News & Events
On 30 January 2016, an electrical fault started a fire in the 114-year-old Rosewood Masonic Centre built in 1902. The fire is believed to have started in or near the kitchen which was part of the 1963 addition to the building. The Queensland Fire and Emergence Service did not indicate there were any suspicious circumstances.
The supper room was beyond repair and some of the roof trusses were completely burned, so the roof was unsafe in that end of the building. The Lodge Room by contrast has fared much better. There was considerable heat, smoke and water damage, mostly near the Senior Warden pedestal and the windows were broken to allow smoke to escape.
Fortunately, the Lodge had insurance. We are pleased to report construction has begun and they anticipate its completion in February 2018. While they tried to retain the original magnificent structure, unfortunately there were too many regulations and the cost was too great.
In the meantime, Rosewood Lodge 120 have been meeting in the Harrisville Masonic Centre owned by Fassifern Kilwinning 83.
“They welcomed us with open arms,” said Victor Chandler, secretary for Rosewood Lodge. “The brothers Masonically offered to let us meet for free, however we reached a decision to pay a minimal amount of rent.”
Interestingly, the members of Fassifern Kilwinning provided the architectural plans for the building in 1902 and assisted with its construction, so their continued support for Rosewood Lodge is admirable.
“We have received nothing but helpfulness, consideration and kindness,” said Victor.
You are invited to attend a remembrance ceremony hosted by Northgate Remembrance Lodge on Friday 10 November 2017, 7pm at the Kedron Masonic Centre.
The ceremony will honour Freemasons who paid the supreme sacrifice for Australia as well as those others who served.
You are invited to a rare event hosted by Thespian Lodge UGLQ and Thespian Lodge UGLNSW where they will raise two entered apprentices to the second degree.
Come for a night of entertainment and delicious catering on Saturday 9 December at the Stones Corner Masonic Centre.
See the lodge flyer for more details and bookings.
Gympie District Lodges are hosting an open day this Sunday 22 October at 37 Channon Street, Gympie.
Take a peak inside the Lodge building build in 1901 and be treated to an afternoon tea and refreshments.
Partners and family welcome.
This year, we were please to once again be a part of Brisbane Open House.
Thank you to those volunteers and visitors who joined us for this special day. We had a great turn out with just over 1100 in attendance. We received lots of great feedback and look forward to next year.
“I just wanted to thank you for opening up your Lodge for visitors during the Brisbane Open House. I found it fascinating. I very much respect how you conducted the visits, and how open you were to showing us what you do and to answering all of our questions,” – Cassie.
Pictured: Job’s Daughter display at Brisbane Open House, Masonic Memorial Centre Ann Street.
Last month, the first annual classic car rally was organised to support country lodges.
Over $700 was raised to assist the Lowood Lodge brethren with their temple restoration project. The rally consisted of a Lexus, Land Cruiser, an MGB, a 1957 MGA a Morgan, a BMW Z3, a triumph motorcycle and a classic kombi. Brethren drove from the Kedron Masonic Centre to the Caboolture Masonic Centre, Woodford Lodge, then Hopetoun Lodge for morning tea.
They then journeyed to Esk and Toolgoolawah before heading into Lowood where they were met by members of Lowood who organised a sausage sizzle, garage sale and a whiskey tasting.
The Spring Quarterly Communication raffle raised over $6700 for Mrs Robyn Townson’s charity of choice, the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital Foundation. Thank you to all participants whose contributions are much appreciated in raising funds for this worthy cause.
Congratulations to Bro John Gray from Athole Lodge and Mim Sinclair who won first and second place in the Spring Quarterly Communication raffle.
During the September Quarterly Communication in Bundaberg, a ladies afternoon high tea was held in the Bundaberg Civic Centre for the wives and partners of brethren. At this event, Mrs Lynne Lindsay and Mrs Patty Dexter, on behalf of Tyrian, Mulgrave, Athole, Ballantyne and Bundaberg Lodges, presented a $1000 cheque to Mrs Robyn Townson for her charity of choice, the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital Foundation.
Beaudesert Lodge 379 represented UGLQ at the Beaudesert Show on 8 and 9 September to fundraise for charity and showcase their involvement in the local community.
The show was a fantastic event with many people popping by to ask about Freemasonry or to mention their father or grandfather had been a Freemason. Without doubt, the trailer, coupled with the lodge’s regalia-printed aprons stood out and reinforced their place in the community.
