REGIONAL ROUNDUP
MASONIC NEWS FROM NSW & ACT
T he M aroubra L odge No 725
A triple celebration
I
t was a wonderful night of family and memories at the February meeting of The Maroubra Lodge when three family brothers celebrated 60 years since they joined Freemasonry. RW Bro Ted and W Bros Sam and Barry Simmons and Bro Jim Simmons (now deceased) had been initiated in Lodge Volunteer in College Street in January 1956, passed in February and raised in March in front of their grandfather Archie, father David and various uncles and cousins.
L–R: Brothers Barry, Ted and Sam Simmons were awarded their 60-year certificates.
MW Bro Dr Greg Levenston PGM, who had presented Ted and Barry with their 50 year certificates ten years ago, was again present to hand certificates to the three brothers watched by a gathering of District members, visitors and their ladies. ‘It is an unusual occasion to have three members of the same family to be honoured in this way and it shows the strength
of masonry in this family,’ he said. ‘Ted became WM in 1962, installed his brother Barry in 1963 and the pair of them installed Sam in 1969.’ During their masonic career, all four brothers had filled various offices in the lodge, including secretary, treasurer, stewards and, having a musical background, joined their father and grandfather in entertainment at the festive board and during Ladies nights. All three brothers spoke of their time in masonry, the pleasures they received as members and the friends they made. Ted and Barry were left short of words by the unexpected appearance of Bro Alan O’Toole from Lodge Kirrawee No 903, a fellow soccer player from the 1950s whom they had not seen in more than 50 years. During his response, RW Bro Ted Simmons read extracts from a letter written by his father supporting the application for their initiation in which he pointed out that their great, great grandfather, W Bro Joseph Simmons had been initiated in 1839, followed over the years by other family members. He also produced a notice paper of Sydney Lodge Celestial from 1927 for the initiation of three brothers, his father David and uncles Joseph and William Simmons in the presence of then Grand Master, MW Bro John Goulston who also delivered a charge. It was indeed a night to remember!
L odge Morning Star No 410
Lance honoured W
orshipful Brother Lance Nelson of Lodge Morning Star No 410 received the District 21 medal for his tireless work in promoting and fostering community relationships in and around the Central Coast. Bro Nelson actively promotes the benefits of Freemasonry with various charitable initiatives and is a regular visitor to lodges both in and out of his district. The presentation of the award was made even more special with the Assistant Grand Master, RW Bro W Driver, in attendance.
L-R: AGM RW Bro William Driver, W Bro Noel Higgs, W Bro Lance Nelson and VW Bro Graeme Ingall, DGIW District 21.
MARCH 2016 FREEMASON
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