Autumn 2020 - Page 1
Freemasons Victoria News
Meet Richard Elkington ■ Freemasons Victoria’s incoming Grand Master, Richard Elkington, is never short of a smile and a laugh with the people that he meets. But that happiness shows most when he is in the company of Kathleen, a retired Nursing Sister, his wife of 47 years. Richard and Kathleen’s strong partnership goes back to the days around 1973 when he was a Cadet Engineer with the State Electricity Commission, and Kathleen had just graduated in nursing. She went on to become Director of Nursing at Brookfield Park Nursing Home at Traralgon, and retired in 2009. Kathleen’s interests include Rotary (at Morwell), Traralgon Bridge Club, handcrafts gardening and reading. The couple have two sons, Jeremy and Andrew, both school teachers, and they have three grandchildren. Jeremy, 42, Head of Art at Traralgon Secondary College, is married to Sally, and they have three children: Liam, 15; Zoe, 13; and Harrison, 11. Richard and Kathleen enjoy nothing more than when the grandchildren come to stay at their Traralgon home. Andrew, 40, works at teaching Psychology at Dandenong. He is married to Zoe. Andrew followed his father into Freemasonry, and this year they joined the Shriners together. Richard Elkington is set to be installed as Grand Master of Freemasons Victoria, although the ceremony will be abbreviated because of the Coronavirus emergency. Richard has a passion for Freemasonry. It’s not hard to see. He was initiated at
● Richard and Kathleen Elkington vironment at Loy Yang More than anything, Richard looks forward Power (now AGL Loy Yang) to visiting Lodges across the state, and occupied a senior Human and meeting with Masons face-to-face. Resource Management post. Other positions included served as its Worshipful Mas- had a quick return to ScotGeneral Manager, Power and ter in 1986-87, and as its Sec- land in 1953 for two years. retary until 1996. Richard was educated in Environment; and Executive Wor. Bro. Elkington was Gippsland, and graduated in General Manager, People and Foundation Master of Lodge Mechanical Egineering in Positioning. Richard has a genuine inCornucopia at Warragul in 1971. He had commenced 2004. work in the Latrobe Valley terest in people. Many of his community Grand Lodge duties beck- power stations in December centred on oned, with him as Junior 1970, where he was a Cadet interests Grand Warden in 2015, Presi- Engineer, first at the Mel- Gippsland. He became a dent of the Board of General bourne headquarters and then broadcaster on Gippsland Community Radio. He bePurposes in 2016-17, and Yallourn Power Station. serving as Deputy Grand He undertook his first se- came its Chair for two sepaMaster in 2018-19. nior management position as rate terms, each of two years. He was Treasurer of the But there is more to Rich- Operations Manager at Mid Gippsland Football ard than Freemasonry. He has Yallourn Power Station. a keen interest in community When the enrgy sector was League, being honoured with service. corporatised, then privatised, life membership. A love of the stage saw He was born in Yallourn in the early 1990s, Richard as in November 1950, of Scot- appointed as Manager of him perform with the Latrobe tish immigrant parents. They Corporate Relations and En- Light Opera Society.
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Freemasons Victoria News He then became the Society’s Treasurer. As well as his growing interest in Freemasonry, he became a member of the Personnel Committee of the Baw Baw District Scout Association. Richard lists one of his strengths as having built a large business, community and political network. Richard says he enjoys “working with and through people”, but confides that he is not a ‘detail’ person, and he shuns micro-management. His leadership style includes collaborative problem solving, and stakeholder engagement. He enjoys public speaking. Much of that has developed through his Masonic connections.
