Freemason NSW & ACT March 2018

GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR R MASONIC KNOTS R TERCENTENERY

v50 n1 March 2018

The friendly

Games

Contents

The Official Journal of The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons

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12

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This issue of the Freemason is produced under the direction of:

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Editor & Chairman: RW Bro Ted Simmons OAM Committee: RW Bro Graham Maltby (Secretary), Dr Yvonne McIntyre, VW Bro Andre Fettermann, RW Bro Craig Pearce, RW Bro Richard Dawes, W Bro Stephen Dally, W Bro Steve Lourey, Bro Simon Pierce Design & Production: Bro Simon Pierce, Megan Baumann and Pam Gill

24 •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

Freemason is published in March, June, September and December. Deadline for copy is 1st of the month preceding month of issue.

Editorial 3 Quarterly Communication

4

Masonic thinking

6

Corporal Allan Stuart

8

From the Grand Chaplain

10

Associated Orders

11

Tercentenary 12 The Grand Secretary’s desk

14

Famous Mason

16

The missing Lewis

18

Australia Day Honours

19

Letters to the Editor

19

•• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

All matters for publication in the journal should be addressed to:

Australian arts

20

The friendly games

24

Masonic knots

28

Masonicare 30 2017 Whiddon Group awards

32

The Golden Triangle

36

Regional Roundup

39

Initiates 44 Crossword 45 Service Certificates

46

A fishy idea

46

Tercentenary celebrations

48

The Secretary Freemason Editorial Committee The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South, NSW 1235 Telephone: (02) 9284 2800 Email: freemason@masons.org.au Published articles do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT. Advertising enquiries should be addressed to: Bro Simon Pierce APM Graphics Management 16 Springwood Street, Blackwall, NSW 2256 Telephone: (02) 4344 5133 Email: freemason@apmgraphics.com.au Freemason is proudly designed and produced

by APM Graphics Management 16 Springwood Street, Blackwall NSW 2256 Printed by PMP Limited

INCLUDED WITH THIS ISSUE: RFBI Charity Envelope – see advertisement on page 47

Distributed to all NSW & ACT brethren and sister Grand Lodges in Australia and Worldwide.

2

EDITORIAL POLICY

Aims of the Freemason magazine Photo courtesy of Gold Coast 2018

COVER IMAGE:

O

Borobi, mascot of the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Baton Relay Commencement Ceremony.

Electronic versions of FREEMASON can be viewed or downloaded at www.masons.org.au

RR To uphold and promote those values, morals and virtues which Freemasonry believes are universal and enduring.

RR To foster a better understanding of Free­masonry within the general community.

RR To provide a forum for discussion on masonic issues.

RR To publicise the charitable works of Free­masonry.

RR To provide articles of interest and education and to disseminate masonic news and views.

RR To recognise masons who make significant contributions to the Craft and the wider community.

March 2018

ISSN 1836-0475 or ISSN 1836-0513 (Online) Print Post Approved 100007316 © 2018 Copyright: It should be noted that copyright for all text, photographs and illustrations (except where otherwise indicated) rests worldwide with Freemason.

INDEMNITY: It is the responsibility of the advertiser to ensure that advertisements comply with the Trade Practices Act 1974 as amended. All advertisements are accepted for publication on the condition that the advertiser indemnify the publisher and its servants against all actions, suits, claims, loss and/or damages resulting from anything published on behalf of the advertiser.

Freemason

Editorial

By RW Bro Ted Simmons OAM

Giving your best Now that we’ve got the New Year holidays out of the way and settled back into a normal routine, may I ask what plans you have for the rest of the year?

W

ere there any inclusions in your New Year prom­ ises that will take you out of your comfort zone and, for example, look at giving help or assis­ tance to people in need? Many people seem to believe that once they have sent cards or make calls, their duty is done.

But the need for help never goes away and nothing else can equal or better the feeling that you have done something right and good.

It reminds me of when I joined Freemasonry and was asked what I expected to gain from it. My thoughts were not on material benefit but looking at gaining friendship, learning and satis­ fying my curiosity. The inquiring mind is an active mind. It is not closed, it is not prejudiced, it is open to all of the input that can be received.

There are many different methods by which a member can be of service and value to his lodge, the Craft, the

BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA • THE BLUE MOUNTAINS • EXTEND AN INVITATION

v49 n3 – SEPTEMBER 2017

v50 n1 Marc

GENERAL

KNOTS

NTENE R TERCE

h 2018 THE CHRISTMAS

RY

STORY R WHO WAS JACKSON?

England

Celebrates!

WWW.MASONS.ORG.AU

WWW.MASONS.ORG.AU

R THE (K)NOTS OF FREEMASONRY

v49 n4 December

2017

Panama Canal

Sydn

ey’s Games Sandstone ly The friend

Every member can put something into his masonic career which is distinc­ tive and entirely his own. Each member has an individual talent – helping a new member settle in, making a shy member more at ease, giving quiet advice to younger and less experienced people who may be struggling to fit in.

This is not restricted to the lodge room or the supper but extends to the wider world where masonic principles and charity take pride of place. Elderly and disabled people need someone to talk to, especially those in aged care, and that is where the talent of someone who can tell stories, can paint or draw and provide entertainment produces the best of what we seek to achieve as masons.

And there are the other hidden talents – the member who can repair when parts of the building require fixing, the painters, plumbers, electri­ cians who offer their services. Also think of the quiet achievers who do not seek fame but work with Caring officers in visiting, assisting, giving comfort when needed and making sure that those suffering are not forgotten. The look of gratitude on the face of someone we help is a memory to keep for life.

When each member has realised and put to use his own particular talent, it is then discovered that each of these members is a worthy person – inside and outside the lodge.

So try to work on your promises, even a little at a time can do wonders. The overall message for the rest of the year is simple – always give of your best.

V49 N2 – JUNE 2017

SATCHMO • LODGE RICHARD COLEY REMEMBER SINGAPORE • THE GREAT

www.masons.org.au NIC R MASO MACARTHUR DOUGLAS

community and the disadvantaged.

Some members can speak well and make it easier for others to understand and follow. Others can research and write well, providing interesting talks on multiple subjects.

Get your own!

Are you borrowing someone else’s copy of the Freemason?

Did you know that you can receive your very own copies delivered to your door without being a mason?

For only $21 (or $26 overseas) per year, enjoy a four-issue subscription – just get in touch with the Secretary of the Freemason magazine by calling (02) 9284 2800 or by emailing freemason@masons.org.au.

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March 2018

3

Quarterly Communication

DECEMBER COMMUNICATION The Grand Master, MW Bro Jamie Melville told the December Quarterly Communication that it was hard to believe that three months had passed since the Taree Communication and Proclamation.

‘T

he time has certainly flown as I have been travelling throughout the jurisdiction.

With a strong focus on regional travel, the reception has always been special for Yuana and me,’ he said.

‘One of the biggest honours and highlights of my term has been the

OUR NEXT

COMMUNICATION The Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication will be held at the Sydney Masonic Centre on SATURDAY 10 March 2018 at 2pm.

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, especially Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft Freemasons, to attend as observers.

Brethren attending as observers are not entitled to vote on matters being considered by Grand Lodge.

Tercentenary Celebrations hosted by the United Grand Lodge of England in October. There was great anticipation leading up to this special event and the friendship and courtesy we received as visitors was truly wonderful.

‘The celebrations and functions exceeded all our expectations. To have been there with 133 Grand Masters and Deputy Grand Masters from around the world was an amazing experience and something I will never forget. Yuana and I and the Deputy Grand Master and his wife Margarita have been honoured by this moment and to have been your representatives. My sincere thanks go to The Australian Masonic Friends of the Philippines who provided me with the beautiful gift to present to the United Grand Lodge of England.’

After the Tercentenary Celebrations, the Grand Master travelled with other brethren to Edinburgh and met the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Secretary from the Grand Lodge of Scotland and paid a visit to Mother Kilwinning, Roslyn chapel and Melville Castle which was organised by the Victorian Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro Keith Murray and his wife Fiona.

During his absence, the Open Day was held on 4 November and the Grand Master conveyed his sincerest thanks to those centres and brethren who sup­ ported this day.

‘I also thank our DGIWs for their support of the open day initiative and the

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March 2018

many masonic centres that held these events on different days throughout the year. The Sydney Masonic Centre had nearly 1000 members of the public during the Sydney Open.

‘Special mention must be given to the masons in Canberra and the District Grand Inspector of Workings of District 48, VW Bro Roman Cholawinskyj for the work and effort put in to promoting this day. In total, 35 enquiries were received and I believe this number is still growing.

‘I am also pleased to appoint RW Bro Robert Searle to fill the casual vacancy of Grand Chaplain for the remainder of the masonic term.’

The Grand Master reported that Masonicare was recently involved in presenting 22 special wheelchairs to Royal North Shore Hospital, financially supporting a project organised by Districts 22, 25 and 25A. The fundrais­ ing efforts of the lodges in these dis­ tricts is to be commended, he said, and the wheelchairs will carry the ‘square & compasses’ and Masonicare logos on display for many years to come – a prominent way to promote Freemasons in Action supporting their local commu­ nities. More wheelchairs are planned to be donated to other major hospitals in the coming months.

The Board would like to encourage other lodges or District Associations, especially from regional NSW, who have charity funds available and would like to donate similar wheelchairs to their local or district hospital, to make application to the Masonicare Administration Officer.

This matching amount would be a special grant and not come under the usual restrictions of an InterAction Grant.

Limited funds are available, so this will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

Freemason

He said during the year, Masonicare donated approximately $150,000 to a wide range of local charities via InterAction Grants matching the funds raised by lodges and District Associations. This represents a total of $300,000 for deserving charities on behalf of fundraising efforts and the jurisdiction can be justly proud of your continuing support for your local communities.

‘I would like to acknowledge the work of the Whiddon Group and the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution.

The Whiddon Group will be redistribut­ ing serviettes to lodges. I recently attended their annual gala dinner where they recognise their staff. At the dinner a video was presented by the Board chairman RW Bro Len Kearns, about their history and formation by the Freemasons which is now available on their website.

‘The RFBI has done some great things recently, providing for a young brother’s funeral and is now giving ongoing support to his young family. They have supplied some of our masonic centres with defibrillators and have recently appointed VW Bro Ray Vickers as an ambassador to help strengthen our ties.

‘At our March communication next year, we will have two important agenda items. We will possibly have an election for our next Grand Master and a motion will also be put to the floor of Grand Lodge to amend our voting system.

‘This motion will answer those breth­ ren who wish to vote for a Grand Master but cannot attend Grand Lodge in Sydney. Whilst the motion will be put forward at the March Communication, if successful, it will not be instigated until March 2019.

‘I encourage all brethren, particularly those who have spoken to Executive Council members and myself over the years to attend, so they may cast their vote and secure their rights to elect a Grand Master.

‘As the year comes to an end, I would like to announce that I will not be seeking another term next year. I would like to thank you for the honour you have given me in serving as your Grand Master. It is an honour to have served three years unopposed with the support from all of you.’

www.masons.org.au

Special meeting

on votes

The Grand Master, MW Bro James Melville, has announced that the March Quarterly Communication will now be held on Saturday 10 March at 2pm at the Sydney Masonic Centre.

A

t the December Communication, the Grand Master stated his intention to put to the floor of Grand Lodge, in March, a motion to amend our voting methods for electing a Grand Master.

to vote for a Grand Master?’ The Executive Council have, after much deliberation, chosen a system that is not complicated but addresses voting irregularities and allows a much more inclusive system of voting for a new Grand Master.

The Executive Council has issued a statement which says the current system requires members of Grand Lodge to be in attendance at the Grand Communication in March at the Grand Lodge in Castlereagh Street, Sydney, to be entitled to vote.

This proposal will allow brethren a much better opportunity to vote for a Grand Master, but would still require some commitment to attend a Masonic Centre in closer proximity to one’s home than having to travel to Sydney. It is simply for our brethren who cannot attend Grand Lodge, be it due to the distance involved and costs associated with such travel, or a disability that prevents them from travelling to Grand Lodge in Sydney, at the allocated time in March, to vote.

This new proposal will be to change the Constitution to allow selected regional Masonic Centres to open on the night of election of a Grand Master in March and for a vote to be taken simultaneously and communicated by electronic systems to the Grand Lodge in Sydney.

All of the usual protections will be in place to ensure probity. The proposal is for the new system to take effect at the Grand Communication in March 2019. The vote for this proposal will be held on 10 March for all those in attendance at that Communication and all members are invited to exercise their Masonic voting rights.

The Executive Council members visit Regional areas regularly and, invariably, brethren throughout the Jurisdiction simply ask ‘when are we going to have an opportunity

The need to be more representative of our membership base in far off places or in circumstances that prevent brethren from attending Grand Lodge is more crucial now than it has ever been. There is also a great deal of discomfort with the fact that capitation fees are the same for all brethren, but because some are in a position to attend Grand Lodge, they may and are able to vote, while others, who for whatever reason cannot be there, have no say at all.

We need to extend the interest of voting for a Grand Master to all our brethren to allow a greater involvement and connection.

March 2018

5

Masonic thinking

By Bro Eugene S Hopp

Defining Freemasonry Setting aside all discussion of ancient landmarks and uniformity of ritual, the question still remains – are physical requirements essential to Freemasonry?

T

o answer that question requires some thought as to what Free­ masonry is. Why and how did it become speculative or philo­ sophical from an operative origin and what has enabled it to survive?

To answer the question ‘what is Free­masonry?’ we must believe that it is a fraternal society that performs a function without which man cannot survive, without which he cannot ever hope to live in peace with his neighbour. Freemasonry endeavours to bring about a reformation in each individual human being. It differs from the many religions which have endeavoured to reform man by seeking only to provide each of us with a set of standards which have stood the test of time from the beginning of history. The ethical philosophy of Free­masonry has been the same as the ethical teachings of small groups in every civilization but with this difference – in Free­masonry it is imparted in a matchless symbolism which is available to each and every one of us, which teaches more and more as we reflect upon it more and more.

