15 June 2012 we were honoured by a visit from the WDGM Sister June Turnbull and the WDGP Brother Jonathan Nantes and DG Office-bearers. The WM, WP and Office-bearers presented a lovely service to the WDGM and WDGP.

Our 90th birthday meeting on the 24th of March 2012 was a special occasion which will be remembered by our members for a long time. The usual tireless workers within the Chapter exceeded expectations this time with the decorations in the luncheon room, the historical documents display and the subtle mix of wattle and 90th birthday balloons in the Chapter room. All states of Australia except WA were represented in the visiting dignitaries and having such an impressive East seemed to inspire all of us to a higher standard of ritual and floor work. Our newest initiate, Sister Jeanada Phillips and her catering partner Ann provided a wonderful lunch and everyone had an opportunity to mingle and visit. One of our interstate visitors was Sister Nell Johnson WM of Mt Beulah Chapter No 5 in NSW – Golden Wattle’s “twin sister” Chapter. Both Chapters were instituted on the 18th of March 1922. Our WM went to their 90th birthday celebration which they held on the 3rd of March 2012. Apparently not everyone can see the incredible resemblance between the “twins” Sister Johnson and Sister Hartman! The Golden Wattle members were delighted to have several Past Matrons and Past Patrons in attendance, many of whom have not been able to attend for several years. It was so very nice to have an opportunity to spend time with them again. The birthday cake was cut by the earliest Worthy Matron and earliest Worthy Patron in attendance, Sister Jean Trevorrow and Bro Keith Beasley – both of whom are still very active members of the Chapter. Everyone is now looking forward to other significant Eastern Star events – the centennial of the Eastern Star in Australia in July, centennial of Hartford Chapter No 3 in April of 2013, and for us here in Ipswich, the centennial of Golden Wattle Chapter No 4 in 2022!

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Photo Golden Wattle Dignitaries
Back Row: Sis Vivian Bond IPWDGM, Bro Richard Kennedy WGP, Sis Rachael Gowen WG Adah, Bro Ian Dunkley WDGP of the Hunter Valley DG (and a PP of Golden Wattle), Bro John Lindsay IPWDGP, Bro Barrie Bell Deputy Grand Patron Tasmania, Bro Michael Nardella PWDGP Melbourne DG. Front Row: Sis June Turnbull WDGM, Sis Beryl Ross IPWGM, Sis Janet Beck MWGM, Sis Barbara Hartman WM, Bro Leroy Zahnow WP, Bro Stuart Lang MWGP, Sis Christine Vaessen Deputy Grand Matron Tasmania, Sis Margaret Headland WDGM Melbourne DG.

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Photo Golden Wattle Officers and Members
Back Row: Bro Ian Dunkley WDGP HVDG (PP), Sis Bethly Grace Conductress, Sis Roslyn Lumsden Chaplain, Sis Beverley Zahnow Assoc. Matron, Sis Kay van Lissum, Sis Melessa Woolston, Sis Dawn Simmons, Sis Pamela Beasley Organist (PM), Bro Ian Blyth Acting Assoc. Patron (PP), Sis Heather Noble Assoc. Conductress (PM), Bro John Lindsay IPWDGP SBDG (PP) Front Row: Sis Rhonda Tompkins Warder, Sis Dorothy Douglas WG Organist Emeritus (PM), Sis Gillian Powys Secretary (PM), Sis Barbara Hartman WM, Bro Leroy Zahnow WP, Sis Mary Lindsay Esther (PM), Sis Jean Clark Ruth (PM), Sis Lorna Dunkley Acting Marshal (PM).

Cake Cutting: Sis Jean Trevorrow PM (1967/68) Bro Keith Beasley PP (1983/84).

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