'Lovely journey' has come to end

TOP PRIORITY: Nothing interfered with Rosemary Ryan's Lodge night.

Joining the Koa Rebekah IOOF Lodge in Kaitaia in 1950 was the best thing she had ever done, Margaret Marshall told a small gathering at the town's heritage museum, assembled to mark the dismantling of a display in honour of the Koa Rebekah and Northern Star lodges, both now in recess.

It had been a lovely journey, but it was now over, she added.

It wasn't a large gathering (though MC Malcolm Matthews was moved to observe that there were more people there than had turned up for Lodge nights in recent times), but Faye Irwin-Erceg spoke for all when she thanked those responsible, notably Don and Lynda Hammond, and archivist Olwyn Ramsey, for the time and effort they had spent mounting a display that had been beautifully put together.

There was a "pile" of memorabilia that room could not be found for, she added, but the display had done an excellent job of acknowledging the two lodges and the contributions they had made to their community.

Both had gone into recess after celebrating their 92nd anniversaries last year.

Dignitaries from Dunedin (IOOF head office), Auckland and even the Sovereign Grand Lodge of America had attended the inaugural inductions at Kaitaia's cinema, the Princess Theatre, and both had filled a real need in their community in an age when social welfare had not been thought of.

Good deeds and assisting others, within and beyond Lodge membership, friendship, love and truth had been the cornerstones.

And the need had never been greater than when soldiers left to serve during World War II, the lodges assuring them that their families would be well looked after while they were away.

Contrary to the public perception, she added, the lodges had not been secret societies. Indeed they had often held open meetings for the benefit of the wider community.

Displaying honesty, dedication and integrity, visiting the sick, helping the distressed, educating orphans and burying the dead had been the Lodge member's role, and recession had brought an end to an era of collaboration between individuals, although the values shared would remain forever.

In the end the intrusion of government regulations and bureaucracy had had made continuing more difficult, Mrs Irwin-Erceg said, but the funds remaining in the bank had been put to good use, via donations to Switzer Residential Care, St John, the SPCA and the Northland rescue helicopter.

"It's sad that it is ending, but I am pleased that the money has been given to the right organisations," she said.

Former District Deputy Noble Grand Gary Larsen said the loss of the lodges was a sign of the times.

Many organisations were struggling, although he did not know why.

"We had a lot to offer the town, and the country. It's a shame that we have to go, but we do," he said.

Rosemary Ryan, now living in Whangarei, had fond memories too, not least of the banquets and the children's Christmas parties in the old A&P Hall, which on one occasion hosted 120 youngsters, some of whom had impressed with their powers of observation.

One small boy had famously pointed out to his mother that Santa was wearing Daddy's shoes.

Mrs Ryan, Phyllis Tailby, Pam Matthews and Yvonne Beehre had all joined Koa Rebekah simultaneously, and all had been totally committed.

"Nobody interfered with Lodge nights," she said.

"I have many happy memories, and have made friendships forever."