PHILANTHROPY
By BRO NIGEL PARTRIDGE
A big step
for charity
As masons, amongst other things, we are encouraged to foster kindness, to promote generosity and to live in charity with all mankind. Charity can be viewed as an innate virtue; however, I truly believe it can also be cultivated.
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harity features prominently in the formal procedures as masons advance through the various degrees. The ‘cultivated’ path inspired me to plan, organise and implement a philanthropic event in 2015 with the intent of raising funds for a worthy charity and to highlight the wants and needs of others to my children. The journey commenced in February 2015 by way of a conversation with my children on philanthropy whilst en route to their school. I chose the Guide Dogs Association as the benefactor. There were two main parts to the overall event – exercise and fundraising. For the exercise aspect I planned and implemented a structured regime of strength with endurance training over a five months period to tackle and ascend the annual Sydney Tower Stair Challenge – which is, I can now confirm, one challenging undertaking. Both of my children took part in the training. Due to their age, they did not participate on the day, yet the experience presented a yardstick to their understanding: – that everything ‘is’ possible in life when appropriate reasoning and strategy with suitable training is applied. Raising funds was equally challenging with support received from various walks of life. I formally approached various lodges seeking funding and attended many meetings. I pestered many work colleagues, friends, the gym and even the local school to great effect. The journey culminated in December 2015 with funding being finalised via a sizable contribution from Masonicare. In 2015 a guide dog cost $30,000 to breed, train and raise, ready to assist a
visually impaired person. It also takes two years for the training to be completed. The present day cost requirement has now increased to $35,000 since I completed the fundraising event. I trust the $22,858.85 gathered will benefit the Guide Dogs Association in yielding a more beneficial life to a visually impaired person. So what is to be gleaned from such a sizeable undertaking? And how can this knowledge serve to assist others? Following a structured training regimen has highlighted that perseverance can easily overcome any adversity when the end goal is considered, that science of diet and exercise can greatly rebalance the body and mind, and that assisting someone in need is most rewarding. Charity in all its facets is very warm in my heart. I had contemplated participating in an event whilst raising funds to support a charitable organisation for a long time. The ‘eureka moment’ to act on my thoughts came to me when I was asked by my daughter (under 10 years old at the time): ‘Excuse me Dada, what does philanthropy mean?’ In life we have a tendency to take more than we give, and it certainly feels most pleasant, post any charitable event, to have offered something in return. In September 2016 I received the 2016 District 24 District Masonic Service Award for distinguished service in recognition of outstanding contribution to lodge and to the community. The VSL in Hebrews 13:1 guides us to let brotherly love continue – a most notable set of prudent words given the barrage of various contrary messages surrounding us in daily life. I encourage those reading this narrative to pursue a philanthropic undertaking as the end
result far outweighs any challenges experienced on the journey, fosters goodwill towards your fellow man and will in due course be rewarded by the GAOTU. I would also like to make special mention of my mother lodge and my dear brethren therein – The Leichhardt Lodge UGL NSW & ACT No 133 – for all the encouragement and assistance given to achieve the goal and for the commendation for the award received.
Charles Moschoudis BARRISTER
“He has a reputation for honesty and integrity.” THE AUSTRALIAN OCT 8 2016
19 Floor 1 O’Connell St Sydney, NSW
Call 1300 529 222 Liability Limited by a Scheme Approved Under Professional Standards Legislation
DECEMBER 2016 FREEMASON
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