Regional Roundup

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District 21 – Central Coast $26,600 for Central Coast kids

Freemasons on the Central Coast together with Central Coast Bulldogs presented cheques to Central Coast Kids In Need (CCKIN) and Save Our Kids From Suicide (SOKS), each for $8,300 on Friday 6 March at the Wallarah Bay Recreation Club.

This follows the successful fundraising event on Saturday 16 November 2019 attended by over 130 guests at the Wyong Leagues Club.

The event organised by Freemasons on the Central Coast together with Central Coast Bulldogs (Masters Team) and Gosford North Rotary raised $16,600 (including a contribution of $6,000 from the NSW & ACT Freemason Grand Charity, Masonicare) to support Central Coast Kids in Need (CCKIN) and Save Our Kids From Suicide (SOKS). In addition, the Freemasons on the Central Coast themselves presented a cheque of $5,000 to each of the recipients.

These are two well-known local charities and both provide an enormous contribution to the welfare of youth and their families on the Central Coast.

The event was hosted by well-known local radio personality, Sarah King. A live auction was conducted by local identity, Rod Amos with many items, including a variety of raffle prizes, being donated by generous donors. The Jamie Lindsay Band provided live music.

The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South NSW 1235

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The fundraising organising committee

During the evening, guests heard from a young couple who had been the beneficiaries of assistance from CCKIN following the premature birth of their child. CCKIN put them up in accommodation near the Prince of Wales Children’s Hospital during the entire period their baby was receiving intensive care. Distance limitations meant that Government Health Care financial assistance would not cover these costs.

Guests also heard from Gosford North Rotary about the work the SOKS program and Lifeline were providing to youth on the Central Coast in suicide prevention education.

The Committee was extremely grateful to the Wyong Leagues Club for providing the venue and assistance with artwork and programming.

In a postscript to the event, a young boy from the Coast who is receiving treatment for cancer donated a signed Socceroos Jersey as an auction item for the event. As it happened the Wyong Leagues Club made the successful bid of $500 for the Jersey. As the ultimate act of generosity, the club had the jersey framed and donated it back to the young boy. Following its success, the committee has agreed to host another event at the Wyong Leagues club on Saturday 12 September 2020.

Lodge Riverina Thompson No 104

L–R: RW Bro Laurie Walsh, Coral Martin, W Bro Phil Wilkinson.

Finley resident Coral Martin describes herself as a homebody, but a recent spate of falls left her virtually unable to leave her home due to pain and discomfort.

Her only aid was a walking stick … until the Finley-Jerilderie Freemasons came to her rescue.

They have loaned a second-hand scooter to the long-time local, who said she was dumbfounded at the generosity but glad to have some semblance of freedom back.

‘I had some falls, and I could not get up or walk properly,’ she said. ‘I still do have my car, but I have not been confident enough yet to get back into driving. I usually need a walking stick, but I have been house bound [since the fall]. With the scooter I will now be able to go out shopping, instead of relying on others to do it for me. I also have an interest in the garden and haven’t been able to get out there, but the scooter should make that easier too.’

Freemasons member W Bro Phil Wilkinson said that the group simply wanted to help ‘wherever we can. Coral had a need for the scooter, and we know the financial cost to purchase one of them, so we saw it as an opportunity to provide it to her free of charge,’ Phil said.

Finley woman thanks Freemasons

‘She is able to use it for as long as she needs and when the time comes that she is no longer in need of it, we will collect it back off her and then provide it to someone else in the community that may need it.’

While Freemasonry is not your traditional service group or charity, W Bro Wilkinson said its members have a passion for their community and assist where possible.

He said most members personally donate to assist local schools, provide scholarships and provide useful equipment like electrical scooters to those who might otherwise not be able to afford them.

W Bro Wilkinson encourages more people to learn about Freemasonry and get involved.

‘I think there are people who don’t understand who we are,’ he said.

‘We are a fellowship of men. The Free–masons give you a chance to try to better yourself and directly contribute back into the community.

‘Where Freemasons can help, we will.

‘We might be called Jerilderie-Finley, but we are open to new members from Berrigan, Tocumwal and Blighty.’

For more information call W Bro Wilkinson on 0427 102 923.

Lodge Cessnock No 252

Great publicity

Diligent effort and continual cooperation result in Freemasons Park in Cessnock.

Yes! Visual proof that community effort results in recognition. Well done Lodge Cessnock.

Lodge Leeton – Yanco No 313

96 and still going!

