Star in the East banquet celebrates 150th anniversary

Head table guests being piped in. Dave Mercer photo

Emcee Allen Hackett, and, head table guests watch the Piper and Grand Master execute the traditional toast at the opening of the banquet celebrating the 150th anniversary of Star in the East Lodge, Wellington. Head table guests included Brent and Sharon Kleinsteuber, Matthew and Kaissy Kingsley, Allen and Marilyn Hackett; Grand Master Donald A. Campbell, Deputy District Grand Master Eric Mueller; Thomas and Marjorie Nash, Andrea Mulvihill and Trevor Burden.

Star in the East Masonic Lodge No 164 celebrated its 150th anniversary in Wellington on Saturday with a banquet at the community centre.

Its most senior member, Thomas Nash, gave the official ‘Toast to the Ladies and Visitors’, noting he was proud to have also presented the toast at the Lodge’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Dave Mercer photo

Its most senior member, Thomas Nash, gave the official ‘Toast to the Ladies and Visitors’, noting he was proud to have also presented the toast at the Lodge’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

“The 150 years of masonry in Wellington have been made possible by the continued support and co-operation of the ladies, friends and neighbours and the community,” Nash said. “The fellowship you bring to this anniversary is priceless.”

The Lodge’s current master, Matthew Kingsley, also welcomed approximately 170 members and guests and introduced the evening’s honoured guest, Donald Campbell,  Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario.

Campbell is a superintendent with the Toronto Police Force and was installed as Grand Master last July.

“You all share a membership in an organization respected for its commitment to excellence,” said Campbell. “The object of Freemasonry is more than taking good men and making them better – not better than anyone else, but better within themselves. Leaders are ordinary people with all the struggles, all the strengths and all the weaknesses of people like us. It is not what you are that is important, the issue is what you are willing to become. (John MacArthur Jr., of the Master’s Seminary)”

Campbell said he is convinced the world would be a better place if everybody practised Freemasonry’s, philosophy and fundamental  principles of brotherly love, relief and truth and the most common denominators members share  – fraternity, fellowship, family and charity.

Prince Edward Lodge past master Dale Miller presents Historian Alan R. Capon’s book to Donald Campbell, Grand Master. Dave Mercer photo

“Masonic leaders around the world agree that the greatest challenge facing our craft today is not declining enrollment, but rather the lack of understanding of what it means to be a Freemason in the 21st century.”

He said masons need to worry less about attracting new members and focus more on keeping existing members active so the organization continues to be seen as an important factor in the community. Campbell said it is the membership, as ambassadors to the craft, whose actions, attitudes and first impressions will influence a man considering joining Freemasonry.

“I have asked our 553 Worshipful Masters in this province to follow these three simple objectives. It is everyone’s duty to create a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment to create a positive atmosphere for learning. I ask to utilize the skills of your membership, and, give them the opportunity to lead.

“As Grand Master one of my roles is to engage more members to live the lifestyle of Freemasonry and that we become Masons with the ideal of making the world better and making ourselves better men. Freemasonry provides the opportunity for ordinary men who hold a set of shared values and morals to do extraordinary things.
And each one of us has been honoured with this very special opportunity… We can be proud of our traditions. Important as our past may be, we must look to the future… and choose the positive side of life.”

Dave Mercer photo