TESSELLATED TALES
Periodical of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand Dec 2022
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 21st April 1926 - 8th September 2022
In this issue……
Contents
A Message from our District Grand Master..................................................................................................................3
Attending the Grand Invstiture and Quarterly Communications 4
Interviews with new Masters 5
Pictures from our Lodges and Chapters 7 60 Up, Bring on 70! .......................................................................................................................................................8
A Letter from Cystic Fibrosis NZ....................................................................................................................................9
A Day to Remember at Freemasons’ Hall ...................................................................................................................10
A Christmas Tale 11
Ukraine Refugee Fund Update 12
Wellington Communications 13 Masons Helping Masons 15
A Letter Received from Kilpatrick House ....................................................................................................................16
A safe place .................................................................................................................................................................18
Introducing the DGLNINZ Lodge Companion..............................................................................................................19
Periodical of the District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand
DISTRICT GRAND LODGE of NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND UNDER THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF ENGLAND
A message from our District Grand Master
Dear brethren,
As Christmas approaches and I look out the study window at a magnificent Pohutukawa tree coming into flower, while nearby the last of a cherry tree’s blossom falls, it is not hard to be reflective about the past year. We have had some great times and sad times. Our celebrations included our District Communications held in Petone in November. The work that was done by the brethren of Wellington and Aorangi Lodges and the Board of General Purposes enabled this to be both a memorable and a really enjoyable weekend. Nothing but favourable feedback has come back. In like manner, in early December Prince of Wales Lodge celebrated their 150th anniversary with a formal dinner and dancing at The Northern Club. All brethren who attended with their wives, had a fabulous time and the photographs from the event certainly confirmed this. Again, even earlier in the year the revitalised Sir Donald McLean Lodge celebrated their transformation into a Travelling Lodge with a wonderful weekend in the Wairarapa
At the same time, 2022 has seen the passing of our dear Queen and a number of brethren who have very much been part of the history and fabric of the District including W.Bros Bruce McMurtrie and Garry Spooner. Other brethren and their family members have been much effected by the ongoing effects of COVID or other illness. It has been a year where our lessons of the Third Degree have very much been to the fore. The seasons of life, the joy, the sadness is played out and made visible in the cycle of nature. What I am certain of it is not the length of life that matters but the width and depth of a life that counts. The width being measured in the circle of people we touch in living and its depth being the level of good we able to achieve and leave behind.
As Christmas trees are decorated, presents wrapped and food prepared it is good to be able to reflect on what is important in life. The values of family, of friendship and faith is what gives life it's continuum and us the strength to try and make this world a better and happier place. It is good to be able to reflect on what we as Freemasons and a District have done in endeavoring to try to assist in alleviating some of the pain and suffering occurring about us while we celebrate.
This includes the £1,000,000 raised by Grand Lodge for the Ukraine refugee crisis, to which you and your District contributed over $27,000; the $10,000 donated on your behalf through the Freemasons Foundation to the Auckland City Mission for food parcels and the $2,000 donated as the first installment of a $6,000 grant by our Charitable Trust to assist families with newly diagnosed babies with cystic fibrosis. This does not begin to include the many other outstanding charitable efforts individual lodges have completed in their own communities.
Families have their own special traditions of celebrating this festive time. Some with formal Christmas dinners and others with BBQs at the beach. Wherever you may be over the Christmas period, may you have time to enjoy all those who are special in your life and be able to reflect on how precious they are. May we also take time to reflect on the needs of others beyond our immediate family and acknowledge our Masonic responsibilities to assist wherever we can. Jan and I will be spending the period in Australia with grandchildren we have not seen in the last two years. May we wish you and your families the absolute best of Christmases wherever you may be and look forward to catching up with you all up in 2023.
Kind Regards
Periodical of the District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand
Attending the Grand Investiture and Quarterly Communications
On 14 September 2022 three Masons of this District ventured to Great Queen Street, London, to visit Freemasons Hall to be part of the Quarterly Communications meeting of United Grand Lodge of England. They were W.Bro Clynton Hardy PAGDC of Waitemata Lodge, W.Bro Roger Johnstone PAGSwdB of Alexandra Lodge and W.Bro Dr Mike Kearsley PAGDC of Corinthian Lodge.
This was a special occasion because, as well as the usual business matters to be attended to, Grand Lodge was investing a new set of the most senior ‘rulers’ of the Craft. M W Bro Peter Lowndes was retiring as Pro Grand Master, and R.W.Bro Johnathan Spence was taking his place. Unfortunately, only a week before, the Queen had died and thus the MW Grand Master, the Duke of Kent, could not attend as he would normally have done, and most Masonic activity was cancelled and in mourning. Black ties were required for all meetings and all brethren were to stand for two minutes silence as a mark of respect before any other activity.