Freemasonry is based on sound philosophical considerations and a magnificent knowledge of the fundamental characteristics of human nature. These things teach us that the only way the world will ever be better, the only way our country, our city, our neighbourhood can be improved, is for each of us to strive for self-improve­ ment. For this effort Freemasonry provides us with the finest set of moral and ethical standards which the mind of man has been able to conceive.

We have been advised by fine masonic historians that the

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March 2018

body’s impulses. There was Richard Hooker (1554–1600) who allowed due importance to the human faculties of reason and to the moral sense, but never lost sight of the orientation of man towards God. There were Kepler (1571–1630), Galileo (1564–1642) and Gilbert (1544–1603). It was Kepler who was so influenced by Pythagorean mys­ ticism that he was convinced God had created the universe in accordance with certain simple mathematical harmonies.

To the list could be added Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes and many others.

Stonemason from the Landauer Twelve Brothers House manuscript

transition from operative to speculative Freemasonry took place for social and economic reasons. I disagree. Last summer I had the privilege of spending two months at Oxford University lecturing and doing some work in 17th century English history. With the assistance of material from the Bodleian Library, one of the finest in the world, and manuscripts from some of the College libraries and many visits to the Ashmolean museum, I became convinced that the earliest speculatives were attracted to masonry out of curiosity. The 17th Century was a period of revival of interest in ethical philos­ ophy and a period of great thought on the nature of man. There were the neo-Platonists at Cambridge who stated that God had left free the human will, that the soul of man can resist the

It is with the backdrop of this tremendous revival in the study of man and his ethical and moral relationships that we must view the admission of philosophers, speculatives to the operative Craft. On 16 October 1646 Elias Ashmole, antiquarian, was received into a masonic lodge at Warrington, Lancashire, together with his Roundhead friend and cousin, Henry Manwaring of Carincham, Cheshire.

Ashmole’s diary gives the time of the event as 4:30pm, notes the name of the lodge’s Warden, and the names of six other masons ‘then of the lodge.’

Ashmole’s motives for joining were undoubtedly similar to those of the anti­ quary William Stukeley (1687–1765) who states in his autobiography that, in 1720, ‘his curiosity led him to be initiated into the mysterys of masonry, suspecting it to be the remains of the mysterys of the antients.’ It is conceiva­ ble that, after acquiring by the study of astrology a taste for the exploration of ancient lore and symbolism, Ashmole not only desired to gain knowledge of such ‘Pythagorean’ teachings as the lodges claimed to preserve, but that he

Freemason

The diary entry of Elias Ashmole, in which he records his initiation.

It reads: “ 1646 Oct: 16. 4H.30pm I was made a Free Mason at Warrington in Lancashire with Coll. Henry Main­ waring of Karincham in Cheshire. The names of those that were of the Lodge, Mr Rich Penkett Warden. Mr James Collier, Mr Rich Sanchey, Henry Littler, John Ellam, Rich: Ellam, Hugh Brewer.”

was at this particular juncture of his life, also looking for the fellowship of brethren who, if not equally learned, would share his respect for the old and mysterious. Ashmole’s note of his masonic initiation is the earliest known record of speculative Freemasonry in an English lodge. As has been pointed out by Josten, the note in the diary evidences an advanced stage rather than the beginning of the evolution by which the Craft lodges were gradually transformed into esoteric societies of gentlemen and members of all profes­ sions and trades; for recent research has shown that not only Ashmole and Colonel Henry Manwaring, but all of the seven other Freemasons whose names are given, were in no way connected with operative Freemasonry.

This brings us to the question of what has enabled Freemasonry to survive the centuries when countless

other fraternal and scholarly societies have not. How has Freemasonry survived the anti-masonry of the 18th century, the 19th century, with its Morgan incident and even the events of the 20th century?

Certainly the organization of lodges and Grand Lodges, and the fundamental nature of the teachings have played a part. But I cannot help but believe that the most important reason is the very manner in which the great lessons are taught. What magnificent symbolism imparts the spirit of brotherhood in a certain handclasp. What better way to present the means of achieving and the importance of peace and harmony in a lodge, than to have the candidate so prepared that these lessons are indelibly inscribed on his mind? At the same time he learns a magnificent lesson in charity. There are a great many other lessons imparted in symbolism, the

duty of man to man, man to neighbour, man to God, to family and so on and on.

It is fascinating to discover that throughout all the changing periods of history for the last 2,500 years, the same basic valuations have persisted, the same conviction of the superiority of the soul over the body, of the unseen over the seen.

So it is with Freemasonry. We have a practical, realistic means of imparting the greatest of lessons, but to impress them upon the mind requires some physical application and necessitates certain physical qualifications that these lessons may be imparted in an unforget­ table manner.

This article was reproduced with the permission of The Philalethes Society; website http://www.freemasonry.org.

Dion’s Brainteasers Q: How can FIVE minus two equal 4??

A good lawyer looks beyond the surface!

Want to know the answer? Ask Dion Accoto next time you seem him at Lodge, or email him. Contact details are on the inside back cover of this issue!

Liability Limited by a Scheme Approved Under Professional Standards Legislation MARA#1572156

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March 2018

7

Corporal Allan Stuart Australian soldiers at the Battle of Polygon Wood

The celebration

of a life

The Battle of Polygon Wood is especially significant in the development of the fibre and reputation of the Australian Digger

Cpl Allan Stuart

T

he Battle of Polygon Wood was fought as part of the Third Battle of Ypres. Polygon Wood, four miles east of Ypres, was named after its shape but the battle fought in Polygon Wood has become synonymous with the brutality of warfare in WWI. Polygon Wood was also known as ‘Racecourse Wood’ as a racecourse had once been there.

The battle was fought on 26 Sept­ ember 1917. The 4th and 5th Divisions of the Australian Army were involved against the Germans. The whole area around Polygon Wood had been churned up by artillery fire from both sides.

Roads had been destroyed so moving supplies to men on the front line was very difficult. Horses pulled sup­ ply-laden carts and wagons to the front along muddy tracks. Troops attached to transport units suffered heavily.

Movement was frequently slow or the intensity of an artillery bombardment was such that there was no movement at all – and there was no hiding place for men participating in this vital duty.

In the official history of Australian troops in WWI, these men are described as: ‘[belonging] to the finest class their nation produced ... the self-discipline of these men was as fine as any achieve­ ment of Australians at war.’

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March 2018

The battle was scheduled to commence on 26 September 1917, the Australians began at 5.50am with the 53rd Battalion, two platoons of the 54th Battalion illicitly joined in and they quickly followed an Australian tactic of a creeping artillery barrage nicknamed the ‘Gippsland bushfire roar’. By hugging the barrage and moving forward, the exposed German pill-boxes were ove­ rpowered and 700 yards of ground was gained in just 35 minutes. While the rest of the 54th Battalion were back in a support position, they were coming under extremely intense retaliatory fire. It was then that two German shells landed simultaneously amongst 18 Aust­ralians, killing 12 and wounding six sometime between 6.00 and 7.00am.

Apart from its significance to the History of WWI and the Anzacs, links between The Battle of Polygon Wood and the Freemasons appear, at first sight, to be somewhat tenuous. True, there were a significant number of masons among the troops involved in this battle, but the link to our Order runs much deeper than this. Among those killed in the Battle of Polygon Wood were two Geurie men – Robert Alexander Malcolm McFarlane and Corporal Allan Albert Stuart. The battle takes on greater masonic significance

considering the lodge at Geurie is one of only two lodges, under the banner of the UGL of NSW and the ACT, named after World War I diggers. The first is Lodge Allan Stuart No 416, named after Allan Stuart, who was a member of Lodge Jersey No 204 in Peak Hill. Lodge Jersey is also the mother lodge of Lodge Allan Stuart. The other lodge named for a WWI digger is Lodge Harold Herman Unity No 428.

It was therefore with great pride that the members of Lodge Allan Stuart recently held an open day to commemo­ rate the Centenary Anniversary of the death of Cpl Allan Stuart.

Freemason

The day commenced with a brief meeting, with the lodge then called to refreshment and all non-masons admit­ ted, which included members of the Stuart family as well as other guests from the community of Geurie. A Vacant Chair Ceremony was conducted in recognition of the sacrifice made by so many in WWI and subsequent wars throughout the world.

After the lodge closed, members and guests gathered at the front of the lodge room for Lodge Allan Stuart’s final offi­ cial duty of the day, to commemorate the establishment of a Memorial Garden, dedicated to the memory of Cpl Allan Albert Stuart #1996, killed in action on 26 September 1917.

The third rose was planted to honour the memory of the 42 Geurie soldiers who enlisted in WW1, some died and others returned shaken men. Their names are recorded at both the Geurie Memorial Hall Monument and on the WW1 Honour Roll at the Geurie Public School.

Following the Dedication, the gather­ ing enjoyed a sausage sizzle while many guests enjoyed a tour of the lodge, with Stuart family members some of whom had travelled from interstate, being

particularly interested in the commemo­ rative plaque and historical information regarding Allan Stuart. An excellent day of celebration and reflection was enjoyed by over 50 masons, visitors and guests.

In April 2022 we will be proud to mark the 100th Installation of Lodge Allan Stuart No 416. As the number of lodges that still function in small rural communities of NSW continues to dwindle, it makes Lodge Allan Stuart a standout in light of its continued success.

Three rose bushes had been planted in the memorial garden, the centre rose in honour of the memory of Allan Stuart.

One of the remaining two roses was planted in memory of the other 11 sol­ diers killed by two German shells at the same time as Cpl Stuart including another Geurie boy, Robert McFarlane.

They are buried in the Hooge Crater War Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium.

Members of the Stuart family in front of the Commemorative Wall in the lodge

W Bro Loius Letfallah, WM, unveiling the commemorative plaque to Bro Cpl Allan Stuart

www.masons.org.au

March 2018

9

From the Grand Chaplain

By RW Bro Rev Peter Kilkeary, OAM

Make 2018

Outstanding I am sitting in my caravan at Lake Conjola, early in 2018. We have concluded the experiences of 2017; we have celebrated Christmas and shared that happy time with family members.

I

t is now time to relax and enjoy holiday activities; to mix with friendly neighbours in nearby cara­ vans; to enjoy the cool water and relief from heat that it brings.

Late in 2017, I retired from the posi­ tion of Blue Mountains Police Chaplain, a position which I held for almost 16 years following an earlier appointment at Strathfield. I enjoyed my weekly visits to the Police Station at Springwood and Katoomba and the natural friendships which developed. I faced the drama of helping people to cope with grief and loss in the face of tragedy. It was a privi­ lege to work alongside such dedicated officers for so many years.

It is an important facet of Free­ masonry that we have groups of people and specific organisations which help to

give purpose to life. To attend a lodge meeting is to give the opportunity to foster positive relationships with fellow members. To participate in lodge cere­ monies is to face the challenge of learn­ ing ritual and sharing with others in its delivery.

In this manner we expound and rein­ force our masonic beliefs, and encourage our brother members to hold high the value of our ceremonies.

A new year brings its own opportuni­ ties and challenges. For many masons, this year will include moving to a new position within a lodge, and facing the challenges that this brings. Some will move for the first time into a position of leadership as Master of a lodge, with its particular responsibilities. Be careful during this important year of office. You will be supported by brethren who have

gone before you and want you to succeed. Plan carefully and listen to the advice of experienced brethren.

All of us have our responsibilities within the lodge or lodges of which we are members. Aim to be a positive influ­ ence for good, and use your experience to help others and encourage them in their discharge of offices.

Aim to make this year not just a good year, but an outstanding year as you work alongside your brethren. Help make this a great one for your lodge, and a memorable one for your own part in it.

Have you been to Grand Lodge lately?

It is your privilege to attend, and to widen your knowledge of Freemasonry.

I look forward to seeing and meeting you at a Grand Lodge Communication.

I wish you all a good and profitable year of Freemasonry.

Lake Conjola at sunset

10

March 2018

Freemason

Associated Orders

Rob says it’s time Most Excellent Companion Rob Peattie has been Re-Installed as the leader of the United Supreme Grand Chapter but has announced he will retire at the end of the term.

T

he ceremony of re-installation was conducted by Most Excellent Companion Greg Mason in the Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza in the world famous Hunter Valley with numerous Heads of Orders and Craft Grand Masters from NSW and Victoria in attendance.

In his Address, Most Ex Comp Peattie said he believed that other well skilled Companions existed within the Order who were ready to take over the role of First Grand Principal and Grand Master.

He added that to stay longer than four years would be to deny the Order the benefit of their enthusiasm and skills necessary to keep Mark and Royal Arch Masonry moving forward and he would not be re-nominating for a further term.

The announcement capped a very busy 2017 where Most Ex Comp Peattie and other members of the Order travelled extensively within Australia and also to Malaysia, New Zealand, England, Scotland and Ireland in response to invitations.

During his term, the Order received many distinguished visitors including the Mark Grand Master of South East Asia, the Grand Master of SA, MW Bro Robert Parsons, who attended the Grand Installation in 2014, MW Bro Don Reynolds who attended the Grand Re-Installation in 2017 and MW Bro James Melville who has attended every Grand Installation and Re-Installation in support of the Order.

Most Ex Com Peattie said Mark and Royal Arch Masonry is the closest aligned Masonic body, both in spirit and ritual with the Craft. The Mark completes the Second Degree whilst the Royal Arch Degree restores that which is lost in the Third Degree. To round off the whole education of a Master Mason the Royal and Select Masters Degrees provides

www.masons.org.au

Most Ex Comp Peattie led the largest overseas delegation to the Bi-Centenary Convocation...

the Master Mason with the answer to that perplexing question of how that which was lost was preserved.

