Freemasonry Victoria Magazine Issue 138

Freemasonry Victoria AUTUMN 2014 ISSUE 138

Our new Grand Master MWBro. Hillel Benedykt

Grand Installation Events Freemasons Victoria installs its 44th Grand Master

Around the World The resurrection of Manchester's St Edmund's Church

Our Principles Make a Difference

This magazine now available online in mobile and tablet format www.issuu.com/freemasonsvic

In this issue:

4

Our new

Grand Master

MWBro. Hillel Benedykt

3 Hidden Treasures 4 Grand Installation 11 Lodge of Australia Felix Pt. 2 12 Reflections on a Fortunate Life 14 The Ressurection of St.Edmund's Church 18 Peaches, Pears and Parkinsons 20 Making a Difference: Cardiovascular Disease

22 Habits of Going the Extra Mile 23 Australia Day Honours 26 Charity: AMAZE 29 Ionic Coaching Service 30 Further Afield 33 Book Review 34 Pieces of My Life 36 Member Profile

Freemasonry Victoria Magazine Issue 138 The official magazine of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria (Freemasons Victoria) Website: freemasonsvic.net.au FaceBook: facebook.com/freemasonsvic Twitter: @freemasonsvic YouTube: youtube.com/user/freemasonsvic LinkedIn: Freemasons Victoria Google+: Freemasons Victoria Telephone: (03) 9411 0111 Toll Free: 1800 068 416 Fax: (03) 9416 1468 Editor Gabrielle Forman (03) 9411 0101 Contact Us Email: editor@freemasonsvic.net.au Fax: (03) 9416 1468 Mail: The Editor, Freemasonry Victoria Magazine C/- 300 Albert Street, East Melbourne Editorial submissions: Article or photo submissions for each issue must be received by the end of the month, following the release of the previous issue.

Email submissions are preferred and images must be 300dpi or higher. Submissions should be addressed to: The Editor: Freemasonry Victoria Magazine PO Box 553, East Melbourne VIC 8002 Telephone: (03) 9411 0101 Email: editor@freemasonsvic.net.au

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor I was very touched by the story you featured in the last Freemasonry Victoria magazine – ‘Bryn’s School’. I find it amazing that something so great can come from something so tragic. Not only that, we often get caught up in the work we do at a local level and forget to acknowledge just how far the values and principles of Freemasonry are reaching, and in this case, as far as Vietnam, Cambodia and Sudan. What a wonderful initiative. The Hendry Family should be congratulated for their efforts and for changing the lives of so many children in need.

Anonymous Dear Editor Well done WBro. Jim Puohotaua for providing us with such a great run-down of the recent Grand Team’s trip to New Zealand. I never expected I’d ever see the entire crew in a speed boat let-alone bungy jumping off Kawarau Bridge! I found Jim’s explanation of his personal perception of New Zealand, his memories and experiences to be very honest and humble. Thank you.

Anonymous

ADVERTISING AND SUBSCRIPTIONS: Advertising Manager Gabrielle Forman (03) 9411 0101 Disclaimer: Freemasonry Victoria is published quarterly by the Grand Secretariat, Freemasons Victoria.

Printed by East Print, Melbourne, Australia Ltd. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising if it is deemed inappropriate and to change the size of the ad, print type or other specifications if material is not compatible with our system.

Publisher: Freemasonry Victoria is distributed by mail direct to the homes of all members each quarter and is published online at issuu.com/freemasonsvic

by Freemasons Victoria 300 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.

Freemasons Victoria thanks those who have written to the Editor. Contributions and suggestions are much appreciated.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Hidden treasures

from the Freemasons Victoria

Library & Museum

A snippet from a very talented Freemason WBro. Iddo Robert Munro known as Snowy (Ancient York Lodge No 80) a cyclist extraordinaire.

I

n1908 the bicycle Munro rode on was a single-fixed gear of 88 inches with wired-on tyres. One is awed by the strength required to push such a high gear considering that the road was no better than a gravel track.

To experience the effort required combine a 52 chain ring with a 16 sprocket and stay in that gear for a full day's ride. Munro's bike weighed approximately 25 - 30% more than our modern machines and the fixed gear would force him to pedal downhill, keeping pace with the bike while it bucked and vibrated underneath him.

What is more remarkable is that although Munro was 21 years old when he broke the record, he only stood 170cm tall and weighed a mere 54 kilograms. Munro's record stood until 1931 when the rules of the race were altered to allow single tyre and derailleur gears to be used for the first time. In fact Munro had advocated their use for many years as he considered the restriction of rides to a single gear detrimental to the development of the sport in Australia. "Snowy" and three other Aussies headed to Europe and Tour de France. On arriving in France these Australian equivalents of the Musketeers were accepted as professionals to ride for the Cycle Clement et Gladiator firm. Among Snowy's papers is their contract which required him to ride in over four different races as well as the Tour de France, his humble salary was recorded at $8 per week (plus the winning bonus).

Road racing in 1914 France was a far cry from the miracle of logistics which we see today. In addition to the hardships of heat and gradient, riders had to contend with the primitive standard of the roads. In the Tour de France of 1913, the year prior to the Australian rides, pepper had been thrown in the faces of the Belgium team and a bed of nails had been spread across the road forcing 29 riders to abandon the race. Indeed riders were frequently forced to lock themselves and their bikes in their hotel rooms overnight to avoid sabotage.

Among the souvenirs kept by Munro are pages from a notebook recording the winners in the races they rode and the Australians places and times. Their first try-out in a classic was the Milan-San Remo (270km) held on April 6th 1914, in which Munro's fellow competitor, Donald Kirkham came 9th, Munro a mere 10 minutes behind in 26th place. A week later they were in the Paris-Roubaix. (265km), Munro was placed 37th. Kirkham broke his bike and was forced to abandon the race. April 26 1914 they commenced the Tour of Belgium, covering 2170km over a period of 2 weeks. The Australians failed to finish although Munro made it to 378km. and Kirkham to 395km.

On June 28 1914, Kirkham and Munro started in the Tour de France. The race circled the borders of France in 15 stages, so that they could finish at a major city the stages were long, although conducted on alternate days to allow riders to recover. The first stage, Paris-Havre was 390km. and was won by Belgium Phillipe Thys who had won the tour the previous year. Kirkham was only 4 minutes behind Thy's time of 13h. 18m. in 14th place.

It is interesting to speculate what Kirkham and Munro might have gone on to achieve in Europe had the First World War not broken out in the week following the end of the Tour de France. With the Continent in turmoil the Australians had little choice but to return to Australia. Having developed an interest in aviation Snowy Munro rushed to join the Flying Corps, only to be rejected on medical grounds.

Snowy Munro lived to the age of 94 and founded the Embassy Cab Company in Melbourne. He maintained a keen interest in cycling all his life.

We thank Granddaughter Lindy L Kruen for these snippets of Snowy’s fame.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 3

GRAND INSTALLATION

Freemasons Victoria installs its

44th Grand Master

A

s a talented group of trumpeters from Melbourne Youth Music heralded the start of this grand event, delegations from New Zealand, all States of Australia and the Middle East were welcomed by MWBro. Bob Jones, to the installation of RWBro. Hillel Benedykt as the 44th Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria.

In a traditional ceremony, substantially unchanged for over 125 years, RWBro. Hillel was then installed and invested as Grand Master before an audience of over 1,000 people and a further 31,000 viewing the live telecast through Channel 31.

As Grand Master, MWBro. Hillel then addressed all guests with a very heart felt, honest speech that not only thanked those closest to him but also opened their eyes to his heritage. He spoke about the fact that he is only the second Jewish Grand Master to lead Freemasonry in Victoria since MWBro. Henry Nathan, in 1982. This significant milestone was concluded with his pledge of respect and honour for Freemasonry and the smashing of a glass in the centre of the carpet.

MWBro. Hillel Benedykt installed as Grand Master.

Grand Master MWBro. Hillel Benedykt with Deputy Grand Master RWBro. Don Reynolds.

Mazel Tov!!

RWBro. Don Reynolds, MWBro. Hillel Benedykt and MWBro. Bob Jones.

Photos by George David, Videographer Š Phone: 0412 7444 11

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Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

GRAND INSTALLATION

Not one, but a series of events marked the Grand Installation of our new Grand Master MWBro. Hillel Benedykt

The Grand Installation ceremony.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 5

GRAND INSTALLATION SPEECH

Grand Master Hillel Benedykt Grand Installation Speech 2014

I

set myself a few objectives for my address for the 2014 Grand Installation; I wanted to make somebody laugh, somebody cry and make somebody feel something. I was going to use the word inspire, but I thought that might be a bit egotistical. If you feel something, that would be great.

Most people are aware of my heritage - that I am Jewish. So, I just need to give you a brief explanation of how you might use the word mazel-tov. It’s used to express congratulations, well done, good luck, and, it’s okay to say it more than once in a row - you can say mazel tov, mazel tov, and if it’s a really big thing, you can say it three times. During the course of my remarks there may be the opportunity to do that, and I will try to give you a clue as to when.

Now March 20th is a pretty significant date for a number of reasons. I don’t know if you are aware that the United Nations on March 20th, 2013 declared that day, International Happiness Day and today marks its second celebration.

Freemasonry, which has been going for about 300 years, has always said, we want to be part of communicating happiness to others. The other significance of March 20th, is that three Grand Lodges, those of England, Ireland and Scotland, got together with the Grand Lodge of Victoria and on this day 125 years ago, in strength, established the United Grand Lodge of Victoria.

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Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

Now is a great time to applaud or say mazel-tov. What a wonderful achievement 125 years down the track, I’m sure our forefathers would be absolutely thrilled. Let’s just pause for a moment and think about what people will look at 125 years from now. Will they assess we have done a good job? Time will tell. Unfortunately I won’t be there to answer the question, but I leave you with that thought.

I thought that 125 years down the track maybe it’s time to share some Masonic secrets with you. There are symbols that are hidden all over the place in Masonic environments and they’ve been the subject of books and movies, so I thought it’s time that I let some of these secrets out, particularly as we are going live to TV, over the Internet and to this capacity crowd. You have to look very carefully and I will try to show these symbols to you. They are the Volume of the Sacred Law, the square and the compasses. The Volume of the sacred law is a Bible, and Freemasons use the Bible of their religion or the book of their religion when they take an obligation as I just did.

I took my obligation as Grand Master on my late father’s Bible. The square, we think about in terms of checking things, so it provides a system of checks and balances. The points of the compasses can only be extended a certain amount and still be able to draw a circle, so that in many ways teaches us moderation. The beauty of Freemasonry is that we can interpret these symbols in our own way and take our own meanings from them.

I took some advice from someone a while ago in terms of the sequence in which you should speak about things, and they said all the tough emotional stuff, you should leave to the end. I have decided tonight to ignore that advice. Now I’m not suggesting my wife Sue is tough emotional stuff, but I thought I would start off by saying what a wonderful job she has done supporting me through almost 39 years of Freemasonry. It’s been a journey of just so many highs and so many things we have accomplished, and there’s not any way possible I could have done that without her.

She is a committed, dedicated Freemason who is a role model of Freemasonry; the only thing is she hasn’t been initiated. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today, particularly in this position, and I won’t get through the next couple of years without your support Sue, thank you very much for everything you do. I can see you are surrounded by my smiling children. My daughter Lisa and her husband Warren have come all the way from Ormond, while my son Adam and his wife Claire have come all the way from London to be here. It’s also meant my granddaughter, Emma from Ormond, has met up with my grandson, Dylan from London – both of whom are at home sleeping right now. It’s great to have my family here. If there was no other reason to become Grand Master, then just to get my children and grandchildren together, it’s been worthwhile.

GRAND INSTALLATION SPEECH

W

hen I think back to when my parents came to Australia in 1957 and the hopes and aspirations they would have had, who would have thought it would end up here? I just want to make sure that everyone understands I consider myself a common or garden type Freemason. I have come from the same place every single one of you have come from, and I thought it would be appropriate to say a few words from the floor of the lodge, rather than stand behind a pedestal or lectern - I want to feel that I’m part of the audience that’s here.

You may notice that later on I’m going to use a white setting maul that was given to me by the Nathan Family. It belonged to Most Worshipful brother Henry Nathan, the first Jewish Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria. His family asked if I would use it during my term as Grand Master. I am deeply honoured to have that particular pleasure.

I wondered how I could incorporate some of my heritage with some of what Freemasonry is about.

If any of you have attended a Jewish wedding ceremony, at the end of the ceremony, they break a glass. There are various explanations that are given. One of them is that at the time of our most extreme moments of joy and pleasure we should pause for a moment to remember the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem. That’s one of the main reasons given at a Jewish wedding. For those that aren’t familiar, Freemasonry bases a lot of its ceremonies on the building of King Solomon’s Temple. I immediately saw a connection there. Another interpretation I have seen is when the glass is broken, any pledges made are as irrevocable as that broken glass. I sensed there was an opportunity for some deep symbolism and synergy there. Now that you have practiced the use of mazel-tov a few times, when I actually do break the glass, that’s a good time to say mazel tov for a couple of reasons - it will follow the highlight of my address, and number two, it will be the end of my speech.

I pledge that I will respect and honour the office of Grand Master during my two years of office. I didn’t give a policy speech tonight because you heard the policies as I took the obligation of Grand Master on my father’s Bible. I will not forget my father or mother - I will continue to honour them. I pledge that I will not forget the 27 years I shared with my father in Lodge.

I pledge to do my utmost throughout this next two years to benefit Freemasonry. I am sincerely and deeply humbled by being in this position this evening and finally, and I think it is very important when I consider what Freemasons stand for, and what the United Grand Lodge of Victoria stands for, so I pledge, our principles will make a difference.

Mazel Tov!

MWBro. Hillel Benedykt, Grand Master.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 7

GRAND INSTALLATION

Ladies Breakfast W

hat would a Grand Installation be without a Ladies Breakfast!? There are so many important women in Freemasonry, all of whom came together on Friday 21 March at the Port Melbourne Yacht Club to wish Sue Benedykt all the very best in her new role, and to thank Kerry Jones, for the years of hard work she has put in by her husband’s side.

Flowers were given, after Kerry Jones addressed guests making special mention of Lyn Julier, wife of Peter Julier, the Past Grand Director of Ceremonies who has been a wonderful support to her over the years.

Lydia Bustin, partner of WBro. Harry Pitaro, the new Grand Director of Ceremonies, coordinated the announcements and made sure all guests had an enjoyable morning.

This included the surprise entertainment of the Ros Hendy Cabaret Dancers, who treated guests to not one but three dance performances.

Shabbat

The wonderful ladies from the Ros Hendy Dance Group.

G

Dovid Rubinfeld. Shabbat (the Sabbath) is a key part of Jewish life and is observed as a day of rest and spiritual rejuvenation.

Held at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra, the Service was hosted by Rabbi

Shabbat takes place from nightfall on Friday to nightfall the following evening. Blessings are made and candles lit to signify the start of the festival.

iven MWBro. Hillel’s heritage, what better way to mark the Grand Installation celebrations than to invite guests to a special Shabbat Service?

The Service comprised of prayers and singing, most of which were in Hebrew as the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation is a traditional Synagogue. Guests were guided by prayer books and

by Rabbi Dovid’s instruction.

MWBro. Hillel Benedykt hosts the Shabbat Service at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, in South Yarra. 

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Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

GRAND INSTALLATION

Y

ou can’t have a Shabbat without a Kiddush, so following the Shabbat Service, all guests travelled a short way to the Royal Freemasons Homes in Prahran to enjoy a wonderfully prepared feast.

Kiddush

Guests were treated to some great entertainment, one performer especially, who had made it all the way from Israel for the occasion.

When asked to cheer the ‘shy’ performer came out onto the stage, a familiar face graced us with his piano accordion to the clapping and cheering of the audience. This was the first time in many years that Hillel had played in public.

The celebration was a fantastic opportunity for delegates and local guests to mingle and get to know each other, as well as relax in an environment of fun, laughter and food.

