Freemasonry Victoria Magazine #144

SPRING 2015 ISSUE 144

Freemasonry Victoria

The Big Move First Victorian Freemason to Swim the English Channel Days and Knights in Malta

Our Principles Make a Difference

GRAND INSTALLATION 31 MARCH - 3 APRIL 2016 ...and you are invited Freemasons Victoria invites you and your guests to the Grand Installation of RWBro. Donald Reynolds as Grand Master

You are also cordially invited to the Grand Banquet and associated functions.

Further details can be found inside this issue.

Our principles make a difference

In this issue 3 The Big Move Police Blue Ribbon 6 National Day March Victorian Freemason to 8 First Swim the English Channel

10

The Legacy of the Original Lodge No. 8 Lives On

Lodges Unite to Support 12 Ballarat Teenage Mums

13 14 16 18 20 22 23

Peter Thomas Thornton – a written legacy Pedalling for HeartSmart Days and Knights in Malta The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep Fighting Freemasons Member Spotlight – Viktor Peruvicic Mornington Lodge Celebrates 125 Years

Freemasonry Victoria Magazine Issue 144 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 Editor Gabrielle Forman (03) 9411 0101 Contact Us Email: editor@freemasonsvic.net.au Fax: (03) 9416 1468 Mail: The Editor, Freemasonry Victoria Magazine W.A. Tope Building, Coppin Centre 45 Moubray Street Melbourne Vic 3004

Letter to the Editor ...

Dear Editor,

M

any congratulations on the revamped quarterly magazine.

As a Victorian Mason of almost 60 years and now residing in Queensland, I get great enjoyment in catching up with news from ‘home’ (as it were). The presentation is absolutely magnificent in clarity and readability, particularly in recalling Brethren from times gone by in the new ‘Recognising Service’ section.

Yours most sincerely, Tom Reynolds PJGW Macedon Ranges Lodge No. 97

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 Disclaimer: Freemasonry Victoria is distributed by mail direct to the homes of all members and is published by Square One Publications Ltd, (ACN 005 631 470).

W.A. Tope Building, Coppin Centre 45 Moubray Street, Melbourne Vic 3004 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.

Freemasons Victoria invites your comments and feedback on our magazine - we aim to make this publication as interesting and appealing to our audience as possible. If you have any constructive feedback or comments on how we can improve your reading experience please get in touch. Please keep your comments respectful and in line with the values of our organisation.

Please contact us by email editor@freemasonsvic. net.au or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ freemasonsvic

Quiz Time!

Test your knowledge with these masonic brain teasers – answers on page 11 Question 1 Is an Entered Apprentice Apron square or rectangular, and how should it be fastened?

Question 2 When did Time Immemorial commence and what does it mean?

Question 3 Do we have an oath or an obligation?

Question 4 The 1st Degree Tracing Board painted by John Harris in 1823, of which many of our Lodges have a similar Tracing Board, has fifteen rungs on the ladder between the VOSL and the blazing star. What might these 15 steps represent?

Question 5 Who was the Rev. Dr. James Anderson, and for what is he especially remembered?

HISTORICAL

The

Big Move

Freemasons Victoria’s Collections Manager Samantha Fabry explains how more than 125 years of history was documented and transported from the Dallas Brooks Centre to new headquarters – the Royal Freemasons Homes.

T

he Freemasons Victoria collection is one of the state’s most significant holdings of artefacts and ephemera. It not only documents the history of Freemasonry both nationally and internationally, but provides great insight into the early establishment of Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs. Masonic related objects and Lodge books date back to before the establishment of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria in 1889 and have been continually acquired resulting in a collection of approximately 10,000 books, warrants, certificates and archives, 45 paintings and close to 3,000 objects.

In early 2014, Samantha Fabry was appointed to catalogue and prepare the Library & Museum collection for transportation to the Royal Freemasons Homes. Over the ensuing 15 months, mountains of Masonic material was located, reviewed, assessed and prepared for storage.

A number of crucial factors where considered during this process, which were:

1 2 3 4

– Could all objects remain safely packed for the next 50 years or more if required?

– Would accessibility to the collection be easily achievable?

– Could all objects be maintained within a secure environment?

– Could the collection be moved easily to the new building when required?

The largest objects within the collection to be prepared for the move were the portraits of the Grand Masters. Many of the early portraits were painted by leading artists of their time who were (in many cases) also Archibald prize winners such as Joshua Smith (1905-1995), William Beckwith McInnes (1889-1939), William Dargie (1912-2003) and Charles Wheeler (1880-1977). Many of the frames which were used on these portraits were created by leading Victorian frame makers Isaac Whitehead and John Thallon, and revealed an outstanding quality of craftsmanship.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 3

HISTORICAL

Two metal compactus containers within the basement of the Dallas Brooks Centre held hundreds of Lodge minutes and books. Many were from closed Lodges dating back to the 1840s which operated under the Irish, English and Scottish Constitutions. Warrants and hundreds of certificates were also discovered which had been kept in old suitcases.

To prepare this material, most of the books were individually wrapped in polypropylene bags, tagged and boxed. The more fragile books were placed in purpose made acid free archival boxes.

During this process, the book, Lodge and warrant numbers were documented allowing for easy retrieval whilst stored at the Homes.

Hundreds of other objects in the museum collection were also examined in preparation for storage. Various historical jewels, rare collars, aprons and gauntlets were wrapped in acid free tissue paper and stored in conservation boxes. Many of the jewels were placed in polypropylene folders and sleeves. Rare banners were also assessed and prepared for storage including the original UGLV banner, which was made in 1889. Other items of note include a rare inkwell made from an emu egg, decorated

4

Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

on each side with a silver emu and kangaroo, and two rare Masonic alabaster miniature dioramas which were created by two Masonic prisoners from the Napoleonic war in France.

These further highlight the significance and value of this collection.

“Every discovery enhances the richness of this collection and highlights the importance of our history and the members who have walked through our doors.”

“The process of moving the Freemasons Victoria Library & Museum Collection from the Dallas Brooks Centre to the Royal Freemasons Homes has been extremely intense, but it has allowed us to identify exactly what we have and how to preserve it correctly” says Samantha.

“We also discovered new items which were hidden in far corners of the building, such as six paintings of various Grand Masters and Deputy Grand Masters and seven Thallon frames. Every

HISTORICAL

discovery enhances the richness of this collection and highlights the importance of our history and the members who have walked through our doors.”

Samantha believes that the Library & Museum Collection can now be further utilised as an educational tool by both Freemasons and the wider community.

“Our collection can be used as a research tool by both Freemasons and non-Freemasons interested in documenting the history of Freemasonry in Victoria. For the first time, the collection is now documented and preserved for future generations.”

For members interested in finding out more about Freemasons Victoria’s collection, please contact Samantha Fabry at sfabry@freemasonsvic.net.au The Freemasons Victoria Library & Museum is now open.

Above: The new look Freemasons Victoria Library & Museum.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 5

BLUE RIBBON

National Police

Blue Ribbon Day March “We will never forget them,” he said.

Premier, The Hon. Daniel Andrews spoke about the unwavering support we receive from our service people, who not only give their time to their role, but in some instances their life, which should never be forgotten.

Protective Services Officer Supervisor and member of the Victoria Police Shrine Guard Brother Andrew Campbell-Burns talked about remembrance and how each of us can participate in activities that ensure the memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty is enduring.

F

Grand Master MWBro. Hillel Benedykt, joined

by Grand Secretary RWBro. Peter Henshall, said that the event is very special for members of Freemasons Victoria and that the organisation is proud to partner with the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Since 1853 when Victoria Police was established, 159 officers have been killed in the line of duty.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation raises money for improved emergency facilities named in memory of fallen officers in Victoria’s public hospitals. It also provides support to loved ones suffering the loss of a family member.

reemasons Victoria joined Victoria Police on Tuesday 29 September at the National Police Blue Ribbon Day March to remember police men and women who lost their lives while serving the community.

The annual commemorative March saw hundreds of uniformed police, riders and horsemen make their way from Princes Bridge to the Victoria Police Memorial on St Kilda Road. A service hosted by Reverend Dr. John Broughton and attended by police, their families, dignitaries and members of the community honoured police who died while protecting others.

An address was made by Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton AM, who said that functions like this would help to ensure that the memory of police officers killed while at work would live on forever.

6

Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

Freemasons Victoria supports the Blue Ribbon Foundation by boosting awareness and raising funds that support those who, despite the risks and challenges associated with their role, commit their lives to serving the community.

For more information about supporting the Blue Ribbon Foundation visit: http://www. remember.org.au

BLUE RIBBON

Above: Grand Master MWBro. Hillel Benedykt with Shrine Guard Bob Roberts.

Opposite page: Grand Master MWBro. Hillel Benedykt with Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Foundation Bill Noonan, OAM.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 7

BREAKING RECORDS

First Victorian Freemason to Swim the …WBro. Don Wilson

English Channel…

W

hen you think about displays of great athleticism and physical endurance, a few come to mind: Robert de Castella running down the Kenyans to win the 1982 Commonwealth Games marathon, Cadel Evans’ victory over amped up rivals to be the first ever Australian to win the Tour de France, Dean Jones’ unforgettable innings in Madras that saw him hospitalised for severe dehydration, 38-year-old Kerryn McCann’s 2006 Commonwealth Games marathon gold two years before dying of cancer or Kieren Perkin’s 1996 1500m Olympic Gold medal win from lane 8 after being declared a ‘dead duck’.

Then there are the 70-odd individuals or teams of people who successfully swim the English Channel every year in unfathomable conditions.

51 kilometres, water temperatures of 14 degrees or below, currents, tides, bow waves and the ever-present threat of what’s lurking below all make English Channel crossers an extremely elite bunch of mentally and physically tough people.

Believed to be the first Victorian Freemason to successfully swim the English Channel, either as 8

Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

part of a team or alone, is WBro. Don Wilson of Seymour Lodge. With less people succeeding at swimming the Channel than climbing Everest, the fraternity should be extremely proud of his accomplishment as part of the all Victorian relay team dubbed ‘Aussie Crawl’.