The Mark and Royal Arch Degrees are the only Degrees recognised, apart from the three Craft Degrees, in the Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT. This closeness with the Craft is typified by the warm reception Most Ex Comp Peattie received from His

Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Kent at the Installation Convocation of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England in June. This was followed the following day when he was again warmly welcomed into the June Communication of the United Grand Lodge of England where every Grand Officer and most Master Masons wore their Royal Arch jewel with their Grand Lodge regalia as a sign of holding all of the Degrees of Pure Ancient Masonry as defined in the Constitution of their own as well as our Grand Lodge. In England, the Grand Master of the Craft has always been the First Grand Principal of the Grand Chapter while English Royal Arch Chapters are attached to Craft Lodges as they were originally in NSW & ACT up to 1888.

These successful visits were followed in September when Most Ex Comp Peattie led the largest overseas delegation to the Bi-Centenary Convocation of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland, confirming the acceptance of Mark and Royal Arch Masonry as a truly international Order throughout the world.

Whilst undertaking these visits those in need were not forgotten with Mark & Royal Arch Masons working with other Orders and the RFBI raising $12,500 to donate to farmers in need through the Buy-a-Bale scheme.

Presenting the cheque to Rural Aid’s ‘Buy a Bale’ appeal

March 2018

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Tercentenary

By RW Bro Ted Simmons

300 years

strong It was the best of British on display and celebrated with the pomp and ceremony and in the style with which people associate British pageantry.

T

he celebration of the Tercentenary of the Founding of the Premier Grand Lodge of England last October-November attracted visitors from all parts of the world, including a delegation from NSW led by the Grand Master, MW Bro James Melville.

Prince Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick, better known as His Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent, welcomed the visitors at the Grand Master’s Reception at the Grand Temple in Freemasons’ Hall on 30 October. They included MW Bro Melville, and the Grand Masters of Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.

The Duke of Kent has been the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England since he was first elected in 1967.

On the preceding night, there had been a Welcome Dinner in the Grand Connaught Rooms which were part of the Connaught Hotel, built in 1909 and named after a Past Grand Master, the first Duke of Connaught.

But all of the welcomes were superseded by the huge production at the Royal Albert Hall which can seat 5,200 people and which was officially opened by the Prince of Wales on 29 March 1871 as

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Grand Master and on behalf of his mother Queen Victoria, who was in attendance.

Royal Albert Hall is recognised as the world’s most famous stage and the world’s greatest musicians, singers, dancers, sports stars and world leaders have appeared on its stage.

Official records state the planning for the “Big Day” started in September 2013 with the formation of the Planning Committee with other experienced brethren recruited in May 2015 to take on the co-ordination and leadership of venues and events.

The lead member for seating and logistics at the Royal Albert Hall visited the venue 18 times to become familiar with the building and to study performances being staged. On duty during the Big day were 340 stewards, co-ordinated by lead stewards on each floor.

In total, 41 coaches were used to bring honoured foreign Grand Lodge guests from their hotels to the Royal Albert Hall and to provide transport for those going to the Battersea Evolution.

The night began with the opening of Grand Lodge in a private room which was then called off and visiting Grand

The event was a unique masonic experience

Masters welcomed. The MW Grand Master entered the Queen’s Box and a theatrical and musical presentation titled “Bringing Light to the World” was performed.

The Grand Master and his officers then entered in procession with various functions carried out including presenting the Great Lights, the Wren Maul and the Soane Ark. The Grand Master addressed the Assembly, the theatrical celebration was concluded and the Grand Lodge was called on and closed in a private room.

Executive producer James Long, Deputy President of the Board of General Purposes, said they wanted to create and use music and drama to highlight how

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central Freemasonry and Freemasons have been at certain key points in Western history, so that entertainment and education would conjoin in ‘edutainment’.

Author Dominic Selwood said it was hoped to take the audience outside and beyond their normal Masonic experience.

He said by looking at the historical picture and celebrating 300 years of achievements they would like to show and add a fresh layer of appreciation and enjoyment to people’s Freemasonry.

The show had a full cast of workers.

Producer Matthew Mitchell said what they had attempted to do was inspire, educate and entertain with the high production standards of a West End show, combining drama, humour and music with the ceremonial excellence customary to Grand Lodge.

There are over 200,000 Freemasons belonging to more than 7,000 Lodges throughout England and Wales and Districts overseas. Worldwide, the figure rises to six million Freemasons, all with their own special reasons why they enjoy Freemasonry.

Waiting to make an entrance

His Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England welcoming visiting dignitaries, including here MW Bro James Melville, and Grand Masters from Victoria, New Zealand and Hungary All photos courtesy of Chris Allerton Photography/UGLE

www.masons.org.au

March 2018

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The Grand Secretary’s desk

By RW Bro Stephen Green

Messages from the

Grand Secretary Nominations for Grand Master As at the close of nominations on Thursday 1 February 2018, there are four Candidates for the office of Grand Master.

They are (in alphabetical order): RR Andrew Fraser; RR Antoine Georges; RR Philip Miller; and RR Derek Robson.

A prepared statement from each candidate is available in the Members’ Area of the Grand Lodge website. The election will take place at the March Communication to be held at 2pm on Saturday 10th March 2018.

Fancy being the Lodge Education Officer?

What it’s about?

What can you do as the LEO? The Lodge Education Officer (LEO) does not have to be a great educator, orator or presenter. What he should have is a knowledge of the education material available to lodges and a knowledge of what his members want in the way of masonic education.

Within each lodge there are usually a few good speakers who would be comfortable in presenting educational material. There might be some keen young masons who would like to give it a go. The LEO can organise practice presentations using the PowerPoint USB sticks on the first and second degrees which have been sent through DGIWs to all lodges.

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These call for the presenter to engage his audience in full and open discussion by asking questions or putting propositions based on each dot point contained in the presentations. Each presentation will get different responses as the audience puts forward its individual ideas.

An anecdotal example. One lodge had a lecture scheduled which couldn’t take place, so a last minute decision was taken to use the USB stick presentations.

This proved to be a huge hit. Everyone got involved in putting their point of view, exchanging ideas, disagreeing and so on. They said it was one of the best things they had done. It needs some practice to become familiar with the material and to devise questions and propositions to throw to the audience.

Remember that PowerPoint presentations are designed as basic information and are not academic treatises or deeply challenging. As LEO you can ask your members what sort of material they are interested in, and depending on what they want, you can ask your District Education Officer (DEO) or Regional Education Officer (REO) where you have them, to organise presentations through the College of Masonic Education, Accredited Masonic Speakers or perhaps Kellerman Lecturers. You might also consider the Lodges of Research.

Check out the UGL website under ‘Resources’ and look at what you can use from the great amount of information available. There are links to other interesting sites. See what other lodges around the jurisdiction are doing.

You might choose to run a ‘hypothetical’ as seen on television where a presenter is posing the difficult questions to an unsuspecting selection of people. You could have a debate between lodges.

There is considerable material around which needs to be dug out, reviewed, and put to use. There is ‘An Anatomy of a Murder’ on the death of an important masonic character which is being reviewed. Other staged performances have been done relating to masonic ceremonies in the late 1700s with plenty of ale being slopped.

As part of the Management Team you can put forward plans for presentations. Try to seek your members’ opinions to see what they would like.

The aim is to enjoy the learning time together as we learn not only from the presentation but also from the interaction with our brethren. It might surprise you that the mason you talk to all the time has viewpoints you never thought he would have.

So becoming your lodge’s LEO could be enormously satisfying and might be the role in the lodge having the most fun!

Does your lodge have an LEO? After reading this, there could be a rush of people seeking the job. Get to your Worshipful Master first and tell him all the things you could be doing to make your lodge exciting and vibrant.

March Grand Communication Members would be well aware that bookings for the March Grand Communication to be held at the Sydney Masonic Centre, on Saturday 10 March 2018, are being taken.

Please ensure that you submit your event form immediately, as bookings for light lunch will close soon.

Please contact the Secretariat for fur­ ther information on the above items.

Stephen Green Grand Secretary

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Famous Mason

By W Bro Stephen Dally in Chief. The Japanese advanced quickly and MacArthur withdrew to Bataan and Corregidor.

MacArthur was an inspiring paradox Brother General Douglas MacArthur of the United States Army was not only inspiring but also outrageous and won a place in Australian history.

T

he history of Freemasonry is credited with many outstanding members, from musicians, artists, writers and authors, sailors, soldiers and airmen. Among the notable soldiers in history such as the Duke of Wellington, in modern times one of our outstanding soldiers was a young man born in a United States Army Post in the nineteenth century.

Douglas Macarthur was born in 1880 at Little Rock, Arkansas. His father Captain Arthur Macarthur (later General) was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour during the Civil War, came from a military family who helped to settle the American Western frontiers.

MacArthur travelled with his parents to a number of army posts and gained much knowledge on the family’s military background. Entering West Point Military College he graduated four years later with the highest points and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in the Engineer Corps. His first posting was to Japan where he was his father’s secretary. His father, now a Brigadier General attached to the U.S. Embassy, was to observe the Japanese/ Russian War. Following the Japan posting he became Aide to President Roosevelt (helped by his Grandfather, father and mother who often petitioned the Defence Department to further MacArthur’s career!).

MacArthur saw his first active service when he took part in the US Punitive expedition to Vera Cruz in April 1914. In 1917 he was appointed Chief of Staff to the 42nd Division (Rainbow) and took the Division to France when the US declared

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war on Germany. The Division was called the ‘Rainbow Division’ as it comprised mainly National Guard Units from 26 States and the District of Columbia.

MacArthur distinguished himself during the war and was promoted to Brigadier General just before the war ended.

Following WWI he served as the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, where he made many changes. In 1922 MacArthur returned to the Philippines and in 1932 was appointed Chief of Staff to the U.S. Army. The 1930s throughout the Western World were a trying time for all sections of the community, industrial workers, Governments and particularly soldiers when there was little money to be spent on defence. MacArthur’s role as Chief of Staff was thorny as there was uneasiness about the growth of Communism and MacArthur made people aware of the fear.

With the fear of Japanese attacks on Australia MacArthur was sent to Australia where he was appointed Commander in Chief of all Land Forces with Australian General Tom Blamey his second in Command. Macarthur, with US, Australian and NZ forces defeated the Japanese in PNG. Although he received credit for the victory he managed the campaign from his HQ in Brisbane: He was often critical of the Australian troops in PNG and failed to give them credit for Australian victories such as Milne Bay and Kokoda.

Macarthur received the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on board the USS battleship Missouri and became the ultimate ruler in Japan, rewriting the Japanese Constitution. When war broke out between South and North Korea the first United Nations action took place and Macarthur was appointed UN Commander. Falling out with President Harry Truman over his strategic policies he was recalled to the United Stated and subsequently retired.

Douglas MacArthur was raised as a Master Mason in the Philippines in 1936, made 32 Degree in the Philippines in 1936, 33 Degree in the US Embassy in Tokyo in 1946. He was a keen Mason and changed Japanese law to allow Japanese to join Freemasonry. In retirement he was a Shriner attending Nile Shrine Chapter in Washington.

In 1932 thousands of WWI Returned Soldiers marched with their families to Washington demanding their WWI bonuses. Camping in and around Washington they were dispersed by soldiers in battle gear and bayonets and cavalry with drawn swords. led

by MacArthur! Macarthur justified his actions by his fear of communism.

In 1935 President Roosevelt sent him to the Philippines as an advisor to the Philippine Army. Although there were plenty of warnings when the Japanese invaded the Philippines the Army was ill prepared.

Roosevelt recalled Macarthur to the army and appointed him Commander

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The Grand Master’s Fund Raising Banquet In support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia In support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, the Grand Master, MW Bro Jamie Melville invites masons and friends to a fabulous banquet at Marcello Marcobello’s Blue Angel Restaurant, 223 Palmer Street, East Sydney on Saturday 2nd June 2018 at 7pm.

Donation $200 pp, ALL of which will go to the charity, Marcello is providing the Banquet for free. Champagne on arrival, oysters, sashimi, prosciutto, octopus, scampi, lobster, lobster bisque, wagyu beef 9+, dessert and accompanying red and white wines, beer and soft drinks, tea and coffee.

Saturday, 2 June 2018, 7pm at the Blue Angel Restaurant, East Sydney

Donations: Cheques should be made payable to: Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and sent to the Secretary of The Sydney Lodge, 21 Forrest Ave, Wahroonga 2076 or by visiting this website: www.tsl1020.com.au/ProstateCancerDonation/

The missing Lewis

A call for help!

The case of the missing Lewis

In August 2018 the Australian Lodge of Fidelity No 101 will celebrate its 175th Anniversary, but one of its most prized relics has been lost for decades.

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n the lead up to those celebrations, historical research has identified some items which were used in its formative years as an Irish Lodge but sadly, most of these items have been lost. One such item is a Lewis Model Sheerlegs and Winch built in 1857.

Every lodge room has a ‘Lewis’ and this important piece of furniture reminds brethren of the symbolic importance of strength and support. The question is: where is Lodge Fidelity’s Lewis now?

The following documentation from the 1970s describes its history of con­ struction, dedication, loss and recovery: ‘It was in 1857 that the Senior Warden of the lodge presented an item of furniture which has become not only one of its most treasured and priceless possessions, but one which was destined for a cheq­ uered career.’ The Senior Warden was Bro. Edward Constable, who did not attain the chair of King Solomon until three years later, in December 1860. His gift was a model sheer-legs and winch, on which was suspended a Perfect Ashlar, all mounted on a carved cedarwood base.