Grand Banquet H

eld at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday 22 March, the Grand Banquet was a glamorous affair with ladies in beautiful dresses and the gentlemen in smart dinner suits. The evening began with music and dancing – the new Grand Team invited to join MWBro. Hillel and Sue in the Hora, a traditional dance which saw both MWBro. Hillel and Sue hoisted up on chairs and passed in circles around the room. For those who have never witnessed a Hora before, everybody involved forms a circle, holding hands, and steps forward toward the right with the left foot, then follows with the right foot. The left foot is then brought back, followed by the right foot. This is done while holding hands and circling together in a fast and cheerful motion to the left. The music gains momentum, as do the dancers, until finally a huge circle is created, and in the case of the Grand Installation, a conga line!

A speech from Immediate Past Grand Master MWBro. Bob Jones followed, who recalled some humorous events, possibly unknown to guests, of MWBro. Hillel’s youth, as well as a few of the activities MWBro. Hillel now has to look forward to.

MWBro. Hillel finally took the stage and without piano-accordion in hand, thanked all of the guests and sponsors for attending the event which marked for him the start of a very challenging but rewarding two years.

A lovely selection of food and wine was enjoyed by all, while guests were treated to Midnight Express, the band especially chosen to entertain for the evening and as the night progressed, most were up on the dance floor pulling their best moves.

RWBro. Don Reynolds and MWBro. Hillel Benedykt with their partners Mya G. Grayly and Sue Benedykt.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 9

GRAND INSTALLATION

MCG Tour

F

or those who were still standing, after such an eventful few days, a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground was hosted by the wonderful guides at the MCG. The stadium, built in 1853 and known colloquially as the ‘G, is Australia’s favourite stadium. It is the birthplace of Test cricket and the home of Australian football, holding more than 80 events annually and attracting close to four million people. It has hosted more than 100 Test matches (including the first in 1877) and VFL/AFL Grand Finals.

Guides took guests through many of the stadium’s facilities including the Ponsford Stand, MCC Members Reserve, Players’ change rooms, Cricket viewing room, Long Room, MCC Library, media facilities and a walk on the “hallowed turf”.

M

eeting at the MCG’s Jim Stynes Room, guests sat down to a relaxing Farewell Lunch – an opportunity to reflect on the events of the past few days and thank interstate and overseas guests for making the trip to Melbourne for this grand occasion.

Joining guests were Ladder CEO Michael Bolton, and Melbourne Football Club Half Forward Dom Barry. Ladder, with which Freemasons Victoria shares a partnership, is an independent non-profit organisation established in 2007 to tackle youth homelessness in Australia.

Founded by a group of AFL players, the organisation empowers young people aged 16-25 to break the cycle of homelessness 10 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

by harnessing the support of the AFL industry’s profile, networks and players.

Following speeches and recognising the support of all of the sponsors of the Grand Installation and associated events, the Luncheon was concluded with a friendly hand-ball challenge which saw many of our interstate Grand Masters shoot for 10 points!

Freemasons Victoria would like to thank its sponsors LITTLE Projects, KPMG, JBWere, Wiseman Institute, McKean Park, Technology One, Epworth Freemasons, Willis, Executive Security Solutions, MIRVAC, and Bank of Melbourne.

Without the support of our sponsors the Grand Installation and associated events would not have been as successful.

Michael Bolton, CEO Ladder Foundation and Dom Barry, Melbourne Football Club Half Forward joins MWBro. Hillel Benedykt at the MCG.

125TH ANNIVERSARY

The Lodge of Australia Felix

I

n the last issue of Freemasonry Victoria Magazine, we introduced you to the Lodge of Australia Felix No. 1 via some excerpts from a 5-page historical document found in the Freemasons Victoria Library and Museum. Please enjoy part 2 of this amazing find.

On the 7th October, 1803, an attempt was made to form a settlement on Port Phillip by Colonel David Collins, in charge of a party of convicts. The transport arrived on the 7th of October, and H.M.S ‘Calcutta’, with Collins on board, on the 9th of October. On the 25th of November, the first white child was born - a son of Sergeant Thorne.

On the 27th of January, 1804, Port Phillip was abandoned by Collins as unfit for settlement, and the last party left for Tasmania on the 20th of May. On the 16th of December, 1824, Hume and Hovell arrived at Corio Bay having travelled overland from Lake George (near the site of the Federal Capital, Canberra). On the 24th of November, 1826, an attempt was made to colonise Western Port, on its eastern side, near the site of the present township of Corinella, by Captain S. Wright, of the 3rd Regiment, in charge of a party of convicts.

He took formal possession on the 12th of December, but the locality being deemed unsuitable, the establishment was withdrawn early in 1828.

On the 14th of January, 1830, Captain Charles Sturt, on an expedition to trace the course of the Murrumbidgee, entered

Part. 2

a river which he called the Murray. It had previously been names the Hume by Hume and Hovell. On the 19th of November, 1834, permanent settlement was founded at Portland Bay by Edward Henty.

On the 29th of May, 1835, John Batman, as agent for the Port Phillip Association, arrived in Port Phillip, and on the 6th of June, made a treaty with the local inhabitants, by which they granted him 600,000 acres of land. On the 25th of June, Batman applied to Lieutenant-General Arthur for the confirmation, by the British Government of his treaty. The Imperial Government, however, refused to ratify the treaty. On the 26th of August, 1835, a Proclamation was issued by Sir Richard Bourke, claiming Port Phillip as part of New South Wales. On the 29th of August, 1835, John Pascoe Fawkner’s associates sailed up the Yarra in the ‘Enterprise’, and settled on the site of Melbourne. Fawkner followed shortly after and landed on the 18th of October.

On the 20th of April, 1836, John Batman, with his wife and family, arrived to settle in Melbourne. From April to October, 1836, Major (afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel Sir) Thomas Livingstone Mitchell made extensive explorations in Port Phillip. The part traversed by him he named Australia Felix. On the 30th of September, 1836, regular Government was established under Captain William Lonsdale, who was sent from Sydney to act as Resident Magistrate of Port Phillip.

On the 24th of February, 1837, the first Post Office was established in Melbourne. On the 2nd March, 1837, Governor Sir Richard Bourke arrived from Sydney, and on the 8th of March approved of the site selected for a township which he named Melbourne, after Viscount Melbourne, then Prime Minister of England. Royal Letters Patent, proclaiming Melbourne a City, was signed on the 25th of June, 1847. On the 12th of September, 1838, the first census of the Colony was taken. The population was made up of 3,511, viz., 3080 males and 431 females. On the 24th of December, 1844, a petition for separation from New South Wales was sent from Port Phillip to England. On the 1st July, 1851, Port Phillip was separated from New South Wales and created an independent Colony, named Victoria, in honour of the Queen. The Separation Act was passed by the Imperial Parliament on the 5th of August, 1850.

More in Freemasonry Victoria Magazine Issue # 139.

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125TH ANNIVERSARY

Reflections

on a fortunate life Bro. Ken Wright: Father, Airman, Sportsman, Politician, Businessman, Volunteer and Author

I

t’s not often you get your five minutes of fame, but Bro. Ken Wright seems to have achieved 4 pages of fame, in a recent feature of his life in the Sunraysia Daily ‘Reflections on ‘a fortunate life’’, Saturday, 14 December 2013.With such a huge list of achievements , Ken’s life has been nothing less than eventful. Ken is quoted to have said that the first ‘fortunate’ thing that happened to him was being born the son of a soldiersettler family at Red Cliffs and inheriting qualities of courage, tenacity and mateship, common to that era.

The second fortunate thing was marrying his wife Valda Gallagher who he was asked to ‘look out for’ by a friend many years ago. Ken and Valda had three children, Ian, Stuart and Louise.

Ken says that writing everything down, persevering and having determination as well as staying honest, have helped make his life work smoothly.

Ken’s father was a veteran of WWI, serving on HMAS Melbourne with the Royal Australian Navy. His ship led a naval escort of Australian and New Zealand troops of the First AIF contingent from Albany in Western Australia to Egypt.

He died when Ken was just

12 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

eight years old, of war-caused illness, but Ken remembers the mateship of the soldier settlers well, when the next weekend, 35 local returned soldiers turned up to complete the pruning of the family block in one day.

“My next school was No. 2 Elementary Flying School in Parafield, South Australia”, Ken said. This was Ken’s first opportunity to fly solo, which he said was ‘exhilarating’ and feels very lucky to have been given the experience.

“It was the mateship that existed between those who served in WWI”, Ken said.

Soon after, Ken was selected to complete his training at the No. 3 Service Flying Training School in Canada for the next five months. Getting there was an effort in itself though, Ken saying that while sailing through the Panama Canal, a German sub-marine fired a torpedo at them, but missed!

Ken and his brother Mack were sent to Kyneton College near Bendigo, away from their district, and soon after, their mother married again, to Harry Wright. Ken said he really enjoyed the travel on the bus to and from Mildura High School and said he played plenty of organised sport.

Ken was elected form captain after only his second day at school, and worked pretty hard in his final year (1942), ending up house captain and matriculating Dux of the School.

Before joining the RAAF Aircrew, Ken became a student teacher with the Education Department at Mildura Central School, but as soon as he turned 18, and with his mother’s permission he ventured into the world of defence; his first training unit the No. 4 Initial Training School (ITS) in South Australia.

After successfully completing the course, he was finally given his pilot wings, and sent back home to fight the Japanese.

When Ken arrived home, the RAAF apparently had excess air crew and the war was all but over. At this time, the Education Department ordered the immediate discharge of all former teachers, but Ken didn’t take this up, instead choosing to work with his uncle Bert Henshall in his real estate business.

After starting from scratch and working his way up the ranks, seven years later Ken decided to start up his own business with his cousin Tom. The business prospered with the acquisition

125TH ANNIVERSARY

Bro. Ken Wright.

of Trans Australian Airlines (TAA) and the accredited office agency for the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), and the partnership endured for the next 35 years.

Ken spent twelve years working with the Mildura City Council, three terms of which as Mayor.

In terms of Ken’s public life, he held high positions in most of the sporting organisations he was involved in including the First XI at Mildura West Cricket Club, president of Sunraysia District Tennis Association, and regional tennis champion on eight occasions.

Ken says his greatest achievements during this time were the development of the Mildura Arts Centre, the Mildura Basketball Stadium and Tennis Complex.

Meanwhile, Ken had joined the then Country party and had risen to the position of Senior Vice-president of the Central Council of the Party. He was soon elected in the Upper House seat of North Western Province where he served for 19 years. He was responsible for an area which stretched from Mildura to Bendigo, Horsham and Castlemaine, being referred to as ‘Victoria’s Flying Politician’.

Unfortunately, Ken was diagnosed with cancer during his retirement and spent his time while under treatment writing his first book A Land Fit For Heroes – a history of the

soldier settlement of Red Cliffs that included a mini-biography of 700 returned soldiers.

Several years later Ken wrote With The Nationals in Spring Street – an autobiography, and in more recent years he wrote The Sky Was Their Battlefield that describes the exploits of the district’s local air heroes.

Ken is currently president of Mildura RSL RAAF Museum and Memorial, Royal Honorary Justices Association of Victoria Sunraysia Branch and Rotary as well as a Freemason's Victoria.

Ken is quoted in the Sunraysia Daily as saying that the past 15 years have been the happiest in his life.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 13

AROUND THE WORLD

The resurrection of Manchester’s

St Edmund's Church

Vanessa Mulquiney, our foreign correspondent asks Chloe Hanisko of the UK Churches Conservation Trust, about the resurrection of Manchester's St Edmund's Church.

Could you tell us about Albert Hudson Royds and his background?

On 11 September 1811, Albert Hudson Royds was born to an affluent family at Mount Falinge.

He was followed by Emma, Edmond, William, Edward, John and Julia. Albert was educated at Mr Littlewood's Academy in Rochdale and later at Mr Pickford's School in Hammersmith. Among his contemporaries at Mr Littlewood's Academy was John Bright, the great Liberal reformer who, from 1857 to 1887, was a Member of Parliament for Birmingham.

Little is known of the public life of Albert Hudson Royds during his early adult years and as the proceedings of the Rochdale Development Commissioners were unfortunately destroyed by fire, it proved difficult to uncover any significant points of interest.

The UK Churches Conservation Trust dedicates funding to the world’s most ‘Masonic’ church Why did Albert Royds build St. Edmund’s?

St Edmund's Church was built in 1874 in memory of his parents.

Royds spent between £20-30,000 on the building and was clearly determined that it should bear evidence of his Masonic convictions in all its features. This was a considerable sum, as the average cost to build a church at that time was approximately £5,000.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Rochdale the extraordinary church of St Edmund’s may look like many other Victorian parish churches. On closer inspection it reveals a fascinating blend of gothic revival architecture and Masonic symbolism.

The symbolism goes beyond architecture to the very position of the church in the Rochdale landscape. Sitting in a diamond shaped churchyard at the highest point in the town it is making an overt reference to the Temple which dominated Jerusalem – casting Rochdale as the New Jerusalem.

Shortly after the completion of the church in 1873, Royds was attacked by a severe bodily infection and lost the use of his legs in 1875. Though many thought he would never regain the use of his legs, Royds learned to walk again in 1881 but died three years later in 1887.

In 1827, Albert Hudson Royds' father, Clement, entered the world of banking where Albert Royds worked from the age of 16 and soon became an active partner in the firm. By the 1840s, Royds and his brother William had become responsible for its general management, replacing their father Clement, who by this time had become almost wholly involved with public life and his political career.

St Edmund's, Falinge.

14 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

AROUND THE WORLD

St Edmund's, Falinge

How did the idea to build this church come about?

The idea for St. Edmunds is thought to have come about on 10 August 1869. Royds was attending a ceremony at a cathedral where the Freemasons had donated a new Masonic window. After the window was revealed, Royds famously quoted, “I ask you to accept this gift from the brethren of our ancient Craft and sometimes, when you look upon its mellowed light, may you be induced to say ‘Oh wonderful Masons!’”

Royds wanted to create a building that the public could look upon and be reminded of the great craftsmanship of the Freemasons.

Is there any evidence that proves Royds intended for this building to be used for Masonic ceremonies?

There is no record of St. Edmunds ever hosting Masonic ceremonies, but it is clear that the church was designed with Masonic ceremonies in mind.

The church has many features that could have been used for ceremonies. For example, the great crypt that was built along the full length of the church was never intended to be used as a burial chamber but quite the opposite; in the third degree of Masonry, a crypt is used during initiation ceremonies whereby the prospective member is ‘raised’ after being lowered in a crypt and ‘reborn’.

Even if the church was intended for Masonic ceremonies, Royds would never have had a chance to enjoy them due to the loss of use of his legs.

Would one need to be a Mason or have some Masonic knowledge to truly appreciate the layered details of St. Edmund’s?

Without a guide, understanding this symbolism may be more difficult for those with little knowledge of Freemasonry. The vines on the east wall appear at first glance to be stone carved leaves, but according to Masonic folklore, upon closer examination the vines appear to be real and give the illusion of growing out of the wall; inside them, the words “I AM THE” can be read. Masons would read this as “I am the Vine”, with the vine not written, but instead portrayed. This points to the biblical reference, John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit,” a well-known Masonic prayer.

Other symbols in St. Edmund’s are less subtle, the square and compasses at the top of the lectern is an obvious display of Masonic symbolism.

Continued...

St Edmund's, Falinge.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 15

AROUND THE WORLD It’s been said that every fitting and fixture in the church has a Masonic reference even down to the positioning of the church.

What are the Masonic elements of the church?

Much of St. Edmund’s was built with Masonic reference. The foundation stone, laid in 1870 was laid in the northeast corner of the building. The placement of the church is also a Masonic reference, located at a high point in town on a diamond shaped courtyard. This brings focus to the church from four different streets, drawing attention to the church from all parts of Rochdale.

The tympanum above the entrance has a pentagram, inside of which are water lilies and on the side panels are oak leaves and acorns. This has masonic meaning relevant to Freemasons entering their lodges.

The stained glass in St. Edmund’s makes reference to many Masonic rituals and beliefs. The theme for the south window is a favourite of the Freemasons. Here we can see images of Noah’s Ark and the Tower of Babel. The theme on the north side is sacrifice, a tradition that runs deep within the Freemasons. Here depictions of the last supper and Abraham and Isaac can be seen. In the west windows are images of creation, fall and redemption. The East window openly portrays Masonic interests with images of the designing, building and decoration of the Temple of Jerusalem.

