Staying Connected
2 February 2022
GRAND MASTER’S NEWSLETTER
A post COVID future Welcome to the February 2022 edition of the Grand Master’s Newsletter.
B
rethren: Over the past two years up here at Tweed Heads, we have had no less than 61 rule changes with regards to our border closures and restrictions and now, finally, the border has come down. To some extent, it is now business as usual, but we are all still in new territory with the COVID19 Omicron variant running rampant not just here but through all our communities. Both city and country have been through much over the past few years and now is not the time to become complacent. I urge you all to follow the rules laid down by both Federal and State governments and take heed of the emails sent out by the Grand Secretariat. Be sure to selfisolate if you are displaying even the slightest of symptoms and, be assured that if COVID-19 creates the need for your lodge to change meeting dates, times, or venues, we will be happy to provide the appropriate dispensation. I just ask that you notify both the Grand Secretary and your RGC of those changes and make the usual application for dispensation.
With the Omicron variant being so contagious, there is no doubt that some meetings will need to be re-scheduled or postponed; we’ve done it before, and we can do it again. Let me assure you, however, that your Board of Management, Grand Charity Board, Finance and Audit, Editorial Committee, Executive Council, Grand Registrars committee and others will (one way or another) continue to work hard for this jurisdiction. Face to face or by electronic means we can and will provide the guidance and leadership that is expected of us. I congratulate you all for the way you have dealt with past and present challenges, and I thank the members of all our Boards and Committees for their amazing support during these difficult times. Moving forward, your lodge and building owners may consider permanently adopting some of the stringent safety measures that we have all been using over the past two years. Strategically placed hand sanitising stations, adequate social distancing and masks are all ways of limiting not just COVID-19 but could also be effective in limiting the flu and other common cold type viruses. These simple safety measures could serve us well as we move into what will hopefully be a post COVID future.
Charity and Kindness never takes a break Charity takes many forms – giving, helping, supporting, even just being a shoulder to lean on. Over the holiday break, while our lodges have been in recess, we have seen some great charity work carried out by our members. As an example, Lodge Oorana No 1053 set about raising funds by running several raffles, market days and a backyard BBQ & wine-tasting function that was well supported by lodge members, partners, friends, and members of the community. With the assistance of a Masonicare Interaction Grant, this resulted in a $6,000 donation to the Police Post Trauma Support Group. The cheque will be officially presented to the group on Friday 4 March.
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