Interviews with new Masters

W. Bro Steven Elliot of Aorangi Lodge No 2300, continues the interviews of the new Masters, on behalf of the District. If you are going into the chair soon, your turn will come

W.Bro Jesse Faraon, Aorangi Lodge No.2300

Q: 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.

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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 Page 6