The Star shines bright

10 September 23

The Order of the Eastern Star United Grand Chapter of Australia held its Eighteenth Biennial Session on 18 June in the Bankstown Sports Club Grand Ball Room. 

The session culminated with the Grand Installation and Investiture of Sister Robyn Reily as Most Worthy Grand Matron and Brother Jonathan Nantes as Most Worthy Grand Patron. 

290 members of the Order from all over Australia and the USA, together with visitors, family and friends were in attendance. 

The magnificent flower arrangements, the white dresses of the Australian members, the warm dress colours of the American members and the regalia and robes of representatives of the other associated Masonic Orders turned the room into a glittering sea of colour. 

The ceremony commenced with the entrance of the Worthy Grand Office Bearers and presentation of the impressive Flags Service by Bro Sydney Down PMWGP and brothers and sisters of the Order. 

A donation of $7,300 was made to CURE CANCER, the charity of the MWGM Sister Blanch Watt, the MWGP Bro Paul Smith and the Immediate Past Grand Officers. 

The Session Co-ordinator Sister Evelyn Hood PMWGM then detailed the very generous donation of $2,616,998 to some 80 recipients for 2019 thru 2021. This included a donation to the University of Wollongong (UOW) of $200,000 by Wollongong Chapter No 59 which will be disbursed over the next 10 years for a Nursing Scholarship. The partnership will fund 10 scholarships of $7,000 per annum for 3 years, focusing on students from low socio-economic backgrounds who have ties to the Illawarra Region. This will help them realise their dreams of entering the nursing profession. This is the largest nursing scholarship to be offered at UOW. 

Sister Pamela Paterson PWGM then delivered a wonderful solo rendition of This is the Moment to the Most Worthy Grand Matron elect. 

The Installing Officer Sister Watt IPMWGM, Bro Smith IPMWGP Grand Chaplain, and Sister Helen McLaughlan PMWGM Grand Marshall performed their duties in a most capable, warm and sincere manner.

Sister Reily and Brother Nantes in their acceptance speeches thanked everybody for their support, encouragement and best wishes, and affirmed that they will uphold the principles and values of the Order. 

Responses and congratulations were made by Sister Marilyn Auld Worthy Grand Matron Grand Chapter of NSW & ACT, Brother Spencer Swann Worthy Grand Patron Grand Chapter of Queensland and MW Bro Lesley Norman Hicks Grand Master UGL of NSW & ACT.

Retiring Worthy Grand Secretary Sister Elizabeth Taylor PDGM, and Retiring Assistant to the Worthy Grand Supplies Officer Sister Phyllis Dehn PWGM were both conferred with emeritus status for their many years of service to the Order. 

The installation banquet, and musical entertainment by Mr Guy Walton closed out a wonderful afternoon and evening. The Session concluded on Sunday with a Thanksgiving Service conducted by Mr Graham Parker. 

The emblem of the Order is a five-pointed star, the character-building lessons taught in the Order are stories inspired by the Biblical figures, Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha and Electa.

Charity is one of the core values of the Order and the members devote many hours of work to help raise funds for worthy causes and less fortunate members of the community.

If you would like any Information on the Order of the Eastern Star, please refer to their site www.oesaustralia.org.au.