Freemason NSW & ACT June 2017

REMEMBER SINGAPORE • THE GREAT SATCHMO • LODGE RICHARD COLEY

WWW.MASONS.ORG.AU

v49 n2 – JUNE 2017

Panama Canal

CONTENTS

Editorial

3

Quarterly communication

4

A remarkable funeral

5

The law and the church

6

Bennelong, man and place

8

An historic lodge

10

Famous mason

12

A view from the country

13

Remembering Singapore

14

A short history of etiquette

18

Website update

19

A lodge shining bright

20

Mother’s Day

21

The dangers of melanoma

22

From the Pacific to the Atlantic

24

Message from the Grand Chaplain

28

The United States of Masonry

29

Don’t take a tumble

30

From the desk of the Grand Secretary 32 Have your say

33

Associated Orders

34

Library resources

35

Masonicare

36

Natalia’s start in life

38

Regional Roundup

39

Initiates

44

Crossword

45

Service Certificates

46

The Official Journal of The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory

8

Grand Lodge Website: www.masons.org.au

This issue of the Freemason is produced under the direction of: Editor and Chairman: RW Bro Ted Simmons OAM Committee: RW Bro Graham Maltby (Secretary), Dr Yvonne McIntyre, VW Bro Andre Fettermann, RW Bro Craig Pearce, RW Bro Richard Dawes, W Bro Stephen Dally, W Bro Steve Lourey, Bro Simon Pierce Design and Layout: Bro Simon Pierce, Megan Baumann and Pam Gill, APM Graphics Management

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FREEMASON is the official journal of The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.

The journal is published in March, June, September and December. Deadline for copy is 1st of the month preceding month of issue.

All matters for publication in the journal should be addressed to: The Secretary Freemason Editorial Committee The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South, NSW 1235 Telephone: (02) 9284 2800 Facsimile: (02) 9284 2828 Email: freemason@masons.org.au

24

Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT. Published articles do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT. Advertising enquiries:

38 REMEMBER SINGAPORE • THE GREAT SATCHMO • LODGE RICHARD COLEY

V49 N2 – JUNE 2017

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Editorial Policy

Electronic versions of FREEMASON can be viewed or downloaded at www.masons.org.au.

Aims of the Freemason magazine q To uphold and promote those values, morals and virtues which Freemasonry believes are universal and enduring. q To foster a better understanding of Free­masonry within the general community. q To provide a forum for discussion on masonic issues. q To publicise the charitable works of Free­masonry. q To provide articles of interest and education and to disseminate masonic news and views. q To recognise masons who make significant contributions to the Craft and the wider community.

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FREEMASON JUNE 2017

ISSN 1836-0475

WWW.MASONS.ORG.AU

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EDITORIAL

By RW BRO TED SIMMONS OAM

Looking back...

Sometimes the past can bring us a different point of view and at the same time teach us that there are some areas which never change.

R

ecently I was looking at some old magazines and papers which had been stored but were now ready to be thrown out and I came upon this small article. The author had written: ‘There is an old deserted mining township called Sunnymount in North Queensland. It included a fully furnished hotel with not a person in it, no locked doors and everything left for the reception of strangers.

All the beds have clean blankets and linen ready for any wayfarer who might wish to spend the night there at no cost.

And those who used the deserted pub left it tidy just as they found it. Apparently Sunnymount was a prosperous mining district but when the mines petered out some years ago, nearly everyone left.

Since there was no more business, the publican also decided to leave although he never lost faith that Sunnymount would come to life again. His licence fee was so small, at that time only a couple of shillings a week, that he continued to hold it in case he should want to start business again some day.

But he found that in order to retain the licence he must always keep the doors open for travellers. So it was that the deserted hotel gave shelter to anyone who wished to stay there.’

Faith that the people will obey the unwritten laws, hope for the future and charity given freely to all.

And so from this old paper we are reminded again that the choice or deci­ sions made in daily and family life have certain written and unwritten laws which have been in existence for thousands of years. They have proved beneficial in the past and properly applied will continue to provide guidance on how people should live and behave in similar fashion as to what we are taught as masons.

From this article we learn the lessons of faith, hope and charity. Faith that the people will obey the unwritten laws, hope for the future and charity given freely to all.

Interested in Freemasonry?

Have you ever wondered about Freemasonry – what it is and what its members do? Do you ever think about joining but don’t know any masons or what action to take to find out more?

If you are interested and would like to talk with a mason, contact Grand Lodge who will put you in touch with a member from your suburb who can give answers and advice.

Grand Lodge is available Monday to Friday on (02) 9284 2800 or you can contact us by email at info@masons.org.au

Police check requirements Brethren, I write this information to you as Chairman of the Board of Man­ agement with regard to Police Check requirements for all new candidates.

As masons we often have demands placed upon us. These demands come in many different forms, be it learning ritual, maintaining our moral standards or reviewing our approach to Charity.

The requirement we all have is to main­ tain the integrity of our ancient and hon­ ourable fraternity. Plainly speaking, that is to ensure to the best of our ability that men coming into Masonry have a suita­ ble background.

Our membership process over the years has changed, such as the introduction of The Membership Assistance Scheme, to the length of time a good man is known to a member of the lodge to which he is applying and the older ways of checking criminal records are now closed to us. Those changes have left a loophole to the background of our potential new candidates.

To remedy this the Board of Manage­ ment has now made it a requirement that new candidates will need to obtain a Volunteer National Police Check (VNPC).

Police checks these days are very much a part of life and occur in almost every part of society, whether it’s applying for employment (even casual fruit pickers), volunteer organisations or just to be known as a good member of society.

Other masonic jurisdictions around Australia and around the world also now require a Police check for potential candi­ dates to proceed. Fortunately, society and Masonry have changed.

We are not questioning the integrity of our nominators, however nominators may simply not be aware of the background of possible new candidates. It could be seen there should be some exclusions, be it a long term family association or an officer of the court (of which I am one) as well as others, but Freemasonry being open to all good men has to treat all good men equally and that requires the need for Police checks for all nominations. ...continued on page 33

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

3

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION

March Quarterly Communication

T

he Grand Master, MW Bro James Melville was re-elected for a third term of office during the March Quarterly Communication at the Sydney Masonic Centre.

He was the only nomination, and after thanking the brethren for his re-election said he considered it to be an honour to serve a third term.

He also extended a special welcome to attending members of Lodge Sir James Har­dy No 1046 and visiting EAF Bro Jo Oost who joined Freemasonry in Townsville in 1961, and said that at 89 years of age, Bro Oost was the oldest Entered Apprentice that he knew.

Amongst his visits, the Grand Master attended Bundaleeah Daylight Lodge No 992 for the presentation of a 70 Years cer­ tificate to VW Bro Marshall Partridge, the Central Coast lodge room dedication, Lodge Alpha No 970’s ladies night and the Grand Installation of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania.

‘Our Board of Management continues to provide great support and works in the best way possible to support all our inter­ ests. I am proud to acknowledge that half the brethren who chair a portfolio come from regional NSW and ACT,’ said the Grand Master.

‘The Board continues to provide finan­ cial assistance to those centres in need of repairs – other initiatives are Training mod­ ules for Entered Apprentices and Fellow­ crafts, updating the Lodge Member­ship Officer handbook and updating the lodge management committee guidelines book.

‘Brethren, as custodian of the ritual, I am often told about meetings where breth­ ren have attended and seen our ritual being read to candidates. I have experienced this on a number of occasions and it does not sit well with me and I know many of you feel the same way. As a candidate, we were expected to learn our card or catechism. I understand some brethren have difficulty

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FREEMASON JUNE 2017

We would love to hear about these charitable contributions... learning our ritual and some of us just do not have the time. Over the years have we come to accept this and will this become the accepted practice in lodges? I believe our ritual provides a great discipline. I am seeking advice from the Ritual Advisory Committee and others on this important and sensitive issue.

‘I know that most lodges do get involved in charitable activities in and around their local communities. We would love to hear about these charitable contributions made by your lodge. It doesn’t have to be just financial assistance given, but more impor­ tantly the number of hours devoted by your members in your community. It might be mowing Mrs Brown’s lawn, or taking 85 year old Mr Smith to the local shopping centre to do his shopping.

‘Any assistance by masons can be recorded as charitable works and it is important for the Masonicare Board to have an idea of the hours and the types of charitable activities involving our lodges. It doesn’t have to be recorded by the minute, an estimate will do. Please advise your Masonicare Caring Officer who will com­ pile a report for his District Masonicare Representative or his DGIW. ‘The STEP program continues to sup­ port the clothing and toiletries distribution in partnership with the Charity Clothesline to Dubbo, Narromine and Maitland, as well as other distribution centres through­ out our jurisdiction.

‘On Tuesday 21 February, the STEP team and Clothesline representatives were

invited to address the Annual Country Women’s Association conference at Mascot at which 37 delegates from across NSW were present, the reception was extremely favourable and discussions took place about a Freemasons Display in the CWA area at this year’s Royal Easter Show.’

The Executive Council reported the new Grand Lodge website is receiving pos­ itive feedback, with the intention of attracting new members and work also continues on developing social media options such as Facebook and Twitter.

A proposal to increase fees and dues was approved for 2017–18 with most fees unchanged but the member capitation fee will increase by just over three dollars with the new total capitation fee being $145.00.

In his report, the Deputy Grand Secret­ ary said new carpet and display case light­ ing has been installed and new items are being donated and catalogued in the Museum of Freemasonry. The Museum has also seen an increase in the number of visitors and tours on a daily basis.

Agenda for the June Quarterly Communication The Quarterly Communication for Grand Lodge will be held at the Sydney Masonic Centre on Wednesday 14 June, 2017 at 7.30pm.

Included on the agenda will be: > Grand Master’s Welcome Address > Minutes, Correspondence and Treasurer’s report > Reports from the Executive Council, Board of Management, Grand Charity and College of Masonic Studies > Election of Officers > Conferral of Grand Rank > Grand Secretary’s Notices

A REMARKABLE FUNERAL

By RW BRO ROBERT TAYLOR

A remarkable masonic incident The first masonic funeral that ever occurred in California took place in 1849, and was performed over a brother found drowned in the Bay of San Francisco.

‘O

n the body of the deceased was found a silver mark, upon which was engraved the initials of his name. A little further investigation revealed to the beholder the most singular exhibitions of masonic emblems that were ever drawn by the ingenuity of man upon the human skin. There is nothing in the history of the traditions of Freemasonry equal to it.

Beautifully dotted on his left arm in red and blue ink, which time could not efface, there appeared all the emblems of the entire apprenticeship. There was the Holy Bible, square and compass, the twenty four inch gauge, and common gavel. There were also the masonic pavement, representing the ground floor of King Solomon’s Temple, the identical tassel which sur­ rounds it, and the blazing star in the centre.

On his right arm, and artistically executed in the same indelible liquid, were the emblems pertaining to the Fellow-Craft’s degree, viz., the square, the level and the plumb. There were also the five columns

representing the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite.

In removing his garments from his body the trowel presented itself, with all the other tools of operative Masonry. Over his heart was the pot of incense. On other parts of his body were the bee-hive, the book of constitutions, guarded by the Tyler’s sword pointing to a naked heart; the all-seeing eye, the anchor and ark, hour glass, scythe, the forty-seventh problem of Euclid, the sun, moon, stars and comets; the three steps which are emblematical of youth, manhood and age. Admirably exe­ cuted was the weeping virgin, reclining on a broken column upon which lay the book of constitutions. In her left hand she held the pot of incense, the masonic emblem of a pure heart; and in her right hand was a sprig of acacia, the emblem of the immor­ tality of the soul.

Immediately beneath her stood winged Time, with his scythe by his side, which cuts the brittle thread of life, and the hour-glass at his feet, which ever reminds

us that our lives are withering away.

The withered and attenuated figure of the destroyer was placed amid the long and flowing ringlets of the disconsolate mourner. Thus were striking emblems of mortality and immortality blending in one pictorial representation.

It was a spectacle such as masons never saw before, and in all probability, will never witness again. The name of the deceased was never ascertained.’

The above is a remarkable story and was reported as ‘Remarkable Masonic Incident in America’ in the May 1876 issue of Australian Freemason. It seems a great shame that a brother who so obviously loved his Masonry died alone and in such tragic circumstances and that, at the end, they did not even know his name.

Your Masonic Library has a vast collec­ tion of old Australian magazines and jour­ nals for your enjoyment, also, journals in many languages from other jurisdictions.

Come in and have a cup of coffee and enjoy all that your Library has to offer.

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JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

5

THE LAW AND THE CHURCH

By W BRO BEN GELIN

Clergy Benefit of

Conflict between the Church and courts was a complex issue in early years and provides an interesting history.

T

he common law of England was greatly expanded in the 12th Century under Henry II. Before him, such law courts as then existed (out­ side of manorial courts) had been jointly presided over by a bishop and a secular magistrate. In 1166 Henry II promulgated the Constitutions of Clarendon, which established a new system whereby the courts would render decisions solely by royal authority. This was one of the main issues which created an explosive power struggle between the King and Thomas Becket, the then Archbishop of Canter­bury.

Becket contended that secular courts could have no jurisdiction over clergymen, who could only be accused of a crime, and tried, before an ecclesiastical, or canon, court.

A few years later there was the Compro­ mise of Avranches, whereby Henry II was exonerated from any guilt for Beckett’s murder, but clergy were excluded from the

The benefit of clergy thus became a ritual whereby first-time offenders could obtain a degree of leniency... secular courts’ jurisdiction – with very few exceptions, such as high treason.

The King’s, or secular, courts continued to expand their jurisdiction over an increasing number of crimes, or ‘breaches of the King’s peace’. At that time the only

Stained glass window of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, the assassination of whom instigated an early power struggle between the church and crown. Photo by Holly Hayes

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FREEMASON JUNE 2017

sentence known to medieval common law for conviction of any felony was death by hanging – decapitation for the nobility.

The church courts did not impose the death penalty (excommunication was deemed to be worse than death). It was obviously a great incentive, if accused of any felonious act, to escape the jurisdic­ tion of the common law, or King’s, courts – for instance, by claiming to be a clergy­ man. How could one claim the ‘benefit of clergy’ (privilegium clericale, as it was known at law in those days)? In an era when few people could read, let alone speak Latin, one could ‘prove’ his clerical status by reciting a portion of the Bible in Latin, and the typical piece usually used for that purpose was Psalm 51: Miserere Mei, Deus ... (‘Have mercy on me, O God ...’) which thus became known as the ‘neck verse’ – it saved the neck of those who could memorise it!

This escape from the gallows subsisted for several centuries and was clearly abused.

Henry VII decreed that non-clergymen, or those unable to produce documentation of their ordination, could plead the benefit of clergy only once, and when they did, they were branded on the thumb, which dis­ qualified them from ever pleading that benefit again. But in 1547, the privilege of claiming benefit of clergy more than once was extended to all the peers of the realm, even if they were illiterate.

Henry VIII, in 1512, made certain offences ‘unclergiable’ offences. They were known as ‘felonies without benefit of clergy’. When Pope Leo X condemned this restriction of benefit of clergy at the Fifth Lateran Council in 1514, the ensuing

THE LAW AND THE CHURCH The cloisters of Canterbury Cathedral Photo by David Iliff

Henry VII first began placing restrictions on who could claim the benefit of clergy

controversy became one of the issues lead­ ing to Henry, and England’s, split from the Catholic Church in 1532. By the end of the 16th Century, unclergiable offences included rape, poisoning, murder, petty treason, sacrilege, burglary, witchcraft, theft from churches and pickpocketing. In 1533 benefit of clergy was withdrawn from those who refused to enter a plea.