Royds himself appears in the East window as one of the Masons.

One very obvious symbol of the Freemasons in St. Edmund’s is the lectern. It has been described as ‘the symbolic climax of the whole scheme’. It stands on a white block of marble held up by three columns of brass. These three columns represent Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, the three pillars of Freemasonry, Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. Resting upon this is a brass tray with images of pomegranates, lilies and intertwined snakes, representing unity.

Mounted on this is the most well known Freemasons symbol, the square and compasses.

St Edmund's, Falinge.

16 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

How many churches does the Trust save per year and approximately how much money is spent per year on these projects?

The charity has saved over 340 beautiful buildings which attract almost 2 million visitors a year.

The CCT collection includes irreplaceable examples of architecture, archaeology and art from 1,000 years of English history.

The Trust is the operator of the third largest heritage estate in charitable ownership in the UK and has an international awardwinning reputation in heritage conservation and regeneration.

All CCT churches are listed, mostly Grade I and II, and some are Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

In 2012, just over £1 million was spent on various projects on CCT churches throughout the country, funded by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport. In order to make all these repairs, the CCT raised an additional £1.15 million generously donated by supporters. In 2011-2012 the CCT carried out 65 repairs on churches.

AROUND THE WORLD What do you say to criticism about saving churches?

As post offices, pubs and village shops disappear; community space is an increasingly rare and precious commodity. Places where people can come together are needed especially when times are tough and it is easy to feel isolated.

Many of CCT’s churches are at the centre of diverse and disadvantaged communities. The landmark inner-city regeneration schemes we have initiated have not only brought CCT churches back to life but also acted as catalysts for investment and the regeneration of entire areas.

We lead projects that unite very diverse communities and create a space where people of all ages, religious beliefs and backgrounds come together. We don’t impose solutions. By working in partnership we give people the opportunity to shape the use of a church to their own particular needs; creating a space that works for them and generates a collective pride and ownership.

Every one of our churches is part of a collective inheritance. Beautiful buildings and historic churches in particular, draw people to them.

St Edmund's, Falinge.

They create civic pride, hold over 1,000 years of English history and provide spaces of quiet contemplation in a busy world.

What has been repaired so far at St. Edmund’s?

The Trust has already spent £215,000 on repairs but much of the church is still in need of further repair.

This includes the beautiful original Hill & Son organ, which has been damaged due to damp conditions.

The organ will cost approximately £200,000 to repair as the whole instrument needs dismantling and every part needs restoration. Over the next year the CCT is also hoping to restore the lighting and decoration, which is estimated to cost £75,000 and to remove and replace the west end screen costing £20,000. The total cost of the second stage of restoration will cost about £300,000.

Why did the Trust upgrade St. Edmund’s from a Grade II to a Grade I? Why is it so important to save this church?

St. Edmund’s was upgraded to a Grade I building in 2010 largely due to it being a rare example of Masonic architecture in a church, as opposed to a Masonic Lodge. Many churches from the 19th Century have Masonic symbolism, but next to none have the full extent that St. Edmund’s has. It has a mixture of religious and Masonic symbols throughout, making it a unique building. The completeness of the Masonic scheme is unparalleled in England and the importance of this building is reflected in its Grade I listing.

When will the project be complete? Upon completion will it be open to the public again?

The first stage of the project is already complete and the church is now available for visiting on request.

We are working with the local community to put together a volunteer team to keep the church open on a more regular basis.

To make a donation, or to find out more information about The UK Churches Conservation Trust, visit: www.visitchurches.org.uk

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 17

GEOFF'S STORY

Peaches, Pears and

Parkinson’s

WBro. Geoff Alexander of Shepparton shares his story with Gabrielle Forman, of the gradual deterioration that Parkinson’s Disease brings, and what he is doing to generate wider community awareness.

T

he town of Shepparton is known for its fruit growers, its wonderful expanse of orchards; apples, peaches and pears, and of course SPC Ardmona, where much of the produce is canned and distributed around the country.

What Shepparton isn’t so widely known for is Parkinson’s Disease; a debilitating neurological disorder that affects a person’s mobility and cognitive function, and reduces the person’s ability to produce dopamine. Dopamine is the liquid in the brain that acts like a conduit to allow messages to be sent and received.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease include a loss of balance, difficulty walking, shaking and feeling ‘frozen’ or unable to move.

WBro. Geoff Alexander of Goulburn Valley Lodge No. 73, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease twenty years ago said that his wife first noticed that something was wrong when he stopped swinging his arms when he walked.

“I was 52 and had just retired due to bad health. My wife and I were walking through the airport to meet some friends when she noticed I wasn’t moving my arms. I had also started to find it difficult to walk through doors,

18 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

almost as though an invisible barrier was stopping me from exiting one room and entering another”, he said.

Although at this stage the links between the pesticides used on fruit trees in the 1960s and ‘70s have not officially been made, WBro. Geoff said that the number of people in Shepparton affected by Parkinson’s Disease is staggering.

“Around two members of each Lodge in the district are showing signs of Parkinson’s Disease or have been diagnosed”, he said.

As the symptoms of the disease emerge within the community and the numbers of those diagnosed increase, it has been necessary to establish a support group in Shepparton.

“So far Shepparton has 58 members who attend meetings regularly”, WBro. Geoff said, “…but there are 57 other support groups throughout Victoria”, he said.

In 2013, as a result of a joint fundraising effort over many years between Goulbourn Valley Health, Parkinson’s Victoria and the Shepparton Support Group, a Movement Disorder Nurse was employed to support the district.

“Now that we have a specialised nurse we can ensure care across Shepparton, but without further support, and with increasing numbers of those impacted by the disease in the district, we will need to continue to raise community awareness and funds to keep providing the care”, WBro. Geoff said.

Around two members of each Lodge in the district are showing signs of Parkinson’s Disease or have been diagnosed

GEOFF'S STORY

The Shepparton Support Group hopes government support will help other regional towns to secure more permanent specialist support, and continue the service in Greater Shepparton.

“My wife and I have put together a book full of soup recipes. Proceeds from the sale of the book through SPC Ardmona go to the Shepparton Support Group to contribute towards future projects”, WBro. Geoff said.

If you would like to learn more about Parkinson’s Disease and how you can support the community of Shepparton, please contact WBro. Geoff Alexander on g.r.alexander@skymesh.com.au or visit www.parkinsonsvictoria.org.au

Environmental factors contributed to the high number of people affected

by Parkinson’s Disease in the Goulburn Valley..

Goulburn Valley Health Division Clinical Director of Medicine Dr Arup Bhattacharya, a geriatrician and physician who specialises in movement and other neurological disorders said that the nurse would support the high amount of people with Parkinson’s Disease in the region.

“Environmental factors contributed to the high number of people affected

by Parkinson’s Disease in the Goulburn Valley, as well as an ageing population”, Dr Bhattacharya said.

“Too many of these people were travelling all the way to Melbourne for treatment.

That kind of travel can be exhausting’, he said.

Dr Bhattacharya was instrumental in setting up a local Movement Disorder Clinic at the hospital so that patients could seek regular support locally, and helped to secure the Movement Disorder Nurse for the region.

“A recent study shows that having a Movement Disorder Nurse in the community will keep patients out of other institutions for longer and prevent depression, which is a symptom of Parkinson’s Disease”, Dr Bhattacharya said.

WBro. Geoff Alexander, at his home in Shepparton.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 19

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Cardiovascular disease a leading cause of death in Australia Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia, with 45,600 deaths each year. In fact, cardiovascular disease kills one Australian every 12 minutes!

C

ardiovascular disease is one of Australia's largest health problems. Despite improvements over the last few decades, it remains one of the biggest burdens on our economy.

Cardiovascular disease includes heart, stroke and blood vessel diseases. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, low fibre diet, alcohol and smoking.

Nine in 10 adult Australians have at least one risk factor for CVD and one in four have three or more risk factors.

Epworth HealthCare is a leader in the treatment of cardiac disease. After years of treatment and research, Epworth has developed a comprehensive range of services from initial diagnosis to post-operative care and lifestyle advice resulting in world-class treatment and best possible medical outcomes for all cardiac and circulatory system conditions.

The Institute aims to provide a focus on the increasing profile of cardiology and cardiac surgical services, and to develop, practice and teach advanced techniques in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease.

Nine in 10 adult Australians have at least one risk factor for CVD and one in four have three or more risk factors.

Epworth has taken some innovative approaches in the treatment of cardiac care by purchasing some highly advanced equipment and trialing novel prosthesis in the treatment of cardiac disease.

Epworth was the first hospital in Australia to purchase the da Vinci Robot which is used to assist surgeons in cardiac surgery. The robot will be a feature of Epworth’s Men’s Health Lunch discussing cardiac health to be held on 8 May at the MCG. In addition, Epworth has trialed an innovative prosthesis and celebrated their 100th procedure recently. The innovative CoreValve System is used to replace a diseased aortic valve without open heart surgery or surgical removal of the native valve.

The valve has been implanted in more than 7,500 patients worldwide and in approximately 800 patients in Australia. Once the trial is complete it is hoped that the procedure will be more widely available.

The Cardiac Sciences Clinical Institute is committed to the care of patients with cardiac disease and provides the highest standards in investigation and management to ensure a speedy and effective recovery for patients.

See page 21 for images.

20 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

Inner Sanctum am sure you will join me in thanking everyone behind, and in front of the screen, for the tremendous work they have carried out.

and making them happen, I say a big thank you.

To my Senior Grand Officers, for the exemplary manner in which they have handled their individual portfolios. The importance of their role cannot be overstated and I thank them sincerely for their efforts.

We have taken the “Inside Story” to over 100,000 people every month and our audience continues to grow. But even this is eclipsed when tonight at 8.00 To my Deputy Grand Master o’clock our Grand Installation MWBro. Bob Jones shares final address forhis his unswerving support and will be screened live to air. friendship, in good and not so Another first 2014 for Victorian of the world March Quarterly Communication good times.

I thank him and his Freemasonry. wife Sue most sincerely.

However, tonight is not about I would also like to make a the past. It is about looking to special announcement about the future. In a few hours a new three Brethren Looking back on a wonderful year who have Grand Master will be installed given long and distinguished as our leader. The catchphrase service to Freemasonry and in ‘Racing Towards the Future’ has recognition of this I have today Scholarship served us well andenables I am sure vital promoted them to the high that my successor will keep his research office of Past Deputy Grand foot on the accelerator. I pledge Master. They are: myself to give him 110 per cent RWBro. John Berryman; support, as he has supported RWBro. Barry Brooks; and me during the past two years.

Education through RWBro. Bill Hayes.

I wish him well and trust that he will have as fulfilling a time as discovery Lastly, but certainly not least, Grand Master as I have had.

I thank my wife and sons,

In My Words Benevolence

Membership

Before closing, I must pay due thanks to those that have played an important part in making my term as Grand Master so enjoyable.

Firstly to my two ceremonial teams, and in particular my two Grand Directors, who have worked so hard in supporting me at over 400 Installations and Consecrations, and various other ceremonial events over the past two years. I have enjoyed your company and I’m proud of the standard of work you, and the teams, have attained.

To the Grand Secretary and his team at the Secretariat, who have managed somehow to keep my diary up to date and to make sure I get to those appointments, and for putting up with some of my silly ideas

without whom I could not have survived the last four years.

Robbie and Cameron have kept the home fires burning, as far as our business is concerned. In fact they have done so well that I’m not sure they’ll let me back in!

To Kerry – what can I say, she has been my biggest supporter for our entire married life, none more so than in the last two years when her guidance, calmness and sound judgement, often at the expense of her own health, have kept me going. I thank you and promise you that things will get easier from now on.

and hundreds of supportive letters, emails and social comments. I am truly humbled.

I am sure not everyone has agreed with every decision I have made but most have been willing to accept my ruling and move on, and this is the way a good democratic society works. As I have always said, feel free to disagree, but debate respectfully. Our Constitution sets out certain systems that we are all bound to follow – and that includes me. If we all follow those rules, then our differences can, and should be, satisfactorily adjusted.

As we enter this 125th year, Freemasonry in Victoria will undoubtedly face new challenges. For instance, the way we communicate has changed dramatically over the last decade. We cannot ignore these changes and harken back to the “good old days", as that is ultimately a futile exercise.

If we are to survive and grow stronger, we must embrace change. The challenge is to do it without compromising our principles of brotherly love, relief and truth.

I leave you looking forward to a bigger, brighter and prosperous future for our beloved Craft.

Thank you.

MWBro. Bob Jones

Brethren, in closing, I want to place on record my gratitude to all of you for the honour and privilege of being your Grand Master. Also for the hundreds

Our Principles Make a Difference

Autumn 2014 Inner Sanctum

ii

IN MY WORDS

In My

Words

Past Grand Master, MWBro. Bob Jones, shares his final Quarterly Communication at Grand Lodge.

L

adies, adies, gentlemen gentlemenand and brethren, brethren, welcome welcometotothis this Quarterly Quarterly Communication Communication of Grand GrandLodge, Lodge,which which precedes precedes our ourGrand GrandInstallation.

Installation.

I would wouldparticularly particularlylike like toto welcome welcome all allthose thoseviewing viewing onon the web weband andininMasonic Masonic Centres Centres around around Victoria.

Victoria.

I am am sure suresome someofofyou you will will bebe pleased pleased to tohear hearthat thatthis thisis isthe the last time timeIIwill willbe beaddressing addressing a a Quarterly Quarterly Communication Communication as as your your Grand GrandMaster.

Master.

Two Two years yearsago agoI pledged I pledged toto you, you, and andtotomyself, myself, that that I would I would leave Freemasonry FreemasonryVictoria Victoriainin aa better position positionthan thanwhen whenI took I took it over, over,just justasasmy mypredecessors predecessors had done. done.I Ibelieve believethat thatI have I have and and II hope hopeyou youconcur. concur.

Without Without going goinginto intoa along long litany litany of what whathas hasoccurred occurredduring during the last last two twoyears, years,I would I would likelike to touch touchon onaacouple coupleofof aspects aspects that II consider considertotobe beimportant. important.

Firstly, Firstly, while whileour ourtotal total membership membership has hasdeclined declined slightly, slightly, ititisispleasing pleasingtoto report report that we wehave havehad hadrecord record numbers numbers of ofcandidates candidatesbeing being brought brought into intoFreemasonry, Freemasonry, and and that the the rate rateof ofresignations resignations has reduced reducedimmensely. immensely.

Our Our main main cause causeofofattrition attritionis isnow now mortality, mortality, and andFreemasonry Freemasonry hasn’t hasn’t found founda away way toto stop stop that that yet. yet.

Our Our average averageage ageofofnew new candidates candidates isisaround around3636 and and

i

Inner Sanctum Autumn 2014

the average averageage ageofofthe thetotal total membership membership isisnow now6767 years, years, a reduction reductionofoftwo twoyears years from from the theaverage averagethree threeyears years ago. ago. While Whilethe theaverage average age age is is slowly slowly reducing, reducing,we we still still have have a significant significantnumber numberofofelderly elderly members. members.

The challenge challengewe wenow now face, face, is is not so so much muchhow howtotoget get new new members, members, but buthow howtoto make make sure sure we weretain retainthem. them.This This is ais a problem problem that thatwe wemust mustallall bebe involved involved in, in,because becauseif ifwe we don’t don’t look look after afterthe thenew newcandidates, candidates, make them themwelcome welcomeand and keep keep them them entertained, entertained,they theywill will leave. leave. ItItisisup uptotoeach eachand and every every one of of us usto toensure ensurethat that allall of of our our Lodges Lodgesare, are,and andI quote, I quote, “places “places where wheremen men ofof allall ages ages are made madewelcome welcomeand and are are places places that thatthey theywant wanttotobe”. be”.

We have havecontinued continuedtotolive live upup to our ourcharitable charitableprinciples principles with with record recordcollections collectionsonon Good Good Friday Fridayfor forthe theRoyal Royal Children’s Children’s Hospital HospitalAppeal, Appeal, and and also for forthe theThink ThinkPink PinkBreast Breast Cancer Cancer Appeal.

