Masonic family history

Dear Editor,

I am an ex-Hay resident and enjoy reading the paper, thanks to Marg Fayle who saves them for me.

I was interested to read the Blast from the Past series on the Freemasons in Hay, as my dad was a dedicated Mason.

His name was William Sprowell Whitteron and he was a WM (Most Worshipful Grand Master) a few times.

Sprowell was the name just about all his family had as a second name, which the three kids in our family thankfully avoided.

As a child I remember the beaut Masonic picnics we enjoyed each year, especially the ones at Butts (Butterworth’s) Beach on the Murrumbidgee.

I also remember the author of the Freemason’s story, Alec C. Welsh, not as a teacher but as the fearsome librarian at the town library. You wouldn’t dare be late or return a damaged book, or want to borrow an adult book if you were still a child. But what a great asset he was to Hay.

The Grazier is a wonderful paper with lots of photos and community news, and all-round coverage of everything going on around the town.

Congratulations on the awards received last year – well deserved.

Yours sincerely,

Jane White (Whitteron), Wentworth