Today we help the members of Lodge De Loraine No.541, which meets at Fern Avenue Masonic Hall, to celebrate an incredible 60 years on uninterrupted service to the Craft by one of their number, WBro Gerald Rebair.
After opening the Lodge, VW Bro. Kevin Stannard, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, requested that all brethren present square the Lodge in order that a short speech be made, during which it was pointed out that Gerald was one of only a few senior Masons who had remained with his original Lodge and Chapter, and a certificate of acknowledgement be presented to the recipient.
The ceremony was short and very friendly, with Gerald pointing out the formal names of Lodge De Loraine and Chapter De Loraine, after which WBro Malcolm Byrne gave a presentation entitled “World War II – The Pacific Theatre”. W Bro Malcolm is an excellent speaker, and the brethren enjoyed the well-informed historical story.
During the festive board, brethren gave various speeches and, as usual in Lodge De Loraine, the food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was convivial.
Gerald was initiated into Lodge de Loraine in May 1963 however, due to work commitments, he transferred to Hull in 1964, returning to Newcastle in 1971. He missed some years attending Lodge meetings, and the senior members decided to grant him the office of Senior Steward, which put him a couple of years back down the ladder.
At that time, the Lodge met at Grainger Street, holding the Festive Board at Bainbridge’s Restaurant, now John Lewis, with waitress service. Subsequently the Lodge moved to Maple Terrace, and Gerald became Master in 1978, during which time the Lodge moved to Fern Avenue midway through his Mastership.
During his years as Master, eight brethren who were Masters in different lodges decided to form a singing group known as The Harmony Masters, and they sang at several Lodges during that year.
Following that period, Gerald served as Treasurer and Secretary on more than one occasion and returned to Junior Warden in 2021 and Master in 2022. Gerald is also a member of Chapter De Loraine and Rose Croix.
He was acknowledged in Provincial Grand Lodge in 1989 when he was appointed to the rank of Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar, receiving subsequent promotion in 1990 to Past Provincial Grand Registrar. In 1999 He was acknowledged in United Grand Lodge, being appointed to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, receiving subsequent promotion to the rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon in 2007.
He joined the Royal Arch Chapter in 1973 when he was exalted into De Loraine Royal Arch Chapter, and was acknowledged in Provincial Grand Chapter in 1989 when he was appointed to the rank f Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar, receiving subsequent promotion Past Provincial Grand Registrar and the Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehmiah in 1998 before being acknowledged in Supreme Grand Chapter with appointment to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer.
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