The team swam the Channel on 24 June in 12 hours and 22 minutes, with each team member swimming in one hour stints. The team consisted of Mark Stone, Alan Collett, Michael Nicol, Esther McConnell and Don Wilson, and was coached by Paul McCardel and his wife Chloe, the world record holder for longest unassisted swim and first Australian to complete a triple crossing.

Aussie Crawl’s successful crossing is the result of nearly eighteen months of preparation, consisting of training sessions four times a week, swimming weekends and regular cold water night swims in water temperatures of 10 degrees.

Don recalls his experience as, “one I will remember for the rest of my life” and says that he can now “tick swimming the English Channel off his bucket list.”

BREAKING RECORDS

The first known person to swim the English Channel was Captain Matthew Webb who made the crossing in 1875. Whilst in Dover, Don visited the museum which shows the signatures of the people who witnessed Webb’s epic swim.

Don recalls his experience as, “one I will remember for the rest of my life” and says that he can now “tick swimming the English Channel off his bucket list.”

Don also took the opportunity to visit the Grand Lodge of Ireland and a Lodge in Gorey, Wexford whilst on his travels.

Of further long distance swims, Don says, “I have something in the wind, so watch this space.”

Congratulations Don on an incredible achievement.

Above: The first team photo taken after the team had completed the swim, and written their names on the wall in the Whitehorse Hotel in Dover.

Top left: Don Wilson beside the Mathew Webb statue in Dover. Mathew Webb was the first person to swim the ‘English’ Channel in 1875.

Above middle: The team beside the Channel Swimmers statue at Dover the day before the swim.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 9

SEAVic

The Legacy of the

Original Lodge No. 8 Lives On

RWBro. Jim Mitchell PDGM traces the rich history surrounding SEAVIC Lodge’s perpetual Past Master’s jewel.

T

he discovery of gold in New South Wales in 1851 had tremendous and far reaching consequences on Australia’s development. The existence of alluvial gold; gold lying almost exposed in creek beds, was long known before the 1851 discovery of gold at Ophir in the Orange district of NSW, but the economic and social conditions of the colonies were such that the ‘authorities’ considered it unwise to make the news public.

When it was finally announced, immigrants and settlers rushed to New South Wales in uncontrollable numbers. Melbourne was deserted of its population and ships lay at anchor, motionless in Port Phillip Bay, as crews sought their fortune on the gold fields. Such was the serious decline in the population of Victoria, that the Gold Discovery Committee was established in Melbourne and offered a reward of £200 [$400] to anyone finding payable gold within 200 miles [320km] of Melbourne. Many discoveries were quickly made, firstly at Clunes in mid-1851, and also at Buninyong, Ballarat, Sandhurst [Bendigo], Mt Alexander [Castlemaine] and McIvor.

In December 1853, the estimate of adult males on these roaring gold fields was 41,000. Within six months, this had escalated to 73,000, an increase of nearly 80 per cent.

This rush of able bodied men to the gold fields resulted in the first Lodges of Freemasons being formed on many of the digging fields, often irregularly, and with various allegiances to the Grand Lodges of Ireland, Scotland, England and to the Grand Orient. Most of these Lodges were lost or amalgamated as the alluvial or surface gold was exhausted.

In January 1854 a notice written on cardboard and nailed to a gum tree in an area between Bendigo and Ironbark Gully advised all Freemasons that a meeting of interested members would be held

10 Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

at a certain store on the following Wednesday 20 January. An attempt had been made to draw the square and compasses in each corner and the notice concluded ‘Fail not on your O.B.’ Constitutional Freemasonry next saw the light of day in Ballarat in June 1854 with the opening of Victoria Lodge of Instruction with the Lodge itself becoming operational in September 1855.

Mount Alexander Lodge No. 8 was formed in 1856, the name chosen for the Lodge being the name of the general area of country surrounding today’s Castlemaine. That Lodge went on to prosper for 148 years, returning its warrant as recently as 2004.

It was from this Lodge that SEAVIC No. 8’s Past Master’s Perpetual Jewel owes its origin.

When the Freemasons of Canterbury Lodge, ably lead by RWBro. Keith Thornton, and RWBro. Kim Lai, saw the need to establish a new Masonic Lodge (SEAVIC LODGE) to bind together fraternal relationships between the Freemasons of Victoria and South East Asia, they sought permission from the United Grand Lodge of Victoria to reuse the No. 8. Among Asian people, number 8 is considered to bring good fortune and prosperity.

Against the accepted practice of the Grand Lodge of the day, permission was eventually, if a little reluctantly, granted - provided that permission be sought from the few remaining members of the original Mount Alexander Lodge; the original Lodge No 8.

It was during this process that a Past Master’s jewel of the original No. 8 Lodge was donated to SEAVIC and which was to become the Lodge’s Perpetual Past Master’s jewel. The jewel had been originally presented to WBro. Stanley George Leversha by Mount Alexander Lodge in recognition of his service as Master in 1988-89.

SEAVic WBro. Stan Leversha was made a Freemason in 1954 in the Harcourt Lodge No. 713, passed to the Fellowcraft Degree in June 1954 and raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason in January 1955. In 1985, when Harcourt Lodge returned its warrant, Bro. Stan joined the Mount Alexander Lodge and in three short years was installed as its Master.

The Leversha family was a long established family of the Harcourt district. They were very successful apple growers until the devastation of the industry as a result of Great Britain joining the European Common Market with its common agricultural policy in 1973.

Ian Leversha of Traralgon, Victoria, a nephew of our WBro. Stan, tells me that at one time eight separate units of the family lived side by side in the Harcourt district. The family name, ‘Leversha’, predates the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066, with the family being established in Norfolk after resettling from Somerset in 1848. It is thought that the family members migrated from Europe to escape religious prosecution.

Our WBro. Stan Leversha was also a prominent Rotarian in the district. In later life he trained and practised in radio and television repairs, and for a short time he and his brother operated as such in Melbourne until Stan returned to Harcourt to support an aging father on their orchard.

Our Perpetual Past Master’s jewel thus has a long history dating back more than 150 years to one of the earliest Lodges in Australia, to the days of the early gold rushes and to the settlement of the central highlands.

The jewel was presented to WBro. Stanley George Leversha as a token of appreciation by the Brethren to their retiring Master.

SEAVIC Lodge No. 8 was consecrated on 2 July 2011 and succeeding Worshipful Masters to date have proudly worn this beautiful jewel: RWBro. Keith Thornton, WBro. Stuart Thompson, WBro. MR Chandran, and WBro. Kim Lai.

Quiz Time Answers!

Answer 1 Our Constitution states ‘the apron of an Entered Apprentice shall consist of a plain white rectangular lamb-skin or cotton or linen cloth 360-400 millimetres wide and 300-360 millimetres deep, with fall without ornament and with white tie strings’.

Answer 2 In 1275 the English Parliament set the accession of King Richard 1st on 6th July 1189 as the starting date for proof of possession or right, any existing possession or right on that date was deemed to have been held for time immemorial prior to then. In 1832 time immemorial was re-defined to mean ‘beyond memory to the contrary’.

Answer 3 Both - An Oath is to swear on a Holy Book, an obligation is to take a promise on a Holy Book.

Answer 4 1st Degree 3 steps, 2nd Degree 5 steps, 3rd Degree 7 steps.

Answer 5 He was the first Grand Secretary of the ‘Grand Lodge of London and Westminster’ and he wrote its first Constitution in 1723.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 11

LODGE NEWS

Ballarat Lodges Unite to Support

F

Teenage Mums

our Ballarat Lodges have united to put their support behind a program that assists pregnant teenagers and school-aged mums.

Established nine years ago, the Link-Up Young Parents Program operating out of Ballarat Secondary College, supports pregnant students by offering educational opportunities at a separate campus - the Delacombe Learning & Education Centre. A converted residence, the Learning Centre serves as both a classroom and drop-in centre, and was made possible by Shane Dorney, the now deceased benefactor of the JFD Foundation.

Students involved in the LinkUp Young Parents Program are offered tuition in numeracy and literacy, as well as the Certificate of General Education for Adults and Certificate 3 in Business Management. The teacher to student ratio is 1:10, much higher than normal classrooms.

“Motherhood is challenging,” said Program Coordinator and Ballarat Deputy Mayor Peter Innes, “but facing that challenge in full view of society’s harsh judgement can be detrimental to a young woman’s education and wellbeing. Families of expectant teenagers are not always supportive,” he said.

Besides education and mentoring, the program seeks to present other opportunities to young mums, often denied because of their circumstances.

With this in mind, the Ballarat Lodges Committee approached

12 Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

Peter Innes to ask if Freemasons Victoria could assist by sponsoring a Debutant Ball for the young mums, their families and friends.

The ball was held on Friday 24 July with 140 people in attendance, including 11 Lodge members and their partners.

Ballarat Yarrowee Lodge, Guiding Star Lodge, Sturt Buninyong United Lodge and St Johns Lodge made a combined donation of $900 which was presented at the ball. In addition to financial support, the Lodges Committee arranged dance training through Shelley at The Dance Studio Ballarat, transportation to the ball through the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Ballarat and photography through Bro. David Law’s company Redwood Entertainment.

Following the ball, WBro. Brian Coffey of Sturt Buninyong United Lodge visited the Delacombe Learning & Education Centre to speak to student Ashlina and teacher Renee. Renee said that up to 90 per cent of school-aged girls who fall pregnant leave their education because their schools or families are not supportive.

While community attitudes towards teenage pregnancy “haven’t changed,” Renee said the Link-Up program “is positive and unconditional, and has proudly supported over 130 students so far.”

Following his visit to the Delacombe Centre, Brian invited Peter Innes and some of the young mums to speak at his Installation banquet.

“The confidence that these

teenagers display in speaking to a crowded room is testament to the success of the program in building up confidence and providing them with a career path,” said Brian.

“Ashlina has spoken to two groups so far and acknowledges that this would never have been possible without the support of the Link-Up Young Parents program. When you meet these young women, there can be no doubt that our financial support is well spent,” said Brian.

Occupations that students have undertaken since participating in the program include hairdressing, nursing, aged care and retail. Peter said the program costs $20,000 per year to run and there is currently no government support. He hopes the program will be used as a pilot and extended to other parts of the state.