The main team consisted of Bro Nigel Booker, Bro Shaun Winson and Bro Wayne Lupnow, and with help from Wor Bro Michael McPhail and Bro Sean Redding, they sold 350 bacon and egg rolls, raising $1100 for charity.
The Lodge would like to especially thank Miss Storm Lupnow who dedicated her Friday evening and Saturday morning to help.
“We are very pleased to say that we have been asked back again next year,” said Nigel.
On Saturday 21 October 2017, United Tradesmen’s Lodge will host their unique annual “dine in the dark” event in Ipswich. Guests are invited to enjoy a meal … blindfolded!
Tickets include a fun two-course dinner, entertainment, and live auctions and raffles.
Proceeds will contribute to Guide Dogs Queensland helping to provide Guide Dogs and other mobility and support services to blind and vision impaired children and adults in Queensland.
Tickets are available for $40 with all proceeds contributing to Guide Dogs Queensland.
See the flyer for more information.
For bookings, complete and submit the booking form to unitedtradesmenssecretary@gmail.com, or book online.
For additional information, contact:
Jim Williams 0428 874 911
Ian Brown 0431 034 852
Freemasons Victoria invite you to attend their 2018 Grand Installation in Melbourne, Victoria.
This event will be held on the weekend of Friday 6 – Sunday 8 April 2018. An early bird discount offer on registrations is available until Thursday 30 November 2017.
“On behalf of Freemasons Victoria, I take great delight in inviting you to join us for the 2018 Grand Installation of Deputy Grand Master, Bro Keith Murray as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria,” – MW Bro Donald Reynolds.
For more information, see the installation booklet. To register, download and complete the registration form and reserve your accommodation.
If your lodge requires a special custom-made banner, contact Margaret Rose on 0438 064 930 or at rosie@bigpond.net.au. Margaret Rose creates individually embroidered items on beautiful silk to your requirements.
We thank Margaret Rose for embroidering the banner for the United Grand Lodge of Queensland and the banner for The Most Worshipful Grand Master, both of which now hang in The Grand Hall. Margaret also created a banner to celebrate the centenary of Redlands Lodge 252.
She has just finished a commissioned banner for Southern Queensland 29.
Royal Arch are pleased to announce they are now selling new high-quality stock, including Companion’s aprons and sashes, Principal’s aprons and sashes, Masonic regalia soft carry cases, and Masonic apron and chain collar cases.
Follow the links to read the letter from the Grand Scribe Ezra and view pictures of the new stock.
Please make orders through Tetty Mackinnon on 07 3221 1911 or tmackinnon@royalarch.org.au.
Thank you to those who joined us for the combined business meeting and 2017 Grand Proclamation on Saturday 1 July, which consisted of the proclamation of our current Grand Master MW Bro Alan Maurice Townson, our Deputy Grand Master RW Bro Paul Andrew Holland, and the investiture of our new Assistant Grand Master RW Bro Christopher Leonard Pyke and Grand Officers. We hope you enjoyed the day.
Check out more pictures on our Facebook page, or, if you are a member, in the Member Resource Centre.
Special thanks to Bro Adam Brighouse from Theodore Unmack Lodge for the photography and Margaret Rose for the UGLQ banners.
The Stonecutters have arrived back from their adventures in the outback! Bros Thomas Christensen and Luke Roberts have completed The 2017 Cancer Council Car Rally in their 1960 Hillman Minx. All up they raised $10 350 for the team, and a massive $1.64M was raised for the rally in total. The car did them well and they truly got the "rally experience" with many days having to contend with issues in the car and fatigue.
Keep an eye out for the September edition of The Queensland Freemason magazine for a full report on their adventures and mishaps. Members can access more photos in the Members Section of the UGLQ website http://www.uglq.org.au/member-resource-centre
Like & Follow Bros Thomas and Luke on their page:https://www.facebook.com/1616743511931493
In April, the Stonecutters hosted a paintball day at Tactical Ops Paintball in Calvert, raising money for the Cancer Council in preparation for the annual Cancer Council Car Rally.
There were approximately 30 in the group, some friends and others who attended on the day, who all contributed towards The Stonecutters’ fundraising goals. The team managed to raise $508 through a portion of the registration fee and paintballs sold, which contributed to their total funds raised for the Cancer Council.
