News & Events
Meals on Wheels Mackay has received a donation just shy of $1000 from Star of the North Lodge in conjunction with a Dollar for Dollar Subsidy from Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland.
Lodge Secretary Ron Simon said the funds were used to purchase a commercial stick blender which will assist the chef prepare large amounts of blended food in a shorter period of time.
“It was important for the Lodge to support the local Meals on Wheels as they provide an essential service that many in the community depend on,” Ron said.
Read more on the Hand Heart Pocket website.
Founded in Cooktown, Far North Queensland in 1875, Endeavour Lodge No 26H is one of Queensland’s oldest lodges, celebrating its 140th anniversary last year. Despite moving to Cairns, the Lodge maintains strong links to Cooktown and many local residents are engaged as members. The Lodge inherits its name from the Endeavour, the British Royal Navy research vessel in which Captain Cook landed in Australia at what is now known as Cooktown.
Enjoying the freedom that its travelling warrant allows, the Lodge always meets at least once a year in Cooktown to celebrate its foundation and maintain its strong links to the community.
Since 1992, Endeavour Lodge has sponsored two bursaries at Cooktown State School. Last year, Junior Warden of the Lodge, Bro Lieutenant Commander Ian Jackson, attended the school on its awards evening to present two students with certificates and bursaries. The school’s highest performing students, Dylan and Jaymie, who were awarded, stated they will use the $250 bursaries to further their studies.
The students were selected by the school staff, as they actively participate in and contribute to a wide range of school activities and exemplify a high standard of industry, reliability, initiative and sociability.
Bro Lieutenant Commander Jackson commented, “It was an absolute privilege to represent Endeavour Lodge and Freemasonry on this wonderful evening. The students were highly recommended by the principal and very deserving of the bursaries. Some of the fundamental principles of Freemasonry are charity and to foster good citizenship and values within society, and it was tremendously rewarding to be allowed to represent the Lodge and justly reward two young people for their efforts.”
Mooloolah Lodge, in conjunction with a Dollar for Dollar Subsidy from Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland, has donated over $2500 to the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) in Caloundra.
The funds were used to purchase a LAERDAL Resusci Baby with QCPR – a lifelike manikin of an infant which transmits real-time information to a computer to help paramedics hone their CPR skills.
Lodge Secretary Doug Wells said the Lodge was proud to fund such an innovative piece of equipment that will directly benefit the Sunshine Coast community.
“When responding to an emergency every second counts, so supporting our paramedics and making sure they have the latest training equipment is vital,” Doug said.
This is the third year Mooloolah Lodge has donated Laerdal equipment to the QAS at Caloundra.
Read more on the Hand Heart Pocket website.
Photo: Representatives from the Queensland Ambulance Service at Caloundra Michael Metcalfe and Toni Careless (carrying the new Resusci Baby) with Mooloolah Lodge’s Norrie Morris (centre).
Recently, RW Bro Gary Young, our Masonic Choirmaster and Deputy Grand Organist for over 17 years, had his profile featured in the local Gatton newspaper.
Over his lifetime, Gary ran, managed and was a pilot for his own charter flight business in the early 1990s, later developing a flight training school. He has studied engineering and industrial chemistry at a tertiary level, is a talented musician and has developed his own lavender farm with his wife, Anne.
Read more about his outstanding career and achievements on the Gatton Star website.
Congratulations Gary.
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.
Over the Christmas break, Bro Ben Kelly from Tewantin Lodge 355 competed in the 38th Nacra nationals at Boreen Point. After a hard week of racing, he managed to land third place overall in his Nacra 16 square, called “on the square”.
The boat was originally purchased and named by Wor Bro Robert “Bob” Rechenberg from Mulgrave Lodge No 44.
“When I was looking for a boat, the name jumped out at me and I just had to have it!” said Ben.
Well done and congratulations Ben.
Image by Julie Hartwig Photography
Queensland Freemasons Bros Thomas Christensen and Luke Roberts are proudly supporting the Cancer Council by participating in this year's Cancer Council car rally, which goes by a more colourful name, for the second year in a row.
Enjoy a very humorous interview between Wor Bro Peter Ryan and Bro Thomas Christensen about the team's vehicle of choice, a 1960s Hillman Minx:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttLRFLvX2Bw
Peter's official car review will be featured in the upcoming March edition of The Queensland Freemason magazine.
If you're interested in following the team's journey, check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/1616741505265027 and show some support by donating at www.everydayhero.com
Have you read the December edition of The Queensland Freemason magazine? In it, you’ll find pictures from the 2016 Carnival of Flowers in Toowoomba. The Toowoomba and Districts Masonic Council once again participated, raising $650 for charity in their sausage sizzle. Well done Toowoomba Freemasons.
Freemasons Queensland aims to recognise the efforts of members who introduce new candidates.
Since 1 May this year, we have distributed “recognition pins”. The pins are in the shape of a bee, a symbol of teamwork and industry. Interestingly, there is a beehive on every lodge officer’s collar and it has been a common Masonic symbol for hundreds of years. So far, sixty-two members have been awarded pins.
On Wednesday 7 December at our Quarterly Communication, Deputy Grand Master and Chair of the Membership Committee, RW Bro Paul Holland, presented VW Bro Edward “Ted” O’Neil from Southport Lodge No 62 with a set of working tools. Ted was awarded for introducing the most new candidates in 2016 since the initiative commenced.
The United Grand Lodge of Queensland looks forward to continuing this tradition in coming years.
For the fourth year running, United Tradesmen’s Lodge No 12 hosted their annual Dine in the Dark event in Ipswich, providing awareness, fun, and information about Guide Dogs Queensland.
