Good Irish Craic in GympieAuthor - Sarea Taylor, Photos - Nicky SmithOn Saturday night, the 14th of March, Lord Dufferin Lodge celebrated their annual St Patrick’s dinner. This is the third year the event has been held. There were many different forms of entertainment ranging from Irish dancing to traditional Irish songs. There were also competitions including an Irish quiz, a waiter race and various raffle draws. Leon Pethick, who together with wife Jenny, was responsible for many of the decorations and Irish drinks served during the night, says that “the event was purely for fun. This event is celebrating fun.” The event was definitely an enjoyable night out. Geoff Taylor said that his favourite parts of the night were the food, the decorations and the live entertainment. The event is celebrated so passionately because of the roots of Gympie Freemasonry. “Lord Dufferin lodge was founded as a lodge belonging to the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1886 by a group of local Gympie freemasons who originally joined freemasonry in Ireland”, said Geoff. The caterer for the event, Marina Taylor put on an excellent dinner for all of the guests. There was a Guiness Pie with Calcannon mash and peas for main and for dessert there was a sticky prune pudding, risigolo and peaches in port with a beautiful butterscotch sauce. Marina has been catering for these events for many years now and says that her favourite part of catering is “the company in the kitchen and the challenge”. This event raised over $1,000 for the Masonic Centre’s ongoing restoration. The success of the event is truly owed to the hard work of lodge members and to the guests – all of whom came looking for some “good craic”. Leon says that 2015 has been the best year yet.
Irish Pub song anyone? Leon Pethick, Geoff & Adan Taylor and Jason Smith on guitar. |
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Dressed for the part - MC for the night, Adan Taylor and his family Sarea (article author), Jackson, Ella & wife Kyla
In charge of Good Craic - Leon Pethick
Gympie School of Irish & Highland Dancing
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