After M W Bro Spence had been Obligated and Invested, his position as Deputy Grand Master was taken by R W Bro Sir David Wotton, whose own former position as Assistant Grand Master was taken by R W Bro John Medlock, former Provincial Grand Master for Somerset.
After the splendid ceremony which attracted around 2,000 attendees in the Grand Temple, with overflow screens in several other lodge rooms, the brethren dined in the Connaught Rooms or in nearby hotels and restaurants many joining together in their various provinces. Bros Hardy, Johnstone and Kearsley joined the brethren from their former English provinces to renew old links. A truly splendid occasion for all.
Interviews with new Masters
W.Bro Jesse Faraon, Aorangi Lodge No.2300Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born and grew up in Baler Aurora, Philippines.
Q: Can you tell us something about your father?
A: My dad was a retired police colonel. He was also a Freemason.
Q: Do you have brothers and sisters?
A: I am the eldest of seven brothers and sisters.
Q: Where did you go to school?
A: I attended school at Mount Carmel College, Philippines. I achieved a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, majoring in Accountancy.
Q: Would you like to tell us about your family?
A: Definitely, my wife Gina and I have one daughter Diana. We were married in the Philippines over 20 years ago.
Q: What kind of work did you do in the Philippines?
A: I served in the police for 19 years in Olongapo City and received significant merit awards for my work there.
Q: When did you come to NZ?
A: I came to New Zealand in January 2009.
Q: What kind of work do you now do?
A: I’m working as a Courier Contractor with Post Haste at the moment.
Q: Can you tell us about your Masonic history?
A: In the Philippines, I was in Teodoro R Yangco Lodge 351. This Lodge operates under the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. My father was with the Pinatubo Lodge which is also under the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. I was Initiated into Freemasonry in 2007 in the Philippines and joined the Aorangi Lodge in 2010. I was proposed by W Bro Elliott. Some of my mentors in the Craft were W Bro Bill Lowe, and W Bro Elliott, and they have always provided me with excellent advice and guidance.
Q: What are some of your personal interests?
A: Naturally, my family, and of course Freemasonry is a major interest. I used to play basketball when I was young. I enjoy listening and playing all kinds of music. Music is my life. I love singing, guitar; I’m not a pro, but I know the basics of music.
Q: What is the best Christmas present you ever received?
A: I’m not a ‘material person’, I cherish whatever I am presented with. The very best Christmas gift for me is anything from my family! They’re the best!
Q: Where do you like to spend your
holidays?
A: I love travelling and if there is an opportunity, I want to travel overseas, hoping to visit the Grand Lodge of England in London. We have travelled to many places here and we spent our holidays driving around the South Island about a year ago. That was one of my fondest New Zealand experiences.
Periodical of the District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand
Q: What do you like about Freemasonry?
A: The good family relationship and camaraderie of the Brethren are the primary draw for me in the Craft. I even changed our Aorangi Christmas lunch to a picnic so we could bring our families with us. Family is very important to me.
Q: What would you advise younger people about the Craft?
A: I would advise younger people that Freemasonry is a force of good because some of the people who join are pretty good, and the intention of our fraternity is to make good men better men. That is my most important advice to anyone. My own daughter Diana has great interest in the Craft and has studied a lot about it, in depth.
Q: What is your secret to a happy life?
A: The secret to a happy life is to be honest in all ways, don’t be shy to admit mistakes, and learn how to say ‘sorry’ when appropriate
W.Bro Garth Clarricoats, United Manawatu Lodge No.1721
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in Rotorua in 1961 and have lived in New Plymouth for more than 35 years.
Q: What kind of work did you father do?
A: My father was a coach driver. He said it was the best way to leave home every day and still be able to come back.
Q: Would you tell us about your family?
A: I come from a large family, 4 sisters and 2 brothers. They live in Australia as well as New Zealand.
Q: Where did you go to school?
A: I attended school at St Michaels Primary School and Edmund Rice College, both great Catholic schools. My parents worked really hard to give me the best education they could.
Q: Could you tell us about your lovely family?
A: Bridget and I have been married 33 years and I have two children, a daughter and a son. My son, Alex, is also in the Craft and loves it.
Q: What about your career?
A: I originally trained as a chef when I left school but progressed to hotel management in between stints as a volunteer social worker while considering a call to priesthood. Nowadays, and for the past 30 years, I am a selfemployed financial adviser and company and not-for-profit director.
Q: What kind of professional education have you achieved?
