News & Events
On 7th of June 2023, The United Grand Lodge of Queensland together with Hand Heart Pocket formally presented Legacy Brisbane with a donation of $5000.00 as part of the 2023 “Lest We Forget” Lapel Pins fundraising initiative by the Grand Secretariat Team.
Due to the resounding success of the limited edition 2022 Square and Compass Poppy Pin, The Grand Secretariat Initiative was expanded into a formal fundraising initiative and the decision was taken to partner with Legacy Brisbane and Hand Heart Pocket through its Matched Giving program.
Legacy is an iconic Australian charity dedicated to supporting the families of our veterans. Their vision is for no spouse or child of a veteran to suffer financial or social disadvantage as a result of their loved one’s death or injury from recognised military service.
The Masonic Memorial Centre being the home of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland in Brisbane and one of only two Masonic Memorial Centres in the world (the other being United Grand Lodge of England - UGLE), there was no more apt charity to partner with.
We would like to thank all the Brethren and Lodges who supported and continue to support this initiative.
Photo: Hand Heart Pocket Chair RW Bro Alasdair Begley, Legacy Brisbane Representative Sally Gardner and UGLQ Grand Master MW Bro Jeffrey Harper AFSM
Home-like maternity bereavement suite supports grieving families
The trauma of losing a baby at birth is heightened when families have to stay in a hospital’s maternity ward surrounded by other families with healthy babies.
Now grieving families in the Moreton Bay region can stay in Redcliffe Hospital’s Jacaranda suite, a dedicated home-like maternity bereavement suite – giving them the space to grieve and receive specialised care in private, away from the maternity ward.
The local Tynwald Freemasons Lodge and Hand Heart Pocket contributed $13,228 towards the initiative alongside other community groups and local businesses, helping with the fit-out of the two-bed space.
Tynwald Freemasons Lodge representative Ross Angel and his wife welcomed their first child in 2021, a healthy baby girl, now 18 months old. Grateful for the care they received, Mr Angel rallied his Lodge to fundraise for this cause.
“As a Lodge we felt it was important to support local families in this way,” Mr Angel said.
“We recently met with Hospital staff and saw the new Jacaranda suite for the first time. When you’ve contributed to something so tangible it really does move you.
“The families that will use this new space will be experiencing immense sadness and we hope this space will be of some comfort to them, giving them privacy as they receive the care they need.
“Not all hospitals have a maternity bereavement suite. If this is something your local area needs, Tynwald Lodge encourages Lodges to think about working with other local community groups to fund a similar initiative in your area,” Mr Angel said.
“I would also like to thank Hand Heart Pocket for supporting us with this initiative.”
Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Sara Parrott said over the last year, the Freemasons of Queensland have continued to make a positive impact in communities across the state.
“In 2021-22, with the support of Hand Heart Pocket our Members gave over $460,000 to the causes that matter to them in their community,” Ms Parrott said.
“By matching the Lodge’s giving, we were able to help bring this important local initiative to fruition. Showing compassion towards local families who have suffered a heartbreaking loss, with a dedicated space within the hospital while they receive medical care is incredibly important and we thank Tynwald Freemasons Lodge for bringing this to our attention,” she said.
Queensland’s housing crisis is very real. Just ask Waveny Holland, the wife of the Immediate Past Grand Master, Paul Holland.
Recently both Paul and Waveny visited Sheltered by Grace, a homeless shelter in Logan City to handover a cheque for $2,910 to support the running of the service.
“Being face-to-face with people facing this reality, as well as those that are doing their best to help, really puts into perspective what we’ve all been hearing on the news lately about Queensland’s housing crisis,” Waveny said.
Intake has increased by 75% at the shelter compared to last year.
“The people we met were so resilient in the face of such adversity. But the need is very real. I’m pleased we were able to make a difference, even in a small way.”
Waveny isn’t new to supporting the homeless. In 2019, when her husband Paul was installed as Grand Master – the highest ranking Freemason in the State – Waveny thought long and hard about the causes she wanted to get behind during his term. She kept coming back to the homeless and did her research to find a small organisation where her fundraising would have a bigger impact.
Prior to the pandemic Waveny raised much needed funds which were matched by Hand Heart Pocket to a total of $5,160 and donated it to Sheltered by Grace, her charity of choice. This enabled the charity to purchase a stove and oven for the communal kitchen. It meant they could cook for all the residents at once, which they couldn’t do with the small stove they had previously.
This latest donation was kindly donated by Grand Lodge instead of a present for the retiring Grand Master. From time to time she has also provided around $2,000 worth of new men’s and women’s underwear, socks, leggings, slippers, thongs, toiletries and personal grooming products for the residents, donated by her friends and contacts.