Above: Debs and their partners on Friday 24 July 2015.

Below: Cheque Presentation L-R: RWBro. Ron Fleming, Sturt Buninyong United Lodge, WBro. Brian Coffey, Sturt Buninyong United and Chairman of the Lodges Committee, Principal Ballarat Secondary College, David Stuchbery, Coordinator Link-Up Young Mums Program, Peter Innes, Bro. Sam Jobe, Guiding Star Lodge and Bro. Nathanial Buchanan, Ballarat Yarrowee Lodge.

Inner Sanctum In My Words

September Quarterly Communication – Grand Master’s Address

Membership Daylight Lodges – why the dichotomy?

Philanthropy Freemasons Foundation Update

Mark and Chapter Royal Ark Mariner Masonry

Cover image: Tom McGuire, FossilBluff.com

Our Principles Make a Difference

IN MY WORDS

In My Words MWBro. Hillel Benedykt addresses the membership at the September Quarterly

M

ost Worshipful Past Grand Masters, RWBro. Don Reynolds Deputy Grand Master, RWBro. Keith Murray Deputy Grand Master Elect and Brethren all.

year our Quarterly immediately follows the Jewish New Year and I also understand that while I was in the synagogue over the last few days, Australia now has a new Prime Minister - being a leader is a tough gig.

I extend to Don and Mya, and Keith and Fiona, my most sincere congratulations and best wishes for every success as April 1st approaches. Each of you know that Sue and I will be there to support you every step of the way.

So when I was planning this address, there were almost too many themes to choose from.

I was contemplating talking about leadership, my Swiss watch, the humble battery and even the use of filters.

Welcome everyone to this most historic Quarterly Communication in our new temporary home. It seems that we’ve been talking about leaving the Dallas Brooks Centre for quite some time, but the day did finally arrive and here we are. Thank you to those who have made the effort to come to our new venue. Having made it here, please be sure to not only tell the other Brethren about how well this function centre works, but please bring some Brethren with you next time. I must also express my most sincere congratulations to the Grand Secretariat for their efforts in making today’s function work as seamlessly as possible for our Brethren. I know it was no small task.

September is always an interesting time of year as the weather definitely starts to improve and the air is filled with footy fever and the anticipation of the spring racing carnival. This

ii

Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

After much consideration, I decided I should address you on Freemasonry but utilise the other concepts I had in mind as well.

There are so many aspects to our great organisation, I only plan to touch on one.

What I’d like to discuss is our leadership model and how it has passed the test of time. Our leadership at the organisational level changes over every two years like clockwork (with only some exceptions) and at the local Lodge level, every year including most or all of the Lodge office bearers. If you were to stand back and look at this as an outside observer, you would ask, how is that possible? In parallel, you have the Board of General Purposes and all the committees that report to it, constantly changing its membership.

To those external parties that deal with Freemasonry, we give the appearance of a very conservative organisation, where things don’t happen all

that quickly. In fact, it’s a bit like my automatic Swiss watch.

As I look at the face of it, it is very clear and precise. It gives you the impression of stability and reliability. The simple but elegant second hand sweeps across the face of the watch ever so gently, and it’s almost calming to watch it at work.

You then take a look at the back of the watch, and there are so many things happening, you don’t know where to look first.

Things are moving everywhere, some parts are spinning, different parts are moving at different speeds, yet in some sort of crazy but organised way, everything is working together. In fact if you look at it for a while, it is the opposite of the watch face which displays elegant simplicity, the view from the back of the watch really represents elegant complexity. It’s interesting to note that with almost all automatic Swiss watches, the back or at least part of it is clear, so that one can see the workings, but generally speaking the public face of the watch is cool, calm and collected. In many ways this not only represents our organisation, but how we are as people. I’m sure we’ve all made the comment to someone when they’re deep in thought that you can hear the wheels turning inside their head, just like the watch.

While I’m still on the topic of leadership, let me briefly discuss the humble battery which came into existence in 1800. Some 99 years later the nickel cadmium

IN MY WORDS Photos by WBro. David Wells

battery was invented, heralding the dawn of the rechargeable battery. It took until 1991 when the lithium iron battery was commercialised and is the technology most widely used today. The rechargeable battery has created a world of devices that fill our lives every single day.

There are many ways to recharge our batteries and devices today whether we’re close to a power source or not. The race is on to charge things up as fast as possible, increase the duration between charging, shrink the size of the batteries, and use so many charging technologies.

Well, since 1889, Freemasons Victoria has with only some exceptions, changed its Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master every two years. In fact after some fine tuning, we have introduced some certainty so that the Deputy Grand Master knows he will be the Grand Master. The point is, we recharge our organisation’s leadership every two years. This must introduce some fresh ideas into the mix because we are all human and are definitely not clones of each other. You’ve just heard from our next Grand Master. Within the context of our strategic plan and under the direction of the Board of General Purposes, he will inject his flavour on the leadership role as will his

successor. At the Lodge leadership level, we also introduce a new Worshipful Master each year and the new Master always brings something new to the table to recharge the Lodge. The reality is, we all need to recharge our batteries at different times, and some of us take longer to recharge than others. So if I was to pass on some advice at this early stage to our Grand Master Elect and our Deputy Grand Master Elect, maintain a watch over the status of your battery, the time between being recharged will differ for each of you and the time it takes to recharge will also differ, just don’t let yourselves get to the stage of being completely run down - we the Freemasons of Victoria need you to be functioning at full capacity.

Brethren, hopefully I’ve given you some food for thought in the area of leadership and how amazing the leadership model of Freemasons Victoria really is, so as I conclude tonight’s address, I thought it would be fitting to reference a famous thought leader and on this occasion it is Socrates.

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, “Do you know what I just heard about your friend?”

“Hold on a minute,” Socrates replied. “Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth.

Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”

“Well, no,” the man said, “actually I just heard about it and…”

“All right,” said Socrates. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not.

Now, let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?”

“Umm, no, on the contrary…”

“So,” Socrates continued, “You want to tell me something bad about my friend, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still pass the test though, because there’s one filter left—the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?”

“No, not really.”

“Well,” concluded Socrates, “If what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?”

MWBro. Hillel Benedykt Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria iii

MEMBERSHIP HISTORICAL

Daylight Lodges

– why the dichotomy?

D

aylight Lodges were introduced a number of years ago, principally to facilitate members who were advancing in age yet wanted to continue to be actively involved in Freemasonry.

RWBro. Bruce Stockdale Manager Membership Services

iv Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

Freemasons Victoria has in excess of 50 per cent of members over 70 years of age.

Yet the number of members attending daylight Lodges is waning, to the extent that some are perilously close to the point of being unviable. A number have closed in recent years.

IN MY WORDS MEMBERSHIP

There would be close to 6,000 members who could attend a daylight Lodge, either as a member or visitor, if; 1. all those members over 70 years of age were either retired or only working parttime, and 2. 50 per cent of those who are in the 61-70 years age range were either retired or working part-time.

By further decreasing that number by 20-30 per cent for those whose health and other circumstances absolutely prevented attendance, it would leave approximately 4,500 able to attend a daylight Lodge.

Yet we have only 1,100 members affiliated with the daylight Lodges around the state.

In April 2015, the number of members attending daylight Lodges was 633 (a 57 per cent attendance rate), with each Lodge having an average of seven visitors. Installations have significantly boosted the number of visitors during this month.

There are a total of 33 daylight Lodges, operated in all but one District throughout the state;

13 in the country and 20 in the metropolitan areas. The central District is the only District without a daylight Lodge.

The member attendance rate of daylight Lodges for the 12 months to June 2015 is 57%, some are consistently around the 60-70%, which is significantly above the state average for all Lodges, which is approximately 50%.

The daylight Lodges also have a good rate of visitation, with visitors, on average being approximately one in every four in attendance.

The only differences between a daylight and evening Lodge are the meeting times and mode of dress, with daylight Lodges not wearing a dinner suit and bow tie.

So, why the dichotomy?

We seek your assistance to uncover the reason by completing a survey.

The survey can be completed by: 1. Entering https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/ DaylightLodges into your browser; 2. Responding via the link which we have emailed to all on our email list; 3. Logging onto the members’ section of the FMV web site and clicking on the survey link, or 4. Speaking to your Lodge Secretary: Secretaries will be forwarded the survey to be printed, which then can be completed and mailed to the Manager Membership Services.

If you complete the survey form, we will forward you a summary of the survey responses and a copy of the overall report.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria

v

PHILANTHROPY

Freemasons

Foundation

Supporting Lodges in the whole of Victoria - RWBro. Roy Alderton, PJGW.

H

aving just passed the first anniversary of the vote which enabled Freemasons Foundation Victoria Limited to commence operation, it is perhaps timely to reflect on how the Foundation has supported Lodges since its inception.

Since December 2014, 181 Lodges have received assistance for their charitable endeavours.

Following are just a few of the many Lodge projects the Board supported at its most recent meeting in August 2015: Dialysis Table: Mansfield Lodge No. 158 requested assistance to support the Mansfield District Hospital to purchase a dialysis table to aid dialysis patients during treatment. While it has been said that matching ‘dollar for dollar’ has never been a firm policy, in this case the Board was pleased to provide a grant which was double the amount contributed by the Lodge.

vi Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

Play Equipment For Autistic Children’s Service: Ringwood-based Lodge Jonadab No. 771 resolved to assist with the purchase of playground equipment and play accessories for Irabina Autism Services. Such a worthwhile service for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder could not be ignored and the Board was happy to meet the Lodge’s request for funds.

Outdoor Play Equipment For Special School: In a similar vein, Belvoir Lodge No. 727 decided to fund school yard equipment for the Belvoir Wodonga Special Development School. A project to augment the education of students with an intellectual disability was considered to be very worthwhile, which made it very easy for the Board to assist in funding the project.

PHILANTHROPY

First Aid Training Equipment: On a completely different tack, Portland Lodge of Victoria No. 6 was keen to support their small seaside community by providing first aid training equipment to members of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guards Association of Portland.

