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Lodge Bland No 337
Father and son Lodge Bland was consecrated in West Wyalong in October 1919 and a tradition of father/son membership of the lodge was established in the very earliest days of the lodge’s history. Indeed, at the first meeting after the consecration of the lodge in December 1919 there were six affiliates and two initiates. One of the initiates was Fredrick Sutherland the son of Perceval Sutherland who affiliated at the same meeting! Since then, 82 fathers have sat in Lodge Bland with their 107 sons. District 37
A happy hand over It was a happy night when Lodge Kingsford Smith hosted a welcome to the new DGIW for District 37 and a special ‘thank you’ to the retiring officer after four years of hard work. All lodges from the District were represented at Kensington in February when VW Bro George Shenouda stepped forward to present the patent and badge of office to his successor VW Bro Nic Pagonis. After the presentation was completed, a representative from each District lodge rose to pay tribute to and thank VW Bro Shenouda for his efforts in promoting the District and issue a welcome to his successor with the hope that he would continue the good work.
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The WM, W Bro Jim Day then made a special presentation to VW Bro Shenouda who thanked everyone for their support during his term of office and promised he would still be around to give his support whenever needed. VW Bro Pagonis said he was aware of the responsibility of the office and promised to continue the efforts of his predecessor. ‘This night has been a wonderful occasion and I am grateful for the support already given. I am also aware it will be a difficult start to this office because of the pandemic but assure the brethren I will do my best during the term,’ he said.
It was a very early practice that if a candidate’s father was a Past Master of the lodge the father would be invited to occupy the master’s chair for his son’s Initiation. This tradition has been followed on many happy occasions. On 15 May 1952 Herbert Walter ‘Bert’ Staniforth initiated his son Malcolm, whose brothers occupied the chairs of Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon & Inner Guard. Later Bruce Staniforth initiated his sons Peter, David and Johnny Staniforth. Later Johnny, as a Master Mason, was present for the initiation of his own sons Brian and Bradley. There have been seven families with three generations of Lodge Bland membership. In February 2021 Lodge Bland initiated James Avalos and his father Michael (a Master Mason of one year’s standing) was Inner Guard. Long may the tradition continue!
June 2021
39