Thomas was reported to have been shot “a fair bit” and had a great time. The team was permitted to drive their rally car, a pale green 1960s Hillman Minx, onto the range to use for target practice and shelter during the games.
At the time of writing, The Stonecutters have raised $10 100 for the Cancer Council, and the Cancer Council Car Rally as a whole has raised more than $1.3million. They are scheduled to depart on 27 May.
This year, apart from having an older car, the Rally has a new major sponsor, Bingle Insurance; the Bingle car will be in The Stonecutters’ buddy group, which will hopefully give them some additional publicity.
“Thank you to the lodges, brethren and sponsors who have donated,” said The Stonecutters. “We are grateful to have gained most of our sponsors through Masonic ties.”
The Queensland Masonic Social Club, QMSC is a group run by Queensland Freemasons. It is open to all Masons, family members and friends to promote inclusive social activities and youth of the Craft.
QMSC plan regular monthly social events, with each month featuring something new in a different location. Social events include activities such as paintball, breakfasts, afternoon beers, motorbike rides, off-road outings, BBQs, cricket matches, dinners, barefoot bowling and more.
The last we heard from the Queensland Masonic Social Club, the group and their family and friends had gone 4WD’ing on Bribie Island. Most recently, the group journeyed to Double Island Beach for hiking and activities. The day was enjoyed by all.
Find out more or join the group on their Facebook page or see more snaps in our June 2017 magazine.
Mrs Robyn Townson’s charity of choice is the Lady Cilento Childrens’ Hospital Foundation, supporting Queensland children of all ages, both in the cities and rural areas, who are cared for and nurtured back to health by wonderful team of doctors and nurses, carers, parents and volunteers.
Limited edition raffle tickets are being sold for $5 with all proceeds contributing to the Lady Cilento Childrens’ Hospital Foundation.
The first prize will be a beautiful coin pearl necklace with baroque pearl enhancer, earrings, silk scarf and a $100 voucher all to the value of $800 from Panda Pearls. The second prize will be a Bunnings voucher to the value of $250.
Entries close Friday 25 August 2017 and will be drawn at the September Quarterly Communications.
The March edition of The Queensland Freemason magazine shared an article about Bro Troy Wolgast preparing to take part in the Leukemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave Event.
The opportunity was a great way to have a bit of fun and do something meaningful. After growing his long curly hair for 12 months, he took part in the shave in March at the Railway Hotel in Imbil, with the Hotel sponsoring him a generous $1000.
Troy’s wife, children and in-laws joined him on the day to show their support. Cheryl from the Golden Apple, an Imbil hairdresser did the honours, shaving off all of Troy’s 32 plaits done by his wife, and storing them carefully to be sent to a special company that creates wigs for cancer patients.
“I’m used to getting my hair shaved off,” said Troy. “I kind of miss it though, because it helps when I work in the hot weather.”
The World’s Greatest Shave also promotes colouring hair to raise funds. Many members in the local community came together to participate. Mad House, a local discount store, donated 12 cans of hairspray paint for the event. Motorbike riders got their beards spray painted, some with beards down to their waist! One local man got a purple mohawk. Troy’s children also joined in and spray-painted their hair too.
Lynette Wolgast, when asked what she thought of her husband’s new look said, “It’s different, but I’m used to it. It’s Troy.” She was proud of him for raising money for such a good cause.
Troy would like to thank his lodge, Telford Lodge No 291, and Braemar Lodge No 89 for the generous donations. Braemar Lodge donated $100 getting him over the $2000 line to a total of $2078. Special mention to Wor Bro Phil Jensen, VW Bro Dave Downing and VW Bro Geoffrey Taylor who made private donations.
Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland has donated $80 000 to the Joyful Foundation. Funds were raised through the Hand Heart Pocket 2016 Christmas Appeal though its network of Masonic Lodges throughout the State.
The donation will allow the Joyful Foundation to support North Queensland’s disadvantaged primary school students to reach their full potential by providing them with basic essentials like stationery packs, uniforms and the cost of extra-curricular activities and excursions for those who might normally go without.
Read more on the Hand Heart Pocket website.
Photo: Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland, Chief Executive Officer, Gary Mark with Joyful Foundation Founder, Ron Donnellan.
The Haz Beanz Charity Cricket Team was founded in November 2015 by Bro EJ Starkey from Johnston River Heritage Lodge No 135 to raise money for local organisations in Innisfail. In its inaugural season, the team combined with another charity cricket team to commence the initial competition, raising nearly $5000 in three appearance for local charities and organisations.