Located on the south-west coast of Victoria, Portland has a relatively small population but is home to about 60 fishing boats, so naturally the Coast Guard is an important part of the community. The Board was happy to support their proposal.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation Unit: On the other side of the state in West Gippsland, Trafalgar Lodge No. 497 raised funds to support the Latrobe Regional Hospital by supplying a Nitrous Oxide Sedation Unit for use in the Emergency Department. The funds required were substantially more than the already generous sum

raised by the Lodge but the Board was happy to make the purchase of this important piece of equipment possible with a further grant.

The examples above highlight a few of the many requests the Board considered and approved at its August meeting. So if your Lodge has not yet applied to the Foundation for support with your favoured philanthropic project, please consider doing so.

The Board is always pleased to assist with any worthwhile project. The Lodge receives the dual benefit of contributing something worthwhile to their local community while making Freemasonry better known.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria vii

LODGE PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT

Rosebank Lodge

No. 348

Overcoming Tough Challenges!

- Compiled by WBro. Larry Fraim PGStdB with input from VWBro. Don Robinson PGIWkgs

T

hroughout the last decade, Rosebank Lodge has experienced some seemingly insurmountable challenges.

In 2005, the Lodge Secretary passed away suddenly. In 2007, the newly Installed Master resigned. Shortly after, dozens of members followed him.

What could have led to the Lodge’s demise in fact spawned resilience amongst the remaining members who together lifted themselves out of the darkest period in the Lodge’s history to create success.

Freemasons Victoria caught up with Lodge member WBro. Larry Fraim PGStdB to find out the keys to Rosebank’s revival.

The Rosebank Story So how did the Lodge’s handful of remaining members turn things around? They firstly sought help from other Freemasons in the region, and by setting reasonable dues for existing members, eight Freemasons from other Lodges joined. This increased membership and gave the Lodge a platform on which to tackle some of the serious challenges that lay ahead.

By the May 2009 Installation, the ground work had been done to keep Rosebank Lodge moving forward. The Lodge was not out of the woods at this stage, but had a plan. “If the plan worked,” explained WBro. Larry Fraim, “we would survive; if it didn’t, the members knew that they had at least given the Lodge a chance.”

viii Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

The plan was simple, and based on being active in the community of Beeac. Beeac is a small farming community, 19 kilometres from Colac, with a population of just over 300.

It has a primary school with 30 to 40 students, a CFA, a tennis club, a golf club, Uniting Church and the Beeac Progress Association. The Lodge was the only service-type organisation in the town.

The Lodge’s first public event under the new regime was a small Trivia Night to raise funds for the Tennis Club, Primary School and CFA. Funds raised for Beeac Primary School, matched by a Board of Benevolence grant, supported a program which presented graduation awards to students on completion of Year 6. This program continues today with support provided by the Freemasons Foundation.

Building on the success of the Trivia Night, the Lodge held an Open Night where they presented a demonstration of The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior followed by an enjoyable community supper.

Then the Lodge became associated with the Beeac Progress Association, a group of citizens interested in the promotion of Beeac and the District. The Lodge sponsored the group’s publication Beeac District News, which provided opportunities for the inclusion of Masonic promotional and historical articles.

“The organisation of the Lodge needed a lot of work,” said

Larry. “Most of the records were lost with the passing of the Secretary in 2005, so the Lodge set up regular Planning Committee meetings with all members invited to attend, and meals and rehearsals held afterwards.” Important decisions were made at these meetings including changing the Lodge starting time from 7:45pm to 7:30pm, and holding Installations on Saturdays at 4:00pm. They discussed other ways to improve including the implementation of a visiting program to encourage support between District Lodges and a program of works for the Beeac Masonic Centre.

Working bees were held to clean the building and develop the grounds so that they were more welcoming. This included the development of gardens and the Prowse Windmill Foundry site near the front door.

Importantly, the Lodge focused on developing a positive culture at meetings and in the South, so members and guests left with positive feelings.

In 2010, the Lodge was very active in the community.

The 150th Anniversary of Beeac celebrations and the opening of the Windmill Park in the centre of town provided Rosebank Lodge members with opportunities to be seen and heard in the community.

They were instrumental in the success of the community parade and opening of the Windmill Park. During the celebrations, the Beeac Masonic Centre hosted the Beeac Art

PHILANTHROPY LODGE SPOTLIGHT

Show, with displays in the Lodge Room and the South.

This was well attended over the entire weekend.

In the area of charity, the Lodge made a presentation at the Bellarine Otway District Charity Challenge, held at the Geelong Masonic Centre. Rosebank Lodge won the challenge and received funds for their submission to the Board. Part of their submission was to send two local youths to a leadership course and then meet with other young townsfolk to develop strategies to deal with adolescents’ feelings of isolation.

Building on their success, three Lodge members and the District Coordinator travelled to Queensland, having been impressed with RWBro. Greg Goding’s Order in the House presentation. “It was the best thing we did,” said Larry Fraim.

“It helped us to understand how to implement and revitalise the Lodge. After learning more about the strategies outlined in Order in the House, Rosebank Lodge recognised they needed to reduce ‘cringe factors’ in order to move forward. “It took quite a while to change the culture, but it has been a significant element in the Lodge’s revitalisation. We haven’t lost any members throughout this process; in fact we have seen real change in members’ attitudes and even the return of a couple of resigned members.”

Lodge members acknowledge that operating a successful Lodge requires constant and consistent management. “We have continued to work on our internal processes and programs. We are trying to develop good ritual practices and floor work during our

ceremonies, and have had the exemplification team attend one of our meetings to help us in that area. Our practices are now positive learning sessions, with senior members supporting the team in achieving improved results,” said Larry.

applying every year. “We have had five initiations in a row, which started with the first in December 2014 and the fifth in July 2015. At our most recent meeting, we conducted a Double First Degree with 46 Freemasons in attendance.”

Other programs the Lodge has instigated include:

Whilst the Lodge is back on its feet, Larry acknowledges there is “plenty of work ahead of us, and we will continue to be active in the Beeac community. This is our best hope for the future.”

• The establishment of an annual church service at the Beeac Uniting Church, which is now in its seventh year and is conducted by Lodge members; • A revitalised town ANZAC commemoration held in conjunction with the Beeac Progress Association, involving a dawn service and breakfast at the Beeac Masonic Centre.

At this year’s Centenary ANZAC Day service, the attendance exceeded the population of Beeac; • The replacement of the town playground’s fence, achieved with assistance from Warrion St John Lodge of Colac; • A Lodge Dinner held at the Beeac Hotel on the first Monday of January; • The hosting of the Western District Emergency Services Night. This year the evening was attended by over 60 people and the ES team conducted a Second Degree ceremony with one of the Lodge’s Entered Apprentices.

“As you can see,” said Larry, “the Lodge has developed a broad range of annual interactions with the community of Beeac.

All of these activities continue to build relationships with townspeople and help us promote Freemasonry.”

Tips From Rosebank Lodge • Establish a Planning Committee, meet regularly and include all members in decision making. Act on your decisions!

• Be active in the local community: • Fundraise and contribute, run events and promote your Lodge in local publications • Develop a positive culture.

Eliminate cringe factors.

• Be persistent and work as a team towards the Lodge’s goals.

Several years on from the Lodge’s near-closure, it has a four-year succession plan in place and new candidates Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria ix

MARKPHILANTHROPY AND CHAPTER

Royal Ark

Mariner Masonry A voyage into a new and exciting experience in Freemasonry

T

he Royal Ark Mariner Degree is based on the biblical story of Noah and the Flood. Most people have grown up with the basic details of this important story from the Old Testament. Noah and the Great Deluge is the subject of thousands of books, plays and films, and features in numerous religious dogmas and rites.

The traditional story of the Ark Degree has nothing to do with stonemasonry - operative or speculative. The traditional history and ceremonies of the Ark are totally different to those experienced in the Craft or Mark Degree.

The Ceremony of being ‘Elevated’ to the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner Mason is based on some old religious and philosophical practices from Great Britain, and may well be the oldest rite in Masonry.

The moral lessons of Royal Ark Mariner Masonry are predicated on the relationship of the righteous Noah with his God. Through his steadfast obedience of God’s commands, Noah, his family and representatives of all brute creation, were saved from drowning.

The principal officers of a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge represent Noah and two of his three sons.

All Brethren wear an apron, sash and jewel, and officers a collar. The rainbow ribbon decorates the regalia. The form of the Lodge is different to that of a Craft or Mark Lodge and reflects the symbolism of Royal Ark Mariner Masonry.

Likewise, the Ceremony of Elevation (of Mark Master Masons only) to Royal Ark Mariner Mason is totally different. It is said that elements of the ceremony can be traced back to the mystery plays of medieval Britain. It is a true initiatory rite, as once again, the ceremony involves the candidate being brought to the light. While being Elevated, the candidate is restrained by a true cable tow.

Once a year, a group of specially appointed Grand Mark officers called Enthronement Officers, perform the Ceremony of Enthroning the Commander.

x

Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

Freemasons Foundation Victoria Limited NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

This philanthropic body was set up to carry out a number of charitable functions on behalf of Freemasons in Victoria. Among them is the support of Lodges in their charitable objectives.

WHAT CAUSES WILL MY DONATION SUPPORT? Scout Groups, local bands, Aged Care Facilities, Men’s Sheds, school programs and many similar community programs.

HOW ARE DECISIONS REGARDING FUNDING MADE? Based on charitable objectives and availability of funds.

Lodges who need more than dollar for dollar - ask for more.

IS A SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE REQUIRED? A specific objective for the use of the funds will be helpful.

DONATIONS CAN BE TAX DEDUCTABLE If you wish to make a tax deductable donation, you should stipulate that your donation go to The Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation. If you wish to make a bequest, a member of the Foundation will be happy to discuss the matter with you.

WRITE The Directors Freemasons Foundation Victoria Limited ABN 159 528 122 PO Box 553 East Melbourne Vic 8002 WEB www.freemasonsfoundation.org

RECOGNISING SERVICE

Jewels Presented ~ July NAME

NO.

