The Queensland Freemason - August 2022

On the cover

This issue cover represents Queensland Freemasons who reside the length and breadth of our state. Note three geographic zones, at the top, Carpentaria includes New Guinea, in the centre is North Queensland and then we have the South-East corner.

The light of Freemasonry spreading throughout our state superimposed on an original drawing of our Ann Street Home which was the concept for a memorial to our fallen service personnel in the great war, this then turned into reality by our early brothers.

DISCLAIMER:

Message from the Grand Master

It is with excitement, and a great sense of responsibility that I write this, my first article for our magazine. I am honoured to be the 31st Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland. It was wonderful and humbling to see so many Members and their Families in attendance at the Grand Installation. We had delegations from every Australian State, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. This was the first Grand Installation since March 2020 when all the constitutions were together.

At the grand installation, I discussed some ideas, hopes, goals and visions for our organisation- focusing on a strategic direction to ensure that we have a sustainable future, a future where our organisation is financially viable. To ensure every member feels supported, valued, and enjoys the masonic experience and this being the shared responsibility of every member. It is also imperative that we focus on improving communications and growing our membership.

The General Board of Directors is taking action to ensure that the Administration of the Craft in Queensland is sustainable into the future. This includes financial viability and the activation of the membership committee. I would like every Lodge to explore how they are tracking. Each Lodge needs to investigate its sustainability, I would like every Lodge to carry out an honest self-assessment of its current state. Identify your strengths and investigate the areas you believe need improvement and work on these as a project. I believe there are two main areas that lodges need to focus on.

Internal and external

Internal is inward-facing and relates to the working of the lodge which involves creating an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and enjoys the experience of attending the Lodge. Supporting those members that are unable to attend due to age and health issues and remaining in contact with those that are not attending. Retention

of members is critical if we are to progress.

External is outward-facing and relates to how we are perceived by the community. For an organisation that is spread almost all over the world and has done so much work to support its members and community in many forms. I am constantly surprised by people asking what freemasonry is. They are not asking about any secret handshake they genuinely have no idea about freemasonry. We need to get out and about in our community and show the flag. We have a generation gap that we need to close to ensure our future.

The General Board will continue to arrange meetings throughout Queensland to meet with members and foster two-way communications. I intend to arrange regular meetings with the district Grand Masters to promote a closer relationship and improve communications. I will also meet with the heads of other orders to ensure we can support each other in the future.

Currently, at the time of writing, we are experiencing the third wave of Covid 19 combined with an aggressive flu season. These are difficult times. Please observe the Health Authorities’ advisories and most importantly look after yourselves and your family.

Fraternally, Jeffrey Harper

“To ensure every member feels supported, valued, and enjoys the masonic experience and this being the shared responsibility of every member. It is also imperative that we focus on improving communications and growing our membership.“

Masonic Memorial Centre

311 Ann Street, Brisbane Q 4000 GPO Box 2204 Brisbane Q 4001 (07) 3229 3533 www.uglq.org.au membership@uglq.org.au

United Grand Lodge of Queensland Grand Master

MW Bro Jeffrey Harper AFSM Deputy Grand Master

RW Bro David Grey Assistant Grand Master

RW Bro Sydney David Richard Melville APM ASM

FREEMASONS QUEENSLAND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Grand Secretary

RW Bro Milan Pavasovic grandsecretary@uglq.org.au Board of Benevolence (07) 3493 6000 info@handheartpocket.org.au

District Grand Lodge of North QLD District Grand Master

RW John Playford District Grand Secretary

WB Ian Alexanda (Jock) Reid 50 Ingham Road West End, Queensland 4810 (07) 4771 6284 dglnq@nqfreemasons.com.au

District Grand Lodge of Carpentaria District Grand Master

RW Bro Raja Chohan

District Grand Secretary

RW Bro Carl Richardson P AGM

Office: Freshwater Masonic Centre, Cnr. Le Grande and Old Smithfield Rd, Freshwater PO Box 6527 Cairns Centre 4870 0488 512 712 info@dglcarpentaria.org.au dglcarpentaria.org.au

FREEMASON QUEENSLAND PUBLISHED BY UNITED GRAND LODGE OF QUEENSLAND

Editor’s Word

Iam pleased to report that the last Issue of your magazine was well received and I thank all of you who have contacted me with positive feedback. All and any feedback is most welcome, it allows me to ensure that what you expect in your magazine is delivered. Some feedback indicated that the date of publishing June and December were at times when the holidays were happening and the June issue will miss out on important events. We have heard. The Magazine will now be published in March and August to ensure that event stories get out on time.

In this issue, there is a new section devoted to introducing those stalwarts of Freemasonry that most of us are unaware of. RW Bro Laurie Alchin who has just turned 100, is this issue’s “Beacon of Freemasonry” There are many out there that I don’t know about, if you have one that may fit into this slot please let me know. harvey@uglq.org.au

There is a Masonic knowledge crossword, an easy one, tell me what you think of this, should it become a regular feature? Should it be harder? The answers are on the back page. We also have regular features with news from the various members of the hierarchy.

I have received more questions from you which are answered by your Masonic Mentor so keep the questions coming.

We continue to acknowledge those members who have virtually spent their lives as Freemasons, in the Jewell presentations section. But is not Freemasonry a way of life?

Many brothers have heard of the Lodge of Research but what is this and what does it do? In this issue, there is a section outlining what the Queensland Research Lodges do and contact details. This important aspect of your Freemasonry is at the forefront of disseminating Masonic education but also coping with change. What education you may ask? There are three important issues here, first is associated with our ceremonies and ritual. Then there is that learning in administering our lodges, secretarial, financial and management. Then we have that learning to do with symbols, history, and understanding the meaning of so much of what and why we do what we do.

Editor WBro Harvey Lovewell harvey@uglq.org.au

Art Direction and Layout

Dan Hancock

There is an interesting look at the Mark Master Masons degree, food for thought for all the Master Masons out there and this will help in our quest for a daily advancement in Masonic Knowledge.

What are your thoughts on Masonic Education? Or on anything for that matter. Let me know and I will include a “Letters to the Editor” section. If they require an answer that also will be included.

Freemasonry is changing and change it must, to survive our modern world. I have been reading the UGLQ September issue of the Ashlar for 1959, this is a centenary edition of Freemasonry in Queensland which also recognizes the establishment of the UGLQ, the centenary of which was covered in our last issue. This shows in graphic form how our craft, Freemasonry, has changed, even though our core values have not.

From the desk of the Grand Secretary

Iam delighted to begin this message by giving a warm welcome to our new Grand Master, MW Bro Jeffrey Harper AFSM together with our new Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro David Gray and our new Assistant Grand Master, RW Bro David Melville. Congratulations on taking office and we all look forward to working with you in the ensuing year. Likewise, congratulations to all the new grand officers on their respective appointments. I look forward to working with all of you.

I would like to say farewell and thank you to our immediate Past Grand Master, MW Bro Paul Holland on the completion of his term as Grand Master. MW Bro Holland presided over UGLQ during one of the most difficult periods in history and I’m sure that many brethren are grateful because he has guided the craft. We wish him and his family all the very best.

It has been a time of great change for UGLQ since the last magazine was published and the Grand Secretariat is no exception. The office team has been outstanding in their dedication to improving the customer service experience for our members and it gives me great pleasure to present your new team. We have welcomed RW Bro Andrew Pankhurst as Deputy Grand Secretary, Sandra Borralho as Office Manager, Monica Cubela and Danielle Sullivan as Admin Officers and Bradleigh Bennett as Accounts Officer. Improvements in Communication, Service Delivery and Events have been focal points for the Grand Secretariat and will continue to be well into the future.

As we venture out again with the relaxation of many pandemic protocols, the work of the Grand Secretariat is increasing. Lodges are once again meeting monthly, and we have seen a continual stream of summonses, monthly returns, minutes, applications, and general queries to the membership@uglq.org.au email. Our admin officers are kept busy with data input and management, ensuring

“MW Bro Holland presided over UGLQ during one of the most difficult periods in history and I’m sure that many brethren are grateful because he has guided the craft. We wish him and his family all the very best.“

that membership and lodge records are up to date and accurate. Part of this is the data validation project which I am pleased to say is nearing completion with a large percentage of the Lodges in Queensland and Papua New Guinea already submitted their data. It has been an eye-opening project with significant changes that have been made to the records. We hope that on completion of this project the delivery of correspondence (electronic and physical) will be greatly improved.

Over the last six months, we have planned and coordinated several major events for UGLQ. These events have included the Centennial Celebration Ceremony and ANZAC Day Wreath laying Ceremony in April, Quarterly Communication in June, and the Grand Installation in July.

After numerous attempts, the Centennial Celebration Ceremony

finally came to fruition on Saturday, the 16th of April. The event’s highlight was the unveiling of the commemorative handcrafted Articles of Union that were created by our Grand Librarian, VW Bro Brodie Taylor together with a special message from the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England.

The ANZAC Day wreath-laying ceremony on the morning of 25th April once again saw the Grand Master and members of Lodges and other Orders lay wreaths around the Urn of Remembrance. A sea of red on the floor in the Court of Remembrance completed the solemn ceremony which was followed by a march to the Shrine of Remembrance where the Grand Master laid a wreath on behalf of all Freemasons in Queensland.

But by far the biggest event was the recent Grand Installation. An event that draws brethren from every state in Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia as well as our own members to witness and celebrate the installation of our new Grand Master. Whilst the staff had never planned events like these before, it has been a testimony to the fine team that these events not only got off the ground but were appreciated by those who attended.

Thank you to all the brethren for your continued support of the Grand Secretariat Team. We have received much feedback over the last six months, and we are continually improving our processes to ensure your masonic experience is enhanced. We will continue to do our best to serve you our brethren and as I often sign off in my emails…

If there is anything we can assist you with, please feel free to contact us at your convenience.

Fraternal regards,

From the General Board of Directors

Like many brethren, I’ve had COVID recently. A nasty ailment by any man’s measure.

I was laying, in bed trying to feel sufficiently desperate to engage my primal recovery/survival instinct when my mind drifted to a childhood scene, some sixty years ago.

During my childhood, I lived in an outer Brisbane working class suburb. The place could be rough at times – it was the days of Bodgies and Widgies, fox tails and hotdog mufflers, Johny O’Keefe, drive-in movies and the Coconut Grove cinema. My school mates were mainly Aussies, big Italian brutes, Indigenous guys and English lads – the pommies.

The suburb was roughly divided by the topography. The northern part separated by a creek and a road and a hill to the south. As it happened, I lived in the north with most of the Aussies, Italian and indigenous guys, and the English migrants lived in the Southwest – on the hill, that became to be known as Pommie Hill.

One day, I was walking home from school, and saw a broken-down Ford Prefect on the side of the road. It looked like they’d run out of petrol. The occupants were out on the road yahooing and trying to wave down traffic to assist them, but at least for the time they were in view, everyone drove straight past them, and no one stopped to assist them.

A couple of months later, my father was driving up Pommie Hill and a

“I always get a question, “What is Grand Lodge doing about membership”? Respectfully, I answer, “What are you doing about membership? The Lodges are the shopfronts of Freemasonry.”

similar situated presented. It was summer and the driver was obviously a Pommie – white as a sheet, a corner tied handkerchief as a hat, socks with shorts and sandals. He and his wife were out on the road pushing the car; a Humber I think – a heavy brute. My father braked and jumped out, beckoning to me to help them. As he did so, two other cars stopped to help. Thankfully, we quickly got the thing started.

This recollection has significance to some questions at our Listening Tours. By the way, these listening events have been great and I thank brethren who have attended. I intend to keep doing the events so if you’d like to host one, please call the UGLQ Secretariat.

I always get a question, “What is Grand Lodge doing about membership”? Respectfully, I answer, “What are you doing about membership? The Lodges are the shopfronts of Freemasonry.”

Whilst I am reminded about the memory of the Pommie pushing the Humber up that hill, and the need to help ourselves, on reflection, I take the brethren’s point.

Grand Lodge should be the facilitator to enable lodges and members to find and keep members. To that end, the General Board of Directors has re-established a Membership Committee under the Chairmanship of V W Bro Peter Troeger. One of our key corporate plan elements for 2022/23 will include objectives to increase membership and retain members.

It really is time for all of us to get out and push the Humber up the hill to increase our membership of this most worthy fraternity.

UGLQ Membership Committee

Earlier this year your Board, the General Board of Directors, formed a Membership Committee, under the direction of VW Bro Peter Troeger. Increasing membership is one of the key objectives of our incoming Grand Master.

The role of the committee is to improve the recruiting process for new members to UGLQ, and to assist Lodges in the recruiting process and converting those new candidates into long-term members.

VW Bro Troeger has assembled several brethren to join the committee. They included RW Bro Graham Townsend, VW Bro Shannan Summers, Wor Bro Paul Kranen, Wor Bro Andrew Potter and Wor Bro Charles Willmore. These Brothers bring a wealth of Masonic, business and marketing experience to the committee.

The committee has already met several times and its first project is to revive and revise the Membership booklets produced some years ago. The first booklet, Freemasonry An Introduction, is currently in its final stages with copies to be available for the Brisbane Open House weekend of the 27th and 28th of August, which we will feature as the Premier Location.

The committee has several other projects on the go with more in the pipeline. We aim to assist Lodges with recruiting, teaching, and retaining members. We are not only interested in our new Brethren, but also in retaining those brethren who have already given years of service to the Craft.

The Committee recognizes the excellent work already being done in the Craft by individual Lodges and Brethren, and we hope to harness that energy and enthusiasm and assist these groups where possible. If any brother has an idea or suggestion in regards to boosting our numbers or improving the membership process, I would encourage you to talk to one of the members of the committee. Alternatively, please email member.committee@uglq.org.au

“The committee has several other projects on the go with more in the pipeline. We aim to assist Lodges with recruiting, teaching, and retaining members.”

A day at the secretariat in Ann St.

Ihave heard some of my brothers say with reference to the UGLQ administration “Just what do they do down there”. I asked this question too and received an invitation from the Grand Secretary to see it for myself. So, I have, and today just on the eve of the Grand Installation there is a busy atmosphere prevailing in the office, and all staff are busy at work, despite this, all the staff here are helpful in answering my questions.

All organisations must have administration to keep them operating at their best. Look to your own Lodge, it works well if the lodge admin is efficient. Who then, are the UGLQ administration team? We have the Grand and Deputy Grand secretaries both of whom are Freemasons. The GS is Milan Pavasovic, and the DGS is Andrew Pankhurst.

Then we have an office manager Sandra Borralho a Finance officer Bradley Bennett and two admin assistants Monica Cubela and Danielle Sullivan, who are not freemasons and were employed on merit and their ability to work within the team. Bradley is the one who sends bills pays accounts and keeps the books, he is university trained and has used his skills to get to grips with our accounting system, he did not have a finance person from the previous administration to pass on past knowledge of earlier systems, he has found many problems to sort out. His background when younger was as a Scout, and he volunteers with the cerebral palsy association. His contact is bradley@uglq.org.au

Danielle and Monica share many tasks like answering emails creating certificates, looking after jewel matters, reports, and many other administrative matters. Their contact is membership@uglq.org.au.

This whole team is a happy bunch who have an arduous job to do, they all took on the job with no on-the-job training, and they are trying to sort out what needs to be done to supply the service that we need and work out ways of doing it, within a system that was not

properly set up to start with. It is sad to be told that when trying to sort out many problems that meant having to contact members to confirm information that some of my brother masons abused these young people and refused to help them help us, the members. This is not the behaviour that we are taught as Freemasons. We must also remember that none of this team has been with us for 12 months yet.

Their office while looking efficient is in a part of the Ann St complex which is old and could do with a facelift and they obviously could use more storage space. The use of technology is, as can be expected of a high calibre but disjointed which causes file retrieval difficult and time-consuming. I was told that this is being addressed by

the IT people. But like any modern office, it would not be able to function without those modern electronic means of providing efficient services. For example, emails, electronic financial control, and databases. The staff seem motivated and happy and are working hard to sort out and make efficient, our systems and ways of doing the job. One can only marvel at the skills of office manager Sandra who not being a mason but having the help of Andrew, has had to plan and organise the Grand Installation that has many participants, events, and administrative procedures to cope with and has no previous background in Masonic administration. Her contact is sandra@uglq.org.au

“All organisations must have administration to keep them operating at their best. Look to your own Lodge, it works well if the lodge admin is efficient”.

Events of the

2022 Grand Installation

For the first time since the start of COVID, all grand Lodges in Australia and NZ met at a single gathering and what a gathering it was. Given that the guests included wives, the UGLQ administration organised events that showcased both our city and our Lodge building and pampered our guests. Grand officers from all states New Zealand, New Caledonia and their respective retinues also attended.

A meet and greet held at the Hilton on Friday evening was well attended and a time for old friends to re-meet and make new friends. Our outgoing Grand Master RW Paul Holland gave his last talk as Grand Master and spoke of this friendship and fellowship that makes Freemasonry stand out as an organisation. Our new Grand Master spoke of his desire to grow the craft and meet the needs of the brethren.

On Saturday the Grand Installation of the MW Jeffrey Harper and the investing of Grand Officers was held. What a magnificent event that was, held in the Grand Hall of our Ann Street building, a drawing of the outside adorns our cover. Despite the inside of the building still undergoing renovations, rooms were found to house the 400-plus attendees and their belongings. MW Grand Master Jeff Harper in addressing the Installation attendees paid tribute to MW Paul Holland for his work during the worldwide pandemic that is COVID and how he handled the restrictions imposed by the Government stating that our fraternity owed a great deal to his leadership. He outlined his philosophy going into the future thus.

We need to be financially viable to ensure that we continue.

We need to continually improve our communications strategy. In a state as large and widespread as Queensland being inclusive of our Lodges in New Guinea, we need to take advantage of all opportunities.

We need to foster an atmosphere within our lodges, that emphasises the importance of every member. Attending it is an enjoyable experience and creates in every member a want for more.

We need to improve our membership numbers

“We need to foster an atmosphere within our lodges, that emphasises the importance of every member. Attending it is an enjoyable experience and creates in every member a want for more.”

MW Bro Jeff also outlined his past of working in the emergency services and why he decided to become a Freemason even remembering reading his grandfather’s little black book. And of his uncle pacing the verandah learning from his little black book.

What a spectacle the ceremony was. There was pomp and ceremony, fanfares, music and singing by the Masonic choir, and ritual to the highest standard. Various magnificent attire from the sweet garments of Job’s Daughters to the splendid robes

of SGRAC with the blue and gold in all its glory. It was amazing to see how so many officers were able to pack the floor when marching out.

Then to the Hilton for the banquet. The hall was magnificent with tables set and a numbered list of who was to go where again the organisation was of the highest standard. The multi-course banquet was also of a high standard, eating with speeches between courses and the wine flowed, and enjoyable repast and get together, many old friends remaking friendships.

“What a spectacle the ceremony was. There was pomp and ceremony, fanfares, music and singing by the Masonic choir, and ritual to the highest standard.”

The recent severe floods of 2022 brought back painful memories of previous record floods. One often quoted is that of the Black February 1893 Floods of the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers; not just one flood but three floods in a row in one month that caused 35 deaths and hospitalized another 190. Both the Victoria bridge and the Indooroopilly Railway bridge collapsed.

Noting the distress of the Fraternity and the community in general, our recorded history reveals that substantial donations were made to both the Masonic Flood Relief Fund and the Central Relief Fund totalling over 832 pounds from the three District Grand Lodges. The mother Grand Lodges were caballed for assistance and England provided a further 300 guineas and Ireland 200 pounds.