Beautifully carved, with four feet representing lion’s paws, the base is adorned with a brass plate on which is engraved the following inscription: Presented to The Australian Lodge of Fidelity By Bro. Edward Constable, Senior Warden 3rd. December, 1857.

In 1882 the lodge transferred to the English Constitution under Warrant No. 1979, and moved from York Street into the Masonic Hall Castlereagh Street, Sydney in 1888, taking the Lewis emblem to its new home, where it remained proudly on display as part of

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The question is: where is Lodge Fidelity’s Lewis now?

the furnishings of number two lodge room until 1960.

During repainting of number two room in 1960, this Lewis was placed in one of the lockers by the workmen, and was not replaced after the redecorating was completed. The Officers of Lodge Fidelity did not know where it was located, and deplored its loss. In 1968, the lodge moved to Petersham Temple still bemoaning the loss of its prized Lewis.

During the exodus of the remaining lodges from Castlereagh Street in 1972, RW Bro Matthew Speedy discovered the missing emblem, thick with dust, and almost unrecognisable under its coating of grime, in an empty locker.

The polished brass plate was black­ ened to such an extent that the engraved inscription was indecipherable, and the snowy whiteness of the Perfect Ashlar had disappeared under a black coating.

Working diligently for a whole weekend, Matt Speedy restored the Lewis to its original pristine condition, and handed it to the Worshipful Master, who entrusted it to the Grand Librarian, RW Bro John Danks to be housed in the Grand Lodge Museum for safety until such time as

the lodge returns to the new Masonic Complex at Castlereagh Street, where it will again become part of the furnishings.

Another version of its history adds further mystery to the missing Lewis, with regard to its last known wherea­ bouts. Having thus restored the Lewis to its original condition, Matt Speedy took it to the Peter­sham Temple, and handed it to the Worshipful Master in open lodge, relating its history, the circumstances of its disappearance in 1960, and the story of its recovery and restoration.

Greatly rejoicing, the WM, W Bro W Lyle received the long-lost treasure on behalf of Lodge Fidelity, and in order that it be kept safely in future, it was resolved the Lewis be placed in the Grand Lodge Library under the care of John Danks and exhibited in the lodge on special occasions.

Being in attendance in his capacity as Grand Lecturer, John Danks acceded to the resolution, and the Lewis was put on display at the Library, where it became an object of intense interest.

If only the Lewis was still on display at the Grand Lodge Library!

Should anyone be able to cast a light on the whereabouts of this 1857 masonic relic please contact the Secretary of the Australian Lodge of Fidelity No 101, RW Bro Brian Lowder, M: 0400 404 481, E: blowder@optusnet. com.au, to assist Bros. Wayne McPhee and Benjamin Wharton in restoring this Lewis to its rightful place.

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Australia Day Honours Letters to the Editor Send your Letters to the Editor by: Email to: freemason@masons.org.au

Post to:  The Secretary, Freemason Editorial Committee The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South NSW 1235

Have your say Selling the Craft?

Recently I visited Lodge Hawkes­ bury and Heritage for a raising.

It was a daytime lodge which was novel to me. As is always the case they were extremely welcoming and it was a pleasure to be part of it. But I was completely out of sync in having a masonic breakfast and it being light when leaving the temple.

It’s well documented that visiting enriches our experience, opens our eyes to slight variations on delivery and maximises our exposure to the fraternal aspect of Freemasonry. It is part of our journey.

However, in this case I would like to pay some attention to the ‘journey’ itself. As a consequence of a good deed by a newly

acquainted brother from Lodge France (W Bro Aaron Cleavely-Millwood) who had invited and picked me up when he was a visitor to The Royal Empire Lodge install.

One of my biggest memories was in the journey to and from the lodge when we discussed and debated many aspects of the Craft, especially the membership and partic­ ipation levels. Both being fond of the Craft we would like it to last but we acknowledge it is not for everyone and agree it needs to stay that way for survival in its current state.

A balancing act!

We concluded that the Craft simply doesn’t need to sell itself. This would sub­ tract one of the key stages of vetting for the right candidates. However it does need to be easier to find. This we felt is just the

ee tary The Secre Editorial Committ W & ACT on Freemas Grand Lodge of NS W 1235 d uth, NS The Unite Sydney So , 59 A2 x The Secretary PO Bo Freemason Editorial Committee The&Secret The United Grand Lodge of NSW ACT ary Freem ason Editorial Committee PO Box A259, Sydney South, NSW 1235 The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South , NSW 1235

right way to look at the recruiting of the future legacy of masons beyond our time.

Bro Tom Hitchcock

Got something to say?

We want your opinions on masonry-related topics! Send your queries, opinions or ideas to: freemason@masons.org.au

Australia Day Honours The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT extends congratulations to members of the Masonic community who have been recognised in the Australia Day Honours.

RW Bro Kenneth William Bock PJGW Lodge Epping No 390

W Bro David Walker City of Newcastle Lodge No 170

W Bro Walter Davidson inactive

Bro Richard White Lodge Canberra Unity No 465

Each of the following was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM):

W Bro Albert Fish Lodge Emu Plains No 860

RW Bro Alexander Shaw PJGW The Schools Lodge 639

www.masons.org.au

March 2018

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Australian arts

By Yvonne McIntyre, PhD

The land down under Known affectionately as the ‘land down under’ because of its position in the southern hemisphere, Australia’s unique landscape, people and traditions have inspired many a creative mind.

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ustralia is the fourth largest continent in the world with a land mass of 7,682,300 square kilometres and a coast line of 66,530 kilometres (measured under the World Resource institute). Its population of 24,598,900 (June 2017) comprises approximately 798,400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (June 2016), approximately 17 million people born in Australia and 6.9 million people born overseas.

More than 85% of Australians live on the country’s coastal fringe. Many have little knowledge of the beauty of its outback or the Australians who live there. Covering an area of approximately 70% of its landmass and occupied by as few as 3% of its people, it has been described as hostile, desolate and empty.

The poets and story tellers paint a different picture. A picture which conjures up images of generations of hard working and proud Australians who have made Australia what it is today. A picture of the incredible beauty of a sunrise or a sunset over the Nullarbor, of the great rivers of the inland, of some of the world’s largest cattle

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It describes Australia as a ‘sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains.’

The Australian bush poet, journalist and author, Arthur Barton ‘Banjo’ Patterson CBE, wrote extensively about Australian life in the rural and outback areas of Australia in poems such as Clancy of the Overflow and The Man from Snowy River.

Dorothea Mackellar, OBE

stations, of Uluru/Ayers Rock, of Lake Eyre in flood and of the native wild life.

Dorothea Mackellar wrote about Australia in her 1911 poem My Country, which the State Library of NSW describes as ‘one of Australia’s best loved and wellknown poems’. The poem was first published in 1908 in the London Spectator Magazine under the title Core of My Heart.

Banjo Patterson’s contemporary, Henry Lawson, also wrote extensively about Australia and is known for such poems as A Mate Can Do No Wrong, The Water and Tambaroora Jim. Films and music have also been influential in portraying the Australian way of life and selling Australia on the international stage. Films such as The Man from Snowy River, The Rabbit Proof Fence, Australia and Crocodile Dundee were hugely popular overseas as were songs such as I Still Call Australia Home, Tenterfield Saddler and Down Under. Who will ever forget Men at Work’s recording of Down Under being played over loud speakers by Alan Bond and the crew of Australia

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II during their successful bid to win the America’s Cup in 1983. It was also played in the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. The song is a perennial favourite on Australian radio and television and topped the charts in the US and UK simultaneously in early 1983.

Country music in particular, has attracted the interest of the young and not-so-young from all walks of life both here and overseas. The annual Tamworth Country Music Festival held over a twoweek period in January has been included in the world’s top ten music festivals on a number of occasions with as many as 50,000 visitors to the city. Entertainers have included Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daly, Lee Kernaghan, Keith Urban, Smoky Dawson and many others.

Perhaps John Williamson is one of the most well-known writers and performers of country music. Considered an icon of Australian country music, his career extends over a period of 43 years during which time he was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2010, won 3 ARIA Awards, 4 Australian Performing Arts Awards (APRA), 8 Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) Awards, 8 Mo Awards, (named after Mo McCackie) 26 Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) Awards, now known as Golden Guitar Awards, and sold more than 4 million albums. On Australia Day 1992, he was

made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) ‘for service to Australian country music and in stimulating awareness of conservation issues’.

Williamson is described by music journalists, Toby Creswell and Samantha Chenoweth in their 2006 book, ‘1001 Australians You Should Know’ as ‘one of the most popular songwriters in Australia ... he has been a voice for the people of the bush and he has been a voice of dissent, openly criticising the woodchip industry.’

Williamson’s most successful album, ‘Mallee Boy’ was released in November 1986 and remained in the Top 50 Album Chart for a year and a half. In 1987 it won Best Country Album at the ARIA Music Awards and Album of the Year at the Country Music Awards. Tracks include Mallee Boy, Galleries of Pink Galahs, Raining on the Rock, Cootamundra Wattle and True Blue.

The tracks amount to a storytelling of his own beginnings on the farm in the Victorian Mallee to every corner in Australia. At the 1988 Country Music Awards of Australia, the Mallee Boy album won the ‘Top Selling Album Award’. The song True Blue was later released as a single and was adopted by the Australian National Cricket Team as its theme.

Cover of Paterson’s 1905 collection of bush ballads, entitled Old Bush Songs.

Williamson’s songs are about the land, conservation issues, the threat to Australia’s wild life, early Australians and Australian values. His songs convey the feeling of a person who has a great love for Australia, the land, its people and

Henry Lawson (sitting) talking to a group of children while being photographed.

www.masons.org.au

March 2018

21

Australian arts their way of life. The words speak for themselves and it is hoped that at this special time of the year, the following extracts from a small selection of his songs will inspire those who read them.

The land:

Dressed in Green and Gold ‘And you’re drowning in the sunshine, as it pours down from the sky, And there’s something stirring in your heart, Bright colours fill your eyes, As from here to the far horizon, Your beauty does unfold, And oh, you look so lovely, Dressed in Green and Gold.’

Conservation:

Rip Rip Woodchip

Maybe if we show some love, Maybe it’s not too late.

‘Cause Blinky Bill is dying, cross him off the list, Knock on doors, ring the bell, save the eucalypts, I don’t think I could stand the shame, knowing that I could, Have saved the world from losing something beautiful and good.’

Early Australians: A Thousand Feet

‘It’s not a hard place, it’s a soft and gentle land, Gonna lay my bed on the soft and gentle sand.

‘Hear old man time whisper in my ear, a thousand feet have been through here.

‘Inka ninka pitjikala.

‘It takes a harsh and cruel drought, To sort the weaker saplings out, It makes room for stronger trees, Maybe that’s what life’s about.’

Australian Values: True Blue

‘Hey True Blue, don’t say you’ve gone, Say you’ve knocked off for a smoko, And you’ll be back later on.

‘Hey True Blue, Give it to me straight, face to face, Are you really disappearing, Just another dying race.

‘Hey True Blue, is it me and you, Is it Mum and Dad, is it a cockatoo.

‘Is it standin’ by your mate when he’s in a fight, Or just Vegemite.

‘What am I gonna do? What about the future? Gotta draw the line without delay, Why shouldn’t I get emotional? The bush is sacred, Ancient life will fade away.

‘Take it slow take a look around, All the signs are on the ground, Bird and snake and lizard, kangaroo, And ancient man has been here too.’

‘Over the hill I go, Killing another mountain, Gotta fill the clotter, Can’t go slow, Huge machinery, Wiping out the scenery, One big swipe like a shearer’s blow.’

Life in the bush:

Bibliography: RR Creative Spirits – Aboriginal People – 21/01/2018

Threat to Wild Life:

‘Galleries of pink galahs, Crystal nights with diamond stars, Apricots preserved in jars, That’s my home.

‘Oh pass the hat around between your friends, There’s no time to contemplate,

‘Land of oceans in the sun, Purple hazes, river gum, Breaks your heart when rain won’t come, It breaks your heart.

Goodbye Blinky Bill

Galleries of Pink Galahs

‘True Blue, I’m a-asking you.’

RR Australian Bureau of Statistics RR Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia RR The Age – Editorial 19/01/2018 RR John Williamson Official Web Site – A Hell of a Career RR Australian Outback Tours.

John Williamson Photo courtesy of johnwilliamson.com.au

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March 2018

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The friendly games

By RW Bro Ted Simmons

Let the games begin!

The 2018 Commonwealth Games, formerly the British Empire Games, will begin on the Queensland Gold Coast in April but they will be a vastly different competition from the inaugural 1930 tournament in Hamilton, Canada.

M

elville Robinson, manager of the Canadian track team during the 1928 Summer Olympics at Amsterdam, was angered by the lack of respect given to Canada despite winning 15 medals, which to him signalled a lack of comradery and sportsmanship creeping into the Olympic movement.

While in Amsterdam, Robinson spoke of a recurring idea in his mind — a cordial, relaxed athletic competition for the best athletes in the British Empire. It wasn’t a new concept; talk of such games arose during the 1890s, when J Astley Cooper wrote several pieces proposing athletics be included in an annual festival designed to boost goodwill across the empire.

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March 2018

Support for the games was warm among the empire’s dominions, but less so in England, where athletic officials feared a new competition would be seen as a rival to the Olympics. Robinson refused to give up, and weeks of negotiation finally won over the British, with King George V as the games’ patron.

The new competition needed a mission statement: ‘It will be designed on the Olympic model, both in general construction and its stern definition of the amateur.

But the Games will be very different, free from the excessive stimulus and the babel of the international stadium. They should be merrier and less stern, and will substitute the stimulus of novel adventure for the pressure of international rivalry.’

Melville Marks (Bobby) Robinson, founder of the British Empire Games, now known as the Commonwealth Games

Events were limited to boxing, lawn bowling, rowing, swimming, track, and wrestling with women only allowed to compete in aquatic events.

