Staying Connected
28 October 2022
GRAND MASTER’S NEWSLETTER
THIS ISSUE OF THE GRAND MASTER’S NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MASONICARE – PROUDLY HELPING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Disaster Relief
Brethren: Welcome to my October 2022 Newsletter
R
ecently I attended a district meeting for district 11 up at Ballina, northern NSW, where I was honoured to distribute almost $95,000 among some very worthy local front-line charities. I thank all those that have worked so hard to assist in the various fundraising activities – this has made our Disaster Relief fund a great success. I must also recognise the hard work done by our Deputy Grand Master, our Assistant Grand Master and our ceremonial team who put on a wonderful display of ritual and friendship in front of many members of the jurisdiction and the local Lismore community. This was an outstanding way to begin handing out some much-needed funds to a community that is in great distress, and I am in awe of all who have assisted.
I also thank MasoniCare for their hard work and assistance – they are helping us pull this all together as we continue to distribute much needed funds throughout the jurisdiction. This is not a simple process. As the Disaster Relief funds are going to smaller front-line charities there are many checks and balances that need to be done in order to ensure that we are not risking our charitable status by giving to non-compliant entities and I sincerely thank the MasoniCare team for all their assistance. This will help people on the north coast with food, shelter, and access to mental health assistance. Brethren, well done, there is more to come, and thanks to your generosity we will continue to distribute funds in other areas throughout the jurisdiction that have been touched by these disastrous floods.
The Grand Master’s Disaster Relief Fund will close on 1 December, with fund distribution continuing into the New Year.
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
The Traveling Team
R
ecently the ceremonial team and I have had the absolute pleasure of visiting the brethren in many districts throughout the jurisdiction. As the team and I move across the jurisdiction, excitement, spirit and enthusiasm are a constant throughout all my visitations. From Sydney to Broken Hill and from Tweed Heads to Bulli down on the south coast, the message is the same, we are all so glad to be back.
To see an installation out at Silverton, which happens to have the smallest and most remote free-standing Masonic building in this country, attract so many visitors was truly inspiring. As the first Grand Master to sit in this building for an Installation in over 116 years it was a very special and humbling occasion for everyone involved. It was also wonderful to have the company of the Grand Master of South Australia and the Northern Territory, MW Bro David Booker on this very special occasion.
We also attended the installation of the Royal Empire Lodge No 613, where we had a table of 12 prospective candidates join us for a very enjoyable south. As we travel across the jurisdiction, we are also noticing a considerable rise in the number of entered apprentices and Fellowcraft Freemasons joining our meetings; at my recent visit to Lodge Galileo there were over 10 in attendance. Brethren, I can truly say we are now beyond “welcome back”, we ARE back, but please remember that COVID will be with us for years to come and while we must learn to live with it, we MUST also continue to take the usual, important precautions. Please take care, enjoy your Freemasonry and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Les Hicks Grand Master Humility – Kindness – Generosity
YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARDS R WHO WAS SCOTT FELL? R KNIGHTLY ORDERS
v54 n3 September 2022
Humility – Kindness – Generosity
Freemason, September Edition You will have received your September edition of Freemason magazine, which can also be viewed online 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.
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