The historical evidence records multi aberrant flooding of the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers (38 times with 12 on Brisbane and 24 on Ipswich classified as major) since records began 1840s. Indeed 1841 levels remain the highest recorded. Confirmation can be found in Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) fulsome data base of flooding at http://www.bom.gov.au/ qld/flood/fld_history/brisbane_history.shtml

Carbon dioxide emissions and atmospheric concentration (1750 - 2020)

Thus the recent descriptors of ‘rain bombs’, “tsunamis from the sky”, ‘atmospheric rivers’ et al are not of novel events. Many occurred when the concentration of yummy plant food, Carbon Dioxide, was significantly lower.Thus peddlers of floods as ‘climate change’ causations must be viewed with the utmost caution.

ED Note: To help put our floods in perspective to world history this table shows ten of the worst floods to hit the world by casualty.

Death Toll, People lost Event

Location and year 500,000 to 4,000,000

Yangtze-Huai Rivers June 1931 900,000 to 2,000,000

Floods in China

Floods in China

Yellow River 1887 500,000 to 800,000

Yellow River 1930 229,000

Floods in China

Dam failure and flood in China

Banqiao Dam 1975 145,000

Yangtze River 1935 100,000

Floods in China

Netherlands St Felix’s flood 1530 100,000

Storm Surge

The flood of 1099 Netherlands and England

Up to 100,000

Flood in China

Yangtze River 1911 50,000 to 80,000

St Lucia’s Holy Roman Empire 1287 60,000 Storm Surge North Sea Holy Roman Empire

Storm Surge

“The recent severe floods of 2022 brought back painful memories of previous record floods.”

Order of Australia

Our uniquely Australian Honours system was established in 1975 when Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, approved the institution of the Order of Australia: ‘an Australian society of honour for according recognition to Australian citizens for achievement or meritorious service’. In our country, we are fortunate to have an egalitarian system of honours where every Australian citizen whatever their culture or religious beliefs can nominate fellow citizens from all walks and endeavours in life to be publicly honoured. This application has been referred to by the Governor-General, the Chancellor of the Order, as the “bottom-up approach”.

The recipients of awards in the Order of Australia represent the best of the Australian character. They elevate the concept of giving to others, they heighten our respect for one another and they encourage Australians to think about the responsibilities of citizenship in our democracy. Most are volunteers who seek no remuneration or reward. We are indeed a better country for having altruistic citizens with commendable devotion to the welfare of others.

The Governor-General approves recognitions and levels of the award based on recommendations of the Council of the Order, an independently-appointed, broadly representative advisory body that meets twice a year. Australia Day and the Queen’s birthday are the two occasions on which Order of Australia awards are made.

The Order of Australia Association, a voluntary group of awardees, has a singular charitable purpose: To celebrate and promote outstanding Australian citizenship. We advocate activities and attitudes which foster harmony, unity and shared futures in which all people are treated with respect and dignity. We are about raising public awareness about the Order of Australia and promoting high-quality nominations for appointments and awards that reflect the diversity of the Australian community.

The Association draws its strength from its 8000 members, and from the diverse, dispersed communities in which they live. The Queensland State Branch counts 1200 financial members of whom 48 per cent live outside metro Brisbane.

With eight operational regions, from the borders to the Cape we are the most decentralised State Branch in Australia.

https://theorderofaustralia.asn.au/ queensland/about-us/

“The recipients of awards in the Order of Australia represent the best of the Australian character. They elevate the concept of giving to others.”

One of our favoured passions is supporting young Australians as they prepare for their careers and encouraging them in service to the nation. The Queensland Branch hosts an annual Secondary Schools Citizenship Award Ceremony held at Parliament House and this past year received record nominations of worthy year 12 students from 53 Secondary Schools from across Queensland. The Governor of Queensland presented the awards.

Every new Queensland based recipient of an Order of Australia award receives an invitation to a State Branch acknowledgement lunch. Recently I had the distinct pleasure of warmly greeting two members of UGLQ, Barry Scott (founder of the Koala Foundation) and Ron Donnellan (founder of the Joy Foundation). Masonic awardees are acknowledged by the Grand Master and listed in the minutes of Quarterly Communications.

We are back – Bridge to Brisbane 2022

Last year a band of brothers joined the Team Freemasons Queensland and participated in the Bridge to Brisbane, walking and running, having fun and breaking personal barriers. In the process, the team raised over fifteen hundred dollars for R U Ok Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation working for suicide prevention.

This year we are back! We are calling all brethren who have the adventurous spirit to get out of their comfort zone and face their limits, all in name of charity to help those in need.

Given that our UGLQ membership and the wider Masonic family comprises many men and women who have given the sustained commitment to local and national charitable endeavours I do urge you all to consider nominating these worthy folk for recognition with an Order of Australia award. Nominations can be submitted at any time during the year. Details are at:

www.gg.gov.au/australian-hon

If you are up to the challenge, you can go to www.bridgetobrisbane. com.au and join team Freemasons Queensland. Be quick and secure one of 30 exclusive team shirts, kindly sponsored by UGLQ. (Once on the team page, the pin is not required and individuals do not have to choose a charity, as the team fundraising page is already set up).

On 28 August 2022 we will be running and walking, 4.5Km or 10Km, to raise funds for SuperTee, which provides medical garments, with superhero themes, to children undergoing longterm treatments in a hospital. They want to give these brave kids the superpowers they need in the most important fight of their lives. More

about our charity for this year can be found at www.supertee.org.au

If you are currently not the athletic type, there is always next year. In the meantime you can get involved by donating so we can make a big difference in the lives of these small heroes. Simply go to bridgetobrisbane.gofundraise.com. au/page/FreemasonsQLD-60942048 and make your contribution. Lodge donations are also welcomed.

Whatever your form of participation, let’s help make this Bridge to Brisbane an even bigger success than last year. If you think you can walk or run on 28 August 2022 Freemasons Queensland will be back on the bridge.

“This year we are back! We are calling all brethren who have the adventurous spirit to get out of their comfort zone and face their limits, all in name of charity to help those in need.“

ANZAC Day commemorations 2022

ANZAC Day commemorations have returned to the Masonic Memorial Centre after a two year layoff. Once again the morning wreath laying ceremony was performed around the Urn of Remembrance in the Masonic Memorial Centre commencing at 8:30am.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master lay the first wreath on behalf of all Queensland Freemasons, this was followed by the Deputy Grand Master and RW Bro Pyke Past Assistant Grand Master who lay wreaths on behalf of the brethren of the District Grand Lodges of North Queensland and Carpentaria.

The Most Excellent First Grand Principle of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland laid a wreath on behalf of all Royal Arch Masons and the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Queensland also lay a wreath on behalf of all Mark Master Masons. Members were invited to lay a wreath on behalf of their own Lodge also on behalf of Country Lodges where members were unable to attend in person due to distance. There was a total of 32 wreaths laid on behalf of individual Lodges.

Wreaths were also laid by other orders within the Masonic family, which included Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth, Order of DeMolay Australia, Job’s Daughters International. The final wreaths were laid by members of 5 Royal Arch Chapters, a Knights Templar Preceptory, 2 Sovereign Councils, a Sovereign Chapter and a Consistory. Music was provided by the Grand Organist RW Bro Gary Young and Wor Bro Ross Pankhurst who played “Rouse” on the bugle.

A very solemn tribute to all members of the Forces who laid down their lives in times of conflict, especially to our brother Masons.

At the completion of the ceremony, Brethren and guests were invited to accompany the Grand Master to the Shrine of Remembrance at ANZAC Square for the laying of a wreath at the Eternal Flame on behalf of Queensland Freemasons.

“A very solemn tribute to all members of the Forces who laid down their lives in times of conflict, especially to our brother Masons.”

Lodges of Research and Education in Queensland

There are now three such lodges in Queensland WHJ Mayers in far North Queensland, Lodge Hibernian and Albion Star in Townsville and Barron Barnett in Brisbane. These Lodges are affiliated with the Australian New Zealand Masonic Research Council.

The ANZMRC is an internationally recognized organization that supports bringing to its affiliates world-renowned speakers for a lecture tour every two years. However, COVID has caused a stop to that at this time.

In intervening years ANZMRC hosts a biennial conference where member lodges from each jurisdiction put forward a speaker who has submitted a paper to be presented at this conference. These speakers are called Kellerman Lecturers after the eminent NSW Masonic educator. The conference venues are shared between all members which means that each venue will be used 16 years apart. In Queensland, conferences have been held in Brisbane in 2000 and Cairns in 2014. Queensland has supplied a speaker at all conferences since 1992 when it all began. The conferences will restart in November 2022 at Dunedin in New Zealand. All affiliate lodges are encouraged to submit papers for consideration.

WHJ Mayers Centre of Masonic Education and Knowledge.

WHJ Mayers first a lodge of instruction, then a Lodge of Research and now a Centre of Masonic Education and Knowledge, each evolution of the lodge to meet the needs of changing Freemasonry. The first move to form WHJ Mayers was made on the 13 March 1946the necessary information was supplied to the brethren interested in its formation.

Holden under the sanction of Gregory Lodge No. 50H U.G.L.Q. the inaugural meeting was held in the Cairns Temple on 14 August 1948. Another informal meeting was held on 17 September 1948 and the Foundation Installation on Friday 26 November 1948.

There were forty-four town members and eightyfour country members on the roll for 1948.

The District Grand Lodge entrusted to its care the books which formed the District Grand Lodge Library together with the very large library

of books forwarded from the private library of R.W. Bro. W.H.J. Mayers. The library is now held at the Yungaburra Masonic Centre, books are available for lending.

In the 21st century, WHJ Mayers meets as a group to discuss masonic topics to learn from each other, deliver papers publish the Lectern and supervise the Certificate course in Masonic Knowledge. The Certificate in Masonic Knowledge is a foundation for the lifelong study of Freemasonry and covers the three Degrees of the Craft. Ideal for new Freemasons and those not so new.

For detailed course and enrolment information contact Harvey Lovewell at WHJMayers@gmail.com

Continues next page >

Course content

Aim

• To provide foundation knowledge of the three degrees of Craft Masonry

• To provide an opportunity for you to gain an understanding and a basis for further study.

• To provide the knowledge to enable you to know and enjoy masonry.

Description of course

• This is a competency-based course; progression follows upon completion of each part of each degree, culminating with competency gained in all parts of the three degrees covered. Certificate presented on completion.

• It allows for self-paced learning to fit in with your schedule.

• Lessons are conducted online and feedback is by email or phone.

• Reference reading material is supplied. The content is specific to Queensland Freemasonry.

Hibernia and Albion Star No 15 (Lodge of Research) Townsville. WBro Iain Carnegie – Lodge Secretary

In early 1866 dispensation was received from the Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New South Wales, Irish Constitution, Right Worshipful Brother George Thornton to form a Lodge in Townsville, to be called Hibernia and Albion Star Lodge, No 289 (Irish Constitution). The Lodge was consecrated on the 5th of July 1866, with the Foundation Worshipful Master being Brother William Clifton.

On the 21st of April 1904 the last meeting of Hibernia and Albion Star was held under the Irish Constitution, subsequently transferring to the roll of the Grand Lodge of Queensland and becoming Lodge No 7. On the formation of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, Hibernia and Albion Star became Lodge No 15.

Sadly with a declining and ageing membership, in 2018 the members of Lodge Hibernia and Albion Star

unanimously decided to close their lodge and return the Warrant to Grand Lodge. Rather than see the oldest lodge in Townsville close, I approached the then-District Grand Master of North Queensland, (RW Bro Les Keane) with the proposal that Lodge Hibernia and Albion Star, No 15 did not hand in its Warrant, however, instead became a specialist Lodge of Research.

The District Grand Master was fully supportive of this course of action and subsequently, with the assistance of WBro Phil Grier, the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland was approached and graciously provided dispensation, facilitated under Article 229, for the Hibernia and Albion Star Lodge No 15 to convert to a Lodge of Craft Research, in that it will:

(a) Not confer degrees, and restricts membership to UGLQ Master Masons (Note: this cannot be a members sole Primary Lodge) (b) Meet no less than twice yearly in the Townsville Masonic Centre or a place within the region of the District Grand Lodge of North Queensland subject to the approval of the District Grand Master (c) Incorporate the W.H Green Masonic Study Circle (d) Maintain a Masonic Library.

The aims of the Lodge are that it shall:

(a) Provide a centre and bond of union for students of Freemasonry and Masonic history.

(b) Attract Freemasons to meetings of the Hibernia and Albion Star Lodge of Research to encourage an appreciation of Masonic research.

(c) Submit the discoveries or conclusions of researchers in the field of Freemasonry to the judgment and analysis of the brethren employing papers read in open Lodge.

(d) To liaise with other recognized Masonic bodies of research in the furtherance of Masonic knowledge and understanding.

As a result of COVID-19 restrictions and the ill health of key Brethren, the inaugural meeting and appointment of officers was delayed, finally being held on the 31 March 2022, where the Worshipful Master, WBro Beau Sankey presented his inaugural paper, “How old is your Lodge”, which was extremely well received and stimulated some interesting discussions at the Festive Board held after the meeting in the pleasant surroundings of the Mercure Inn.

I am confident that not only did this course of action prevent an eminent and distinguished lodge of great antiquity from closing, it will also assist with supporting and encouraging North Queensland Freemasons to develop and further their masonic journey. Additionally, the converting of Lodges to Special Interest Lodges may be a way of saving failing Lodges, food for thought!

Barron Barnett Lodge – A Brief History

Barron Barnett Lodge of Research was consecrated on the 15th of August 1903. It was consecrated by the District Grand Master RWBro Gregory of the District Grand Lodge of Queensland, English Constitution. District Deputy Grand Master RWBro Barron Barnett not only participated in the consecration but also became the Foundation Master and eponymous namesake of the Lodge.

In June 1903, at Quarterly Communications of the District Grand Lodge of England, the District Board of General Purposes recommended the establishment of a Lodge of Instruction upon the lines of the Emulation Lodge of Instruction in London, UK. The primary purpose would be to establish some uniformity of ritual.

On Monday, August 10, 1903, an inaugural meeting of 17 Installed Masters, most prominent members of the English District Grand Lodge, was held to form a Lodge of Instruction. The chairman of this meeting was RWBro Barron Lewis Barnett, Deputy Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of England.

Barnett had suggested in the 1890s that the metropolitan lodges form themselves into a Lodge of Instruction, primarily, apparently, “for the instruction of visitors from country lodges.”

In short order, on Saturday 15 August 1903, five days after the original meeting, Barron Barnett Lodge No.3011 English Constitution, was duly consecrated and dedicated by the District Grand Master, RWBro Augustus, Charles

Gregory, Deputy District Grand Master, Barron Lewis Barnett and Grand Officers. Indeed, many members of the Board of General Purposes were present and became founding members of the Lodge.

District Grand Master Gregory called on his Deputy RWBro Barron Barnett to perform the consecration and dedication. The District Grand Master Gregory then installed RWBro Barnett as Foundation Master of the Lodge.

At about this time, Barnett announced: “that he was returning to England on business but, if certain events came to fruition, he would return to Brisbane to live.”

And so, in 1903, Barron Lewis Barnett left the State of Queensland where he had lived for 37 years, 34 of these as a Freemason. However, in 1905 he advised the District Grand Lodge that he would not be returning to Brisbane having decided to live in England and he tendered his resignation as Deputy Grand Master.

Member Lodges and District Grand Lodge subscribed an amount of 100 guineas for a memorial portrait to be commissioned from Bro Oscar Fristrom and it had until recently adorned the antechamber to Lodge Room No.4 in the Memorial Masonic Centre in Ann St.

Very little is known hereafter about the activities of Barnett. He did not pay dues to the Prince of Wales and was struck off in 1918. Neither did he pay dues to Barron Barnett Lodge, but the Lodge forgave these

charges until 1925, after which time he was made an Honorary Member.

The UGLE informed the Lodge, through the Grand Secretary of UGLQ, that to the best of its knowledge, Barnett never joined any English Lodge and appeared to have lost interest in Freemasonry. When a Past Master of Barron Barnett Lodge, RW Bro A.E. Harris visited London during war service in 1918, he called on Barnett and found him in good health. This is the only direct news known of Barnett after he retired to England. He passed to the Grand Lodge Above at the age of 83 while living in a nursing home at Brondesbury, not far from Bayswater.

We can only remember Barnett, therefore, as a good and generous man and a Freemason who made a very significant contribution to Masonry in the State of Queensland.

(Excerpted, with additions by WorBro Don Barry, from a paper delivered by WorBro N.E.Booth to Barron Barnett Lodge in September 1979.)

Where Are We Now

Our recent history has been an interesting one. Due in part to COVID we pushed to amend and confirm an amendment to our ByLaws which allowed for online meetings as part of our normal business practice. We held several online meetings to promote Research and Education as we believe these are core elements of a Freemason’s positive experiences in Freemasonry, moreover that Barron Barnett Lodge has a role to play in those activities.

Historically we have been a Past Masters Lodge, we do not make Masons, our core business is Education and Research. However, we do welcome any Master Mason who is seeking the light of Freemasonry. We welcome the affiliation of any regular Freemason. Not so long ago when a WM became an IPM, his Lodge would pay for his first year as a member of BBL. He would come and participate in our bi-monthly meetings and return to his Mother Lodge and share what he had learnt or contributed. As this practice dropped away, we have felt the sting of dwindling numbers more than most.

As we emerge from COVID, we would welcome and encourage Lodges to resume this practice as it serves to develop their members and thus their Lodges will grow with Masonic Light and knowledge.

Records tumble at Theodore Unmack No 60, UGLQ

Records are often brandied around with sports stars and clubs. Few forget the prowess of certain tennis and football stars who win major events year in and year out. Freemasonry has its fair share of stars too; stars of a more modest type disinclined to behave badly and never in the media for the wrong reason. On Saturday, May 28, one of these stars, a quiet achiever in one of the UGLQs Irish lodges, stepped up to the podium again. Wor Bro Geoffrey Pedler OAM was once again proclaimed Master of Theodore Unmack Lodge No 60.

It was the commencement of Geoff Pedler’s fifth consecutive year at the helm of the old and legendary lodge, named after a German merchant and member of Queensland’s colonial parliament. Theodore Unmack Lodge has had several incarnations, beginning in 337 I.C. in 1889. From there it enjoyed seventeen years as number 20 Q.C. Theodore Unmack Lodge was finally given number 60 on the roll of the newly formed UGLQ in 1921 and has worked under this warrant ever since.

Consummate Master Geoff Pedler has enjoyed a stellar run in Freemasonry, a sojourn that began forty-six years ago when initiated in Bentley Park Lodge No 311 UGLQ. From there his journey continued in Valley St John’s Lodge No 42 only to continue, yet again, in St Patrick Lodge No 5 in 1997. As St Patrick Lodge became dormant Master P edler joined Lodge of Transition No 800. By 2015 it was time to source another Irish lodge. Master Pedler’s choice was Theodore Unmack who welcomed the gregarious former TAFE teacher with open arms.

Master Pedler’s interests are not limited to Freemasonry. Indeed, for a lifetime of service to RANs Naval Cadets, he was awarded the Order of Australia medal in 1999. With Master Pedler’s affiliation came a new renaissance to Theodore Unmack. A prolific visitor by any standard, Master Pedler set out to visit almost all metropolitan lodges and often stretched such a visit to other parts of South-East Queensland.

Supporting his five-year journey as Master of Theodore Unmack has been his wife Sonja Pedler, of German descent. Sonja gave a well prepared, well-received speech at the Festive Board in reply to the Ladies’ Toast by spirited lodge treasurer Noel Ryan, who in turn gave an almost anatomical essay on the difference between the male and female brains. It brought thunderous laughter from both genders.

Long before the merriment of the South, a most polished Proclamation Ceremony took place inside the lodge room. Under the DC baton of RW Bro Chris Devine CSM, PAGM, things ran like a well-oiled machine. Deputy Grand Master elect, RW David Gray, PAGM gave a stellar Address to the Brethren, while Secretary Ian Kelly likewise gave an address to the Junior Warden, the Senior Warden being overseas. RW Chris Devine’s address to the Master matched the aforementioned charges in excellence and sincerity.

