At the recent Grand Chapter of Queensland annual meeting on 1 April 2023, various presentations were made by the Eastern Star Foundation to local/state charities. Sister Elizabeth Watt – President of the Foundation, presented cheques for the following:
The representatives of each of the groups gave a small talk expressing their gratitude for the financial support and explained how the funds will be used to benefit their aged clients.
The Shield
Grand Chapter of Queensland presented the “Shield” to the Chapter who admitted more initiates in the 2022 calendar year than any other Chapter in Queensland. There were 14 new Members initiated during 2022:
Sis Edwina Tatnell, Worthy Matron and Brother Peter Swann Associate Patron were presented with the big Shield to display during the rest of this year and the small replica shield which they can keep and display with the other replica shields they have received in the past.
Sister Barbara Andresen was presented with her 70 years of Service Diploma by Brother Jonathan Nantes MWGP, Acting Secretary at the Regular Meeting of Electa Chapter No 160 on Saturday 25 February 2023.
Sister Andresen was initiated into Kogarah St. George Chapter No 74 (then No 377) on 9 February 1953. When she moved to Queensland, she affiliated into Harmony Chapter No154 in 1996, then Southport Chapter No 88 in 2006, Beenleigh Chapter No 199 in 2015 and Electa Chapter No 160 in 2017. However, she retained her connection with the Members of Kogarah St. George Chapter, travelling to New South Wales to attend many meetings and when that Chapter went into dormancy, Sister Andresen affiliated into Illawarra-Daylight Chapter No 220. She continued to travel to attend as many meetings as she could until ill health made travel no longer possible. The Members of Illawarra-Daylight Chapter No 220 arranged for the Diploma to be presented at Electa Chapter where Sister Andresen is currently installed as Adah.
The members of Chermside Chapter #93 are delighted to introduce you all to our Worthy Matron Sister Alicia Boyle and Worthy Patron Brother David Kirk who have taken over the leadership of our Chapter.
Sister Boyle has been progressing steadily through the Chapter and brings to this important role a wealth of leadership knowledge and business expertise which has already helped us to prosper. Brother Kirk is the perfect Worthy Patron, with many years of experience and knowledge of Eastern Star procedures and laws.
The Immediate Past Matron and Patron, Sister Heather Gennings and Brother Ross Barlow are thrilled that their dream of achieving a succession plan has finally come to fruition!
We wish our Worthy Matron, Worthy Patron and Office Bearers a successful, harmonius, and fruitful year. If you ever have a spare afternoon available on the second Saturday of the month, please visit us and be assured of a very hospitable and friendly welcome.
Members from north-western and southern Tasmania took time out from their busy pre-Christmas schedule to conduct Sausage Sizzles in aid of charity.
Charities to benefit were the Royal Flying Doctors Service and Diabetes Australia.
On Friday 16th December Tasman Chapter held a Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings, Devonport, while the following day Hobart Chapter members sizzled sausages at Bunnings, Kingston.
It was the first occasion Tasman Chapter had conducted a Sausage Sizzle. Now they have the experience, they’re hoping to be able to secure future dates.
Hobart Chapter was able to obtain two bookings for Sausage Sizzles in December. Members also provided support to the Caledonian Society by assisting them in conducting a Sausage Sizzle. In doing so, the Chapter was able to share the profits.
Members of Tamar Chapter and Hobart Chapter continued their practice of donating in December to Benevolent Societies in Launceston and Hobart.
At Christmas, when people are encouraged to assist the less fortunate, members of the Order in Tasmania have answered the call.
During the recent floods our WG Treasurer contacted The Anglican Diocese in Bathurst to see if we could assist their parish members and they directed her to Rev Reily in the Forbes area. Assistance of $5,000 was provided and a thank you card was recently received.
During the 2020 fires in Victoria, the little town of Mallacoota was wiped out leaving many folks homeless and many without a job. Our WG Treasurer, Sister Margaret Down, took it upon herself to reached out to the post mistress, Pam Estella, to see if we could give financial help to the community. That enquiry led to the Mallacoota Community Health Centre. Ms Anne Mwagiru, Chief Executive Officer of the centre confirmed that the Mallacoota community were in desperate need of funds with many people still without homes, had little food and basic medications. At that time, the UGCA assisted with funds, and they were so grateful to think that an organisation such as ours would assist their little town. Later that year the UGCA also send further funds towards Christmas for their food bank as many still had no homes and no promised assistance.
In June of this year Margaret reached out again to see how the townsfolk were coping only to be told that many folks still have no homes and are living in tents, boats, house ruins or wherever than could find shelter. Anne mentioned they invited folks in once a week to have a hot meal and get warm and just a general check-up and chat to let them know they are cared about and not forgotten.
Funds were required by Mallacoota District Health & Support Service to enable them purchase blankets, food, everyday hygienic products and medicines so the UGCA donated another $6,000.00.
So often we see these events on the television and in the months that follow we forget about those left behind to pick up the pieces. Ms Anne Mwagiru would like to thank all Members of the Order of the Eastern Star for their gratitude and for the difference the UGCA has made to Mallacoota District Health and Support Service.
An exciting year lays before us as we come into what we have termed the “O-DEARS/O-YEARS for Woonona, Illawarra Daylight and Wollongong Chapters.
The youngest “0” being Illawarra Daylight Chapter No 220 who has reached its 20th year. The Installation of Sister Norah Mitchell and Brother Paul Smith took place on 11 November 2022 at the Mortdale Village Hall. The installation ceremony was so ably carried out with no rehearsal and a number of smooth swaps that had the continuity keeping us with a time frame that allowed for a very delicious lunch and great time of fellowship. The birthday celebration is in September.
The middle “0” going to Woonona Chapter No 119 celebrating their 70th year. The Installation of Sister Jennifer Shepherd and Brother Raymond McIntosh was carried out with dignity and with purpose for a very harmonious 70th year. Our grateful thanks goes to Sister Joy Swattridge PWDGM who ably stepped into the Worthy Matron’s position at the last minute. Thank you, Sister Swattridge and Sister Betty Griffiths, Secretary for setting a calming tone from beginning to end with Sister Jennifer Shepherd accepting the gavel to conclude a very happy meeting. The birthday celebration will be 4th February with an open meeting and a dinner at the Woonona Bulli RSL Club.
The elder “0” is Wollongong Chapter No 52 who will be celebrating their 90th year. The spirit of youth Brother Benjamin Sweeney was the Installing Officer with his mother, Sister Angela Sweeney as Installing Marshal. A beautiful rendition of the Installation ceremony. Sister Janelle Love and Brother Robert Mitchell were installed as Worthy Matron & Worthy Patron. Wollongong Chapter’s 90th Birthday is in August.
Margaret Smith PWGM/PWDGM.
A unique and special meeting at Illawarra Daylight Chapter of 10th of June 2022.
Not only was there a special celebration for Sister Homer celebrating her 100th Birthday, but members of the Chapter in attendance were holding office in the three governing levels of our Order ie Most Worthy Grand Patron Brother Paul Smith, Worthy Grand Matron Sister Marilyn Auld, Worthy District Grand Matron Sister Lorna Dunkley and Worthy District Grand Patron Brother Ian Dunkley. It was also the last Chapter visit of the MWGM Sister Blanche Watt and MWGP Brother Paul Smith prior to the 2022 United Grand Chapter Session.
Sister Homer will be celebrating 70 years in the Order soon and still does her all ritual as Adah word perfect as well as sign of the degree.
