QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION
September Communication
T
he Grand Master, MW Bro James Melville welcomed all in attendance at the September Commu– nication of Grand Lodge, pointing out it had been a little over four weeks since the Grand Installation – a weekend which was something special for NSW and ACT Freemasonry and showed the public Masonry has a strong presence in the community. ‘Over the weekend, the events were of the highest quality and I thank the many people who devoted many hours to make it all possible. The Freemasons NSW and ACT Facebook page had in excess of 4,500 hits during the Grand Installation and many brethren have shared these photos and their own personal photos on social media,’ the Grand Master said. ‘Some of the highlights of the past month included my attendance at a combined district meeting in Wingham, hosted by Lodge Cowper, the Freemasons’ Association AGM where RW Bro Ross McAlpine was re-elected as president, and my attendance at Lodge Antiquity’s 195th Anniversary, a combined meeting with the Lodge of Australia. ‘There was a fundraising dinner hosted by The Australian Masonic Friends of the Philippines with 260 people in attendance, including the Consul General to the Philippines, Anne Jalando-on Louis as the guest of honour. The dinner raised nearly $25,000 and helped lift the profile of Freemasonry within the Filipino community and media. This group is now working in conjunction with Rotary International on the next project to send a 40 foot container filled with medical equipment. ‘I would like to acknowledge the work by our Board of Management. New to the Board are the Chairman, two Committee members, Grand Architect, the Deputy and Assistant Grand Masters, all of whom have been given their specific portfolios
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FREEMASON DECEMBER 2015
and are working with their sub committees for the benefit of the membership. The Deputy and Assistant Grand Master will be working together for our Step Program initiatives. Our website is constantly updated and is a great resource as a conduit of communication for our members. ‘As Grand Master it also gives me a great deal of pleasure to announce this year’s winners of the 2015 Grand Master’s Literary prize. This year there were 21 entries and I would like to thank those brethren who took the time to write and submit their essays. I congratulate all entrants on their vitality and attachment to Freemasonry and thank the committee who selected the winners. ‘First prize was awarded to RW Bro Geoff Ludowyk PSGW, PRGC, Region 4, a member of Lodge Capitol No 612 and The Discovery Lodge of Research No 971, while second prize was shared between RW Bro Robert Hughes PJGW, a member of Lodge Oatley No 381 and Bro William Hamill MM, The City of Wollongong Lodge No 1049. Every entrant’s papers will be added to the Grand Lodge Library. ‘It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Today Queen Elizabeth has become the longest serving British Monarch, having been in power for 63 years 7 months and 3 days and eclipsing the term of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. Whether you are a Monarchist or a Republican I think we can all agree this is a stunning milestone and wish her a continuing productive life. ‘Finally, I wish to thank you for your commitment to Freemasonry and for what we all do to connect ourselves with the community. I thank the many brethren who have embraced my theme of Diversity, Unity and Mateship. I will do my best to showcase Freemasonry and look forward to meeting with you in the future.’
The Executive Council, at its regular meeting, endorsed the previous decision to again participate as a Sponsor for the 2016 Young Achievers Awards with many of the events to be conducted at the Sydney Masonic Centre. It also confirmed a commitment to continue the review of Conflict Resolution and Complaints procedures and the Election Process and received a report from the Committee on Foreign Correspondence which included the topics of Candidates with physical disabilities, Action Plan of the InterAmerican Masonic Confederation and English Masons who are Councillors must declare membership. At its meetings, the Board of Manage ment decided that separate web pages be added to those for Installed Master and Master Mason to carry pertinent information for various officials and committees and that a plan has been accepted on the basis of the Operational Review Committee report to improve communications within the jurisdiction during the next two years.
Agenda for the Grand Lodge December Communication The Quarterly Communication for Grand Lodge will be held at the Sydney Masonic Centre on Wednesday 9 December 2015 at 7.30pm.
Included on the agenda will be: > Grand Master’s Welcome > Reports from the Executive Council, Board of Management, Grand Charity, College of Masonic Studies > Conferral of Grand Rank > General Business