During the Festive board, baking in the green of the Irish, tables were enhanced by embroidered cloths featuring four-leaf clovers handmade by Sonja Pedler. The hearty meal of chicken or beef fed members and visitors and was followed by a variety of tantalising desserts. Bushmill and Jameson’s Irish whiskey flowed freely as did Penfold’s port during one of the important toasts.

Three presentations of Aged Masons, Widows & Orphans Fund were made by RW David Gray PAGM. The well-deserving recipients were Adam Brighouse who has elevated to Life Vice Patron; Geoffrey Pedler and James Apel both elevated to Life Patron.

Just as Australia’s newly elected Prime Minister and Foreign Minister immediately started working by visiting Japan and the Pacific Islands, Master Pedler too will hit the Masonic landscape from next week. His IPM Wor Bro Adam Brighouse became a household name for similar devotion and could be found here and there and everywhere. Master Pedler is not only a great ambassador for Freemasonry in general but Theodore Unmack in particular. There is a sense in the air that the old Irish lodges are all in safe hands at the present moment; hands that will build a strong future. After all, ‘building’ comes easy to Master Pedler, who taught Building Construction for several years at TAFE.

Passing of Bro Mathew Saunders to the second degree

At the September 2021 Telford Lodge Installation

Banquet of Wor Bro Michael Grainger, Wor Bro Rick Templeton, Secretary of Cooroy Queen Alexandra Lodge, Wor Bro Bill Niven, Secretary of Waverley Palmwoods Nambour Lodge and Wor Bro Roger Roberts, Wor Master of Waverley Palmwoods Nambour Lodge discussed the possibility of assisting Cooroy Queen Alexandra Lodge with the ceremony of passing their Candidate Bro Matthew Saunders to the Second Degree.

It was explained that it was normal practice in the early days of Palmwoods Lodge to assist other Lodges on the Sunshine Coast with Second Degree workings to clear any backlog in the days when there were so many men wanting to join the Craft and it was not uncommon for a lodge to initiate six candidates in the one year.

Planning to pass Bro Saunders went ahead, with several practices to hone the work. The Passing to the Second Degree was conducted at the Waverley Palmwoods Nambour Lodge Regular Meeting on Thursday 2nd December 2021. What transpired that night was a complete surprise to all who attended. Accompanying Bro Saunders was a Fraternal visit by Cooroy Queen Alexandra Lodge as well as a Fraternal visit by Kenilworth Lodge. Additionally, not one but two AGDDs, newly conferred R W Bro Michael Aldrich PJGW AGDD and V W Bro Doug McGill AGDD accompanied by R W Bro Chris Pyke RFD. PAGM, R W Bro Kevin Grant PJGW and R W Bro Ian Mc Raild PJGW, who was a member of the Grand Team at Wor Bro Roberts Installation at Palmwoods Lodge back in August 1990. All in all a total of 42 fine brethren from the Sunshine Coast. It soon

became apparent that there were seven Installed Masters including Wor Bro Roberts in attendance for the meeting. They were Wor Bro Bob Haslam PJGD (Kenilworth), Wor Bro Frank Hiscock (Cooroy QA), V W Bro Graham Schulz PDG Sec (Maroochydore) Wor Bro Michael Grainger (Telford) Wor Bro Gary Ackerman (Montville) Wor Bro Nihal Wijegooneratne PG Std Br (Maleny).

The Ceremony to pass Bro Saunders was carried out with dignity and decorum, with all Officers delivering Ritual to a high standard. Bro Saunders conducted himself very well throughout and was very suitably impressed, as he explained in the South, to be following on in the footsteps of his deceased Father and understanding why he was also a longtime member of the Craft.

The Festive Board, which was bursting at the seams, continued the evening with a friendly, joyous and brotherly get together with everyone talking and commenting on the Ceremony. The noise of Bon Bon’s bursting and other festivities celebrated the opportunity, after a year of lockdowns and cancellations, of Brethren finally being able to meet with their Masonic Brothers once again. The noise in the room was so loud at one time it was feared that the neighbours would put their heads through the door and complain. Finally, it was so pleasing that the Meeting, gave all forty-two present, including Bro Saunders, a feeling of satisfaction that our wonderful Craft was alive and well, putting the disappointments of the past events of 2021 behind us and looking forward to the year ahead with enthusiasm and zeal to give our best to a Craft we all love so much.

Beacons of Freemasonry

The Story of a 100-year-old Freemason

Wilfred Lawrence Alchin was born on 30th May 1922 at Waverly, Sydney, NSW, to Cecil Lawrence and Eva Florence Alchin to join his brothers Garnet, Bruce, Eric and Colin born in 1918 died in 1920 before Laurie was born.

Laurie and his brothers worked in Sydney at the Crown Crystal Glassworks making all sorts of glass artifacts. On 24th October 1942 at the age of 20 Laurie enlisted. He spent his training time at Kensington, where a racecourse had been converted to training troops. His role was as a gunner with the 101 Company AA Regt RAA.

He was deployed to defend a Radar station in Northern Australia. This radar Station 308RS was situated at the crossover of two airstrips at Milingimbi. Milingimbi Island is part of the Crocodile Island Group in the Arafura Sea and is 440 km from Darwin. It is approximately half a kilometre off the north coast of Central Arnhem Land. This radar could detect the Japanese aircraft when they left their bases in the occupied territory of Timor off to the West. The bases were protected by four, gun emplacements each manned by 13 men. The island was first bombed on 9 th May 1943 and most of its population moved to nearby Elcho Island. Six Spitfires were sent with their English pilots to provide air defence. Laurie tells of wanting to read the first letter from his wife as daisy cutter bombs were walked across the island, direct hits were made on the Mission, Church, and dispensary, as well as houses and other buildings. To avoid the bombs, he dived into a prepared trench headfirst bang into the end of the trench and all he wanted, was to read his letter from Lu. Unfortunately, several people were killed during the attack.

The spitfires had success on the 28th of May, eight bombers and five Zero fighters attacked the island. Three bombers were destroyed, two Spitfires and their crew were destroyed, while another badly damaged Spitfire was shot up and followed by a zero to the ground, the pilot survived and walked several km back to base. A ship the “Maroubra” that supplied the island with stores was sunk by a Japanese bomb that was dropped down its funnel.

Laurie tells of seeing the bombers with their bomb bay doors open but the ack-ack shells they were shooting at them did not reach the planes.

He also remembers the white ants, the boreholes they made were big enough to put a finger in, he could hear their chewing through timber when laying on the ground at night-time and they were huge. The mossies were also large having the ability to bite right through an army greatcoat which was worn despite the nearly unbearable heat. Not to mention the sandflies which swarmed around any body part not covered.

Another time the men decided to go for a swim late in the afternoon, they were chased by crocodiles up trees and the crocs tried all night jumping

to try and get them, making a barking noise all the time. They stayed up in the trees all night until the next morning the crocs gave up and left. He was discharged on the 13th of December 1945.

Laurie married Luana (Lu) in 1944, she was born on 25th September 1925. They started life in Sydney but soon moved to Mareeba

and became tobacco farmers. They had three children Rhonda, Coral and Eric, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He remembers the rains and the floods and lightning striking the tobacco plants and stripping them bare of trying to get a worker’s pregnant wife from the farm to the hospital by laying wooden planks over washouts, all in all, an interesting time. After a time, Laurie became a tobacco growers’ consultant. Laurie went on to become a member of the advisory service, helping farmers with their day-to-day problems, and offering answers were ever possible.

Laurie was initiated into Granite Lodge on the third of May 1956 passed and raised in the same year. He was installed as Master on sixth June 1964, again on fifth June 1999 and again on fourth June 2006 he also served in other Lodge offices and was Director of Ceremonies in 1969 in which he served for 18 years. His work in the quarries was so appreciated that Laurie was given honorary Life Membership of Granite Lodge. He supported other Lodges by affiliating with Endeavour 26H, Milla 351, Trinity Daylight 526 and Dimbulah Chillagoe.

He also served the District of Carpentaria as District Junior Grand Warden, District AGSW, District Grand DC, Deputy District Grand Master and then District Grand Master 1989/81. He was also a member of the Board of General Purposes and the Board of Benevolence. For his service Laurie has been presented with 30; 50 and 60-year service jewels.

At the centenary celebration for Granite Lodge on 19/11/2005, Laurie was presented by the Grand Master with PDGM. On May the 30th Laurie was given a special festive

board to celebrate his 100th birthday. Visitors included 4 past District Grand Masters and members of visiting lodges. He was presented with a certificate of appreciation from his own lodge, a letter of recognition from the Grand Master and medals from his RSL Mates. A special cake was made for the occasion by the wife of the lodge secretary.

Laurie has lived the ideal of what a Freemason is, one of the old-school, welldone Laurie our sincere congratulations on your recent birthday 100 years.

Hervey Bay daylight lodge installation

We at Hervey Bay Daylight Lodge had plans for our Installation postponed due to our Installing master and Junior Warden contracting Covid a few days prior to the intended May Installation.

It was our Illustrious WM Wor Bro Doug Young’s wise decision to postpone it until our June meeting. Well as Covid would have it when June came around so did Covid for Doug and at 93 years of age we were concerned for him however he has managed to get himself back to his old self and we are all thankful for that. The Installation of Wor Bro Ian Rennie and Investiture of officers went off very well with VW Bro Dreger taking the chair as WM and Installing Master respectively. VW Bro Hugh Clarke took control of the Ceremony as DC and we had a very fine ceremony topped off with music by VW Bro Wilkinson and a Solo from Wor Bro Upton.

The representative of the MW Grand Master RW Bro John Dexter PAGM and his Past Grand team were welcomed into the Lodge by the WM. He gave a talk at conclusion of the Ceremony about his Daylight Lodge in Bundaberg who sadly will be handing in their charter at the end of June. Our new WM Wor Bro Ian Rennie who is also WM of Mundubbera /Burnett Lodge had special dispensation from the MWGM to become WM overlapping by 5 months of both Lodges He is only a new member of our Lodge and it was very good of him to take this on to help us through this year. The Banquet was excellent with a hot roast meal with sweets and trimmings. The beautiful Cake was made by our chief Cake maker Dilly’s Bradbury wife of David and it is being cut by our WM Ian and his lovely partner Gwenda before getting demolished by all present. There was a giant raffle. music, speeches and presentations all in all the best installation we have had in years due to Covid. It was a pity our now IPM Doug couldn’t be there to enjoy it all as we did.

“Laurie has lived the ideal of what a Freemason is, one of the old-school, well-done Laurie our sincere congratulations on your recent birthday 100 years.”

Masonic Mentor

Note from your Masonic Mentor, some have expressed the opinion that asking what they think are dumb questions could be embarrassing. Let me assure you that any questions that are reproduced here are anonymous, no one will know where they come from. So please do not think a question is dumb, there are no, I repeat No dumb questions. Don’t ever forget that Freemasonry abounds in symbol and allegory. Your Mentor.

Hey, I have been to many different lodges and have found a variety of the black and white squared pavements and they all seem different. Can you explain why this is so?

The Mosaic Pavement is among the most fundamental teachings of the first degree. It belongs to that special class of core symbolism that can be traced to the earliest days of speculative Masonry. I urge you to study the first-degree tracing board lecture. The checkerboard floor upon which the modern Freemasonic lodge stands is the old tracing board of the Dionysiac (Greek) Architects, and while the modern organization is no longer limited to workmen’s guilds it still preserves its symbols. When thinking of the idea of Duality and the concept of good and evil, black and white, sacred and profane, an image that immediately enters my mind is that of the YingYang, an ancient symbol with deep esoteric meaning. (esoteric means Hidden not occult)

The black and white squares could be seen as representing good,(white), or evil, (black). It follows that there should be an uneven number of squares with white having one more than black to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. The centre should contain a blazing star, see first degree tracing board lecture. It tells of the importance of this blazing star. Like you, I have also looked at various chequered pavements on the floors of lodges I have attended and also wondered if the designers had any idea what the symbology of the floor meant, if they did it is not reflected in the design.

The first degree tells us that the Ornaments of a Lodge are the Mosaic Pavement, the Indented Tessel, and the Blazing Star.

The Mosaic Pavement is a representation of the ground floor of King Solomon’s Temple; the Indented Tessel, of that beautiful tesselated border, or skirting, which surrounded it, and the Blazing Star was in the centre. The Mosaic Pavement is emblematical of human life, chequered with good and evil; the Indented Tessel which surrounds it, of the manifold blessings and comforts which surround us, and which we hope to enjoy by a faithful reliance upon Divine Providence, which is graphically represented by the Blazing Star in the centre.

Words used have a habit of changing

with time, the word Tassel is one of them. The gradual steps of corruption and change from the original name indented tassel, which the early French Masons had translated by houpe dentelée to indented tarsel, and sometimes to indented trassel, and then to tassellated border, and finally to the tessellated border, the name which it now bears. The form and the meaning of the symbol are now apparent, The tessellated border as it is called is a cord decorated with tassels that surround the tracing board of an Entered Apprentice, the said tracing board being a representation of the Lodge, and it symbolizes the bond of love - the mystic tie -- which binds the Craft wheresoever dispersed, into one band of brotherhood”

The four tassels, one on each corner remind us of the virtues of, temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice.

I wonder why we spend so much time with toasts at our festive board, can you explain, please?

Just in case you are wondering where the English phrase “toast” comes from, it comes from the practice of floating a piece of burnt bread which we now call toast on top of the wine of the loving cup. The reason for this was that the toast took away some of the acidity of the wine. Back years ago, wine wasn’t as good as it is today, so this floating piece of burnt toast worked well to tone down the sharpness of the wine. It was an ancient custom that was popular during the Roman and Greek times dating as far back as the 6th Century B.C. After the bowl was passed around and shared by all the people, the host would be the last one to drink what was left and this included eating the wine saturated piece of toast. This was always done in honour of the guests. All drinking from the one cup made it less likely that the wine was poisoned.

When the wine was served in individual containers/glasses clinking the glasses together allows the wine to spill into each other’s glasses, the fear of poisoning was very real in those times.

There are lots of ways that toasts were done in ancient history, but the main point was that it was an offering from man to his Deity (God). Throughout history, man has always expressed his highest honours to the Deity in the form of a drink and the

“Just in case you are wondering where the English phrase “toast” comes from, it comes from the practice of floating a piece of burnt bread which we now call toast on top of the wine of the loving cup.”

offering of toasts. Maybe the Christian Communication started this way!

At our festive boards, we are toasting to show respect to our leaders, this is why we have so many toasts.

Why do the deacons have to carry a stick with them all the time?

Hi, the stick is a wand which I hope you would have heard them called at your lodge.

Why do the Deacons carry a staff/wand? Well, we know that they use them to form an arch over a visiting Grand officer when escorting him into the lodge, but what other uses are there.

When a candidate is taking his obligation the wands form a square above him, so he is taking the obligation under a square. It has been suggested that the wands be left behind when doing some work as they just get in the way. But everything in the masonic ritual has a reason or a hidden meaning that we have to learn to understand and why we do the things we do in our ceremonial work.

The word Asherah is the name given to a wooden staff, approx. 1.8 M in length which was carried by the attendants to the high priests in ancient times and was the insignia of their office The wooden staffs were named for the Goddess Asherah who was the mother of twins Shahar, the god of dawn or the morning star and Shalem, Sharlim or Salim as the god of dusk or the evening star. Among biblical scholars and differing religious sects, the word Asherah means different things depending on their particular bias. Here I will use it as a staff/wand.

The word deacon is a derivation from a Greek word that in translation means attendant. So two deacons with wands are the equivalent of two attendants with Asherah.

In the F D TB lecture, it states that a masonic lodge is situated due east and west. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Remember Shahar and Shalem the Gods of dawn and dusk, sunrise/sunset, there is a connection there.

The tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon were also situated due East and West. We’ll take the tabernacle of Moses

because he and his followers were always on the move, and it provides a great example of the use of the Asherah. All holy or sacred buildings at that time were situated due east and west and the tabernacle of Moses was no different except that Moses and his followers were on the move for 40 years. So the tabernacle, which was, of course, a tent, had to be dismantled and re-erected every time they moved, and at the rebuilding, it had to be situated due east and west.

So Moses and his two attendants, complete with Asherah, would go to the chosen site where the tabernacle was to be erected just before dawn, accompanied by the workmen who were going to do the erecting. Moses would then choose the spot where the altar was to be and instruct one of the attendants to place his Asherah on that spot. When the sun rose above the horizon, the rays of the sun would strike the Asherah and send a long thin shadow towards the west. The other attendant would then place his Asherah on the other end of the shadow and that would designate the centre line of the proposed tabernacle. The workmen would then move in and erect the tabernacle with the altar at the east end and the entrance at the west end, the magnetic compass had not been invented at that time so all holy and sacred buildings had to be

set out with the aid of two Asherah and K.S. temple was no different.

And so, the Asherah, being the very first tool or implement to be made use of at the building of the temple makes them of extreme importance from a masonic point of view, and as such should be carried at all times as the insignia of the office of the deacons and in particular when conducting a candidate. And that brother is why the deacons carry wands.

Note:- We have run out of room to answer your other questions which we will look at next issue, however, keep the questions coming, sent to Masonic Mentor via Editor at harvey@uglq.org.au

“When a candidate is taking his obligation the wands form a square above him, so he is taking the obligation under a square. It has been suggested that the wands be left behind when doing some work as they just get in the way.”

District Grand Lodge of Carpentaria – The year 2021/22

My term as District Grand Master for the District of Carpentaria commenced towards the end of May 2021, when many of the COVID restrictions were removed and all the 21 Lodges within the District had received their COVID Safety Roadmap. The number of Lodges in the District has been reduced to twenty with Atherton-Duke of Connaught Lodge handing in their warrant at the end of 2021.

During the second half of the year 2021, all Lodges within the District returned to holding regular meetings. Over the past 12 months, 18 Lodges conducted their Installation/Proclamation Ceremonies with two Lodges not being able to hold these ceremonies due to COVID restrictions or infections within the Lodge membership.

A total of nine new members were welcomed to our wonderful fraternity in the district during the past 12 months while seven members within the district were honoured with Jewels for their good work and/or dedication to their Lodges and Freemasonry in general (one 70-year jewel, two 60-year jewels, two 50 Year jewels and two 30 year distinguished service jewels).

All the events mentioned above (Installations/Proclamations, Initiation Ceremonies and Jewel Presentations) were attended by a District Grand Team with me or the Deputy District Grand Master, VW Bro Dave Scott, being in attendance except on two occasions when a Past District Grand Master attended as representative.

In the past at least two or three ANZAC services have been held each year in the district but unfortunately due to COVID and a few other factors, only one ANZAC service was held in

the district, that being conducted by Tully-Tyson Lodge. At this service, I had the pleasure of presenting a young lady with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Grand Master and a Broach for having played the bugle at the Tully-Tyson Lodge ANZAC services for the past 14 years.

During the past 12 months, the District Grand Lodge of Carpentaria has held four Quarterly Communication meetings, in June, September, December and March as required under Article 139 of the Constitution. In the past, these meetings have always been held on Friday nights and a change has now been made to hold them on Saturday afternoons. In keeping with my theme of Masonic education, I have instigated the presentation of a short lecture on a Masonic topic at the Quarterly Communication meetings whenever practicable. At the last Quarterly Communication meeting held on Saturday, 25 June 2022 the District Grand Proclamation Ceremony and Investiture of District Grand Officers took place.

The Carpentaria District Grand Board of General Purposes has held regular meetings during the past 12 months focussing on the operations of the district, management of finances, ceremonial work within the district and upkeep of Masonic buildings that are in control of the Board. A planning session to update the strategic and business plan of the district took place. The standout issues at present are membership, finances, and lodge buildings.

