Freemasons ceremony installs Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn into King Solomon’s chair as Worshipful Master

Geraldton’s mayor was installed into the chair of King Solomon and named the Worshipful Master of the Champion Bay Freemason Lodge during its 95th installation meeting last weekend. City of Greater Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn was next in line to become the Worshipful Master of the Masonic Hall on Augustus Street, which saw nearly 70 Freemasons attend the ceremony held on Saturday. Freemasons travelled from Karratha, Exmouth, Mullewa, Dongara, Northam and Perth to see Mr Van Styn installed into the chair of King Solomon before feasting on a banquet downstairs in the hall to celebrate. Mr Van Styn said he was the first sitting mayor concurrently elected to the chair of the lodge. However, former City mayor Phil Cooper was also a sworn Freemason and Mr Van Styn had no doubts earlier mayors were freemasons. “As part of the growth of freemasonry in Geraldton, work is underway to start a female order, The Order of The Eastern Star, so that anyone who wishes to rejoice in the beauties of our ceremonies is able to join a lodge and do so,” he said. “If anyone is interested in joining freemasonry, all you have to do is ask a Freemason.” The highest ranked Freemason in WA, Most Worshipful Grand Master Daniel Ganon, visited Geraldton for the occasion. Dean McArthur was next in line to become senior warden and Tyson Bell the junior warden.