Elizabeth I radically changed the bene­ fit of clergy, when a 1575 statute mandated that benefit of clergy be pleaded only after conviction, rather than being used before trial to have the case transferred to an ecclesiastical court. Pleading under this new system took place after conviction but before sentencing. It did not nullify the conviction, but changed the sentence for first-time offenders from probably hanging to branding and up to a year’s jail.

The benefit of clergy thus became a ritual whereby first-time offenders could obtain a degree of leniency when con­ victed of some serious crimes. In the 17th and 18th Centuries, the English Parliament increased the number of people who could plead the benefit of clergy, but decreased the benefit of doing so.

In 1624 women were granted the ben­ efit of clergy, but they were not equal to men: they could plead the benefit if con­ victed of theft under the value of 10 shil­ lings; men could plead it for thefts of up to 40 shillings. But in 1691, finally, women were granted parity with men.

In 1706, the use of the neck verse was abolished, and the benefit was made avail­ able to all first-time offenders of lesser felo­ nies. But the number of felonies which precluded the benefit was gradually increased to include housebreaking, shop­ lifting goods worth more than 5 shillings, and the theft of sheep and cattle. As well, the lesser sentence given to those who suc­ cessfully pleaded the benefit was increased to up to 24 months’ hard labour. And under the Transportation Act of 1718, they could be sentenced to seven years’ banishment to North America; and after the American Revolution, to Australia.

Parliament formally abolished the ben­ efit of clergy in 1827. The enactment was somewhat ambiguous, and to remove all doubt a final act, to that effect, was passed in 1814.

In the United States, the Crimes Act 1790, Section 31, abolished the benefit of clergy but it survived in several state courts until the 19th Century, when either a statute or a judicial decision abolished it, or it simply stopped being invoked.

There is no record that the benefit of clergy ever existed or was invoked in Australia.

Elizabeth I radically changed the effect of the benefit of clergy

Henry VIII, in 1512, made certain offences ‘unclergiable’...

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Henry VIII (left) further restricted the benefit of clergy, an act condemned by Pope Leo X (centre) and one of the issues that would lead to Henry creating the Church of England.

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7

BENNELONG, MAN AND PLACE

By DR YVONNE MCINTYRE PhD

DISCLAIMER: In some Aboriginal communities, seeing the names and photographs of dead people may cause sadness and distress, particularly to relatives of those people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains information of people who have died.

The story of Aboriginal Sydney could not be told without recognising their achievements.

The story of

Bennelong ‘I am Bennelong – and my spirit and the spirit of my people lives; and their dance and their music and their drama and their laughter also remains.’ – Ben Blakeney, Aboriginal actor, during the opening of the Sydney Opera House by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973.

N

ow the location of the Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point was originally a small tidal island that largely consisted of rocks with a small beach on the western side. The island was located on the tip of the eastern arm of Sydney Cove and was separated from the mainland at high tide. For a brief period in 1788, this relatively isolated pro­ trusion into Port Jackson was called Cattle Point as it was used to confine the few cattle and horses that had been brought from Cape Town by Governor Phillip with the First Fleet.

The local Aborigines called the site war­ rang, meaning ‘scars in the back’, because it used to be the place where young boys were initiated by scarring their backs.

‘Here my people chanted – their stories of the dreamtime – of the spirit heroes – and of earth’s creation – and our painted bodies flowed in ceremony’. – Ben Blakeney, Aboriginal actor.

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FREEMASON JUNE 2017

The site was named after Bennelong, a Wangal Aborigine, who had been abducted by Governor Arthur Phillip to learn the language and culture of the local Aboriginal people. Bennelong lived in the Governor’s residence but in the early 1790s, he persuaded Governor Phillip to build a brick hut for him on the point, thus giving the site its name.

In December 1798, a half-moon battery was constructed at the extreme northern end of the Point to protect the colony. The battery was mounted with some of the

They viewed him as an experiment in ‘softening...’

guns from HMS Supply, which had been taken out of service.

In the period from 1818 to 1821, the tidal area between Bennelong Island and the mainland was filled with rocks exca­ vated from the Bennelong Point peninsula.

The entire area was leveled to create a low platform and to provide suitable stone for the construction of Fort Macquarie under the direction of the Colonial Architect, Francis Greenway. The fort was named after Lachlan Macquarie, NSW Governor, who had directed that the Fort be con­structed.

While the fort was being built, a large portion of the rocky escarpment at Above: a portrait (signed WW) thought to depict Bennelong in English clothing.

Below: Sydney Cove as it appeared when Bennelong returned from England.

BENNELONG, MAN AND PLACE

Bennelong Point was also cut away to allow a road to be built around the point from Sydney Cove to Farm Cove. This was known as Tarpeian Way. The Fort was demolished in 1901, to make way for the fort Macquarie Tram Shed which in turn was demolished in 1958 to enable construction of the Sydney Opera House during the period 1959 to 1973.

The existence of the original tidal island and its rubble fill were largely forgotten until the late 1950s when both were redis­ covered during the excavations related to the construction of the Opera House.

Bennelong, the Man In 1788 and 1789, Governor Philip tried to establish communication with and learn the customs of the local Aboriginal people.

He hoped that through the capture of Aboriginal people they could succeed in teaching them English and train them in the white man ways so that they could act as ambassadors for both groups.

In November 1979, two natives, Ben­ nelong, a 25-year-old Wangal man, and Colebee a 35-year-old Gadigal man, were abducted and became two of the most sig­ nificant Aboriginal men in early Australian history.

Colebee escaped and was later sighted at Manly Cove during the spearing of Governor Phillip. On 18 October 1790, not long after Bennelong and some com­ panions ‘came in’ peacefully to the Sydney settlement, Colebee met Governor Phillip to conclude a separate agreement. In July 1805, Colebee and Bennelong, who were usually allies, fought a duel over Ben­ nelong’s wife Kurubarabulu. Colebee may have died in a payback battle in 1806, but his death was not officially recorded and he was not mentioned after that year.

Bennelong (who also went by the names Wolarwaree, Ogultroyee and Vogeltroya) became one of the first to be ‘civilised’ into the European way of life, enjoying its ‘ben­ efits’ and living with the settlers. He was trained in the English language and is known to have taught the Sydney Aborig­ inal language to George Bass.

He gave the Aboriginal name Wola­ waree to Governor Phillip to bind him in a kinship relationship in order to enable communication of customs and relation­ ship to the land. Bennelong served the colonisers by teaching them about Aborig­ inal customs and language.

Bennelong was present when Governor Arthur Phillip was speared at Manly in May 1790 but did not take part in the attack.

Bennelong’s second wife, Barrangaroo, was against any form of negotiation with the colonists and although encouraged to drink wine and dress in European fashion, she refused.

Bennelong served the colonisers by teaching them...

Barangaroo requested that she be allowed to give birth to her first child at the Governor’s House to maintain links with the land, and to avoid the hospital, which she thought of as somewhere where people died. However, Governor Phillip denied her the right, persuading Bennelong to take her to the hospital where she died shortly after giving birth to a daughter who later died in infancy.

Although he was said to have had a lovehate relationship with the settlement and Phillip, Bennelong and his kinsman Yem­ merrawanne travelled with him to England in 1792, and was presented to King George III on 24 May 1793. Yemmer­rawanne died and was buried in Britain. Bennelong was due to return to the colony in 1974 but because of delays in the shipping did not return until 1975 at which time his health had deteriorated. His fondness for alcohol caused him to be constantly intoxicated which in turn resulted in him being shunned by the colonists and his fellow Aborigines.

Bennelong died at Kissing Point on 3 January 1813.

The following unsympathetic obituary appeared in the Sydney Gazette, 9 January 1813 after the death of Wolarwaree Bennelong: ‘Bennelong died on Sunday morning last at Kissing Point. Of this veteran champion of the native tribe little favourable can be said.

His voyage to and benevolent treatment in Great Britain produced no change whatever in his manners and inclinations, which were naturally barbarous and ferocious.’

Much of the profile of Bennelong has been created by the writings of Judge

Advocate David Collins (who preferred the spelling Bennilong) and Captain Watkin Tench (who chose Bennillon). They viewed him as an experiment in ‘softening, enlightening and refining a barbarian’.

While Bennelong suffered from the worst aspects of enculturation, he also repre­ sented those who tried to effect change in the behaviour of Europeans on Aboriginal lands. Phillip was ordered to open dialogue with Aborigines and to live in a concilia­ tory manner, but he had a passion to ‘civi­ lise’ them. He took possession of the land in the name of King George without any ref­ erence to previous ownership, and began to forge relationships with people like Bennelong to learn about and change the locals. And while Phillip’s dispatches told the British Government that Aborigines in Sydney had a strong attachment to the land, no return policy came in reply.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Text included in the above article has been taken from the following: Finding Bennelong website, City of Ryde 2013, findingbennelong. com, Wikipedia, Creative Spirits website, Barani – Sydney’s Aboriginal History.

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9

AN HISTORIC LODGE

Lodge

Richard Coley Just as Windsor was established soon after the Colony in Sydney, Freemasonry in Australia had its early beginnings in the Hawkesbury region. Many well-known and prominent citizens of the Hawkesbury have been members of this Windsor Masonic Lodge.

T

he lodge has not always been known by its present name and the lodge’s Charter has also changed over the years.

The formation of ‘The Richard Coley Lodge No 152’ dates back to the early 1800s when the territory of New South Wales embraced the whole of the eastern part of Australia. At that time there was a strong military presence in the Colony and Freemasonry was practiced under an Irish Constitution.

There were many free settlers who were members of that early lodge in Sydney, some of whom were resident in the Windsor area. Because of the distance and time required to attend Sydney meetings, Above: Richard Coley Below: The current lodge building with a close-up of the dedication plaque

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FREEMASON JUNE 2017

those members wanted to establish their own local lodge. The necessary approval was issued from Ireland for that lodge for­ mation in October 1841 – the fourth lodge formed in Australia, the third in NSW under an Irish Constitution.

The lodge formed at that time was known as Windsor Social Lodge No 275.

There were 27 original members. The first Installation Ceremony was held in January 1842 and the Worshipful Master was Robert Fitzgerald.

Robert Fitzgerald was born in Windsor in 1807 and lived in the family mansion on George Street. He was a prominent citizen in the Hawkesbury, became a member of the NSW Government and was a repre­ sentative on many of the then Hawkesbury Institutions. He died in 1865 aged 58 and is interred in the family vault at St Matthews Anglican Church, Windsor.

A record of that first Installation appeared in The Sydney Gazette. It read: ‘...Windsor 6th January 1842 On Thursday last a lodge of Freemasons was established here called the “Windsor Social Lodge” under a dispensation from the

“Australian Social Lodge,” No 260. Robert Fitzgerald Esq JP was duly installed as Master and several Officers appointed; after which the Brethren attended by the excellent band of 96th Regiment marched in procession to the Church where an appropriate discourse was delivered by the Rev Mr Styles.

At the close of divine service, a collection amounting to 16 pounds was made and handed over for the benefit of Windsor Benevolent Society. Windsor never witnessed a more gay or numerous assemblage than on this auspicious occasion ...’

Records held by the lodge offer a pic­ ture of what this town was like in the early 1800s: • There was a population of 1,440 – they were a thirsty lot as there were three breweries and 14 hotels!

• There was a dirt road connecting Windsor to Parramatta which you had to pay a toll to use. If you were on foot it was 4 pence, on a horse two shillings and sixpence and if you had a carriage it was a further one shilling and sixpence.

• The town was confined to the present commercial area.

AN HISTORIC LODGE

• Prominent buildings of the time were St Matthews Anglican Church and the old Hawkesbury District Hospital.

• There was extensive use made of the Hawkesbury River as shipping was one of the main modes of transport at the time.

• There was a strong military presence in the town.

• There were vast tracts of the rural area under agriculture being the fruit and vegetable bowl for the colony. This was the case for decades to come but sadly is not the case today.

The lodge has had several homes over the past 175 years. The first meeting was held in the then Australia Hotel, later moving to the Odd Fellows Hall in Macquarie Street. A fire in 1874 destroyed that Odd Fellows Hall and the lodge moved its meeting place to the Court House for the next 15 years. Following that time there were several other meeting locations, including the rear room of a hotel and the local pastry shop! In 1901 the lodge returned to the Odd Fellows Hall which had been re-built following the fire. In 1916 the members wanted a per­ manent home.

In 1921 the Lancer Barracks located on the peninsula north of the town, was pur­ chased, but was subsequently sold before any meeting took place. The members preferred the former Congregational Church in Kable Street which was being sold and the lodge subsequently pur­ chased that building in 1922 for £500.

Further funds were expended on the building by the lodge in its conversion for lodge meetings.

The church left some of its items for the members of the lodge. The pews of the church remained and are still in use by the

lodge today. The church also left its Bible, which has been used for masonic meet­ ings since.

The lodge continued to meet in that former church building until the year 2000 when the lodge moved to new modern premises in George Street, South Windsor. That new building was funded from the proceeds of the sale of the masonic centres at Richmond, Riverstone and Windsor.

The lodge has operated under several different constitutions: initially Irish, then English and finally the New South Wales Constitution following the formation of the United Grand Lodge of NSW in 1888.

With the change to the new Constitution, the lodge decided to change its name. It adopted the name Richard Coley Lodge in honour of a highly esteemed member of the lodge and Hawkesbury citizen.

The change to the new Constitution and new name attracted a new lodge number – No 152 was allocated. The num­ bers were allocated on the basis of the date of issue of the Warrant held by the lodge at the time of the union. In the case of Lodge Richard Coley, the Warrant, numbered 2160, was issued by the Grand Lodge of England in 1886. If the lodge could have claimed precedence for the original Irish Constitution the lodge would have been allocated No 4.

Richard Coley joined Freemasonry in Hong Kong in 1847. He was a lawyer and conducted his legal practice from a build­ ing on the corner of George and Kable Streets. This building remains today and is still in use as the legal practice of JJ Paine.

The Paine family has had a long associa­ tion with Freemasonry and Lodge Richard Coley.

The letter in The Sydney Gazette, 1842

Richard Coley entered state parliament and represented the Hawkesbury area. He died in 1889, only a short time after the lodge was named in his honour. Richard Coley and his wife are interred at St Matthews Anglican Church. The lodge maintains that grave.

Dion’s Brainteasers Q: A father and son get swept out to sea at Fake Beach.

Sadly, the father drowns. The son survives in critical condition in hospital.

The Doctor walks in and says: ‘I can’t operate. He is my son. Get another Doctor’ How can this be if the father was swept out to sea?

A good lawyer looks beyond the surface!

Want to know the answer? Ask Dion Accoto next time you seem him at Lodge, or email him. Contact details are on the inside back cover of this issue!

Liability Limited by a Scheme Approved Under Professional Standards Legislation MARA#1572156

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

11

FAMOUS MASON

The great

Satchmo

Louis Armstrong was born on 4 August 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the birthplace of jazz. He is considered the most important improviser in jazz, and he taught the world to swing.

