|
Published 16 December 2020 |
|
The Traditions Continue Brethren, last week we were able to hold a Communication in the Grand Lodge Room at the Sydney Masonic Centre. It is the fact that both the June and September Quarterly Communications had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 requirements. With quite a few simple variations of our procedure, we were able to put on a very well-structured ceremony with minimal Grand Lodge Officers and formality. The Grand Director of Ceremonies, utilising the minimal number of his Ceremonial Team, showed how we can conduct a ceremony with appropriate distancing, personal sanitising at every opportunity, and all with some slightly different perambulations and choreography. This can and will work well into the future. Importantly, this Communication gave us the opportunity to acknowledge and thank our DGIW's for extending their roles well past their appointment dates. Their efforts have been very much appreciated, and I know that many of them are now looking forward to handing over their jewel to their successor, and in doing this, we add our very sincere congratulations for a job particularly well done. Of course, we were also able to invest several new Grand Stewards and add our congratulations to some well-deserved and long overdue Conferrals of Grand Rank. This Communication has given us further hope that we can return to a more normal operating pattern, albeit we will need to live with restricted numbers and safe protocols for some time yet. As we approach the end of our calendar year, it has never been more important to look after yourselves, your Lodge, your community, and your family. Derek Robson AM |
|
|
|
Freemasons NSW & ACT Community Service Award
Period Pack's Lily Harrison - Freemasons Community Service Award - photo courtesy of ABC News The purpose of the 7NEWS Young Achiever and the Freemasons Community Service Awards is to acknowledge, encourage and promote the positive achievements of all young people in NSW & ACT up to and including 29 years of age as of 31 December each year. Freemasons NSW & ACT proudly sponsor this award as it represents not just the principle of charity, one of our core values, but also the future of the community we as Freemasons are an integral part. This year has brought us many challenges and difficulties and now is the time to recognise any young member of our community who went above and beyond their duty to alleviate the pain of 2020. This is also a great opportunity to show that our lodges are engaged with our local communities. Do you know someone amazing? Refer them before nominations close on 11 January 2021. |
|
DGIW Jewel changing hands at District 11
VW Bro Todd Shadbolt District 11 is getting a new DGIW in VW Bro Todd Shadbolt and he will be receiving his new Jewel on Tuesday 5 January 2021 at Lodge Ballina United. Bro Todd will receive his DGIW Jewel from RW Bro Raymond Edward Weblin right after the raising ceremony for Bro Rod Flor. Due to COVID-19 requirements, bookings for the event are essential and can be made by contacting the lodge secretary, RW Bro John Andrews on 0437 242 457. |
|
70 years for George
VW Bro George McKinnon receiving his certificate from W Bro Brad Conner VW Bro George McKinnon receives his 70 year Certificate from W Bro Brad Conner at Tweed Heads recently. The excitement of the occasion was such that VW Bro George even forgot his PM's apron. Well done Bro George, you are an example to us all. |
|
Merry Christmas from Federal United
Brethren, ladies, visitors, friends and Santa celebrating the joy of Christmas with a great festive lunch at Lodge Federal United. That puts 2020 to sleep for us, a bigger, brighter and far more rewarding 2021 awaits us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. |
|
Sydney Masonic Centre end of year closure
Please note that the Sydney Masonic Centre and Grand Secretariat will close midday, Thursday 24 December 2020 and re-open on Monday, 11 January 2021. |
|
|
|
STAGE 1 - PREPARE THE BUILDING All Masonic Centres are required to register as a COVID Safe business and prepare the building in accordance with steps that will be provided to them by the Grand Secretary. NOTE: Once all buildings have been prepared we can then move on to Stage 2. |
|
STAGE 2 - PREPARE YOUR LODGE Once all Masonic Centres have completed Stage 1 it will then be necessary for each lodge to prepare their meeting place (lodge room) in accordance with further steps provided to them by the Grand Secretary. NOTE: When lodges have completed Stage 2 and following further directions from the Government Health Authorities we can then move on to Stage 3. |
|
STAGE 3 - RETURN TO LODGE Once lodges have completed Stage 2 requirements and after ensuring we comply with all regulations directed by the authorities, the Grand Secretary will advise those lodges that they may consider their return. NOTE: The Grand Secretary will provide further advice on any meeting restrictions that may apply as a result of further directions from the Government Health Authorities. |
|
Extension of Deadline
The Freemason magazine is all about being fair. The COVID-19 situation has affected the postal service and a large proportion of magazines were received later than usual. This resulted in a short time frame to submit Stage 1 entries of their photo competition. The deadline for Stage 1 will be the same as for Stage 2: 15 January 2021. This will give everyone a little more time to be creative. The deadline for Stage 3 remains 15 April 2021. |
|
Are your contact details up to date?
To continue to receive the Freemason magazine, emails and invitations to online meetings it is important your contact details are up to date. Please update your details on the Grand Lodge website or with your lodge secretary and urge your fellow brethren to do the same. |
|
How is your lodge staying connected?
Write a paragraph or two, add a good large photograph and send it to news@masons.org.au. Your story will be considered for this newsletter, the next Freemason magazine and might even feature in our official facebook page. Just make sure you have permission from all mentioned and depicted for their image to be publicly published.
|
|
The Grand Master's Newsletter Please submit your articles and photographs to news@masons.org.au and make sure you have permission from all mentioned and depicted for their image to be publically published. Download print versionUnited Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of The United Grand Lodge of NSW and the ACT. The information contained in this email is for the intended recipient and may be confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, interference with or disclosure of this material is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, you are requested to immediately contact the sender by email or telephone and then delete the message. The message is NOT to be copied, further distributed or disclosed to other parties without the express permission of the author. |