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RW Bro John Treloar (right) winning the Men’s 220-yard dash at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland.

Below: Programme from the first British Empire Games held in Canada.

Bottom: 1938 Programme from the British Empire Games held in Sydney, Australia.

Around 17,000 people attended the opening ceremony at Civic Stadium on 16 August 1930. Eleven teams paraded in, stretching from British Guiana to Australia and New Zealand. At 2:30 pm, GovernorGeneral Viscount Willingdon officially declared the games open.

on the program until the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur saw the introduction of team sports, with nations taking part in cricket (50 over game), hockey (men and women), netball (women) and rugby 7s (men) with basketball added to the Melbourne 2006 program.

As the games ended, a permanent British Empire Games organising committee was formed and since then, the Games have been conducted every four years (except for 1942 and 1946 due to World War II) and the event has seen many changes, not least its name. From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, from 1954 until 1966 the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, from 1970 to 1974 the British Commonwealth Games and at the 1978 Games in Edmonton this unique, multi-sports event changed its name to the Commonwealth Games.

The 2002 Games in Manchester also saw for the first time at any multi-sport event in the world, a limited number of full medal events for elite athletes with a disability (EAD). This continued in Melbourne where EAD athletes took part in athletics, swimming, table tennis and powerlifting.

Often referred to as the ‘friendly games’ only single competition sports had been

From 4–15 April, 2018, the Gold Coast will create its own slice of history when it hosts the 21st Commonwealth Games.

It will be the fifth time Australia has staged the Commonwealth Games following Sydney (1938), Perth (1962), Brisbane (1982) and Melbourne (2006) – making Australia the nation that has hosted the most number of Games. >>

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March 2018

25

The friendly games

Opening ceremony of the 1938 British Empire Games at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Below: The modern insignia of the Commonwealth Games Federation

Significantly, GC2018 will mark the first time a Commonwealth Games will be held in a regional Australian city.

world’s population. They are of many faiths, races, languages, cultures and traditions.

In the year 2000, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) took on the added responsibility of the Commonwealth Youth Games, open to athletes 18 years of age and under with the inaugural Games at Edinburgh.

Underlying every decision made by the CGF are three core values; – HUMANITY – EQUALITY – DESTINY. These values help to inspire and unite millions of people and symbolise the broad mandate of the CGF within the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth is an association of independent sovereign states spread over every continent and ocean and its 2.2 billion people make up 30% of the

The main element of the Common­ wealth Games brand is ‘The Bar’ which visually represents the Games’ effort to raise the bar of sport for all humanity and

The winners of the hammer throw in 1930 on a tiered podium – the first time it was used in an international Games.

a level playing field where athletes compete in a spirit of friendship and fair play.

The three converging points supporting the horizontal black bar represent the ‘Trinity of Values’ that symbolise the Games; unifying Humanity (red), giving all athletes a chance to realise their destiny, (yellow) and promoting equality (blue).

There have been many magical moments witnessed at the Commonwealth Games over the years, including the famous ‘Miracle Mile’ at the 1954 Games when England’s Roger Bannister and Australian John Landy created history by both breaking the four-minute mile in a race.

Apart from Landy, Australia has had many successful competitors at the Commonwealth Games. One of them, RW Bro John Treloar AM in 1950, represented Australia at the Auckland Empire Games.

John competed in three events and won a total of three gold medals – 100 yards in 9.7s, the 220 yards in 21.5s and

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March 2018

Freemason

was part of the Australian team that won the 4x110 yards relay in 42.2s.

He had been earlier selected for the 1948 London Olympics and later, the 1952 Helsinki Olympics where he became only the second Australian male (after Stan Rowley in Paris 1900), to make the final of the blue-riband 100m sprint where he finished sixth. During the peak of his career, he was regarded as one of the fastest sprinters in the world.

On Commonwealth Day, 13 March 2017, the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay was launched on the historic forecourt at Buckingham Palace, signalling the official countdown to the start of the Games Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Edward The Earl of Wessex, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II heralded the start of the relay by placing her ‘message to the Commonwealth and its athletes’ into the distinctive loop-design Queen’s Baton which then set off on its journey around the globe.

This Relay was set to be the longest in Commonwealth Games history. Covering 230,000km over 388 days, the Baton made its way through the six Commonwealth regions of Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania.

It finally landed on Australian soil in December 2017 and will then spend 100 days travelling through Australia

greetings from the Mayor of Mountain Ash to his counterpart in Pontypridd.

GC2018 will mark the first time a Commonwealth Games will be held in a regional Australian city

before finishing its journey at the Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where the message will be removed from the Baton and read aloud by Her Majesty or a representative.

Designed for each Games by the host nation, the 2018 Queen’s Baton has been made using macadamia wood and reclaimed plastic, sourced from Gold Coast waterways, and inspired by the region’s vibrant spirit and indigenous heritage.

It seems most likely that the idea for a baton was inspired by the late Bernard Baldwin, a Welsh athletics official who launched the famous Nos Galan race in 1958. Two years earlier, he had organised a Lawr y Cwm (from mountain to valley) relay which had carried

Baldwin wanted a similar event as a finale to the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. Veteran marathoner Sam Ferris was supportive. ‘It could be an attractive feature and would allow guests to take back happy memories of true Welsh hospitality,’ he said. But instead of a grand finale, the Relay formed a memorable opening.

Less than a week after its dispatch from London, the Baton arrived in Cardiff for the opening of the 1958 Games. Legendary Welsh athlete and rugby player Ken Jones was the final runner. Prince Philip read a message which spoke of ‘welcome proof which is being placed on physical strength and skill as an essential factor in the development of the whole man.

Healthy in mind and in body.’

Let the Games begin!

The 2018 baton design, made from macadamia wood and recycled plastic.

Map showing the route the baton is taking around the world in 2017 and 2018.

Images courtesy of Gold Coast 2018

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March 2018

27

Masonic knots

By VW Bro Dr Graeme Gwilliam

The (k)nots of Freemasonry Among the many decorative knots, we can observe at least one of these in our masonic symbols, from which we can then ask ourselves the question: ‘How do these apply to Masonry other than to emphasise how adept we are in tying ourselves in knots?’

L

ooking at the Mosaic Pavement, many lodge rooms have incorpo­ rated in the border of the tessel­ lated pavement, knots which go by a variety of names. The variations of these ‘Figure of 8’ knots are also known as Reef Knot, Overhand Knot, Thumb Knot, and to some they are known sym­ bolically as ‘love knots’ (Reference; Mackey’s Encyclopaedia of Masonry p807), as symbols of the brotherly love that prevails within the Fraternity.

All of these are a variation of the Trefoil Knot which is recognised as the basic knot.

One of the ‘forgotten’ symbols of Masonry is Solomon’s Knot, which,

A Solomon’s Knot appears in this ancient Roman mosaic in Aquileia Photo by Giovanni Dall’Orto

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March 2018

(along with the trowel, to which it could well have been figuratively tied) seems to have fallen off the back of the Craft Masonic symbolism truck.

Solomon’s Knot is a common name for a decorative motif used since ancient times, and is found in many cultures.

Contrary to its name, it is actually classi­ fied as a link, and not a true knot, according to the definitions of mathe­ matical knot theory.

Solomon’s Knot is suspected to have its possible origin in the Middle East. In the Tzippori National Park, in Israel, Solomon’s Knots are seen in the stone mosaics at the site of an ancient syna­ gogue; elsewhere in the Middle East,

A decorative Turk’s Head knot worked in leather cord

historical Islamic sites also show Solomon’s Knot as being part of Muslim tradition. The extent to which it was distributed in the world can be shown from examples to the East, where it is woven into an antique Central Asian prayer rug, and to the West, in Moorish Spain of the Western Mediterranean area. Two versions of Solomon’s Knot can be observed in the recently exca­ vated Yattir Mosaic in Jordan.

The knot design appears on the tex­ tiles of the Kuba people of Congo, where it is called ‘Imbolo’. It is also known as the ‘Foundation Knot’ in the interweav­ ing and interlacing which is a basis for many elaborate Celtic designs.

In Latin, this configuration is some­ times known as sigillum Salomonis, meaning literally ‘Seal of Solomon’. It was associated with King Solomon because of his reputation for wisdom and knowledge (and in some legends, occult powers).

Whilst it has never been a part of masonic thinking, the Endless Knot has been described as ‘an ancient symbol representing the interweaving of the Spiritual Path, the flowing of Time and Movement within That which is Eternal’. It is also possibly expressing the thought that ‘all existence is bound by time and change, yet ultimately rests serenely within the Divine and the Eternal’.

Freemason

Trefoil knot

The similarity between the Solomon’s Knot and the Endless Knot, when viewed together is not so obvious.

The Endless Knot, otherwise known as the Eternal Knot, is a symbolic knot, and one of the classified Eight Auspicious Symbols of Ancient Times. It is an important cultural marker in places significantly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.

To achieve this, the symbol is given various interpretations including: RR eternal love and friendship; RR the eternal continuum of time; RR the symbol of Samsara within Tibetan Buddhism, being the endless cycle of suffering birth, death and re-birth; RR the inter-twining of wisdom and compassion; RR the interplay and interaction of the opposing forces in the dualistic world of manifestation, leading to their union, and ultimately to harmony in the universe; RR the mutual interdependence of reli­ gious doctrine and secular affairs; RR the union of wisdom and method; RR the inseparability of emptiness (Shunyata) and dependent origination, the underlying reality of existence; RR a symbolic knot linking ancestors and omnipresence; RR having no visible beginning or end, it symbolises the wisdom of Buddha.

Solomon’s knot

To address a problem one has to disentangle an ‘impossible’ knot. In recent terminology the De Bono practice of ‘lateral thinking’ or ‘thinking outside the box’ has also come to be known as ‘cutting the Gordian knot’.

We all have our own Gordian Knots, created in the main from our own pas­ sions and prejudices, which is possibly why we are enjoined to keep them within due bounds. Our obligations to our breth­ ren also add to the complexity of our own Gordian Knots as we exercise Charity (in the sense of understanding), sometimes accepting the problems of others in an endeavour to be of assistance.

Our Gordian Knots are sometimes so overwhelming that individuals are unable to cope, and some experience ‘mental health’ problems to describe their dilemma, in the same way that

Endless knot

a flesh injury is considered a physical health issue.

One might see some interesting paral­ lels in Masonry when matters which are considered by some to be ‘un-masonic’ are being considered.

Yet another variation to this craft of interweaving is the Turks Head Knot.

This is considered by many as a decora­ tive knot, although it does have a number of specific applications.

Historically it has been used to iden­ tify the ‘king spoke’ of a ship’s wheel, where, with the ‘king spoke’ of the ship’s wheel in the upright position, the rudder is considered to be in the central setting.

In International Scouting it is used by qualified leaders to hold the ends of their scarf together.

The Gordian Knot is often used as a metaphor for an intractable problem.

www.masons.org.au

March 2018

29

Masonicare

MASONICARE

Your Grand Charity

Marine Rescue Unit gets help Recently a member of Lachlan Macquarie Lodge was speaking with a friend who is an avid local fisherman with some of the stories light hearted but others more serious. It was soon realised that many fisherman require the services of the Voluntary Marine Rescue Unit from Port Macquarie for support and advice.

which enabled the lodge to present a cheque for $6,000 to Mr Greg Davies, the Unit Commander of the Marine Rescue Unit, Port Macquarie, at the Unit Base.

As charity is seen as a major initiative of Freemasonry, members from the lodge chose the Marine Rescue Unit as their major charity project for 2017/18.

They began by raising funds, selling raffle tickets and by placing donation tins in local Port Macquarie business premises.

Following the presentation of the cheque by W Bro David Copley, on behalf of the lodge and Masonicare, Greg gave a very interesting explanation about the Marine Rescue Unit as an organisation; how it operates; and how the organisation assists the local community.

After raising $3000, an application was made to Masonicare, the Charity arm of Freemasonry, who matched the money

Lachlan Macquarie Lodge is very pleased that it can show support for this very important volunteer organisation.

The presentation was attended by the MW Grand Master, MW Bro Jamie Melville and his wife as well as members, family and friends of Lachlan Macquarie Lodge.

New fittings for Fireys The fit out of suitable catering equipment for the Moruya/Eurobodalla Rural Fire Service Catering Van has now been completed following an Interaction Grant of $5,000 initiated by ‘The Masonicare Secretaries Association’ and Masonicare.

Signage has been affixed to the van on the external sliding door and a smaller sign

It was their wish that each year the interest earned from that Trust be used to fund a charitable organisation in the Port Macquarie District on their behalf.

Their intentions were also to ensure the funds were allocated annually to a charity

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March 2018

Grants How your lodge can help...

Did you know that your lodge can apply for an interACTION Grant before it embarks on a charitable fundraising activity in your local Community?

The correct procedure to get this underway is:

There is also signage of the Masonic Secretaries Association and the brethren of the Sutherland area who contributed.

within the Port Macquarie District with alternate years being allocated to the Port Macquarie Marine Rescue Unit with which the Tunstalls had a very close relationship.

In April 2017 a cheque for $1,000 from the Tunstall Memorial Award, was presented to the Unit Commander of Port Macquarie Marine Rescue, Mr Neil Yates, by the members of Lachlan Macquarie Lodge.

Later, in November, a further cheque for $1000 was presented to the new Unit Commander of Port Macquarie Marine Rescue, Mr Greg Davies, on behalf of the Tunstall Memorial Award.

Plan to do a particular fundraising activity with the funds raised to be presented to a local charity which is registered as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

Obtain an interACTION Grant Application Form from your Regional Masonicare Manager (RMM) or download from the website: www.masonicare.org.au

Apply for the interACTION Grant, in principle, with an amount nominated.

Approved (at Board meeting).