A

rmstrong, fondly known as ‘Satchmo’ (short for satchel­mouth – a reference to the size of his mouth) or ‘Pops,’ had a sense of humour, natural and unassuming manner, and pos­ itive disposition that made everyone around him feel good. With his infectious, wide grin and instantly recognizable grav­ elly voice, he won the hearts of people everywhere. He had an exciting and inno­ vative style of playing that musicians imi­ tate to this day. Throughout his career, Armstrong spread the language of jazz around the world, serving as an interna­ tional ambassador of swing. His profound impact on the music of the 20th century continues into the 21st century.

As a virtuoso trumpet player, Arm­ strong had a unique tone and an extraordi­ nary talent for melodic improvisation.

Through his playing, the trumpet emerged as a solo instrument in jazz and is used widely today.

Additionally, jazz itself was transformed from a collectively improvised folk music to a solo­ ist’s serious art form largely through his influence. He was a masterful accompanist and ensemble player in addition to his extraordinary skills as a soloist. With his innovations, he raised the bar musically for all who came after him.

Although Louis Armstrong was justly famous as a jazz player, was he actually a Free­mason? Probably not.

Although often claimed to be a Free­ mason and a member of Mont­gomery Lodge No 18, New York, there is no such lodge. Armstrong wrote in his

12

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

He was a masterful accompanist and ensemble player...

autobiography that he was a member of a Lodge of the Knights of Pythias.

The Masonic Philatelic Club Magazine, Issue No 72, April 1996, acting editor, Maurice Beazley provided excerpts from letters received from W Bro Joseph A Walkes Jr regarding Louis Armstrong belonging to a masonic lodge.

Louis Armstrong was renowned for his stage presence and voice almost as much as for his trumpet playing.

The first, dated 1992, reads: ‘There was no such Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York under the name of Montgomery Lodge No 18. There is a Hiram Lodge No 18, and this jurisdiction does not assign the same number twice to any other Lodge.’

In a subsequent letter received by Maurice Beazley in 1996, Bro Walkes writes: ‘Armstrong may have very well belonged to one of the many “bogus” groups operating in New York City, and there are scores of them, at least six Grand Lodges, none recognized by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, he was not a member of the regular Prince Hall family.’

In the book Satchmo; My Life in New Orleans, Armstrong wrote: ‘All the big, well known Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs turned out for the last big parade I saw in New Orleans. They all tried to outdo each other and they certainly looked swell.

Among the clubs represented were The Bulls, The Hobgoblins, The Zulus, The Tammanys, The Young Men Twenties (Zutty Singleton’s club), The Merry-GoRounds, The Deweys, The Tulane Club, The Young Men Vidalias, The Money Wasters, The Jolly Boys, The Turtles, The Original Swells, The San Jacintos, The Autocrats, The Odd Fellows, The Masons, The Knights of Pythias (my lodge), and The Diamond Swells from out in the Irish Channel.’

A VIEW FROM THE COUNTRY

By RW BRO RICHARD DAWES

From the outside,

looking in Perception often becomes reality. How do our remote, country lodges perceive city lodges?

F

rom the far west of New South Wales come the following comments.

‘Grand Lodge (country lodges frequently group Grand Lodge and city lodges as a single entity) make all the deci­ sions and us country lodges just “do our own thing.”’

‘Out back of Bourke some lodges believe that city lodges are really strict in their ritual while country lodges are ‘more easy going’.

‘The city lodges seem to be promoting more ethnic and special interest lodges but in the country a lodge is generally defined by geographic constraints.’

‘In the country, we visit other lodges and contend with the tyranny of distance – but I suppose that in the city you blokes have the tyranny of traffic!’

‘With travel, accommodation and lost-work-time wages to attend a single

weekday Quarterly Communication costs me about $1,000. How many city fellows would attend a Communication if it cost them a $1,000? How many would vote for a Grand Master if they were charged $1,000?’

‘We love it when a city mason makes the effort to travel right out west to visit us. Try it and find out!’

Unfortunately, there are far fewer fraternal exchanges than in the past

What do city lodges think of country lodges? Here is what some of our country brethren believe.

‘Some city lodges are terrific. Annual visits to a sister lodge in the country.

Support at installations etc.

‘Unfortunately, there are far fewer fra­ ternal exchanges than in the past.’

‘We see the Grand Team on occasion but it would be wonderful to see some of the other senior city masons.’

‘Grand Lodge promotes events in the city – perhaps city and country could com­ bine to better promote regional and coun­ try events.’

What do YOU think? This article merely skims the surface of a complex issue.

Write a letter to the editor and express YOUR opinion. In a future issue of the Freemason we will examine how city lodges view country and remote lodges!

Masonic news NEW MASONIC ASSOCIATION The Masonic Clay Target Association of NSW and the ACT is in the process of being formed.

Any brother who is interested in joining, please contact RW Bro Tony Sims PJGW via email at masonicclays@ gmail.com The first event is planned for Saturday 23 September 2017 at the Tamworth Clay Target Club.

ROYAL ARCH INSTALLATION The Grand Re-Installation of the United Supreme Grand Chapter of Mark and Royal Arch Masons of NSW & ACT this year will be held at the Crowne Plaza, Hunter Valley over the weekend of 25–26 August this year.

The Grand Re-Installation is open to all masons and a Promotional Brochure and Registration can be obtained from the USGC Petersham office by calling 02 9569 5699 or by sending an email to gse@usgcnsw.org.au JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

13

REMEMBERING SINGAPORE

By RW BRO TED SIMMONS

Remember the fall

of Singapore Once more with bowed heads and hushed voices we have had the solemn celebration of Anzac Day, a unique occasion and an honoured tradition.

I

t marks the birth of a nation. Nations are not brought into being by the dis­ coveries of navigators or the exploits of pathfinders – the nation itself, like a child, must be born of sudden happenings and mortal anguish.

In the imposing dramas of past years, the exploits of Anzacs have made an indelible mark on the history of Australia in many parts of the world.

This year – 2017 – marks the 75th anni­ versary of that tragic time when the Japan­ ese army raged through South East Asia Below: British commanders walk under a flag of truce to negotiate the capitulation of Allied forces in Singapore.

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FREEMASON JUNE 2017

and captured Singapore among many of its victims.

Singapore, an island at the southern end of the Malay Peninsula, was considered a vital part of the British Empire and suppos­ edly impregnable as a fortress. The British saw it as the ‘Gibraltar in the Far East.’

All the indications were that the Japanese would attack Singapore across the Johor Strait...

The surrender of Singapore demonstrated to the world that the Japanese army was a force to be reck­ oned with though the defeat also ushered in three years of appalling treatment for the Commonwealth POWs who were caught in Singapore.

Improvements to Singapore as a British military base had only been completed at great cost in 1938. Singapore epitomised what the British Empire was all about – a strategically vital military base that pro­ tected Britain’s other Commonwealth possessions in the Far East.

Once the Japanese expanded through­ out the region after Pearl Harbour (December 1941), many in Britain felt that Singapore would become an obvious target for the Japanese. However, the British military command in Singapore was confident that the power they could call on there would make any Japanese attack useless.

REMEMBERING SINGAPORE

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Map of the Japanese army’s advance across the Malay Peninsula, unexpectedly driving the Commonwealth forces back.

British troops stationed in Singapore were also told that the Japanese troops were poor fighters; alright against soldiers in China who were poor fighters them­ selves, but of little use against the might of the British Army.

The Japanese onslaught through the Malay Peninsula took everybody by sur­ prise. Speed was of the essence for the Japanese, never allowing the British forces time to re-group. This was the first time British forces had come up against a fullscale attack by the Japanese.

Any thoughts of the Japanese fighting a conventional form of war were soon shat­ tered. The British had confidently pre­ dicted that the Japanese would attack from the sea. This explained why all the defences on Singapore pointed out to sea.

It was inconceivable to British military planners that the island could be attacked any other way – least of all, through the jungle and mangrove swamps of the Malay Peninsula. But this was exactly the route the Japanese took.

For the British military command in Singapore, war was still fought by the ‘rule book’. Social life was important in Sing­ apore and the Raffles Hotel and Singapore Club were important social centres fre­ quented by officers. There was an air of

0

1

2

5

7

Kilometres

The RAF had lost nearly all its front line fighters long before the attacks began.

complacency about how strong Sing­apore was – especially if it was attacked by the Japanese. When the Japanese did land at Kota Bharu aerodrome, in Malaya, Sing­ apore’s governor, Sir Shenton Thomas is alleged to have said ‘Well, I suppose you’ll [the army] shove the little men off.’

The attack on Singapore occurred almost at the same time as Pearl Harbour.

By 9 December 1941 the RAF had lost nearly all of its front line aeroplanes after the Japanese had attacked RAF fields in Singapore. Any hope of aerial support for the army was destroyed before the actual attack on Singapore had begun.

Britain’s naval presence at Singapore was strong. A squadron of warships was stationed there led by the modern battle­ ship Prince of Wales and the battle cruiser Repulse.

On 8 December 1941, both put out to sea and headed north up the Malay coast to where the Japanese were landing. On 10 December, both ships were sunk by repeated attacks from Japanese torpedo bombers. The RAF could offer the ships no protection as their planes had already been destroyed by the Japanese.

Only the army could stop the Japanese advance on Singapore. The army in the area was led by Lt General Arthur Percival. He had 90,000 men there – British, Indian and Australian troops. The Japanese advanced with 65,000 men led

by General Yamashita. Many of the Japanese troops had fought in the Manchurian/Chinese campaign and were battle-hardened. Many of Percival’s 90,000 men had never seen combat.

At the Battle of Jitra in Malaya (11 and 12 December 1941), Percival’s men were soundly beaten and from this battle were in full retreat. The Japanese attack was based on speed, ferocity and surprise. To speed their advance on Singapore, the Japanese used bicycles as one means of JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

15

REMEMBERING SINGAPORE

Royal Engineers prepare to blow up a bridge in Malaya during the retreat to Singapore

transport. Captured wounded Allied sol­ diers were killed where they lay. Those who were not injured but had surrendered were also murdered, including captured Australian troops. The brutality of the Japanese soldiers shocked the British but their effectiveness was shown when they captured the capital of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, on 11 January.

Below: Lieutenant-General Arthur Ernest Percival, pictured here as GOC Malaya Command, December 1941.

All the indications were that the Japanese would attack Singapore across the Johor Strait. General Wavell, the British commander in the region, was ordered by Churchill to fight to save Singapore and not to surrender until there had been ‘protracted fighting’ in an effort to save the city.

On 31 January 1942, the British and Australian forces withdrew across the causeway that separated Singapore from Malaya. It was clear that this would be

...forced back by a small Japanese army of only two divisions riding stolen bicycles...

Japanese and Commonwealth commanders meet to arrange the terms of surrender.

16

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

their final stand. Percival spread his men across a 70 mile line – the entire coastline of the island. This proved a mistake.

Percival had overestimated the strength of the Japanese. His tactic spread his men out too thinly for an attack.

On 8 February 1942, the Japanese attacked across the Johor Strait. Many Allied soldiers were simply too far away to influence the outcome of the battle. On 8 February, 23,000 Japanese soldiers attacked Singapore. Percival kept many men away from the Japanese attack fear­ ing that more Japanese would attack along the 70 mile coastline. He has been blamed for failing to back up those troops caught up directly with the fighting but it is now generally accepted that this would not have changed the final outcome.

The Japanese took 100,000 men pris­ oner in Singapore. Many had just arrived and had not fired a bullet in anger and 9,000 of these men died building the Burma-Thailand railway. The people of Singapore fared worse. Many were of Chinese origin and were slaughtered by the Japanese. After the war, Japan admit­ ted that 5,000 had been killed, but the Chinese population in Singapore put the figure at nearer 50,000.

The fall of Singapore was a humiliation for the British government. The Japanese had been portrayed as useless soldiers only capable of fighting the militarily infe­ rior Chinese.

The commander of the Australian forces in Singapore later said: ‘The whole opera­ tion seems incredible, 550 miles in 55 days – forced back by a small Japanese army of only two divisions riding stolen bicycles and without artillery support.’

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A SHORT HISTORY OF ETIQUETTE

By W BRO STEPHEN DALLY

Manners Makyth Man

‘Manners Makyth Man’ is a quote from William of Wickeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England in the 14th century and the founder of both Winchester College, one of the oldest private schools in England, and New College at Oxford University.

Both places of learning bear his quote as their motto.

What is etiquette?

The actual word comes from the French and has two perhaps conflicting explana­ tions. One explanation comes from Anci­ ent French meaning a soldier’s billet and the other has quite a fascinating story.

During the reign of the French King Louis XIV, a Scottish soldier in the service of King Louis was appointed the head gar­ dener at the Palace of Versailles. Becoming fed-up with visitors trampling over the gardens and lawns, he placed signs on the grounds asking people to keep off and the signs became known as Etiquettes. The word travelled across the English Channel and for a reason only known to the English was called ‘Tickets’. Tickets became the in-thing to invite people to parties sug­ gesting also dress and behaviour.

Collins English Dictionary defines etiquette as the customs or rules govern­ ing behaviour regarded as correct or acceptable in social or official life and

Our Masonic Etiquette is behaviour taken from the traditions and customs of Operative Masons...

convention, but an unwritten code or practice is followed by members of certain professions or groups. Etiquette is perhaps based on two words, tradition and custom. Custom is the way we act in our everyday lives or within the family; for example the military has customs and also traditions. Each component of the

William of Wickeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England

Defence Force has its own customs and traditions and recruits are reminded of them. Masonic lodges have their own cus­ toms such as a special visitor’s toast.

If a custom or habit is something that we do in our daily life then what is a tradition?

A custom becomes a tradition when it has been handed down or passed down through a number of generations. An example of when a habit is not a tradition is from the film Tunes of Glory starring Sir John Mills and Sir Alec Guinness. The film about a Scottish Regiment has a scene where John Mills has just taken over the Regiment from Alec Guinness. Inspecting the band, Mills notices members of the band wearing mixed dress. When asked about this Guinness replies that it is a regi­ mental tradition but Mills tells him that just because he allows it, that does not make it a tradition! The answer is of course that something that happens every day does not make it a tradition.

Engraving of New College Oxford, 1872

18

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

WEBSITE UPDATE

In the third millennium BC, Ptahhotep who was an Egyptian Administer during the reign of Djedkare wrote the Maxims of Ptahhotep, extolling such civic virtues as truthfulness, self-control, and kindness to one’s fellow beings. Ptahhotep also wrote learning by listening, understanding that not everyone is perfect, avoiding conflict and that God’s command prevails in the end. One of the great philosophers in his­ tory was the Chinese Teacher Confucius who was an editor and politician.

Confucius’ philosophy emphasised per­ sonal government morality, correctness, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity.

Perhaps the most famous book on eti­ quette was written by American Emily Post who wrote her first book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home in the 1920s. There have been numerous rewrites and there is an Emily Post Institute of Good Etiquette. Emily Post would have to be an early advocate and pioneer in the field of etiquette and behav­ iour. Our Masonic Etiquette is behaviour taken from the traditions and customs of Operative Masons and rules and direc­ tions from the original English Grand Lodge in the 17th Century. In the early days of Speculative Freemasonry lodges met in taverns and public houses and as the Craft progressed brethren built their own temples and lodges had permanent homes. With permanent homes came the demand for better behaviour and decorum and Grand Lodges instituted their own code of etiquette, conduct and dress. The NSW and ACT Grand Lodge Library has a number of books on Masonic Etiquette and a small handbook may be obtained from Grand Lodge.

