Lodge of Truth Braidwood No 26 celebrated its sesquicentenary on Saturday 13 March 2010 in the presence of the Grand Master, MW Bro Dr Greg Levenston and Ms Judith Morrice; members of the Grand Team; Grand Lodge Officers; Masons; and their wives and partners.
Ninety Masons packed the Lodge Room for the Ceremony, chaired on this occasion by the Lodge's longest serving Mason, RW Bro Pring Raynolds, who forsook his beloved organ for this privilege. The Ceremony included a presentation of a potted history of the Lodge by W Bro David Cargill, who also researched and compiled a comprehensive history of the Lodge's last 50 years to complement the earlier publication of the first 100 years. Both documents are available for sale from the Lodge. W Bro Cargill presented a copy of his publication to the Grand Master, who later circulated it to all present at the banquet for their signatures. The document will be preserved as a memento of the event.
Those in the Lodge Room were also treated to a reading of the Minutes of the first meeting and also the Minutes of 100 years previous.
W Bro Raynolds spoke passionately about his Lodge and its achievements in the community it served. The MW Grand Master congratulated the members of the Lodge on reaching this historic milestone—a testimony to its relevance in the community. He went on to greet the Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts present; and those Masons—thirteen in number—who had served for 50 years or longer.
Following the Lodge Meeting we repaired to the Garanvale Woolshed—no longer suitable for shearing sheep but eminently suited to entertaining people—to join the ladies and other invited guests, including the Mayor of Palerang Council and local community leaders, for the celebratory dinner. We were treated to an excellent repast, magnificent service, eloquent toasts and responses and a wonderful opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones.
The Grand Master and Judith Morrice joined with others and with members of the Lodge for a commemorative service at Braidwood's Uniting Church the next morning, at which the Grand Chaplain—RW Bro Leon Carter—addressed the congregation.
All who attended the celebrations had a most memorable outing. Our congratulations to the 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee for a job well planned and a job well done.
The slideshow which follows is a pictorial record (in random order) of the celebrations... Thanks to RW Bros Graham Charlton and Geoff Bunn for the photos.
Follow the link in the sidebar at right for an article on the first dinner meeting of the Lodge.