Appeal.OfOfcourse course our our significant significantcommitment commitment to Masonic MasonicScholarships Scholarshipsand and Bursaries Bursaries will willcontinue, continue, asas will will our our sponsorship sponsorshipofofMelbourne Melbourne Youth Youth Music.

Music.InIntotal total wewe continue continue to tocontribute contributearound around $1.25 $1.25 million millionper peryear year toto worthy worthy causes. causes.

As you youhave haveheard heardme mesay say before, before, there therewill willbebechanges changes to the the structure structureofofour our

benevolence benevolence system systemby bybringing bringing together together the thegood goodwork workofof both the theBoard BoardofofBenevolence Benevolence and and the theFreemasons FreemasonsPublic Public Charitable Charitable Foundation.

Foundation.

The The new new and and efficient efficientstructure structurewill will result result in aa great greatimprovement improvementtoto the the way way in inwhich whichwe wemanage manage and and dispense dispense our ourcharity. charity.

Our Our buildings buildingsprogramme programme is is continuing continuing atataagreat greatpace, pace, with with work workwell welladvanced advanced onon the new newBox BoxHill HillMasonic Masonic Centre Centre site, site,where wherewe we expect expect to have have Lodges Lodgesmeeting meetinginin their new newhome homeby bylate lateJuly, July, early early August Augustthis thisyear. year.

We We areare about about to tocommence commencework work on our ourdevelopment developmentsites sitesinin Station Station Street StreetBox BoxHill Hilland and Strathalbyn Strathalbyn Street StreetKew, Kew,and and I am am pleased pleasedtotoreport reportthat that the Mirvac Mirvacredevelopment redevelopmentofof the DBC DBCisison onschedule. schedule.

WeWe therefore therefore expect expecttotobe bevacating vacating the DBC DBCininthe thesecond second half half of of this year. year.Gardenvale Gardenvaleis isour our next next big project, project,itithas hasreached reached the the Council Council planning planningstage, stage, and and wewe would would hope hopetotohave havethis thisvery very exciting exciting new newMasonic MasonicCentre Centre coming coming out outofofthe theground ground soon. soon.

And, And, of ofcourse, course,we we cannot cannot overlook overlook our ourChannel Channel3131 show show “ “Freemasons: Freemasons:The TheInside Inside Story Story ”. ”.

In just justover over66months, months, wewe went went from fromwhat whatstarted started asas anan idea, idea, to tofilming, filming,editing, editing, and and screening screening aasuccessful successfultelevision television programme. programme. What Whatanan enormous enormous effort effort by byall allconcerned concernedand and I I

IN MY WORDS

am sure sureyou youwill willjoin join me me in in thanking everyonebehind, behind, and thanking everyone and in front frontof ofthe thescreen, screen,forfor the the tremendous workthey theyhave have tremendous work carried out. carried out.

We have havetaken takenthe the“Inside “Inside Story” toover over100,000 100,000 people people Story” to every every month monthand andour ouraudience audience continues continues to togrow. grow.But But even even this this is eclipsed eclipsedwhen whentonight tonightatat 8.00 8.00 o’clock o’clock our ourGrand Grand Installation Installation will will be bescreened screenedlive livetotoair.air.

Another Another world worldfirst firstfor forVictorian Victorian Freemasonry.

Freemasonry.

However, However, tonight tonightisisnot notabout about the past. past.ItItisisabout aboutlooking looking toto the future. future.InInaafew fewhours hours a new a new Grand Grand Master Masterwill willbebe installed installed as our ourleader. leader.The Thecatchphrase catchphrase ‘Racing ‘Racing Towards Towardsthe theFuture’ Future’ hashas served served us uswell welland andI am I am sure sure that my mysuccessor successorwill will keep keep hishis foot on onthe theaccelerator. accelerator.I pledge I pledge myself myself to togive givehim him110 110per per cent cent support, support, asashe hehas hassupported supported me during duringthe thepast pasttwo two years. years.

I wish wishhim himwell welland andtrust trust that that hehe will will have haveas asfulfilling fulfillinga a time time asas Grand Grand Master MasterasasI have I have had. had.

Before Before closing, closing,I must I must pay pay due due thanks thanks to tothose thosethat thathave haveplayed played an important importantpart partininmaking making my term termas asGrand GrandMaster Master soso enjoyable. enjoyable.

Firstly Firstly to tomy mytwo twoceremonial ceremonial teams, teams, and andininparticular particular mymy two two Grand GrandDirectors, Directors, who who have have worked worked so sohard hardininsupporting supporting me at at over over400 400Installations Installations and and Consecrations, Consecrations,and and various various other other ceremonial ceremonialevents eventsover over the past pasttwo twoyears. years.I have I have enjoyed enjoyed your yourcompany companyand and I’m I’m proud proudofofthe thestandard standard of of work work you, you,and andthe theteams, teams, have have attained. attained.

To To the theGrand GrandSecretary Secretary and and hishis team team at atthe theSecretariat, Secretariat,who who have managed managedsomehow somehowtoto keep my mydiary diaryup uptotodate date and and to make makesure sureI Iget gettotothose those appointments, appointments, and andforfor putting putting up up with withsome someofofmy mysilly silly ideas ideas

and and making makingthem themhappen, happen, I say I say a big big thank thankyou. you.

To To my mySenior SeniorGrand Grand Officers, Officers, for the the exemplary exemplarymanner manner in which whichthey theyhave havehandled handled their individual individualportfolios. portfolios.

The The importance importance ofoftheir theirrole rolecannot cannot be overstated overstatedand andI thank I thankthem them sincerely sincerely for fortheir theirefforts. efforts.

To To my myDeputy DeputyGrand Grand Master Master for his his unswerving unswervingsupport support and and friendship, friendship, iningood goodand and not not soso good good times. times.I Ithank thankhim him and and hishis wife wife Sue Suemost mostsincerely. sincerely.

I would wouldalso alsolike liketotomake make aa special special announcement announcementabout about three Brethren Brethrenwho whohave have given given long longand anddistinguished distinguished service service to toFreemasonry Freemasonryand and inin recognition recognition ofofthis thisI have I havetoday today promoted promoted them themtotothe thehigh high office office of ofPast PastDeputy DeputyGrand Grand Master.

Master. They Theyare: are:

RWBro. JohnBerryman; Berryman; RWBro. John RWBro. BarryBrooks; Brooks; and RWBro. Barry and RWBro. BillHayes.

Hayes.

RWBro. Bill Lastly, Lastly, but butcertainly certainlynot not least, least, I thank thankmy mywife wifeand andsons, sons, without without whom whomI could I could not not have have survived survived the thelast lastfour fouryears. years.

Robbie Robbie and andCameron Cameronhave have kept kept the home homefires firesburning, burning, asas farfar as our ourbusiness businessisisconcerned. concerned.

In In fact they they have havedone donesosowell well that that I’m I’m not notsure surethey’ll they’ll letlet meme back back in! in!

To To Kerry Kerry––what whatcan can I say, I say, she has has been beenmy mybiggest biggest supporter supporter for forour ourentire entire married married life, life,none nonemore more soso than than in inthe thelast lasttwo twoyears years when when her guidance, guidance,calmness calmness and and sound sound judgement, judgement,often often atat thethe expense expense of ofher herown ownhealth, health, have have kept me megoing. going.I thank I thank you you and and promise promise you youthat thatthings thingswill will getget easier from fromnow nowon. on.

and and hundreds hundredsofofsupportive supportive letters, letters, emails emailsand andsocial social comments. comments. I Iam amtruly truly humbled. humbled.

I am am sure surenot noteveryone everyonehas has agreed agreed with withevery everydecision decision I I have made madebut butmost mosthave havebeen been willing willing to toaccept acceptmy myruling ruling and and move moveon, on,and andthis this is is the the way way aagood gooddemocratic democratic society society works. works. As AsI Ihave havealways always said, said, feel free free to todisagree, disagree,but butdebate debate respectfully. respectfully. Our OurConstitution Constitution sets out out certain certainsystems systemsthat that we are areall allbound boundtotofollow follow – – and and that thatincludes includesme. me.If we If we allall follow follow those thoserules, rules,then then our our differences differences can, can,and andshould should be,be, satisfactorily satisfactorily adjusted. adjusted.

As we we enter enterthis this125th 125thyear, year, Freemasonry Freemasonry ininVictoria Victoria will will undoubtedly undoubtedlyface facenew new challenges. challenges. For Forinstance, instance, the the way way we wecommunicate communicatehas has changed changed dramatically dramaticallyover over the the last decade. decade.We Wecannot cannot ignore ignore these changes changesand andharken harkenback back to the the“good “goodold old days", days", as that as that is ultimately ultimatelyaafutile futileexercise. exercise.

If we we are areto tosurvive surviveand and grow grow stronger, stronger, we wemust mustembrace embrace change. change. The Thechallenge challenge is is toto dodo it without withoutcompromising compromising our our principles principles of ofbrotherly brotherlylove, love, relief and andtruth. truth.

I leave leave you youlooking lookingforward forward toto a a bigger, bigger, brighter brighterand andprosperous prosperous future future for forour ourbeloved belovedCraft.

Craft.

Thank Thank you. you.

MWBro. MWBro. Bob BobJones Jones

Brethren, Brethren, ininclosing, closing,I want I want to to place place on onrecord recordmy mygratitude gratitude to all all of ofyou youfor forthe thehonour honour and and privilege privilege of ofbeing beingyour yourGrand Grand Master.

Master. Also Alsofor forthe thehundreds hundreds Autumn 2014 Inner Sanctum

ii

BENEVOLENCE

Looking back on a wonderful year

T

he Board Boardof ofBenevolence Benevolencehad had a very a very busy busy year during during2013 2013with with a large a large number number of applications applicationsreceived receivedforfor the the various various categories categories of offinancial financialassistance assistance that that wewe support. support.

Nineteen Nineteen petitions petitionsfor formembers members and/or and/or their their dependants dependants were wereconsidered considered with with 1414 being being assisted assisted for aa total totalofof$51,080. $51,080.

Sixteen Sixteen education educationbursary bursary applications applications were were received received by bychildren/grandchildren children/grandchildren of of members members with with ten tenbeing beinggranted grantedforfor anan outlay outlay of $21,000. of $21,000.

One One hundred hundredand andone one Masonic Masonic scholarships scholarships were were awarded awarded at ataapresentation presentation event event in in May May for for a total a total of $257,800. $257,800.One One hundred hundred andand eighty-one eighty-one RuleRule one one hundred hundred and andtwenty twentycommunity community grant grant applications applications from from Lodges Lodgesand andDistricts Districts were were received received with with 164164 grants grants approved approvedfor foranan outlay outlay of of $309,258. $309,258.

Those Those Lodges Lodges and andDistricts Districtsthemselves themselves contributed contributed nearly nearly $300,000. $300,000. This This was was a wonderful a wonderful achievement. achievement.

A Charity CharityChallenge Challengewas was held held in Ballarat in Ballarat withwith $6,000 $6,000 awarded awarded to toLodge Lodgesupported supported local local charities. charities.

Sixteen Sixteen Rule Rule 120 120grant grantapplications applications made made directly directly to the to the Board Board resulted resultedininten tenapprovals approvals forfor an an outlay outlay of of

Scholarship enables vital research

F

reemasons reemasons Victoria Victoriaprovides provides scholarships scholarships of of every every level leveleach eachyear yeartotoaround around 100 100 students, students, all of ofwhom whomgo goonon toto achieve achieve success success within within their studies studiesand andcareer. career.

But But it’sit’s notnot often often a a scholarship scholarship recipient recipientappears appears in in thethe press, press, is praised is praised for their theirachievements, achievements,and and given given thethe opportunity opportunity to to talk about abouttheir theirstudies. studies.

Jennifer Squire, Squire,grand-daughter grand-daughter of of WBro. WBro. Trevor Trevor Power Power of St Andrews of St Andrews in the South in the Lodge South No.Lodge 149 is No. one such 149 is one scholarship such scholarship recipient, who recipient, recentlywho spoke recently about her spoke about research her into research breast cancer into breast treatment. cancer Jennifer treatment. had Jennifer previously had received previously a $2000 received scholarship a $2000 towards scholarship her towards studies inher Forensic studies Science in Forensic at Deakin Science University, at Deakin and University, has since continued and has on since to complete continued heron Doctorate. to complete her Deakin Doctorate.

University Deakin recruits University research intensive recruits research academics intensive each year to academics undertakeeach theiryear post-graduate to undertake andtheir postpost-graduate doctorate work and in areas post-doctorate of interest, and work in Jennifer’s in areas case, of in the interest, area ofand chemistry. in Jennifer’s Jennifer case, was ingranted the areaa of Deakin chemistry.

Post-graduate Jennifer Research wasScholarship, granted a Deakin workingPoston a graduate project titled Research A Promising Scholarship, Drug Delivery working System on afor the project Treatment titled of Breast A Promising Cancer. Drug Delivery System for the Treatment of Breast Cancer. iii Inner Sanctum Autumn 2014

$283,469. $283,469. InIn allall a total a total of $928,607 of $928,607 fromfrom the Board the Board combined combined with withthe the$300,000 $300,000 from from Lodges Lodges andand Districts Districts resulted resultedininalmost almost one one and and a quarter a quarter million million dollars dollars being beingdisbursed disbursedforfor worthy worthy causes causes in the in the Masonic Masonic and andwider widercommunities. communities.

I am amvery veryproud proudofofthe the Freemasons Freemasons of Victoria of Victoria for for opening opening up uptheir theirhearts hearts and and purses, purses, andand putting putting into practice practicethe thevirtues virtuesofof Benevolence Benevolence andand Charity, Charity, the hallmarks hallmarksofofFreemasonry.

Freemasonry.

Members Members andand ladies, ladies, you you should shouldbe bevery veryproud. proud.

(Left) Mr. (Chairman, Acclaim Awards), (Left) Mr.Ian IanSlater Slater (Chairman, Acclaim Awards), Mrs. Valeria Pergolesi Spontini, Mrs. ValeriaEsposito Esposito(Fondazione (Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini, at at Melbourne Town Hall Hall Jesi), Frank FrankFordyce, Fordyce,portrait portrait Melbourne Town Eamonn Kelly). civic reception reception(photo (photocredit: credit: Eamonn Kelly).

“When finishedmy my honours, I knew I wanted “When I Ifinished honours, I knew I wanted to to go on ontowards towardsa aPhD, PhD, and and I knew I knew thethe areaarea I wanted I wanted to work workin”, in”, Jennifer said.

Jennifer quoted Jennifer said.

Jennifer waswas quoted in the theGeelong GeelongAdvertiser Advertiser asas saying saying that that sheshe waswas passionate passionate about aboutfinding findinga better a better way way to treat to treat breast breast cancer. cancer. She Shesaid saidthat thatthere there is still is still nono cure, cure, onlyonly treatments treatments like likechemotherapy chemotherapy that that destroys destroys healthy healthy tissue. tissue.

“I “I am amaiming aimingtotodevelop develop a chemotherapy a chemotherapy drug drug delivery delivery system systemthat thatwill will only only target target andand destroy destroy cancer cells”, Jennifer said.

Jennifer went on to cancer cells”, Jennifer said.

Jennifer went on to explain thatwith withher herresearch, research, very thing explain that thethe very thing thatthat gives cancer cancerthe thecompetitive competitive edge edge over over healthy healthy cells, cells, could could also alsoultimately ultimatelybring bring about about its its own own demise. demise.

Jennifer was wassent senttoto London London University University and Paris and Paris as part as part of her of her studies studies with withDeakin Deakin University, whereshe University, where she visited her also also visited her brother brother Brian, also Brian, a scholarship also a scholarship recipient recipient through through Freemasons Freemasons Victoria, Victoria, who who gained hisgained Bachelor his of Computing Bachelor ofand Computing Mathematics.and Mathematics.