Masons.org.au more than a facelift!

As part of the Open Day celebrations held in November 2016, the main Freemasons NSW & ACT website had a major upgrade. The changes were of two kinds, internal and external.

E

xternally, the website kept its core content and message, but it is now modern and approachable. Free­ masonry has a powerful and beautiful message of peace and unity and of respect and understanding of cultural differences.

‘In a world often dictated by hate and segregation, membership of an organisation capable of uniting men of all religions, colours and accents is more relevant than ever.’

The new look of the website emphasises these values and presents Freemasonry as it is: an open and relevant organisation.

Internally, the Freemasons website pro­ vides a vast amount of content and infor­ mation. In this area, members can find the latest news and events, resources, informa­ tion about all the boards and even check and update their own personal informa­ tion. The resources pages present not only documents and files available for down­ load, but paperless online forms for lodge secretaries and dozens of educational texts

...dozens of educational texts crafted to help members... crafted to help members progress on their journey.

If you are a member and haven’t yet created an account to the website members area, do it today! The process is very easy and if you require any assistance, the secre­ tariat office staff will be happy to help.

If you are curious about Freemasonry and would like to know more about it, the masons.org.au is the best place to start your journey.

The new masons.org.au website is both easy-to use and full of useful information for all brethren.

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

19

A LODGE SHINING BRIGHT

Morning Star Bro Scott Hinks was installed as the 95th Worshipful Master of Lodge Morning Star No 410 at the Wyong Masonic Centre on Saturday 25 March. The lodge history will say this and in years to come nobody will know any more except the 123 brethren and 46 Grand Lodge officers who were there to witness it.

T

he Masonic Centre was crowded with brethren from all over the state and a huge Grand Lodge delega­ tion. Lodge Morning Star was present in force and revelled in the challenge of admit­ ting fraternals, individuals and latecomers.

RW Bro Diamantha Goonasekera, Grand Dir­ector of Ceremonies, shepherded the Grand Lodge Officers through the anterooms and his challenge was heightened by the late arrival of the Deputy Grand Master.

But the delegation entered the lodge room exactly on time, led by the Grand Master MW Bro James Melville, the Deputy Grand Master RW Bro Antoine Georges and the Assistant Grand Master RW Bro William Driver.

More than 150 brethren attended the Installation Photographs courtesy of Harwood Photography

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FREEMASON JUNE 2017

A Grand delegation

‘It is to be a time of wholesome enjoyment...’

The Master of Lodge Morning Star, W Bro Geoff Bown vacated his Chair in favour of W Bro Lance Nelson to be the Installing Master. Lance initiated, and was a Mentor to Bro Hinks and this accented

a major portion of the ceremony with emotion.

At the appropriate time the Grand Master addressed the lodge and made a point of thanking the new Worshipful Master for setting a superb example: visit­ ing near and far, supporting charity and building bridges between lodges and local community groups.

The Festive Board was packed, with the catering being arranged by Bro Kevin Kendall, EAF of Lodge Morning Star who is a professional chef.

MOTHER’S DAY A Grand audience

Everything old is new again!

Mother’s Day and Mothering Sunday sound as though they should be the same – but they are not!

F Woy Woy Sea Scouts lend a hand

W Bro Hinks stated that Lodge Morn­ ing Star’s evening meal was to be referred to as the Festive Board, not the South – ‘It is to be a time of wholesome enjoyment leavened by a modicum of hilarity.’ To effect the latter, he appointed four ‘Ministers of Mayhem’ whose role was to ensure that laughter was to be frequent, but ‘with one another,’ not ‘at one another’.

The Grand Master clearly enjoyed himself and remarked on the presence of the Honourable Member for Terrigal Mr Adam Crouch. He also commented on the presence of a number of Woy Woy Sea Scouts who shared their dedication year with Morning Star and who worked as stewards on the night.

Lodge Morning Star No 410 is already a lodge to be proud of and indicates the installation is but another stepping stone in the growth of this lodge.

W Bro Scott Hinks wishes to give special thanks to the members of

Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes for the incredible amount of support they gave during his Installation

irst we had Mothering Sunday.

Originally it did not refer to your Mum but to ‘Mother Church’ and the tradition was for folk to visit their ‘family’ church, chapel or more probably cathedral on the fourth Sunday in Lent.

The tradition dates to time imperial and in pre-Reformation times hark­ ened back to Laetare Sunday on which day the first prayer of the Mass says: ‘Rejoice O Jerusalem and come together all you who love her and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.’

Today in western society some of the ancient traditions survive – people cook simnel cake, originally eaten on Refreshment Sunday – another name for Mothering Sunday.

And then in the early 20th Century Anna Jarvis convinced President Woodrow Wilson to proclaim the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. From this tiny, but hyper-active acorn grew the worldwide concept of Mother’s Day. In the UK, Constance Smith (writing under the pen-name C Penswick Smith), published a booklet ‘The Revival of Mothering Sunday’ in 1920. The concept

Other Mother’s Days Armenia – 7 April Motherhood and beauty day.

Thailand – 12 August Birthday of Queen Sirikit

Paraguay – 15 May Dia de la Patria

Bolivia – 27h May Commemorates Dia de la Madre Boliviana when in 1812 women fighting in the Bolivian War of Independence were slaughtered

by Spanish troops.

Constance Smith’s pamphlet popularised ‘Mothering Sunday’ in the UK

flourished, building on the sense of loss by many mothers of their sons in World War One. By 1938 it was claimed that Mother­ ing Sunday was observed in every county in England and every country in the British Empire.

The growing commercialisation of Mother’s Day caused great regret to Anna Jarvis. She even disapproved of preprinted Mother’s Day cards. ‘A printed card means nothing, except that you are too lazy to write to the women who have done more for you than anyone in the world.’

In some instances, countries already had functions celebrating mothers and appropriated some of the features of the US holiday, for example giving flowers and other gifts to one’s mother.

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

21

THE DANGERS OF MELANOMA

By W BRO STEVE LOUREY

Check

your skin!

Skin cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide.

Two in three Australians will develop skin cancer before the age of 70. The good news is that 95 per cent of skin cancers can be successfully treated if detected early.

M

elanoma is a type of skin cancer which usually occurs on the parts of the body that have been overexposed to the sun, although rare melanomas can occur in parts of the skin or body that have never been exposed to the sun. Melanoma is the most danger­ ous and aggressive form of skin cancer. If left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body and can be fatal. It grows quickly over weeks to months. It can appear as a new or existing spot, freckle or mole that changes in colour, size or shape and can grow anywhere on the body, not just areas exposed to the sun, occurring most frequently on the upper back in males and on the lower leg in females.

Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, which along with New Zealand has the world’s

There are far better souvenirs to bring back from a summer holiday than bad sunburn...

highest incidence rate and is more com­ monly diagnosed in men than women.

The risk of being diagnosed with mela­ noma by age 85 is 1 in 14 for men

Asymmetry

Irregular Border

Uneven Colour

Diameter Change

Photos showing examples of melanomas exhibiting signs of the ABCD rules – from left to right: (A) Asymmetry, (B) a border that is uneven, ragged, or notched, (C) coloring of different shades of brown, black, or tan and (D) diameter that had changed in size.

22

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

compared to 1 in 24 for women, account­ ing for nearly one in ten cancer diagnoses.

While melanoma represents only about 5% of skin cancers, it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths. Mortality numbers from melanoma are relatively high in young individuals compared to deaths from other types of cancers. However, the population groups facing the greatest risk of developing advanced disease (and hence of dying of melanoma) are middle-aged and older men, persons of lower socio-eco­ nomic-status, and individuals given the diagnosis of the nodular melanoma sub­ type. Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma worldwide. The United King­ dom’s incidence rate is about one third of that in Australia. There has been a global trend of increasing melanoma incidence in people who are predominantly Caucasian.

There are indications these rates in Australia and New Zealand have stabilised, but there is a pronounced and steady rising incidence in most countries in Europe, especially the UK. Researchers suggest this can be attributed to the excessive sun expo­ sure during holidays at lower latitudes.

Often melanoma has no symptoms, however it can be associated with changes that relate to ‘ABCDE’ – Asymmetry (this means if the spot or lesion is divided in half, the two halves are not a mirror image), irregular Border (a spot with a spreading or irregular edge), uneven Colour (a spot with a number of different colours), Diameter (usually over 6mm, a spot that is growing and changing in diam­ eter or size), Evolving (changing and growing).

Melanoma risk increases with expo­ sure to UV radiation, particularly with

THE DANGERS OF MELANOMA

episodes of sunburn (especially during childhood). Melanoma risk is increased for people who have: • increased numbers of unusual moles (dysplastic naevi) • depressed immune systems • a family history of melanoma in a first degree relative • fair skin, a tendency to burn rather than tan, freckles, light eye colour, light or red hair colour • had a previous melanoma or non-mel­ anoma skin cancer.

An individual’s prognosis depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as their age and general health at the time of diagnosis. Five year survival for people diagnosed with melanoma is 91%, rising to 99% if the melanoma is detected before it has spread. If spread is within the region of the primary melanoma, the five year survival is 65%, dropping to 15% if the disease is widespread and untreated.

Avoid sunburn by minimising sun exposure when the ultra-violet (UV) Index exceeds 3 and especially in the middle of the day when UV levels are most intense.

Seek shade, wear a hat that covers the head, neck and ears, wear sun protective clothing and close-fitting sunglasses, and wear an SPF30+ sunscreen.

Melanoma Institute Australia CEO, Carole Renouf, reports that ‘The summer holidays in Australia are renowned for families enjoying long playful days in the sun, surf and sand. Whilst summer holi­ days are the perfect time to reconnect with family and friends and recharge after a busy year, they are also the prime time for severe sunburn.

While melanoma represents only about 5% of skin cancers, it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths.

‘In addition to being painful, sunburn can have a far more harmful impact.

Intense, intermittent exposure leading to sunburn at a young age significantly increases your risk of developing mela­ noma in the future,’ she said.

‘People relaxing on holidays tend to get sun-safe before they head out in the morning, but then get caught up in the day’s activities and forget the basics like covering up and staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.

‘I urge holiday-makers not to become complacent and actively take steps to help protect against the serious risks posed by just one bad case of sunburn, particularly to children and adolescents. There are far better souvenirs to bring back from a summer holiday than bad sunburn, which has the potential for serious ramifications,’ she said.

Individuals at high risk of melanoma should be taught to check their skin for irregular or changing lesions, and have annual checks by a dermatologist.

The five stages of melanoma growth Epidermis

Dermis

1

2

For best protection, the Cancer Council Australia recommends that you Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide! ç Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible! ç Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards.

Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun! ç Slap on a hat that protects your face, head, neck and ears! ç Seek shade! ç Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian standards!

Be extra cautious in the middle of the day when UV levels are most intense.

SunSmart UV index The SunSmart UV index is reported in the weather section of daily news­ papers, on the Bureau of Meteorology website and numerous smartphone apps.

Issued by the Bureau when they forecast a UV index for the day of three or above, the SunSmart UV Alert identifies times during the day when sun protection will be needed.

Applying sunscreen Apply sunscreen liberally – at least a teaspoon for each limb, front and back of the body and half a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears.

Most people don’t apply enough sunscreen, resulting in only 50–80% of the protection stated on the product!

3 4

Fat layer

Be sun safe!

5

This information and more can be found at the Cancer Council Australia website: www.cancer.org.au JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

23

FROM THE PACIFIC TO THE ATLANTIC

By RW BRO TED SIMMONS

The Panama

Canal

The Suez Canal and the Panama Canal have captured the imagination of countries and people ever since man began to travel outside his home and ships ventured into foreign waters in search of cargo and new territory.

B

ut distance and time made it difficult for these intrepid sailors, particularly being forced to travel around the Cape of Good Hope at the bottom of South Africa to gain entry to the Pacific and similarly around Cape Horn at the bottom of South America.

In 1513, Spanish explorer Vasco de Balboa became the first European to discover that the Isthmus of Panama was just a slim land bridge separating the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Balboa’s discovery sparked a search for a natural waterway linking the two oceans. In 1534, after no such passage across the isthmus had been found, Charles V, the Holy Roman emperor, ordered a survey to determine if one could be built, but the surveyors

24

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

eventually decided that construction of a ship canal was impossible.

In the centuries that followed and with the growth of modernisation and engineering techniques, the Panama Canal has joined the Suez as one of the world’s great waterways, visited by millions of tourists and providing shipping companies with a major link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The Canal is mostly used by American ships and every vessel must pay a toll based on its size and cargo volume. Tolls for the largest ships can be about $450,000 and today, some $1.8 billion in tolls is collected annually. August 15, 1914 marked the 100th anniversary of the official opening of the Panama Canal

A cruise liner passes through the Panama Canal with the aid of a ‘mule’ locomotive. Note that the ship is built to the maximum possible width of the locks!

FROM THE PACIFIC TO THE ATLANTIC

ATL A NTI C OCEAN

1. Pacific Entrance 2. Cocoli and Miraflores Locks 3. Pedro Miguel Locks 4. Empire Reach 5. Gamboa Reach 6. Barbacoa Turn 7. Trinidad Turn 8. Agua Clara Locks 9. Gatun Locks 10. Atlantic Entrance

10 9

Colón

8 7 6

Culebra Cut

5 4

3 2 1

Panamá

PACI FIC OCEAN Above: The first ship to pass through the Panama Canal, SS Ancon.

with the passage of the SS Ancon in a full transit from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. In today’s terms, it now means a vessel sailing between New York and California is able to bypass the long jour­ ney around the tip of South America and trim nearly 8,000 miles from its voyage.

On average, it takes a ship 8 to 10 hours to pass through the canal where a system of locks raises each ship 28 metres above sea level. A specially trained canal pilot replaces the ship’s captain to guide each vessel through the waterway. The current locks are 34 metres wide, 305 metres long and were designed to handle the ships of yesteryear while the expanded canal will be able to handle cargo vessels carrying 14,000 20-foot containers, as well as large cruise vessels, nearly three times the cur­ rent amount. On 4 September 2010, the bulk carrier Fortune Plum became the one millionth vessel to cross the waterway since it first opened in 1914.

On such an occasion earlier this year I was a passenger on the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth when it made its transit of the Canal with stops at Fort Lauderdale (Miami), Curacao (Antilles), Cartagena

0

50 Kilometres

Map showing an overview of the route and major features of the Panama Canal

It was not unexpected for Freemasonry to become part of Panama...

(Colombia), Huatulco (Mexico) and Cabo San Lucas (Mexico). The Canal covers a distance of 82 kilometres and the locks are clearly visible to the passengers during the daytime crossing. When the Canal was first built, the locks could easily accom­ modate the vessels but with bigger ships now cruising as well as huge container ships, it was found the locks could not accommodate the larger vessels.

55m

NEW

K LOC

IGN DES

427m

To overcome this problem, a new 6.1 kilometre Pacific Access Channel is being built almost parallel to the existing chan­ nels. It is the largest infrastructure project in the waterway since the original con­ struction began. Work started on the $5.25 billion plan on 3 September 2007 to add a third lane to accommodate the larger vessels which will double the capac­ ity of the waterway. The design and con­ struction of the third set of locks will consist of a new lock complex at the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the deepening and widening of Gatum Lake, deepening of Culebra Cut, a filling and emptying system and rolling gates.

