ASSOCIATED ORDERS
By V EM KT TOM HALL
Malta Festival at Batemans Bay Templar Masonry, like the Craft, consists of three degrees: Knight of the Temple, Knight of St Paul, and Knight of Malta. The second of these is very much a ‘side degree’ inspired from an event in the life of St Paul and is worked within the Malta ceremony to prepare the candidate for his full membership in the Great Priory.
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he Knights of Malta are, and have always been, a separate Order in their own right, led by a Great Prior, currently Rt Em Kt Frank Syaranamual. As an expression of this independence, Great Priory members from around the State and well beyond gather once a year in February at a regional or country centre to celebrate the ‘Malta Festival.’ This year’s Malta Festival was held in the beautiful south coast town of Bateman’s Bay at the Coachhouse Marina Resort. Intermittent showers did not dampen the enthusiasm of over 130 knights and their partners who gathered on Friday evening to welcome visiting delegates from as far away as South Australia, Queensland and Victoria. The Grand Master of the United Orders, M Em Kt Walter Charlwood expressed great satisfaction on what was shaping up to be a very enjoyable weekend. Saturday morning was a hive of activity as brother knights set up the Resort for their meeting in the afternoon and the grand reception marquee was decorated with a fabulous display of Malta and Templar memorabilia (thanks to V Em Kt John Greenwood!) During the following ceremony, Kt Marc Fortugno of Castle Hill Preceptory was duly created a Knight of Malta amid a sea of black and burgundy robes and flashing swords. Meanwhile, the ladies took a bus to the heritage village of Mogo, famous for its crafts, creative flair and fudge!
The weather had also cleared to allow a glorious sunset as everyone gathered overlooking the bay for pre-dinner drinks before enjoying a marvellous banquet. The camaraderie of the Order was evident as many of those present continued to enjoy themselves until late into the evening. Both the Temple and Malta Knights were unashamedly Christian in origin. In fidelity to this, there was little time to sleep in on Sunday as we rearranged the seating for a traditional thanksgiving service of Morning Prayer. A barbecue brunch in the tranquil Marina surrounds brought the 2015 Malta Festival to a convivial close before folk began their journeys home.
The Knights Templar has been called the pinnacle of Freemasonry. There may be a little bit of proud bias in that claim. However, it is undisputedly a wonderfully close and friendly masonic order. Any Master Mason who has held his Third Degree for at least two years, and professes a Christian faith is welcome to ask about membership. Simply drop a line to the Great Vice Chancellor (Peter Sinden) at g.p.ofnsw.act@bigpond.com.
JUNE 2015 FREEMASON
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