W. Bro Brian Mc Bride has been enjoying some Australian Masonic Hospitality during his stay in Sydney.
He has visited Lodge Warringah No. 83 nearby Collaroy and had brought Fraternal Greetings to WM. W Bro Bill Mc Kendrick and his brethren from our Lodge 669
He also had the pleasure of attending the Installation meeting of the Grand Master of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory (NSW & ACT) Most Worshipful Brother Derek Robinson, who extended warm and fraternal greetings to the WM and Brethren of Lodge 669 and to all Irish Masons http://www.masons.org.au
The Grand Lodge Meeting was held in Large Skyscraper Building in Central Sydney, where he was introduced to the Royal Arch Chapter Frist Grand Principal and Grand Master elect for NSW & ACT Most Excellent Companion Robert (Rob) Peattie, who is the NSW & ACT representative to Ireland and was please to meet and Irish Mason http://usgcnsw.org.au/
Most Excellent Companion Rob had invited Brian to Installation on 20th September again at Grand Lodge Room, which is a truly magnificent affair, having representatives from 27 different orders from all parts Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania, ladies and family members where also present.
The First Grand Principal and Grand Master presented Brian with an Australian Masonic Tie and new set of Cuff Links. He was again personally welcomed and Fraternal Greetings were extended by Rob Peattie to the E. King and Companions of Tyrain Chapter IC and to all Brethren and Companions in Ireland
Brian has been very honoured to attend all these meetings and has received a great welcome in Australia where fellowship and harmony is strong, We look forward to have W. Bro Brian McBride back with us at Christmas and he has been asked not to be bringing any boomerangs back with him…
Final note from Brian “Brethren, should you get an opportunity to visit a Lodge in another constitution, just do it (check with our Secretary first of course), and in my experience you will have a very enjoyable experience time and make many new friends”
Greetings Brian!
It was a real pleasure to have met you at out lodge in Collaroy a couple of months ago. I recall you gave a great visitors’ speech. We would love to see you again here the next time you come down under
Have a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year
Bro. Shane King
Great to see Brian enjoying the hospitality on the east side. Maybe sometime in the future we could catch up on the west coast. So true about the bomerangs, the last time he presented one to the Master, within 18 months I had swapped the cool shores of Co. Antrim, for the heat of the Batavia Coast.
It’s great to see Brian represent the lodge and himself in such a dignified and exemplary manner. He is a great ambassador for our lodge and freemasonry. Great to see him enjoying himself in sunny Australia. Will be great to have him back at lodge.
It was my great pleasure to have Brian at my Grand Installation and to present him with a few mementos of his visit to my Grand Chapter. Our Order in this jurisdiction is somewhat unique as not only am I the First Grand Principal but also the Mark Grand Master, Most Worshipful Commander Noah, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Royal and Select and lastly Most High Chief of a Council of Knight Masons. The administration of these Orders keeps me somewhat busy BUT as the Representative for the Grand Lodge of Ireland in NSW I always have time for any Irish Mason visiting NSW Mason visiting.
Brian was a great ambassador and I was pleased to acknowledge both him and his Chapter in my inaugration speech.
Rob Peattie
Past Deputy Grand Master (2003 – 2005)
First Grand Principal & Grand Master
Representative of the Grand Lodge of Ireland near NSW &ACT