Members of Arawhaiti No.267 left Auckland one sunny Monday morning on a mission of some importance, led by the northern division Grand Almoner VWBro Ray Laurance. Awaiting them at Matamata were brethren of the local lodge, No.265, and their wives.

The key to the occasion (for switching on the battery-powered scooter), was formally handed over to Mrs June Husband aged 87, by Arawhaiti Past Master WBro Alex Wilson. The local press took pictures, then everyone had morning tea of savouries, cakes and cream-topped scones.

The Freemasons Charity came up with more than half the cost of the scooter and Arawhaitians raised the rest, as a token of esteem for June whose late husband Arthur was a former Master and long-serving secretary before they retired to Matamata.. She knew so much about the latter job that callers often assumed he was her assistant.

When Arthur died in 2002, his last words to her were, "I love you, I love you ..." They had re-enacted their wedding only a week before, with their son who is an Anglican  priest officiating. June had previously driven to Hamilton and back every day for three months, while Arthur was in hospital.

Use of the scooter will change June's life. She says that though she can scoot up them now, every slight gradient used to "feel like a mountain ... I'm sure people aren't aware of what good the lodges do ... They just don't realise it!"

Present at the handover was the Geyserland District Grand Master VWBro Tom Becker from Tokoroa, who said he was "extremely gratified" to be there - "I think it is remarkable how naturally the two lodges came together and co-operated for today's ceremony."

And the Master of  Matamata Lodge No.257 WBro Dick Thomson was glad his lodge could help; brethren and their wives had rallied wonderfully to make the event their common focus.

When the food and conversation were finished, and the Aucklanders had to head for home, June Husband did likewise - swiftly, gratefully, with orange pennant flying and her yellow safety jacket fading into the distance.