A: I achieved a NZ Diploma in Management in 2002 along with a number of industry-related qualifications in hospitality, retail and financial services. I also currently hold a NZ Certificate in Financial Services.
Q: What’s a day’s work like for you?
A: I spend an extraordinary amount of time hiding behind a PC and talking to a lot of people.
Q: What about the best book you ever read?
A: I’m an avid reader and I’ve read so many, many incredible books. Probably one of the most impactful was The Old Man And The Sea (Hemingway). I also find the Bible to be a pretty good read.
Periodical of the District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand
Q: What about your hobbies and interests?
A: I like to eat, have quality time with family and friends and travel with my son, I enjoy the company of others and I love to cook. My favourite sport has always been couch-surfing, although I enjoy cycling, and enjoyed a good game of squash back in the day. Alex and I enjoy riding a tandem bike and get out fairly regularly.
Q: Where do you like to go on holidays?
A: Holidays are a state of mind, rather than a place, but Alex and I have toured Viet Nam, China, Singapore and the Australian outback on both the Indian Pacific and the Ghan. We’ve seen the sun rise over the Oriental Pearl in Shanghai, set behind Uluru (Ayers Rock), and travelled on the world’s fastest train in 2014.
Q:
Is there any Masonic history in your family?
A: There is no history in my family that I know of although we may have had a couple over for lunch once and not known about it.
Q: What drew you to the Craft?
A: I was press-ganged to the Craft by one W Bro Owen Jarrett. From there I was influenced in a positive way by many of our members, W Bro Kevin Armstrong, W Bro Elliott, to name but a few. I believe the organisation has a great deal of relevance. It provides a place for community and charity. For me, life is about service, community and charity.
Q: Can you share any wisdom for younger people?
A: There is, of course, a place for younger people and when it’s ‘time’, they should be made to feel welcome and respected. Many young people are time-poor and being a part of the Masonic community is not a priority, even if they know about it. But when the time comes for them to seek out like-minded community and opportunities to belong, we need to be prepared to meet that need. There will always be a place for a “Gang” of good guys with secrets and funny handshakes who don’t do drugs and bark.
60 Up - Bring on 70!
That was the comment from W.Bro Alan Scott at the Duke of Albany regular Lodge meeting in Helensville on Wednesday 28th September 2022, when he was presented with his ‘60 years in Freemasonry’ Certificate and pin by W.Bro Barry Holland, the previous DVO of ‘The Duke’.
Our DGM, W.Bro Warren Weir was struck down with Covid the day before the meeting and was extremely disappointed in not being able to make the presentation in person, something he has pledged to do at every possible opportunity. In addition, W.Bro Andrew Cochrane, the current DVO was also feeling a little unwell and withdrew, in order to ensure any infection he may have had would not be transmitted to the mature lodge members present - their health being paramount! W.Bro Holland was happy and very honoured to be asked to step in and carry out such an important yet very pleasant duty on behalf of the DGM.
W.Bro Alan then addressed the brethren in open lodge and regaled stories of his Masonic career in a most amusing and informative way. It was apparent that W.Bro Alan is a font of knowledge on the people of Helensville, having spent a considerable part of his life in the town.
After the presentation a group of Lodge members (including W.Bro Alan) read sections of the 1st degree Tracing Board. W.Bro Alan was the final participant and when his turn came, he proceeded to recite his part from memory, having been a regular presenter of that Tracing Board as a regular attendee at lodge meetings. His ritual has lost none of its style and his delivery was exceptional!
At refectory, W.Bro Scott was given the honour of being the first member of the Lodge to propose the loyal toast to "The King and the Craft" following the lamented death of our former Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, earlier in the month. He was further toasted and honoured during refectory and as is always the case at the ‘Duke’, a good time was had by all and the enormity of the occasion well celebrated!
W.Bro Alan Scott is now determined to reach 70 years in the Craft and judging by his fitness and demeanour, will achieve it with ease!
A Letter from Cystic Fibrosis NZ
Dear Russell and Trustees
We are so grateful for the kindness and generosity of your donation in supporting our organisation with newly diagnosed family packs.
We couldn’t do our work without wonderful support like yours, thank you on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis NZ and all our people with cystic fibrosis and their families. The gifts we receive enable us to continue providing the best possible support that deliver quality of life and wellbeing for our CF community.
I also wanted to confirm regarding the ongoing funding for future years. Your email notes that it is for the next three years and when I talked to Warren, he mentioned two. It would be good to confirm so we are able to record it accurately.
Please find attached your official receipt.
We wish you well for the holiday season.
