Staying Connected
24 August 2022
GRAND MASTER’S NEWSLETTER
THIS ISSUE OF THE GRAND MASTER’S NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MASONICARE – PROUDLY HELPING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES
We’re ‘Kicking Goals’
Brethren: Welcome to my August 2022 Newsletter
F
irstly let me thank you for all that you are doing to assist the Flood victims.
Our Grand Master’s Disaster Relief Appeal is going well, and we will soon begin to distribute funds to DGR status charities that are out there working hard in the Lismore area. We will continue the Grand Master’s Disaster Relief Appeal until 1 December 2022, in order to provide similar assistance to those in the Sydney/Hunter Valley and surrounding areas. We are now ready to start distributing funds throughout the Northern Rivers area and those funds will be dispersed in wide-ranging ways, from hot meal centres, mental health providers, to possibly even providing kitchens for the 3-room pods that are being built to house
those who are stranded and homeless because of the floods. We will also set ourselves up to be ready and prepared for future disasters by funding a unique NSW Masonicare Disaster Relief mobile workstation in the form of a specially set up trailer that will be employed immediately whenever disaster strikes. The trailer will provide food, drink and other necessities direct to the front line. It will be staffed by masons, and it WILL make an ongoing, worthwhile difference. I congratulate the brethren who are working on this project. I commend their efforts and I am truly humbled by the generosity and kindness that is continually shown during these trying times. Thank you.
From a masonic perspective, the past few weeks have been particularly hectic, but I feel that we (the entire NSW masonic community) are really ‘kicking goals’. The Grand Ceremonial Team and I have attended some quality functions recently with a Raising at Lodge Jose Rizal, Installations at Lodges Oorana, Novacastria, Paxton, Namoi and Newcastle City, a wonderful ‘The Cedars Lodge’ charity function at Parliament House and a huge Centenary event out at Geurie for Lodge Alan Stuart. There were some very kind donations presented along the way and I sincerely thank all involved. We are also heading out to Broken Hill in September and would love to see you there.
The Grand Master’s Newsletter An official publication of the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT.
www.masons.org.au Freemasonsnswact
Please submit your articles and photographs to news@masons.org.au and ensure you have permission from all depicted for their image to be published in United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT publications.
279 Castlereagh Street Sydney PO Box A259 Sydney South NSW 1235 T 02 9284 2800 • F 02 9284 2828
It is inspiring to see Freemasons out there doing what they do best, working in and supporting their local communities – From firewood raffles at Glen Innes and Harden to Parliament House functions in Sydney we ARE making a difference!
We have also been able to give some of our time to supporting our Associated Orders with the Holy Royal Arch, the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, the Order of the Secret Monitor, the Royal Order of Scotland and the Order of the Eastern Star all hosting significant events. It is great to see Freemasonry back in action again!
Grand Proclamation Our Grand Proclamation will be held on Wednesday 14 September immediately following the Grand Communication.
W
hile it is not my intention to make a big fuss, but rather to just get on with the job, it is also important to acknowledge those who are now stepping up and those who have served this Grand Lodge with much dedication and distinction. The programme will commence with the Grand Communication at 6pm and then be opened up for ladies and guests to witness the Grand Proclamation shortly afterwards. This will be followed by a banquet at the Sydney Masonic Centre for all who are able to attend. Bookings can be made via the Grand Lodge website and ladies and guests are especially invited. The United Grand Lodge of Queensland recently held their Grand Installation and this was the first opportunity since 2019 for brethren from all Australian states and
YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARDS R WHO WAS SCOTT FELL? R KNIGHTLY ORDERS
v54 n3 September 2022
Humility – Kindness – Generosity
New Zealand to come together as friends to support our brothers from another state. It was a busy weekend culminating with the Grand Installation on Saturday 2 July. I was honoured to have the privilege of leading a very large delegation of NSW & ACT masons into the Queensland Grand Hall. We had brethren in attendance from Sydney, the ACT, NSW South Coast, NSW Central Coast, Moree and many other areas and I thank all those who were in attendance. Brethren this was a proud day for NSW and ACT Freemasonry! Please, stay safe and take care of yourselves, your family and your friends. Les Hicks Grand Master
Live Streaming Reminder
L
ive streaming of our Grand Communication and Grand Proclamation will take place as normal and I encourage all members who cannot attend in person to organise a night at your masonic centre to watch the event. REMEMBER: For those who cannot get to lodge due to sickness or injury, the event can now be watched live at your home on your PC or television and, if you know someone who can’t get to lodge, please assist them in getting set up to watch the event. We want you ALL to be a part of it.
Humility – Kindness – Generosity
Freemason, September Edition If you haven’t already, you will shortly receive your September edition of Freemason magazine, which can also be viewed at FreemasonNSW.com. In this issue: Action on dementia, The choice I made, Community Service Award, Masonic engagement, OES funds nurses, Look after yourself, Beyond the Craft, Lodge Jerusalem plus much more.
Dementia
awareness
Your Freemason magazine is always looking for interesting articles, masonic news, letters to the editor as well as comments about the magazine. Have your say by emailing freemason@masons.org.au.
New edition coming soon
The Grand Master’s Newsletter An official publication of the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT.
www.masons.org.au Freemasonsnswact
Please submit your articles and photographs to news@masons.org.au and please ensure you have permission from all mentioned and depicted for their image to be publicly published.
279 Castlereagh Street Sydney PO Box A259 Sydney South NSW 1235 T 02 9284 2800 • F 02 9284 2828