Lodge Commonwealth grouped under our WM, RW Bro. Warren Turton, in numbers unprecedented over recent years to support our July Fraternal to Lodge of Truth, Braidwood. The delegation numbered 12 which enforced our fraternal ties with Lodge of Truth and to support Bro. McCaskie taking his 2nd step in our Order.

The ceremony and ritual displayed by the WM, Officers and Brethren of Lodge of Truth, Braidwood, was commendable. This was further amplified by: VW Bro. Ron Jemeson, DGIW District 104, during his address to brethren in the Lodge room; also by VW Bro. David Slater during his proposition of the toast to the newly Passed Brother; and by Bro. Roman Cholawinskyj during his response on behalf of visiting brethren.

Nicholas applied to enter the Order through the Membership Assistance Scheme (MAS) - a Grand Lodge initiative designed to assist men who are interested in joining the Order and who do not personally know two Freeemasons - and was Initiated in Lodge Commonwealth on 23 April 2009.

Although W Bro. John Tregellas-Williams has known Nicholas and his family for some years, a second Brother, required to satisfy the historical membership process, could not be found thus the MAS has proven to be an effective means to meet a man's desire for membership of our Order.

Fraternal Delegation to Lodge of Truth, Braidwood
(L-R) Bro. Alex Slater, RW Bro. Warren Turton (WM), RW Bro. Ian Angus, Bro. Russ Richards,
Bro. Nicholas McCaskie, RW Bro. John Le Mesurier, W Bro. Warren Barsley, W Bro. Graeme Moller,
Bro. Steve Wilde, Bro. Ciaran Bird, VW Bro. David Slater and Bro. Roman Cholawinskyj

Bro. McCaskie responding to his toast at the Festive Board
(L-R) VW Bro. Ron Jemeson (DGIW 104), Bro. McCaskie, W Bro. Peter Camiller and
RW Bro. Warren Turton (WM Lodge Commonwealth)

RW Bro. Geoff Bunn, WM Lodge of Truth, was unable to attend the Festive Board having been called out for an emergency rescue during the closing of the Lodge. Geoff is Captain of the NSW Fire Brigade and the IG, Bro. Steve Hockey, is the Deputy who was conveniently positioned on this occasion to raise an Alarm. W Bro. Camiller, DC Lodge of Truth, assumed the Chair in Geoff's stead.

I understand Geoff and Steve returned home at about 6am. Perhaps additional detail of that event will be published when Lodge of Truth establish their Internet presence in the near future.

Author: Bro. Roman Cholawinskyj | Photo Bro. Shoemark and VW Bro. David Slater