● Richard Elkington and Tony Bucca (Deputy Grand Master-Elect) Some of this came from Freemasons Victoria as an his term as ‘Mark’ Grand organisation should emLecturer from 2000 to 2006. power Lodges to make their ■ Richard Elkington wants to see Freemasons Victoria Richard’s Masonic pedi- own decisions, and “create move from ‘Grand Lodge Centric’ to empowerment their own future”. gree is impressive. of Lodges and their members. His vision is for lodges to ■ Mark. Advanced in 1983 “We are on a culture change continuum after the learn from the experiences of at Gippsland Mark. engagement of Albion Consulting in Grand Master ■ Royal Ark Mariner. In- each other. Hillel Benedykt’s final year, to review the structure and Richard says he wants to volvements at Gippsland and effectiveness of our organisation,” Richard says. Pakenham. Commander in see an organisation where This has included organisation and committee re- 1996. members genuinely understructure, Constitutional amendments and Board gov■ Chapter. First Principal in stand and practice the values ernance change. 1992. Maryvale and Yarram. and principles of the frater“This is, however, the beginning of the beginning. ■ Knights of Constantine. nity: “An organisation where The reality is that we are on a massive rebuild, prepar- Grand Sovereign, 2013-16. peace and harmony charing the foundations for the future success and relevance ■ Masonic Order of Athel- acterises our lodges.” of our fraternity. Richard speaks of how he stan. Grand Master for Aus“It is absolutely essential, for the establishment of and the incoming Deputy tralian and its territories. the relevance of Freemasons Victoria, that we continue ■ Operatives. 7th Degree, Grand Master should “be the change process.” Honouris Causa, of the Wor- examplars of the harmony Richard says he is looking forward to a greater level shipful Society of Freema- and tolerance which underpin of co-operation betwen Craft, Mark and Chapter. He our beliefs”. sons. says this a strong signal of Masonic unity. He wants to be a unifying ■ AMD for Southern Aus“The momentum to transform from a club to a pro- tralia. Past Deputy Grand force within Freemasonry, fessional member-based organisation is compelling. and to earn respect, not just Master (active). Our members, I believe, have welcomed and responded ■ Grand Council of Royal for the office, but for personal to the change.” and Select Masters of qualities. Richard points to strong collegiate leadership Richard believes it is imVictoria. Past Deputy Grand “which speaks with one voice on the important matportant to understand and adMaster. ters affecting our future”. ■ Order of the Secret Moni- vocate Masonic etiquette and He wants to build “a culture of teamwork, openness tor. Past Grand Guide (ac- behaviour. and transparency”. The essential elements of tive). Richard points to his time as President of the Board ■ Rose Croix (32nd Degree) teaching and learning need to of General Purposes, building a team approach, enof the Antient and Accepted be emphasised, and there couraging the Board to shift from operational consid- Rite. should be expectations of erations to the strategic direction of the fraternity. ■ Antient and Noble Order continued excellent work. He reiterates a return to a focus on the Lodge and His style will be to conof the Mystic Shrine. Joined its members. His aim is for an organisation which enduct informal visits to engage February this year. courages participation, and which encourages respectRichard Elkington be- face-to-face and understand ful, internal debate. lieves that is important that issues.
‘Culture change continuum’
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Freemasons Victoria News
● Past Grand Master wives/partners/widows were at East Melbourne to show their support for incoming Freemasons Victoria Grand Master Richard Elkington and Tony Bucca, his deputy. From left: Mya G. Grayly, Adela Bartrop, Rosemary Evans, Kathleen Elkington, Anna Bucca, Sue Benedykt, Pat Stewart. At front: Bob Jones, Don Reynolds, Richard Elkington, Tony Bucca, Bruce Bartrop and Hillel Benedykt. toria Advisory Committee, Richard believes that to be Commerce and Industry, af- since May 2014. the Grand Master of Masons ter having been a member of He was Chair of Gipps- 2010-18, infers a wider role in ensur- its Executive Council from land Water from 2000 to ■ Member, Gippsland Tertiary Education Council, ing the health of Freema- 1999 to 2018. 