Staying Connected
24 March 2022
GRAND MASTER’S NEWSLETTER
THIS ISSUE OF THE GRAND MASTER’S NEWSLETTER BOUGHT TO YOU BY MASONICARE – PROUDLY HELPING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES
A flood of Masonic Support
Outside the Lismore Masonic Centre
Our first view of Lismore
Welcome to the March/April 2022 edition of the Grand Master’s Newsletter.
B
rethren: Homes, families, businesses, and livelihoods up and down the eastern seaboard have been decimated by the recent floods and now that the weather has improved, these communities are left to pick up the pieces and rebuild. As masons, when our communities face their hour of need, we are driven to be there, doing what we can to support. Recently I visited some of the flood ravaged parts of Northern NSW and to say it was a heartbreaking experience would be an understatement.
As you will see there is much to do before anything (or anyone) gets back to normal, and we hope that the funds raised through the Grand Master’s Disaster Relief Fund Appeal will assist those that are most in need. Donations can be made by clicking here, going to the home page on our website or cheques can be sent to the Grand Secretary’s office.
This short video may provide some clarity as to the sad situation that these incredibly resilient people now find themselves in.
Brethren, these communities need our help NOW. If you can, please contribute to the recovery of these communities by following this link. All donations over $2 are tax deductable and no amount is too big or small. It is planned for all moneys raised to be quickly given to the smaller, local charitable groups with DGR status that are working tirelessly on the front line providing, food, shelter and resources to those that need it most. Our own Lismore Masonic Centre was also heavily impacted by flood water and, now that the waters have receded, the Board of Management is already taking the necessary steps to assist the Northern Rivers Lodge with their recovery.
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
Data Base Training Course Brethren by now you will be aware that we have been working hard to bring our organisation up to speed with new administrative technology.
A
t the March 2022 Grand Communication, the Grand Treasurer outlined the benefits being gained in time, goods, and other administrative costs. The results were there for all to see when he was able to provide a small, but important decrease in our capitation fees for the first time in living memory. There is no doubt this is great news, but we must understand that if we really are serious about growing our membership and reining in our costs, we must all be prepared to take some personal responsibility in order to achieve long lasting and sustainable results. The time has now come to use the new technology that is available and for the past cumbersome practices to cease. In order to assist those that may be unaware of the changes or having issues with the new technology, face-to-face training and information seminars aimed at introducing and familiarising brethren with various aspects of the newly revised membership database will soon take place at the following venues. ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Sydney Masonic Centre Canberra Masonic Centre Bega Masonic Centre Moruya Masonic Centre Nowra Masonic Centre Wagga Wagga Masonic Centre Dubbo Masonic Centre Bathurst Masonic Centre Campbelltown Masonic Centre Grafton Masonic Centre Coffs Harbour Masonic Centre Newcastle Masonic Centre
These sessions will cover: 1.
Grand Master’s Representatives Requests
2.
Executive Officers return
3.
Lodge Trustees return
4.
Improved Lodge Monthly Return (LMR)
5.
New public website (www.masons.org.au) and
6.
Updates for Lodge Secretaries.
Our new public website
Everyone is welcome and any participants requiring extra help are welcome to stay after the presentation. Feel free to bring your own portable device. The dates for these events will soon be published and once they have been set, you can book your place by going to the EVENTS module in the Membership system. You will need to log in as a member to reach the EVENTS section. I encourage all Entered Apprentice Freemasons and above to attend. Being a mason is not just about ritual. We all have different interests and roles to play, and I encourage you all to take a look at what is happening behind the scenes and to get involved in steering us toward the future.
Please, stay safe and take care of yourselves, your family, and your friends. Humility – Kindness – Generosity Les Hicks Grand Master
Freemason, March – Out Now You should already have received your March edition of the Freemason magazine, which you can also view online at FreemasonNSW.com. In this issue: Wisdom, Strength and Beauty; The new Initiates Welcome Pack; Lorna Milgate Scholarship Fund; Famous Mason – William Dymock; Like drops of water; The Bright Morning Star – Part 1; Generosity in action; A community dinner; Beyond the Craft; Knee replacements; Young Mason; Raising positive community awareness; plus more... plus all of the regular columns. What did you think of the magazine? 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.
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