Freemason NSW & ACT June 2015

GRAND MASTER ELECTED

Our Grand Master-elect The Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro James Robert Melville will become the 37th Grand Master of The UGL of NSW and ACT when he is installed at the Sydney Town Hall in August this year.

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t age 44, he will also become the youngest Grand Master for this State, taking the title from the late MW Bro Robert Hammond by four weeks.

Jamie was born in Sydney to Bill and Aileen Melville as the youngest of four children and grew up in the Peakhurst area. Growing up, he was involved in local sport, including cricket, soccer and judo in which he won a state title.

He was also involved with his local Scout group (1st West Peakhurst) where he became the Assistant Scout Leader. He was educated in Peakhurst West Primary and then continued to Peakhurst High School, leaving in 1985.

After his apprenticeship as an electrician, he left to gain more experience with various electrical contracting companies.

Deciding on a career change, he left the electrical trade to work in the transport industry but after a few years an opportunity became available to get back into the electrical industry with Clipsal. He is now with the Eaton Corporation.

Jamie’s first introduction to Freemasonry was through the Scouting movement and the awards nights hosted by Lodge Baden Powell for local Rovers Crews. A close family friend introduced him to Lodge Sylvania through an Open Night in 1992.

He joined the Lodge on 8 August 1992, was passed 17 November and completed his Third Degree on 16 February 1993. He progressed through the various positions until April 1998 when he was installed as the WM, a position he held for two years.

Jamie joined the Grand Lodge Cere– monial Team in 2002 as a Grand Steward and progressed through to become Senior Grand Warden in 2007. He is a member of

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FREEMASON JUNE 2015

Lodge Sylvania, affiliated with Lodge Castlereagh in May 2006 and the Grand Stewards Lodge in September 2006. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge Demonstration Team and was appointed Assistant Grand Master in 2009. He was appointed Deputy Grand Master in 2011 and retained that position for the next three years.

I believe the most important part of Freemasonry is its membership...

In his career through the Craft, he became Treasurer of the Freemasons’ Association in 2008, appointed to the Board of Management Private Lodges committee in the same year and to the Ritual Advisory Committee in 2009. His continued interest also earned him the position in 2013 as an Accredited Trainer.

He has numerous interests in Free­ masonry, especially the Lodge of Instruction, District Associations, Associated and Concordat Orders and Buildings.

‘I believe the most important part of Freemasonry is its membership and to be able to provide programs to give every member a sense of being able to feel proud when we talk amongst our family and friends. A strong connection with our community is something I encourage all to embrace,’ he said.

‘It is important to continue what our previous administration has worked on in relation to fiscal management and corporate governance. I will continue to work with the Board of Management, lodges and districts to encourage a back-tobasics and re-introduce and renew some of the traditions of old.

‘I see the Lodge of Instruction as one of our greatest assets, not only for the ritual work but in the educational role it provides to all masons.

‘For lodges to work individually is a challenge but I will encourage districts to come together and share ideas in a formal structure. The community does not look at us as a lodge but as Freemasonry. And one of the strengths of our Craft today is that it is made stronger by brethren who have joined other Orders. I believe we need to pool all of our constructive ideas and work together for the whole masonic family.

‘Masonic certification has been a great way to standardise our masonic meeting places but more work needs to be done. I will expand the STEP Program to utilise local project masonic managers, to include assisting brethren, masonic widows and members of the community when needed to work on local projects. Our masonic centres should be a well known part of our community. I propose we should all be involved in an annual NSW/ACT Open Day and encourage the involvement of other community groups such as the local Scouts, RFS and Men’s Shed.

‘With your assistance I believe Free­ masonry will continue to prosper and play an important role in our society. My key principles are functionality, practicality and simplicity and they should inspire us to move forward into the future.’