for members, their families and friends, including a day at the Yarra Glen picnic races in March, and this month a barbecue fun day at the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club.

The Lodge meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Camberwell Masonic Centre, and all Freemasons are welcome. For more information, please contact the Secretary, Bill Cameron, through the OSCA office (9810 4302).

Something for everyone in bushwalking club’s program

If you’ve ever wanted to stroll through Somers, amble around Aireys Inlet, conquer the Cathedral Ranges or oscillate in the Otways, the Old Scotch Bushwalking Club will be happy to give you the opportunity during 2006.

They’re three of the club’s interesting weekend walking destinations during the remainder of the year. The schedule also includes a ‘winery walk’ and a ‘walk and dine’.

What are they all about? Why not come on a walk and find out! Or you can contact the club’s walks organiser, Peter Williams (9809 3273) for more information.

If you’re retired or have spare time on Wednesdays or Thursdays, the club also conducts a midweek walk each month, in locations close to Melbourne. Contact Geoff Stephens on 9882 7909 for more information about these weekday walks.