MEMBERSHIP

Education through

S

discovery

everal years ago I had a once in a lifetime experience when cleaning out the Lodge ante-room so that our candidates had somewhere to prepare. I say ‘once in a lifetime’ because for perhaps sixty years our Lodge had held to that Masonic tradition of hoarding as much as possible and storing it in every nook and cranny - after all, you just never knew when those extra banquet cards from the 1953 installation might be useful!

Amongst the rubbish and remnants of silverfish devoured regalia, there were a few treasures; including a variety of Masonic Jewels - one a small jewel on the back of which was inscribed the name of one of our members. Closer examination revealed that it was a Jubilee Jewel presented in 1939, but the recipient was no relation to our current member who was soon due for his fifty-year Jewel (rather than a 120-year bar).

Here was potentially fertile ground to enrich the forthcoming presentation. However, enquiries to find out about the origins of this Jubilee Jewel initially came to naught. The old Minute Books for the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes (BGP) revealed that in 1939, following on from the celebrations to mark fifty-years since the formation of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria in March 1889, Victoria Kilwinning Lodge No. 93 suggested to the BGP that a jewel be struck to honour those Freemasons who had been members for those fifty years. This suggestion was quickly endorsed and the Grand Master approved a jewel that was presented to 104 brethren.

The Minute Book also revealed that in 1940 AthenTaeum Lodge No. 347 suggested to the BGP an ongoing program to present jewels to those brethren who had been members for fifty-years. This suggestion was also endorsed and has continued ever since. The initial fifty-year jewel was the same size and of very similar style to the Jubilee Jewel. The obvious differences being the wording on the ribbon bars Jubilee 1889-1939 and 50 Years Service. Less obvious are small variations in the jewel itself. In the 1950s the fifty-year jewel and ribbon were changed to the current larger size. Recently our Grand Lodge Librarian found three Jubilee Jewels in a box of miscellaneous items that had over the years been given to the Grand Lodge Museum. Further research revealed that one of these jewels was presented to the first Candidate in the United Grand Lodge of Victoria. Herbert James Carter was Initiated in April 1889 at the Duke of Manchester Lodge No. 76.

Ruary Ruary Bucknall Bucknall I wonder what treasures are hidden in your Lodge, or even on display without you realising their significance? Next time you find or see something unfamiliar, please take the opportunity to research and share your findings for a daily advancement in Masonic education!

The Duke of Manchester Lodge was formed in May 1882 under the English Constitution number 1968.

It surrendered its Warrant in 1997 after meeting for 115 years.

Who would have ever thought that a Lodge clean-up would lead to the discovery of a long forgotten part of our history.

Autumn 2014 Inner Sanctum iv

CHAPTER AND MARK

Consecration of the Kilwinning Mark Lodge of Research No. 2, Oration

T

he following Oration was delivered by RWBro. Wayne L. Smith, PDGM, Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Victoria on the occasion of the Consecration of the Kilwinning Mark Lodge of Research No. 2 on Friday 29 November 2013.

RWBro. Smith was acting as Grand Chaplain in the Consecration Team; MWBro. John Liesegang, Grand Master presided assisted by RWBro. Doug Mount, DGM, Grand Master-Elect. RWBro. Smith is a Past Master of Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge No. 584; Past Grand Haggai and Grand Scribe Ezra of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Victoria; Past Commander of the Victorian Naval & Military Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No. 57; Past Preceptor of the Earl of Stradbroke Preceptory No. 4 Knights Templar; and Past Worthy Supreme Ruler of the Western Conclave No. 14 Order of the Secret Monitor.

Asser the Monk, chronicler and historian wrote, “…. at the royal villa of Wantage, in that district which is called Berkshire… arose Light out of Darkness.” By the use of the words ‘Light out of Darkness’ one could be forgiven for thinking that Asser refers to someone of more heavenly origins rather than a mere mortal. In fact, Asser speaks here of the birth of Alfred, the only one of our Kings to be called, ‘the Great.’

v

Inner Sanctum Autumn 2014

You may well think that Alfred the Great is an unusual subject for the Consecration Oration of a new Lodge – but not so.

Alfred is, in many ways, the embodiment of what this new Lodge, a Lodge of Research is, or ought to be.

Alfred was born the fourth son of King Ethelwulf of Wessex and his royal wife, Osburh in 849.

He was born at a time of great turmoil for England with the Danes or Vikings continually raiding the country and later settling on a permanent basis. In his youth Alfred journeyed twice to Rome. It was during these sojourns that he developed a deep and abiding respect for the Holy See of St Peter, and the establishment of the payment of tribute to the Papacy called “Peter’s Pence” the collection of which lasted 700 years and was not finally abolished until Henry VIII broke with Rome.

Never before and never since in our history have four brothers succeeded each other on the same Throne, and all inside 10 years. Alfred succeeded to the Crown in 871. It took a further eight years of war and many harrowing vicissitudes before he defeated the Danes at Edington, and a relative peace descended upon his kingdom. As an aside, the original St Edwards Crown which had graced the brows of all English Sovereigns since Edward the Confessor and destroyed under Oliver Cromwell, was fashioned from the circulate worn by Alfred.

By his own efforts and brilliant intellect, despite further Danish

incursions and his own daily infirmities of body he did not cease to carry on the government of the kingdom; he personally instructed his goldsmiths and artificers; he erected by his own inventive skill finer and more sumptuous buildings than had previously been known; he read and studied; wrote whole books and translated others from Latin to English for the benefit of his subjects; invented the twenty four hour candle so that he might know the exact hour both by day and by night; and instituted the writing of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the longest unbroken record in Western history commencing in its commentary at the year One and faithfully maintained by succeeding generations for more than 300 years, the last entry being for the year 1154 and the Coronation of Henry II. By his actions the chronicle was written in the vernacular and not in the language of the Church and later the State too, Latin. Even to the last entry in 1154 the Chronicle was recorded in the everyday language of the people.

Alfred’s continual and unremitting insistence on the use of the vernacular had long and far reaching consequences: Coverdale’s and Tyndale’s English Bibles and later the King James; and was stamped forever upon the national psyche in the 39 Articles of the Religion – the basis for the Church of England – for we find at Article 24, “It is a thing plainly repugnant… to minister… in a tongue not understood of the people.”

CHAPTER AND MARK

Alfred encouraged and actively recruited skilled literary help from amongst the most learned scholars he could find in Europe to come into his realm to teach his own people. He reformed the Church and installed as leaders of the Church, clergy who were literate, knowledgeable and intelligent. His Peers and nobles were required to learn, often against their will, how to read and write. Alfred established schools at his court for the children of his nobles so that they could be thoroughly educated. Often Alfred was to be found in these schools actively performing the role of teacher.

He was a bountiful giver of alms both to his own countrymen and to foreigners of all nations.

Such was his reputation that in his own lifetime Franks, Gauls, Bretons, Scots and Welsh as well as the native Anglo-Saxon, and not a few Danes as well, submitted voluntarily to his dominion. Alfred died in 899 just 50 years of age amidst great lamentation and sorrow from all his people. He was succeeded by his son Edward called, ‘the Elder.’

Alfred found learning dead and he restored it; education neglected and he revived it; the laws powerless and he gave them force; the church debased and he raised it; the land ravaged by a fearful enemy from which he delivered it.

Alfred is remembered every year at the Last Night at the Proms where a ribald audience roar out to the world the wellknown climax to ‘Alfred; a Masque’ composed in 1740 by Thomas Arne, “Rule Britannia!”

Appropriate, as he is considered to be the founder of the Royal Navy.

So then, what does this rather long discourse have to do with Kilwinning Mark Lodge of Research on this day of Consecration? Well, in offering Alfred as an exemplar worthy of emulation is to demonstrate to you the value, the ABSOLUTE value of learning and education, and the research that supports that education. Had not Alfred, by his own will and energies educated himself and insisted on such education for his people, then he would have simply passed into the mists of time.

This Lodge has, both by stated intention and by the name upon the Warrant, accepted a sacred trust to advance the education, learning and research of the Degree of Mark Master Mason.

Your deliberations, scholarly papers and researches are to be for the benefit of all Mark Brethren. The Degree is hungry for the word, and it is part of the work of this Lodge to make that word reality. To forget not also the Sons of Noah, the Ark Mariners, for they also have an undoubted claim to your kind offices.

Over many years there has been a sad deficiency in the historical and philosophical teachings of this Degree. Your Lodge is now about to supply the remedy. The Torch of Learning has now been lit and its glow must irradiate from this Lodge with the brightness of the sun. “Come all ye who hunger for knowledge and I will give you your fill.”

On the day of the Dedication of King Solomon’s Temple, ‘thank-offerings,’ bloodless nonanimal sacrifice, were made by the people in the House of the Lord God of Israel. These thankofferings were deemed to be the prime necessities of daily life – corn, wine, oil and salt.

Corn, the symbol of nourishment, abundance, morality and virtue Wine, the symbol of refreshment, joy and cheerfulness Oil, for peace and unanimity; and Salt, the symbol of hospitality and friendship.

May all these attributes be found in this Lodge. May the Torch of Learning illuminate the minds of all of the Brethren of Kilwinning Mark Lodge of Research, and elicit from every Brother here assembled a readiness to do great things for Mark Masonry.

Today’s Ceremony of Consecration is performed in the full and certain knowledge that we, both as Masons and as human beings, are seekers after truth. The lessons, thoughts and ideas conveyed by our ceremonies can plainly be seen and understood by those who genuinely seek to find those truths. The veil of symbolism with which our ceremonies are overlayed keep our secrets from prying eyes and only those who genuinely seek will ever find a full participation in the mysteries of our Order.

As each Petitioner stands in the body of this Lodge on this happy day, be he full of expectation, anxious to do well and promote the continuance of Mark Masonry. You have a duty of care and an inherent obligation, both to the past, present and future, to perpetuate this Lodge from year to year, and from generation to generation.

Autumn 2014 Inner Sanctum vi

LODGE NEWS

Portland loses its Town Crier

S

In memory of Syd Cuffe

yd Cuffe, one of Portland Lodges most colourful characters has passed away aged 89. He will be best remembered by the community for being its Town Crier and for his regular appearances at events within the area.

He enjoyed singing and loved to lead the odes and harmonies.

Aside from Freemasonry Syd was a long serving member of Portland RSL and president in 1975-76, 1984-86 and 200206. At aged 18 he got his first posting with the Royal Australian Air Force. In World War II he was a Radar and Wireless Operator stationed on Horn Island in QLD and Darwin. Last year he attended the 70th Anniversary of the bombing of Darwin where he met the Governor General and the Prime Minister.

Using his talents as a town crier and radio operator Syd could be regularly heard presenting on Portland’s community radio station 3RPC which he did for roughly 30 years.

Between 1988 and 2009 Syd raised the Australian flag at Syd recently received his 65 Ploughed Field every morning. year Jewel in recognition for He shared his knowledge of his time, commitment and Portland talking to and providing dedication to Freemasonry. commentary to passengers on Freemasonry played a massive the Portland Cable Tram on the part in Syd’s life; he was actively first two trips of every Monday involved in the South West of morning. Up until the last couple Victoria and the South East of of years Syd braved the elements He joined Portland’s Water Tower and swam between 6.00 and Southern Australia. He was initiated, passed and raised in the Preservation Committee as a 6.30am every morning at Nuns returned serviceman when they Leamington Lodge in 1948/49.

Beach. received funding to turn it into Joining the Serviceman’s He will be remembered and Commemoration Lodge in 1960, a World War II memorial. Syd missed by many. where he was Worshipful Master helped keep the lookout open and chose memorabilia for the in April 1968/9. He then joined display. the Lodge of Memories in 1970 when he moved to Portland. He He was nominated Town Crier gave many years of service there, in 1983 with his first official and was Lodge Secretary for a duties taking place in 1984 for total of 12 years, and Worshipful Portland’s 150th Anniversary Master in 1982/83. celebration.

He had a great amount of time for the Mark & Arc Mariners Degrees which he gave a lot Syd moved to of support over the years. He Portland with his wife joined the Mark in 1961 and over time became a member in mid-1960 where of three different Victorian they embraced the Mark Lodges, the last being the Portland Mark Lodge in 2004. community Syd gained conferred Grand Rank and a number of promotions to see him reach the rank of PGIWkgs. Syd loved the camaraderie of Freemasonry and the opportunity to catch up with his friends.

vii Inner Sanctum Autumn 2014

wholeheartedly.

He was a member and past chairman of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australian Town Criers and regularly attended national town crier competitions and World Championships.

VWBro. Syd Cuffe, Portland Town Crier 1983 - 2013

VISITING MASONS

UK visitors enjoy a trip down under At the Quarterly Communication held on 18 December 2013, Freemasons Victoria played host to a small contingent from the UK who were also in Australia visiting their family at the time.

W

Bro. David Wood, Staffordshire Province along with WBro. Andrew Brown, Province of West Yorkshire and his father WBro. Ian Brown from Mornington Lodge No. 160, all attended the December Quarterly Communication on Wednesday 18 December.

MWBro. Bob Jones addressed the Quarterly Communication, where WBro. Andrew and WBro. David sat in the audience, by making special mention of our UK guests but reiterated that ‘they were not allowed to discuss the cricket!’

WBro. David is a retired Civil Engineer in Staffordshire, England and was involved in the development of draining systems for the local shire and water companies. He and his wife Carole made the trip to Australia to visit their daughter in Mount Martha, but took the opportunity to also familiarise themselves with Freemasonry in Melbourne – it just so happened that the timing of the trip coincided with the Quarterly Communication.

Currently Lodge Chaplain, WBro. David’s path into Freemasonry began when he was initiated into North Staffordshire Round Table Lodge No. 8355 (English Constitution) in 1991. In 1998 he was installed into the Chair of King Solomon and became Secretary of the Lodge for the next eight years.

WBro. David is also a member of Royal Arch, Past 1st Principal of Royal Arch Chapter No. 8355 and Past 1st Principal of London/ Staffordshire Royal Arch Chapter No. 1474. He is currently Most Wise Sovereign of Stoke Rose Croix Chapter No. 187.

One of WBro. David’s highlights, he said, was his role as Visiting Officer in the Province, when he was asked to take on the role of Secretary of the Organising Committee of the 2013 Grand Charity Festival.

“The Festival culminated in September 2013 having raised £1.6 million. The cheque was presented to the Pro. GM David Williamson at the Festival Ball on 14 September, at Keele University”, he said.

Accompanying WBro. David on this trip, was WBro. Andrew Brown, Province of West Yorkshire. WBro. Andrew was initiated into Rokeby Lodge No.6301 by his father on his 23rd birthday. His father went back into the chair as Master especially to conduct the ceremony. WBro. Andrew is now Secretary of Rokeby Lodge and holds the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon having served one year as Provincial Grand Pursuivant in the active team. He is Provincial Open Evening Coordinator, assisting Lodges to hold open evenings or Gavel Nights as they are known.

He is a member of the Provincial Communications Committee, which governs all aspects of communication within the Province and is also Chairman of the Great Yorkshire Show Organising Committee. The Great Yorkshire Show is a very large agricultural event hosted in the region each year. The Province hosts a display stand to enable members of the public to visit and ask questions about Freemasonry.

To date, WBro. Andrew is Director of Ceremonies for Lodge of Eland of MMM No. 493. He served one year as Provincial Grand Inspector of Works and now holds that past rank. He was then appointed

WBro. Andrew Brown, Province of Yorkshire with MWBro. Bob Jones (PGM).

Acting Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2013, (four year active post), escorting the Rulers to Installations and other meetings.

WBro. Andrew is currently a member of Heatherstone Savile Royal Arch Chapter. “It was a pleasure to meet MWBro. Bob Jones on this trip, and be able to present him with our Magazine White Rose News, which is provided to every member of our Province”, WBro. Andrew said WBro. Andrew’s father, WBro. Ian, has been living in Mornington for the past three and a half years and hadn’t seen his son for this time.

“It was a great opportunity for us to spend some quality time together as well as familiarise Andrew with Mornington Lodge and some of its members”, WBro. Ian said. WBro. Andrew participated, along with his father, in the Mornington Lodge’s fundraiser sausage sizzle held at Bunnings on 20 December before WBro. Andrew made the journey home. WBro. Ian was Past Provincial Grand Registrar, Province of West Riding, in England. He joined The Mornington Lodge No.160 in July 2011. His son-in-law, Bro. Jason Brown, also joined the Lodge at the same time.

