Community Award
Mayor & Denis O'Hara.
The Akaroa/Wairewa Community Board has recognised Brother Denis O'Hara's contribution to the Akaroa community with a 2009 Community Seviuce Award.
The citation states: Denis O'Hara is a member of the Akaroa/Banks Peninsula Anglican Parish and has been the Vestry Treasurer and until recently Steward of st peters hurch Akaroa. Denis provides the excellent service of 'minder' keeping an eye on a number of disadvantaged peole throughout the Akaroa commnity and offering practical help on a daily basis. In addition, Denis is Secretary, Hall Custodian and maintenance person for The Phoenix Lodge No. 43. Denis is a ranking Officer of the Grand lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of New zealand and a past member of the Akaroa heritage Park. Denis gives freely of his time.
Sleep Apnoea Monitor
The Phoenix Lodge No. 43, in partnership with the Canterbury Masonic Charitable Trust, are proud to have fulfilled the need of the Akaroa Medical Centre for a Sleep Apnoea Monitor. Funding for its purchase have been transferred to the centre.
ANZAC
Remembrance.
It is always with sadness that the Brethren remember the brethren of the Lodge who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. There names live on for ever at our rooms and on the Akaroa War Memorial. To honour their memory the Lodge holds a ceremony of remembrance at the April lodge meeting and takes part in the ANZAC Memorial Service with the laying of a wreath, not only for our brethren but also for those of the wider community who were lost in the conflicts.
WBro George Scarborough
Grave renovation.
George Scarborough, a popular landlord and owner of Hotel Akaroa, and Mayor of the Borough, was a founding member of the Akaroa Lodge No. 1666 EC in 1876. In 1878 he became Master unfortunately passing away a short time later.
It is recorded that in 1977 Scarborough, in proposing the health of the founding Master W Cooper, "took occasion to review the wonderful progress the Lodge made during its existence of twelve months. They had added some of the best men in the district to their ranks, and they now were able to sit down under their own roof. The Hall in which they were now assembled was a credit to any Lodge of Freemasons and that the furniture of the Lodge was of a beautifully chaste description."
The Phoenix Lodge have undertaken to care for the grave of WBro Scarborough and have now renovated the slab cover to ensure the continuation of this memorial.
(See Gallery for other pictures.)
Waitangi Day - Okains Bay
This was a great family day out for visitors, officials and our brethren. A bumper crowd of over 3000 celebrated the formation of the unity of our nation.
The Phoenix Lodge No. 43 thanks all brethren who assisted in making this a special day for us all. There was an increase in activities and great fellowship was enjoyed as we assist those running the event.
Our 16 square metre display at the grounds, showing the historic links between the Freemasonry and the first settlement of Banks Peninsula, particularly the establishment of Akaroa in 1840, proved to be a well worthwhile venture. Many seeking genuine information of Freemasonry used the openness of the display to make their enquiries.
A brief social time at the conclusion of the day was enjoyed by all Tales of the day were told and shortcomings reviewed with improvements considered for 2010.
Duvauchelle Show:
A successful Freemasons display was held at the Duvauchelle Show, 10 January 2009. The Phoenix Lodge No. 43 thanks all who visited our display and expressed so much interest in what we are doing.
Akaroa Area School
The Phoenix Lodge No.43 congratulates this years winner of the annual Akaroa Area School FREEMASONS AWARD FOR EFFORT AND ACHIEVEMENT.
Custodianship
When a contingent from New Caledonia visited Christchurch for the 2008 Freemasons Communication they presented the Grand Master with a plaque from the Province De Nouvelle-Caledonie of the Grande Loge National Francaise as a mark of friendship between our two regions.
Commemorative Plaque
In turn, the Grand Master, MW Bro Stan Barker, placed the plaque in the guardianship of the Phoenix Lodge No. 43 as an acknowledgement of the French heritage of Akaroa and the close association with the early development of Freemasonry in Banks Peninsula.
An original window in the lodge room, built over in the very early renovations of the rooms, is to be opened to the interior and made into a special display to house this memento along with a brief history of early Freemasonry on the Peninsula.
Akaroa Toy Library
Giving our young people the best opportunities to learn and experience is of high importance. The Lodge is pleased to have been able to gift to the local Toy Library and Maxamec Large Kit construction set. These are units are much like a big "Meccano" set and promise to give hours of enjoyment and education.
Communication 2008
The Saturday "Day Trip" visited Akaroa where our historic Lodge Rooms were open and visitors welcomed by the local brethren. Refreshments were available and the historical treasures on display.
Akaroa is the site of the first dedicate lodge rooms built in this country and the lodge traces its historical connections back to the very first acknowledge Lodge meeting at Port Levy in 1847. More ..
Akaroa Bowling Club 100th Anniversary
Phoenix Team at Akaroa Bowling Club Jubilee
The weather was perfect for the Akaroa Bowling Club's 100th Anniversary Tournaments. A few years back they converted their natural greens to artificial turf and the result is a year round bowling surface. Maintenance costs were a major factor.
To record the Anniversary, the Club has published its history in a well illustrated book. At the beginning of December two tournaments were held to mark the occasion, one sponsored by McPhail Sports, the other by Freemasons New Zealand through The Phoenix Lodge No 43.
Despite picking their best Bowlers, the Lodge team was unsuccessful in the tournament however the day was enjoyed by all.
The Phoenix Lodge No 43 congratulates the Akaroa Bowling Club on their 100th Anniversary and wishes them well for the future.
(Picture: First three from left, Phoenix members Carrell, Helps & Clement.)
The Phoenix Lodge No 43 125th Anniversary
The Grand Master & Frank Helps
In their 125th year the Lodge installed the 100th new Master into the Chair. W Bro Luis Thacker comes from the proud Thacker family who have been farmers and community leaders in Okains Bay since the mid-1800's.
To mark the occasion the Lodge engaged with the community to support local activities including the Bowling Club and the Sea Scouts. At their rooms, the Lodge upgraded the paths around the building to include a rock feature at the front. On this was mounted a plaque recording the 125 years of existence.
With the assistance of the Lodge's oldest member, W Bro Frank Helps, RH, the plaque was unveiled by the Grand Master of Freemasons New Zealand, M W Bro David Mace on Saturday, 14 October 2006.
(Picture: MW Bro David Mace GM & W Bro Frank Helps, RH, celebrate the occasion of the 125th Anniversary of the Phoenix lodge No 43.)