And as the Canal continued to attract attention, other ventures began to take place and on 12 October 1962 the inaugu­ ration was held of the Bridge of the Americas, the first bridge opened to the public over the Panama Canal. In May 1953, the Canal began operating 24 hours Below: Construction of the Canal, 1913

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

25

FROM THE PACIFIC TO THE ATLANTIC

A ‘mule’ for guiding ships Photo by Jean-Philippe Boulet

One of the new locks built as part of the Panama Canal expansion project – an existing lock can be seen in the background.

Photo courtesy of Canal de Panamá

a day with 16 February a gala day when the Canal was chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

With its opening, the Panama Canal has transformed world trade by reducing time, costs and distance between conti­ nents and now connects 144 routes, reach­ ing 1,700 ports in 160 countries and its construction and operation is a result of human ingenuity and regular innovation.

It was not unexpected for Freemasonry to become part of Panama and a Grand Lodge of Panama was established in April 1916 with its centenary celebrated last year. The Grand Lodge meets every four months in February, June and October.

Masonic meetings where members gather to talk and socialise are regularly held on cruise ships and there were three such meetings on the Queen Elizabeth between New York and Sydney. It was fascinating to watch the machinery assist­ ing the Queen Elizabeth as it made its way through the locks and to get a first-hand look at work on the new lock.

Ferdinand de Lesseps, the diplomat who led the first Panama Canal project.

History records a serious attempt to create a canal in the area wasn’t made until 1881 when a French company headed by Ferdinand de Lesseps, a former diplomat who developed Egypt’s Suez Canal, began digging a canal across Panama. The project was plagued by poor planning, engineer­ ing problems and tropical diseases that killed thousands of workers. The De

Lesseps-led company went bankrupt in 1889. At the time, the French had sunk more than $260 million into the canal ven­ ture and excavated more than 53 million cubic metres of earth.

The United States throughout the 1800s had wanted a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for economic and military reasons and had considered Nicaragua a better option until convinced otherwise. In 1902, the US Congress authorised purchase of the French assets but Colombia refused to ratify the agreement with the result that Panama staged a revolt and declared its independence. The subsequent treaty gave America the right to a zone of more than 1,200 square kilometres in which it could construct a canal.

Control of the Canal created tensions between Panama and the USA and in 1964, Panamanians rioted after being pre­ vented from flying their nation’s flag next to an American flag in the Canal Zone. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter and General Omar Torrijos of Panama signed treaties and control of the canal was transferred peacefully to Panama in December 1999.

The Panama Canal is the result of human ingenuity, courage and persever­ ance in the attempts by many people of different cultures to create a monument which others had deemed impossible. It is indeed, a Wonder of the World.

Cross-section of the Panama Canal, with a vertical exaggeration of approximately 80:1.

Atlantic locks ATL A NTI C OCEAN

Gatun Lake 26m

Sea level Miraflores Lake 82km

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

PACI FIC OCEAN

Culebra Cut

NW

26

Pacific locks

95m

SE

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MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND CHAPLAIN

By RW BRO REV PETER KILKEARY OAM

What do I have to offer?

I am writing this message during Holy Week: Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday.

They are well known to those of advanced years; perhaps not as well known to the younger generation. For those who are not of the Christian religion, the great dates of the Christian calendar may mean little or nothing.

I

remind myself that while I am writing during an important week of the Christian calendar, when this is printed in the Freemason the observance of Easter 2017 will be well past.

As masons, we recognise the impor­ tance of our regular meetings, whether at local, district or Grand Lodge level. As we begin our journey along the masonic pathway we will be confronted by unpre­ scribed ceremonies and people who hold high office.

As I reflect on this I look back on the night of my initiation and the friendly advice given to me during the ceremony by helpful members, keen to see that I was fully briefed on the distinctive ways in which a mason handles unfamiliar cere­ monies, including the conduct of toasts.

At an early meeting in my masonic journey there was a distinctive knock at

28

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

All of us begin with initiation. We have moved forward in one way or another. the door. After enquiries were made it was announced that the District Grand Inspector of Workings was at the door and about to enter the lodge. As he entered I looked in astonishment at the man in his distinctive regalia. He was welcomed by the Master and then sat to observe the ceremony. Later, he addressed the breth­ ren and then retired. I sat in awe, observ­ ing and wondering.

With the passing of years I have become accustomed to meeting Grand Lodge officers and working with them in our wonderful ceremonies. I had not expected to join their ranks but a phone call asking about my availability to serve as a Grand Chaplain led to redirection of my masonic life. It has been a privilege to serve in this role and I look forward to continuing while I am capable of doing so.

Next time you go to a lodge meeting take time to ask yourself: • Why am I here?

• What can I do to serve Freemasonry?

• What is the next step I should take?

All of us begin with initiation. We have moved forward in one way or another.

Take time to ask yourself the question: ‘Where do I go from here? How can I more effectively serve the Craft? What gifts have I to offer?’

My best wishes to all as you continue your masonic journey.

THE UNITED STATES OF MASONRY

US progress A four-day conference of Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries of the United States discussed many varied subjects at its meeting in Omaha.

T

he Masonic Service Association of North America had a display table in a prominent position in the foyer of the Conference Centre with publications and pamphlets on display illustrating the wide assortment of infor­ mation available.

One of the most interesting presenta­ tions was by Jordan Yelinek, the Director of Membership Services at the Grand Lodge of California. He raised the ques­ tion: ‘If 40 percent of our society is going to be working from home (as predicted by the Department of Labour) are we pre­ pared to help make the shift in society that

we need to make as an obligation to help make the world a better place, if we are losing that social interaction outside?’

Breakout sessions included discussion on Building Masonic Leaders, The Business of the Fraternity, Improving the Lodge Experience, Lodge Development and Rejuvenation, Masonic Charities and Rethinking the Stated Meeting.

The Conference was told that in California, of the Millennial generation 1977–96, there were 4,500 applications for masonic membership which was more than the number of applicants in the Baby Boomer and GenX generations combined.

A survey found that applicants were looking to Masonry for three reasons: To make friends, to learn and improve them­ selves and to make a difference in society.

Research showed that the city of London has 55,000 masons, the same number as the state of California. But the city of London has 1,500 lodges whereas California has 335. The average size of a lodge in London is 36 while California has 165. The average lodge size in North America is about 120 members, outside North America it is 34.

Suggestions about forming a new lodge concluded: ‘Know your process, examine the “how”, re-envision what it means to be a lodge, examine the “why”, and who is going to lead’ – the success of new or even consolidated lodges depends on leader­ ship, not numbers of members or finan­ cial consideration.

Bro Yelinek’s presentation ended with the comments: ‘I believe that Masonry is a force for good. I believe we are in an ever changing society, that we are getting closer technologically, but further apart inter­ personally. Now the world needs Free­ masonry more than ever.’

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www.NSWMASONICCLUB.com.au JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

29

DON’T TAKE A TUMBLE

By RW BRO TED SIMMONS

Preventing

falls...

It only takes a second to lose your balance or trip at home, in the street or even in hospital, but the results could seriously affect your body and totally change your life.

M

ost hospitals have a booklet available named Staying active and on your feet as part of the NSW Falls Prevention Program which gives valuable information on what to do and steps which prevent falls.

Your chances of falling are increased if you are feeling rushed, distracted or not concentrating on where you are going.

Take your time and pay attention to what you are doing. Don’t use a mobile phone if the street is crowded or you are going to a pedestrian crossing. If you need to use your mobile, stop on the footpath and complete your conversation before walk­ ing again.

Be aware of animals, small children and other pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. Take your time getting on and off buses and trains – don’t rush.

It’s best to use distance glasses or sun glasses if outside and shoes with slip-resist­ ant soles help keep your balance. Where possible, use pedestrian crossings to cross the road and try to do your shopping at ‘quiet’ times in a store and use a shopping trolley.

You can also make the streets safer by reporting to your local council any uneven footpaths, potholes and poor lighting in public places.

The booklet says one in three people over 65 living in the community will have at least one fall during the next 12 months and 60 percent of falls in the 65 plus age group happen in and around the home.

Some of the methods which can be used to prevent falls in the home are to have non-slip floors, secure rugs, adequate lighting, don’t climb on chairs to reach high places, mop up spills straight away in the kitchen, install hand rails on stairs and

30

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

in the bathroom, use a non-slip mat and be careful on wet floors.

It is also surprising the number of people who have a fall in hospital, with most falling near the bed or while going to the toilet. Among the reasons are being unwell and in an unfamiliar place, poor mobility and balance, medications that cause drowsiness or dizziness and badly fitting footwear.

The top tips to prevent a fall in hospital are to use your call bell if you require assis­ tance, sit down to shower and use the rails to get off the chair or toilet, take your time when getting up after sitting or lying down, use your walking aid, wear your glasses and use safe footwear. Choose the right shoes when buying, have them properly fitted, buy for fit not for size or fashion and if the shoes are not right, don’t buy them.

If you do have a fall – do not get up on your own but wait for help. It is also important to have an emergency plan.

Keep a list of family and friends’ phone numbers near the phone or program them into the phone for one-touch dialling.

Keep a phone within reach, consider a device that raises an alarm in case of an emergency and let family and friends know how to get into your house.

It is also important to know what to do if you fall. The best recommended method is to roll on to your side, crawl or drag yourself to a chair, face the chair and get up on your knee, bring one knee forward and put that foot on the floor, then use the chair to push up with your arms until you are upright enough to sit and then rest for a while before standing up.

And finally, you should see your doctor after a fall if you are taking anticoagulant medicines, you feel drowsy or unwell, you

Get fall-proof!

Q. Are you active and on your feet?

Being physically active is important to stay healthy and independent.

Do balance and strength exercises!

Q. Is your vision changing?

As we grow older, our vision changes.

We do not see as clearly and are less able to judge distance and depth.

Have your eyes checked!

Q. Are you taking medications?

Some medicines can increase your risk of falls, especially those taken for anxiety, depression or difficulty sleeping.

Talk to your doctor!

Q. Are your feet sore?

Feet can change shape and lose some feeling. Some shoes or slippers may cause you to stumble or trip.

Have your feet checked and wear comfortable, firm-fitting, flat shoes!

Q. Are you deficient in Vitamin D? Being deficient in Vitamin D can affect your bone and muscle strength as it helps our bodies to absorb calcium.

Talk to your doctor!

are worried about your balance and you have a pain which is causing concern.

If you take care, watch what you are doing, take your time and don’t rush, you are more than likely to limit your chances of falling and enjoy a better life.

Consider what’s important to you and what support you need to live independently and safely at home, and find a home care provider who will help you achieve your goals.

Questions to ask your Home Care Provider With the changes to Home Care packages this year, we’re sharing a list of top questions to ask that can help you choose the home care provider that’s right for you.

As consumers will have more control over what services are in their packages, it is important to ask the right questions to find the home care package and provider that’s right for you.

How does the home care organisation staff their service?

Do they use their own staff or agency staff? Will I have the same people caring for me, providing my services and visiting my home each day or week?

What do they charge for their hourly rates?

Many providers have different rates based on the different types of services that are available through home care. These rates affect the amount that you pay for services and it is your right to know the cost.

For example, the hourly rate for care with a registered nurse may be different to the hourly rate for housework, or for assisted transport.

Will you be charged an Exit Fee? How much will it be?

From February 27, 2017, Home Care Providers are able to charge an ‘exit fee’ if they wish to. They are required to publish their maximum exit fee amount*. There is no cap on exit fees and the amount charged differs greatly between providers so it is important to ask about these fees when you’re enquiring about a Home Care Package.

whiddon.com.au Life is a journey

For information, practical suggestions and inspiring stories about healthy ageing, wellbeing and aged care visit:

www.whiddon.com.au/yourlife What types and range of services does the organisation offer and are they the services you need?

Do they offer what you’re looking for or what you need to help you live independently at home? Do they offer any additional services, like therapy programs, physiotherapy at home, social programs and outings, and wellbeing and healthy ageing programs?

Are you able to self-manage your Home Care Package?

While many consumers choose to have a level of assistance and support from the provider to manage their Home Care Package, others may wish to self-manage. If it’s important to you to self-manage your package, check that the provider will enable you to take this approach.

Do they offer Case Management?

What does it cost? What does it include? Are there different levels of case management involved to suit your preferences and needs? Just as some consumers and families opt to self-manage their Home Care Package, others prefer to have the package partially or fully managed for them – this is where case management comes in!

Talk to Home Care Providers about how they use Case Management and ask them how it could support you to achieve your goal of living at home.

visit our website or call 1300 738 388

FROM THE DESK OF THE GRAND SECRETARY

By RW BRO STEPHEN GREEN

Messages from the

Grand Secretary Young Achievers Awards The Gala Presentation Dinner for the Young Achievers Awards was held in The Banquet Hall at The SMC Conference and Function Centre (Sydney Masonic Centre) on Friday 24th March 2017. This dinner attracted 300 guests, where Sponsors, finalists, nominees, media and VIP guests enjoyed an entertaining evening hosted by Master of Ceremonies Michael Usher, News Presenter with Channel 7.

The NSW/ACT Young Achiever Awards are a most prestigious youth awards pro­ gram, which aims to encourage, reward and most importantly promote the positive achievements of young individuals up to and including 29 years of age.

Together with the partnership of 7NEWS, PRIME7 & NOVA 96.9 the Awards take on great significance and com­ munity engagement and you would be aware that your Grand Lodge has been working in partnership with this program.

Many local newspapers, online publica­ tions and radio stations also support the Awards with extensive promotion. The mar­ keting campaign incorporates all areas of the media including social media, govern­ ment, corporate and community support.

Through continuing association with the NSW/ACT Young Achiever Awards it is expected our organisation will gain fur­ ther positive state-wide coverage through all forms of the media and into the

community. Furthermore, it is hoped that local Lodges will become more engaged in this program and nominate local Young Achievers from within their communities.

This year’s ‘Freemasons NSW & ACT Community Service Award’ winner is Ruth Lewis-Jones, 28 of Bundeena who is the founder and CEO of Esteem Designz, established to empower girls by building self-esteem, and improving mental health through creativity. Esteem Designz has already been implemented in 300 schools and community organisations, equipping 8,000 girls with important skills and resources. Ruth also pioneered the ChooseREAL Campaign, a global move­ ment encouraging females to embrace and celebrate their own identity and value. Ruth volunteers on average 65 hours each week in her advocacy for females.

from lodges who wish to recommend suit­ ably qualified students for the Lorna Milgate Scholarship Awards – 2017.

Nominations close 30th June 2017.

Each nominee must be: • an Australian citizen; • a resident of New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory; • of suitable academic standing; • attending a recognised institution of tertiary education; • in need of financial assistance to assist in pursuing the course.

Please note that if an application does not meet all of these requirements it may still be considered.

Initial scholarships will be awarded to students who have successfully completed the first semester at an Australian Uni­ versity, TAFE College or other approved tertiary institution.

The Lorna Milgate Scholarship Trust

Anzac Day

Freemasonry in NSW & ACT is very for­ tunate to be able to continue to benefit young people through The Lorna Milgate Scholarship Trust to bring tertiary educa­ tion within the reach of those who may otherwise have been denied such an opportunity.

