Grand Chapter of Queensland O.E.S. Centennial Celebration
Maryborough – Sunday 30 September 2012
Maryborough was chosen for the venue because it is a heritage city and this fit the occasion. The programme for the day included the formal opening of the Grand Chapter followed by a recess during which there was a demonstration of the 1867 Ritual of the Order of the Eastern Star in the upstairs Lodge room of the Masonic Centre. The work was performed by the Office Bearers of the Grand Chapter of Queensland under the direction of the Worth Grand Patron Brother Arnold Horne. Over 100 members of the Order had the pleasure of witnessing the ceremony. This was followed by afternoon tea where Members were joined by invited guests including Mrs Anne Maddern, MP (State Member for Maryborough), Mr Gerard O’Connell (Mayor of the Fraser Coast Regional Council) and representatives from Masonic Lodges. Before the resumption of the Grand Chapter Promotional Meeting the Most Worthy Grand Matron, Sister Janet Beck was given the honour of firing the Maryborough Town cannon after the Town Crier made a proclamation of the event of the day. The meeting resumed with over 150 in attendance. All were welcomed by the Worthy Grand Matron Sister Merlyn Pollitt. Invited guests were introduced with Worthy Grand Patron Brother Arnold Horne introducing the Masonic fraternity. Sister Barbara Hartman PWGM delivered a small address on the Order of The Eastern Star. This was followed by a Centenary Service delivered by the Office Bearers of the Grand Chapter of Queensland. The invited guests were asked to speak and their comments were very favourable with regard to the Order of the Eastern Star and the event of the day.
A Centenary Dinner was held at the Carriers Arms Hotel to conclude the Centenary Celebrations by the Grand Chapter. Sister Evelyn Hingston, the longest serving member of the Order present, was invited to cut the Centenary Cake with the Most Worthy Grand Matron Sister Janet Beck and Worthy Grand Matron Sister Merlyn Pollitt. 
Mr Gerard O’Connell (Mayor of the Fraser Coast Regional Council), Worthy Grand Patron Brother Arnold Horne, Worthy Grand Matron Sister Merlyn Pollitt and Mrs Anne Maddern, MP (State Member for Maryborough).
Worthy Grand Matron & Worthy Grand Patron with members of the Masonic Fraternally who attend the Centenary meeting.
Most Worthy Grand Matron Sister Janet Beck firing the canon.
Most Worthy Grand Matron Sister Janet Beck with Sister Evelyn Hingston and Worthy Grand Matron Sister Merlyn Pollitt cutting the Centenary Cake.
Centennial Cake Quilt. For more photos, check the Photo Gallery.