LODGE NAME

50 YEARS RWBro

GF

Bradd

243

Gardenvale Mobility

Bro

RH

Copley

603

Fraternal

RWBro

SG

Gee

915

Blackburn United

Bro

AC

Guy

259

Killara

Bro

MW

Holt

855

Allara

RWBro

RS

Kershaw

5

Geelong Lodge of Unity & Prudence

WBro

RN

O'Connor

189

King Edward

WBro

I

Samuel

674

Liberation

RWBro

RW

Skilbeck

34

Warrnambool

Bro

MW

Stanley

913

The Acacia Lodge of Geelong

60 YEARS Bro

WJ

Anderson

771

Jonadab

WBro

RW

Bayly, OAM

922

Guiding Star

WBro

GH

Carlin

37

Brighton District

WBro

KP

Day

380

Samaritan

WBro

RW

McKernan

59

Albert Edward

WBro

GD

Scholes

924

Brunswiclk United

65 YEARS Bro

HL

Castleton

902

Doutta Galla

RWBro

EW

Gledhill

904

Chirnside Daylight

RWBro

J

Lindsay

661

Powlett

RWBro

EW

Reid

380

Samaritan

Bro

RG

Schell

938

Monash

70 YEARS WBro

JR

Bateson

904

Chirnside Daylight

Bro

RJ

Ritchie

130

Trentham

WBro

LL

Slatter

0

Transition

xii Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

RECOGNISING SERVICE

Jewels Presented ~ August NAME

NO.

LODGE NAME

50 YEARS VWBro

RAW

Burman

317

The Old Melburnians'

WBro

WH

Collins

220

Sandringham District Daylight

Bro

RT

Gilfillan

202

Morwell

WBro

GJ

Henwood

16

Williamstown

VWBro

BJ

Huguenin

384

Elrona

RWBro

CR

Layton

933

Sir John Quick

VWBro

KJ

Leckie

384

Elrona

WBro

GE

Miles

104

Rupertswood-Numurkah

Bro

LH

O'Reilly

275

Deepdene

Bro

J

Reich

603

Fraternal

Bro

BP

Rymer

96

Cosmopolitan

VWBro

CR

Scharp

924

Brunswick United

WBro

PJR

Smith

727

Belvoir

VWBro

DJ

Stewart

406

Carisbrook

RWBro

AS

Ambrose

647

Lodge of Good Companions

Bro

EE

Butler

190

Duke of Connaught

Bro

JA

Murison

71

Footscray St.Johns

60 YEARS

VWBro

KT

Page

938

Monash

WBro

BK

Parkinson

317

The Old Melburnians'

Bro

RT

Paterson

359

Berwick Balcara

WBro

CW

Pitcher

217

Frankston

VWBro

KW

Baker

65 YEARS 35

Aurora

RWBro

RA

Hess

924

Brunswick United

RWBro

AW

Irvine

863

Warrawee Park

VWBro

IG

Latimer

396

Old Scotch Collegians

Bro

WE

Lea

7

Golden & Corinthian

RWBro

A

Miller, OAM

689

Mount Scopus and Collegians

Bro

K

Mounsey

924

Brunswick United

VWBro

LA

Oakley

855

Allara

Bro

CC

Rodda

7

Golden & Corinthian

Bro

RL

Sharp

188

Rutherglen

WBro

KF

Sorensen

863

Warrawee Park

Bro

P

Stanley

753

Concentration

RWBro

D

Stanton

188

Rutherglen

WBro

GC

Tanck

80

Antient York

WBro

JAV

Watson

647

Lodge of Good Companions

70 & 75 YEARS WBro

FR

Brown

307

City of Geelong

WBro

DR

Clark

924

Brunswick United

RWBro

EJ

Hucker

80

Antient York

RWBro

GD

Illingworth

876

Bendigo & District Daylight

WBro

RI

Munro

217

The Old Melburnians'

Bro

LK

Bibby

876

Bendigo & District Daylight

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria xiii

RECOGNISING SERVICE

Jewels Presented ~ September NAME

NO.

LODGE NAME

50 YEARS VWBro

JS

Andrews

677

Warragul

WBro

JO

Boyd

323

Koo-Wee-Rup

RWBro

HJ

Downing

837

Commerce

WBro

JW

Gibson

933

Sir John Quick

WBro

GH

Harris

30

Heathcote

WBro

JA

Harris

30

Heathcote

WBro

LJ

Hodren

876

Bendigo & District Daylight

WBro

GJ

Monks

891

Djerriwarrh

WBro

JL

Muller

718

Bacchus Marsh Daylight

Bro

RR

Pepin, AM, MBE

837

Commerce

WBro

WH

Rodda

877

Bairnsdale Daylight

WBro

NL

Snow

882

Williamstown Daylight

VWBro

ML

Tobias

220

Sandringham District

VWBro

RR

Young

111

Lord Carrngton

60 YEARS WBro

NC

Amos

861

Essendon Daylight

WBro

LA

Barber

70

Wimmera

WBro

WA

Barnes

880

Eos

WBro

KJ

Drew

759

Melbourne High School

WBro

WA

Eden

220

Sandringham District

VWBro

AE

Hayes

160

The Mornington Lodge

RWBro

JW

Henley

607

Maroondah Daylight

WBro

JML

Jacobson

510

Lodge of Welcome

VWBro

HJ

Kirkland

904

Chirnside Daylight

VWBro

IL

Lee

96

Cosmopolitan

WBro

MD

Lewis

919

Swan Hill

WBro

DF

Mitchell

327

United Memorial &Â Merbein

WBro

VF

Peace

227

Cohuna

65 YEARS RWBro

G

Bindless

882

Williamstown Daylight

WBro

RC

Hill

66

Wangaratta Lodge of St.Johns

RWBro

JJ

Johnston

16

Williamstown

RWBro

LM

Youie, OAM

89

Richmond

Bro

AM

Crewther

924

Brunswick United

RWBro

GL

Raphael

912

Keysborough

70 YEARS

xiv Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

NEW MEMBERS

Our newest Freemasons July 2015 - September 2015 Name

Lodge

Name

Lodge

Bro. Colin Buttler

Rosebank Lodge

Bro. Stuart Green

Marangan Lodge

Bro. Cody Kirby

Rosebank Lodge

Bro. Douglas Bruce

Richmond Lodge

Bro. Viktor Michell

Glenroy Lodge

Bro. Daniel Perri

Seavic Lodge

Bro. Joseph Cavasinni

Glenroy Lodge

Bro. Justin Zamsky

King David Lodge

Bro. William Henley

Lodge of Rapport

Bro. Angelos Alexandris

Cranbourne Lodge

Bro. Danny Bojkovski

Lord Northcote Lodge

Bro. Callum Bellinger

Footscray St. John's Lodge

Bro. Luke Winter

Meredith Lodge

Bro. Guillermo Garcia

Lodge Observance

Bro. Edgardo Isidro

Werribee Enterprise Lodge

Bro. Mark Reynolds

Wangaratta Lodge of St. John

Bro. Matheus Garcia

Werribee Enterprise Lodge

Bro. Mario Sbriglio

Sunshine Wisdom Lodge

Bro. Maxwell Jasper

Rutherglen Lodge

Bro. Gregor Pacnik

Arlington Lodge

Bro. Mariano Naguit

Altona Lodge

Bro. John Rousvanis

Clifton Hill Lodge

Bro. Myron Lozano

Altona Lodge

Bro. Robert Strong

Clifton Hill Lodge

Bro. John Skantzos

Gardenvale Mobility Lodge

Bro. Craig Thulborn

Mount Shadwell Lodge

Bro. James Bartel

Beechworth Lodge of St. John

Bro. Alpaslan Sozan

Mooroopna Lodge

Bro. Roger Chong

Seavic Lodge

Bro. Jason Sulejman

Mooroopna Lodge

Bro. Luke Faba

Seavic Lodge

Bro. Robert Brien

Fairfield Lodge

Bro. Daoren Lai

Seavic Lodge

Bro. Scott Gibson

Meredith Lodge

Bro. Matthew Susin

The Lodge of Evolution

Bro. Barry Michael

Williamstown Lodge

Bro. Yuing Chen

Baden Powell Lodge

Bro. Mathew Hall

Werribee Enterprise Lodge

Bro. Paul Iakovakis

Duke of Sussex Lodge

Bro. Marcus Bowman

Warrnambool Lodge

Bro. David Wilkin

Zetland Lodge

Bro. Amir Yazdani

Melbourne St. Clair Reunion Lodge

Bro. Bramwell Nicholson

The Revival Lodge

Bro. Patrick Daly

Gardenvale Mobility Lodge

Bro. Thaddeus Mangalino

Lodge Observance

Bro. Rabih Khallouf

Lodge of Orana

Bro. Mark Walker

Lodge of the Golden Rule

Bro. Garry Myers

Warragul Lodge

Bro. Robert Magnano

Garibaldi Lodge

Bro. Glenn Myhre

Lodge Epicurean

Bro. Peter Byrne

Baxter Lodge

Bro. Samuel Nugent

Yarra Glen Lodge

Bro. James McLardy

Mount Shadwell Lodge

Bro. Ivan Takac

Sunshine Wisdom Lodge

Bro. Deepak Dhokia

Lodge of Commerce

Bro. Ihsan Ozmen

Whittlesea Lodge

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria xv

RECOGNISING NEW MEMBERS SERVICE

Our newest Freemasons July 2015 - September 2015 Name

Lodge

Name

Lodge

Bro. Francisc Szabo

Sandringham District Lodge

Bro. Paul Almond

Rupertswood-Numurkah Lodge

Bro. Elmer De Ocampo

Robbie Burns Phoenix Lodge

Bro. John Sayers

Army Lodge

Bro. Andrew Hasting

Robbie Burns Phoenix Lodge

Bro. Samer Murhom

Lodge of Good Companions

Bro. Matthew Bontoft

Fairfield Lodge

Bro. Dean Robinson

Middle Park Lodge

Bro. Michael Fuchs

Victoria Lodge

Bro. Beau Swanson

City of Footscray-Wyndham Lodge

Bro. Glenn Harris

Gisborne Lodge

Bro. Brett Hawley

Swan Hill Lodge

Bro. Gautam Banerjee

Lodge Devotion

Bro. Steven Sequenzia

Antient York Lodge

Bro. Colin Long

Mount Shadwell Lodge

Bro. Eleftherios Veniamakis

Antient York Lodge

Bro. Tristan Johns

Mildura Lodge

Bro. Glen McGarvie

Union Lodge of North Gippsland

Bro. Symon Pryor

Melton Lodge

Bro. Nicholas Riley

Lodge Devotion

Bro. Rohan Muscat

Lodge of Concentration

Bro. Dominic Sinopoli

Sunbury Lodge

xvi Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

BOOK REVIEW

Peter Thomas Thornton…

…a written legacy

By WBro. Bruce Cowie

D

uring August, Freemasonry lost one of its most knowledgeable and experienced Freemasons.

