1 minute read
Double Lewises at Wahroonga
What constitutes a great night for Freemasonry? Most would agree that the presence of the Grand Master would be a prerequisite; some would say a new brother being brought forward from the ignorant depths of darkness and even better if the new brother were a Lewis.
Lodge Wahroonga’s October 2022 meeting will long be remembered as such a night. The Grand Master was accompanied by 26 Grand Lodge officers including the Deputy Grand Master RW Bro Khris Albano, the Assistant Grand Master RW Bro Paul Schultz, the RGC VW Bro Don Pandes, the DGIW VW Bro Peter Goodridge and the GDC RW Bro Troy Gara as well as other members of the Grand Ceremonial Team. (This made the toasts in the South quite complex.) The lodge room was filled with visitors from numerous lodges including Barham 561, The Hills Lodge 1025, Harold Herman Unity 428, Balmain 23 and Lodge KuRing Gai 1033.
Breaking news!
Masonicare and The Wahroonga Foundation have combined to provide additional scholarships to primary or secondary children in New South Wales or the ACT, who live in a declared flood disaster area and who have suffered losses as a result of flooding. The scholarships will be provided by the Foundation in conjunction with Masonicare.
The Foundation hopes that the additional scholarships will provide a benefit to school students, local businesses, and Freemasonry in general.
Amid such illustrious company the occasion was truly exceptional as the work was a double initiation of two brothers, both Lewises, the sons of Lodge Wahroonga’s IPM and Secretary, W Bro Rob Chapman GStwd. The candidates: Josiah Chapman (twentytwo) and Daniel Chapman (nineteen) were initiated in due form and the quality of the ritual was a tribute to the many hours of rehearsal and practice. The Grand Master clearly enjoyed the proceedings while the Grand Ceremonial team also enjoyed the opportunity to be simple spectators. W Bro Chapman acted as Junior Deacon and kept his proud paternal emotions under control but welcomed his new brothers to the Craft with a proud handshake – and a bear hug!
The Grand Master in addressing the eight entered apprentices and two fellowcrafts spoke of the future of Freemasonry being on a precipice, and the need to attract fine young men to the Craft but more so to retain them in the Craft.
The evening concluded with a festive board in the presence of ladies and friends. The fraternal fellowship and merriment capped off the excellence of the Lodge’s work. It was a great night to welcome two young men who are now part of the future of Freemasonry.
