Vale MW Bro Tony Lauer

The death of any brother diminishes us all, but the death of a Past Grand Master also generates a wave of memories that although they may fade with time will serve to illustrate the man and the mason.

MW Bro Lauer was initiated, passed and raised by Lodge Nepean No 29 in 1960 and installed as Worshipful Master in 1970. He resigned in 1981, re­joined in 1997 and remained active in the lodge for the remainder of his life.

He affiliated with The Sydney Lodge 1020 in 2002 and remained a member until 2015.

He was a Foundation Member of Lodges Germania 1036 (2008) and Oorana 1053 (2016) and remained a member of both lodges until his death.

His Grand Lodge service began in 1998 when he was appointed District Grand Inspector of Workings and culminated in 2002 when he was elected Grand Master.

At Tony’s funeral, his daughter Debbie Thornhill said that her father had a passion for the Police Force. He joined the police motorcycles at Penrith in 1955 and it soon became his life, with his love for bikes later leading him to become a member of both the Blue Liners and Ulysses bike groups.

He was elevated to NSW Police Commissioner in 1991, holding the position for five years. He was also appointed President of the NSW Police Association and Chairman of the Police Bank.

Tony believed that you never stop learning. He studied criminology at University as a mature age student, and studied with the FBI in Virginia in the United States.

MW Bro Lauer was born in Newcastle on 19 December 1935. He moved to Springwood in the late thirties, and after living in a number of Sydney western suburbs, the family finally settled in Glenmore Park.

Tony and his wife Joy had four children (Tony, Debbie, Rodney and Tanya), 15 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. After 67 years of marriage, his beloved Joy passed away in April 2022.

Tony died of pulmonary arterial hypertension. His family were with him as he passed away peacefully at home on 30 November 2022.

A Final Farewell

13 December 2022

A large crowd of family, friends and colleagues completely filled Grace West Anglican Church in Glenmore Park to farewell MW Bro Anthony ‘Tony’ Raymond Lauer PGM. Outside and around the church police officers of all ranks – mounted and motorcycles included – stood in tribute while the service was conducted.

Amongst those attending were dignitaries from state and local governments, as well as representatives of the RSL and numerous other organisations that Tony had been associated with. A good number of masons were also seated in the crowd – notably the Grand Master MW Bro Les Hicks, accompanied by four past Grand Masters, namely MW Bro Derek Robson, MW Bro James Melville, MW Bro Dr Greg Levenston and MW Bro Ron Johnson. The

Chairman of Masonicare, RW Bro Andrew Fraser, was also in attendance, as well as many other Grand Lodge Officers and brethren.

There were many moving speakers at the service. Eulogies were delivered by Tony’s daughter Deb Thornhill, as well as retired Police Commissioner Ken

MW Bro Anthony

Raymond Lauer APM, PGM (19 December 1935 –30 November 2022)

Grand Master of The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT (2002–2005)

18th New South Wales Police Commissioner (13 March 1991 –19 September 1996)

Recipient of Australian Police Medal (1990)

Maroney. A valediction was given by NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, and a lovely poem Live a Life That Matters was read by Tony’s granddaughters Melinda and Lyndall. The final tribute was given by the RSL, recognising Tony’s time in the military.

During the speeches, Tony was remembered for being ‘a doer and a leader’ who was always striving to improve the lives and standards of police officers. He always believed that people – no matter how humble their beginnings – should aim high in life.

After the service, Tony was honoured by a procession of over 200 officers accompanying the hearse, marching to a slow lament played by the NSW Police Band, whilst many other officers lined the street and stood to silent attention, giving him a final salute as the white hearse passed.

A beautiful and fitting farewell to someone who gave so much.

The funeral service can be watched on YouTube ( https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=A_kMfWII8k4).