RWBro. Peter Thomas Thornton, Past Senior Grand Warden, was a truly engaged and committed Freemason. Over many years, he joined all the orders of Freemasonry that met in Victoria and progressed to be the Master or equivalent in each and every one of them.

RWBro. Peter left a lasting impression on many Freemasons with his vast knowledge and forthright manner, however he also left a lasting written legacy. He was the author of four historical works on the origins and development of Freemasonry in Victoria.

His first book, The History of Freemasonry in Victoria was published by the United Grand Lodge of Victoria in 1978. This volume traced the development of Freemasonry in chronological order during its first fifty years in Victoria. An expansive table of contents enables the reader to readily see what is contained in each Chapter. This assists in finding material on key matters.

Copies of this book are available

in the Freemasons Victoria Library. The book is rare, however a copy may be found for purchase via various used book services online.

published by Peter and covers the evolution of Royal Arch Masonry in this jurisdiction and the formation of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Victoria.

His second book, A Century of Union published by the United Grand Lodge of Victoria in 1989, covered the first 100 years of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria.

Each Chapter is devoted to one of the Grand Masters and includes a photo as well as details of key events within Grand Lodge during the term of each Grand Master. The use of sub-headings in each Chapter enables the reader to again find key points.

By focusing on the activities of Grand Lodge the reader can gain some understanding of the nature of decision making by the Grand Master and the Board of General Purposes of the time.

The book outlines some key decisions and impacts. Copies of this book are available in the Freemasons Victoria Library and may also be found on used book services online.

Limited copies of the books on Mark Masonry and the Royal Arch Chapter are both available from the Joint Secretariat.

These two books provide a very detailed history of many aspects of the development of Craft Freemasonry in Victoria from the early 1800s through to 1989.

100 Years of Mark Masonry in Victoria was published in 1999. This volume traces the evolution of the Mark Degree in Victoria, through turbulent times. Victoria is one of the few jurisdictions where the Mark degree is conferred in separate Mark Lodges governed by an independent Grand Lodge.

The History of Royal Arch Masonry in Victoria 1843 – 1998 was the fourth and final work

These four works provide a detailed picture of Freemasons, with their respective allegiances working first to establish Freemasonry in Victoria and then working to develop independence from its governing bodies overseas. It is well known that in Victoria we had Freemasons from English, Scottish and Irish Constitutions.

It is perhaps less well known that Canada had an influence in the 19th Century, particularly on the Royal Arch Chapter.

All four books are densely packed with facts and figures.

The author has sought out primary sources and weaved together a lot of information that provides a greater understanding of how Freemasonry developed, who the key players were and the challenges that were faced.

The books cannot be easily read from cover to cover, but they are an excellent source of factual material for the interested reader.

The passing of RWBro. Thornton has left a gap in our fraternity.

It is hoped that there will be another interested Brother who will pick up where these books finished and continue to document the history of Freemasonry in Victoria.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 13

CHALLENGE YOURSELF

Pedalling For

Heartsmart…

…Brother Wayne Motton invites you to join him on a charity challenge

F

ive years ago, WBro. Wayne Motton PGStdB found himself swapping a performing arts theatre for an operating theatre after collapsing backstage at Little Shop of Horrors. Taken to Epworth Freemasons Hospital for some tests, he would soon undergo major heart surgery including a triple bypass, new aortic valve, a vein graft and the installation of a pacemaker.

Now at 57, Wayne is fighting fit and about to embark upon his fourth Epworth Freemasons charity cycling challenge to raise funds for Heartsmart, one of the hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation programs. He has signed up to cycle from Bangkok to Koh Samui in February 2016, and is hoping to fundraise over $6,000 for the cause that helped save his life.

Master of the lvanhoe Grammarians Lodge and Secretary of Admiral Collingwood Lodge, Wayne is hoping other Freemasons and their families will join him, his older brother Robert and two nephews on his one-week cycling journey through Thailand.

“I have been on every Heartsmart Cycling Challenge since 2012, and this time I am inviting others to join me.”

“It’s a great way to raise much needed funds for the hospital’s cardiac program, as well as keep fit and keep my weight under control!” he said.

14 Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

“It’s also a beautiful way to see Thailand off the tourist route. The itinerary includes cycling along back roads, through national parks and fishing towns, and alongside great beaches. We stay in quality resorts and have plenty of recovery time during the evening, all while enjoying famous Thai hospitality.”

With every trip, Wayne raises enough money to cover the cost of his trip, this year being $3590, and then fundraises a further $2500 to support Heartsmart. The trip cost includes airfares, accommodation, meals, guides, well-maintained bikes and a support vehicle.

Participants can use an online fundraising platform to solicit support for their challenge.

If you would like to support Wayne on his challenge visit: https://thailandcyclingchallenge. everydayhero.com/au/wayne-motton Or to join Wayne and others on this cycling challenge call Kathryn Johnston in the Epworth Medical Foundation on 03 9426 6359 or email kathryn.johnston@epworth.org.au “You don’t have to be a former cardiac patient to take part and it is certainly not a race,” says Wayne. “It is the trip of a lifetime and I certainly recommend it.”

Captions: Wayne Motton at home and on the bike in Thailand raising funds for cardiac services at Epworth Freemasons Hospital.

Welcome to the Happy Masons Shop

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.

We are committed to providing a one-stop online masonic shop so you can browse and safely purchase quality new and collectable masonic items at ‘real value for money’ prices.

We have literally hundreds of items and are acquiring more stock all the time!

Phone: 8543 9800 or Freecall: 1800 640 454

F 90 OR T SE OR HE PT DE FIR EM RS ST BE IN R

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

F US REE B 8G DR b IV E!

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

visit our online store at: www.thehappymasonsshop.com.au

George H. Lilley Regalia of Distinction Since 1947

SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE! GUARANTEED AFTER-SALES SERVICE

MASONIC REGALIA CATALOGUE www.ghlilley.com.au Quality Masonic & Fraternal Regalia - All Degrees & Constitutions PM Jewels - Masonic Briefcases - Jewelry - Accessories Medals - Badges - Plaques - Awards - Military Medal Mounting Head Office: 27 Anderson Road Thornbury 3071 T: (03) 9484 6155 F: (03) 9484 6055 E: ghlilley@ghlilley.com.au 9am-5pm Mon-Fri Agency: South Eastern Masonic Centre 270 Hutton Road Keysborough T: (03) 9706 3366 F: (03) 9706 3901 9.30am-3.30pm Mon-Fri

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 15

AROUND THE WORLD

Days and Knights

in Malta

Freemasons Victoria’s Communications Manager shares her journey to Malta, including a visit with the Grand Secretary of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta.

I

n August of this year, I was fortunate enough to visit Malta. My father moved there three years ago to retire, and has been renovating a 16th Century property in Birgu, an old fortified city in the South Eastern Region of Malta. With much of the house now complete I was able to enjoy 30 degree heat and views of Grand Harbour to the Capital city of Valletta from the roof-top courtyard.

Throughout my stay, no matter where I went, the incredible history of Malta was everywhere to see – buildings were not demolished to make way for newer modernised structures, history was not hidden by the day to day hustle and bustle of a 21st century lifestyle, instead, history was restored, respected and exposed.

Great sandstone walls shield the city of Birgu, reminiscent of war times gone by; some restored back to their former magnificence, others showing the wounds of their past.

Cobbled pathways weave their way through the neighbouring streets, and lines of balconies in varying colours provide a blend of tradition and contemporary architecture that the city is known for.

A stone’s throw from Birgu, and a short ferry ride away is the capital city of Valetta, a wonderful shopping zone full of all kinds of retailers, cafes and restaurants as well as an

16 Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

Current Grand Master – MWBro. Anthony A. Pisani Grand Secretary Bro. Ivan Vassallo open-air theatre. My father has embraced his new life in Malta, so much so, that he’s learnt all about its heritage. He relished in telling me the details of the city’s beginnings and why its architecture is unique.

I learned that Valetta was planned for the Knights of St. John as a refuge to care for injured soldiers and pilgrims during the 16th Century. The Grand Master at the time, La Vallette, who was present during the Great Siege of Malta (1565), knew that if Malta was to survive, a fortified city would need to be built.

Plans were drawn up for the new city, named Vallette that saw work begin in 1566. The Knights moved from Birgu to Valetta in 1571 and by the 16th Century Valetta had grown into quite a sizable city.

Valetta was bombed during World War II and soon after the war, its population dropped to only 9,000. Gradually, individuals like my father, took up residence and began investing in its old properties.

Among other day trips, my parents took me to Mdina (or ‘The Silent City’), which is an inland town and the highest point on the island. Today, no cars, other than a limited number of residents, emergency vehicles, wedding cars and hearses are allowed in Mdina.

This is why it is called 'the Silent City'. Restoration on Mdina’s fortifications began in 2008 and were complete by July 2015.

While in Mdina, we stopped in at the Palazzo de Piro Museum which hosts an ongoing exhibition of the tools, trades and traditions of Malta. Stonemasonry features prominently in the exhibition along with cooking and measuring.

By week two I had arranged to meet with the Grand Secretary of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta, Bro. Ivan Vassallo. I wasn’t entirely sure how he would take my interest, or whether he would even agree to meet with me, but prior to flying out, he responded to my email enquiry letting me know that he would be happy to show me around one of the Lodges in Valletta.

Nervous with anticipation, I stood outside the meeting place we’d arranged and waited patiently for him to arrive. I didn’t have much of an idea what he might look like apart from a blurry photo I’d seen, so was pleased when I saw a man waving at me from across the street.

