DISCO COMES TO WEST AUCKLAND

The laser show was at its meridian, snaking over the pillars and ceiling of the lodge room. Lesser lights flashed to the visceral thump of disco music. What kind of lodge meeting was this? But Masonry was not cracking; nor was the craft going daft.

It was a handover ceremony in Henderson for more than $7000 worth of disco equipment – from the lodges of West Auckland, backed by the Freemasons Charity, to the local police Blue Light Disco operation. This is part of a nationwide, police-led and community-driven scheme enabling restless youth to rave in safe locations, like school halls.

WBro Bob McKinstry, master of Henderson Meridian Lodge No.463, had already promised a gathering of about 70 brethren and visitors: “Those of you who are hard of hearing won’t have any complaints!” Then as the lights stabbed and flickered, and the blue lodge turned into a Blue Light Disco, the power of the vocals kept tripping a switch on the lodge’s main panel. Once that was sorted out, it was only the listeners who got blown away.

The whole thing began when a young woman constable named Chantelle told her Masonic grandfather, Meridian’s junior warden WBro Graeme Jackson, that the Henderson disco programme needed a bit of financial help. It was operating entirely on borrowed equipment. Word got around, and Masonic interest grew as the importance of the work with at-risk young people was fully realized. All eight lodges in the district eventually became involved.

“All were in favour of making this a full district project,” said WBro McKinstry. And indicating “the size and scope” of the electronic array in the lodge room he added, “See what we can do if we pull together.”

Swift support from the Freemasons Charity adding some $3560 to the $1830 from the lodge members’ own pockets made it certain that the project would go ahead..Both the police and the equipment supplier made their own contributions to the final cost. (Representing the Freemasons Charity at the ceremony were RWBro Derek James and West Auckland benevolence officer WBro John Robbins.)

Handling arrangements on the police side were the leader of the district’s Youth Development Team Holly Kairua, who took over the DJ console for the lodge-room demonstration show, and Constable Dean Broomfield. They headed a police party all of whom were warmly appreciative of the Freemasons’ generosity. So disco is booming in West Auckland. Mainly once a month.

ends