Fundraising activity.

Cheque request sent to Masonicare along with funds raised by lodge, which will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Masonicare.

Cheque sent to your RMM or designated person for presentation at organised event.

has been affixed to the rear door under the Euro Catering sign.

Another award for the Port The late VW Bro Graham Tunstall and his wife Noelyn Tunstall, were dedicated and committed members of Freemasonry and Graham was the founding WM of Lachlan Macquarie Lodge. They had earlier bequeathed an amount of money, which was to be held in Trust and to be known as the ‘Tunstall Memorial Award’.

interACTION

You should allow about six weeks for the whole process, so plan accordingly!

This is how the members of your lodge can demonstrate their commitment to the lodge and the local community, not only assisting in a charitable sense but also showing Freemasonry in action.

The application process has now become more streamlined! Applications can now be emailed directly to: Angelo Sanchez Sojo at info@masonicare.org.au These requests will be dealt with by the Masonicare Board. Those charities that are eligible for an interACTION Grant must have DGR status. DGR status can be checked at www.abr.business.gov.au by entering the ABN for the nominated charity.

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2017 Whiddon Group awards

By RW Bro Ted Simmons OAM Karina Raphael (front left) and Gail Aukett (front right) receive their awards.

A delightful double Two staff members could not be separated by the Whiddon Group Board of Directors who announced Karina Raphael and Gail Aukett as joint winners for the 2017 Directors Award at the 10th annual gala dinner.

S

ince 2007, the Directors Awards have recognised aged care employees who go the extra mile and truly live our values each and every day as well as making a difference to the lives of those they care for.

Karina, a registered nurse from Whiddon Easton Park, began her journey with Whiddon as a new graduate in 2013 and was one of the first graduates of Whiddon’s transition to aged care program for Registered Nurses. She then joined Whiddon’s Care Service Manager’s succession planning program and her professionalism and skills were quickly recognised by the Management team.

She has a calm and attentive manner that makes people feel comfortable, recognised as an amazing mentor, freely shares her knowledge with students and new staff and gives them incredible support on their journey.

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March 2018

...I could not be prouder of their achievements this year.

Gail, an Assistant in Nursing at Whiddon Maclean, has gone the extra mile to support staff at Maclean in manual handling and to raise awareness of the importance of mobility in the wellbeing of residents. She is open to new ideas and champions the development and implementation of new systems and initiatives.

Her positive outlook is refreshing, her opinion is highly valued and she

is well respected by her colleagues, residents and families. She nurtures and values the relationships she forms and the residents mean the world to her.

The gala dinner also paid tribute to long serving employees led by Janice Reynolds (35 years), recipients Belinda Wood (CPS) and Priya Rangaiya (Triforce) of the 2018 scholarship awards, and was a celebration of the 70th anniversary of The Whiddon Group.

‘As we celebrate 70 years it’s important to recognise how our employees have helped make Whiddon the wonderful organisation it is today and I could not be prouder of their achievements this year.

We were listed in the Australian Financial Review’s top 50 Most Innovative companies, named an Employer of Choice for the second year running and won two national awards in the 2017 Oscar Age Care Hospit­ ality Awards,’ said CEO Chris Mamarelis.

Freemason

Whiddon’s new aged care home in Grafton has also officially opened its doors. The aged care home has been part of the Grafton community since its opening in 1981 and the original building, originally known as Livingstone House after Mr Bert Livingstone who donated a significant amount to enable the home to be built, was opened by the then Federal Treasurer, Mr John Howard. The home became part of The Whiddon Group in 1984 and has been an important part of the organisation for over thirty years.

Stage one of the new home opened in August 2016 following just over 12 months of construction and stage two opened in late October 2017. The first stage of the home saw Whiddon Grafton’s existing residents transfer across to the new building and settle into their new, modern home. Stage two of the home has added an additional 56 aged care places, including a 23 place secure dementia care wing, to the Clarence region. Whiddon Grafton now offers 110 residential aged care places, supporting older people and their families in the region. >>

The official opening of Whiddon Grafton.

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March 2018

33

2017 Whiddon Group awards The additional residential places and extension of the home have created more than 60 new employment opportunities in the region, along with the additional construction jobs created over the two year project and increased business for local suppliers and businesses with the growth of the home.

Chairman Len Kearns said the Group dates back to early 1920s when a small group of Freemasons began visiting older masons and their wives in their local communities to provide care and support to those in need.

Elaine Stephenson with Whiddon CEO Chris Mamarelis. Elaine’s husband Laurie is a resident at Whiddon Grafton, and her 80th birthday coincided with the Grand Opening.

Staff and guests joined to sing Happy Birthday and celebrate with a specially-made cake!

‘A dream to build care facilities for these older people was born and by 1945 was actively supported and encouraged by Grand Master Frank Whiddon. In 1947, the Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of NSW was approved as an official Masonic charity and named in the Grand Master’s honour,’ he said.

‘Whiddon now has close to 2,000 staff and 2,000 residents and clients in 40 locations across the State, making it one of the largest aged care providers in NSW. We’re still growing and building new facilities and as we enter the next 70 years of our organisation, the dream of our founders lives on.’

The Whiddon Group grows

with Star Aged Living The Board of Star Aged Living Ltd has announced the sale of its aged care and residential living assets, including the Star Gardens facility in Beaudesert and its Star Community business in the Scenic Rim, to The Whiddon Group.

W

hiddon and Star Gardens have a shared masonic history, strongly aligned values and a focus on enhancing quality of life and wellbeing for residents and clients.

Star Aged chairperson, Leigh Kennedy, said the transition would see residents and families

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March 2018

benefit from innovative programs, streamlined systems and proven processes that Whiddon provides in its existing services.

‘Industry regulations require of us constant upgrades and there is increasing competition from new, larger entrants able to offer a wider range of lower-cost services.

‘At the same time, as the nation’s population ages and technology improves, the sector is being constantly called on, from all directions, to inno­ vate and adapt to meet changing needs.

‘So, our Board has made the decision to move away from providing aged care services and, instead, refocus our efforts on our charitable activities.’

She said funds from the sale would enable Star Aged Living Ltd – an initiative of The Order of the Eastern Star – to refocus on its core charitable and benevolent mission, enabling it to make a significant difference to more vulnerable and disadvantaged people in more communities.

Freemason

Left to Right: Nigel Faull, Star Gardens CEO, resident Fran Smith and The Whiddon Group’s CEO, Chris Mamarelis

Whiddon is excited to have the opportunity to grow their aged care services in Kyogle with the $5m government grant

Whiddon proud to extend quality care into Queensland

$5M in funding supports Kyogle aged care growth project

Whiddon is delighted to expand our award-wining aged care services into Queensland with the purchase of Star Gardens’ aged care home and Star Community Care in the regional town of Beaudesert in the state’s south east.

Whiddon has successfully secured close to $5 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Jobs Investment Package to enable a $10 million aged care growth project in Kyogle, a rural town in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.

Whiddon has a strong alignment with the previous owner Star Aged Living, an initiative of The Order of the Eastern Star, sharing masonic origins and closely aligned values and purposes. We’ve also worked together over the past four years as founding members of the Masonic Care Alliance.

The Regional Jobs Investment Package supports economic growth and job creation in regional Australia and will allow Whiddon to undertake a project to grow the number of residential places at Whiddon Kyogle from 40 to 63 and as a result, increase our staffing levels.

We are extremely proud to take ownership of these services and to be able to continue to enrich the lives of their residents and clients.

It’s an exciting and historic time for Whiddon; Star Gardens and Star Community Care will become Whiddon’s very first locations outside of New South Wales.

The purchase will see 78 additional residential places for Whiddon, along with plans for expansion of the aged care home to include additional residential places in the near future. It also provides an exciting opportunity to establish and grow our community care services in the Logan River Valley, with established service hubs already across the NSW Far North Coast.

With a long and proud history of working in partnership with our communities, we are genuinely excited about the opportunity to build new relationships within the Beaudesert community and extend our award-wining care and innovative programs to the local community.

whiddon.com.au Award winning aged care

This is exciting news for Whiddon and the Kyogle community.

Thanks to the funding and Whiddon’s investment of $5 million, Whiddon can deliver this exciting aged care growth project to help ensure that Whiddon meets the needs of the local region for high quality aged care places.

The project will provide more jobs at the aged care home in nursing care, hospitality and hotel services, along with 94 construction jobs during the building phase and an annual $1 million contribution to the region following its completion.

Whiddon has a long and proud history of caring for older Australians in rural, regional and remote areas and this project will help us further invest and grow in this region.

Visit www.whiddon.com.au/yourlife for inspirational stories, information and research around ageing.

visit our website or call 1300 738 388

The Golden Triangle

By RW Bro Neil Atkins Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai – referred to as the White temple (‘Wat’ in Thai means ‘Temple.’)

The Golden Triangle of

Photo courtesy of JJ Harrison

Southeast Asia The village of Sob Ruak on the banks of the Mekong River, where the Ruak River discharges into the Mekong is referred to as the centre of ‘The Golden Triangle.’

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March 2018

Freemason

I

t was July, the wet season. As I disembarked from my flight at Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang International Airport not a drop of rain was to be seen. The taxi driver, however, was correct when he said it would rain before the end of the 30 minute drive to the hotel in the provincial capital city of the same name as Chiang Rai, Thailand’s most Northern Province.

As the taxi pulled up in front of the hotel the heavens opened and the rain, intermittent at times, was to be my constant companion on my visit to this remote province.

What had drawn me to this region was the promotion of Golden Triangle of South East Asia as a tourist destination. Sop Ruak is referred to as the centre of The Golden Triangle, located approximately 70 km north of Chiang Rai and 8,287 km from Sydney. So the next morning I set out from Chiang Rai with a driver to reach the Golden Triangle.

The driver was quite affable and turned out to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the local tourist attractions. He suggested seeing the coloured temples of Chiang Rai as they were on the way to Sop Ruak.

The first was Wat Rong Khun, known as ‘The White Temple.’ This privately owned temple financed by a local philanthropic artist commenced construction in 1997. It is completely white and gives the impression it could easily pass as a cake decoration.

The next stop was Wat Rong Suea Ten, known as ‘The Blue Temple’. The main hall was completed in 2016 and construction is still taking place around it.

We then travelled to what is referred to as the ‘Black Temple.’ It was not a temple but the Baan Dam Museum, a collection of ‘black’ buildings designed by a team of artists under the guidance of the internationally known Thai artist, Thawan Duchanee. It was a collection of Thai traditional and not so traditional buildings decorated with skulls, bones and skins of animals.

We carried on towards Sop Ruak past pineapple plantations and rice fields. As we entered a mountainous region the driver suggested a visit to a hill tribe

www.masons.org.au

A map of the Golden Triangle, encompassing the mountainous regions of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

M YA N M A R

Naypyidaw

L AO S

Sop Ruak

Vientiane

THAILAND

Bay of B e n gal

Bangkok

So uth Chi n a Sea

settlement near the Thai-Myanmar border where we visited Kayan refugees from Myanmar. These Kayan women are noted for their fine weaving as well as wearing brass rings around their neck and are often referred to as ‘long necks’.

However, they told me their necks were not long, it was just the weight of the rings pushing their shoulders down which made their necks seem long.

We next visited the Akha hill tribe.

Originally refugees from Tibet and Southern China many had settled near the border area of Myanmar and Thailand. Their clothes were distinctive and colourful and set them aside from other hill tribes. They were friendly and welcoming but I noted that the dangers of smoking had not yet had an impact on them, many having cigarettes (using locally cultivated tobacco) dangling from their mouth.

As the rain became heavier we headed to Sop Ruak on the Mekong River which marks the border between Thailand and Laos and Laos and Myanmar while the Ruak River marks the border between Myanmar and Thailand.

While Sop Ruak is marked on Thailand’s map as The Golden Triangle, in reality the term refers to an area of some one million square kilometres consisting of the mountainous regions of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar near the intersection of their borders. There are several vantage points in the village which offer splendid views of the meeting of these borders.

A Kayan refugee weaver in a village near the Thai-Myanmar border. Her particular ethnic sub-group is known for wearing neck rings.

The Golden Triangle is noted for cultivation of the Opium Poppy and derives its name from the method of payment used for purchasing illicit drugs. Historically only gold could be used to purchase opium and heroin from this area giving rise to the naming of this region ‘The Golden Triangle.’

It was the major opium producing area in the world until overtaken recently by Afghanistan. Of the three countries of the Golden Triangle Myanmar is the major producer of opium and is the second largest pro­ ducer of illicit drugs in the world. Laos

March 2018

37

The Golden Triangle

continues to increase its harvest while Thailand remains primarily a transship­ ment point.

Since the independence of Myanmar from Britain in 1948 armies of different ethnic groups in Myanmar have aggres­ sively pursued the production and sale of opium and heroin in order to finance their struggle for independence from Myanmar. Their natural market was the opium and heroin addicts of China.

With a more stable government in Myanmar the need for funds to finance virtual private armies has reduced the need to rely on the sale of illicit drugs.

But domestic and international demand for opium, heroin and more lately meth­ amphetamines has remained enabling criminal elements or “drug barons” to take over the illicit drug trade.

The three governments have intro­ duced a multi-faceted approach to stamping out the illicit trade using law enforcement, drug rehabilitation pro­ grams for domestic users and encour­ agement of farmers to replace opium crops with other crops. However the opium poppy is readily cultivated in the Golden Triangle and provides a better

financial return than other crops so the demand for illicit drugs continues.

It is little wonder the Governments of the Golden Triangle face a daunting task in stamping out illicit drugs but they continue to try.

On arriving in Sop Ruak I visited the House of Opium museum devoted to the opium poppy. An exceptional amount of information is available on the history of the Golden Triangle as well as exhibitions of opium smoking paraphernalia and a flow chart illustrat­ ing the stages of production of mor­ phine and white heroin.