He introduced himself as ‘Ivan’ and explained that the Lodge was only a short walk away.

Inside was just as I’d imagined, and very similar to the Lodges I’ve seen here in Victoria. A long marble floor led to the Grand Secretary’s office, each side decorated with art work and memorabilia.

Upstairs was the Lodge Room, which Ivan explained had no functioning air-conditioning

AROUND THE WORLD (as he wiped his brow). Ivan was very open and honest about Freemasonry in Malta saying that it was only since 2004 that a Sovereign Grand Lodge was established.

I asked Ivan about Malta’s Masonic membership. He told me that each of the Lodges under the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta is restricted by a limit of thirty members per Lodge, and recruitment is purely based upon word of mouth.

“We’re very careful how we recruit new members”, he said. “It’s usually only through family or close friends. We keep membership per Lodge to a maximum of thirty to ensure that we can provide each of our fellow Brethren with genuine and personal brotherly love,” he said. “I know the names of every member of my Lodge. If we had more than thirty members, that true connection we have with each other would be lost.”

Ivan went on to say that Freemasonry is not ‘promoted’ in Malta or discussed openly in public. He said that to do so would be against the constitution. “We don’t allow public expression. There is no fanfare. We are very proud of our traditions but there is still a lot of prejudice. Nobody likes to be labelled a Freemason and we don’t wear our regalia in public.”

I spoke to Ivan about all of the fundraising activities that we do in Victoria that generate awareness for Freemasonry and assist those in need.

“Any ‘spare’ money or funds raised in Malta go to the Hospice, but there is no advertising – no photos of cheque presentations or the like. A cheque is simply mailed to the Hospice. They know where the funds have come from,” he said.

Ivan said that there are ten

Lodges under the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta, each very different and each unique.

“The average age of our members is around 45,” Ivan said. “We have two English Lodges ‘Count Roger of Normandy Lodge’ and ‘Abercorn Lodge’, and one Scottish Lodge ‘White Sea Lodge’, and these members are much older.”

Ivan said that there are 300 members in Malta in total.

Members say that they are seeking value in a society that seems ‘valueless’.

I asked Ivan about the level of involvement that members’ wives and partners have in Freemasonry and spoke about some of the great family events we have.

“Freemasonry is still very conservative in Malta,” he said.

“Some Lodges will invite ladies to the south ‘white tables’, but most of the more conservative Lodges will not include ladies at their meetings at all.”

After taking photos of the Lodge Room, Ivan handed me a coin from the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta as a symbol of the connection between it and the United Grand Lodge of Victoria, and a memento from my visit. He said he would be very happy to learn of any Maltese members in Victoria who might be interested in joining a network to bridge the gap, and that he was very pleased to have learnt about some of the ways Freemasonry is managed here in Victoria.

There is an incredible history to Malta, one which dates back to times long ago, and far too extensive for this article, so I will have to leave you all with a sense of desire to learn more, visit the wonderful islands, or do a bit of research on, what was for me, an incredible place.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 17

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The importance of a

good night’s sleep

A

good bit of shuteye cannot be underestimated. After a solid night’s sleep we wake refreshed and ready to face the challenges of the day ahead. However, too often sleep disorders mar our ability to achieve restful sleep which can have serious consequences to our health and well-being.

It could be snoring, insomnia, a problem with sleep apnoea, or excessive daytime sleepiness.

These and other sleep disorders can make it hard to get through the day. But the Epworth Sleep Unit at Epworth Freemasons Hospital can provide the help you need.

Sleep Apnoea is just one of the many sleep disorders treated at the Epworth Freemasons Sleep Unit. It is characterised by repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep. This leads to a brief reduction in oxygen levels and increased effort to breath. You will automatically 18 Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

wake, usually with a gasp of air or snort, so that the body can adjust itself in order to breathe.

This arousal is usually very brief, in the order of three to ten seconds, therefore it is uncommon for you to be aware of these episodes. Once sleep resumes you are at risk of the event being repeated.

Patients with severe sleep apnoea may have many hundreds of episodes of airway collapse in a single night. The repeated airway obstruction, gasping and snoring associated with this condition are disruptive to your partners and sometimes can lead to separate sleeping areas.

Even more importantly, you tend to wake unrefreshed and often with a dry throat. You may remain tired and drowsy during the day which may lead to reduced functioning and increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.

Finally, there are increased risks for the heart by repetitively

blocking the upper airway during sleep. Over a lifetime you have an increased likelihood of hypertension, stroke, heart attack and diabetes.

How do I know if I am suffering sleep apnoea?

The primary symptoms of sleep apnoea include: • EDS (excessive daytime sleepiness) • Snoring • Impaired memory • Impaired concentration • Morning headaches, dry/sore throat • Mood changes, such as irritability and sadness • Sexual dysfunction What are the risks involved if I don’t seek help?

The associated risks include: • Increased risk of stroke • Increased risk of hypertension • Increased risk of congestive

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

heart failure and heart attack • Increased risk of diabetes or glucose intolerance • Depression • Injuries caused by sudden onset of sleep (e.g., falling asleep while driving) The Epworth Freemasons Sleep Disorders Unit directed by Dr Darren Mansfield, includes a number of clinicians that provide expertise across a range of sleep disorders for adults and children in the following areas: • Snoring • Obstructive Sleep Apnoea • Narcolepsy • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness • Insomnia • Restless Legs Syndrome • Nightmares and Night Terrors • Sleep Walking/Talking • Jet Lag • Circadian Rhythm Disorders and Shifts on Body Clock • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.

The Epworth Sleep Centre at Epworth Freemasons was founded in 1997 and offers comprehensive sleep evaluation for the full spectrum of sleep disorders. The facility is active in research and education conducting sleep education sessions at over 70 schools per year.

Over the last 20 years effective treatments for conditions such as snoring and sleep apnoea have become widely available.

This has not only led to a vast growth in service provision in this area, but has also led to expansion of services for many other sleep disorders.

Patients attending the Sleep Centre have access to a range of specialties including adult and paediatric sleep physicians, psychiatrists, and ENT surgeons and dentists. The six bed facility offers private rooms with ensuite facilities, and specialised sleep monitoring designed specifically for overnight sleep observation.

The facility is active in research and education conducting sleep education sessions at over 70 schools per year.

Epworth’s team of specialist sleep scientists analyse the study and send a preliminary report back to the referring sleep physician, who diagnoses the sleep disorder and provides appropriate treatment recommendations.

Enquiries can be made through Epworth Freemasons Hospital Sleep Centre Consulting Rooms at 23 Clarendon Street, East Melbourne with the Sleep Disorders Unit located in Grey Street, East Melbourne. For further information contact 03 9417 5113.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 19

FURTHER AFIELD

FIGHTING

Freemasons!

It’s an unlikely combination – a UFC fighter who is also a Freemason. In this issue, we meet three Freemasons who balance Lodge life with the brutality of the controversial ‘blood sport’.

and recipient of the prestigious UFC Hall of Fame Award. He is Senior Warden of Hamilton Lodge No. 664 in Bettendorf, Iowa.

“I was always interested in history and Freemasons were always popping up in my studies,” said Bro. Miletich. “Masons were pivotal individuals in almost every sector of society and the thing that stood out the most was the fact they opposed tyranny and oppression.”

A broadcaster for AXS TV, which beams into more than 40 million homes across America, Miletich proudly wears his Masonic lapel pin and Masonic ring on every television broadcast alongside his co-commentator, Australian Freemason Bro. Michael Schiavello. Raised in 2011, Bro. Miletich sees many similarities between martial arts and Masonry.

Pat Miletich

F

reemasonry has always attracted men of varied professional and social backgrounds.

There have been astronauts, presidents, kings, billionaires and actors, and now the fraternity can count amongst its ranks three prominent Mixed Martial Arts UFC Fighters!

Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport in the world. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the sport’s flagship promotion. The controversial ‘blood sport’ in which competitors fight inside an eight-sided metal cage is a worldwide sensation with unprecedented television ratings and sell out shows in the USA, Brazil, England, Canada, Ireland, Australia and beyond.

Among the sport’s toughest competitors, we find three Freemasons with over 75 fights and a swag of knockouts between them.

Pat Miletich is a former UFC Welterweight Champion, legendary trainer of such champions as Matt Hughes, Tim Sylvia and Robbie Lawler

20 Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

“Paying attention to the details is the key to understanding both. Studying techniques and game plans in martial arts is something that takes a great deal of patience and dedication, and there are those moments when a light bulb goes off in your head where you say, ‘I finally understand this’. We then learn that it was only the surface of true understanding. In Masonry degree work or reading Masonic literature, I have awakening moments, but I know I am still only at the surface of understanding Freemasonry.”

Bro. Guy Mezger was a superstar of UFC’s embryonic days. In 1997 Bro. Mezger defeated two opponents in one night, including submitting Tito Ortiz to a guillotine choke, to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Tournament. He was also a star of Japan’s PRIDE Mixed Martial Arts organisation, crowned the King of Pancrase, a two time world bare knuckle Karate champion and a two time kickboxing champion.

Bro. Mezger was raised in 2008 and is a member of Willard Sylvan Grove Lodge No. 250 in Texas.

Bro. Mezger believes Masonry has helped him become a better man. “I feel that Masonry allows

FURTHER AFIELD you to test yourself and create a better you.

This creative process isn’t selfish though, it has allowed me to become a better man in order to serve my family, friends, my community and fellow man in general. Whether I am working in conjunction with my fellow brothers in a charity project or motivating my (martial arts) students, I feel it’s my Masonic roots that keep me focused”.

Guy Mezger

One of the greatest privileges of Bro. Mezger’s Masonic career was having the opportunity to attend the Lodge of one of his heroes, President Theodore Roosevelt, at Matinecock Lodge No. 806 in Oyster Bay, New York. “President Roosevelt was one of the reasons why I wanted to become a Mason. His mother Lodge still has a lot of historical flair to it. Walking in there, I felt like a kid seeing Disneyland for the first time.”

Father of two, Bro. Mezger is keen for his son, Logan, to follow in his Masonic footsteps. “I am definitely going to encourage Logan to participate in Masonry. There is a certain amount of responsibility and accountability that comes with being a true Masonic brother. I want that for my son.”

