Grand Master's Newsletter – 8 September 2021

Staying Connected

8 September 2021

GRAND MASTER’S NEWSLETTER

Bourke Fire As you are now probably aware, our brothers at Lodge Central Australia 88 (Bourke) have been the victims of a fire that has completely destroyed their meeting place and all its contents.

The devastating fire destroyed the old RSL meetings rooms, now called ‘Diggers on the Darling’, and all of the priceless original memorabilia relating to the service of ex-servicemen and women from the country veterans in and around Central Australia, and of course the lodge meeting rooms.

Since the fire I have been in regular contact with the Chairman of the Board and Grand Master Elect, RW Bro Les Hicks, Chairman Operations, RW Bro John Jacobson, the Past DGIW and member of Central Australia, RW Bro Dr Rob Finlay, and the Grand Treasurer, RW Bro Richard Collins, with the view to return Lodge Central Australia to some normality as soon as possible.

There is no doubt that a Lodge in this circumstance would have feelings of total loss, and it is important that we were in touch as early as possible to restore some confidence to the members.

It is on the record that in our various conversations, we have already identified furniture replacement and also fittings such as the tessellated pavement and the tracing board, which will be of enormous benefit to the Lodge. Also, you need to be aware that the Queensland Grand Lodge has also offered to assist where necessary to replace the lodge fittings and we thank them for their kind gesture.

I note that the Grand Lodge also will be able to help, and certainly as I have mentioned over the past three years, there have been a large number of old Volumes of the Sacred Law available for

distribution from the Grand Lodge Library, courtesy of the past Grand Lodge Librarian. There are other items too, but these are under the control of the Museum of Freemasonry and will require management and permissions by the Deputy Grand Secretary.

Importantly, this is a major masonic event, and it should be managed overall by the Board of Management (BOM). The BOM manages the operation of all our lodges, contributes to the overall governance and safe working practices within our lodges, and is the appropriate body as it has specific and identified funding to cover these emergencies.

May I suggest that, until an appropriate venue is identified as a regular meeting place, we hold back from any collecting of furniture and the like until an accurate assessment of need can be established by the BOM. I am aware that the lodge has been considering a move from their old ‘Diggers on the Darling’ venue, for some time, but as often happens in Freemasonry, procrastination takes time. I understand that, for at least the short term, the lodge might consider utilising the local CWA rooms until they can identify an appropriate alternative.

For now, we should concentrate on the well-being of the lodge members. The lodge was shortly due to be holding their Installation and I know that they, and many visitors, including the Grand Master, were looking forward to coming together on this occasion. The stalwart of the

Lodge, RW Bro Neville Simpson, is due to qualify for his 70-year jewel on 17 September and that too was to be a significant milestone and celebration for the Lodge (and for his wonderful wife, Pam). It is important that we keep all of our personal friendships in mind and make some contact with each other to ensure that the Tenets and Principles of the Craft are not lost. We are ‘all of one company’ and we all need support from time to time.

I thank everyone for their kind thoughts in offering assistance, and simply ask that you hold back at this stage until the BOM has finalised their plan to reinvent this most important lodge – Lodge Central Australia 88.

Yours Fraternally Derek Robson AM Grand Master

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

From the Board of Management Buildings

Benefits

The Board of Management is still working remotely during the lockdown and is pleased to report that we are still moving ahead with our building upgrades.

Macksville Masonic Centre is now finished, and the brethren are really looking forward to a much-anticipated return to regular lodge meetings once the current restrictions are lifted. Likewise, the Queanbeyan Masonic Centre upgrade is almost finished and, as the photos clearly demonstrate, this building’s presence will shine a light on the town of Queanbeyan for many years to come. This has been done in many other towns where Freemasonry has re-invented itself, provided an opportunity for local community groups to rent floorspace and has given local lodges a vehicle to help grow their membership.

There are many benefits associated with the revised electronic system and I am sure that, in the future, we will all benefit in some way. It is important to note that our personal information is now available to us on our secure online profile page, but we need to remember that the system is only as good as the information it is given.

Congratulations to all involved, our buildings set a shining example on what can be done when we all work together.

Administration Our IMIS revision is now well underway.

Over the coming weeks we will see our Executive Officers Returns, Grand Master’s Representative Request forms and our Building information and Loan Request documentation all go electronic. We expect that this will cut much time from the previous manual operation and provide the lodges and brethren with a more responsive, efficient, and workable system. With each new enhancement, professionally produced tutorial videos and written documentation will be made available to ensure a smooth transition for all concerned.

PHONOGRAPHY R TRAVEL IN THE TIME OF COVID R GUYOT BOOKPLATES, PART II

v54 n3 September 2021

Integrity – Loyalty – Respect

How does it work Initially, all the information is generated and dispersed through the system by way of the electronic LMR (Lodge Monthly Return) that is submitted online by your lodge secretary each month, I thank our lodge secretaries for their assistance and support in embracing the modern version of Lodge Monthly Return submissions. By lodging the LMRs online it provides the ultimate support to your lodge membership.

The Board of Management thanks you for your support and we look forward to the future with anticipation.

Les Hicks Chairman BOM Grand Master Elect

As the information is dispersed through the system it automatically updates each member’s history and anything else that is needed to ensure that, from a Board of Management and administrative perspective, we can provide the best possible support to the jurisdiction. As with any change in business or administration structure it can take a little time to bed in and regular updates will be ongoing. I am confident that we will all reap the many benefits associated with our newly revised system which has already attracted the attention of a sister constitution.

We are leading the way brethren!

Freemason, September – Out Now You should already have received your September edition of the Freemason magazine, which you can also view online at FreemasonNSW.com. In this issue: Masons and the Catholic Church, A world of rainbows, Phonography, Scams on the rise, Travel in the time of COVID, Ex Libris part II, A look at a bookplate, The rite business, Tracking the origin of honey, The importance of lodge, The way ahead, plus all of the regular columns.

What did you think of the magazine?

Masons and the Catholic

Church

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