W Bro Ian Cameron is 96 years old. He was born on 14 December 1923, and was initiated on 13 August 1947, so he was 24 years old at that time and has now been a mason for 72 years.

He was initially a member of Lodge Barellan where he went through the Chair. When Lodge Barellan relinquished its charter in 2008, he joined Lodge Leeton – Yanco, and has been a member ever since. Ian cannot drive at night but his son Gordon who lives on the Victoria border has joined Leeton – Yanco so that he can bring his father to lodge every second month. Ian is still active in the lodge; he will stand in as Inner Guard or Deacon at a moment’s notice. His son Gordon is also an officer in the lodge serving as our Outer Guard.

Not the longest serving mason in NSW & ACT but certainly an example to the younger brethren!

Lodge Forster – Great Lakes United No 994

The rise of the dolphin

In March 2017 Forster – Great Lakes United was floundering as a daylight lodge and its secretary was struggling to put together an application for a building grant.

The lodge decided to change from a Monday daylight lodge to a Thursday evening lodge.

Some of the older members left as they could not drive at night, but by the same token we were able to retain our younger working brethren and in the process were able to Initiate three new members.

After two years we were able to confidently install a young Master Mason into the Chair with Master Masons in all progressive offices (bar one) for the next three years, something this lodge had never achieved. This left the lodge in good stead for a series of young Master Masons to be installed as Worshipful Master.

With the assistance of the Regional Building Officer, VW Bro Bill Krantzcke, a building application for a masonic building grant which the lodge had been struggling with for two years was approved by Grand Lodge.

Hiring documents were also prepared to protect the centre management from any litigation arising from the hall hire.

The renovations were a challenge, but thanks must go to our local contractors, Vision Kitchens, Choose Flooring, Hawken Electronics and Electrodry. Special thanks to Angelo Sanchez Sojo at Grand Lodge for his understanding and cooperation without which we would have been struggling and we thank him for his help as we do the Grand Lodge Board of Management for their approval of the funding. Together we were able to bring it all together and achieve an excellent result.

L–R: MW Bro Derek Robson AM, W Bro Jim Lakin and W Bro Andrew Kfoury

In finalizing the building grant, we now have a revamped Lodge South with a 130 inch drop down screen plus a fully renovated kitchen and, last but not least, documentation in place to protect the centre from any litigation from hirers.

I believe that we have left the lodge and masonic centre in a good position which will safeguard them into the future.

The Central Coast Lodge No 2001

A visitor welcomed

A visiting Freemason, W Bro Jim Lakin from the Worcester Lodge No 280 (UGLE) was welcomed by the GM, MW Bro Derek Robson AM, and his GStw W Bro Andrew Kfoury during his recent trip to Australia.

Lodge Canberra Unity No 465

The sixty year Cliff

In December, the Worshipful Master of Lodge Canberra Unity presented Bro Cliff Craigie with a certificate marking his impressive milestone of sixty years as a mason.

The most memorable moment of the afternoon was seeing Cliff’s face light up when he saw the motley bunch of his fellow masons walk through the front doors of the Fred Ward Gardens Nursing Home in Curtin.

‘I always try to include a visit to a NSW Lodge on every trip down under’ said W Bro Lakin, having previously visited Lodge Saratoga No 937 and other lodges on the Central Coast.

The gang celebrates Cliff’s 60th year

Lodge John Williams No 148

Celebrating the initiation of Bro Nickolai Kirpichnikov

At the March 2020 meeting of Lodge John Williams held at Kensington just prior to the COVID-19 social distancing regulations being invoked, the WM and his officers had the pleasure of initiating Mr (now Bro) Nickolai Kirpichnikov– in the presence of DGIW 37, VW Bro George Shenouda.

A last minute Initiation

The Jubilee Southern Highlands Daylight Lodge No 162

Southern Highlands service

RW Bro Trevor Fenton was installed into the Chair of King Solomon for the tenth time, and the eighth time in The Jubilee Southern Highlands Daylight Lodge, on 14 March at Moss Vale Masonic Centre. On his left is RW Bro Ted Griffiths who received his 75 year jewel, on his right is W Bro Bob Munn who received his 70 year jewel.

The Lodge’s Junior Deacon, Bro Anthony Spanakis, who owns a Greek restaurant, did a fine job both in his work in the lodge room and at the well attended festive board where he provided a sumptuous meal for the brethren.