Autumn 2014 Inner Sanctum viii

NEW MEMBERS

Our newest Freemasons December 2013 to March 2014 First name Last name

Lodge

First name

Last name

Lodge

Michael

Poynter

Jonadab Lodge

Dean

Krizanic

The King David Lodge

Ashley

Sewraz

The Lodge of Cordiality

Jon-Paul

Marrow

Footscray St. John's Lodge

Nathan

Sutton

North Melbourne Lodge

Carl

Thomas

Brighton Grammarians' Lodge

Nathan

Stevens

Carisbrook Lodge

Christopher Mulholland

Southern Cross Lodge

Raymond

Steedman

Mitchell River Lodge

Miroslav

Eikelis

Scopus and Collegians' Lodge

Aziz

Jalil

The Doutta Galla Lodge

Tristan

Payne

Henty Lodge

Ross

Quail

Sandringham District Lodge

Stavros

Katsimandakos

Wesley Collegians' Lodge

Anthony

Quattrone

Garibaldi Lodge

Steven

Hosking

Lodge of Balnarring

Christopher Halligan

Marangan Lodge

Rick

Morrow

Lara Lodge

James

Vogel

Meredith Lodge

Steven

Hutchinson

The Diamond Valley Lodge

Trevor

Cutting

Healesville Lodge

David

Tilsley

Gippsland Forest Lodge

Saranath

Premsara

Hearts of Oak Lodge

Norman

Lever

The King David Lodge

Dmitry

Shtifelman

Lodge Devotion

Edward

Wambui

Henty Lodge

Peter

Stephanou

Lodge of Australia Felix

Kelvin

Lewis

Lodge Belvoir

Ashley

Woods

Lodge of Australia Felix

Stephen

Lamb

James

Spencer

Union Lodge of Nth Gippsland

Mount Franklin-St. George Lodge

Charlie

Magno

Gordon Lodge

Andrew

Hall

Gisborne Lodge

Zachary

Cook

Bairnsdale Daylight Lodge

Robert

Powell

The Army Lodge

James

Dobbin

Lodge of Good Companions

Clinton

Markwell

Warrnambool Lodge

Leon

Dwyer

Ballarat-Yarrowee Lodge

Edgardo

Pizarro

Footscray St. John's Lodge

Kevin

Council

Portland Lodge of Victoria

Mark

Hore

Beechworth Lodge of St. John

Darren

Tresidder

Lodge of Quest

Stefanos

Yannoukas

Yarraville Lodge

Paul

Field

Middle Park Lodge

Chris

Fasoulis

Peace and Loyalty Lodge

Anthony

Rowe

Wangaratta Lodge of St. John

Julian

Fares

The Lodge of Evolution

Jacob

Rodrigo

The Lodge of Evolution

Francesco

Sottile

The King David Lodge

ix Inner Sanctum Autumn 2014

RECOGNISING RECOGNISING SERVICE SERVICE

Jewels Presented

December 2013 to March 2014

50 years WBro. DR .Axup Hearts of Oak Lodge 681

VWBro. AM Thompson City of Footscray Wyndham Lodge 239

Bro. MJ Boyd Kingston Lodge 917

RWBro. CWG Wheeler Brighton Grammarian's Lodge 433

VWBro. NS Campbell Lara Lodge 834

RWBro. JT Willcox Henty Lodge 279

Bro. TE Davenport Wangaratta Lodge of St.John 66

Bro. DO Aldred Gippsland Lakes Lodge 715

WBro. J Messini, AM Army Lodge 478

Bro. SJ Bellion Footscray St.Johns Lodge 71

WBro. RW Pullin City of Geelong Lodge 307

RWBro. H Christensen Monash Lodge 938

WBro. GG Stewart Lodge of Cordiality 331

WBro. RC Jones Balnarring Lodge 850

WBro. RM Webster Lodge of Commerce 837

Bro. NL Kopp, OAM Campaspe Valley Lodge 937

60 years

Bro. CA Noden Gippsland Lakes Lodge 715

WBro. JN Cecil Doutta Galla Lodge 902

VWBro. WF Byrne Lodge of Good Companions 647

WBro. WJ Cornes Henty Lodge 279

WBro. LD Corn Lodge of Transition 0

Bro. RH Burton Brae Dale Lodge 936

Bro. JG Pascoe Lodge Lodge of the Great Ocean Road 886

WBro. MK Fenton Albert Victor Lodge 117

WBro. RA Francis Goulburn Valley St. George Lodge 73

Bro. AT Bruhn St.Andrews in the South Lodge 149

WBro. KW Thorne Brighton District Lodge 37

RWBro. PLO Gallon Pakenham Lodge 496

WBro. WW. Gould Lodge Dimboola 144

RWBro. BL Ellingsen Samaritan Lodge 380

Bro. JI Watson Mordialloc Lodge of Charity 258

Bro. CA Glenn Middle Park Lodge 206

WBro. RK Hardeman Yarraville Lodge 164

Bro. JL Farrall Warragul Lodge 677

WBro. JW Beddoe Malvern Lodge 121

Bro. J Gouma Plenty Valley Lodge 703

Bro. NR Houston Lodge of Transition 0

VWBro. EL Gill Warrnambool Lodge 34

WBro. P Crisp Star of the East Lodge 116

Bro. DF Greenham Tresco Lodge 289

WBro. GR Munro Lodge of Transition 0

WBro. IR Henderson Mooroopna Lodge 131

WBro. SR Hutchinson Francis Ormond-University Lodge 171

Bro. LR Poad Sandringham District Lodge 220

RWBro. RD King Swan Hill Lodge 919

WBro. EC Faichney Williamstown St. Andrews Lodge 470

WBro. BC Leslie, OAM Warragul Lodge 891

WBro. FI Richards Victorian Lodge of Research 218

Bro. I Miller Derrimut Daylight Lodge 905 WBro. GM Millikin Moorabbin Lodge 161 VWBro. FB Mitchell Monash Lodge 938 Bro. HG Scott Derrimut Daylight Lodge 905 WBro. NJ Simmons Brae Dale Lodge 936 Bro. AA Smith Macedon Ranges Lodge 97 WBro. AL Stow Geelong Lodge of Unity & Prudence 5 WBro. MM Teplik Comacine-Acanthus Lodge 400

WBro. JW Sedman Gippsland Lakes Lodge 715 WBro. GA Stonehouse Albert Victor Lodge 117

VWBro. RB Anderson Monash Lodge 938

Bro. RW Grinter Star of the East Lodge 116

WBro. JA Leighton Timboon Lodge 821 Bro. LJ McCoubrie Robbie Burns Phoenix Lodge 88 RWBro. D McClure Kyneton Lodge 192

VWBro. VG Henshaw Warrnambool Lodge 34 Bro. EF Kneebone Campaspe Valley Lodge 937 Bro. LR Lee Star of the East Lodge 116

Bro. AL Suares Leawarra Lodge 867

Bro. CG Prowse St.Andrews in the South Lodge 149

WBro. RBE Church Mooroopna Lodge 131

Bro. PG Rooke Clifton Hill Lodge 90

WBro. J Franklin Altona Lodge 572

Bro. WG Sinclair Warrnambool Lodge 34

Bro. JG Pascoe Lodge of the Great Ocean Road 886

Bro. JG Heap Southern Cross Lodge 24

RWBro. JA Battison Lodge of Good Companions 647

WBro. RK Tomkins Star of the East Lodge 116

WBro. RF Holland Golden & Corinthian Lodge 7 RWBro. N Martin Gordon Lodge 99

Bro. JM Oldaker Derrimut Daylight Lodge 905

RWBro. CB Bell Vietnam Veterans Memorial Lodge 921

Autumn 2014 Inner Sanctum

x

RECOGNISING SERVICE

Jewels Presented

December 2013 to March 2014

65 years RWBro. M Black Lodge of Transition 0 Bro. RH Burton Lodge Brae-Dale Lodge 936

Bro. JP Richardson Derrimut Daylight Lodge 905 WBro. ML Outram Lodge of Euclid 447 WBro. Jl Scott Brighton District Lodge 37

RWBro. LM Cockerill Pascoe Vale Daylight Lodge 483

WBro. WH Shelton Pakenham Lodge 496

WBro. ML Farrow Old Scotch Collegians Lodge 396

RWBro. JA Dingey Lodge of Commerce 837

WBro. JF Menzel Wimmera Lodge 70

RWBro. AR Edwards Lodge of Transition 0

Bro. V Scott, GMOS The Clifton Hill Lodge Lodge 90

WBro. DW Elliott Blue Dandenongs Lodge 859

WBro. HW Waite Albert Edward Lodge 59

Bro. GR Jackson Allara Lodge 855

Bro. KW Young Kingston Lodge 917

WBro. RF Wallis Seymour Lodge 87

Bro. SJ Bellion Footscay St.Johns Lodge 71

70 years

RWBro. WF Bloomcamp Chirnside Daylight Lodge 904

Bro. RC Campbell Lodge of Transition 0

WBro. MA Broad Orana Lodge 836 RWBro. GFS Elliott Blackburn United Lodge 915 Bro. FJ George Lodge of Transition 0 VWBro. WJ Foley Derrimut Daylight Lodge 905 Bro. J Greaves Williamstown Daylight Fellowship Lodge 882 Bro. DA Jickell Geelong Lodge of Unity & Prudence 5

Bro. VA Gibson Civil Service Lodge 338 WBro. W Bethune Allara Lodge 855 RWBro. HE Lowe Werribee Enterprise Lodge 187 Bro. CS Cole Antient York Lodge 80 VWBro. R Colvin Chirnside Daylight Lodge 904 WBro. JE McCabe Dimboola Lodge 144 WBro. A Taylor Lodge of Commerce 80

Bro. RC Kerr Sir John Quick Lodge 933 WBro. HJ Learmonth Sunshine Wisdom Lodge 226 WBro. JE McCabe Dimboola Lodge 144 WBro. KD Moody Berwick Balcara Lodge 359 xi Inner Sanctum Autumn 2014

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Cardiologists A/Prof Ron Dick and Dr Tony Walton in the operating theatre performing life-saving work.

Cardiologists A/Prof Ron Dick and Dr Tony Walton discuss innovation in cardiac care at Epworth.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 21

PART 4 - HABITS

Habits of going the extra mile The final segment of this series focuses on some key aspects of success, as outlined by one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, Napoleon Hill, who spent most of his life studying the most successful entrepreneurs in American history.

T

here is something about this habit of doing more than one is compensated for which works on one’s behalf even while sleeping. Once it begins to work, it piles up riches so fast that it seems like queer magic. Like Aladdin’s Lamp, it draws to one’s aid an army of genies that come laden with bags of gold.

Here is the appropriate place to remind you of an important thing about the habit of doing more than one is paid for. It is the strange influence which it has on the person who does it.

The greatest benefit from this habit does not come to those to whom the service is rendered. It comes to the one who renders the service, in the form of a changed ‘mental attitude’, which gives him more influence with other people, more selfreliance, greater initiative, more enthusiasm, more vision and definitive purpose. All of these are qualities of successful achievement.

“Do the right thing and you shall have the power,” said Emerson. Ah yes, the power!

What can a person do in our world without power - the type of power that attracts other people instead of repelling them? It must be a form of power which gains momentum

of which one’s acts and deeds come back to him greatly multiplied.

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is not a mere fairy tale! The end of that extra mile is the spot where the rainbow ends, and that is where the pot of gold is hidden. Few people ever arrive at the end of the rainbow. When one gets to where he thought the rainbow ended, he finds it is still far in the distance. The trouble with most of us is that we do not know how to follow rainbows.

Those who know the secret know that the end of the rainbow can be reached only by going the extra mile.

The whole world is clamouring for such people. They are needed and wanted in every walk of life. American industry has always had princely berths for people who will assume responsibilities and get the job done in the right mental attitude by going the extra mile.

People do things or refrain from doing them because of a motive. The soundest of motives for the habit of going the extra mile is the fact that it yields enduring dividends in ways too numerous to mention, to all who follow the habit.

No one has ever been known to achieve permanent success without doing more than he was paid for. The practice has its counter-part in the laws of nature. Its soundness is backed by an impressive array of evidence. It is based on common sense and justice.

The best of all methods for testing the soundness of this principle is that of putting it to work as part of one’s daily habits. Some truths we can only realise through our own experience. We know the rules by which success is attained. Let us appropriate these rules and use them intelligently, thereby acquiring the personal riches we demand, and adding to the wealth of the nation as well.

Andrew Carnegie lifted no fewer than forty such men from the lowly station of day labourers to millionaires. He understood the value of people who were willing to go the extra mile. Whenever he found such a person, he brought ‘his find’ into the inner circle of his business.

Bro. John Millar Peace and Loyalty Lodge No. 261.

22 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS

Australia Day Honours

O

nce again, we’re very proud of all those members who have received Orders of Australia, as presented by the Governor General on Australia Day this year. A total of seven Freemasons were recognised this year for their efforts within the community, all worthy recipients who have worked tirelessly for many years in areas of defence forces, education and community service.

Freemasons Victoria spoke with four of these recipients.

It’s exhausting just reading about the enormous amount of commitments Bro. Ken Falconer has had over the years, in volunteering roles for the community of Doncaster.

He’s even gone as far as being a Father Christmas on quite a few occasions, at shopping centres, primary school childern’s events and for some elderly groups.

legal advice or business assistance to those in need.

Some of these groups included the Victorian Cooperative Housing Council (1987-96), the Australian Society of CPA's (1993 and 1998), Monash University’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (1990-94), the Victorian Animal Aid Trust (1981-89), Probus, Doncare and the Manningham City Council.

In addition, Ken volunteered his time and driving skills to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, driving both officials and athletes to and from matches.

Ken has also been involved with the Box Hill Hospital Redevelopment Project, providing the committee with suggestions of enhancements to the building’s plans, and Eastern Health, where he sat on various committees to largely

contribute to ideas and the development of better health care programs. Lastly, Ken served in the roles of Secretary and Treasurer for Lodge of Prudence No. 448 from 1971 to 1984. In 1984 Ken was appointed a special member of Lodge of Prudence in recognition of thirteen years of devoted service. After the Lodge of Prudence returned their warrant in 1995, Ken joined Comacine-Acanthus Lodge No. 400 as Steward for three years.

Among five other significant awards, Ken said that his greatest highlight was receiving the Menzies Community Australia Day Award in 2000 and the Manningham City Council’s Citizen of the Year Award in 2005.

Bro. Ken Falconer Comacine-Amanthus Lodge No. 400 OAM: General Division

Ken would have to be best recognised though for his ability to manage finances. In nearly all of the roles Ken has undertaken,he would always provide some level of bookkeeping, Bro. Ken Falconer.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria

23

AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS

Bro. Alan Ould, MM Marangan Lodge No. 64 OAM: General Division Bro. Alan Ould’s history suggests he is a man of commitment; to his community, to Freemasonry and to family.

Alan hasn’t jumped from one organisation to another, losing interest in one then spending little time with another. Instead, Alan has spent many years developing and nurturing his role within the Benalla Returned Services League, recently being awarded Life Member for having committed his time to the League since 1946. Alan was always there selling Remembrance Day poppies on ANZAC Day.

Alan is also the RSL Appeals Officer, a role he has had since 2003. Also, Alan is Life Member with the Benalla Rose Festival Committee having served as Treasurer from 1982 – 1994, and has been the organist for the Benalla Parish of the Uniting Church for 28 years, and steward for 30 years.

Alan was awarded the Benalla Citizen of the Year Award in 1985 and a Centenary Medal in 2001. He has been a member of the Marangan Lodge No.64 since 1954. Alan has lived in Benalla all of his life, only leaving to serve in WWII. He has been married to Freda for 66 years.

24 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

RWBro. Warren (Rex) Nankervis, WM Marangan Lodge No. 64 OAM: General Division “You don’t do it for an award”, is what Rex Nankervis said when he was interviewed this year by the Border Mail after receiving his Order of Australia Medal.

“First of all, you don’t consider it hard work, and secondly, it’s just helping people”, Rex said.