Johnstone River Heritage Lodge, of which five players from the team are members, sponsored their bright green and gold uniforms. The team plays once a month and were part of the Goldfield Ashes Series with over 300 teams, placing 66th in their division.
This year, they dedicated the 2017 Goldfield Ashes games to support a local family and contribute funds toward medical expenses.
“Our charity slant on cricket is really catching on,” said EJ. “Two teams asked to travel to Innisfail from Ingham and Charters Towers to play us.”
The cricket team have some largescale projects in progress. Local organisations and groups are encouraged to contact them to arrange an events at: secretary@charitybigbash.com
Stay up to date with the Haz Beanz cricket team through their Facebook page:
Join Argyle Lodge for a day of fun at Laidley Bowls Club this weekend on Sunday 26 February.
The event begins at 10am for a 10.30am bowls start and will have a sausage sizzle and great prizes to be won in a multi-draw raffle. All funds raised will contribute to Blue Care, supporting aged care.
Teams of four players can register for $15 which includes a meal, and single players are also welcome.
To register your interest, contact membership@uglq.org.au ATTN Peter Hooper.
A personal invitation from MW Bro Allan Sangwell, MWGM, Grand Lodge of Tasmania:
I extend a cordial invitation to Freemasons of other jurisdictions together with their partners to join with Freemasons of Tasmania and their partners for the installation of RW Bro John William Slore as the 38th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania.
The installation and associated social functions will be held in Hobart from Thursday, 23rd February through to Sunday, 26th February, 2017.
The programme of events will commence with a Civic Reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Ald Sue Hickey, at Hobart’s historic 150 year old Town Hall. The official events will conclude with a church service at St David’s Cathedral followed by a farewell luncheon.
Tasmania’s temperate climate makes February and March an ideal time to tour our scenic island. Experience its clean air, diverse landscapes, historic towns, and enjoy its fine food and wine.
Together with my wife, Pam, RW Bro Slore, and his partner Dot, I trust you will accept this invitation to join with us for this significant Masonic occasion in Hobart next February.
Allan Sangwell
Grand Master
On Saturday 22 October 2016, United Tradesmen’s Lodge will host their unique annual “dine in the dark” event in Ipswich.
Guests are invited to enjoy a meal … blindfolded!
“Some guests, who are really committed, blindfold themselves for the duration of the event. Other guests choose to be blindfolded just during their meal. Either way, it is a unique experience,” says Wor Bro Ian Brown, secretary for United Tradesmen’s Lodge No 12.
Tickets are available for $35 each and include a two-course dinner and entertainment. All proceeds go towards Guide Dogs Queensland.
For bookings and more information, contact:
Ian Brown 0431 034 852
Steve Palmer 0414 078 909
Murilla Lodge No 265 will be hosting the annual MAN-UP! Prostate Cancer Awareness Night on Tuesday 26 July at 6.00pm at the Miles Golf Club.
There will be drinks and fellowship followed by a free BBQ. The MAN-UP! team will speak about how prostate cancer is one of the main killers of men but is not difficult to detect or to fix if caught in it’s early stages. The night will be one of good cheer with raffles and the opportunity for brethren, friends and ladies to catch up and enjoy a social night.
You are invited to the Masonic Family Expo, a free event that offers the chance to see all the different Orders associated with Freemasonry besides the three degrees in a Craft lodge.
The event will be held at our Masonic Memorial Centre at 311 Ann St, Brisbane, and the event is open to the public.
We extend to all a cordial invitation to attend the Grand Installation and associated functions in Brisbane from Friday 1 July to Sunday 3 July 2016.
Traditionally the venue of focus is the Grand Hall of the Ann St Memorial Centre and this ornate and cloistered space creates the appropriate ambience for our core event. Accommodation and most social gatherings are all central to the CBD.
Our Grand Master Elect is Right Worshipful Brother Alan Maurice Townson, Deputy Grand Master for the previous three years and who has the added experience of previously serving the Fraternity as an Assistant Grand Master and as President of the Board of Benevolence. Alan is a most experienced Mason.
This is another splendid opportunity to meet your fellow masons and extended family. For those who have added time available why not consider a longer stay with multiple scenic attractions within easy travel distance of the capital.
All our visitors can be assured of a hearty and warm Fraternal welcome from the local Brethren.