“Both Paul and I are appreciative of everyone that has supported me in my community work, the Freemasons and the public have been incredibly generous,” she said. Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Sara Parrott commended Waveny on her commitment to community.
“Waveny has set a wonderful example for us all. While homelessness continues to be a statewide issue, we can all do something to help at a local level,” Sara said.
“We empower the Freemasons of Queensland to get behind the causes that matter to them in their community by matching their giving and volunteering. If you’ve identified a community service in your area that directly helps the homeless and you want to help, then contact us to match your efforts,” she said.
Over the last year, the Freemasons of Queensland have continued to make a positive impact in communities across the state. In 2021-22, with the support of Hand Heart Pocket our Members gave over $460,000 to the causes that matter to them in their community.
Find out more about Hand Heart Pocket’s Matched Giving Program
The Summer months in Cairns are hot and sticky. So when the local Freemasons from Murray Lodge heard that the local Royal Flying Doctor Service (Qld Section) had to hire an air conditioner to keep the aircraft hanger cool for engineers working on their aircrafts, they were having none of it.
Recently the Lodge, with the help of Hand Heart Pocket donated a huge air conditioner, saving the charity hundreds in hiring fees.
Murray Lodge representative Alan Sims said it was a privilege to help create a cooler working environment for the organisation’s engineering team.
“Keeping these aircrafts in tip top condition is critical to enabling the RDFS to get to our most rural and remote communities here in the Far North, to give our people access to primary healthcare,” Alan said.
“The RFDS also provide access to mental health and dental services and operates emergency retrievals at any given moment, so the aircrafts need to be in good shape.
“Keeping the hanger cool, means the engineering team can work more effectively.”
Each month the RFDS in Cairns conduct 50 primary healthcare flights and 120 emergency retrievals.
Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Sara Parrott said the local Freemasons have provided a very practical solution.
“Without healthy communities, we all suffer. This generous gesture shows how much the local Freemasons care about their community and how much they value the lifesaving work of the RFDS,” Sara said.
“They know from experience how vital the service is. We commend them for recognising this need so that we could match their donation,” she said.
Over the last year, the Freemasons of Queensland have continued to make a positive impact in communities across the State. With the support of Hand Heart Pocket our Members gave over $460,000 to the causes that matter to them in their community.
Find out more about Hand Heart Pocket’s Matched Giving Program
On 7th of June 2023, The United Grand Lodge of Queensland together with Hand Heart Pocket formally presented Legacy Brisbane with a donation of $5000.00 as part of the 2023 “Lest We Forget” Lapel Pins fundraising initiative by the Grand Secretariat Team.
Due to the resounding success of the limited edition 2022 Square and Compass Poppy Pin, The Grand Secretariat Initiative was expanded into a formal fundraising initiative and the decision was taken to partner with Legacy Brisbane and Hand Heart Pocket through its Matched Giving program.
Legacy is an iconic Australian charity dedicated to supporting the families of our veterans. Their vision is for no spouse or child of a veteran to suffer financial or social disadvantage as a result of their loved one’s death or injury from recognised military service.
The Masonic Memorial Centre being the home of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland in Brisbane and one of only two Masonic Memorial Centres in the world (the other being United Grand Lodge of England - UGLE), there was no more apt charity to partner with.
We would like to thank all the Brethren and Lodges who supported and continue to support this initiative.
Photo: Hand Heart Pocket Chair RW Bro Alasdair Begley, Legacy Brisbane Representative Sally Gardner and UGLQ Grand Master MW Bro Jeffrey Harper AFSM
Home-like maternity bereavement suite supports grieving families
The trauma of losing a baby at birth is heightened when families have to stay in a hospital’s maternity ward surrounded by other families with healthy babies.
Now grieving families in the Moreton Bay region can stay in Redcliffe Hospital’s Jacaranda suite, a dedicated home-like maternity bereavement suite – giving them the space to grieve and receive specialised care in private, away from the maternity ward.
The local Tynwald Freemasons Lodge and Hand Heart Pocket contributed $13,228 towards the initiative alongside other community groups and local businesses, helping with the fit-out of the two-bed space.
Tynwald Freemasons Lodge representative Ross Angel and his wife welcomed their first child in 2021, a healthy baby girl, now 18 months old. Grateful for the care they received, Mr Angel rallied his Lodge to fundraise for this cause.
“As a Lodge we felt it was important to support local families in this way,” Mr Angel said.
“We recently met with Hospital staff and saw the new Jacaranda suite for the first time. When you’ve contributed to something so tangible it really does move you.
“The families that will use this new space will be experiencing immense sadness and we hope this space will be of some comfort to them, giving them privacy as they receive the care they need.