Guests were invited to wear blindfolds during a two-course meal to gain a sense of what it feels like to be visually impaired. This year they had more activities and prizes than ever before, as well as a special guest from Guide Dogs Australia. The Lodge also had the opportunity to promote their event through an article published in QT News.
Read more about the event in our upcoming December magazine. Sign up to receive a free electronic copy.
Our annual Anzac Day ceremony was held on Monday 25 April at the Masonic Memorial Centre.
The Grand Hall was near capacity for this special occasion in the presence of both the MW Bro Dr Gary Bacon and H.E. the Governor of Queensland, Paul de Jersey AC.
Lest we forget.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain, spinal cord or optic nerve. It is the most common chronic neurological condition affecting young adults in Australia.
MS Queensland is a non-profit organisation that provides MS information, education, treatment, care and support across Queensland.
On Sunday 19 April last year, Dunellan Lodge No 480 held a fundraising event at the Sandy Gallop Golf Course. With the help of the community and the Ipswich City Council, the members raised $650 for MS Queensland. The Board of Benevolence generously matched dollar for dollar taking the total to an amazing $1 300!
As the Queensland heat affects people living with MS, particularly with fatigue, Dunnellan lodge chose to donate their money towards cooling vests. MS Queensland was able to purchase a total of nine vests to aid people living with MS. In February this year a special function was held to present the vests to MS Queensland.
Each year several tertiary students with Masonic family members are awarded a bursary to support them in their academic endeavours.
Congratulations to our 2016 bursary recipients. The above photo shows those students who were able to attend the presentation night on Thursday 10 March in the Grand Hall.
The Master of Victoria Lodge Wor Bro Rod Single served 20 years in the Australian Army as an engineer, so becoming involved with the RSL backed charity Mates4Mates is no surprise.
The charity was introduced to support soldiers who have suffered wounds and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after service in Afghanistan. Many soldiers saw three and four tours in the country.
Part of the fund raising, which includes a sailing program on an ocean racing yacht, is a series of long distance treks over a weekend by teams of four trekkers in relays through the ranges to the west of Brisbane.
Challenges are held in March, May, August and October. So far the challenge has raised some $27,000 for M4M. The October trek, in which Rod took part in with 118 others, raised $5,915 for the charity.
Rod joined three other friends for the trek. His leg of 38km started at 9.30pm on the Saturday night and didn’t finish until 8.15am the next morning.
“It was tough, not one for the faint hearted or unfit,” Rod admitted.
During the trek the teams carried a brick on which was engraved the name of a fallen WWI Queensland soldier. Rod’s team carried a brick with the name of 6511 Pte Joseph Raine MM who was killed in action at Passhendaele 4 Nov 1917. Following the Grand Master’s initiative of publishing the names of 113 fallen soldiers, who were members of Queensland Lodges, in the June edition of The Queensland Freemason, Rod is now challenging brethren from other lodges from which their brethren did not return from WWI to take part in the treks.
There will be four more walks every year until the end of 2018. Then on 11 November 2018 it is proposed to unveil a memorial at the Gap, built from the bricks carried in the treks. Each brick will carry the name of a Queenslander killed in action in WWI. The 100km trek starts at the Gap, off Waterworks road at Enoggera Reservoir, up through the D’Aguilar National Park to a check point at Mt Nebo State School.
The trek continues and extends into the early evening upwards to White Cedar. The next section is from White Cedar to Mt Mee. This is the hardest and longest part of approximately 36km and was the leg Rod challenged and completed. From Mt Mee the final leg is to the finish at Neurum Creek Bush Retreat; from there a bus collects the trekkers and takes them to the Woodford RSL.
The event is not a race. It is a physically testing, but empowering journey that commemorates Australia’s fallen soldiers of WWI and supports our ‘Mates’ in need.
Rod Single started his army career as an apprentice at Balcombe in Victoria. He retired 20 years later as a Staff Sergeant in the works office of 21 Construction Squadron.
Every Wednesday afternoon, rain, hail, or shine, Bro Mark McDonnell is at West End providing food to the less fortunate.
His charity initiative, Community Friends organises donations from local suppliers so that people in need know they always have a dependable place to get a meal every week.
This includes people living rough, in their cars or in temporary shelters, as well as homeless people with nowhere to live.
On visiting Mark last month there were individuals from all walks of life in attendance and sadly, even children.
Last week Freemasons Queensland donated over a dozen large boxes of cutlery, cups and plates for Mark to distribute. These basic items were readily accepted by the local homeless refuge in Brisbane.
Mark was initiated into Prince Albert Lodge 248 in August this year. He is looking forward to his Masonic journey and building new friendships.
Read more about Mark, his masonic journey and his charity work in the December issue of the Queensland Freemason magazine.
To get in touch or to support Mark visit his Facebook page:
Community Friends
On 23 January the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for Scotland, Province of South Queensland installed a new Deputy for the Province for the first time in 10 years.
V. Illustrious Brother Allan Verran 33° installed V. Illustrious Brother Keith McElligott 33° as his successor.
The ceremony was attended by members of both the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for Scotland and for Australia. Also in attendance were representatives from the Scottish Orders in Queensland, the Royal Order of Scotland, the District Grand Priory of Queensland and members of other Orders.
Late week the slab was finally poured for the housing development at Skew Street, Sherwood.
Formerly the site of a Masonic Centre, Freemasons Queensland are building six three bedroomed and two four bedroomed townhouses on this site and kind weather meant that the slab was laid without any major hurdles with work now commencing on the above ground fabrication.
Work is on schedule and is due for completion in the third quarter of 2016.
On behalf of the Queensland fraternity we warmly congratulate Bro Darrell Thompson who recently received a 2015 QAS Commissioner’s Achievement Award for his selfless actions at the scene of the Ravenshoe café explosion.
His professionalism and commitment to duty is without equal and we are proud to have him as a Queensland Freemason.
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.
