Burns Supper and Jessie's 100 Birthday - Lodge Hinemoa 786 Stratford - 4th July
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
The photos and video are of our lodge Hinemoa 786 SC Stratford Taranaki, annual celebration of Robbie Burns, 'The Ode to the haggis.' Plus our sitting RWM Brother Stuart Craig's, mother Jessie Craig, was the quest of honour, being that she is turning 100 years old this month, i.e. this Saturday 18th July .
The pipers name is John Campbell who piped for the Ode to the haggis he is a member of the Stratford Pipe Band. He isn't a masonic member, but our Lodge 786 supports the Stratford Pipe Band.
So over the years, Jessie has supported three men with their involvement & commitment within the Masonic Freemasons fraternity for approximately 75 years plus.
Jessie is the mother of our current RWM Bro Stuart Craig. At our Lodge meeting earlier this year, I asked the question, would the Scottish Grand Lodge of New Zealand acknowledge Jessie 100th birthday, maybe the Grand lodge of Scotland may acknowledge her as well. The decision was agreed to have Jessie as the guest of Honour at our annual Robbie Burns 'Ode to the Haggis night where Jessie was presented with a letter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland by DGM Gordon McMahon wife.
The DGM Gordon McMahon mentioned Jessie also received a letter from King Charles, Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The attendees at our Robbie Burns 'Ode to the Haggis was approximately 40 guest.
Bro. Biggles Maindonald.
Jessies Biography:
Jessie Marie Campbell Born on the 21st July 1926, daughter of Frank and Jo Campbell in New Plymouth Taranaki New Zealand
Jessie was the fourth child of eight, and of the eldest daughter.
She grew up in their family home in the out blocks and bush country of Okoki North Taranaki on her parents family farm. Fourteen plus kilometres (14.2) inland from Urenui on a winding country road and approximately forty three plus (43.5) kilometres from New Plymouth
Jessie’s parents bought a farm near Inglewood, moving from Okoki to Inglewood, is when Jessie started her schooling, spending most of her time at the Lincoln Road Primary school to standard five.
When the Inglewood farm was sold the family moved to Eltham For a short time where Jessie finished her schooling at the age of 12 years.
The next move was to Manutahi, south of Hawera where Jessie’s parents were share-milking on a dairy farm, where Jessie soon learnt the practical skills of domestic science and looked after the other children. Yes the usual expected of the eldest daughter of that time. (1938)
Jessie now at the age of 17 years went to Hollywood... Well, actually it was the Hollywood school of dressmaking in Hawera. Dressmaking, needlework, upholstery, craft skills, which Jessie was a natural, she excelled in this trade. Jessie became a teacher within two years from when she started, Firstly in Hawera and then for a spell in Wellington.
At the age of 22 years Jessie returned to Taranaki where her parents purchased the Okaiawa bakery, where she help out in the baking trade and also continued with her dressmaking trade.
The year was 1948, her Hugh escorted Jessie to a barn dance at Hick’s farm on Manawapou Road, wher she met a young man by the name of Gordon Craig for the first time. One could say, it was love at first site.
The year was 1949, when Jessie and Gordon were married in the Presbyterian Church in Normanby. They had a nice romantic honeymoon, milking cows in the cowshed.
Gordon and Jessie now married for ten years and farming on the lower Normanby Road, Manaia. During those ten years, their family grew. Stuart, Pauline, Heather and Diane arrived and the family they believed was complete.
The year 1958, Gordon and Jessie bought their new family home in Manaia, where Jessie still resides today. Their youngest child Gordon Junior arrived, now the family is complete.
Jessie and Gordon’s marriage was a true relationship and partnership, raising five children. Together they created a successful businesses, including two farms at Whakamara , a chain of wool shops. And a dry cleaning business, this business is still operating today and managed and run by their grandson Bradley.
Both Gordon and Jessie spent long hours in building up and running these businesses. Jessie has worked very hard all her life, while enjoying her family life, raising her children, loved their family home and her favourite past time was her gardening. Jessie still loves her gardening, growing plants and vegetables. She also found time for her hobbies of, dressmaking, upholstery and restoring old furniture.
Jessie also took on a sport, golf. She became a very good golf player, enjoyed many wins over the years. Unfortunately and sadly approximately two years ago (yes at 98) shed to give up due to a shoulder injury which stopped her playing her favourite sport. Then Jessie decided to play miniput golf, where she became a dynamite player of miniput golf. To add a fine finish to the miniput golf day, Jessie enjoys the odd glass or two of Rich Ruby port wine, or a nice gin and tonic.
The Manaia golf club is a special place in Jessie’s heart, a break from her busy home life and time to spend with her special golfing friends.
Eleven years ago Jessie was awarded the ‘Sue Bunt Trophy’ for the top nine hole golfer in Taranaki and fifth in all of new Zealand, a brilliant achievement for a lady in her 89th year.
Jessie enjoyed several overseas travels with her husband Gordon. Just recently Jessie had the experience of an ocean cruise.
Jessie has had a full active and an enjoyable life, her family and friends all wish Jessie for many years to come.