On behalf of the Grand Lodge Trustees, MW Bro R L H Johnson AM, MW Bro Rev R C Green, Bro G H Cumming OAM, I am pleased to invite preliminary nominations

This year’s Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Cenotaph, organised by the Freemasons’ Association, was again, well patronised with around fifty members of the wider Masonic Family attending. The Grand Master greatly appreciated the support, and described the activity as a great masonic ‘PDF’ (Public Display of Freemasonry).

College of Masonic Studies Registration to attend the next presenta­ tion of the ‘Certificate Course’ to be held in Canberra on 17 June 2017, will soon be closing. The last course held in Sydney was well attended & received. If you wish to attend in Canberra, please contact the Grand Secretariat immediately.

September Grand Communication The 2017 Young Achievers Award winners 32

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

The Grand Master announced, at the March Grand Communication, that the September Grand Communication and

­ ...continued from page 3

The Board of Management takes no joy in these changes and doesn’t issue any requirements without a great deal of thought and discussion. The Board, con­ trary to what has been said by others, will not require any existing masons to obtain a police check. Also it is not meant to create work or discourage good men. We really do consider impli­ cations, ramifications and naturally the benefits before issuing directives.

Volunteer National Police Checks can be done online. There are many suppliers for as little as $25 and usually respond within 24 hours. A VNPC can only be requested personally by the potential candidate. The cost could either be borne by the candidate or the lodge depending on individual and lodge circumstances.

Ultimately the check will allow com­ plete confidence for all nominators as to the criminal background and pend­ ing charges of potential candidates. We will accept checks that are up to one year old. A minor conviction, particu­ larly if it has occurred a long time ago, won’t necessarily preclude a candidate and will be handled in the same manner as it is performed currently when can­ didates admit to having a conviction.

We are told early in our masonic journey that we are entering an ‘Ancient and Honourable institution’, the check will go a long way to ensure that we stay that way.

I hope all brethren understand the need to protect the craft and get behind this with enthusiasm.

Fraternally, Bruce Munro Chairman, Board of Management.

Proclamation will be held in Taree, on Saturday 16 September 2017. Please log this event in your diaries. This is planned to be a great masonic experience.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Have

your say Thank you for Nancy I was pleased to see the article on Nancy Wake in the Freemason.

I had the pleasure to spend many hours with Nancy (Noni) as she was the aunt of the late W Bro Ward Argue of Lodge Gundagai with whom I grew up and who was at my Initiation having looked after me in the absence of my father.

Nancy was a wonderful lady. We would drink red wine, chat in French and listen to many undocumented stories of her exploits.

I am most pleased to see her remembered in our magazine.

By the way, her lineage and name come from Hereward The Wake from early British history.

May she Rest In Peace and never be forgotten.

W Bro Stuart Middleton Lodge Wyvern No 813

A lodge remembers We would like to draw your attention to a ‘bloop’ in the March 2017 issue of Free­ mason magazine. As one of two UGLNSW & ACT Lodges that are named after WWI Veterans, we are proud members of Lodge Allan Stuart No 416 at a small village called Geurie just out of Dubbo. We have fraternal visits with Lodge Harold Herman Unity No 428 – the

Corporal Allan Stuart, the WWI veteran for whom Lodge Allan Stuart is named.

ROYSTON CAVE – A TEMPLAR

REFUGE? • THE WHITE MOUSE • NOBLE ART OF AN EMISSARY

V49 N1 – MARCH

2017

Great Barrier

Reef!

WWW.MASONS.ORG.AU

other Lodge mentioned in the article by RW Bro Richard Dawes Masons who served – and served, and you will see our Lodge was not mentioned.

This September, veteran Allan Stuart would have died in battle 100 years ago.We will have a memorial event with history of the veteran and how the lodge was named after him.

In five years, we will be celebrating 100 years of the Consecration of our proud lodge. We do enjoy your articles, keep it up.

VW Bro Bob Browne Secretary, Lodge Allan Stuart 416

Email Addresses Brethren, recently when sending out emails to our membership, a large number were returned as ‘undeliverable’. Please ensure your contact details (including email address) with the Grand Secretariat are kept up-to-date. Also, please ensure your Lodge Secretary has your details cor­ rectly recorded.

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

33

ASSOCIATED ORDERS

Secret Monitor

Inauguration An impressive gathering of members of the Order of the Secret Monitor from the Pacific and other overseas countries were in attendance at Kuala Lumpur on 11 February for the Inauguration of the Grand Conclave of the Order South East Asia.

M

ost Worthy Bro Bert Gude, the Grand Supreme Ruler of The Order of the Secret Monitor for NSW & ACT was accompanied by other brethren and representatives from all OSM jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand, together with brethren from the British Isles, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the Philippines and Jamaica.

The District Grand Conclave of South East Asia has been the body responsible for The Order of the Secret Monitor in the Singapore and Malaysia area. This body was a district under The Order of the Secret Monitor or Brotherhood of David and Jonathan in the British Isles and its Districts and Conclaves overseas.

The Order in the South East Asia area began in 1887 with the formation of ‘Star in the East Conclave,’ No 3EC in Singapore 130 years ago.

The formalities in Kuala Lumpur com­ menced with the consecration of ‘The

34

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can.

Walled City Consistory’ of the Ancient and Masonic Degrees of the Scarlet Cord which is the appendant order to The Order of the Secret Monitor. This Consistory is based in Hong Kong. The consecration was carried out by M Dist Comp Andrew Sweeney and Grand Officers from the British Isles.

It was followed by the consecration of an OSM Conclave to be named ‘Paul Raymond Clement’ No 625EC. This Conclave is named after the Grand Supreme Ruler of the British Isles – Paul Raymond Clement who carried out the ceremony. It was the last duty undertaken under the charter of the District of South East Asia. Members then adjourned for a ‘meet and greet’ session.

On Saturday 11 February, many months of planning culminated in the consecration of the Grand Conclave of The Order of the Secret Monitor South East Asia, by the Grand Delegation from the British Isles led

by MW Bro Clement and the installation of RW Bro Khoo Boo Khean as Grand Supreme Ruler for The Order of the Secret Monitor South East Asia.

This ceremony, a rare occurrence in any Masonic Order, is when an autonomous body is formed with the concordance of the Mother Grand Body and the Primus

LIBRARY RESOURCES

Masonic research papers Are you involved with or interested in Masonic Research?

Grand Supreme Ruler is installed. As in all Orders, the Grand Conclave South East Asia will maintain a close fraternal rela­ tionship with the Mother Grand Conclave.

The banquet took place in the Grand Ballroom of The Royal Chulan Damansara Hotel. As 11 February was Chinese New Year, festivities at the banquet were themed with red and gold.

The very full two days ended with an eventful Sunday bus tour. The parting words from the Grand Supreme Ruler for South East Asia, MW Bro Khoo Boo Khean: ‘ Do all the good you can, by all the means you can.

In all the ways you can, in all the places you can.

At all the times you can, to all the people you can.

And as long as you can’.

– Confucius.

Y

our journey so far must have led you to believe that there are many layers of meaning in the wording of various ceremonies. What is revealed in our ceremonies is but the tip of an iceberg.

The more you delve into each charge and each symbol leads to a greater under­ standing of this wonderful and extraordi­ nary institution. The writers of our rituals were remarkable men and although the language then used is somewhat dated, we still derive much pleasure and satisfaction when we discover the layers of meaning.

The NSW Masonic Library has accu­ mulated an impressive array of masonic research papers available for you. The Library staff are willing to help you and have the following papers available: • Ars Quatuor Coronatorum the premier Research Lodge in the world.

• Transactions of the Sydney Lodge of Research No 290.

• Transactions of the Research Lodge of NSW. • Transactions of the United Masters Lodge No 167 (NZ) • Transactions of the Research Lodge of Southland No 145 (NZ).

• Transactions of the Research Lodge of Wellington No 194 (NZ) • Transactions of the Research Lodge of Otago No 161 (NZ) • Chater Cosmo Transactions – Masonic records of the Far East.

...we still derive much pleasure and satisfaction when we discover the layers of meaning.

• Transactions of Manchester Association for Masonic Research (UK) • Transactions of the Dormer Masonic Study Circle (UK) • The Lodge of Research No 2429 Leicester (UK) • Transactions of the Authors Lodge No 3456.

• Transactions of the Lodge of Research (Ireland).

• Transactions of Athenaeum Lodge of Research No 7455 Durban (S Africa) • Harashim, A and NZ Research Council.

• Transactions of Maine Lodge of Research.

• Doric Bulletin No 1439 (EC) • Transactions of Phoenix No 30 GLNF (France) The NSW Masonic Library is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, or out­ side these hours by arrangement with the Grand Librarian.

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

35

MASONICARE

MASONICARE – YOUR GRAND CHARITY

interACTION Grant Cheque presentations

Glen Innes Lodge The Glen Innes Lodge No 44 had its Christmas BBQ on Sunday, 11 December where it presented a cheque to the Glen Innes Volunteer Rescue Association.

This was a community effort with funds contributed by the Glen Innes RSL sub branch, Glen Innes Motorsports Club, Glen Innes Hospital Auxilliary, the Glen Innes Caledonian Society as well as the Glen Innes Masonic Lodge.

Altogether $2,500 was raised in the community which was matched dollar for dollar by Masonicare, the Grand Lodge

Charity, which meant that a total of $5,000 was able to be donated for much needed equipment.

Unlike city people who are attended by properly funded and staffed Police Rescue Squads, country people rely on these ded­ icated volunteers to attend serious acci­ dents requiring their special expertise and equipment.

The Glen Innes Masonic Lodge would like to thank the Glen Innes Severn com­ munity as well as the other organisations for their generosity.

Lodge Tomaree Recently the Members of Lodge Tomaree No 878 presented a cheque to the Yacaaba Centre of Nelson Bay. The lodge has for some time (10 years or more) supported this important group who provide a range of services that promote and uphold clients rights and safety in the Port Stephens area. Yacaaba is a not-forprofit organization. The funds as pre­ sented on this occasion will go towards assistance related to emergency housing.

This was a joint commitment of the Lodge Tomaree members and the Grand Lodge Charity – Masonicare.

At the same meeting Lodge Tomaree also presented the Port Stephens PCYC

36

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

Lodge Ku-Ring-Gai On Monday 12 December Lodge KuRing-Gai 1033 hosted its annual ‘Partners Night’ at the Jai Ho Indian Restaurant in Turra­murra. Over fifty brethren, partners and friends attended, sharing a great meal and wonderful conviviality.

Special guests included Wendy Bruce, Executive Officer of the Fragile X Assoc­ iation of Australia, accompanied by her husband Michael Blake, and Liz Muller, the immediate Past President of the Galston Garden Club and her husband Jeff.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a cheque for $6,000 to the Fragile X Association of Australia by the WM, W Bro Michael Doyland, and it was thankfully received by Wendy Bruce, on behalf of the Association.

Prior to the presentation RW Bro Graham Piper thanked the brethren and their wives who had joined similar groups supporting the Galston Garden Club’s Annual Open Garden Weekend in midOctober which raised a wonderful $53,000 for various charities. The support over three days was rewarded with $3,000 for our nominated charity, the Fragile X Assoc­iation, which once again, Masonicare has generously matched.

W Bro Doyland, in presenting the cheque, congratulated the Association on the wonderful work they do for those (and their families) with this inherited intellectual disability and assured Wendy of the brethren’s continuing support in the future. In response she thanked all those involved, saying how much their small organisation appreciated this support.

Lodge Tomaree presenting a cheque to a representative of the Port Stephens PCYC.

group a cheque for $4,000. The Lodge supports the youth in the Port Stephens area by means of working with the PCYC with a number of projects. On this occa­ sion it will assist the personal develop­ ment of youths male and female. This was a joint commitment of the Local Lodge Tomaree members and Masonicare.

L–W: RW Bro Graham Piper, Liz Muller, Wendy Bruce and W Bro Michael Doyland

MASONICARE – YOUR GRAND CHARITY

Bequest to Masonicare In line with the practice adopted by the majority of charitable organisations, Masonicare has a Bequest Program which is designed to encourage anyone to be­queath money and/or assets in their Will.

All bequests to Masonicare go directly to those trusted charitable programs sup­ ported by Freemasonry and our local communities.

By making a Will you ensure that your estate is distributed in the way that you

would like. Many people like to ensure a lasting legacy by supporting a charity, after the needs of their family have been met. A gift in your Will, no matter the amount, would be greatly appreciated and will help Masonicare’s efforts to support worthwhile charities in future years.

Please contact the Masonicare Admin­ istration Officer on 02 9284 2800 for further information about how you can make a bequest to Masonicare.

interACTION

Grants

How your lodge can help...

Did you know that your lodge can apply for an interACTION Grant before it embarks on a charitable fundraising activity in your local Community?

The correct procedure to get this underway is:

Hastings Macleay Freemasons Association Freemasons from throughout the Hast­ ings and Macleay have worked hard over the past five years to ensure the families of young cancer patients have the support they need during treatment.

The Hastings Macleay Freemasons Association has now presented a $10,000 donation to the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute’s paediatric oncology trust. The trust helps families affected by cancer.

The integrated care director Bronwyn Chalker thanked the masonic lodges and Masonicare.

‘The money that you raise means a lot to us’, she said. ‘We will use it very care­ fully and very wisely.’

The Mid North Coast Cancer Institute’s Nurse Unit Manager at Port Macquarie, Jenny Baroutis, said the Freemasons were extremely generous in their support of young cancer patients and their families.

‘Every year, the masons return to the Cancer Centre to ensure there is financial support for the families of children with a cancer diagnosis,’ Ms Baroutis said.

‘It’s a gift that makes a big difference to families who have a lot on their minds during what can be a very difficult time.

‘It is also gratefully received because it directly supports local cancer patients – people who live in the Hastings and the Macleay.’

Masonicare Charity Jewels Has your Lodge Management Committee considered making a special presentation of one of these beautiful Masonicare Charity Jewels to a deserving brother at your Installation meeting?

One of the jewels could even be presented to the incoming/outgoing MCO at an appropriate time or at the Festive Board.

Jewels can only be purchased by the lodge and are not tax deductible in compliance with ATO ‘charity’ regulations. Funds raised from the sale of jewels go to The Benevol­ence Fund.

Contact Masonicare for more information

Plan to do a particular fundraising activity with the funds raised to be presented to a local charity which is registered as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

Obtain an interACTION Grant Application Form from your Regional Masonicare Manager (RMM) or download from the website: www.masonicare.org.au

Apply for the interACTION Grant, in principle, with an amount nominated.

Approved (at Board meeting).

Fundraising activity.

Cheque request sent to Masonicare along with funds raised by lodge, which will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Masonicare.

Cheque sent to your RMM or designated person for presentation at organised event.

You should allow about six weeks for the whole process, so plan accordingly!

This is how the members of your lodge can demonstrate their commitment to the lodge and the local community, not only assisting in a charitable sense but also showing Freemasonry in action.

The application process has now become more streamlined! Applications can now be emailed directly to: Angelo Sanchez Sojo at info@masonicare.org.au These requests will be dealt with by the Masonicare Board. Those charities that are eligible for an interACTION Grant must have DGR status. DGR status can be checked at www.abr.business.gov.au by entering the ABN for the nominated charity.