The actual membership in the district, without counting the dual membership, is currently 275. The declining membership has been an issue for a while now as it would seem to be the case for similar organisations worldwide. Focus here has centred on promotion to attract new members and better management of the website and retention of members through better meetings with Masonic education being a feature of meetings and social events.

“In the main, the state of Freemasonry in the District of Carpentaria is good with all lodges carrying out the grand principles of brotherly love, relief and truth.”

About Lodge buildings, from Tully in the south to Mossman in the north and Georgetown out west, there are currently a total of 11 Lodge buildings. In addition to this, one Lodge is currently renting the building that it previously owned for its’ meetings. While most of the buildings located in the various townships in the district still have a role to play, there is an urgent need to establish an appropriate Masonic Centre in or close to the Cairns City area. The Board of General Purposes, in conjunction with a couple of Lodges currently owning buildings, is currently looking at options in this regard.

Matters relating to charity in the district are in the hands of the Carpentaria District Grand Board of Benevolence. The Board is always available for assistance to Aged Masons, Widows and Orphans and of note is the valuable assistance provided in the last 12 months to a brother to move into a retirement village and assistance provided to a widow for relocation following the passing of her partner.

In the future, there are a couple of very important events coming up, with Barrine Lodge and Ravenshoe Lodge, both located on the Atherton Tablelands, celebrating their centenary towards the end of October and we certainly look forward to these events.

In the main, the state of Freemasonry in the District of Carpentaria is good with all lodges carrying out the grand principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. There are certainly some lodges in the district that are struggling in terms of numbers and not being able to carry out ceremonial work without assistance from other Lodges. Some Lodges seriously need to think about their future to take appropriate steps now rather than leaving things to drift along until it is all too late.

My focus remains on urging Lodges to support each other, particularly for important events such as Installations/Proclamations, degree workings particularly Initiation Ceremonies to welcome a new member to our wonderful fraternity and on occasions such as Jewel presentations to recognize the good work, dedication, and achievement by a brother. I will also continue to focus on my other agenda item of Masonic Education at every opportunity so that candidates are better informed about the degree workings they have been through and short lectures on the symbolism that we regularly see within our Lodge rooms but simply take for granted.

Grand Proclamation 2022

The District Grand Lodge of Carpentaria held its District Grand Proclamation in Gordonvale Masonic Centre on Saturday the 25th of June 2022 to install the sitting District Grand Master, RWBro Raja Chohan into the chair of King Solomon for the term 2022 – 2023.

Supported by the District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of North Queensland RWBro John Playford and District Grand Officers from both Districts Brethren and Ladies enjoyed a ceremony of Proclamation for the newly proclaimed District Grand Officers which was followed by a Luncheon.

Did you know .. Masonic Symbolism

When the great Obelisk of Alexandria (Cleopatra’s Needle) was moved to New York in 1880, there were discovered certain emblems on the original foundation and pedestal. One is clearly a square, causing some to conclude that Masonry existed in ancient Egypt. This issue is still open to debate.

However, in reality, Freemasonry started being illustrated by symbols because at the very beginning, most Freemasons were illiterate, so the symbols served to remind the members of the teachings of the Fraternity.

The oldest Masonic symbol is the square and compasses. It is also the most universally recognized symbol of Freemasonry, even though its exact significance varies in different countries.

The square usually symbolizes morality while the compasses symbolize wisdom of conduct. Together they mostly symbolize the harmony and perfection experienced when one lives in honesty and follows the path of right.

The term  “on the level”, used to describe someone who is truthful and honest, was actually derived from Freemasonry, where the level symbolizes being straightforward and truthful.

Montana’s (USA) first livestock brand was the Square and Compasses and is still in use today. It was registered by Poindexter and Orr of Beaverhead County, MT in 1873.

Endeavour Lodge District of Carpentaria

Here is some idea of what we at Endeavour Lodge No 26 have been doing. Our brother, WBro Raymond George Stubbins received his 60-YEAR Service Jewel at our Lodge H Meeting held at the Bentley Park Centre on Saturday 23 July 2022.

There was a total of 25 brethren present and the presentation was enhanced by the presence of the District Grand Master RW Bro Raja Chohan who presented the Jewel most ably. The District Grand Master commented that such Presentations were not a regular occurrence and that the good brother should be an example of loyalty and longevity for members of his Lodge and all lodges. It was observed by RW Bro Chohan that WBro Ray was a member of Kin Kin Lodge in the South East and never resigned from his mother lodge instead affiliating with Endeavour Lodge in 2002. Bro Ray has attended Endeavour Lodge since 1988 regularly visiting the lodge when he was relieving at his work at Cooktown and other centres. It is of note that The Endeavour Lodge was the first to obtain a Travelling Warrant and to this date is forever indebted to the generosity of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland for this innovation at the time.

In response, Bro Ray thanked Kin Kin Lodge for their kind thoughts regarding the Jewel as well as The Endeavour Lodge for supporting the presentation. Bro Ray stated that he enjoyed the company and would continue to maintain his Office as Chaplain which he has occupied for some 20 years. Also at this meeting under the guiding hand of WBrother Michael Payne who officiated as Master of The Endeavour Lodge. Brother Philemon Amoa was regularly Initiated into the mysteries and privileges of our wonderful Order. The Ceremony was enhanced by the presence of RW Bro Raja Chohan and his District Grand Team. All in all, it was a very good occasion with several highlights being offered through the presentation of the Degree but the real delight is the joy in receiving a newly initiated brother into membership of The Endeavour Lodge. Bro Philemon responded most positively at the South and was welcomed by all present.

“It is of note that The Endeavour Lodge was the first to obtain a Travelling Warrant and to this date is forever indebted to the generosity of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland for this innovation at the time.”

Morayfield Lodge Looking Good

The future of Morayfield Lodge No 95 is looking very bright following its installation on 25th June 2022. With the assistance of Brethren from Bribie, Woodford, Tibrogargan, Tynewald and Hopetoun (Kilcoy) Lodges, VWor Bro Ken McDonald was installed into the chair of King Solomon at the Caboolture Masonic Centre. With exception of the IPM and DC, MM’s were installed in all other progressive floor positions.

This is the first time in some eighteen years that the Lodge has been in this fortunate position thus securing its future for many years to come. Although several members were absent on the day an enjoyable ceremony and south were enjoyed by all who were able to attend.

Honour Bestowed

Here’s a story to warm the heart and it involves our past Grand Master MW bro Paul Holland. Calen-Hamilton Lodge up in Mackay wanted to honour one of its members who had served the lodge and the community for many years. Bro Raymond Alan Braithwaite was initiated in Hamilton Lodge on 20/07/1957 he received his 60-year Jewel in 2018. Ray is widely respected, not only for serving as the Federal Member for Dawson for 21 years but also for his involvement in community organisations throughout his whole life. Known as “Sugar Ray “during his parliamentary years, Ray Braithwaite always put his constituents first. He would be acknowledged by all as honest and decent, and his opinion on any subject is always worth hearing. Ray was also well-known for championing the cause for the South Sea Islanders so much so that it was bandied around Mackay that a new fourth bridge being built over the Pioneer River last year be named in Ray’s honour, Ray being the humble person that he is let the media know strongly that he did not want that honour but to give it to a more deserving descendant of the South Sea Islanders who has done so much for this area. So, the Bridge was called the “Greg Sutherland Bridge “a descendant of the South Sea Islanders in Mackay.

Being so involved in his community he did not have the time, to properly serve his lodge in an office so had not been made a master. The lodge applied to the Grand Master to bestow on Bro Ray Braithwaite the rank of Worshipful Master this was done and following his obligation Ray was installed in the chair of Solomon.

District Grand Lodge of North QLD

– The year 2021/22

ANZAC ceremony in Townsville

The first half of 2022 has proven without doubt to be a fulfilling period for Freemasonry within North Queensland. Immediately post ANZAC Ceremonies the north was graciously visited by the Grand Master, Grand Master Elect, and their team as they continue their ‘listening tour’ around the State. Whilst the turnout was in the region of 15% of the District one must remain cognizant of the tyranny of distance in north Queensland and commend the likes of VWBro Exelby and his team travelling the hour and a half from Ingham to talk and listen. This was a very rewarding activity for both parties moreover the opportunity to form new and cement old relationships as we travel our journey.

The following day saw the Consecration of 50 Ingham Road vis a well-drilled and eloquent ceremony. This was one of those occasions seldom seen and unlikely to be seen again for some time. Whilst it is always a privilege to observe these ceremonies it must be more so, for those conducting the ceremony itself - well done to the VWBro Jackson (Dist GDC).

Did you know ..

The Masonic Lodge with the highest meeting place on the earth is Roof of the World Lodge No. 1094, of Oroya, Peru. The elevation of the Lodge room in the Andes Mountains is 14,167 above sea level. The closest competitor in the United States is Corinthian Lodge No. 35 in Leadville, Colorado with an elevation of about 10,200 feet.

District Grand Installation of North QLD New building is being utilised to the full

Unrelenting, the next event in North Queensland is the Installation of VWBro John Playford as the new District Grand Master of the Dist GL NQ on 4th June 2022. This will be a prestigious and glamorous affair showcasing the Distract Grand Lodge at its finest. Culminating and celebrated with the Installation banquet being held at the Rydges Ball Room, South Townsville. The untiring work of RWBro Beresford Whyte having seen the transition from Freemasonry’s previous home in Walker Street to its new abode in Ingham Road has set VWBro John Playford, his Deputy VWBro Joel Coleman and the incoming Dist GL Officers for success. Moreover, with a solid platform from which to propel the future of Freemasonry in the northern region of Queensland. Not to let the tempo subside, the Installation will be swiftly followed by the inaugural Dist GL NQ quarterly communication under the new District Grand Master on 11 June 2022. The culmination of a busy year will see the Dist GL NQ, along with several Lodges and Orders, celebrate their Centenary. This will be commemorated with a unique ceremony on 12 November 2022 with more information to follow. Suffice to say that the Dist GL NQ has commissioned a centenary jewel to mark this auspicious occasion based on the ‘original seal’ from the 1922 seal press. Purchasing details will become available in due course through the District Grand Lodge office.

Twin Centenaries

On the 26th of November 2022 two lodges on the Atherton Tablelands, Barrine and Ravenshoe will celebrate their 100th year with a combined rededication of their formation. Due to size restrictions, the combined meeting will be held at the Atherton Masonic Centre. Details and contact can be made to their respective secretaries Barrine, Alan Marcic on allenmarcic@bigpond. com and Henry Condon, at h.condon@ bigpond.net.au

Way back in the early 1900s men on the Tablelands had established Lodges in Atherton and 1905 in Mareeba and

The transformation for 42 Walker Street to 50 Ingham Road is now a distant memory and the new building is being utilised to the full. It was only on the weekend of 7th May 2022 that the fruition of all this labour came to the fore and pleasing to see both Lodge rooms and two festive board areas being used for two Installations; the Knights Templar Priests and Royal Order of Scotland. Hopefully an indication of things to come and a promising future ahead.

Further afield, Star of the West No 49 consecrated in 1886 conducted a welcoming first-degree ceremony in February. Hughenden being some four to five-hour drive or rather a nine to ten-hour driving round trip from Townsville transpires to a big day when consideration is given to the ‘vintage’ of some of the travellers. Ultimately all credit to the Dist GL NQ ceremonial team for their commitment. Using the District minibus, whilst promoting the Craft ‘out west’ conversely promotes esprit de corps amongst the travellers where a daily advancement in masonic knowledge can cascade in-bounds upon your senses.

Whilst the ceremony, as always passed as a great success, importantly the round trip returned safely to Townsville in the late hours of the night.

also in many of the small towns within the area. Applications for warrants by other groups were also made but due to the Great War, many of these did not happen. One such application was for a Lodge at Ravenshoe. A Grand team went by train to conduct the ceremony of consecration first to Barrine then after this on to Ravenshoe the next day Ravenshoe Lodge 297 was consecrated by M.W. Bro. Stumm on Tuesday 31 October 1922, a day after the consecration of Barrine Lodge No. 296 at Yungaburra, the name Condon has been continuously associated with Ravenshoe lodge from the beginning,

with application in the early 1900s to today, what a masonic family. For Barrine lodge Bro. R. King intimated that he would donate a piece of stone procured by him when on active service with the Australian troops, which he acquired from the quarries where the material was hewn for the building of King Solomon’s Temple. To be used for the two ashlars for Barrine Lodge. Bro TH Wensley stated that he as Junior Warden at the next regular meeting would give notice of notion re the request to Grand Lodge to form a District with headquarters at Cairns. Many of the names of famous Queensland Freemasons are associated with Atherton Tableland Lodges names like WHJ Mayers, Wensley, Roseblade and Gregory to name a few.

Flood-affected Queenslanders receive helping hand through Freemasons Disaster Relief Appeal

The contribution from Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland and their Members has made a very real difference to the lives of people doing it tough right now. These floods have devastated communities and we are seeing very high levels of distress. The recovery journey will be long, but thanks to these funds GIVIT has been able to provide essential items that are the first steps for these people on their recovery journey.” - GIVIT

The 2021-22 disaster season brought heartbreak and hardship for many Queenslanders. Up to 70,000 households from the Wide Bay to the Queensland-New South Wales border were impacted by floods. The Wide Bay-Burnett region was first in the firing line, just one week into the New Year, with remnants of extropical cyclone Seth hovering over the region for days. Then about a month later, a different weather system brought torrential rain to south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. To put this into perspective, the impacted area is said to be equivalent to the entire length of the United Kingdom. Find out how Hand Heart Pocket and the Freemasons of

Queensland have supported disaster relief efforts for those most in need.

Queensland has endured its fair share of natural disasters and the Freemasons of Queensland have always been generous. Whether it’s joining the mud army to help with the clean up or opening up their wallets to donate what they can.

Over the last few months $211,000 has been distributed across floodravaged parts of the State through Hand Heart Pocket’s new disaster relief partnership with GIVIT – a Queensland based not-for-profit that works with local community organisations on the ground to ensure people get exactly

what they need in the aftermath of a natural disaster or other circumstances creating hardship.

Funds from the Hand Heart Pocket Disaster Relief Appeal have helped to provide the basic essentials, like vouchers for groceries, fuel and clothing as well as hardware, whitegoods and furniture. The vouchers have been spent as locally as possible, helping local businesses as well.

Hand Heart Pocket CEO Sara Parrott said the partnership with GIVIT was the perfect fit given the Freemasons sense of compassion for people facing hardship in the community.

“This partnership allowed us to provide immediate support on behalf of the Freemasons of Queensland, whilst also allowing Members and their families to contribute financially if they could,” Ms Parrott said.

“As soon as GIVIT’s assessor were on the ground, we were able to get a clearer picture of the situation and the level of need, enabling us to tailor our response.

“We initially donated $20,000 to the Wide Bay region and a further $80,000 after the deluge in South-East Queensland. These decisions were made within a matter of days of the disasters.

Hand Heart Pocket also received support from the fraternity in Victoria, with Freemasons Victoria and Freemasons Foundation Victoria donating $100,000 to the appeal.

“The partnership means Hand Heart Pocket can respond quickly on behalf of our Members no matter when or where disasters occur across Queensland.”

Grand Hall Concert on 8 May

North Australian Lodge No 1 (NAL1), the premier lodge in Queensland, regularly offers lectures and illustrations of the 7 Arts & Sciences at its meetings. Focussed on one of Freemasonry’s key objectives, Charity, NAL1 renewed with a tradition to offer musical concerts in the Grand Hall of the Masonic Memorial Centre.

On Mother’s Day Sunday 8th May, a baroque charity concert of Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons was offered in aid of ‘headspace by Stride’ the charity supporting Youth at Risk, in line with the Strategy of Freemason charity HandHeartPocket.

Over 130 guests gathered to listen to the rousing sound of the Sinfonia of St Andrew’s and its Soloist Robert Smith under the canopy of the Grand Hall, delivering an uplifting and inspiring rendering of this mellow piece of baroque musical art. The Grand Hall provides a unique environment of harmonic intensity to the sound of music. Violins, harpsichord, and violas wrapped the audience in a wave of frequencies, timbre and intonation that are not matched in any other venues.

The concert was followed by a reception in Room 2 of the Centre with an abundance of Champagne, canapés and other drinks leading to brouhaha of joyful congratulations and thanks from the audience. The NAL1 team was thrilled to see so many people enjoying their time with us. No doubt an experience to be repeated.

Go to our website www.handheartpocket.org.au/news to read about the impact we’ve had.

The philanthropic foundation is set announce another partnership to help foster resilience among Queensland communities rebuilding after a natural disaster. Watch this space to find out how the Freemasons of Queensland can get involved.

Find out More For more information about Hand Heart Pocket, visit www.handheartpocket.org.au

“Our Brothers and all our friends in Queensland have suffered greatly during the recent floods. We hope that this financial gift assists in the recovery and helps things get back to normal as soon as possible,” said Rodney Lavin, the Chairman of Freemasons Foundation Victoria

Guide dog fundraiser

Dining in the Dark is a sensory experience that gives a small glimpse into what it’s like to dine like thousands of people in Queensland living with low vision or blindness. Your ticket included a 2-course meal, and we asked all guests to experience their main meal under blindfolds.

The function commenced at 6:30 and there were 52 people including 8 Brethren in attendance.

The night was opened by our WM and Rebecca McCormack from Guide Dogs, and the guests were informed that our lodge, Barron Barnett Lodge was the host. Thanks were expressed to all the Grand Officers who bought raffle tickets and in so doing, donated to this cause. Thanks, were also extended to the members from Enoggera-Thistle Lodge, Thespian Lodge, Redcliff First Settlement, and Northgate Remembrance as well as the many guests from different organizations who helped raise $6,007.

Thanks to our charity Hand Heart Pocket (HHP) matched this with a $$ amount to double it. Finally, to all the sponsors for their very generous Gifts & Vouchers valued at more than $2,000.

More donations are needed and welcomed as the cost of training a guide dog has now reached $50,000. It takes 2 years to complete training a guide dog for the blind and visually impaired. If we can raise $50000, imagine the difference this will make for an individual who needs the support of a guide dog.

“More donations are needed and welcomed as the cost of training a guide dog has now reached $50,000. It takes 2 years to complete training a guide dog for the blind and visually impaired.”

Helping Queenslanders with low vision and blindness is something Guide Dogs has been doing for more than 60 years, and we are honoured to have supported this wonderful organisation to continue their help to more people and train more life-changing guide dogs.

There are so many people to thank, but a personal note of gratitude to our WM, without whose energy this event could not have occurred. He has been a beacon of light and leadership for our little Lodge and for Charity. Our immediate Past Master Pat Malone closed the night and again expressed our thanks to all.

If you would like to know more about Barron Barnett Lodge, please contact our WM John Zamofing 0415 308 229.

Find out More

To find out more about Guide Dogs or to contribute, contact Rebecca McCormack Community Partnerships Advisor –South East Qld Region Queensland on 07 3500 9088 or 0428 745 718

One of the most important values of Freemasonry is Charity

Freemasons Qld has a special charity, the Masonic Fund of Benevolence or MFOB. One of MFOBs ongoing initiatives is to donate defibrillators to Masonic Lodges which are to be used in wider community.

The concept of defibrillators for each Masonic Centre across the jurisdiction was created by RW Bros Devine and Munro.

The Automatic Defibrillators are now being distributed by one of MFOBs Champions RW Bro Chris Devine CSM PSGW.

Our Brother can be seen in the pictures donating one of the defibrillators to Waminda Services at the request of Dalby United Lodge No 180 UGLQ. Waminda Services is a disability service provider under the NDIS program, providing care for people from ages 8 to 60.

