It was on 27th November 1966 Sister Hazel Thompson called a meeting of interested persons and members of Townsville Chapter No 445 to instigate proceedings for the formation of a Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Charters Towers.
After months of planning this came to fruition on 19th August 1967 when members of Brisbane District Grand Chapter came and with Brother Robert Stone WDGP, instituted Charters Towers Chapter No 636.
Instituting Officer: Brother R H Stone WDGP
Instituting Officer: Sister Hilda B O’Donnell WDGM
Installing Chaplain: Brother Lou N O’Donnell PWDGP
Installing Marshal: Sister Edna M Stone PWDGM
Regalia Officer: Sister Katherine Gardener PWDGM
Organist: Sister Ena B Doherty
Sister Hilda O’Donnell WDGM and DG Office-bearers then opened the Chapter and after relevant business, initiated 8 candidates. Spare a thought for theses candidates crowded into the ticket box at the Horticultural Hall (now Arthur Titley Centre).
Reading the list of founder members brings back a lot of happy memories shared with these Sisters and Brothers.
I remember some looks of horror the evening prior to the institution – the carpet had been ordered 18 feet square and when it was rolled out they had only supplied 12 feet x 18 feet. Luckily it was a local supplier and the extra was obtained on the Saturday morning.
Of special mention, this carpet served us well for many years but with the help of Sister Lois Olfen, we procured an OES carpet from Mosman Chapter. This name is synonymous with Charters Towers as Jupiter Mosman was the aboriginal boy who discovered the gold that founded our wonderful city.