2007. sonry He was a member of the Richard had showed his 2012-14, He wants to genuinely en- VCCI Transport Working political intellect from the ■ Member, Latrobe Valley gage with stakeholders, and Group. time he stood as a candidate Transition Committee, 2011be a Masonic leader in AusRichard’s community en- for the Federal seat of 15, tralia and the region. gagements include being a McMillan in 1977, gaining ■ Council Member, VictoRichard says that his key Member of the Regional Jobs 1.9 per cent in vote share on rian Water Association, objectives and priorities in- and Investment Panel, Gipps- a two-party preferred basis. 2000-07, ■ Member, Gippsland Susclude keeping Freemasonry land. He was aged just 27. maintain its relevance. He has been a Member of He did not win Parliamen- tainable Water Strategy ConIt is important to him for the Latrobe Regional Gallery tary office, but has since con- sultative Committee, 2009the organisation to maintain Foundation since 2005. tinued his civic involvements 11, professional, risk and eviMarrying the interests of with a number of organ- ■ Member, Regional Development Advisory Committee dence-driven standards. business and the environ- isations: ■ Member, Regional Jobs (State Committee advising Bolstering the financial ment is important to him. strength of Freemasons He is currently a member and Investment Panel, Gipps- Minister for State and Regional Development), 2003Victoria is vital. of the Southern Victoria and land (Commonwealth), Richard comes well Lindenow Valley Irrigation ■ Member, State Regional 08, Gippsland equipped. He serves as Chair Project Reference Commit- Policy Advisory Committee, ■ Member, Lakes Task Force, 2002-07, 2011-14, of Regional Development tee. Australia, and has been in Several previous appoint- ■ Member, State Regional ■ Member, Regional Comthat position since 2009. ments are as Director of East Development Advisory munication Task Force, Monash University, GippsHe is a Life Member of the Gippsland Water since 2007, Committee, 2003-08, Victorian Chamber of and also of Gippsland Ports ■ Member, Clean Coal Vic- land Campus, 2001.
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Freemasons Victoria News Richard Elkington believes in the importance of serving the community. His CV shows that he is unafraid of volunteering for positions, which have also included: ■ Member, Gippsland Water for Growth Committee, 1998-2003, ■ Business Representative, Australian Energy Business Network, 1999-2005, ■ Member, National Generators Forum, Greenhouse and Energy Working Group, 2000-05, ■ Chair, Sustainability Task Force, VECCI, 2004-08, ■ Board Member, Gippsland Farm Plantations, 19982004, ■ Chair, COAG Review, Generation Directorate,
ESSA, 2002, ■ Latrobe Council Environmental Consultative Committee, 1995-97, ■ Latrobe Council Arts Consultative Committee, 1995-97, ■ Business representative, Latrobe Valley Task Force, 1995-2001, ■ Past Alterate Director, Gippsland Development Ltd, 1999-2002, ■ Past Member, Advisory Board, Latrobe Credit Union, 1996-2000, ■ Past Regional Chair, Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 1996-1998, ■ Member, Communications and Education Working Group, COAL 21 (2003), and ■ Member, Environmental
Committee, Electricity Supply Association of Australia, 1997-2005. With these many involvements, is it any wonder that Richard prefers to engage with the ‘big picture’, eschewing the detail to his colleagues? Richard prizes strategic and conceptual thinking, and is credited with high ‘emotional intelligence’. He completed the Company Directors’ course with the Australian Institute of Company Director. From 2010, he has been a Director of Paradise Consulting Pty Ltd, providing management and strategic planning consultancy services to a range of Gippsland businesses.
His experience as a leader is exampled by his chairmanship of Regional Development Australia in Gippsland, and as a member of Gippsland Regional Partnerships. Richard believes that Freemasons Victoria is on the cusp of exciting times. He says he has been “wedded” to the cultural change within the fraternity, and looks back with pride as his contribution as President of the Board of General Purposes. He now looks forward to seeing the changes come to fruition. More than anything, Richard looks forward to visiting Lodges across the state, and meeting with Masons faceto-face.
● Ahead of the (abbreviated) Grand Installation, Past Grand Masters gathered at East Melbourne to support Grand Master-Elect Richard Elkington and Deputy Grand Master-Elect Tony Bucca. At back, from left: Bob Jones, Hillel Benedykt, Don Reynolds and Bruce Bartrop. (Best wishes also sent by Garry Sebo, Carl Stewart and Neville Smith, with apologies for their inability to attend.)