$20,000 grant to Respite Centre

The combined lodges of Maryborough, Star of the East No21, Fraser Coast United Lodge No19H, Mundubbera-Burnett Lodge No326, & Maryborough Lodge No86; together contributed towards a $20,000.00 HHP grant to enable the Burrum Districts Respite Centre Howard to build an additional building for their administration. This Grant enables the Centre to provide extra space for their clients to enjoy this Community Based Centre. Local Freemasons at work are helping out.

Tewantin Lodge No 355

The Tewantin Lodge with the assistance and partnership of Hand Heart Pocket donated a solar system to the Katie Rose Cottage Hospice at a cost of $13,888.00 which will save the Hospice $3000.00 a year in their power consumption. The Lodge has supported this Hospice for some years as past members and relatives of members have been able to live out their final days in comfort and have family members present at no cost.

“Waminda Services is a disability service provider under the NDIS program, providing care for people from ages 8 to 60.“

Conferred Grand Rank

01/01/22 - 18/05/22 - The Grand Master has bestowed:

PREFIX NAME

LODGE NAME

LODGE NO. GRAND RANK

RW Bro Christopher John DEVINE CSM Dennistoun 301 PAGM

Wor Bro Robert Frederick ROHAN Muttaburra 464 PG Swd Br

Wor Bro Maurice Leslie HOWELL Darling Downs 66 PG Swd Br

Service Jewels Presented

Jewels notified as presented 01/01/22 - 18/05/22

50 YEAR JEWEL PRESENTATIONS

PREFIX FIRST NAME

LAST NAME

LODGE NAME

LODGE NO.

VW Bro Arthur HAWTHORN Mundubbera-Burnett 326

RW Bro Ian John BARRETT Kennedy 11

RW Bro Donald James WUST Blackwater 512

VW Bro Michael John PITCHER Tynwald 262

Wor Bro Clive Robert GREET Hutton 238

Wor Bro Roger James BRADY Myora 517

Wor Bro Owen Francis VICKERS Caboolture 266

Wor Bro David James FRASER Proserpine Whitsunday 251

RW Bro Gary John YOUNG Gatton 87

VW Bro Ronald Donnellan CAPPS Cleveland 74

Wor Bro Peter Robin O’HARA Springsure 41

Wor Bro Gregory Edwin LANE Sir Wylie Norman 79

Wor Bro John Norman PILE Redcliffe First Settlement 287

Wor Bro Thomas David BARNS Tyrian 27

Wor Bro Francis John MOYNIHAN Athole 53

Bro Bruce THOMPSON Charles Stumm 367

Wor Bro Albert William BAKER Archer 467

Wor Bro Ian Angus WATHERSTON Caloundra 387

Wor Bro Geoffrey Alexander VIVIAN Landsborough 458

Wor Bro John Edwin DONALD Pyramid Highleigh 161

Bro John KOINA Pioneer 16

Wor Bro Bevan Francis ANDERSON Pioneer 16

Bro Anthony William BROWNE Connectivity 537

Wor Bro Alexander Roderick McFADEN Sarina 286

Wor Bro Robert Leigh ELSON Wynnum 81

Wor Bro John Edward OWER Thespian 268

Wor Bro Robert Percy FAULCONBRIDGE Woolloongabba Daylight 140

RW Bro Ronald Fran DONNELLAN Millican 137

Bro Norman William GOODFELLOW Hinchinbrook Cordelia 69

Wor Bro Fredrick Warren KAERGER Archer 467

Service Jewels Presented

Jewels notified as presented 01/01/22 - 18/05/22

60 YEAR JEWEL PRESENTATIONS

PREFIX FIRST NAME

LAST NAME

LODGE NAME

LODGE NO.

RW Bro Brian Begbie ALLEN Augathella 319

Wor Bro Norman Edward HASSUM Rathdowney 310

VW Bro Gordon James SIMPSON Bentley Park 311

Wor Bro Robert PALMER Tully Tyson 340

VW Bro Edmund John ROGERS Indooroopilly 155

Wor Bro Leslie Reginald KELLY Argyle 164

Wor Bro Raymond George STUBBINS Kin Kin 352

Wor Bro Brian DALGARNO Celtic of Ithaca 84

RW Bro Graeme Ross GEIZER Toowoomba 132

Bro Keith Roderick HERRON Connectivity 537

Wor Bro Ian Gordon ARMOUR Connectivity 537

Wor Bro John Mathais FRANCIS Viking 394

Wor Bro Brian Keith WATSON Enoggerra-Thistle 304

Bro George Leslie SCHWENNESEN Meandarra 461

VW Bro Raymond William Hyde BAILEY Cleveland 74

Bro Brian Albert RIMMINGTON Wandoan 455

Service Jewels Presented

Jewels notified as presented 01/01/22 - 18/05/22

70 YEAR JEWEL PRESENTATIONS

PREFIX FIRST NAME

LAST NAME

LODGE

LODGE NO.

Wor Bro Maurice Edwin KOCH Hervey Bay Daylight 521

Wor Bro Kenneth Archibald Crago McDONALD Morayfield 95

RW Bro Charles Francis Boysen BURTON Stanthorpe 22

RW Bro Robert Alexander MILNE Harmony Daylight 530

Presentation of 50 Year Service Jewel to Wor Bro John Norman Pile

At a celebratory Morning tea held at his residence at Little Mountain, Caloundra, Wor Bro John Pile, a member of Redcliffe First Settlement Lodge No 287 was presented with his 50 Year Service Jewel by RW Bro Chris Pyke RFD PAGM. John was Initiated in General Gordon Lodge No 46 on 27th March 1972, passed on 3rd June 1972 and raised on 26th March 1973. He remained a member of General Gordon Lodge until December 1992 when the Lodge handed in its Warrant. John then joined Mathew Flinders Lodge No 414, which met on the Redcliffe Peninsular and remained a member until July 2000 when Mathew Flinders Lodge No 414, Redcliffe Lodge No 287 and Scarborough Temperance Lodge No 460 amalgamated to form Redcliffe First Settlement Lodge No 287 John continued his membership with Redcliffe First Settlement Lodge No 287 and was Installed as Wor Master of the Lodge on 28th July 2001 John continued to attend meetings of Redcliffe First Settlement Lodge until 2004 when he and his wife Valma retired to their current Residence at Caloundra and nighttime travel precluded his attendance at meetings although he still retains his Lodge Membership. John and Valma continue to enjoy their retirement at Caloundra and enjoy getting out and about in the community whenever they are able.

Presentation of 60 Year Service Jewel to Wor Bro Norman Maxwell Wedmaier PJGD

At the Maroochydore Lodge February meeting Festive Board, attended by 35 Members and Visitors, RW Bro Roy Fursman PAGM presented his longtime friend Wor Bro Norm Wedmaier PJGD with his 60 Year Service Jewel. Norm has been a stalwart of Maroochydore Lodge since 1995, serving as WM for the year 2010 – 2011 and for most other years filling a Ceremonial Office in the Lodge, with the most recent being Senior Warden for the year 2019 – 2020. Norm was Initiated in Taringa Lodge No 76 on 28 October 1958, Passed on 7 April 1959 and Raised on 19 May 1959. He remained a member of Taringa Lodge until 1969 and after a 2 Year break joined Stafford Lodge No 413 where he remained a member until 1995. During his membership of Stafford Lodge Norm was elected to every Office except those of Secretary and Treasurer and was Installed as Wor Master for the year 1979 – 1980.

On 10th March 1989 Norm received the Conferred Rank of PJGD and following his Elevation he has regularly served as an Officer on Local Grand Lodge Teams. After relocating to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, he joined Maroochydore Lodge No 392 in 1995. In 2008 Maroochydore Lodge presented Norm with a Life Patron Charity Jewel in recognition of his ongoing support of Freemasonry on the Sunshine Coast.

Throughout his participation in Freemasonry, Norm has been enthusiastically supported by his late wife Shirley who passed away in July 2021. Shirley was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star as well as regularly joining Norm at Maroochydore Lodge Social activities, Installation Banquets and Christmas Celebrations. Another of Shirley’s interest was cake icing and for many years she iced the cake for the Maroochydore Lodge Christmas meeting as well as many of the member’s own Christmas Cakes. Norm is recovering well from a short period of ill health and is now again regularly attending Maroochydore Lodge meetings. He is also taking the opportunity to do some travelling and catch up with friends and family throughout Queensland.

Presentation of 60 Year Service Jewel to Sir Graham McCamley KB MBE

Brother Sir Graham McCamley KB MBE was presented his 60-year jewel for his services to Freemasonry. Bro McCamley was instrumental in developing the Braham Breed in Australia and the world. He was also instrumental in establishing the Cattlemen’s Union of Australia as its founding President.

Bro McCamley has dedicated his life to the Cattle industry in Australia and was honoured by Queen Elizabeth for his services firstly with an MBE and then his Knighthood.

Presentation of 60 Year Service Jewel to Wor Bro Alan Clayton

A UGLQ Sixty year jewel and pin was presented to W. Bro. Alan Clayton by R.W. Bro. Michael Muirhead PSGW at the Regular meeting of Caboolture Lodge No. 266 UGLQ formerly Lodge Caboolture 1178 SC. consecrated 16th August 1918 on the 18th February 2021. Alan was also presented with his 50 year service Jewel by R.W. Bro. Michael Muirhead at the United Services Lodge No. 124 UGLQ on the 3rd September 2011. Alan was Initiated by Esoteric Lodge No. 207 9th June 1955 at the age of 21 years. He joined Caboolture Lodge No. 266 UGLQ on the 17th November 2016 where he is an active member. Thank you.Norm is recovering well from a short period of ill health and is now again regularly attending Maroochydore Lodge meetings. He is also taking the opportunity to do some travelling and catch up with friends and family throughout Queensland.

Did you know .. Freemasonic symbols

Freemasonic symbols are usually regarded as existing because of the secrecy of the fraternity.

However, in reality, Freemasonry started being illustrated by symbols because at the very beginning most Freemasons could not read, so the symbols served to remind the members of the teachings of the Fraternity.

This same philosophy applies to signs and tokens as up until the modern era, most could not read or write and these were the credentials, resumes and diplomas of the day.

Presentation of 60 Year Service Jewel to RW Bro Brian Begbie Allen PJGW

In a Ceremony that may have been unique in Queensland, RW Bro Brian Allen PJGW was presented with his 60 Year Service Jewel by his proposer into Freemasonry, RW Bro John Raleigh PJGW, at Brian’s residence close to Maleny in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Following RW Bro Raleigh’s presentation address and Jewel’s presentation, he invited Brian’s wife, Gillian, to invest Brian with his pin. His late father-in-law who was a Freemason presented Brian with his first Master Mason’s carry case.

Brian was proposed as a member of Augathella Lodge No 319 by RW Bro Raleigh on 14 October 1961. He was Initiated as a member of Augathella Lodge on 17 March 1962, Passed and Raised in that same year. He served the Office of Wor Master of Augathella Lodge in 1967 and again in 1991 and 2000. Brian has remained a member of Augathella Lodge for the duration of his 60 years of Service. Since 2009 he has been the UGLQ Country Lodge Representative for Augathella Lodge No 319. Over the years Brian has been a member, for various periods, of 5 other Queensland Lodges.

He joined Morven Lodge No 463 in 1963 and was Installed as Wor Master in 1970 and 1981 and was subsequently Invested as Secretary. Other Lodges were Quilpie No 510 (Auditor), Kenilworth No 374, Maleny No 230 where he served the office of Wor Master in 2013 and

Montville Lodge No 260 (Auditor) where he is also a current a member. In 1997 Brian Received the Conferred Rank of PDGDC and was Invested as an AGSW in 1982, an Office which he served for 2 years, District AGSWs only served 2 years because of travelling distances and costs. As an Outback AGSW Brian had to travel considerable distances to visit the Lodges in his District with two of them necessitating overnight stays when visiting. The Lodges were Augathella 45 km, Morven 75 km, Charleville 115 km, Cunnamulla 220 km and Quilpie 220 km. Visits to Cunnamulla and Quilpie both required overnight stays in Motels. In 1998 Brian received the Conferred Rank of PJGW and he is also the recipient of a Life Patron Charity Jewel which he received in 1974.

Brian has been a member of Other Masonic Orders.

1996 Mark Master No 87 Charleville

1967 Supreme Council Royal Arch No 87 Charleville

1971 Supreme Council XXX 111 No 545 Rose Croix Charleville

1978 Supreme Council XXX 111 No 545 Rose Croix Charleville MW Sovereign

1990 Supreme Council XXX 111 No 11 Maranoa-Grand Elect Knight Kadar 30

Brian’s working life has revolved around the sheep and cattle industry. In 1959 he and his wife Gillian moved to the family agricultural property Allandale outside of Augathella which at that time was grazing sheep. In 1980 they converted to grazing cattle and continued until they sold the property in 2000 and relocated to Maleny. In more recent times Brian and Gillian have been able to satisfy their love of international travel and have ventured to interesting locations all around the world. Having a daughter living in Switzerland has made their European visits easier as they have had a base from which to operate.

Nowadays, in retirement, Brian and Gillian are involved in various Community Organisations including – Rotary, Probus, Zonta, Hospital Auxiliary, Community JP Services and generally helping out wherever possible.

A dedicated Brother continuing to live up to the commitments he made out West some 60 years ago.

In These Red Pages

This issue of the Red Pages contains articles sourced by V Ex Comp Duncan McGregor. Duncan firstly provides an article on the search for the true resting place of Noah’s Ark. Following are extracts from a paper entitled ‘Masonic Astronomy and the Royal Arch of the Heavens’ written by Companion David Cook (UGLQ’s Grand Librarian). David presented the full paper in 2012 as the Ken Wells Memorial Address at Barron Barnett Lodge No 146.

considered holy mountains. Comparing the geography of the four holy mountains, Alvand best fits the description in Genesis 11:2 of people moving “from the east” into Shinar and Sumerian literature describing the location of Aratta.

Tomb of Shem

Marked Well: The Reality behind the Mark Master Degree

Near the top of Alvand mountain, there is a local legend that the tomb of Shem is located just below the summit. This would be consistent with the Book of Jubilees that states Noah and Shem stayed on or near the mountain after the Flood. Jubilees also mentions that Noah was buried on the mountain the Ark landed.

The following pictures show what is left of the claimed tomb of Shem. In addition to the stone walls, there are traces of reddish-colour mud bricks that are said to have been used for the top portion in the past.

Kuh-e Alvand is Persian for Mount Alvand. Located in the Zagros mountains near the city of Hamadan in northwestern Iran at map coordinates 34.664167, 48.486667, the elevation of Alvand is 3,580 meters or 11,750 feet, making it one of the tallest mountains in this ancient region.

The purpose of this article is to provide reasons why Alvand should be considered the modern name and location for ancient Ararat and Aratta—the probable landing site of Noah’s Ark.

The ceremony of being Advanced as a Mark Master Mason, more than any other degree, reminds us of the Operative Craft Lodges of the Middle Ages. It is in King Solomon’s Quarries, represents the completion of our Fellow Craft Degree, and is chronologically placed in the time when King Solomon’s Temple was under construction during the years 974 to 967 B.C., where Entered Apprentices, Fellow Crafts, and Mark Masters were symbolically stationed in the quarries preparing the stones for the Holy Temple.

In speculative Freemasonry, the Fellow Craft Degree teaches us to train and educate our faculties; improve our intellect and increase our knowledge as required of us as skillful Craftsmen employed in building the great Temple of Humanity.

The Fellow Craft Degree and the work done in the stone yards symbolically parallel the work we must perform upon ourselves in preparation for the day we assume our own special and individual role in the world toward the service of our fellow man.

In the early 1700s, various documents referred to Masons claiming their wages by the use of Signs and Marks. These details, of course, refer specifically to the Guild of Operative Masons.

Early in the research process, “holy mountains” in Turkey and Iran were used in searches to lter possible locations. The thinking here is that something as important and signi cant as where Noah’s Ark landed and human civilization started (again) would permeate throughout history. Almost every ancient culture maintains a flood legend. In Turkey, both Ararat and Cudi are considered holy mountains. Generally, Bible-believing Christians hold Mount Ararat in Turkey as the traditional landing site of Noah’s Ark, while Muslims adhering to the Koran believe that Mount Cudi (pronounced Judi in Turkish) in southern Turkey is the location where Noah’s Ark landed. In Iran, both Damavand and Alvand are

With the growth of speculative Freemasons’ Lodges throughout Britain and the Continent at that time, many degrees were developed which frequently made use of old customs and legends. Nothing could have been riper for incorporation than the custom of using one’s Mark on one’s work. (left are marks found at Roslin Chapel).

The oldest reference discovered so far revealed details of a night’s work in Portsmouth on the 1st of September 1769; when speculative Brethren were given their Marks during a Mark Degree. Other records confirm the working of Mark Degrees by the 1770s in various parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Shem’s grave is located approximately 20 meters (65 feet) below the summit rock formation. The tomb dimensions are 5.5 meters (18 feet) by 2.5 meters (8 feet). It appears there was a wall made of stones with the roof made of mud or red clay bricks. Some climbers of Alvand say the roof was destroyed sometime around the 1980’s by treasure hunters, and the stone wall is now shorter. It is common to see a candle lit near Shem’s grave, especially during the summer religious ceremonies in August.

In the preamble to his being Advanced to the Degree of a Mark Master Mason, the candidate, a Master Mason, is informed by the Worshipful Mark Master (WMM) that: “Formerly it was the custom in a Fellow Craft Lodge for each Craftsman to select a particular Mark by which his work might be known. That Mark was recorded in the Register of the Lodge to which he belonged and was never afterwards altered.”

The picture which follows shows the distance from the edge of Shem’s grave to summit. The Book of Jubilees 10:15 “And Noah slept with his fathers, and was buried on Mount Lubar in the land of Ararat.” In 7:16 it states “And Shem dwelt with his father Noah, and built a city close to his father on the mountain”. A legend of Shem’s grave on the mountain where the Ark landed is just what one would expect from reading the Book of Jubilees. Noah was likely buried in this same tomb or nearby. The legend of Shem’s tomb near the summit of Alvand gives

The WMM also advises him: “As however, these portions of our ancient ceremony have fallen into disuse, and indeed are now altogether omitted in a Fellow Craft Lodge, it is necessary for the purposes of this Degree that you be instructed in those ancient customs.”

And this is an ideal introduction to this paper because our Ritual is telling us that the basic difference between the Fellow Craft Degree and Mark Masonry is, as the name implies, the Mark.

But before considering the practical history of the Mark, we must keep in mind three things - the important relevance it plays within the Mark Master Degree ceremony; the message being imparted; and what we should learn from it.

Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry provides an excellent overview, which summarized a little, says:

“The traditions of the degree make it of great historical importance, because through the influence of his Mark, each Operative Mason at the building of the Temple was known and distinguished, and the disorder and confusion which might otherwise have attended so immense an undertaking was completely prevented.

In its symbolic signification as being illustrative of the Fellow Craft, the Mark Master Degree is particularly directed to the inculcation of order, regularity and discipline. It teaches us that we should discharge all the duties of our several stations with precision and punctuality; that the work of our hands and the thoughts of our hearts should be good and true – not unfinished and imperfect, not sinful and defective – but such as the Great Overseer and Judge of heaven and earth, will see fit to approve as a worthy oblation from His creatures.

If the Fellow Craft Degree is devoted to the inculcation of learning, then that of the Mark Master is intended to instruct us how that learning can most usefully and judiciously be employed for our benefit and the profit of others.

And the Senior Warden’s Charge in the Mark Degree encourages us to understand that although our motives may sometimes be misinterpreted by our erring fellow mortals, our attainments be underrated, and our reputations are traduced by the envious and malicious, there is one, at least, who sees not with the eyes of man, but may yet make that stone which the builders rejected, the head of the corner.

