Your Grand Charity

Brethren from throughout NSW and the ACT have combined to raise money for victims of the unprecedented flooding we have seen throughout the state.

These funds having been raised by our masonic community through the Grand Master’s Disaster Relief Fund, administered by Masonicare, and represent a significant first step in distributing the funds to the areas of greatest need.

The funds to assist the Northern Rivers communities have been distributed to several front­line, grass roots local charities.

Ballina Hot Meal Centre

BHMC is a privately funded, volunteer organisation, working out of the Ballina Masonic Centre, which provides up to 250 wholesome meals on Tuesdays and Fridays to homeless, elderly, sick and disabled people.

Donation $20,000

Healthy Minds Club

The Healthy Minds Club is a not­forprofit mental health organisation based in the Northern Rivers region. The charity raises awareness and provides funding for mental health issues and provides a range of free services to the Northern Rivers Community.

Donation $15,000 batyr batyr was launched in 2011, after the founder Sebastian Robertson experienced the frustration and isolation of living silently with mental ill­health while attending university. Sebastian recognised that it was time to hold honest conversations about mental health with young people and founded the organisation, naming it after batyr the talking elephant. (batyr means ‘hero’ in Turkic.)

Donation $15,000

Human Nature Adventure Therapy

Based in the Northern Rivers region, Human Nature Adventure Therapy works with young people aged 14 to 24 with experiences of complex trauma and significant health issues and offers in­depth mental health programs set in nature.

Donation $15,000

Northern Rivers Housing Pods

The Northern Rivers Housing Pod Project is vital for those families and individuals who have lost all. Currently there are many displaced people who will probably never be able to return to their homes because of the damage caused by the floods. The Pod project is giving some of the displaced assistance with a safe, dry place to live while they rebuild their lives.

Donation $25,000

Grand Master’s Disaster Relief Fund

In October 2022, Lodge Ballina United No 112 hosted a District 11 combined district meeting at the Ballina Masonic Centre.

In the presence of the Grand Master, MW Bro Les Hicks, supported by a substantial Grand Lodge delegation and a full room of brethren, the ceremony of the presentation of the Patent of Office of DGIW of District 11 was performed; VW Bro Joe Corrigan was presented with his Patent and Jewel of DGIW by retiring DGIW VW Bro Todd Shadbolt, who was himself then presented with his PDGIW Jewel and warmly thanked for his tireless service to the district.

The Lodge was called from labour to refreshment and a presentation ‘The Flight of the Winding Stair’ was delivered with the Grand Master in the Chair.

The Flight of the Winding Stair is a beautiful presentation that has been formed and perfected over many years. We thank RW Bro Don Pandes RGC 2 and his team for their hard work in continuing to evolve and present this interesting topic. (If you have an opportunity to witness it, do so, you will not be disappointed.)

Following the meeting, brethren joined their partners and guests who had travelled from all over the state to attend the celebratory banquet. RW Bro Colin Lee invited the Grand Master to present the cheques to the recipients of the Grand Master’s Disaster Relief Fund.

The recipients were overwhelmed by the donations and assured us that the funds would be put straight into community projects. Mrs Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor of Ballina praised the work of Masonicare and the brethren of District 11 and encouraged the brethren to continue this vital work.