L–R: W Bro Bob Munn, RW Bro Trevor Fenton and RW Bro Ted Griffiths

Order of the Amaranth

Charity in action

On 14 March our Grand Royal Matron HL Judith Prince presented cheques totalling $15,565 to Mr David Lester, Team Leader of Mission Australia Triple Care Farm at Robertson.

These were made up of: $5,565 from the Grand Court of New South Wales, $3,000 from Central Lakes Court No 20, $500 from North Sydney Court No 7, $65 from the Royal Matrons and Royal Patrons and $6,500 from Masonicare.

The Grand Court also presented a cheque for $500 with a cash donation of $1,250 to our Grand Secretary’s daughter, Mrs Catriona Cotterall, whose home was damaged in the bushfires at Conjola Park.

Grand Court also forwarded to Diabetes NSW and ACT a cheque for $600 raised by saving our five cent pieces, from numerous donations and from Mrs Helen Wright’s sales of knitted little bear book marks made from her own sheep’s wool.

Also a cheque for $500 was sent to Blue Haven Nursing Home in Kiama, where we held four very successful bingo days for the residents.

In all we donated a total of $17,165.

We thank each and every one, especially Masonicare, for their most generous support.

Presentation of cheques to Mr David Lester of Triple Care Farm

The Gosford Masonic Centre

Supporting NSW farmers

The Gosford Masonic Centre has been able to extend financial support to three farming communities in recent months.

In January, $5,000 was presented to the Walcha CWA by RW Bro Kevin Andrews and his wife. This was in addition to funds provided by Terrigal Trotters Running Group which was distributed by the CWA to those most in need. Among the recipients were Walcha Race Committee and a further five local businesses. Several letters of appreciation were received in addition to copies of articles of appreciation from the local newspaper and photos of the presentation. ...but wait, there’s more!

In February a further donation from the GMC of $10,000 was delivered by board member VW Bro John Rogers to the Bogan Gate community. John was accompanied by his wife for this long drive. Bogan Gate is a small village near Parkes with a population of 209. Bogan is derived from the local aboriginal word meaning “the birthplace of a noble headman of the local tribe”. The village lies in wheat and sheep growing country and is on the Sydney to Broken Hill rail line. The world-famous Indian Pacific still passes through the station four times a week on its way from Sydney to Perth and return. Mrs Ros Edwards of the Bogan Gate CWA, was willing to distribute the funds to those most in need, among them the local Hotel/Motel/General Store/ Garage and Take away Food Shop, which was due to close. They also have a public hall, school, Police Station and churches.

Some of the 100 packages sent to farmers in the Uralla district.

... and even more!

In February an additional $15,000 was made available to the Uralla District to be distributed by VW Bro Bill Andrews, a resident of the area. These funds were to purchase household goods, to be delivered to farming families who had been affected by the recent drought. Bill is a well-known mason, accountant and taxation consultant and he has the support of his wife Rae, to carry out this substantial packaging and distribution operation. Additional help was provided by four ladies from the district who undertook the packaging of the many items and vouchers, into bags for the 100 deliveries of $150 value each.

Mrs Jo Fletcher, the Manager of the Uralla Neighbourhood Centre identified families in the area who were in desperate need of assistance. The area which is all badly drought affected covers 9,497 square km.

Each delivery was accompanied by a note explaining that the goods were provided by funds from the Central Coast Freemasons, which showed a truly charitable masonic spirit. Many letters of appreciation were received and in some cases in-depth questions were raised about Freemasonry. All of the recipients were very glad to know that others had been thinking about them, in particular those who, it was thought, spent all of their time on the beach!

Lodge Thespian No 256 Thespian’s unique evening

At the regular February meeting of Lodge Thespian, an unusual event happened. A father and his two sons were initiated. This is indeed a very rare event. Raymond Younan and his sons James and Daniel took their first steps in Freemasonry by joining this unique lodge which has a proud history dating back to 1908.

To show how enthusiastic they are about joining the Craft they, along with Bro Luke Spickler, SW of Lodge Thespian, promptly visited Lodge Antiquity No 1 at the SMC where they completed their first degree by receiving an explanation of the First Tracing Board delivered by a member of both Thespian and Antiquity, Bro Paul Wilson.

Both James and Daniel are accomplished musicians so Thespian was the obvious lodge for them and they now join a long list of entertainers who have passed through the doors of Lodge Thespian over the past 112 years.

Raymond, James and Daniel Younan were initiated into Lodge Thespian on the same night.