The intimate connection then, between the second and fourth degrees of Masonry is, that while the Fellow Craft inculcates the necessary exercise of all the duties of life, the Mark Master teaches the importance of performing them with systematic regularity. The true Mark Master Mason is the type of man mentioned in the sacred parable who received from his master this approval: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter into the joys of thy Lord.” Doctor Albert Mackey’s words, published in 1917, have lost none of their relevance for the 21stCentury Mark Master Mason.

Brethren, I think it would be fair to say that most of us after our school days were over and history lessons were no more, gave little if any further thought to mediaeval masons and the

masterpieces they had created.

(above York Minster Cathedral finished in 1472 68 m wide 160 m long and the tower 72m high and is still in use)

However, once we had been initiated, we gradually learned that Speculative Masonry was derived from their practices and that therefore they were our Masonic forebears. We had their operative tools presented to us, but the emphasis was on the moral or spiritual significance, and it was not until we were advanced in Mark Masonry that we gave any real thought to the mason’s craft in general and their marks in particular.

So, let’s consider these Ancient Marks :

Companion C N Bathan, PAGDC of the English Constitution, whose research paper I enjoyed many years ago, has been heavily relied upon for some of the following content and I acknowledge his contribution. He says:

“The oldest marks known are on the stones of the Great Pyramid in Egypt and date from approximately 2800 B.C. Admittedly, these may be quarry marks, rather than the marks of individual workmen but these old marks continued in use as Mason’s Marks certainly until the Middle Ages and in fact, if only as a matter of Craft pride in maintaining a tradition, until the present day. Thus, their history goes back just on 5,000 years.”

There are also Mason’s Marks on the old walls of Jerusalem, referred to by Josephus in his ‘Jewish Antiquities’, written in the first century A.D. They were rediscovered in the course of excavations carried out at the end of the last century by Sir Charles Warren, the first Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, and a peculiar thing they have in common with those of the Great Pyramid, is that while some marks are cut in the stone, many are painted in red colours, like vermillion, thus providing evidence of a custom among masons that covered an area extending from Egypt to Palestine – a considerable distance for those days.

brethren, we see some striking similarities to the Obligation we take today in our Mark Master ceremonial.

Now let’s consider English Marks:

In England, marks came into general use in the early part of the 11th century. The study of them is interesting, and if we conclude that marks were to identify the workman who had prepared the stones, it is logical to believe there must have been some organization for the registration of these marks.

Possibly there was some temporary record on the site of every important building, if only for the guidance of the architects or overseers, who would be looking out for bad or shoddy workmanship, but apart from this possibility, it seems that only in Scotland and Germany did any system of registration exist. In Scotland, every mason, on being admitted to the fraternity, had to enter his name, and mark it in the Guild Register in the presence of witnesses. In Germany, members of the Steinmetzen (i.e., Operative Stonemasons) had to take an oath that they would not alter or vary their marks in any way.

The marks at Jerusalem are Phoenician in character - hardly surprising as the walls were built by a Phoenician architect utilizing Phoenician workmen. Opinions vary considerably among experts as to when they were built and there is justifiable conjecture it was in the time of King Solomon, though there has never been any mark found to confirm that theory.

Marks of a similar kind are found not only in Egypt and Palestine, but also in the buildings of ancient Persia; in the Crusader’s work in Syria and throughout Europe, and even in India though the earliest example found in that sub-continent was as recent as circa 250 B.C.

The stonemasons of Germany laid great importance upon the use of Marks, and in the Torgan Ordinances of 1462 , we find these inclusions:

Ordinance 25. “And if a master or fellow come free of the craft or trade, and demand a mark of a workmaster, to him shall be grant his wish”

Ordinance 26 . “No master shall withhold his mark from his apprentice for a further space than XIII days unless it be that the apprentice has wasted his master’s time.”

Ordinance 27. “And no master shall show any reluctance to pledge his apprentice’s mark, and the several clericals whom he may bid thereto, with a penny wheaten loaf of XX grams, meat, and two stoups of wine, and the apprentice shall not bid more than X fellows, and if he bid more, then he shall pay more, that the master suffer not thereby.”

Ordinance 30. “The master may lend his apprentice a mark to travel during his apprenticeship, if the master have no employment, and must let him travel.”

And in these few Ordinances published over 550 years ago

At the first recorded meeting of that famous Scottish Lodge, Mother Kilwinning No 0, on 20th December 1642, there were 26 members present, only four of whom signed their names, though all 26 recorded their marks. On the other hand, thirtyfive years later, at the December meeting in 1677, there was only 14 present, but all fourteen signed their names while twelve also made their marks.

Marks Today:

Even though the practice was tending to die out, marks were still being placed on stones at the end of the 19th century – as in the case of the Catholic Church of St Michael and All Saints at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, which was built in the early 1870s. Which raises the question: Why don’t we find them proliferating among our Churches, Abbeys and Cathedrals? There are several reasons.

Until comparatively recent times, marks were cut very delicately, partly so as not to damage or deface the stone in

any way and partly because the marks were required for only a short time, and therefore it was not necessary to give them any degree of permanency.

Another reason is that though marks were usually cut on the face of the stone, sometimes they were cut on the bed, possibly because tally marks indicating the position of the stones were placed there, and it was easier to cut both on the same surface.

Again, in rebuilding, stones were frequently reversed and so the marks were lost to sight, while climatic conditions have gradually erased marks from building exteriors. But the greatest enemy was the Victorian restorer, who seemed to regard mason’s marks as unholy and removed them during the process of retooling the stone. And finally, from around the year 1800 onwards, it became the custom to place all marks on the stone bed where they cannot be seen. And of course, the relatively few operative stonemasons of today who may be engaged in restoration work do not mark replacement stones because they are now virtually all machine-cut.

That said, there remain some English country areas where stonemasons will still place their mark upon a stone, even those which have been machined because they retain an interest in the history of their craft and wish to preserve an ancient tradition. Companion Bathan, the author of this information, wrote that he had visited churches in Scotland where the only marks found were upon those new stones which had been used to repair. He suggests that any brother looking for marks in churches, also look at bridges and old stone buildings. He especially recommends those places which the restorers of Ecclesiastical buildings would have found difficult to reach – upper levels, newel staircases, and at the base of any window higher than five and a half metres (18 feet) above ground level.

Marks in other fields:

And it was not only Masons who made use of Marks. History shows that almost every Craft and Trade did so, and some forms still survive. Most people have heard of ‘Hall marks’ stamped on the work of Goldsmiths and Silversmiths – marks indented on the work from the 16th century onwards. These marks identified the maker, the date and the place of manufacture and it is not often realized that these are the equivalent of masons’ marks.

In ancient China, Persia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, marks were affixed by weavers to their fabrics, by potters, by fletchers to their arrows and the list goes on. The mention of potters recalls that one of the oldest known marks is the swastika, which has been found inscribed on pottery dating back to 2500 B.C. The term “Swastika” is the ancient Sanskrit name for this symbol which originally had a meaning of “luck” or “well-being”. It is an ancient symbol representing the sun, but the horrific abuses which were inflicted under the sign of the swastika by Hitler and his Nazi movement during the Second World War have ensured that this former emblem of good-will has been transformed by historical events into an unfashionable symbol that is now reviled.

In Scottish Lodges, perhaps because the operative element continued for so much longer, marks have always played a greater part in the life of Scottish Masons than their English counterparts. Bathan informs us that an obvious example of this, involved one of Scotland’s most famous masons, the poet Robert Burns and his first great love, Mary Campbell.

They pledged eternal love from opposite sides of the river Ayr in a ritualistic ceremony that held a Masonic influence. Vows of fidelity were

pronounced, and Bibles were exchanged, the names of the two being written on the flyleaves, together with Burns’ Masonic mark. On one flyleaf was written: ‘And ye shall not swear by My Name falsely, I am the Lord.’ (Leviticus, 19:12), and on the other: ‘Thou shall not forswear thyself but shall perform unto the Lord thine oaths.’ (Matthew, Chapter 5, verse 53).

However, Mary Campbell’s parents, who were opposed to the match, packed her off to Canada where she died soon afterwards, and her bible was found amongst her belongings, with their names erased and part of Burns’ mark obliterated. It can now be seen in the Burns Museum. It should be noted that there was nothing derogatory in using a mark in those days, especially if in the form of a cross, and it certainly did not imply illiteracy.

The cross had a higher value on a document than a written name and it mattered little whether the individual’s name was written by a scribe or clerk, so long as the individual made his mark. Hence arose the saying about a man ‘making his mark in the world.’ And while our VSL is open at Ezekial 44 during the Mark Master Mason degree, and contains the words, “Son of Man, mark well,” there is another passage of scripture that is remarkably appropriate to the Mark Degree also.

In Matthew 20, verses 1 to 16, we read: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and to them, he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So, they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour, he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning with the first, up to the last.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have

borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? So, the last will be first, and the first last.’

In our Mark degree ceremony, every mark man receives a penny. A denarius was worth about 17 pence, but we, as Mark Master Masons, are more interested in the analogy itself, rather than the currency conversion factor. The similarities of this Scripture reading to our ceremony of assembling the Craftsman in the north and marching them in procession to the Senior Warden’s wicket to receive their wages is quite remarkable. And again, in the closing ceremony, the SW, who is charged by the Worshipful Mark Master with paying the workmen their wages if any are due, is asked: “are all satisfied in the north and west?” to which he replies: “All are satisfied in the north and west.”

I add one small proviso. This Scripture reference is from the New Testament. Nowadays, with Freemasonry being nondenominational, our Masonic readings are derived from the Old Testament to preserve ‘universality’. But as freemasonry

United in Travel

was, before 1723, based on a Christian foundation, who is to say that this passage may well have been the embryonic inspiration for both the degree and the lessons it imparts? We’ll never know, but we are perfectly entitled to speculate.

And brethren, I think this is the perfect note upon which to conclude this paper on “Marked Well - The reality behind the Mark Master Degree” because this Biblical parable very nicely parallels the lessons of the Mark Degree regarding, order, regularity, and discipline.

M Ex Comp R J Lane (Ron), PGH, DGE (Qld) First Grand Principal NZ

25.11.2010 - BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Royal Arch Ritual: Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland. Third Reprint June 2006

Here and There in Mark Masonry: Comp C N Bathan, PAGDC (EC)

Transactions of NZ No 3 Published Vol 6 No 5 The Research Chapter March 1988

Encyclopedia of Freemasonry: Albert G Mackey, McClure Publishing Co., Philadelphia 1917.

Group picture L-R: WBro George Shaw, MWBro Peter Kirwan PGM, MWBro Daniel Ganon Grand Master GLWA, VWBro Jim Walker Deputy Grand Master, VWBro Cliff Hope, Kylie-Ann Tomlinson, RWBro Ian Tomlinson PGSEC UGLQ, WBro Paul Owen

It has been over 2 years since we had the opportunity for members of the Israel 2020 tour group to get the chance to catch up again. The tour was organised in early 2020 by Brother Rabbi Adi Cohen, (pictured) who lived in Perth and now lives in Queensland with his family. It has been a long time since we could attend a Grand Installation

with our Interstate brethren. As always it was great to catch up with our brothers, often with their partners. So, it is with great pleasure that our Most Worshipful Grand Master, MWBro Daniel Ganon from Western Australia, accompanying the Grand Lodge of Western Australia team and attending brethren are able to be in Brisbane.

We wish your United Grand Lodge of Queensland Grand Master, MWBro Jeffrey Harper and Grand team, a happy and successful 3 years. Likewise, we wish your now Past Grand Master MWBro Paul Holland happiness and good health as he transitions to Past Grand Master.

Did you know ..

When Mussolini gained control of Italy, Masonic lodges were declared illegal and the Grand Master was arrested, tried, and imprisoned, where he died. Mussolini also ordered all Masonic references removed, including the emblems on the base of Garibaldi’s monument in Rome.

On his famous solo flight across the Atlantic, Charles Lindbergh wore a square and compasses on his jacket as a good luck piece. He was a mason.

Eight of the people who signed the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons

The Grand Master of Mass. commanded rebels at Bunker Hill while the Grand Master of England commanded English forces. The G.M of Mass. was killed.

Across Down

3. a place to start (9)

6. meaning earth measure (8)

7. an irregular stone mason (5)

11. first loyal toast (5)

12. one of three (8)

14. starts rough then gets better (6) is known for his swordsmanship First articifer (9)

22. more honourable than the order of the Garter (5)

23. The Master has this (3)

25. mentioned in the first degree and illuminated (10)

26. represents the five points of fellowship (9)

1. could be classedas a cheater (8)

2. just right and regular (5)

4. geometry, and honest (6)

5. involves hand heart pocket (11)

7. The most ornate slender ans sleek (10)

8. associated with the oldest known masonic poem (8)

9. medieval union (5)

10. a brotherhood (10)

13. cant’s start without it (7)

15. used to kill someone important (11)

17. what we care about (7)

18. The junior wardens colum (6)

20. first king of England (9)

21. who is credited with the first Constitution for Freemasons (8)

24. contains a tiled floor (6)

During the American civil war, enemy soldiers who recognized each other as Freemasons helped each other and saved each other’s lives. Even during war, these Freemasons’ loyalty to the craft did not fade away.

The total number of VC’s for the “supreme award of gallantry in the presence of the enemy”, to-date amounts to 1361, of which Freemasons have received 156 (11.5%). During the Great War (19114-1918), the total number of VCs awarded was 634, of which 91 were Freemasons.

In Australia Bro. Jack Lockett, who died in 2002 aged 111, had been initiated into Ouyen Lodge, No. 249 (Victorian Constitution) in 1921 giving 81 years in Freemasonry. He was also Australia’s oldest man at the time.

Peter

90

Friendship Conclave was consecrated at Ipswich on 28 June 1926 and is the oldest continually functioning Conclave in the Southern Hemisphere. It was originally numbered 56 English Constitution.

as Southern in Geelong Victoria in the early 1880s. It however went into dormancy for 25 years and was only revived when the Foundation Worthy Supreme Ruler of Friendship Conclave Bro James Simon Laurenson asked the Grand Recorder in London to transfer the Warrant from Geelong to Ipswich.

Friendship Conclave’s original Warrant named Bro James Laurenson (a New Zealander), Frederick George Marriott, Henry Charles Frost and others to be the petitioners.

Peter was inducted into VW Martin Conclave on 29 May 2004 and gradually rose to be Worthy Supreme Ruler on 19 January 2008. He then was invited to join Grand Conclave becoming Assistant Grand Recorder and then Grand Visitor. After having served this office he was appointed Grand Guide on 17 May 2014. He is very active in Monitor Masonry joining Nanango Conclave and Beth

The weekend of Friday 20th May to Sunday 22nd May proved to be very busy for J.S. Popham Conclave members as they hosted the fifty third annual convocation of the Order of the Secret Monitor for Northern Australia and PNG, which was open to all members, ladies and friends.

The Conclave had its number changed after England decided to divide Australia into North and South, the Queensland border being the dividing line, stretching across Australia. When the District of Northern Australia was inaugurated on 3 December 1938 Bro James Laurenson was installed as the first District Grand Supreme Ruler for Northern Australia. Since that time Friendship Conclave No 1 has continued to attract new members and is in a strong position today, very proud of its heritage and based in Ipswich, Queensland.

He is a tireless worker for Freemasonry, especially enjoying the Order of the Secret Monitor, working with and encouraging members of VW Martin to further the Order. When he joined they only had 12 members and can now boast a membership of 52. He is now progressing through the ranks of the Scarlet Cord becoming the first President of the Consistory in Maryborough. Also he is active in fund raising in Hervey Bay, participating in a sausage sizzlers club raising funds for deserving local charities.

The weekend commenced with a meeting of the Azure Conclave of the OSM for South East Asia at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. This Conclave has a travelling warrant and endeavours to bring all together in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. A meet and greet was held for all Brethren, ladies and friends at the Rockpool Pavilion on the Strand.

Congratulations to all at Friendship Conclave No 1.

On 1 July 2011 he was honoured with the rank of District Commander of the 33rd degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for Australia. He has also served the Royal Arch attaining the rank of Past Third Grand Principal.

a furTher uPdaTe on The sCarleT Cord

Three Companions of the Order from Queensland journeyed to Geelong recently to do the 4th Grade and are now known as Councillors in the Scarlet Cord.

On Saturday a moving Conclave of Remembrance was held in the Townsville Masonic Centre commencing at 2:00 p.m. and attended by many members and ladies. This was followed by a closed business meeting of members. At 4:30 the Grand Proclamation was held for Most Worthy Brother Graham Lyttle and saw the Installation of Rt. Worthy Brother Morrie Bligh as Deputy Grand Supreme Ruler. At the conclusion of the Ceremony the rank of Past Grand Supreme Ruler was conferred on Right Worthy Brother Eric Evans in recognition of his contribution to the Order over a number of years. This was followed by the Proclamation banquet held in the festive board area at 50 Ingham Road.

The ceremony was very impressive requiring 24 existing Councillors to carry it out. The 4th Grade jewel is pictured.

Sunday allowed those wishing to do so to relax with a trip to Magnetic Island before setting off to return homewards. The whole weekend was

Returning to Queensland we have had 1st and 2nd Grade ceremonies in Maryborough on 29 October and at Seventeen Mile Rocks on 12 November.

The Order continues to enjoy strong interest and growth.

a great success made even more so by being able to welcome, for the first time in 2 years, delegations from the Grand Conclaves of NSW & ACT, Southern Australia, South Australia and South East Asia.

Grand Chapter of Queensland, Order of the Eastern Star

The Grand Chapter held its Annual Meeting on Friday 1 April at the Arana Leagues Club. This was followed by the Installation on Saturday afternoon. We welcomed Eastern Star visitors from other states on Friday evening.

The visiting delegations included: the Most Worthy Grand Matron Sister Blanche Watt (SA), Most Worthy Grand Patron Brother Paul Smith (NSW), Worthy Grand Associate Matron Sister Robyn Reily (NSW), Worthy Grand Associate Patron Brother Jonathan Nantes (QLD), Worthy Grand Secretary Sister Elizabeth Taylor (TAS), Worthy Grand Treasurer Sister Margaret Down (NSW), Worthy Grand Adah Sister Beryl Ross (QLD), Worthy Grand Electa Sister Gail Reed (SA), Past Most Worthy Grand Matrons Sisters Evelyn Hood (VIC), Elizabeth Watt (SA) and Lois Allen (NSW), Past Most Worthy Grand Patron Brother Sydney Down (NSW) and Assistant to the Worthy Grand Treasurer Sister Jennifer Fawns (NSW); from the Grand Chapter of NSW and ACT, the Worthy Grand Matron Sister Marliyn Auld, Brother Ken Auld PWGP representing the Worthy Grand Patron and Sister Kathy Mitchell Grand Marshal; from the Grand Chapter of Victoria the Worthy Grand Matron Sister Maureen King, Worthy Grand Patron Brother David Carlin, Grand Secretary Sister Iris Carlin and Grand Marshal Sister Kerryn DixonWard; from the Illawarra District Grand Committee Worthy District Grand Matron Sister Lorna Dunkley and Worthy District Grand Patron Brother Ian Dunkley.

The business of the Annual Meeting was well managed by our Worthy Grand Matron Sister Leigh Kennedy and Worthy Grand Patron Brother Norman Butler and culminated in the election and appointment of the Grand Office-bearers for 2022-2023.

The afternoon session on Saturday opened with entry and introductions of our guests which included family and friends of our Worthy Grand

“The business of the Annual Meeting was well managed by our Worthy Grand Matron Sister Leigh Kennedy and Worthy Grand Patron Brother Norman Butler and culminated in the election and appointment of the Grand Office-bearers for 2022-2023..“

Matron Elect and Worthy Grand Patron Elect, distinguished officebearers of several Orders within the Masonic Family as well as board members and recipients of the 2022 grants of the Eastern Star Foundation.