Ngā mihi nui
Lisa Lisa Burns
ChiefExecutive / Cystic Fibrosis NZ
M/ +64 021 283 0051
P/ +64 09 308 9161 E/ ceo@cfnz.org.nz
A Day to Remember at Freemasons’ Hall
Brethren of the District will have received the notification of the Installation of the new Pro Grand Master at Quarterly Communications that took place last Wednesday. Our own W.Bro David Allan PSGD PAPGM Communications Team Chairman has provided a report on the event which is shown below.
“It was a privilege to receive a ticket for, what is a relatively rare experience, the installation of a Pro Grand Master.
After thirteen years, MW Bro Peter Lowndes stepped down in favour of his successor, now the Most Worshipful Bro Jonathan Spence.
MW Bro Peter Lowndes had served Grand Lodge in a number of capacities having been appointed as Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1984, Grand Director of Ceremonies from 1995, a role he held for eight years, and in 2004 was appointed Deputy Grand Master until his promotion to Pro Grand Master in 2009 a total of nearly forty years in active service, for which the Craft is very grateful.
The sad passing of Her Majesty, the Queen, prevented the Most Worshipful, The Grand Master, HRH the Duke of Kent, from performing the Installation ceremony himself, due to the Royal Family being in mourning, and so Peter Lowndes was the officiating officer on the day, a ceremony performed with aplomb.
RW Bro, Sir David Wootton, was promoted to Deputy Grand Master and was installed by his predecessor, our new Pro Grand Master.
RW Bro David Medlock, the Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master of Somerset, was installed as Assistant Grand Master with each part of the ceremony being executed in first class style from the Grand Stewards, Junior and Senior Deacons, Past Grand Wardens and Provincial Grand Masters, who took part in the ceremony, as well as the Installing Officers.
There were four areas in which one could watch the ceremony, the Grand Temple as well as the Gallery and Temples 9 and 10, the latter three being remotely, but it was an atmosphere of old, with Freemasons’ Hall being so full
2,200 were in attendance in the building to witness directly or by tele-link this important ceremony and included, at the request of the new Pro Grand Master, a high proportion of those who had not yet been appointed to Provincial or Metropolitan Grand Rank. Eighteen Grand Masters from other Constitutions as well as Provincial and District Rulers from the United Grand Lodge of England were also present.
The final piece of business was the Investiture of the new Grand Secretary, and in keeping with recent tradition, V W Bro Adrian Marsh was invested at the Quarterly Communications of Grand Lodge immediately after his appointment to the Office. V.W.Bro Marsh comes from a background in the paper industry.
Over 700 dined in the Grand Connaught Rooms and enjoyed a good lunch, short and amusing speeches and the promise of an exciting future”.
Periodical of the District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand
A Christmas Tale
Santa loaded up his sleigh; it would soon be time to go
The night was cold the moon was bright as he set off through the snow
He knew his trusty reindeer would see the journey through They’d made it many times before; the track was tried and true.
But Santa wasn’t feeling well as he set off that night
To make his annual journey and make this Christmas bright
For all the children waiting, snuggled up and fast asleep And those that tried to stay awake, to have a crafty peep. He covered many miles that night, but he felt so tired and worn
He knew the time was going fast and soon it would be dawn But he stopped his trusty reindeer; he had no strength at all And rested on the wooden steps outside the Mason’s hall
Just then he heard an enquiring voice say, “Can I help you friend” He looked up to see a smiling face, and a friendly hand extend “Oh, I have so much that must be done, so many stops to make” Santa told the friendly stranger, “but I have to take a break”
The stranger listened patiently then helped Santa to his feet He then said come inside with me, there’s some people you should meet As they walked into the foyer all activity stopped dead Men looked in stunned amazement at the figure dressed in red All was hushed in silence as Santa told his tale of woe Of all the children waiting, and the many miles to go The Master said I have a plan, one of the very best Our Brotherhood is worldly spread; let’s put it to the test
And very soon the word went out, to all points far and wide Come to our aid you Masons, and help save this Christmastide To every Lodge throughout the world wherever Masons meet The message travelled onward, along every highway, every street Every Mason everywhere, upon that Christmas night Gladly helped out Santa, to make that Christmas bright Santa was well cared for, his reindeer tended well When he was fully rested, he bid a fond farewell.
The Masons went about their task, delivering all the gifts Instead of using chimneys, they used stairways and the lifts They called on every town and house, they didn’t miss a one And had every gift delivered before the morning sun. Not many know this story, not many people know How the Masons helped out Santa on that Christmas long ago We know that Santa was delighted, for he was heard to say
“Bless you Masons, everyone, for saving Christmas Day”.
Periodical of the District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand
