FilMasons Victoria Induction: A Crowning Success By Bro Louie Reyes

As reported by Bro Louie Reyes, FilMasons NSW VP
Dateline: Melbourne,VIC, 5-8 June 2008

Prologue: Thursday, 5 June 2008 - ARRIVALS

In response to the very cordial invitation of their Victorian Filmason brethren, fourteen of the NSW brothers and sisters boarded plane, train, and automobile (figuratively speaking) to be part of their induction scheduled for the Queen’s birthday long weekend, 6 to 8 June 2008.

The delegation included FilMason's President, VWBro Fidel and Sis Pen Pamplona, VWBro Manny and Sis Remy Maniago, Bro Manny and Sis Do Placido, WBro Romy and Sis Ellen Nieto, WBro Rudy and Sis Mila Romerosa, Bro Ted and Sis Evie Robiso, and Bro Louie and Sis Marilyn Reyes. We all knew that it was going to be a great event. What we didn’t anticipate was just how great it would be.

The long weekend really began on Thursday, 5 June, with the arrival of the first of the NSW contingent at Tullamarine airport. President-elect Bro Roy Esagunde personally met the Reyes’ and brought them safely to their host, a sign of things to come and just what the Victorians meant by hospitality: "door to door hospitality".

Friday, 6 June 2008 – LODGE & CASINO VISIT

The following morning brought in the second wave from the north, consisting of the Pamplonas’ and Maniagos’ and it was Bro Greg Todio who did the meet and greet, along with lunch and fellowship at his home before taking them to their accommodation in the city.

After a bit of time for rest and unpacking, we all met in the city for the first organized events. Bro Greg took us to Lodge Civil Service 338 to visit and watch a live second degree, this will be covered in a separate article. Suffice it to say that the brethren of Lodge Civil Service were most appreciative of the visit and presented us with small souvenirs of the evening.

Another group headed by Bro Fidel and Sis Hilda and Bro Noling and Sis Delia took Sis Remy, Sis Pen, and Sis Marilyn to Crown Casino for dinner and other entertainments such as are on offer at the premises. The brethren joined them a little later on after the lodge meeting and the fellowship continued at one of the cake and coffee outlets, of which there must be thousands at Crown Casino. I exaggerate of course, but let me say right now that night and day become one at the Casino and there is wall-to-wall everything there. The place was absolutely packed and VWBro Fidel P and VWBro Manny M had reason to comment that it was as near to Las Vegas as one could get without leaving Australia. The group were almost reluctant to part ways for the "evening" but next day was the big day and there was still work to be done.

(Moderator's Note: This is part one of a three-part series on the FilMasons Victorian Induction Trip long weekend.)