A feast to remember
16 December 24
By RW Bro Terry McCallum
Immediately following the Grand Installation Ceremony, an army of workers cleared the seats, placed the tables and set the places for the Grand Installation Banquet in honour of our 41st Grand Master and the waiting guests.
In little more than the blink of an eye the auditorium of Sydney Town Hall had been transformed into a magnificent dining setting. Let the feast begin!
The banquet was extremely well attended, with all seats being sold well before the event. The officers of the United Grand Lodge of NSW and ACT are well practiced in running such occasions. RW Bro Joe Corrigan – the appointed MC for the night – took the reins and led the formalities, ensuring that, whilst maintaining the requisite level of formality, the proceedings were not without a liberal sprinkling of light-hearted humour.
Above - Current and former GMs enjoying the banquet!
Middle - MW Bro Khris Albano and Caroline, Top Left - MW Bro Les Hicks and Narelle and Bottom Right - MW Bro Derek Robson AM CMH and Gael
Then began the parade of toasts, responses and congratulatory speeches, all interspersed with a sumptuous menu, delivered with the utmost professionalism by the wait staff.
MW Bro Derek Robson AM CMH proposed the toast to the newly installed Grand Master, the toast being received with hearty enthusiasm by all present. In his response, the Grand Master thanked all for making the effort to attend, particularly the many guests coming from overseas. He spoke of his masonic journey, expressing his gratitude to those who had been his guides and mentors during that time, and of his enthusiasm for the tasks that lay ahead during his tenure as Grand Master.
Another very important toast for the night was that given to the visitors. This was in the hands of the Grand Treasurer, RW Bro Ian Hogan. The response on behalf of the visitors was given by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, MW Bro Jim Watt. It was only when all visitors stood for the response that everyone got an idea of the incredible number of visitors present.
The toast to the Immediate Past Grand Master was by MW Bro Dr Greg Levenston, who then presented MW Bro Les Hicks with his Past Grand Master’s jewel. In accepting his jewel, MW Bro Hicks thanked everyone for their help and support during his term in office, and said he looked forward to continuing his activities within the Craft.
The evening was highlighted with presentations from dignitaries of other Orders. The Grand Master was lavished with a variety of gifts which included a Fez, a set of Russian Dolls and a carved keystone to name but a few.
Entertainment was provided by the combined voices of Bro Daniel Tambasco and Ms Alejandra Blandino, who amazed the guests with their vocal talents.
Daniel is an Italian-Australian opera singer, songwriter and entertainer from Sydney and trained at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He is a member of Lodge Galileo.
Alejandra is an ACE and MO award-winning Coloratura Soprano, trained in classical and contemporary techniques. She performs diverse repertoires spanning opera, musical theatre, pop, and rock. Her versatile singing style has graced festivals, corporate events, and theatrical stages.
Above - Bro Daniel Tambasco and Ms Alejandra Blandino entertaining the brethren and their guests with a haunting rendition of Music of the Night.
These two fine voices performed some beautiful duets, including The Music of the Night, from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera.
After the food and songs and catch-ups were completed, the Junior Grand Warden RW Bro Roland Martinez gave the final toast for the evening, bringing a night to remember to its close.
