– by Wilma Taylor –
I’m a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star. What’s Eastern Star, you ask? Well, we’re one of several organizations that have the dearest of ties to the Masonic family that includes Shriners, Daughters of the Nile and the Order of the Amaranth. Together, in North America alone, we contribute over $1.5 million each day to charity. Eastern Star chapters encircle the world with over 10,000 “chapters” in Canada, United States and 18 other countries.
There are three chapters in Greater Victoria. My chapter, Queen City Chapter #5, meets monthly at our Eastern Star Hall on Harriet Road in Saanich. We have served our community for over 100 years! As the chapter’s historian, I’ve learned about the activities and volunteerism contributed over these many years, during times of War, Depressions, Disasters, and all the good times in between. I’ve learned that whatever challenges we face in our personal lives, in the community or world around us, members of Eastern Star pull together to help.
When the First World War began, many of our members joined up. Looking back, we can appreciate the example of perseverance set by women of that period including members of our chapter who joined as nursing sisters and served overseas at the front along with soldiers in battle. Although women didn’t yet have the right to vote, their influence and actions were deeply felt.
On the home front, men of our chapter voted to use the monies raised to purchase the new machine gun for “our boys” overseas. Wouldn’t you know it? The influence of the ladies became apparent at the very next meeting when another motion was approved to use these monies for “comfort packages” instead. We women always did have our ways!
Members visited the convalescent hospitals and provided social evenings with refreshments, music, dancing and entertainment at our meeting hall, with returning veterans and their families as special guests.
In 1914, the presiding officer of Queen City Chapter was honoured to be presented with a Canadian Red Cross insignia pin and a certificate of recognition as a Lifetime Member of the Canadian Red Cross for the work of our chapter during wartime. Each Worthy Matron since that time has worn this pin during her term of office. It’s a reminder of our chapter’s contribution that began during the Great War and serves as an inspiration to continue our community service forward into the future.
Most recently, our chapter partnered with the BC Cancer Foundation to produce the exciting “SWING FEVER” Concert that was held at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall. This event featured the fabulous Starlight Pops Choir, led by director Sue Doman, with songs and music of the Swing Era. It was great fun! Its financial success resulted in a cheque presentation to the BC Cancer Foundation in the amount of $4,000 to assist in the development of the Patient Navigation Program at the BC Cancer Agency (Vancouver Island Centre).
Eastern Star is an organization that creates lifelong friendships and one that truly “makes a positive difference” to the lives of others. Being a member of “the Star” is a fun and fulfilling way of life.
For further information please call 250 475-7560.