The Tourist Authority of Thailand is promoting Chiang Rai Province and the Golden Triangle as tourist destinations.

Bus loads of day trippers arrive each day in Sop Ruak to view the intersection of the three countries, visit the House of Opium and take boat trips on the Mekong River.

I walked past Sop Ruak’s Big Buddha on the banks of the Mekong to the port where I boarded a ferry to eventually dock at a landing stage in Laos.

Laos has set up the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo

province, neighbouring Thailand and Myanmar. Special investment incen­ tives, easier regulations relating to foreign trade and foreign investment and special tax breaks are luring inves­ tors to this area which has resulted in the establishment of Casinos and a village for Chinese workers.

The latest Casino being built near the banks of the Mekong has been referred to

by Thais as Laos Vegas. Boat trips from Thailand, where gambling is illegal, to the casino cross the river and tour groups from China also are frequent visitors.

After arriving in Laos I entered a market established to sell duty free goods where traders do a brisk sale in tobacco and electronic goods. One of the more interesting products on sale was bottles of Laos Whisky containing dead reptiles. According to the label on the bottles two glasses a day will cure rheu­ matism and lumbago.

After visiting several of the viewing points for the Golden Triangle I watched the tourist buses depart for Chiang Rai or further afield. After they left the village of Sop Ruak was exceedingly quiet and most of the restaurants and tourist shops were closed by 7.00pm.

The House of Opium Museum. The opium poppy is an important crop in this part of the world.

Photo by Douglas Perkins

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March 2018

Freemason

Regional Roundup Send your masonic news by: Email to: freemason@masons.org.au

Masonic News from NSW & ACT Post to:  The Secretary, Freemason Editorial Committee The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South NSW 1235

Regional roundup

NSW S ACT

Order of the Eastern Star

A busy year The Order of the Eastern Star completed a busy 2017 with a swag of Installations and has already reminded members of coming events.

On 15 March a special session will be held to discuss Ritual only at Bankstown Sports Club at 10am and will be followed on 16 and 17 March with the Grand Chapter of NSW and ACT Annual and Installation meeting.

On Friday 23 and Saturday 24 March the Grand Chapter of Queensland will hold its Annual and Installation meeting.

Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes No 247

Flappers and fellows It was a time of back to the past for Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes when they held a Roaring 20s Black Tie Ball at The Soldiers Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.

No effort was spared as the masons and their ladies turned out in fine style for a Roaring Twenties Black Tie Ball to raise money for local charitable organisations.

Guest of honour was the Grand Master, MW Bro Jamie Melville and his wife Yuana.

The object of the ball was to raise money for the Geriatric Rehabilitation Units at Wyong and Gosford hospitals.

A raffle was held on the night, with prizes donated from retailers on the Central Coast including The Crowne Plaza at Terrigal, Wyong Golf Club and numerous jewellery outlets in the

www.masons.org.au

area. A sumptuous dinner was well received and the entertainment was provided by Lucky Starr and his Band.

On the night the raffle raised $2,350 which was matched by Masonicare, making a total of $4,700 which was handed to Central Coast Health.

In news from Illawarra District, Woonona Chapter held its first meeting at the new venue of the Bulli Masonic Club where 50 attended with guest speakers from the Illawarra Bikes for Children. Nowra Electra Chapter staged its Installation in October when Sister Cheryle Abraham and Bro Graham Smith were installed as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron. Woonona Chapter followed while Illawarra Daylight installed Bro Paul Smith as Worthy Patron but deferred the installation of Worthy Matron-elect Rosalie Rayner until December because of illness.

Wollongong Chapter completed a busy season with the installations of Sister Marilyn Hextell and Bro Brian Hextell.

In the Parramatta District, there were four installations to round out the year – Malvern, Holroyd and Campbelltown as well as Constellation which was also holding its first meeting to celebrate last year’s amalgamation as a new Chapter.

March 2018

39

Regional Roundup

Masonic News from NSW & ACT Forster Great Lakes United No 994

Bob takes the reins again Lodge Young Burrangong No 20

A different evening Lodge Young Burrangong had a rather different Remembrance evening with VW Bro David Paterson, DGIW 47 as the guest speaker. He enthralled the audience when he traced the amazing military career of Maj Albert Reid, MC from enlistment to leading the Light Horsemen to capture the wells at Beersheba before the Germans could blow demolition charges to deny the Allies vital water. Albert Reid has descendants in the Young district.

After this address the local school cadet unit posted a guard on the lodge’s Cenotaph which was followed by a brief remembrance service with the WM, W Bro Trent Jamieson presenting a memorial wreath.

During the year brethren had conducted wood raffle selling days in the local IGA in association with members of the Young and Mercy Hospital Auxiliaries. Wood had been cut the

L–R: VW Bro Paterson, W Bro Trent Jamieson, Mrs Joyce Cavanagh (Treasurer Cherry Capital Collectors Club and Secretary of Mercy Care Auxiliary), Mrs Janice Ward (President Young District Hospital auxiliary), Major Phil Mitchell Young Cadet Unit and VW Bro Rob Nash.

W Bro Anderson recently spent time in the United States, especially in Baltimore, Maryland, where he

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March 2018

The installation was attended by more than 50 masons while Michelle McCallum entertained the 25 ladies present until the installation banquet at Club Forster.

The membership group is aged between 24 and 80 years and come from various walks of life, bringing with them their own talents which are used as part of their charity work.

previous year by members of the two antique engine clubs in Young. The WM presented cheques valued at $6,537 to those auxiliaries and the engine clubs and to the local cadet unit. The cheques included $2,028 from Masonicare.

A highlight of the night was the WM’s partner Kim Bowyer being present with their three month old baby Alice Jamieson. Alice was even appropriately dressed in blue and white, no doubt the youngest visitor to the lodge for a long time!

Tales from a traveller ‘Spread the word’ is a message often given to new masons but W Bro David Anderson, the WM of Lodge John Williams, is a member who has properly carried out the message.

Lodge Forster Great Lakes United celebrated its annual installation in November with VW Bro Bob McCallum taking the reins to run the lodge for the next 12 months.

visited many lodges and was a welcome guest to many functions.

In return, he has taken time to visit many of his fellow Eastern Suburbs lodges to relate interesting talks on the workings of American lodges and the differences to what we do in Sydney. Members were entertained by

RW Bro George Bell, presents VW Bro Bob McCallum with his Re-Installation Certificate

demonstrations, photos and programs which gave a good insight on how Freemasonry works outside Australia.

However, for the January meeting he changed the system and invited RW Bro Len Werman to entertain the brethren and visitors with an interesting three part talk titled On the Trail of the First Fleet.

This talk was of particular interest as it detailed the introduction of Freemasonry into Australia.

Freemason

Lodge Balranald No 214

The Central Coast Lodge No 2001

Good results for Gosford Despite inclement weather on the Open Day, nearly 100 visitors were guided through the new Gosford Masonic Centre, with much interest shown in the Lodge Room and the Museum.

Visitors were offered light refreshment and each adult was provided with a ticket to enter the draw for a dinner for four people at a local restaurant. Among the visitors were members of the Central Coast Council and Adam Crouch, the State Parliament Member for Terrigal.

Local radio stations made regular announcements leading up to Open Day

Presenting cheques to local charities

and four Half Page Advertisements were placed in Central Coast Newspapers.

Electronic media including Facebook carried the message as well. In addition, 1,000 informative leaflets and posters were distributed by members of the four lodges that meet in the Gosford Masonic Centre.

At noon the Central Coast Lodge presented cheques totalling $10,450 to three local charities – Coast Shelter, Life Without Barriers and Narara Cubs and Scouts.

Goulburn District Daylight Lodge No 1024

Mulwaree student receives scholarship Mulwaree High School student, Hannah Nielsen at Goulburn was recently awarded a $1000 Freemasons Grand Lodge Trustees Scholarship to assist in her year twelve studies.

This Scholarship is available to year eleven and year twelve students and is awarded to one male and one female each year attending high schools in NSW. Hannah’s application was submitted by Goulburn District Daylight Lodge. She was also presented with a cheque for $200 from the Daylight Lodge by the WM RW Bro Cannon Peter Bertram, PJGW to further assist in obtaining private tuition.

www.masons.org.au

Party time at Balranald Lodge Balranald welcomed a great turnout of 38 adults and 11 children to its annual Christmas function at the Masonic Centre.

In addition to the plentiful supply of food, the lodge staged a Christmas raffle with 22 prizes and lots of winners as well as the arrival of Santa with gifts for the children and the ladies.

The WM, W Bro Matt Bodinnar, took special time to thank the local VRA squad members who cooked and served up the BBQ dinner and the local traders who supplied meats, salads, drinks and raffle prizes for the function.

Blue Mountains Unity No 118

Brotherly love Freemasons are known throughout the world for their compassion, charity and giving assistance to people in need.

This was perfectly displayed in January by Brother Lee Mitchell of Lodge Blue Mountains Unity No 118 whose efforts were recognised and publicised by the Sydney media.

Bro Mitchell was the pilot of the rescue helicopter which was hired by the frantic father of 17-years-old Samuel Lethbridge and brought him back to safety.

RW Brother Cannon Peter Bertram and Miss Hannah Nielsen

VW Bro Mike Clifford, secretary of Lodge Blue Mountains Unity, said the actions of Bro Mitchell were in the finest traditions of Masonry where a helping hand was extended to a desperate father

March 2018

41

Regional Roundup

Masonic News from NSW & ACT Lodge Kingsford Smith No 1028 and Lodge Eastern Suburbs No 1050

All things Scottish It was a night of all things Scottish at Kensington Masonic Centre in January when nearly 100 Masons, partners and friends attended an Eastern Suburbs mini-District Haggis Night.

The Sir Walter Scott Lodge No 123

A big burns night!

The Sir Walter Scott Lodge 123 hosted their annual Burns night in January in the presence of the Mayor of Cumberland, Cr Greg Cummings and his wife Debbie, representing the wider local community.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Grand Master RW Bro Antoine Georges as part of a fraternal from Lodge Kilwinning, the Regional Grand Counsellor, Christopher Blaxland-Walker as part of a fraternal from Lodge Prince Charles Edward Stuart and the DGIW VW Bro Gabriel Bilyk.

The WM, W Bro Martin Bowen in his welcome thanked Bro Garry Barker for his piping, the Karen McPhillips dancers for providing an exhilarating performance and

Sabre dancing, piping, good food and cheer, all part of a Burns night!

the traditional address to the haggis by W Bro David Moir.

The Mayor responded to the toast by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land and commented on the charity work carried out by the lodge and the fraternity.

Immediate Past Master, W Bro TJ McGann said that during the year the lodge was proud to be able to support the Little Wings charity with a donation made at the February meeting of $3,000 with assistance from Masonicare.

Lodge Leeton – Yanco No 313

March 2018

RW Bro Berry delivered a summary on the life of Robert Burns and RW Bro Alec Parker sang an ode to Robbie Burns.

To further add to the evening’s entertainment, the Griffith family trio of Ceilidh, Connor and Darcy, under the name of the Banksies Highland Dancers, presented a number of Scottish dances, first as a group and then with individual performances.

The night was further enlivened by a six piece band, the Misty Blues, whose toe-tapping rhythm enticed members on to the dance floor for a most entertaining night.

A 70 year Masonic Certificate was presented to Peter Hinton and 60 year Certificates presented to Thomas Mann­ ing and Harold Goldsworthy. A record of 198 years of combined masonic membership with all three in attendance.

Over 40 people were present and the WM then raffled some unusual prizes which included: a cordless drill, a chain saw, and a lucky door prize.

Lodge Leeton – Yanco had three special visitors to their Christmas dinner in December.

42

After welcomes by W Bro Simon Bouda, the WM of Eastern Suburbs and RW Bro Graham Berry, the WM of Kingsford Smith, the haggis was duly delivered.

Barellan who was Initiated on 12 October 1955.

Special guest trio The WM, W Bro Roger J Whitehead welcomed W Bro Peter Hinton from Lavington NSW who was Initiated on 13

A combined effort by Lodge Kingsford Smith and Lodge Eastern Suburbs resulted in members from all nine District lodges attending to duly welcome the haggis, piped in

by VW Bro Sam Young PDGIW.

April 1945, VW Bro Thomas Manning from Barellan who was Initiated on 14 January 1953 and VW Bro Harold Nicholls from

In the country, the relaxed and informal atmosphere led to a very memorable evening.

Freemason

The Grand Chapter of NSW & ACT

Having a ball

The Grand Chapter of NSW & ACT was well attended when it staged its Annual Ball at the Bankstown Sports Club late last year.

Lodge Morning Star No 410

The star shines bright Lodge Morning Star has had a busy year which has included relocating to a new address, along with the other three lodges which meet at the Gosford Centre but have also welcomed an enviable number of new members.

Over the past two years, 12 new Masons and seven affiliates have joined, leading to constant Degree work, sometimes with multiple candidates.

Because of the overflow, the WM, W Bro Scott Hinks designated November as a ‘no Degree work’ meeting and there was a Master Masons night where many of the new members had their first experience of being a lodge officer as well as an explanation of the First Tracing Board.

To ease the situation, Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes, hosts of the District 21 meeting, agreed a Second Degree could

Members were delighted to welcome the Grand Master, MW Bro Jamie Melville and his wife Yuana and brethren of UGL along with the Grand Royal Patron, Alan Bover, Order of the Amaranth.

It was a delightful evening, good food, great organisation and toe tapping music to keep the evening flowing along!

W Bro Darren Rodgers, WM Lodge Toukley; Bro Keith Small; W Bro Scott Hinks, WM Lodge Morning Star; Bro Brendan Small; RW Bro Tom Bell, RGC; and VW Bro Chris Matthews, DGIW. Below: The Lodge Morning Star fraternal

be held at the meeting with Bro Brendan Small from Morning Star as the candidate.