Rex was recently awarded his OAM for his service to the community of Benalla. Rex has been volunteering his time for most of his life. He started working with the St John Ambulance when he was just 10 years old and continued to work with the group for 36 years. After moving to Wangaratta he took many first-aid classes and became Divisional Superintendent.

.

Rex was President of the Tallangatta Apex Club in 196768, and is still the Secretary for the Sir Dallas Brooks Daylight Lodge No. 888 in Wangaratta as well as a member of the Marangan Lodge No. 64. He has been a member of the Benalla Australia Day Committee and Benalla Cemetery Trust, and has also been involved with several community sporting clubs having played cricket and coached junior football. Rex is also a member of the Benalla Bowls Club since 1970.

In 2003 Rex was diagnosed with bowel cancer and from that time he says his whole perspective on life changed.

Eleven years later.

When receiving his medal, Rex paid tribute to his wife saying that she deserves the award just as much as he, if not more.

AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS

WBro. Brian Stevenson, SW Albert Edward Lodge No. 59 OAM: General Division

Being brought up in a musical family, Brian Stevenson, a saxophonist, would travel to communities in and around Orbost with his family, providing a musical service as part of the Salvation Army.

With this kind of community focussed up-bringing, it’s no surprise that Brian went on to provide community support in a variety of capacities for the next seventy nine years.

Soon after marrying, Brian joined Apex, and in 1966 became President of the Heidelberg Club. Brian said that his main emphasis was on down-to-earth community service projects.

“Whether it was painting the Westgarth Aboriginal Hostel or a little old lady’s home, erecting playground equipment for underprivileged children or running a soap box derby, I always tried to keep everyone on track with realistic fundraising goals”, Brian said.

Brian transferred to the Templestowe Club when he and his growing family moved to Lower Templestowe, and was an active member there until he resigned in 1974. In that year he was also President of the 2nd Templestowe Scout Group.

In 1989 Brian joined the Rotary Club of Sandringham, and so began his Rotary

experience supporting many individual projects with active participation which, in 1991 included an invitation by Family Focus to chair a fundraising committee to build a holiday retreat for foster parents and their children at Inverloch, Victoria.

“The committee raised in excess of $200,000”, Brian said, “Townsend Bluff Lodge became and reality”. Having bought a run-down property around Cathedral Mountain in the Taggerty district, with a view for retirement, Brian and his wife spent years renovating. Once the property was complete and retirement was still a long way off, Brian and his wife opened the property as a Bed n Breakfast, which saw them win the Murrindindi Tourism Awards for Excellence in the Hospitality Industry in 1998 and 2001.

Brian joined the Taggarty Hall Committee in 1993 and became President in 1994, a position he held for seventeen years.

Brian’s practical building and administrative skills breathed new life into the Hall, and on its launch 500 locals came to see the newly revived building.

Following the 2009 bush fires, Brian project managed two restoration programs for the Hall totalling $170,000.

Brian transferred to the Alexander Rotary Club in 1993 holding a number of portfolios during his nineteen year membership which included Treasurer twice, President in 2001/2 and Treasurer of the Club’s Bush Fire Relief Fund distributing $400,000 to fire affected people in the area.

He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow for his service to community in 1999 and made an Honorary Member in 2012.

He was nominated for the Murrindindi Citizen of the Year Award in 2011. Brian is Lodge Treasurer and Ambassador for the Royal Freemasons Homes, and a member of the Alexandra Racecourse & Recreation Committee of Management where he has held the position of Treasurer since 2011.

“I have lived my life by high ethical standards and Masonic principles”, Brian said, “but I cannot ignore the unfailing support of my wife Noel, and the help and cooperation I have received from so many people throughout my life”.

Other recipients to be recognised Bro. Colin Green MM Melbourne High School Lodge No. 759 OAM: General Division Bro. James Johnston, MM Union Lodge of North Gippsland No. 62 OAM: General Division Bro. Major John Pearse, MM The Army Lodge No. 478 OAM: Conspicuous Service Medal for meritous achievement

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria

25

CHARITY

Berwick-Balcara

supporting AMAZE

by WBro. John F. Ledgar WM Berwick-Balcara 359 UGLV he first major decision I had to make as Worshipful Master, was what charity I was going to support during my year as Master of Berwick-Balcara. This was not a hard decision to make. I chose AMAZE (formerly trading as Autism Victoria) as my charity because of the support and assistance they give to individuals and families living with a person affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

T

I personally am affected by ASD as my eldest daughter, (aged four) has been diagnosed with Autism. As a Kindergarten teacher, I have worked with many children on the spectrum in my eleven years in the job; the problem with Autism Spectrum Disorder is that there are not always visible symptoms. Often people see a child on the floor throwing a tantrum and they think, “That child needs discipline” or “That’s bad parenting.” What they don’t realise, is that that child or person has just experienced a smell, a sound or felt something new and they cannot cope with it and they are not having a tantrum, they are actually having a meltdown. This is totally acceptable in their view, but everyone else, except those closest to them, do not understand. People on the spectrum have difficulties in the following: communication, social interactions and sensory processing.

In October 2013 we had an opportunity at our Lodge to shed some light on the disorder.

Emily Kilsby from AMAZE arranged for CEO, Mr. Murray Dawson-Smith to visit the Lodge and discuss ASD and the work AMAZE does. It was humbling to learn that Mr. Dawson-Smith is also a Freemason. During this period, the Light Wielders Masters Group had a BBQ at the Frankston and District Masonic Centre and during the first official get together, we discussed many ideas, including that of focusing on charity, which is something very important to me. Early in 2014, with the encouragement of the Grand Secretary, we set up a market stall.

The Market was held on Sunday 13 April at Akoona Park. Bro. Bill Garlick, Bro. Eric Pompeia and I arrived at 6:00 am to set up. Katie from AMAZE arrived shortly after and we were ready to start well before the 8:30 am opening time. There was interest in the Masonic display, which in turn drew people in. When they saw that we were trading to raise funds for AMAZE, many people stopped to purchase items. When the day came to an end, we counted the proceeds of the day and found that we had raised $114.10 to go towards the Translation Service that AMAZE requires. Although we fell short of the total we required, we did raise a lot more than anticipated.

With the assistance of Donna De La Rue and WBro. Ben Quick at Freemasons Victoria, we have organised 500 AMAZE pins to be made.

The pins will be available from either WBro. Neil Lovett of Frankston Lodge or WBro. John Ledgar from Berwick-Balcara Lodge for $10.00 each. All proceeds go to further assisting AMAZE with the Translation Service that we have been supporting.

For more information on AMAZE visit www.amaze.org.au.

26 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

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SCOUTS A bequest in your Will to the Victorian Scout Foundation helps make sure young Australians will continue to learn the values and principles of good citizenship well into the 21st century.

The Scout Foundation can assist in the writing of your bequest. We also welcome direct donations and new members to the Foundation.

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For more information: Reply Paid 1240 (no stamp required) The Secretary, The Victorian Scout Foundation PO BOX 774 Mt Waverley 3149

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Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 27

125th Anniversary MERCHANDISE Ties

Mugs

Cuff links

Tie pins

Limited edition 125th Anniversary merchandise is now available from the Freemasons Victoria e-shop.

Cufflinks, tie pins, ties, lapel pins and mugs can also be purchased by visiting Freemasons Victoria at 300 Albert Street, East Melbourne or by ordering over the phone on 03-9411 0100.

28 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

IONIC COACHING SERVICE

Ionic Coaching Service

Academic year launched 3 May 2014

S

aturday 3 May our Grand Master MWBro. Hillel Benedykt formally launched the 2014 academic year for the Ionic Coaching Service.

Our Grand Master spoke on the importance Freemasonry places on education and noted that the Ionic Service having been established in 1950 was entering its 64th year of providing a valuable service to the community. He welcomed parents, students and teachers and wished them all well for the year ahead. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Freemason Volunteers for their ongoing support and commitment to this excellent community initiative. Ionic (Masonic) Education Coaching Inc. which trades as the Ionic Coaching Service is a non-profit organisation administered as a community service by volunteer Freemasons.

The service is designed to help children improve learning skills, gain confidence and overcome obstacles to their success. The program covers students from Year 6 to Year 12 - regardless of background or circumstances, with classes conducted by fully qualified teachers in a small group format which is a proven environment for success.

The Ionic Coaching Service is administered as a community service by Victorian volunteer Freemasons as an example of Freemasonry in action.

RWBro. Brian Annand said that the real success of the Service can be gauged by the encouraging comments received from the parents, but more especially in the excellent results achieved by the Ionic students.

In 2013 all Ionic students passed their VCE and gained admission to the tertiary institute of their choice. He also thanked his team of volunteers and in particular WBro. Bruce Jeffrey, the Secretary of the Ionic who he said is the main driving force behind the logistics and administration management of the Service. It is the policy of the Ionic Coaching Service that no child will be denied tuition on financial grounds. The Service will accept any child who needs help.

The fee is $230 per year for a single student. For families, the fee is $355 for two students and $485 for three students.

All tuition fees are solely utilised for teacher remuneration, rental facilities and course promotion.

Grand Master, MWBro. Hillel Benedykt.

L - R: WBro. Bruce Jeffrey, Lynne Cook, RWBro. Bruce Stockdale, The President of the Ionic Coaching Service RWBro. Brian Annand and MWBro. Hillel Benedykt.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 29

FURTHER AFIELD

Behind every great man...

Is a great woman.

Freemasons Victoria recently spoke with some very special ladies to find out how Freemasonry has impacted on their lives.

Each has had different experience and shares a different story.

“I had no knowledge of Freemasonry at all when Rodger joined in 1989, but as Rodger progressed through the ranks from Worshipful Master in 1999 and then Grand Officer in 2001 till now, my understanding has broadened a lot”, Shane said.

“I have had some memorable experiences, and these memories will always live on. There is nothing more gratifying than having the opportunity to give openly to others less fortunate than ourselves in our community”.

Partner of RWBro. Rodger Marsden, PSGW, District Coordinator, Bellarine.

“Freemasonry has always taught the simple message that giving is living. We have always enjoyed both the opportunity to participate as well as respond”, Shayne said.

We asked Shayne how she feels about the relevance of Freemasonry in today’s society.

“No matter what generation, what family upbringing, Freemasonry strives to strengthen and rebuild communities, through character building and leadership. These qualities are timeless.” Freemasonry is something that every family should explore. You will be rewarded and your life enhanced, so I strongly recommend that if your partner or husband is interested, to support him throughout the journey”, she said. Shane went on to explain that even though Rodger joined Freemasonry, a fraternal outlet, she has benefited as well.

“I've also developed as a person and have really enjoyed meeting others and gaining new friendships”.

Freemasonry has always taught the simple message that giving is living. We have always enjoyed both the opportunity to participate as well as respond

30 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

FURTHER AFIELD

P

rior to meeting Harry, I was of the understanding that Freemasonry was a ‘secret men’s’ organisation. I had never known anyone who was involved with Freemasonry so I didn’t know any better and I had no reason or interest to extend my awareness of this.

When Harry spoke about his involvement with Freemasonry he did so with such delight, passion and enthusiasm that it sparked my curiosity to learn more. Harry’s passion is somewhat infectious so it’s hard not to feel some of what he feels. I have come to understand that there are many elements to the organisation that really aren’t so secret. There are many occasions to view the ceremonies and therefore see some of what goes on behind closed doors.

In the beginning I did question why women couldn’t be involved in the same capacity as men – after all I do believe in social and gender equity and equality - but now I understand the importance of its traditions and I can see how Freemasonry benefits the personal and collective growth of men. Being part of a community by way of membership within one’s Lodge or being part of a ceremonial team helps men develop a deeper sense of being and belonging. Men learn about themselves while learning about others; they develop confidence and resilience; they develop empathy, benevolence, respect and acceptance; they develop integrity and humility.

Added to this, they learn leadership, management and organisational skills. Freemasons are encouraged to take these values, qualities, dispositions and skills and transfer these to their everyday lives. They are encouraged to emulate and role model these in their personal and professional relationships and within their community.

Freemasonry brings likeminded men together. Mateship develops through participation and this facilitates sharing, bonding and camaraderie.

Generally speaking, women have always shared their lives and stories with other women but men don’t seem to find this as easy to do. The sanctuary of Freemasonry provides an opportunity for men to support each other.

Men learn about themselves while learning about others Harry has been a Freemason for 26 years but Freemasonry is quite new to me. I’ve chosen to support Harry in his role and in doing so I’ve jumped right into the deep end! Thankfully, I can swim! Complimentary to Harry’s role as Grand Director of Ceremonies for 2014 is my role. My role is to support and assist the Grand Master’s wife, Sue Benedykt, as she attends to her Masonic responsibilities, as well as providing social opportunities for the ladies to unite, have fun and develop long-lasting friendships. So far, we’re having a great time and we’re only just beginning our year together. It’s quite a fascinating experience. I would never have been in this position if not for Harry’s involvement in Freemasonry and sadly I would never have met such interesting, inspiring and heartfelt women. I consider myself quite fortunate having met them and I’m looking forward to spending time with them in the year ahead and beyond.

Freemasonry in Victoria is celebrating its 125th birthday this year. Sue and I have established, the very first Grand Lodge Ladies Newsletter.

It took 125 years but now it’s done! We issue it monthly and provide updates to the team, share team news and photos, birthdays and more. It’s been really well received and acts as a great communication tool. Everyone in the team is welcome to contribute to it.

There are many opportunities for women to be involved in Freemasonry if women choose to be. I would definitely encourage it. Just like there are many benefits for men, there are equally many benefits for women. As I already mentioned, Freemasonry provides an opportunity to meet people, develop life-long friendships, learn from others, and gain enjoyment from many social experiences. Additionally there is the charitable side of Freemasonry. The organisation generously and humbly supports many worthy causes.

Belonging to and contributing to a community rewards both men and women with an immeasurable sense of satisfaction. Yes, I would definitely encourage women to get involved.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 31

FURTHER AFIELD

Jill shares her thoughts and her story with us, highlighting some of her and Denis’ greatest achievements.

I

first became aware of Freemasonry when Denis and I met at High School in the mid- 60s.

His father was a keen Freemason so we attended several social functions over the years – dinner dances, Christmas parties and charitable events.

Denis became a Freemason in 1979 on the same night as his brother Wayne, in the Mentone Lodge where their father Tom was a member – a true family bond.

To me, Freemasonry is about like- minded people sharing their time, energy and experiences together. The men bond through ceremony, and their ladies bond in friendships, all to help each other and the greater community.

Over the years we have both been actively involved in all aspects of Freemasonry – in our Lodge, in our Masters group and in six Grand Lodge teams.

Our 1987 Masters group, the Corinthians, has raised over $66,000 for charity performing the Ceremony of the Unknown Soldier from 1989 – 2007 (18 years).

This involved travelling with our group all around Victoria visiting metropolitan and country Lodges, meeting a lot of people and cementing great friendships within our group. We have now been personally involved in Freemasonry for 34 years and derive great satisfaction from the people we have met and the friends we have made.

I feel Freemasonry has a spot in today’s society and this can be seen by the Partner of RWBro. Denis Henry, Mordialloc number of younger men Lodge of Charity No. 258. joining and the charitable functions that all Freemasons support for their communities.

I think Freemasonry gives each man a sense of belonging, pride in their work and a place to unwind, relax and enjoy each other’s company. From the experiences I have had in Freemasonry I would encourage other women to support their partners making the journey together.

The highlight of Freemasonry for me would be Denis’ appointment as Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2002. This was an important role and a great year of travel and friendships for us both.

We have travelled to New Zealand, Malaysia and to all states of Australia attending Grand Installations and social functions. Some of our closest friends are those who we met originally through Freemasonry.

I think Freemasonry gives each man a sense of belonging, pride in their work and a place to unwind, relax and enjoy each other’s company.

