| The United Grand Chapter of Australia Sessions were held in Canberra in June 2005. Canberra is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Australia in its own Australian Capital Territory in the State of New South Wales. Western Australian members hosting the 10th Biennial Sessions had much pleasure in being part of that city for our Sessions. |
| Sister Evelyn Hood, Most Worthy Grand Matron and Brother Arthur Helm Most Worthy Grand Patron opened our Sessions on 8 June 2005. |
| Canberra Chapter’s had their 75th birthday celebration at the beginning of the Sessions. What a wonderful meeting to celebrate their anniversary and social occasion after the meeting. We were entertained by the Canberra and Fraser Chapter members and families. Truly a welcome start to our Sessions |
| We then got down to business for the next few days for our committee meetings, with some social activities to lighten the heavy workload. |
| The 10th Biennial Sessions commenced on Wednesday 9th June with our delightful Grand Representatives luncheon followed by our Grand Representatives meeting where a new President and Secretary were elected. Sincere thanks were given to Sister Lorraine Ellison (New South Wales) President, and Sister Lois Allen (New South Wales) Secretary, for the tremendous work achieved over the past two years. Sister Jean Gidley (South Australia) was elected as the new President and Sister Margaret Watt (South Australia) as Secretary for the ensuing two years. |
| Thursday was the open Session of the United Grand Chapter of Australia with a specially warm welcome by Sister Evelyn Hood, Most Worthy Grand Matron and Brother Arthur Helm Most Worthy Grand Patron, to all our visitors, local and overseas. We were so very pleased to have Sister Patricia Rasmussen Most Worthy Grand Matron and Brother Loyal Stark Most Worthy Grand Patron of the General Grand Chapter attending with their families and Star members from USA and Canada, along with many visitors from Scotland, New Zealand and so many other places around the world. It was a delightful, colourful meeting with many Grand Representatives and honoured guests being introduced |
| A beautiful banquet followed attended by some 450 members and families of the Order, with some visiting Masonic fraternity enjoying the evening with us |
| Our business meeting was on Friday 9 June – all business brought to the meeting was discussed and finalised late Friday night. |
| Saturday was our installation day. Sister Faye Ward, Most Worthy Grand Matron elect was then installed into her position along with all other Worthy Grand office bearers. It was a very moving and beautifully performed ceremony, a delight to observe. Brother Richard Nelson, Most Worthy Grand Patron elect, for personal reasons, declined to go forward as Most Worthy Grand Patron |
| The choir performed an energetic rendition of “Speak to the Sky”, Sister Faye Ward’s favourite anthem as well as other uplifting choral items Sister Pamela Paterson charmed us all with her lovely solo. |
| The cocktail party with guests from the Masonic fraternity, Amaranth, Rainbow was an excellent chance to greet and meet our guests. |
| Most Worthy Grand Matron | Sis.Faye Ward |
| Most Worthy Grand Patron | Bro.Gibson Atherton |
| Worthy Grand Associate Matron | Sis.Elizabeth Watt |
| Worthy Grand Associate Patron | Bro.William Cooper |
| Worthy Grand Secretary | Sis.Elaine O'Brien AOM |
| Worthy Grand Treasurer | Sis.Betty Godfrey |
| Wothy Grand Conductress | Sis.Lois Allen |
| Worthy Grand Associate Conductress | Sis.Janet Beck |
| Worthy Grand Snr. Chaplain | Bro.James Beck |
| Worthy Grand Jnr. Chaplain | Bro.Stuart Lang |
| Worthy Grand Marshal | Sis.Pamela Sangwell |
| Worthy Grand Organist | Sis.Dorothy Douglas |
| Worthy Grand Adah | Sis.Helen McLaughlan |
| Worthy Grand Ruth | Sis.Judith Baker |
| Worthy Grand Esther | Sis.Pamela Fitzgerald |
| Worthy Grand Martha | Sis.Margaret Kennedy |
| Worthy Grand Electa | Sis.Janet Atherton |
| Worthy Grand Warder | Sis.Julie Slater |
| Worthy Grand Sentinal | Bro.Sydney Down |
| Worthy Grand Faternal Correspondent | Bro.George Taylor |
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| Deputy Grand Matron South Australia Deputy Grand Patron South Australia |
Sis.Margaret Watt Bro.Robert Diggle |
| Deputy Grand Matron Tasmania I.P.Deputy Grand Patron Tasmania |
Sis.Ann Nixon Bro.Neville Round |
| Supplies Officer | Sis.Joan Whyte |
| Registar | Sis.Lorraine Ellison |
| Sessions Co-ordinator | Sis.Narelle Ober |
| The banquet room, beautifully decorated with items from Sister Faye Ward's home State of Western Australia, was the scene of a wonderful evening. After all the preparation for the Biennial Sessions, it was a chance to relax and enjoy the companionship of our members and visitors. The band (Sister Narelle Ober's granddaughter and friends) really got us into the mood with country music and with a rendition of the birdie dance (and we did dance), so we were off to a marvellous evening. |
| On Sunday 11 June with the help of Brother Gary Sweeney (his help and support in supplying the bus service was tremendous) we all attended the Church service at the Church of England All Saints Church – a lovely old building with a fantastic history, re-erected on its present site as a church. |
| We closed the Biennial Sessions at a dinner on Sunday night, provided by (again with grateful thanks to them) the Canberra Chapters with superb food and fantastic entertainment. After the dinner there were only smiles and wishes – until we meet again. |
| All thanks go to the Canberra Chapter and Fraser Chapter members, family, visitors and friends for the marvellous organisation and help to organise these Sessions, under the direction of Sister Narelle Ober, Sessions Coordinator. |
| A new election for the Most Worthy Grand Patron of the United Grand Chapter was held on 26 July in South Australia. Brother Gibson Atherton was elected at that meeting and was installed into his position on 8 August 2005 in Adelaide Chapter by the Most Worthy Grand Matron, Sister Faye Ward, who extended congratulations to Brother Gibson Atherton and wished him a very happy, successful term of office. Sister Janet Atherton was installed as Worthy Grand Electa at the same meeting and also wished much happiness and pleasure in her term of office. |
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| Sister Faye Ward also wished all the Order of the Eastern Star members in South Australia, who are now busy working toward their United Grand Session in Adelaide in 2007, every success in their efforts and good luck with their fundraising. It is a major effort to undertake and requires a lot of dedicated work from our members. |
| Hope to see you all in Adelaide, South Australia 2007 |