We were pleased and honoured to welcome the following: from the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, VW Jeffrey Harper, Most Worshipful Grand Master Elect accompanied by Mrs Dorothy Harper and Wayne Warry. From the SGRACQ, RE Ian Hodgson, Deputy First Grand Principal accompanied by Mervyn Gray, John Ellsworth, William Tupou, Greg Broad, Vaughan McInnes, John Edwards and Timothy Powys. From the GLMMMQ, RW Paul Southon Deputy Grand Master accompanied by Ms Narelle Zielke and Reg Langusch. From AASRA the Most Illustrious Regional Commander M.Ill. Bro Greg Goding accompanied by John Ross and Brian Stanley King.

From GICQ the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign David Lauder accompanied by Mrs Roslyn Lauder, Edward O’Neil and Cyril Leitch.

From the District Grand Priory of Queensland and PNG the Most Eminent & Reverend Grand Master of the Temple, the Right Eminent Fra. Duncan McGregor was accompanied by Murray Diaz, Stephen Olsson and Jock Lowson. From the Royal Order of Scotland the Provincial Grand Master Alan Godsmark.

From the Grand Council of Knight Masons, the R.E. Sir Knight Alan Coleman was accompanied by Leanne MacDonald. From the Grand Court of Amaranth, the Grand Royal Matron HL Jennifer Nielsen and from the Grand White Shrine of Jerusalem Past Grand Worthy High Priestess Joan Roberts and Grand Watchman of Shepherds Ross Barlow.

Following the presentation of the Eastern Star Grants, the Shield was presented to the two Chapters that initiated more Members than any other Chapter in Queensland during 2021: Bundaberg Chapter No 131 and Electa Chapter No 160 each initiating three Members.

The Installation of Sister Elaine Gray Worthy Grand Matron and Brother Spencer Swann Worthy Grand Patron and Grand Office-bearers for 2022-2023 was the main event of the afternoon followed by remarks from selected dignitaries, a closing ceremony photographs and a banquet.

Don’t stop learning

Ikeep hearing from my fellow Freemasons who consider themselves too old to learn. They’re not. Don’t be like them. “I’m too old for this.” Is heard too often. Remember that age is also a state of mind, apply your masonic training.

When it comes to computers and technology, again no you are not too old. Mobile phones, tablets, computers, and a myriad of devices. Embrace them use them, what of instant communications with emails? If you don’t use, you are lost and loose vital information.

Negative self-talk may convince you you’re too old to “get” or learn about technology. Nothing could be further from the truth, regardless of your age. If you have limitations, they are generally not age specific, and can be compensated for. Success with technology, or any endeavour, is significantly more about attitude than it is of age; just ask the 95-year-old computer instructor or the 100-year-old blogger, or my 92-year-old brother who I taught to use a PC he used that skill to write a book. Being willing to learn, and knowing that you can, will help you stay mentally fit and young.

I know of 80- and 90-year-olds who are having the time of their lives with technology.

They still have questions everyone does — but they’re using their tech to stay active, connected, and interested in the world around them. They’re using technology to stay young. They get world news as it happens. They do not let age get in the way. Attitude trumps age.

It doesn’t matter how old you are. I see “younger” men (whatever definition of “younger” you like) who struggle with technology as

well, my own son in law is one. What matters much more is your approach, your attitude, and your willingness to learn and grow. That’s true at any age, but particularly as we get older, it’s part of staying mentally fit. It’s not the problem; it’s part of the solution.

People often include their ages as an apology or excuse to hide behind. They apologize for not catching on to something, or not catching on as quickly as they feel they should be able to. The perception is that younger people are more capable. Don’t buy into the lie. Limitations are ageless and many people confuse limitations with age.

Be it poor eyesight, poor fine-motor skills, or even a perception of being unable to accomplish things as quickly as others, these limitations, and others, while perhaps more common as we age, are not limited to the aged. Pick any difficulty you think you experience, and I can assure you, there are people much, much younger who face the same or worse.

It’s often not about you at all. Technical specific language is a huge issue. Some of the biggest barriers to technology are the terminology, the concepts involved, and how they’re presented. If you don’t understand something, it’s not your age; it’s the writer’s inability to communicate in an understandable way. Think of all the shortcuts used with mobile phones and texting, like R U going? LOL, 2nite, B4N, BC, BTW and many more

People of all ages have trouble with these short cuts to communication.

I enjoy working with my computer and short of severe physical or mental disability, I expect to be

doing what I’m doing, or something similar, until the day I die. I hope that’s many, many years from now. I’m having too much fun.

It’s probably obvious by now, but this is something I’m passionate about. Whatever your age, stop using it as an excuse to do nothing or to limit what you do. Go and learn to dance, good for those creaking legs.

There’s an entire world of possibilities you’re selling yourself short on. You’re stepping away from it every time you make that negative assumption and every time you internally convince yourself to not try. Foster an attitude of learning and do it at your own pace, but know that you can.

Change is the only thing we can be sure about; it happens despite what we want.

“They’re using technology to stay young. They get world news as it happens. They do not let age get in the way.”

A special vacant chair ceremony for a beloved Brother

RW Bro. Robert Leslie Malcolm passed to the Grand Lodge above on the 20th April 2020 at the age of 86 years after a Masonic career of 55 years, being initiated on 10th August 1965. This memorial ceremony had been postponed due to COVID and the restrictions that have had to be adhered to.

Trinity Daylight Lodge No. 526 in association with Cairns Gelling Lodge No 176H combined to host a Masonic Memorial Ceremony of the Vacant Chair for their brother. He held all positions in Lodge and on the 12th of August 1972 was installed into the chair of King Solomon. He was conferred with Past Grand Rank of PAGM in 2001

Bob joined the District Board of Benevolence in 1974 he became Snr Vice President, a position he held for seven years while the ‘Carpentaria Freemasons Homes’ was being constructed, the period 1978 to 1983. He then became the President of the District Bd of General Purposes from 1985 to 1989.

Bob was also instrumental in the formation of Trinity Daylight Lodge No 526 which was ‘Consecrated’ in 1990 and Bob was the Foundation Jnr

Warden. This Lodge was primarily founded for the benefit of the Freemasons who were living within the homes.

Bob was appointed as a representative of the ‘Grand Lodge of the State of the Oregon’ on the 12th of April 2007. Bob was also a member of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland. He joined Cairns R.A. Chapter on 5th September 1972 and progressed his way through all the officers of the Chapter. He was also recognised for his service to HRA.

Not being content with all the previously mentioned Masonic activities, Bob still managed to find time to spend an enormous amount of time researching and writing a book dedicated to the history of the first 100 years of Cairns a copy of this book is located in the Cairns Historical Society. RW Bro Robert Leslie Malcolm will be greatly missed by the members of ‘Cairns Gelling Lodge’ the ‘District of Carpentaria’ and ‘Cairns Composite Royal Arch Chapter No27H’.

“Bob was also instrumental in the formation of Trinity Daylight Lodge No 526 which was ‘Consecrated’ in 1990 and Bob was the Foundation Jnr Warden.”

A brief look at the formation of Freshwater Lodge 406 UGLQ

To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Freshwater Lodge, a booklet was compiled in February 1999 setting out the history of the Lodge. The booklet commences by indicting those discussions were taking place in 1948 for the idea of a new Masonic Lodge and poses the question as to why there was a need for a new lodge? It goes on to say:

Perhaps the reason lies in our lifestyle in 1948. The five-year oldWorld War 2 had been over for more than two years and people were looking for stability after the upheavals of those years. Men who had just spent up to five years away were now settling into family life and

a new career. Yet a lot of the wartime controls and shortages existed. Clothes rationing had just been lifted, petrol rationing was still in force and there were real difficulties in maintaining most of the ten-yearold pre-war cars. New car buyers put their name on a list and waited for an Austin A40, a Morris, Prefect, Vanguard, Hillman or a new Australian car, the Holden due later in the year. A Holden could be had for $1,668. Petrol rose to two shillings and seven pence half a penny per gallon or approximately 6.2 cents per litre.

In that year Gandhi was assassinated, the state of Israel was born, Russia imposed the Berlin blockade, Don

Bradman scored 108 against England, Ben Chifley tried to nationalize the banks, the Olympic Games were held in England after a ten-year break, Prince Charles was born, the transistor was invented, General Tojo was hung for war crimes and some discussions were taking place with Cairns Lodge on the need for a Masonic Lodge in the Barron River Delta, just to the north of Cairns. Cairns Masons wore a full black suit to lodge in winter or summer. Ladies were very welcome to prepare the Masonic Banquet for installations but were not allowed to sit with their husbands at the banquet.

A journey from Redlynch and Freshwater to the Minnie Street

Masonic temple took more than 30 minutes on a narrow bitumen road. Freemasonry was thriving and two fellowcraft ceremonies were becoming common in a lot of Cairns Lodges. So that was our world in 1948 and with plenty of candidates seemingly available it was not surprising that some were contemplating another lodge. The initiators for the foundation of the new lodge were two brethren – Norman Nott, the accountant/ bookkeeper at the JM Johnstone timber mill at Stratford, the township or now suburb next to Freshwater and David Christensen, who was a cane farmer in the area.

RW Bro Norm would have been aware of several Freemasons at the timber mill while RW Bro David knew quite a population of Freemasons amongst the cane farmers in the Barron River Delta. After several informal meetings, on Sunday 3 October 1948 a meeting was held in Freshwater public hall, with Wor Bro David Christensen presiding over some 30 masons. At the meeting, the Foundation Membership fee of five Guineas ($350 today) was fixed and a Management Committee was formed. The annual membership subscription was fixed at three Guineas ($205). On Sunday 13 February 1949 a further meeting of the foundation members was held with the Deputy District Grand Master, VW Bro W.T. Uren and District Grand Officers. The date for the Consecration of the Freshwater Lodge was set as Saturday 26 March 1949.

The Consecration Ceremony was conducted by the District Grand Master, RW Bro C.W. Roseblade after the reading of the petition of the foundation members of Freshwater Lodge and the charter granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, MW Bro Eustance A. Jones. The lodge having been duly consecrated, the RW District Grand Master handed the lodge over to RW Bro W.T. Uren for the installation of RW Bro David Wilfred Christensen as the foundation Worshipful Master.

For the first ten years, meetings were held in the nearby Methodist Church (later becoming Uniting Church) with the furniture having to be set up in the church before every meeting and packed away after the meeting. The holding of festive boards then

“While the Freshwater Lodge Building has served as the meeting place for Freshwater Lodge, a couple of other Masonic Orders have also held their regular meetings there since the 1960s. The downstairs hall served as a Pre-School from 1978 for some years until the Pre-School was established on the Freshwater Primary School grounds in the mid-1980s.”

became an issue but was quickly solved with these being held under Bro David Mason’s house, located in Mason Street, Freshwater.

Land for the Masonic Centre was purchased in June 1949 from Mrs. J. Mason for One Hundred and Fifty pounds ($10000. today) plus costs. Plans for the building were drawn up in late 1956. Much of the building was constructed by the members of Freshwater Lodge with timber being

bought from the Stratford Sawmill where several Freshwater Lodge members worked. With time running out before the Dedication date of 14 March 1959, a contract was awarded to a builder, also a member of Freshwater lodge, to finish the temple. The impressive ceremony of the Dedication of the new Temple was carried out by the District Grand Master, RW Bro C.H. West, assisted by District Grand Officers.

While the Freshwater Lodge Building has served as the meeting place for Freshwater Lodge, a couple of other Masonic Orders have also held their regular meetings there since the 1960s. The downstairs hall served as a Pre-School from 1978 for some years until the PreSchool was established on the Freshwater Primary School grounds in the mid-1980s. Soon after that, the downstairs hall became the Freshwater Playgroup until about five years ago. From time to time, it has also been used by other community groups for meetings, etc.

Since the sale of the Minnie Street Masonic Temple in 2017, the Freshwater Lodge Building has served as a Masonic Centre for five Masonic Lodges and five other Masonic Orders. The downstairs hall is used by a Martial Arts Group.

Flood clean up at Continuity Lodge 242

The small village of Dallarnil suffered the worst flood in the history of the area, on the evening of Friday 7th January. With driverless cars and trailers floating through the township, what a mess. The festive board area of the Continuity Lodge had approximately 600 millimetres of water raging through causing a considerable amount of damage. A fridge, hot water cylinder, water pump and kitchen cupboards were destroyed during the deluge, also an electric organ.

A working bee consisting of Members belonging to various Lodges in the Wide bay area, selflessly donating their time and resources to the massive cleanup. Everything was removed from the lower floor and taken outside to be cleaned. All of the crockery, cutlery and furniture was washed, and the floor and walls high pressure cleaned.

Heartfelt thanks go out to all those Brethren who turned up to help, also to the Wor Master’s dear wife, an OES Member. This is what Freemasonry is all about, Brothers helping Brothers. A few of the helpers had left before the photo was taken.

Gatton Lodge No 87 UGLQ Time Capsule

In September 1995 Gatton Lodge buried a time capsule to be opened in September 2020 but thanks to COVID it wasn’t until November 2021 that we finally got around to digging it up.

As I understand it when Lake Apex Park was built in Gatton the local Apex group included a time capsule and Gatton Lodge made a contribution to that capsule. That contribution was returned to us (unopened) in late 2019 but who returned it to us remains a mystery.

Our time capsule probably was inspired from the Apex example but the enthusiasm for it would also have come from the successful centennial celebrations of the Lodge in 1994.

To add to the challenge of finding it again some of the original landmarks had been removed when the area had been re-landscaped after it was buried. When it was found it had to be pulled out by using a tractor back hoe.

The time capsule was made from stainless steel with a sealed screwed lid which stood the test of time. We finally opened it on Wednesday 9th December 2021 in the Lodge room and three of the Brethren present were members of the Lodge twenty-six years ago. I was staggered at the quantity of material contained in the capsule – photos, letters of congratulation, centennial nick-knacks, the printer’s galley proofs of the Gatton Lodge centennial book, a set of 1995 uncirculated Australian coins, a copy of the title deed, etc., etc.

(See catalogue of the contents in the Grand Lodge library or contact me for a copy.)

Did you know ..

It was rumoured Napoleon was a freemason but never proven, although he did adopt the title of “Protector of Freemasonry”

However, his four brothers were masons, many of his Officers, members of his Grand Council for the Empire and 22 of the 30 Marshals of France were also Freemasons. Even his wife, was admitted into a French female lodge in 1804.

The Maroochydore Lodge Story

Maroochydore Lodge was consecrated on the evening of 18th July 1947 with 257 members and visiting Brethren assembled at the Star Theatre in Maroochydore. The ceremony was carried out by the Grand Master RW Bro Eustace Jones and Grand Lodge Officers. 270 people attended the Consecration Banquet afterwards at Jazzland Hall at Cotton Tree. The Foundation Worshipful Master was RW Bro George Scott PAGM and the IPM was VW Bro Walter Ruegger. The bulk of those who formed the Lodge were members of Waverley Lodge at nearby Woombye or one of the two Nambour Lodges.

The Lodge met in the “Diggers Hall” at Maroochydore from 1947-1958 and since 1958 at the Masonic Centre 211 Main Road Maroochydore. W Bro Ruegger the Lodge Secretary in 1957, gave the Lodge the land at 211 Main Road free of cost. It was a 32 perch lot (over 800 sq meters) a mile and a half out of Maroochydore adjacent to a few acres where he lived. The original Temple was built on this site near the road in 1958.

At present no decision has been made as to what to do with the contents and the capsule itself but the example of the spirit that existed in Gatton Lodge over a quarter of a century ago is surely a light for our future.

In 1975 the Lodge purchased an adjoining 750 sq metres behind the Temple and moved the building back off the road to its present site and greatly improved the car parking. The Lodge has always met on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and for many years conducted Degree ceremonies at every Meeting except Installation, conferring degrees on two or sometimes three candidates at the one meeting. 536 members have joined Maroochydore Lodge during the 75 years that we celebrate in 2022 and we look forward to the continued success of the Lodge and it’s Centenary in 2047!

Mundubbera-Burnett Lodge ANZAC Memorial Service

Ladies at Mundubbera-Burnett Lodge’s meeting on the 16th of April had an ANZAC memorial service which was presented by Lieutenant Commander Rob Hall RAN (retired) who is also a Freemason the accompanying photo shows the Naval Cadets of T S Krait along with their Commanding Officer Peter Green who is also a Freemason.

The Cadets were piped in along with a drummer and it was a proud moment to see these Cadets march in. Also in attendance on the day were quite a few visiting Masons and their wives and it was a great ceremony to see this happening in

the Lodge, in remembrance of all men and women, who served in our armed forces and made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom that this Nation of ours enjoys today.

where his Grandfather RW Bro Nev Welfare PJGW, his father Wor Bro Dale Welfare and his uncle Wor Bro Ashley Welfare had previously taken their oaths. The night was well attended by members of Yeppoon, Rockhampton and Gladstone.

“Cross-sectional and growth curve analyses indicate that aging is associated with more positive overall emotional well-being, with greater emotional stability and with more complexity (as evidenced by greater co-occurrence of positive and negative emotions). These findings remained robust after accounting for other variables that may be related to emotional experience (personality, verbal fluency, physical health, and demographic variables). Finally, emotional experience predicted mortality; controlling for age, sex, and ethnicity, individuals who experienced relatively more positive than negative emotions in everyday life were more likely to have survived”.

From Psychology and Aging, Ed Elizabeth AL Stine-Morrow

Ladies Day

Three members of the Cairns Gelling Lodge No. 176H, Bros: G. Harris, D. Court and L. Luxton started a Coffee Club Morning Tea several years ago.

At a recent Meeting of Yeppoon Lodge, the brethren were treated to the Raising of Brother Matthew Welfare. Bro Welfare is the third generation to be initiated into Yeppoon Lodge Matthew Welfare

During the ceremony, Matthew’s Grandfather had the pleasure to perform work on his Grandson as he did for Matthew’s father and uncle before him. This honour gave RW Bro Welfare immense pleasure as he was able to see his grandson become his brother in Freemasonry.

It has gone ahead with regular gettogethers every fortnight for some time and grown in numbers to around 15 - 20 regular attendees over that time. During April they held a Ladies Luncheon with Wives invited to attend at the Restaurant ‘Strait in the Beach’ at Holloways Beach. It was well attended with many wives of brethren attending. It was a very friendly and convivial luncheon enjoyed by all.

“The Cadets were piped in along with a drummer and it was a proud moment to see these Cadets march in.”

Emotional experience improves with age: Evidence based on over 10 years of experience sampling.

of the master’s dais, painting of store room and floor, clear coating ornate wooden lodge room doors, renovating lodge furniture, crack repair and sealing of block work, rewiring the building, fitting all LED lighting, re-screwing the roof, install new guttering and downpipes. Additional work planned before September is external painting and concrete paths.

The work already completed or to be completed by trade contractors are the installation of new sewerage lines and water supply water lines, toilets and basins, gyprock plastering, security cameras, internal painting, seamless flooring in the festive board area, office, foyer and toilets, carpet tiles in the lodge room, new windows in the front of the building, security screens, sign writing.

A Good News Story

The renovations of the Melbourne Street Hall into the new “Rockhampton Masonic Centre” is well on the way to being completed by September 2022.

With the sale of the Alma Street Rockhampton Masonic Centre, the race was on to find a new home for Freemasons in the Rockhampton District.

On the 6th May 2021, a chance discussion with the CQ-TPI Treasurer informed us that they were in the process of vacating their meeting hall of which they were the owners, and situated on land leased from the Rockhampton Regional Council. The hall was inspected and was deemed to be suitable for conversion to a Masonic Centre, but would require considerable work to undertake repairs and renovations to complete the conversion. CQ-TPI agreed to transfer the ownership of the Hall to the Freemasons for an agreed amount.