32 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

BOOK REVIEW

Freemasons on the Goldfields

Ballarat & District Freemasons on the Goldfields – Ballarat & District

1853-2013 by Dorothy Wickham

T

he latest publication from the Ballarat Heritage Services, by its current director Dorothy Wickham, covers the much overlooked topic of the influence of Freemasonry in the development and growth of Colonial Victoria. This publication examines Freemasonry in Ballarat and its surrounding areas from 1853-2013, with a specific focus on the influence Freemasons had in those crucial early decades, and it provides an important step towards bringing the history of Freemasonry in general, and Victorian Freemasonry in particular, into a social context.

In the 1800’s and early 1900’s Freemasonry was very much a part of the fabric of colonial Victorian society with Freemasons at the forefront of much of the social, political, commercial and civic development – and Ballarat was no exception in this regard. Freemasonry provided a forum for men from different backgrounds to come together and shape their environment for the common good, and as Dorothy Wickham’s research shows, Ballarat Freemasons did just that. In the social and civic sphere they were prominent in establishing Public Libraries, Mechanic Institutes, newspapers, parks, gardens, statues and grand promenades. Ballarat Freemasons also were active in the charitable and benevolent side of their community being instrumental in establishing such institutions as the Ballarat Miner’s Hospital, the Ballarat Benevolent Asylum, the Ballarat Orphans Asylum and the Ballarat Female Refuge.

The active participation of Ballarat Freemasons in these charitable pursuits reflected the ideals taught in the lodge-room; that the practicing of charity was a defining experience of what it meant to be an upright and respected member of the community. Charitable acts were also important for fostering and enhancing Freemasonry’s public image, a public image reinforced by the active formal participation of Freemasons in the laying of foundation stones of every major public, civic and commercial building. As the author states, “…the buildings of Lydiard Street and Sturt Street are notable examples of a proud and solid public image and a reflection on the men who built them. The foundation stones on many illustrate that Masons were active in their dedication…”

The first half of this book gives a brief overview of the development of Freemasonry in the Ballarat area, and the influence prominent Masons had on the development of Ballarat, whilst the second part of the book is an alphabetical history of all of the Lodges established in and around Ballarat since the formation of the first Lodge in Ballarat, Le Rameau d’Or d’Eleusis, in 1853.

Dorothy Wickham has done her research, as this book provides a concise history of Freemasonry in the Ballarat area that will appeal to Ballarat Masons, as well as to those Freemasons who are passionate about local history. The author has also included over 200 pictures and photographs of Freemasonry in Ballarat, from Lodge buildings, to regalia, to noted Ballarat Freemasons since the 1850’s. The book highlights the changing nature of Freemasonry in Victoria; from the 1800s when Masonry was an active and vital element of public life, to the 1900s, when Freemasonry largely closed its doors and, in part, became a refuge for men who had lived through, and experienced first-hand, the horrors of that Century’s wars. So the challenge to our current membership is to make Victorian Freemasonry relevant to men in the twenty-first century whilst retaining the sanctity of our ceremony and history – because as Dorothy Wickham has shown, that’s what makes us who we are.

A

s a small child, Dorothy Wickham was intrigued by Freemasonry, as she watched her father prepare for Lodge.

It was this intrigue that has eventually led her to write Freemasons on the Goldfields, a detailed history of Freemasonry in Ballarat spanning 160 years dating back to 1853 when the first Lodge met in Ballarat.

Dorothy launched her book to an interested crowd in December last year in Ballarat, accompanied by Grand Master Bob Jones at the Ballarat Masonic Centre. The book features historical events as well as recent occurrences including the consecration of the Letchworth-Kilwinning Lodge. Also included is a foreword by well-known businessman and Past Grand Master Bruce Bartrop. Bartrop said Freemasonry had flourished in Ballarat since the discovery of gold, and the book provided insight into the involvement and influence of the region’s Freemasons.

Copies of the book are available for purchase from the Ballarat Heritage Services book store for $49.95. ballaratheritage.com.au

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 33

PIECES OF MY LIFE

Tea for two...

Gabrielle Forman caught up with Bro. Alan Dearing to gain insight into his unique collection of tea pots.

Thousand

T

here’s only so much tea one can drink, but according to Bro. Alan Dearing, there’s always enough room for another teapot!

Bro. Alan, from Henty Lodge No. 279, has been collecting teapots in all shapes and sizes since the late ‘90s and says he loves collecting teapots because there’s such a huge range. He went on to say that he never just buys ‘standard’ teapots though – they have to have something unique or special about them.

“I have Disney teapots, Japanese teapots, teapots with faces, animal teapots, teapots from England, teapots made of tin, porcelain and lead, cat teapots, chicken teapots and I even have look-a-like teapots of my late wife and I”, Bro. Alan said.

Alan’s late wife Geraldine was a collector, and initially the collection started from teapots found at market stalls and opshops, but by 1998 apparently, the pair got more serious.

“The collection expanded to 700 teapots before I decided it was time for a cull prior to my return to Melbourne from Cairns. I gave many away and gave some to my daughter Emma who now owns the ‘very special’ ones she collected with her Mum. I still wonder why I gave some of my teapots away. I’ve since expanded my collection again!”, he said.

34 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

Alan said that one of his favourites is a teapot in the shape of a Potters Van that houses other miniature cups, saucers, and pots. Each little addition has been fused into the body of the main teapot. This piece is special to Alan because it was bought as a surprise for Geraldine in Western Australia when they were on holiday together in 2001.

“We’d taken a trip to WA and were at the Guildford Pub, which happened to be just around the corner from a second hand shop. We walked in and both saw the teapot, but Geraldine nearly fainted at the price so we walked out empty handed or so she thought. I had paid for it and asked the lady to hold it for me for a couple of weeks, until the day before we were due to leave.

I made up some kind of excuse as to why we should go back to the shop a fortnight later, and when Geraldine walked in, the lady behind the counter handed the teapot to her. Geraldine held it in her lap all the way back to Cairns on the plane, there was no risking this one!”, Alan said. Alan and his partner Marilyn carefully showed me each and every teapot from each of the glass cabinets in their living room.

One thing that struck me was just how delicate some of them are, and as Marilyn pointed out, “It’s better that Alan hands them to you, it’s easier to deal with if he is the one who drops it!”, she said.

Carefully placed on glass shelves, each of the teapots seem to have a story, either where they came from, why they are special or unique. Alan has quite a few cat teapots, all different in some way.

I asked Alan if he likes cats, and he rushed outside and came back in with Boris. A 14 year old Russian blue who seems very well looked after.

Most Worshipful Grand Master Hillel Benedykt would like to invite you to a celebration of 125 years of Freemasonry in Victoria at the...

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION OF GRAND LODGE To be held at the Dallas Brooks Centre, on Wednesday 18th June, 2014 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Come along early and view the magnificent Exhibition celebrating 125 Years of Freemasonry in Victoria.

7.30 p.m.

Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge including a celebration of 125 years.

9.30 pm. (approx.)

Celebration Supper (Finger Food)

This event is open to non-Freemasons, general public and all EA’s, FC’s & MM’s.

Sir William Clarke, Grand Master, 1889.

MEMBER PROFILE

A Voice in

Freem

Bro. Michael Schiavello now calls Las Vegas home.

T

elevision viewers don’t often see Masonic lapel pins worn by presenters, unless you happen to be watching US based Australian sports broadcaster, Bro. Michael Schiavello. A member of Balwyn-Deepdene Lodge No. 275 where he was raised to a Master Mason in 2010, 38-yearold Schiavello now calls Las Vegas home. He is a member of Daylite No. 44 Lodge in which he was recently invested as Senior Deacon.

Schiavello, who began broadcasting on Fox Sports Australia when he was just 21 years old, has worked on television in more than 20 countries including the UK, Jamaica, France, Japan, The Netherlands, Singapore, Poland, Hungary and Romania. He was part of the broadcast team for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. It is his role on American television network AXS TV, however, for which the man nicknamed ‘The Voice’ is best known.

AXS TV is a cable network available in over 40 million US households and is owned by billionaire Mark Cuban (owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team), Ryan Seacrest, WEG and Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Schiavello signed a long-term contract with the network in 2009 as their weekly fight

36 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

commentator and hosts his own interview show, the CableFax Award nominated The Voice Versus on which he has gone head-to-head with such luminaries as Hulk Hogan, Steven Seagal, George Foreman, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Joe Rogan, Dana White and Sugar Ray Leonard.

Schiavello’s interest in Freemasonry sparked in his early thirties when he came across a stand-out line while reading about the Craft. “I was reading a pamphlet and there was a line that jumped out at me,” said Schiavello. “It said Freemasonry makes good men better. I considered myself a good man and thought if there is something out there that can make me a better man, I’m interested in finding out more about it.”

Without a friend or family member to sponsor him, Schiavello contacted the Secretary of his local Balwyn Lodge and made enquiries. After undergoing the Grand Lodge review process and balloting, he joined in 2009.

“I remember it vividly,” he recalls. “The Entered Apprentice Degree is one of those moments that stays with you. It’s a life changing experience. A tremendous energy. I felt a deep change within myself after partaking in the First Degree ceremony and every time I see a First Degree being worked I still marvel at the beauty and intricacy of it.”

With his commitments to AXS TV increasing to weekly broadcasts around North America, Schiavello and his wife Irene, relocated to Las Vegas in September 2011.

Eager to continue Freemasonry, Schiavello immediately set out to find a Lodge.

“I went online and emailed the various lodges in Vegas to see which ones met at times conducive to my travel schedule. I usually fly out of Vegas on a Wednesday and back in on a Saturday so I needed a lodge that met early in the week”, he said. Schiavello found a match with Daylite Lodge No. 44, which meets every Monday at noon. “It was strange at first as I was used to attending Lodge just once a month back home and always at night, but after a few weeks I got used to attending every week during the day”.

Bro. Michael Schiavello with fellow Freemason, Sin City Daylite Lodge No. 44

MEMBER PROFILE

asonry “It really makes sense from a Masonic perspective to meet at midday if you know the history of the building of King Solomon’s Temple and what would happen at High Noon.”

“Rehearsals at Daylite No. 44 are at 10am, lunch at 11am followed by Lodge meetings at noon among members of all ages”, he said. “It’s a real mix,” said Schiavello. “Our oldest Brother is a Past Master who was in the chair in 1961! Our youngest Brother is a Lewis (son of a Mason) who just turned twenty one. Our Worshipful Master is a casino floor manager and we also have a former radio announcer, a music producer, an investment advisor, an events coordinator, a limousine driver and a brother who works at Area 51. They’re all a great bunch of guys.”

Traveling around the United States every week has enabled Schiavello to gain a better understanding of American Freemasonry. He and his cocommentator, former Ultimate Fighting Championship world champion Pat Miletich, also a Master Mason, attend various lodges together while on the road. “We’ve been to lodge together in Charlotte, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky, Edmonton, Canada, Albuquerque, New Mexico, among other places. Everywhere you go things are done a little or a lot differently. For example,

the ceremonial and formality of dress code in Canada is very similar to Australia. American lodges are more relaxed with their clothing. Officers only suit up when they’re doing degree work and other members can wear whatever they like, so long as they look presentable of course.” American lodges also supply aprons rather than brethren bringing their own aprons.

Traveling around the United States every week has enabled Schiavello to gain a better understanding of American Freemasonry “There’s usually a stack of white aprons next to the guest book when you arrive,” says Schiavello. “You take an apron and wear it according to your rank: flap up for an Apprentice, flap diagonal for a Fellowcraft and flap down for a Master Mason. I always wear my Australian apron and it makes quite the impression due to its ornateness. ”

Another difference that has taken some getting used to are the signs used in American Freemasonry and the layout of the Lodge room.

“The Lodge Room is laid out differently too. I am yet to see a Mosaic pavement on any Lodge floor I’ve visited. Also the altar in American Freemasonry is located in the centre of the Lodge instead of in front of the Worshipful Master’s chair.

The letter G is placed over the Worshipful Master in American Lodges, whereas in Australia we hang it from the ceiling in the centre of the Lodge.

“There’s no reference to nation during Australian lodge ritual,” Schiavello continues.

“In America they present the national flag at the altar, hold the Sign of Fidelity and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Also the Master in American lodge wears a hat. The hat is removed every time he mentions the Great Architect of the Universe”.

Autumn 2014 Freemasonry Victoria 37

QUIZ TIME

The answers: # 137

38 Freemasonry Victoria Autumn 2014

Please include Freemasons Hospital in your Will.

If someone you love requires hospital care, you can trust in Epworth Freemasons to provide them with the best possible care, treatment and support.

And every bequest we receive helps to provide the best possible: Equipment World-class, state-of-the-art equipment that ensures Freemasons patients receive the best in medical and technological advances to aid their recovery

Research Practical research that gives Freemasons patients access to cutting-edge, global discoveries in medical treatments, preventions and cures Support More facilities and services that provide a comfortable, supportive and nurturing environment for Freemasons patients while they are in our care

If you would like more information about leaving a bequest to Freemasons please contact the Epworth Medical Foundation: mail: Reply Paid 84307 (no stamp required) 89 Bridge Road, Richmond Vic 3121

Vanessa Dannock ph: 03 9426 6572 email: emfinfo@epworth.org.au web: www.emf.org.au

Your support saves lives.

Your members deserve the best Wiseman provides individuals and organisations with high quality training solutions.

We aim for our learners to achieve personal and professional excellence through a unique learning experience.

We deliver the following Nationally Recognised training programs to a diverse range of industries, organisations and individuals:

Certificate III & IV in Competitive Systems & Practices Diploma & Advanced Diploma in Competitive Systems & Practices Certificate IV in Design of Kitchens, Bathrooms and Interior Spaces Certificate III in Warehousing Operations Certificate IV in Training & Assessment Certificate III in Food Processing

“Knowledge is Power” Enquire today Dr Joe Husidic: (03) 9314 2502 joe@wisemaninstitute.com.au www.wisemaninstitute.com.au

The Waverley Masonic Centre SHORT TERM OR ONGOING

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Congratulations Partners and staff of KPMG wish Hillel Benedykt, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria, and Don Reynolds, Deputy Grand Master a successful term in office.

investment management and advice services

We also congratulate Bob Jones on a considerable contribution to Freemasonry during his term as Grand Master.

It has been a pleasure and privilege working with Freemasons Victoria over the past 19 years.

kpmg.com.au

Grant Cashin

Clint Rippon

Executive Director

Director

E: grant.cashin@jbwere.com T: 03 9906 5335

E: clint.rippon@jbwere.com T: 03 9906 5302 © 2014 KPMG, an Australian partnership. All rights reserved. The KPMG name, logo and “cutting through complexity” are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. February 2014. VICN11687MKT.

Be part of a lasting legacy Royal Freemasons needs your support

A Donation or Bequest in your Will makes a big difference to the lives of older Victorians supported by us.

for excellence in care

Founded as a charitable organisation in 1867, it has continuously strived to provide excellence in care for older Victorians.

Assisting the older person to live a secure, dignified and rewarding life is our Mission - our purpose.

Your Donation enables Royal Freemasons to continue its work supported by the latest innovative equipment, the best research and the most up-to-date facilities and services available.

As well as the joy of knowing how beneficial your gift is, all support receives appropriate recognition and acclaim and is tax deductable.

To learn more please contact Christina Chia on 1300 176 925. Christina will be delighted to introduce

you to the Royal Freemasons organisation. Alternatively, email her at cchia@royalfreemasons.org.au.

For general information and more on donations projects, visit www.royalfreemasons.org.au

John Fowler, General Manager of Le Pine Funerals with various staff members of the Masonic Lodge.

Victorian Freemasons have been relying on Le Pine for more than 100 years. So it is reassuring to know that we have a dedicated team of Freemasons who can help you in a time of need.

Doug Berwick – Box Hill Brian Bennett – Glen Waverley Trevor Burkitt – Mordialloc John Fowler – Glen Waverley Daimon Whitmore – Glen Waverley Damian Magee – Glen Waverley Glenn Hollibone – Altona Simon Braid – Glen Waverley Phil Vincent – Glen Waverley

(03) 9890 0404 (03) 8587 5700 (03) 9580 8447 (03) 8587 5700 (03) 8587 5700 (03) 8587 5700 (03) 9398 1600 (03) 9859 5700 (03) 9859 5700

Celebrating a life takes planning.

We give you time.

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HOWARD SQUIRES FUNERALS

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Terry Clifton