A total of 25 brethren made the journey from Morning Star to attend the District meeting including Brendan’s father who had been a called-off mason for over 20 years and has recently lodged his affiliation papers with Morning Star.

The work for the night was exemplary and Bro Small stood out with his work and his speech in the South.

L–R: MW Bro Jamie Melville, WG Matron Sister Janelle Love, Grand Marshal, Sister Marilyn Auld, WG Patron Bro Malcolm Baker and GM’s wife Yuana.

SPREAD THE WORD! Tell us about your lodge’s charitable works and activities to inspire others!

Simply write to: The Secretary, Freemason Editorial Committee The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South NSW 1235 Or email: freemason@masons.org.au

www.masons.org.au

March 2018

43

Initiates

United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT

Welcome to our new members ADDERLEY, Rohan. . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Kiama 35 AIYYOUB, Fathi. . . . . . . . . Lodge Sutherland 585 ANTONY, Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hawkesbury Heritage Lodge 150 BARBONIO, Leo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes 247 BECKER, Daniel. . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Kirrawee 903 BINNINGTON, James . . . . . . . . . . . . The Builders Lodge 1048 BOSILKOVSKI, Dylan. . . . . . Lodge Thespian 256 BOSILKOVSKI, Daniel . . . . . Lodge Thespian 256 BOSILKOVSKI, Dean . . . . . . Lodge Thespian 256 BOTHMA, Francois . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Canoblas Lewis 806 BOYD, Sam. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Gloucester 291 CALDERON, Miguel. . . . . . . . Lodge Panania 845 CASTANEDA, Wilson. . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes 247 CHAKRABORTY, Neel. . . . . . . Lodge Illawarra 59 CHISHOLM, Pete. . . . . . . . . . Lodge Paxton 608 CONNELL, Bruce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Ionic 65 DIGIORGIO, John. . . . . . . Lodge Kensington 270 DINGLASAN, Don. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Lake Macquarie 243 DOUGLAS-BAKER, Bryce. . . . . . . Lodge Ionic 65 DROGARIS, Michael. . . . . . The Hills Lodge 1025 DU PLOOY, Riaan. . . . . . Lodge West Epping 731 DUBIEN, Joseph. . . . . . . . . . Lodge Morisset 441 EVANS, Ashley. . . . . . Lodge Army and Navy 517 FERRANDO, Jose. . . Lodge Cooma Monaro 164

Comedy corner Country computing colloquialisms Presenting a glossary of computer terms from our bush IT department: LOGON: Adding wood to make the barbie hotter.

LOG OFF: Not adding any more wood to the barbie.

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March 2018

FERRERIA, Luan. . . . . . . . . Lodge Horizons 1032 GABRIS, Steven . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Axiom 1047 GELLATLY, Dennis . . . . . . . . . . . . The Yass Lodge of Concord 27 GILE, Neil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Condobolin 185 HADJIPOUROU, Nick . . . Lodge Double Bay 331 HANLON, Neil. . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge of Peace 120 HOWELL, Jamieson . . . . . . . . . Lodge Como 738 IBRAHIM, Arsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Honour 1054 JACKSON, Christopher. . . . Lodge Thespian 256 JAMIESON, Eric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Dawn 511 KARANIKOLA, Alexandros. . . . . . Lodge Hellenic Arcadia 177 KAUSHAL, Arun . . . . . . Lodge Ku-Ring-Gai 1033 KORKMAS, Murat. . . . . . . . . Lodge Thespian 256 KROLKE, Ernst. . . . . . . . . . Lodge Balgowlah 392 LAZAR, Edmond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Honour 1054 LLOYD, Steve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Ethos 963 LOPEZ, Bob. . . Australian Lodge of Fidelity 101 LUMAPAS, Christopher. . . . . . . . . . Honour 1054 MALUGA, Nick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Ionic 65 MOISIADIS, Timo. . . . . . . Lodge Kellerman 1027 MOISIADIS, Vasili. . . . . . . Lodge Kellerman 1027 MORIZZI, Mario. . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Galileo 1019 NEHME, Tony. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Gowrie of Canberra 715 NIAGOS, George. . . . . . . . . . . . . Australian Lodge of Fidelity 101 NOLAN, Jim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Silver City 141

O’CONNOR, Matt. . . . . . . Lodge Kellerman 1027 O’MALLEY, Colin. . . . . . Lodge Morning Star 410 OMAR, Adam Ibrahim . . Lodge Kellerman 1027 PADRID, Jeffrey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Honour 1054 PARSONS, Matt. . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Pacific 298 POPOVSKI, Dean. . . . . . . . Lodge Trinitarian 978 ROBAR, Malcolm. . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Nepean 29 RUSSELL, Iain. . . . . . . . Lodge Fire Brigades 940 SARA, Dane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Camden 217 SAUER, Gideon. . . . Lodge Canoblas Lewis 806 SCHUMACHER, Stephen. . . . . . . . Wallis Plains 4 SGOURAS, Konstantinos. . . . . . . Lodge Hellenic Arcadia 177 SIGMUND, Mathew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Fire Brigades 940 SIMA, Zaver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Phoenix 1034 TIU, Marc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hawkesbury Heritage Lodge 150 TRAN, Andrew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Honour 1054 VAN POECKE, Shaun. . . . . . . . . . . . The Sir Walter Scott Lodge 123 VANN, Zac. . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Ku-Ring-Gai 1033 VARGAS, Mario. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Miguel De Cervantes 1038 VINCENT, Sidney. . . . . . . . Lodge Livingstone 71 WARK, Jackson. . . . . Lodge Army and Navy 517 WETTON, Derek. . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Dubbo 906 WILLIS, Gregg. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Paxton 608 WILSON-YOUNG, Gene. . . . . . . Lodge Dawn 511 WOODBURN, Rob. . . . . . Lodge Balgowlah 392

DOWNLOAD: Getting the firewood off the ute.

MOUSE: The small rodent that eats the grain in the shed.

HARD DRIVE: Making the trip back home without any cold tinnies.

WEB: What spiders make.

KEYBOARD: Where you hang the ute keys.

WEBSITE: Usually in the shed or under the verandah.

WINDOWS: What you shut when the weather’s cold.

SEARCH ENGINE: What you do when the ute won’t go.

SCREEN: What you shut in the mozzie season.

CURSOR: What you say when the ute won’t go.

BYTE: What mozzies do.

YAHOO: What you say when the ute does go.

MEGABYTE: What Townsville mozzies do.

CHIP: A pub snack.

NETWORK: What you do when you need to repair the fishing net.

MODEM: What you did to the lawns.

INTERNET: Where you want fish to go.

LAPTOP: Where the cat sleeps.

NETSCAPE: What the fish do when they discover a hole in the net.

SOFTWARE: Plastic knives and forks you get at Red Rooster.

HARDWARE: Stainless steel knives and forks – from K-Mart.

ONLINE: Where you hang the washing.

OFFLINE: Where the washing ends up when the pegs aren’t strong enough.

Freemason

GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR R MASONIC KNOTS R TERCENTENERY

v50 n1 March 2018

THE CHRISTMAS STORY R WHO WAS JACKSON? R THE (K)NOTS OF BATTLE FREEMASONRY v49 n4MOUNTAINS December •2017 OF THE CORAL SEA • THE BLUE EXTEND AN INVITATION

v49 n3 – SEPTEMBER 2017

England

Sydney’s

Sandstone Celebrates!

Games The friendly

Crossword

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WWW.MASONS.ORG.AU

www.masons.org.au

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to all our sponsors both individual and corporate who have helped to make this edition possible.

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Back-Roads Touring Co. DA Amaton Lawyers

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Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of NSW

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J&J’s Pest Control

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Ozland Security

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Quest Effect Security

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Rembrandt

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Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution of NSW

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Terry McCallum Photography

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The Sydney Lodge

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Sponsor?

The Freemason magazine is supported by the generosity of our sponsors.

We offer a range of sponsorship spaces in the Freemason magazine to suit all businesses from as little as $100 per issue. Even the Design of your advertisement is FREE – or you can supply us with your own.

If you would like more information or wish to receive a rate card, please contact Bro Simon Pierce at: APM Graphics Management Phone: 1800 806 930 or email freemason@apmgraphics.com.au

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Across

Why not be a

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1 & 14 across – Alligator twerps preplaced two items at the porch or entrance to KST (3, 5, 7) 5 Preoccupy thoughts of worried bosses (6) 9 Place for VSL on twisted steel pad? (8) 10 Let Benaud rename a flower in Europe (6) 12 Identifying word – Judges 12: 5-6 (10) 13 Brag about the outfit (4) 14 See 1 across 16 & 20 across – Most modelling is a rich valuable source (4, 4) 21 Livestock taken on a new gas diet (7) 24 Some truth she was married to 6 down (4) 25 If data file was corrected he could have joined another lodge (10) 28 Barney however wasn’t far away (6) 29 Instruct 18 down at 9 across to promise (8) 30 Insane arrangement for earthy pigment (6) 31 Let crazy teenager produce (8)

Down 1 Some rusty piston used to write letter (6) 2 Dorian struggles to make religious appointment (6) 3 IBM’s true course of action is to put it forward again (8) 4 Miss Gardner a little ill, but was able to take advantage of it (5) 6 Represented in strength left in 1 across (4) 7 Slyly outraced a schoolteacher (8)

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Look double beds in the nursery (8) Doctor suture the womb (6) Game of golf to close computer system (6) Misprint impressions (8) Admit a new member in a tie it seems (8) Expressive of contempt for composition I revised (8) 22 Try to make a start on several layers (6) 23 Stick to this time at this place (6) 26 Inspire me, I am blue without almost all arrangements (5) 27 Brownish black colour found in whalebone (4)

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DECEMBER SOLUTION

Thank You

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Service Certificates

United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT

Congratulations to our masons

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YEARS SERVICE

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YEARS SERVICE

CAMERON, Ian. . . . . . Lodge Leeton-Yanko 313 GRAHAM, Neil . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Picton 258 HINTON, Peter. . . . . . Lodge Leeton-Yanco 313 MILLER, Colin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Picton 258 MOSS, Alan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Coeur de Lion – Narooma 84 NAPTHALI, Raymond . . . . . . . Lodge Antiquity 1

BRITTEN, Stanley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Calala Tamworth 652 FRENCH, Athol. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Picton 258 KABLE, Norman. . . . . Lodge James Kibble 985 KATTE, Ray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Panania 845

LE BAS, John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Kiama 35 MANNING, Thomas. . . . . . . . . . . Lodge LeetonYanco 313 MONLEY, Geoffrey. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Unity 6 NEILSON, John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Mayfield Daylight 493 NICHOLLS, Harold. . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge LeetonYanco 313 PHILLIPS, Albert. . . . Lodge James Kibble 985 RATTENBURY, John. . . . . . . . Lodge Nepean 29 ROBERTSON, David. . . . . . The Peel Lodge 209 WILLIAMS, Walter. . . . . . . Lodge Challenge 284

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YEARS SERVICE

BELLAMY, Robert. . . . . . . . . . Lodge Epping 390 CACCIOTTI, Elio. . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Trinity 666 D’ARCANGELI, Benito . . . . . . Lodge Trinity 666

D’ARCANGELI, Rolando. . . . . Lodge Trinity 666 FERGUSON, Allan. . . . . . . Lodge Challenge 284 FLEMING, Kenneth. . . . . . . . Lodge Taralga 648 FRASER, Kenneth. . . . Lodge Fire Brigades 940 GILLIES, Kenneth . . . Lodge Bulli Thirroul 1040 HIGGS, Phillip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Ethos 963 HOLBROOK, Robert. . . . . . Lodge Panania 845 KALISCHER, Peter. . . . . . . Lodge Woollahra 341 KEATING, Robert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Prince of Wales Lodge 102 MUIR, James . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Beecroft 359 MUNRO, Donald. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge Calala Tamworth 652 RYAN, Michael. . . . . . . Lodge Fire Brigades 940 STEVEN, Michael. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lodge LoftusMacleay 203 THWAITE, William. . . . . Lodge Carringtonia 187 TOUGHER, William. . . . . Lodge Double Bay 331

A fishy idea

A fishy idea!

Even when everyone involved has the best of intentions, sometimes a good idea can get out of control.

F

or example, read the following information about the saga of the fish that had ugly names. It started very innocently when a staff member of a Government National Maritime Fisheries Service realised that there were numerous species of delectable fish that would never make it to a banquet table or a classy restaurant because their names were unappealing and lessened appetite.

What self-respecting gourmet or expert would consider dining on fish such as ratfish or mudblower, or would even appear in the same high class restaurant as a hogsucker, a flathead or a grunt?

With these circumstances facing the Fisheries Service, it accordingly

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March 2018

decided to re-name certain species of fish and asked the public for helpful suggestions as to what new names should be used. The Fisheries Service put together the total responses and concluded that ‘a need existed for the clarification of policies and procedures that govern the naming of fish.’

Obviously, this called for expert opin­ ions and the government accordingly awarded a $30,000 contract to a city firm for a feasibility study. The consultants didn’t re-name the fish but they did suggest that an organised framework was needed.

A second study was therefore initiated ‘to identify and prioritise a set of factors to be used in comparing and organising the species.’ The fish were then rated according to flavour, colour, firmness, fattiness, flakiness, odour, coarseness and moistness and it was then discovered that 390,000 ‘fish edibility profiles’ were possible.

The Fisheries Service became more frustrated over the issue and decided to seek further help by approaching the Army which turned the matter over to a ‘flavour panel’ and a ‘texture panel.’

Seven years and $494,000 later, the fish still have their old names!

(Names and countries have been omitted to protect the guilty!)

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