On Saturday 25th May, 2019 the members of Wallsend Chapter No.98 celebrated the 70th Birthday of the Chapter.
Our meeting was attended by the Worthy Grand Matron Sister Lorna Dunkley, Worthy Grand Patron Brother Graham Smith, PWGM’s, PWGP’s & the Grand Office Bearers of the Grand Chapter of NSW & ACT Inc. Also in attendance was the Worthy District Grand Matron of the Sydney District Grand Committee Sister Christine McDonnell & members of the SDG Committee. We also had 5 presiding Worthy Matrons & 1 presiding Worthy Patron.
The meeting was full of many beautiful services. The Welcome Service was prepared by Sister Patricia Manefield, Mother’s Day Service by Sister Margaret Bryden, while the Birthday Service was in the hands of the Worthy Matron. During the Birthday Service, the names of all members who had signed the Role Book were remembered & their names placed on the Remembrance Tree. In total 319 members had been initiated or affiliated over the past 70 years. Over the past 70 years Wallsend Chapter has only had one home base & we still meet in the Wallsend Masonic Hall to this day.
Our Past Worthy Matron’s & Past Worthy Patron’s was conducted by our Treasurer Sister Donna Hampton, the positions for the service were filled by members of Wallsend who have not reached the position of Worthy Matron & the friends of Wallsend Chapter. Our PWM’s & PWP’s were seated in the West during the service. This service was a wonderful tribute to our PWM’s & PWP’s & our thanks to Sister Hampton for presenting such a beautiful service.
As well as many visitors we were able to extend a very warm welcome to Sister Anne Brogden (Perth) & Sister Karen Yeates (Wagga Wagga), who because of distance are unable to be with us as often as they would like.
Following the meeting we all adjourned to Wallsend Diggers (RSL) for our celebratory dinner, which was also attended by many of our family members.
Our grateful thanks to all who attended & made this day so special.
The following weekend many of us were off to Adelaide for the UGCA Sessions, where Brother Alan Paterson was installed as WG Jnr Chaplain. We offer you our congratulations & also want to say how proud we are of you.
Also congratulations to Brother Paul Smith Most Worthy Grand Patron & although you are representing Western Australia, Wallsend is very proud of you & send congratulations for a happy & successful 2 years.
The sessions went off very well, great to catch up with the friends you don’t see on a regular basis & wonderful to have our friends from Texas here to celebrate with us.
Best wishes to all for the coming year.
Sister Pamela Paterson (PWGM) – Worthy Matron