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

37

NATALIA’S START IN LIFE

A brighter future –

achieved!

Natalia Raspopov a

nducting the Quee nslan Natalia Raspopova is a talented musician, a professional Symphony Orches d tra. conductor and a former beneficiary of support from A Start in Life. Natalia recently gave an emotional speech at the A Start in Life Student Prize-Giving Ceremony and shared this inspirational story; it is one to be celebrated!

N

atalia said: ‘In 1998, Russia was going through a turbulent politi­ cal period. It was no longer safe for our family to live there and my parents made the tough decision to immigrate to Australia. Shortly after we arrived in Syd­ ney, my parents, due to unforeseen circum­ stances, were left in an incredibly difficult financial situation. My father spent the last of his savings enrolling us for one term at the Australian Institute of Music. We were three teenage girls, all playing piano at a very high level, in desperate need of further music education and unable to afford it.

‘Our circumstances meant we were in need of educational support which included important extra-curricular pur­ suits such as music. Fortunately, a member of the Freemason community who heard of our story was aware of the charity A Start in Life and suggested we contact them.

‘Our application was approved and the support we received from A Start in Life

covered our educational fees, including music tuition, books and music scores, along with basic needs such as transport costs and school lunches. Olly Bergstrom (President Emeritus) from A Start in Life even located a piano for us to practice on.

‘I can honestly say that if I didn’t con­ tinue studying piano at that time, I would not have been able to achieve the level required to enable me to continue my studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of

I am eternally grateful for the generosity we received.

Natalia Raspopova with Olly Bergstrom, President Emeritus of A Start in Life.

38

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

co

Music. So this support played an incredi­ bly important part in my professional development.

‘In 2005, I graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and com­ menced work as a freelance concert pia­ nist, piano pedagogue, vocal repetiteur coach and accompanist. A decade later, out of seventy applicants, I was chosen as the first ever Assistant Conductor for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Also in this role, I assisted many high profile international conductors, including Simone Young. I also conducted many of QSO’s concerts in my own right – in Brisbane and on tour.

‘In January of this year, I was selected from 120 candidates, to take part in a mas­ terclass with Marin Alsop and the BBC Concert Orchestra in London – an incred­ ible opportunity for my development as a professional conductor. Throughout the rest of 2017, I will be conducting concerts with the New Zealand Secondary Schools Orchestra and Monash Academy University Orchestra.

‘I am happy to say that both my sisters are also working professionally in the field of music.

‘One thing I would like to make very clear – without the assistance from A Start in Life, I would never have been able to develop as a musician. I am eternally grate­ ful for the generosity we received. The vision for a better future is something that one can’t quite quantify in value, because it is enormous and life changing.’

If you would like to help Australian stu­ dents in need achieve a brighter future, please donate at www.astartinlife.org.au or send a cheque or money order to A Start in Life, PO Box 20606, World Square, Sydney, NSW 2002.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

MASONIC NEWS FROM NSW & ACT

Regional Roundup

NSW S ACT

WHAT’S ON? Your guide to upcoming events from lodges and districts.

Lodges and Districts – Publicise your upcoming events in our new ‘WHAT’S ON’ guide. For only $50 you get four entries in the listing. One per issue? Call Bro Simon Pierce on (02) 4344 5133 for more details.

L odge C arringtonia No 187 L odge Saratoga No 937

Saratoga strikes again!

O

n 8 February 2017, Lodge Saratoga presented a donation for $2,000 to the Central Coast Kids in Need Inc.

Lodge Saratoga presents its cheque to Central Coast Kids in Need Inc.

The CCKIN is a volunteer organisa­ tion that provides financial assistance to families of seriously ill Central Coast chil­ dren who are required to travel to Sydney/ Newcastle hospitals for treatment. It also assists with the payment of accommoda­ tion, travel expenses, and where possible assists with the purchase of specialised equipment for quality of life for these seri­ ously ill children.

Best wishes for Hilton

E

arlier this year, VW Bro Hilton Davis, IPM of Lodge Carringtonia of Blayney celebrated his birthday with a special cake produced at the Festive Board.

The members all helped at a working bee in the lodge so that the occasion came as a big surprise to Hilton.

L odge Warragamba No 541

Help for the children I t was W Bro Terry McCallum’s great pleasure at the end of March to travel to Floribunda Ave, Glenmore Park, and pres­ ent the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, which is Lodge Warragamba’s chosen charity for the year, with a donation cheque for $3,100.

The donation was gratefully received by Melissa Sangalong and her staff of six, who cater for the needs of over twenty hearingand sight-impaired young children. The money will be used to purchase learning aids and toys in the effort for them to lead a normal life and become respected and

productive members of the community.

The money for the Institute, which is well known to the members of Lodge Warragamba, was raised through raffles, donations and other means, for the joy, fun, learning and wellbeing of the children.

The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children is a quiet and leafy setting back­ ing onto the Glenmore Loch, with an abundance of wildlife including cocka­ toos, corellas and parrots in the trees and shy rabbits and possums on the ground making it a perfect setting for these chil­ dren with slight disabilities.

VW Bro Hilton Davis cuts his cake

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

39

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

MASONIC NEWS FROM NSW & ACT

Bundaleeah Daylight L odge No 992

Marshal makes it 70 M embers and visitors travelled from far and wide, from places such as Bathurst, Blayney and Orange to attend Lodge Bundaleeah’s February meeting where the Grand Master presented VW Bro Marshal Partridge with his Seventy Year certificate and jewel and to present a very generous cheque to The Cancer Foundation.

After the Grand Master had made the presentation and given his address, the lodge was closed and the lodge room quickly transformed into a ‘court room’.

After all had returned and taken up their respective positions, RW Bro Harry Griffiths, as ‘the hanging judge’ (suitably attired), VW Bro Bob McCallum as the council for the defence, VW Bro Ross Partridge as the prosecutor and several Grand Lodge Officers including the Grand Master as the jury, W Bro James Cameron was brought to the mock ‘trial,’ accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Bro Bill McDonald while acting in the role of Inner Guard at Bro McDonald’s initiation.

An hour of fun, frivolity and laughter followed (which at times stopped pro­ ceedings), as several witnesses were called, all giving conflicting accounts of the crime, with W Bro Cameron shouting his innocence as the hearing proceeded. A fun morning and a credit to those who organised it. After the court was adjourned, all retired from the lodge/ court room and enjoyed a great barbecue and fond fellowship.

The Grand Master presented Mrs Teressa Quinn, representing the Cancer Foundation, with a cheque for $10,000 and she sincerely thanked the masonic fraternity for their generosity, particularly RW Bro Bob Handley and Julie for their hard work in raising the monies.

Whilst the morning had its solemn moments, Lodge Bundaleeah, sometimes referred to as ‘the old men’s lodge’, held its head high in maintaining its reputation as ‘the fun lodge’, where laughter is always the best medicine for young and old.

T he Sir Walter Scott L odge No 123

Work well done T wo distinguished members of The Sir Walter Scott Lodge No 123 have been recognised for their hard work and contribution to the lodge.

At a special ceremony, Masonicare appreciation awards were presented to both members – W Bro Robert Reily (wife Robyn Reily) and W Bro Peter Clancy (wife Ann Clancy)

40

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

W Bro Robert Reily and W Bro Peter Clancy display their awards

The awards were presented by the WM, W Bro T.J McGann and RW Bro John Begbie SGW. Their wives and friends were able to be present on the night to witness the presentations.

L odge L iverpool No 197

Liverpool Historical Society

T

he Liverpool Historical Society toured the lodge rooms at the Liverpool Masonic Centre in February where the members of the lodge wel­ comed the president Glen op den Brouw and members of the Society.

A morning tea on arrival and a light luncheon were provided before the gen­ eral meeting of the Society was held.

During the morning a talk concerning Freemasonry was delivered by VW Bro Frank Ingersole and a presentation of the history of Freemasonry in Liverpool from early 1800s by VW Bro Les Rowan after which a book on the history of Lodge Liverpool was handed to Mr Glen op den Brouw.

A presentation of a 60 year jewel by the DGIW 33, VW Bro Gabriel Bilyk and certificate by the WM Lodge Liverpool, W Bro Jerome Madulid was made to W Bro Herbie Taylor who was master of the lodge in 1953.

A certificate of appreciation from Mr op den Brouw was presented to the Master of the lodge and W Bro Lysle wrapped up the proceedings with a talk on community involvement with radio 2GLF, the local Liverpool community radio station.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

MASONIC NEWS FROM NSW & ACT

Hunter Valley De Molay C hapter

New DeMolay Chapter

A

rare occurrence was held in November with the Dedication of the Hunter Valley DeMolay Chapter, the first DeMolay Chapter to be created in Australia in 25 years.

With a lot of hard work by a number of dedicated senior DeMolays from the Philippines, the local area and the Blue Mountains Chapter it all came together better than most had expected.

Distinguished guests from other Associated Orders, travelled long dis­ tances to witness this rare event, and

L–R: Dad Trevor Green, Supreme Grand Master Order of DeMolay Australia, Dad Ian Milne Queensland Grand Master Order of DeMolay, Dad Carmine (Charlie) Cosoleto, Chapter Advisor, Blue Mountains Chapter, MW Bro James Melville, Grand Master UGL NSW & ACT, Dad Terry Stock, NSW Grand Master, Order of DeMolay Australia.

despite the heat that Toronto turned on, nobody left disappointed. The masons of the area can be proud of their efforts in assisting this group of young men.

C anterbury-Bankstown M asonic Widows A ssociation

Happy birthday Nora T

he Canterbury-Bankstown Masonic Widows Association had a special meeting at the Punchbowl Community Centre to help long-term member Nora Hughes celebrate her 100th birthday.

Nora, who was born at Revesby, has been a member for the past 20 years and has rarely missed a meeting, welcoming members at the front door and keeping the attendance book for each meeting.

There were flowers, cards and a letter from the Queen and the local mayor at the surprise party to recognise this remarkable

Nora Hughes celebrating her 100th birthday

lady who was a toymaker in her working days and still delights in dressing dolls for various charities.

VW Bro Grant making a strong point

T he Discovery L odge of R esearch No 971

Same difference E

very installation is the same and every installation is different! The Discovery Lodge of Research’s Installation was held on 2 March and the difference was notable.

Everybody seemed to have two jobs to do – even if they were a visitor. This turned out to be part of a typical Discovery ‘Master Plan’ – involve lots of visitors and then encourage them to affiliate!

The installation followed its own master plan and all the words were spoken at the right time and imparted the right message.

This was particularly so with the Grand Lodge representative, MW Bro Dr Greg Levenston. At the appropriate point he displayed both his ‘soft’ side and his ‘hard’ side.

He specifically focused on the parlous state of membership – of the jurisdiction – and of the lodge. His challenge, and it very clearly was a challenge, was: ‘What are you as a lodge and each of you as a mason going to do about it? Because there is no magic wand.’ He spoke of several initiatives which a research lodge could and should pursue.

The new WM, VW Bro Stewart Grant delivered a unique solo after the addresses to the brethren which was a short research paper – entirely appropriate for a research lodge!

The South featured hilarity, high jinks and the humour of VW Bro Tom Hall. Oh, and the start of Sydney’s never-ending rain!

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

41

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

MASONIC NEWS FROM NSW & ACT M aroochydore L odge No 392

John gets a jewel I G osford M asonic C entre

New room for Gosford

S

everal years of hard work by members of the Central Coast lodges and the Board of Directors of the Gosford Masonic Centre, reached culmination in February when a new lodge room was dedicated at Gosford.

The dedication, performed by the MW Grand Master accompanied by the Assistant Grand Master and members of the Grand Lodge team, heralded a new era for Freemasons on the Central Coast.

The ceremony included the traditional spreading of corn, wine, oil and salt by the Grand Master and a dedication plaque was unveiled bearing the names of the Grand Master and the Centre Board members.

Respect for the traditional owners of the land occupied by the Centre was acknowl­ edged by Bro Ron Arnott playing the didgeridoo.

Congratulations were extended to W Bros Hart and Kelly in transferring the mosaic pavement piece by piece from the previous room to its new room and to cura­ tor and librarian RW Bro Ken White for the two new showcases and displays.

Top: The layout of the new lodge room as viewed from the west.

Above: MW Bro Jamie Melville performing the dedication ceremony.

The new Centre at 86–88 Mann Street Gosford consists of four levels including a basement car park, two tenanted floors with long term leases and a ground floor masonic area which has a lodge room, supper room, two storerooms for regalia, a new kitchen and three toilet areas.

What can I write?

A t different times, we are asked: ‘What could I write for Regi­onal Roundup in the Freemason?’ The simple answer is: anything that could be of interest to a reader! It could be a lodge anniversary meeting, a special occur­rence such as two brothers, a father and son, a debutante ball, collections for a district charity, a lodge picnic or a theatre party.

Another common question is: ‘How should it be written?’ The easiest method is

42

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

t was a big and happy night for W Bro John Hogg when he was recently pre­ sented with a 50 Years Service jewel in Maroochydore Lodge in Queensland.

Most of his masonic career was spent as a member of Lodge Punchbowl where he was elected as Worshipful Master and assisted in organising the District Debutante Ball for about 11 years.

John was delighted to receive the jewel and sends his best wishes to those mem­ bers of Lodge Punchbowl who knew him and to assure them he is still active.

to email the magazine editor at Grand Lodge. And if you are not a journalist, just put into words what occurred – but make sure all names are correct! If it is an unu­ sual name, repeat it in brackets. There is nothing worse than having a name misspelled! If you include photos, make sure the people in the photo are identified.

Finally, if you are still undecided, you can always email your question or contact the editor for assistance.

L odge M ayfield Daylight No 493

A century for Arnold W Bro Arnold Camps

L

odge Mayfield Daylight and BUPA Care Services combined to host a very successful 100th birthday party for W Bro Arnold Camps in March.

Brethren from Lodge Mayfield Daylight were in good attendance along with staff and other BUPA residents. W Bro Camps has been a member of Lodge Mayfield Daylight since his initiation on 27 August 1938.

A special birthday cake was presented to Arnold along with messages of congratula­ tions from various people including Queen Elizabeth and the Premier of NSW.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

MASONIC NEWS FROM NSW & ACT Coffs Coast F reemasons A ssociation

Coffs Coast Continues

T

he Coffs Coast Freemasons Assoc­ iation continues to support the Coffs Coast and Clarence CanDo Cancer Trust.

A recent endeavour took them to the Sawtell Bowling Club where bowlers suc­ cessfully held another charity bowls day in aid of the Trust.

Chairman of the CCFA, RW Bro Phil Robertson, presented Ms Julie Jardine, Chair of the Trust, with $6,000 which L odge C anberra Unity No 465

Damien delivers B

rother Damien Donavan has been living in Honolulu for the past three years, working at the Australian Con­sulateGeneral in Honolulu on posting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Shortly after arriving in Honolulu, he affiliated with Honolulu Lodge where he

included a Masonicare Interaction Grant.

‘I am constantly amazed at how hard the members of the CCFA work at raising money for our charity as well as other local charities. I also thank Masonicare for all the support they have given us over the years.’ said Ms Jardine at a farewell dinner for CanDo foundation member RW Bro Norm Standing. ‘We thank Norm and his wife Judy for all the work that has been done in creating the CanDo Cancer Trust in 2010 and raising much needed funds over the last seven years. We welcome CCFA member Mrs Carolyn Boyden to our committee and she will continue to liaise between CanDo and the CCFA.’ has taken office. He was also appointed at the last installation of the Grand Lodge of Hawaii as a Grand Marshal (somewhat similar to a Master of Ceremonies in an Australian lodge, but with some signifi­ cant differences).