A management committee was formed from the Lodges and orders who intended to meet there and then an application was made to the Rockhampton Regional Council to take over the land lease from CQ-TPI. A presentation was made

to the Rockhampton Regional Council explaining the proposed use of the hall which resulted in a unanimous approval when it went before the council meeting for land lease approval. A formal contract was drawn up by Solicitors between the CQ-TPI and Solshe House Inc to transfer hall ownership.

A project manager was appointed for the project, a floor plan was developed and agreed upon, and scopes of work were developed for all tasks. The work was broken into two categories, (1) the work that could be undertaken by volunteer labour and (2) the work that required the services of specialised trade contractors.

Many tasks have been undertaken by our in-house volunteers to contain construction costs, this included building the lodge room, toilets, and office walls from steel framing and gyprock cladding, fitting all doors and door jams, skirt boards, bricklaying, construction

We are reasonably confident of completing the renovations by September 2022, with plans for the Masonic Centre to be consecrated thereafter. The completion date will be dependent on the availability of external trade contractors.

The Rockhampton Masonic Centre when complete, will be available to all Lodges and orders wishing to meet there. The management committee for the Rockhampton Masonic Centre would like to express their thanks to RW Bro Rob Collins (President GBoD) and the Board for their continued support throughout this project.

“The Rockhampton Masonic Centre when complete, will be available to all Lodges and orders wishing to meet there.”

Your host Lodge for this Gathering of the Clans 2022 is Unity Lodge No 300 UGLQ. It will be the first time we have hosted it and we are looking forward to meeting our fellow Scottish Freemasons.

Events for the GOTC 2022 will be held at the Townsville Masonic Centre, 50 Ingham Road, and Banquet at the Brothers Leagues Club, Kirwan. Practice Friday 28/10/2022 Townsville Masonic Centre 2pm. Meet and Greet on Friday Night 28/10/2022 at 6-30 PM. Meet and Greet at Townsville Masonic Centre 60 Ingham Road, Townsville for introductions, drinks and finger food. Cost prepaid $30 per person. See details below

Third Degree Ceremony on Saturday Afternoon 29/10/2022 at 2-30 PM

Townsville Masonic Centre (only for Freemasons) Due to size restraints numbers will be limited to 100 approx.

Saturday Evening 29/10/2022 Banquet at 6-30 PM FOR 7-00 PM at Brothers Leagues Club “Range Room” located Kern Bros. Drive KIRWAN. Numbers limited up to 150 (There will be a cash bar operating for drinks) Entree, main course and desserts of alternate drop followed by tea and coffee. Cost is $70 per person (Payment via the Unity Lodge Club 300 account BSB 124-001 a/c Club 300, a/c no. 90317743 with attendees responsible for their own drinks, bar prices are reasonable.

Fraternal Regards VWBro Morrie Bligh PGSD 2022-

Accommodation

Accommodation within minutes of the Masonic Centre is available as follows:

Mecure Inn, Woolcock Street, Ph 0747 694908 There are numerous accommodation facilities available in Townsville to suit all requirements on line.

Contact: Unity Lodge 300, Secretary Morrie Bligh, Ph 07 47 232 162 Mobile 0404 897 488, email morrievalerie@bigpond.com RSVP to Secretary by 08.10.2022. Payment for functions also 08.10.2022 to above account.

The other side of State of Origin

An old man’s heart was gladdened today, Brethren. I was at 536s Practice Meeting in Beenleigh where I met WB Paul Kranen and a NSW Brother, WB David Brow, JW at Lodge Wagga Wagga #22 UGLNSW & ACT.

David Brow, in response to the Lismore Brethren’s plea for assistance after their temple was flooded, is on a northern sojourn of assistance. His clarion call for help saw a pit stop in Sydney and Dubbo followed by other stops along the way. Borders, rivalry, ‘our ritual is better than yours,’ etc., rapidly disappear in time of need.

Not surprisingly, WB Paul Kranen, WM of Duke of Leinster Lodge #8 UGLQ, responded with open arms. Our Lismore Brethren’s aprons and regalia are covered in mud, their working tools likewise, VSL is but a soggy memory. In short, major damage has curtailed Lismore Brethren’s Masonic activity.

It was a great pleasure to be Johnny on the spot today, to see, first hand, what co-operation means in Freemasonry. Guess, Freemasonry has no real borders, save those we ourselves put in place. Akin to Médecins Sans Frontières, what transpired today makes tomorrow’s results at Lang Park fade into insignificance.

It is my hope that whatever the Beenleigh Masonic Centre, under Paul Kranen’s direction, was able to substantially add to David Brow’s trailer and combine with other donations. I feel sure it will make a difference to the Lismore Masonic Temple’s re-emergence from the flood waters. – Stig R. Hokanson

Another Sad Tale

Next Tuesday, (14/6/2022) the oldest Masonic lodge in Gympie, Pioneer Lodge, will officially close its books. The remaining handful of members will be absorbed into the other four lodges still operating in the area.

Even though it’s not the end of the organisation, it is a sad ending for a lodge that over its 153-year lifespan has been the beating heart of this community for almost as long as the town of Gympie has existed.

“Freemasonry is still alive and well,” Bruce Cavanough, lodge member said.

As a whole, the organisation runs all sorts of charitable endeavours of all shapes and sizes such as sausages sizzles, motocross marshalling and more, right up to formerly running several aged care facilities across the state.

“We also did catering at the Rotary Quilt and Craft Spectacular - I was cooking fish and chips and chicken schnitzels for four hours that day, all in the name of fundraising, “ Bruce laughed.

Each fundraising dollar they raise is matched by the Freemason’s Charitable Organisation called Hand, Heart, Pocket. In fact, over the past five years, between the five lodges, Pioneer included, they have raised more than $200,000 which has then gone back into the Gympie community to the Riding for the Disabled, Roadcraft and Gympie Medical Transport to name but a few recipients.

Freemasonry is an organisation rich in ritual, heart and meaning and has historically attracted “men of good character”.

Pioneer Lodge is no different, with some of its original members being Henry Edward King, Gympie’s Gold Field Commissioner and Mathew Mellor and other well-known names from Gympie’s history. The Pioneer Lodge was the oldest Lodge between Brisbane and Bowen, and now, only three years after celebrating the lodge’s sesquicentennial, the lodge held its last official meeting on Tuesday 14th June.

Despite being a day of celebration, it was touched with a tinge of sadness, for those present, as it represented the end of more than 150 years of tradition. The members also conducted a “Lodge of Sorrow” for those in the group who had passed away.

But there was also a celebration, as intended, with two members receiving their 50-year jewels - Bevan Anderson and Master of the Lodge Jack Koina. And more than 50 people joined the members for a supper in the Festive Room. The remaining members of Pioneer Lodge are now weighing up which “sister” Lodge they will now join because none can fathom not being a part of the brotherhood which is Freemasonry.

Whichever they choose, they will no doubt be an asset to the community once more, following the Freemason’s motto; “Making good men better.”

Stronger Mental Health

Why focusing on what we can control helps build stronger mental health for everyone.

What’s really in our control? It’s what’s concrete and real. Sometimes our brains are adept at telling us things that are false, often convincingly. Our imagination is magnificent and our brains powerful but we must be discerning in the way we utilise this organic tool. Why? Because the key to unlocking stronger mental health is closer than you think.

The treasures of focusing on what’s really in your control are plentiful. There’s no doubt that you’ll sleep better and the quality of it will improve threefold. You’ll possess an uncanny ability to fall asleep more quickly, stay asleep longer, and experience deeper rest. Sweet dreams! You’ll have more vitality and be more efficient with your use of energy. In mind and body, you’ll become tired less often. Your mental health will improve and become stronger. Your actions will be more effective with the use of your valuable time; twentyfour hours every day. Your productivity will elevate. Your leadership skills will improve; self-leadership for yourself, and the leadership of others will become considerably more potent. Self-discipline will start to become easier. And we all know how important this is, don’t we?

Did you know that once you begin focusing on the things you can control, the things you simply cannot control start having increasingly less power over you, eventually hitting zero? You’ll become empowered for yourself and empowering for others. Ok, so what is within and without our control? In the past, I used to try to control things that I initially thought I could control. For example, my boss, my children, my dog, my genetics, the weather, Mother Nature and the physical world. How ridiculous is that?

I even tried to control what other people thought of me. Ultimately, I realised this is asinine because you literally cannot control what people think. You can only control what is within your control. That’s the harsh reality. It’s illusory to think otherwise. It’s like pulling on a noose thinking it’ll loosen when it’ll only tighten.

The harder we resist the more immovable the object seemingly becomes. It reminds me of how I used to feel during my darkest times of depression where it was as if I was swimming through treacle just to get through the day. The harder I tried to swim against the stickiness the further I sank. We can all choose to live within an illusion and that’s ok. Who am I to judge? Or, we can choose to accept reality and do our best to control what’s controllable. We must influence, not manipulate. There’s a massive difference and only you get to decide what is the right thing to do. What I do now focus on the things I can control. What I eat, what I consume in mind and body. My habits, values, morality, my conscious daily choices; practising what’s important to me: family, work, freemasonry. Always in this order.

You can only control yourself, your actions and your behaviours. Not other peoples’.The sun will always rise in the morning. That’s a given, is it not? Ok, so what’s a practical solution?

Here it is: Focus on A, B, C .

Action (Doing) Breathing (Physical) Consistency (Mental)

A: Take one action daily that is within your control. For example, first thing in the morning, drink one glass of cool life-giving water. Stretch. Do one thing that your future self will thank you for. Be it five press-ups, three star-jumps, or writing down one thing you’re grateful for. I’m eternally grateful for my daily morning cup of coffee!

B: Take a long deep breath in through your nose counting five seconds. Exhaling slowly through your mouth for seven seconds. Repeat three times. Focusing on your breathing will reset

your body and mind so that you’re planted firmly in the moment; this beautiful reality.

C: Do this consistently every day (or any positive habit of your choice and proclivity) and you’ll start realising that you are controlling things within your control and most importantly you are releasing anything that’s outside of your control; superfluous. Do it now. Or not. It’s always a choice. Perhaps, schedule it and do it daily because you are in control.

Whiskey

Freemasons from the beginning have celebrated with banquets and festive boards for the feelings of friendship and fellowship. Whilst there are some dry Lodges, in the main, toasts are made and drinks are consumed. I thought that as May 21st just a few weeks ago, was World Whiskey Day the following may be of interest. If there is a question, see Masonic Mentor on toasting.

Whiskey is one of the iconic drinks and is the foundation of some of the most wonderful drinks known to man. But honestly, who needs an excuse to imbibe in these wonderful libations? But if you need one, World Whiskey Day is it!

One of the most common forms of whiskey that are sought after is Scotch Whiskey, and perhaps appropriately so. The origins of the word Whiskey can be found in the Gaelic Language, both Irish and Scotts.

Uisce beatha (Irish for “water of life”, is the namefor whiskey in Irish. It is derived from the Old Irish uisce (“water”) and bethu (“life”) The Scottish equivalent is rendered uisge beatha Early forms of the word in English included uskebeaghe (1581), usquebaugh (1610), usquebath (1621), and usquebae (1715).

Both names mean “Water of Life” and tell us just how vital this distillation was to the Gaels. ( The Gaels are an ethnolinguistic group native to Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man in the British Isles.)

It was later shortened to just Uisce/Uisge and then anglicized to Whiskey. So now you know, when someone is concerned about your whiskey consumption, you can just tell them you’re drinking the water of life!

So, what exactly is whiskey? Whiskey is what happens when you take rich flavourful grains and ferment them into a mash, and then take that mash and distil it down into a pure delicious spirit.

Distillation takes place in a still, a device whose sole purpose is the purification of the alcohol from the fermented mash. One of the most important secrets of distillation is that it must take place in a copper (Or copper-lined) container, as the copper removes the sulphur from the drink that would make this otherwise divine beverage decidedly unpleasant to drink.

There are some expensive bottles of whiskey around the world. However, the most expensive is the Macallan ‘M’ whiskey. This Lalique (A French glassmaker in the 1880s)

decanter of whiskey was auctioned in Hong Kong for £393,109. The luxury decanter features six litres of whiskey, which was drawn from sherry casks made of Spanish oak, dating from the ‘40s until the ‘90s.

The oldest whiskey is more than 150-years-old. The Guinness World Record for the World’s Oldest Whiskey currently goes to a bottle of 400ml Glenavon Special Liqueur Whiskey. It was owned by a family from Ireland. However, it fetched an incredible £14,850 at auction when it was sold to Bonhams in London. It is believed to have been packaged sometime between the years 1851 and 1858.

The spelling of whiskey is interesting. You may have seen it written as whisky. The version without the ‘e’ is used for Canadian and American whisky. However, for other types of Scotch, and others, you opt for the whiskey spelling.

Finally, whiskey starts life as a beer! This is because it is made with wort, which is a form of beer that gets distilled. The wort is created using all the ingredients that are enjoyed in a pint of delicious beer, i.e., malts, yeast, and water.

World Whiskey Day reminds us that there is an incredibly broad range of whiskey out there to try, and it’s unlikely that we’ve managed to try all of it. Whiskey can be made from barley, corn, rye, and wheat, just to name a few, and those grains are often mixed in different proportions before fermenting and distilling.

The results are then aged in casks, with both the cask and the time inside changing the flavour. How about celebrating with some whiskey cocktails?

One fun thing you can do on World Whiskey Day or any day for that matter is to create your own whisky cocktail. You could come up with your own concoction.

Alternatively, you could create one of the classic cocktails that are enjoyed all around the world today. Why not make your own Whiskey Sour? Here’s a recipe you can give a try…

Whisky Sour

Ingredients

Lemon zest

Ice

½ fresh egg white

Two dashes of Angostura bitters

12 ½ ml of sugar syrup

35ml lemon juice

50ml bourbon

Method

Put all of the ingredients, aside from the lemon zest, into a cocktail shaker. Shake the ingredients hard, with the ice, and then strain them into a rock glass (a short thick glass that is mainly used for serving alcohol on ice cubes), that is filled with ice. You should then squeeze the zest of the lemon, with the shiny side down, over the top of the drink. The purpose of this is so that the scented oils spray across the top of the drink. Get rid of the zest, and finish by adding the garnish, and then it’s ready to enjoy. Delicious, right?

Did you know ..

In 1794 a Masonic token was minted in honour of the Prince of Wales in England. A son of George III, he later became George the IV. From 1790 to 1813 he served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England.

The originator of the coin was Brother James Sketchley of Birmingham who created the coin to commemorate the election of the Prince as Grand Master. These coins were so superior

in their copper content that they readily became legal tender.

In 1817 they were withdrawn from circulation by government order. 1794 Masonic token.

What is ‘From the Quarries’?

Every lodge I have ever been in has one … that locked bookcase in the corner of the anteroom, often tucked away behind a pile of AASR and Royal Arch furniture. Through its glass doors can be glimpsed rows of old Masonic texts and periodicals with intriguing and inviting titles. A pile of jewel cases may be stacked in one corner, next to a folder after folder of notes, minutes, lectures, orations, receipts, and accounts that tell the story of those who have gone before.

Such was certainly the case in my Mother lodge. I spent more than a decade sitting on festive boards, looking at our bookcase, with a growing sense of intrigue. I had never seen it open. What was in there? Who maintained it? Eventually, I started making inquiries about who had the key, but no one seemed to know. The older Brethren had never seen it open either. As far as anyone was aware, it had sat there for at least 30 years untouched. Eventually, the quest took a hold of my imagination. I had a look at the lock – it was an old cupboard with a simple key. I probably had 10 keys at home that might fit. I asked the hall committee for permission to try and have a look inside and received it and then one evening after a meeting I found the right key and opened the lock …

In that one small bookcase, in one small lodge building, I found a trove of Masonic lore dating back well over a century. In addition to the books, accounts, letters, minutes and other administrative documents were hundreds and hundreds of lectures, orations and addresses, often hand-written. Carefully organised and filed their dates ranging from the 1890s to the early 1970s. In their pages, I found the story of that lodge and the journey of Masonic growth those Brethren had undertaken.

From the Quarries is a small attempt to preserve the work and legacy of these past brethren. Over time I hope to record, transcribe, reproduce and learn from the forgotten work of Brethren’s past. I am aware that the task is infinite and will never be complete –in that one bookcase, I found enough work to keep me occupied for years. But the fascination remains.

Where did the idea come from?

In 2019 I was in the chair of my craft lodge, as well as the chair of the 18th degree and the Royal Arch, so I had a very busy Masonic calendar. Suddenly in 2020 Covid hit and everything stopped! The more I missed meeting brethren face-to-face, the more I thought about the cupboard in the lodge. Eventually, I got access and turned the key.

What was in the cupboard?

As anticipated, the cupboard was a treasure trove of records and artifacts. In addition to dozens of rare and specialist books, there was a collection of boxes containing jewels from many orders dating back over a century. The real find though was thousands of pages of handwritten and typed manuscripts, minutes, letters, and other correspondence from the late nineteenth century right through to the 1970s

What has happened?

In May 2020 I set up the website fromthequarries.com and an associated YouTube channel. There are also Facebook and Twitter accounts. The website now hosts nearly 500 books and articles on Masonic lore. The YouTube channel has just celebrated its 2nd Birthday. In those 2 years, 248 videos of lectures have been published

Where can I find out more?

Website: fromthequarries.com

and over 1200 brethren from around the world have subscribed. A new video lecture taken from the archives is published weekly.

What has the response been like?

The response has been overwhelming. The videos have been watched more than 70000 times and I am receiving requests for new content and comments from brethren daily. It is wonderful to interact with Masons from a host of different countries. I’ve been able to chat with Masons from the USA, England, Ireland, Brazil, Greece, the Philippines, the Netherlands and Malta as well as brethren from across Australia.

It is fascinating to learn of the small, but significant differences that exist in the craft between countries and jurisdictions, but even more important to share in the strong ties of brotherly love, relief and truth that bind us all.

What’s next?

As the YouTube channel goes from strength to strength, I am taking more requests from brethren regarding subjects they’d like to see explored. A number of these are non-masonic (but still fascinating) so a new YouTube channel UNCANNY/True has just been launched to explore these topics.

YouTube: search for ‘From the Quarries‘ or youtube.com/channel/UCUcTX1SySa4M9sarg6075sA

Social Media: search for ‘From the Quarries’

Email: toowoombadistrictmasonic@gmail.com

‘From the Quarries’ is a Website and YouTube channel dedicated to preserving and archiving Masonic scholarship that may otherwise be lost or unrecognised.

Despite the rules I want to go to lodge again, lack of comradery goes against the grain. The zoom meetings are just not the same, and this damn COVID-19 virus is to blame.

I’m sick of emailing and all the online chat, let’s get dressed up and be where it’s at. It feels as though I haven’t been for years, to wear my apron and sit amid my peers.

I have a desire to climb those creaky stairs, it will be a delight to leave behind my cares. Meet the Tyler at the door, where I’ll hesitate, then hear him say, come in or you’ll be late.

I want to get in line and be out on the floor, face the East and give the sign once more. I’d like to hear that gavel rap us to attention, a night with my Brothers without dissention.

To see and hear the ritual we know so well, if we made a Mason my heart would swell. I do miss meeting as Masons Free and True, and the South with friends, enjoying a brew.

I’m more than eager to dress in my regalia, and so very pleased that we live in Australia. I long to feel again the grip of all that is Rite, let’s heed the rules and enjoy another night.

Can we go to Lodge again? it S O R T H E A S T G E O M E T R Y Q Y O V U L D E A E C O W A N H G R R O I A F Q U E E N S T R E N G T H L R I I K I W A S H L A R O N S W A T D A T Y L E R E R E C S H T L R R B H T I T U B A L C A I N E A A A I T N I A P R O N N N H T T A U I D G E T Y T T E M L A Y Y R A S R S U T E S S E L A T E D O E N T A L P H A E N N L