Bro. Ryan Jimmo, a current UFC Light Heavyweight living in Edmonton, Canada, is a member of Balmoral Lodge No. 186. Bro. Jimmo made his UFC debut in July 2012 in stunning fashion with the world record for the fastest knockout in UFC history — in just seven seconds!

His brutal KO skills garnered much attention as did the prominent square and compasses on his fight shorts.

The seed to become a Mason was planted in Bro. Jimmo’s mind in high school. “My friend had some family who were members of our esteemed brotherhood, including his father. We always talked about it as teenagers and in our early to mid-twenties we went ahead making it a reality.”

Bro. Jimmo enjoys displaying the square and compasses on his fight trunks to millions of television viewers every time he fights and says that the logo attracts Brethren from all over the world to say hello.

“Meeting a fellow Mason is like running into an old friend. Sometimes when I describe Masonry I’ll say, if you had one million dollars, you could leave it in the middle of a Masonic hall for a year and come back and not a penny would be missed — except if they needed to restock the bar, but that’s an appropriate donation!”

FREEMASON FIGHT RECORDS Brother Pat Miletich UFC Hall of Famer UFC Welterweight Champion 29 wins, 7 losses, 2 draws with 5 knockouts and 18 submissions Brother Guy Mezger UFC Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner King of Pancrase World Bare Knuckle Karate Champion 30 wins, 14 losses, 2 draws with 11 knockouts and 6 submissions Brother Ryan Jimmo MFC Light Heavyweight Champion 19 wins, 4 losses with 8 knockouts and 2 submissions

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 21

MEMBER INTERVIEW

Member Spotlight We meet 27-year-old Serbian born Viktor Perunicic, member of Jonadab Lodge and a PhD student on the brink of a technology breakthrough.

1. Why did you decide to become a Freemason?

I have ancestral links with Freemasonry. Growing up, topics of a spiritual nature were commonly discussed in my family, so I had an interest in Freemasonry from a young age. A couple of years ago I had a chance meeting with a now very dear Brother, and I took this as a signal to action. He was from Jonadab, which as it happened, is a great Lodge not far from where I live.

2. Being a relatively young member, what do you get out of Freemasonry?

Guys in Freemasonry are quite diverse, but the common trait they all share is outstanding personal qualities. These are the types of people I want to mix with.

In my opinion, Freemasonry is a living embodiment of western philosophical thought. This makes all of its facets more meaningful, including its fraternal and charitable ones, and sets it apart from other organisations.

A patient observer will find its ceremonies an endless source of subtle and subconscious psychology.

I think the Craft can be described as a unique practice of mindfulness, that has over many centuries 22 Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

specifically evolved for the male psyche. And of course, being mindful is something all guys could do a bit more of!

There is a well known correlation between practice of mindfulness and greater personal fulfillment; the same correlation can explain why throughout history and at present, many Freemasons have achieved great successes in all spheres of life.

3. Tell me about your professional background and education.

After high school, I studied Physics at University of Melbourne, and I’m currently doing a PhD. 4. Tell us about your PhD project.

Most readers will be familiar with MRI machines in hospitals.

They weigh several tons and make ‘train’ noises, but are essential for medicine.

Imagine if we could shrink an entire MRI machine down to the size of a computer chip, and instead of seeing our organs, we could image individual proteins and other molecules that make up our cells. My PhD project is to invent a way to do exactly that.

5. How will your research benefit medical patients?

Molecules are building blocks of our body; they do all the

work inside our cells. Currently we don’t know the shape of most of the important molecules in our bodies, so we cannot know precisely how they function. A device that could image any molecule would be useful for medicine in general, particular for designing new drugs and revealing root causes behind complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer.

6. What are your future aspirations as far as your career and research are concerned?

I’m getting close to the end of my PhD, so we’ll see what happens next. There are many useful and interesting things one can do with experience in applying physics and mathematical modelling innovatively, so I’m keeping an open mind to new challenges, whether in research or industry.

7. Tell me about your family.

My younger brother is a fulltime student at the National Theatre Ballet School. Mum is an art restorer-conservator and a painter. Dad was an electrical engineer, CEO of a mining equipment manufacturer and a uniquely spiritual man. He passed away when I was young.

I’m single, so ladies if you like guys from magazines, you know what to do!

MORNINGTON MILESTONE

Mornington Lodge celebrates 125 years with a pledge to put an end to family violence

J

oined by Grand Master Hillel Benedykt, his wife Sue, members of the Grand Team and current Australian of the Year and family violence campaigner Rosie Batty, Mornington Lodge celebrated its 125th anniversary on Saturday 19 September at the Mornington Golf Club.

Host and Master of Mornington Lodge WBro. Edy Wilfling, said he was proud to recognise the Lodge’s commitment to benevolence over the past 125 years, and its contributions to the community exceeding $160,000. “However this year,” he said, “the Lodge’s fundraising goals have reached a new high. To mark our 125th anniversary, Mornington Lodge has pledged to raise $125,000 towards the Luke Batty Foundation,” he said.

The Luke Batty Foundation was named in honour of Rosie Batty’s late son, who became a victim of family violence when he was tragically killed by his father after cricket practice in Tyabb on 12 February 2014.

This horrifying event shocked the Australian community and since that time, Rosie has courageously worked through her grief to raise awareness about domestic violence and improve support services for victims.

Rosie generously shared her story with members and guests of Mornington Lodge. She spoke about the seriousness of the problem, stating that two women are killed on average every week and one woman is hospitalised

every three hours by a crime that receives little attention.

“With more awareness and a whole-of-government approach to stamping out family violence, more will understand that it is simply unacceptable”, she said.

To help reach his goal of raising $125,000 for the Luke Batty Foundation, Edy along with the backing of the Mornington Lodge, the local community and Freemasons Victoria, created ‘Lewis the Masonic Bear’.

“With every purchase of Lewis, you are raising awareness about family violence and contributing to a cause that helps support victims. All proceeds will be directed straight back to the Luke Batty Foundation,” he said. “‘Lewis’, meaning ‘son of a Mason’ and representing strength, symbolises the hope and awareness needed to put an end to this kind of abuse”, Edy said.

Grand Master Hillel Benedykt said that he was deeply saddened by the statistics associated with domestic violence. He said that through the connectedness of Freemasonry, we can communicate both within the fraternity and within our respective communities that there is no place for family violence.

“Edy’s challenge is a significant fundraising effort of which Freemasons Victoria is in full support. I will ensure that every dollar raised towards this campaign is doubled by the Freemasons Foundation,” said the Grand Master.

Grand Master MWBro. Hillel Benedykt with WBro. Edy Wilfling and Luke Batty Foundation Founder Rosie Batty with Lewis the Bear.

Rosie said that she is very grateful for the support of Freemasons Victoria.

“I’m blown away by the commitment and generosity of Freemasons and can’t thank you enough for your support.

With more awareness and better processes in place, family violence will not be ignored, it will not be silenced and it will not be accepted”, she said.

Contact Edy Wilfling at edy@ excelbiz.com.au to pre-order ‘Lewis the Masonic Bear’ for only $29.95 and help stop family violence.

Visit the Luke Batty Foundation website to learn more about Rosie’s journey and how this tragedy has inspired so many to take action. http://lukebattyfoundation.com.au Sign up to the Never Alone campaign at www.neveralone. com.au.

Spring 2015 Freemasonry Victoria 23

Wisem with h 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

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

24 Freemasonry Victoria Spring 2015

We ai and p learn

We de traini indus

• Ce &

• Di Sy

• Ce Ba

• Ce

• Ce

10%

THE DRESS DRESS WEAR WEAR SPECIALIST SPECIALIST THE

TAILS

disc Acce ount off ssori es*

TAILS

AND ALL ACCESSORIES

AND ACCESSORIES TAILORALL MADE TO A PERFECT FITTING DINNER SUITS, LOUNGE SUITS & JACKETS DINNER SUITS, LOUNGE SUITS & JACKETS Tailor to Grand Lodge teams since 1968 WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO *Please Supreme materials phonequality for an appointment 9819 7716 5 Naroo Street, Balwyn 3101 * Professional individual cut

wool rich, shawl collar, adjustable waistband

Call Chris on 9654 2500 on Monday for an appointment

* Tailor made to perfect fit

*10% discount off all accessories

Tailor to Grand Lodge teams since 1968

WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO Please phone for an appointment

9819 7716

5 Naroo Street, Balwyn 3103

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.

HOWARD SQUIRES FUNERALS

Quality funerals built around 135 years experience.

Servicing all Suburbs

☎ 1300 881 691

www.howardsquiresfunerals.com.au

Terry Clifton

John Fowler, General Manager of Le Pine Funerals with staff.

Victorian Freemasons Pine for for more than 100100 years.

So itSo is it is Victorian Freemasonshave havebeen beenrelying relyingononLeLe Pine more than years. reassuring to team of that Freemasons in a reassuring to know knowthat thatwe wehave havea adedicated dedicated team can help who you can in a help timeyou of need. time of need.

John Fowler - Glen Waverley (03) 9587 5700 Rod Sampson – Glen Waverley (03) 8587 5700 WBro. Rod Sampson Glen Waverley (03) 8587 5700 Brian Bennett – Glen Waverley (03) 8587 5700 WBro. Brian Bennett Glen Waverely (03) 9587 5700 Trevor Burkitt – Mordialloc (03) 9580 8447 RWBro. Trevor Burkitt - Mordialloc (03) 9580 8447 John Fowler – Glen Waverley (03) 8587 5700 WBro. Daimon Whitmore - Glen Waverley (03) 9587 5700 Daimon Whitmore – Glen Waverley (03) 8587 5700 Bro. Damian Magee - Glen Waverley (03) 9587 5700 Damian Magee – Glen Waverley (03) 8587 5700 Bro. Simon Braid - Glen Waverley (03) 9587 5700 Simon Braid – Glen Waverley (03) 8587 5700

Celebrating a life takes planning.

We give you time.

www.lepinefunerals.com.au Australian Owned | 24 Hours | All Areas | Prearranged Funerals