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.
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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.
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.
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Pretty in Pink!
It was also great to see our very own Grand Treasurer RW Bro Richard Collins put down the pen and head out to the Sydney Cricket Ground to support the Jane McGrath Breast Cancer Foundation. Richard and his associates (Including his daughter Francis) were all dressed in Pink to support the fundraiser. Richard wore a pink suit, a pink top hat, pink shoes, pink hair and a pink beard. This was noticed by television Channels 9, 7, and 10 and he was featured in the Daily Telegraph and the Sydney Morning Herald newspapers. During the day Richard was seen shooting the breeze with none other than Past Grand Master MW Bro Jamie Melville and other Freemasons who also attended and supported the fundraising event ... well done to you all! Over 5 million dollars was raised through the efforts of many Australians,
WHY WE LOVE THE PHANTOM R A CHRISTMAS STORY R WEARY DUNLOP
v53 n4 December 2021
Humility – Kindness – Generosity
and it was great to see NSW and ACT Freemasons on hand to support this very worthwhile charitable event. More on these, and other wonderful acts of kindness coming up in future editions of our Freemason magazine. Brethren, I look forward to seeing you at our March Communication; if you are unable to attend, it will be live streamed for your convenience. Please, stay safe and take care of yourselves, your family, and your friends. Humility – Kindness – Generosity Les Hicks Grand Master
We are starting off 2022 with some faceto-face seminars to introduce and familiarise brethren with various aspects of the iMIS Membership Database. These sessions will occur on 9, 10 and 15 February 2022 from 6:00 pm each evening at the Sydney Masonic Centre and tea and coffee will be provided. The main emphasis of 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. Public Website (www.masons.org.au). Everyone is welcome and any participants requiring extra help are welcome to stay after the presentation. Feel free to bring your portable device, but unfortunately power cannot be supplied due to limited resources. Please book for one of these training seminars in the EVENTS module of the Membership system. You will need to log in as a member to reach the EVENTS section. Plans are underway for more regional training in the near future.
Freemason, December – Out Now You should already have received your December edition of the Freemason magazine, which you can also view online at FreemasonNSW.com. In this issue: Why we love The Phantom; Masonic Studies; Remembrance Day 2021; Bourke fire damage; Oberon snow damage; Fires can’t destroy enthusiasm; Christmas traditions; Banned jewels; Grand Installation 2021; Teamwork in action; Famous mason; Improve your writing; Hot air in the lodge; A boat afraid of the water; plus all of the regular columns. What did you think of the magazine?
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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