He was later appointed by the Grand Master in Hawaii as his personal repre­ sentative to Australia and followed with a visit back home where he attended a meeting of Lodge Thespian in which he had been initiated, passed and raised and also to Lodge Canberra Unity where he has been a member since 2007.

L odge C essnock No 252

Days of wine and roses

A

ll installations have so much in common, so why do we remember some installations more than others?

In May Lodge Cessnock had all the usual ingredients. A large audience – nearly 100. Master Masons in all progressive offices. Excellent work. A convivial South.

W Bro Damien Southam who was Installing Master, knew every word and his diction made us want to hear more.

Lodge Cessnock’s new Master, W Bro Alex Bramley, was humorous without being corny.

When the Master Masons left the lodge room it felt almost empty. A pleasant change from a preponderance of PMs. When asked whether the young lodge members came from the wine industry the

Cessnock put on a most convivial Installation

answer was, ‘mainly from Open Nights’ which was a comment worth considering by other lodges. In fact, the Grand Master focussed on this in his address in the South.

The general impression was of a lodge on the move but adhering to traditional ways.

Like good Hunter Valley Shiraz, Lodge Cessnock’s young management team can be expected to mature with age, which can only bring happiness to themselves and happiness to others.

Members of Lodge Bega Remembrance with the Sked® they helped Bega SES to purchase.

Photo courtesy of Bega District News

L odge Bega R emembrance No 220

Future rescues I

t is a device you may never have heard of, but one day it could help to save your life.

Lodge Bega Remembrance has donated $1,500 to the Bega State Emergency Service for a Sked®.

A Sked® is a full body stretcher that can be used either vertically or horizontally, to assist with rescues from heights or in areas that are difficult to access.

‘It is a great piece of equipment,’ Bega SES unit controller Yvette Ringland said.

‘It will be very helpful for our support jobs and we will also be able to train with it.’

Occasionally Lodge Bega Remem­ brance, which has been in existence since the 1800s, has an excess of funds to donate to worthy causes.

‘As a result of a three minute brain­ storm, we decided the SES would be per­ fect to donate to,’ said the lodge Senior Warden, Bro David Porter.

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

43

INITIATES

WELCOME TO THE CRAFT

Freemason Welcomes New Members To The Craft Name

Lodge

ACOSTA, Wally

Lodge Alpha 970

AL-BAKRI, Laith

Lodge Beecroft 359

Name

Lodge

GORDON, Mark

Lodge Loftus - Macleay 203

GUILFOYELE, Jesse

AL-HOURFANI, Helmi

Lodge Sir Joseph Banks 300

HALLIFAX, Sam

ALAFSA, Ahmed

Lodge Sir Joseph Banks 300

HAMILTON, Richard

ANAE-ROBERTS, Sato

Lodge Merrylands 479

ASHTON, Junior ATTARD, Brendan CALLAO, John

City of Newcastle Lodge 170

PASCOE, Bryce

Lodge Warringah 83

PAYNE, Michael

Lodge Nepean 29

Lodge Namoi 207

POTTER, Reynir

Lodge Antiquity 1

Lodge Richard Coley 152

Lodge Camden 217

PRIVADARSHI, Guru

Lodge Commonwealth of Australia 633

INDIVIGLIO, Dominic

Lodge Merrylands 479

The Queen’s Lodge 229

ISENHOOD, Leonard

The Prince Charles Edward Stuart Lodge 1745

QUINTANA, Carlos

Lodge Blacktown Kildare 393

RADMAN, Ramtin

Lodge Ku-Ring-Gai 1033

JACOBSON, Matthew

Blue Mountains Unity 118

REEVES, Lemu

Lodge Thespian 256

City of Newcastle Lodge 170

ROBERTS, Paul

Lodge Germania 1036

CAMERON, Camo

Lodge Paxton 608 Lodge Greater Taree 66

JURY, Bob

KARABERIS, Christopher

Lodge Germania 1036

CHARI, Vishnu

Lodge Ethos 963

COLE, Nathan

Lodge Canberra Unity 465

KHODR, Souheil

Lodge Liverpool 197

The Goldfields Lodge 40

KIELY, Cameron

Lodge Queanbeyan St Andrew 56

COOK, Ryan

PACZYNSKI, Drew

Lodge Woollahra 341

Lodge Aviation 688 Lodge Blacktown Kildare 393

CEFAI, Jason

HAYES, David

Name

ROGERS, Lee

Lodge Cessnock 252

SABOUNE, Daniel SADEGHI, Nader

Lodge Toxteth 1052 Lodge Sir Joseph Banks 300

Lodge Cowper 295

KORALE, Seth

Lodge West Epping 731

DALTON, Todd

The Prince Charles Edward Stuart Lodge 1745

KOROI, Matt

Lodge Germania 1036

SHANNON, Errol

Lodge Prince Leopold 87

LAMAS, Jorge

City of Newcastle Lodge 170

SMALL, Brendan

Lodge Morning Star 410

DAVIES, Alan

The Prince Charles Edward Stuart Lodge 1745

LAYLAND, Andrew Lodge St George and St Andrew 7

SMATHERS, Pete

Lodge Morisset 441

LAYLAND, Grant

TAOUK, Fared

Lodge Toxteth 1052

Lodge Woollahra 341

LORAN, Martin Lodge United St Andrew Singleton 34

THOMPSON, Ben

Wallis Plains 4

MACKENZIE, Scott

TOMASSIAN, Nico

Lodge Challenge 284

CUTHBERTSON, Cameron

DENNAOUI, Moodi DUFFY, Ash

Lodge Laurieton Haven United 1031

DUNNE, Paul

Lodge Corrective Services 1039

DURAMANDULU, Burak

ESMAILI, Ebi FOOKES, Jamie FUENTES, Christian FULLOON, Chris GLUTH, Stuart

Lodge Horace Thompson Ryde 134 Lodge Merrylands 479

Lodge Blacktown Kildare 393 Lodge Dunblane Australis 966

Lodge St George and St Andrew 7 Lodge Alpha 970

SCOTT, Johno

Lodge Morning Star 410

McMASTER, James Lodge Queanbeyan St Andrew 56

TRIMBLE, Rob

MERABY, Houd

TWITCHINGS, Luke

Lodge St George and St Andrew 7

MICHAEL, Danny

Lodge Woollahra 341

UMALI, Rey

Lodge Pennant Hills 905

The Prince Charles Edward Stuart Lodge 1745

WARTON, Wayne

MIRASOL, Jason The Hawkesbury Heritage Lodge 150

WILLIAMS, Craig

MIDDLETON, Scott

Lodge Novacastria 765

NAVARRO, Kit

Lodge Merrylands 479

Lodge Macquarie 53

O’NEILL, John

Lachlan Macquarie Lodge 1042

WHITE, Justin

YU, Warren

Lodge Woollahra 341

The Hawkesbury Heritage Lodge 150 Lodge Canberra Unity 465 City of Newcastle Lodge 170 Lodge United St Andrew Singleton 34

The Hawkesbury Heritage Lodge 150

APPRECIATING AGE! day on Feeling down about another birth of the horizon? Here are some perks reaching 60... or being over 70 and heading towards 80!

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you. likely 2. In a hostage situation you are to be released first.

3. No one expects you to run ... anywhere.

I 4. People call at 8pm and ask, “Did wake you?”

5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

44

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

7. Things you buy now won’t wear out.

8. You can eat supper at 5pm.

9. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. And remember – Nev er, ever, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night!

JUN 2017 ROYSTON CAVE – A TEMPLAR REFUGE? • THE WHITE MOUSE • NOBLE ART OF AN EMISSARY

CROSSWORD

V49 N1 – MARCH 2017

STAR OF BETHLEHEM • THE OLD GREY MATTER • AUSTRALIA DAY • TRAVELLING LODGES V48 N4 – DECEMBER 2016 THE ROCKS • PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS • WC FIELDS • HISTORY OF BREAD

V48 N3 – SEPTEMBER 2016

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Great Barrier

Reef!

Chinese New Year!

WWW.MASONS.ORG.AU

Sydney’s Taronga Zoo

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WWW.MASONS.ORG.AU

WWW.MASONS.ORG.AU

Thank you

11 12 13

to all our sponsors both individual and corporate who have helped to make this edition possible.

15

qq DA Law Group

11 & 47

qq Envy Jewellery

7

qq Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of NSW

30

qq J&J’s Pest Control

33

16

qq NSW Masonic Club

29

qq Quest Effect

27

qq Rembrandt

17

qq Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution of NSW

47

qq Terry McCallum Photography

18

qq The Happy Masons Shop

5

Want to be a

sponsor?

Freemason magazine is supported by the generosity of our sponsors.

We offer a range of sponsorship spaces in Freemason magazine to suit all businesses from as little as $100 per issue.

Design of your advertisement is FREE – or you can supply us with your own.

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ACROSS 1 Copiers highly vulnerable to symbolic writings (13)

9 Show pony in hide out (4)

8 Libra to become astronomically revolutionary (7)

12 Suck up to dreadful irate giant (10)

10 Read Riot Act about whey cheese (7) 11 Making an example of fixing me up – Yelp (12)

15 Painfully pondered how to diagnose another way (8)

13 Shy and embarrassed about concocted beer (6)

17 Tail (sic) slopes to the right (7)

14 Strange resent in new graduates under supervision (8)

19 Hear SES follows casket jalopies (7)

16 Slim gain in postages perhaps (8) 18 Has IRA adjusted to Islamic law? (6)

20 Put money up to be fitted with footwear (4) 22 Old crosswords abbreviated (4)

21 Defiant hater becomes timid and apprehensive (5–7) 23 Desires things found in cafes (7) 24 Aspired changes to desolation and misery (6) 25 Malevolent attitude of Enid’s sins with promissory notes (13)

DOWN 2 Camel bit me terribly in writings of 1 across (10)

Solution March 2017 J S

APM Graphics Management Phone: 1800 806 930 Email: freemason@apmgraphics.com.au

8 Improvise fly in a very general and inaccurate manner (12)

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6 Sasha starts and ends with the first and last to fully satisfy (4)

T

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4 Answer by avoiding the question with to pin Garry up (8)

If you would like more information or wish to receive a rate card, please contact Bro Simon Pierce at:

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3 Seed case under short month for mollusc (7)

5 Enrage with fragrance (7)

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JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

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SERVICE CERTIFICATES

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CONGRATULATIONS

Years Service

DIGBY, John

Lodge Kirrawee 903

The Schools Lodge 639

LEE, Lionel

Lodge Sawtell Twilight 741

LOVE, Dallas

Lodge Panania 845

MAHER, Andrew

Lodge Frenchs Forest 249

MARR, Grahame

LUCRE, Ronald PATTERSON, Robert

GODFREY, Ross

Lodge Sylvania 853 Lodge Wahroonga 674 Twin Towns Daylight 436

SINCLAIR, Alan

NEILSEN, Arthur Lodge Caledonia of Canberra 938

GILLIVER, Allan

ROOK, Leslie

Lodge Silver City 141

GROTH, Frederick

Lodge Swansea Belmont 1030

HERNE, Geoffrey

Lodge Rudyard Kipling 143

WATSON, Allen

Lodge City of Newcastle 170

60

Years Service

BERGSTROM, Oliver

Lodge Burns Wentworth Tuscan 21

SHAW, Thomas

Lodge Young Burrangong 20

Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes 247 Lodge Westlake Daylight 997 Lodge Nowra Unity 60

THOMPSON, John Leisure Coast Daylight Lodge 999

JONES, Paul

WOODWARD, Ronald

KINGSTON, Ronald

Lodge Panania 845

LATHAM, Thomas

Lodge Barham 561

MATTHEWS, John

Lodge Hastings 69

Lodge Forster Great Lakes United 994

50

Years Service

McMASTER, John MORGAN, Brian

Lodge Benjamin Pryor 709

Lodge Inverell 48 Lodge Federal United 193

BOWD, Raymond

Lodge Farrer 93

BUTTERS, Robert

Lodge Nambucca Heads 922

ADAMS, Gordon

Lodge Bathurst United 79

ROWAN, Leslie

CAMERON, William The Central Coast Lodge 2001

ADAMS, Gregory

Twin Towns Daylight 436

SHELDRICK, Bruce

DAVIS, Hilton

Lodge Carringtonia 187

BENNETT, Kenneth

Lodge Bathurst United 79

SPENCER, Keith

Lodge Woolgoolgah 705

Lodge Ibis 361

BENNETT, Moisant

Lodge Toukley 933

SUTTON, Trevor

Lodge Swansea Belmont 1030

GLYDE, Robert

A visit to Anzac Day the country

A

total of 29 brethren and ladies of the Freemasons Association of NSW and the ACT, led by President RW Bro Ross Mc Alpine and his wife Margaret, journeyed on 4 March by coach to Young to fraternally visit Lodge Young Burrangong for the Installation of Bro Trent Jamisson. The lodge overflowed with the attendance of 18 Grand Lodge officers and brethren including the Grand Lodge representative VW Bro Rob Nash the DGIW of District No 43 and the Regional Grand Counsellor RW Bro Bill Beattie and his wife Pam. Following the Installation a delicious festive board was held at the Blue Still Inn. The following morning the group travelled to Crowther to the property of Rob Nash and his wife Dorothy, which one of our members described as ‘an oasis among the farmlands’ and enjoyed a morning tea and barbecue lunch and lots of country hospitality.

After experiencing such a wonderful weekend with our country brethren and their ladies we hope to plan another trip to the country next year.

46

Lodge Rudyard Kipling 143

FREUDENSTEIN, Francis

ROBSON, Thomas Lodge Hurlstone Park United 288 Lodge St David & St John 180

The HIlls Lodge 1025

ELIAS, Jacob

MAYO, Neil

SMITHERS, John

The City of Newcastle Lodge 170

BROOKE, Raymond

FREEMASON JUNE 2017

ROBERTSON, Lynsay

Lodge Sir Joseph Banks 300 Lodge Liverpool 197 Lodge Artarmon United 285

DA Law Group LAWYERS

“We fight to win!” *Dion Accoto has been in the legal profession over 25 years*

Testimony: ‘Sometimes law can be a bit like a game of chess… and Dion Accoto is the undisputed Grandmaster.’

– Anthony William Charles, Co-Founder and Operations Director; hungryhouse.co.uk (Delivery Hero Group London)

‘Tactics, smarts, integrity and sheer brilliance. The people you go to when you need the very best.’

– idraft; Sydney, Australia

Sydney:

14th Floor, 309–321 Kent St Sydney NSW 2000 (02) 9299 7227

‘We were so lucky we had Dion on our side.’

– Paul S

Melbourne:

GF 430 Little Collins St Melbourne VIC 3000 (03) 9018 7788

www.dalaw.com.au email: dion@dalaw.com.au

Liability Limited by a Scheme Approved Under Professional Standards Legislation MARA#1572156 * Dion Accoto was admitted to legal practice in August 1999. He started work as a legal clerk in 1991.

JUNE 2017 FREEMASON

47