“Not all hospitals have a maternity bereavement suite. If this is something your local area needs, Tynwald Lodge encourages Lodges to think about working with other local community groups to fund a similar initiative in your area,” Mr Angel said.
“I would also like to thank Hand Heart Pocket for supporting us with this initiative.”
Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Sara Parrott said over the last year, the Freemasons of Queensland have continued to make a positive impact in communities across the state.
“In 2021-22, with the support of Hand Heart Pocket our Members gave over $460,000 to the causes that matter to them in their community,” Ms Parrott said.
“By matching the Lodge’s giving, we were able to help bring this important local initiative to fruition. Showing compassion towards local families who have suffered a heartbreaking loss, with a dedicated space within the hospital while they receive medical care is incredibly important and we thank Tynwald Freemasons Lodge for bringing this to our attention,” she said.
Queensland’s housing crisis is very real. Just ask Waveny Holland, the wife of the Immediate Past Grand Master, Paul Holland.
Recently both Paul and Waveny visited Sheltered by Grace, a homeless shelter in Logan City to handover a cheque for $2,910 to support the running of the service.
“Being face-to-face with people facing this reality, as well as those that are doing their best to help, really puts into perspective what we’ve all been hearing on the news lately about Queensland’s housing crisis,” Waveny said.
Intake has increased by 75% at the shelter compared to last year.
“The people we met were so resilient in the face of such adversity. But the need is very real. I’m pleased we were able to make a difference, even in a small way.”
Waveny isn’t new to supporting the homeless. In 2019, when her husband Paul was installed as Grand Master – the highest ranking Freemason in the State – Waveny thought long and hard about the causes she wanted to get behind during his term. She kept coming back to the homeless and did her research to find a small organisation where her fundraising would have a bigger impact.
Prior to the pandemic Waveny raised much needed funds which were matched by Hand Heart Pocket to a total of $5,160 and donated it to Sheltered by Grace, her charity of choice. This enabled the charity to purchase a stove and oven for the communal kitchen. It meant they could cook for all the residents at once, which they couldn’t do with the small stove they had previously.
This latest donation was kindly donated by Grand Lodge instead of a present for the retiring Grand Master. From time to time she has also provided around $2,000 worth of new men’s and women’s underwear, socks, leggings, slippers, thongs, toiletries and personal grooming products for the residents, donated by her friends and contacts.
“Both Paul and I are appreciative of everyone that has supported me in my community work, the Freemasons and the public have been incredibly generous,” she said. Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Sara Parrott commended Waveny on her commitment to community.
“Waveny has set a wonderful example for us all. While homelessness continues to be a statewide issue, we can all do something to help at a local level,” Sara said.
“We empower the Freemasons of Queensland to get behind the causes that matter to them in their community by matching their giving and volunteering. If you’ve identified a community service in your area that directly helps the homeless and you want to help, then contact us to match your efforts,” she said.
Over the last year, the Freemasons of Queensland have continued to make a positive impact in communities across the state. In 2021-22, with the support of Hand Heart Pocket our Members gave over $460,000 to the causes that matter to them in their community.
Find out more about Hand Heart Pocket’s Matched Giving Program
The Summer months in Cairns are hot and sticky. So when the local Freemasons from Murray Lodge heard that the local Royal Flying Doctor Service (Qld Section) had to hire an air conditioner to keep the aircraft hanger cool for engineers working on their aircrafts, they were having none of it.
Recently the Lodge, with the help of Hand Heart Pocket donated a huge air conditioner, saving the charity hundreds in hiring fees.
Murray Lodge representative Alan Sims said it was a privilege to help create a cooler working environment for the organisation’s engineering team.
“Keeping these aircrafts in tip top condition is critical to enabling the RDFS to get to our most rural and remote communities here in the Far North, to give our people access to primary healthcare,” Alan said.
“The RFDS also provide access to mental health and dental services and operates emergency retrievals at any given moment, so the aircrafts need to be in good shape.
“Keeping the hanger cool, means the engineering team can work more effectively.”
Each month the RFDS in Cairns conduct 50 primary healthcare flights and 120 emergency retrievals.
Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Sara Parrott said the local Freemasons have provided a very practical solution.
“Without healthy communities, we all suffer. This generous gesture shows how much the local Freemasons care about their community and how much they value the lifesaving work of the RFDS,” Sara said.
“They know from experience how vital the service is. We commend them for recognising this need so that we could match their donation,” she said.
Over the last year, the Freemasons of Queensland have continued to make a positive impact in communities across the State. With the support of Hand Heart Pocket our Members gave over $460,000 to the causes that matter to them in their community.
Find out more about Hand Heart Pocket’s Matched Giving Program