Quarterly Communication
By MW Bro Derek Robson AM
MARCH COMMUNICATION For the first time, using the combination of city and regional centres, we now have the largest group of Freemasons ever to assemble for a Quarterly Communication in our Jurisdiction.
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mportantly, we have been able to achieve this in spite of still being under some very stringent COVID–19 protocols; building managements have had to take quite deliberate precautions identified under our positive Stage One, Two and Three preparations. I thank all of you for respecting the need for us to take these safeguards in our meetings and meeting places, and I think we can
all appreciate that these protocols will be part of our operating practices for some time to come. That Freemasonry is meeting at all after such a disruptive past year is amazing, and I take this opportunity to thank all those who have dutifully followed our guidelines and the pathway we offered out of these most difficult of times. Brethren, the resilience of the Craft is obvious, and as I have continued my involvement with lodges as they have reinvented themselves, and seen just what you have achieved, I have nothing but praise for you all.
OUR NEXT
COMMUNICATION The Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication will be held at the Sydney Masonic Centre on Wednesday 9 June 2021 starting at 7.30pm. The Communication is open to all members of Grand Lodge, which includes all Master Masons. The Grand Master extends an invitation to all other brethren to attend as observers. A live video stream of the Communication will be shown at a number of regional Masonic Centres.
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June 2021
The COVID-19 shutdown has offered us other opportunities. The Board of Management has progressed the ongoing program of much-needed building maintenance and upkeep, and by making use of the Grand Treasurer’s innovative Loans and Grants scheme, so well supported by the Finance and Audit Committee, many of you will benefit from the marked improvement in the condition of our masonic meeting places. Your masonic centre’s management committee can now offer far superior options for your lodge work and social activity than was previously on offer. As I said in my last December Communication address, some of these improvements have involved major reconstruction, and they have certainly echoed the sentiments of all levels of
government when they have highlighted how important it is to introduce infrastructure improvements as a means of creating jobs and economic activity across our regions. To have the steady stream of local tradespeople and masonic supervision working in and around the more than eighty masonic centres we are responsible for gives an enormous boost to many communities. It does instil hope. It creates opportunities – and it certainly presents Freemasonry in a good light. Importantly, any improvements have always been mindful of reducing our carbon footprint; every attempt has been made to improve our air circulation, more efficiently power the facilities with solar technology, and generally allow us to utilise more modern and appropriate structural treatments and cosmetic finishes. With regard to our Grand Charity, it is obvious that lodges have not been able to promote themselves within their communities in the past year, and it follows that there has not been the opportunity for you to attract support from our Masonicare Interaction Grants. Our deliberate effort toward offering building improvement activity has been a very effective way to continue our community association during this past year, and as lodges ramp up their own enthusiasm, we now look forward to you again promoting Masonicare as an important and very useful tool in keeping contact with local community. Here in the Sydney Masonic Centre too we have seen some innovative improvements to how conferences and seminars can be conducted. Using the state-of-the-art studio now installed on Level 4, the Sydney Masonic Centre is
Integrity – Loyalty – Respect Freemason
