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NEW ZEALAND
Issue 3 (Vol. 41) September 2013
www.freemasons.co.nz
The Freemasons Deposit Scheme2 oers two great ways for Freemasons and their families to put aside money and save for their goals:
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For a copy of Heartland Bank Limiteds Disclosure Statement and Term Deposits Investment Statement (if applicable) call us on 0508 373 362 or visit www.heartland.co.nz.
1 Heartland Bank Limited (Heartland, Heartland Bank) is a subsidiary of Heartland New Zealand Limited (HNZ). HNZ shares are listed on the NZX Main Board. NZX Main Board is a registered market operated by NZX Limited, a registered exchange, regulated under the Securities Markets Act 1988. NZX Limited accepts no responsibility for any statement in this advertisement. HNZ does not guarantee the obligations of Heartland Bank in relation to deposits.
2 Freemasons New Zealand is not a promotor of and does not guarantee the obligations of Heartland Bank in relation to Heartland Bank deposits.
IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial 2
Hot news 3 Grand Installation 2013 4 From the Grand Master 6 News clips 8
OPINION The relevance of a Research Lodge 12 FREEMASONS IN ACTION
Southern recognition 26
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Queensland Grand Installation 15 Remembering a North Shore Freemason 31 Branding 32 CULTURE
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National Fieldays 2013 19
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The New Zealand Freemason is the ofcial journal of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand. Unless otherwise indicated, the opinions expressed and the advertising content are those of the authors and do not necessarily reect the policy of Grand Lodge. Articles appearing in this journal may be reproduced without permission provided acknowledgement of the source is made and a copy of the publication is forwarded to the Grand Secretary. Queries or comments regarding subscription or distribution should be addressed to the Grand Secretary. Queries and comments regarding content and advertising should be addressed to the Editor. Contributions to the magazine are greatly appreciated and should be of interest to a wide audience. Contributions, including letters to the Editor, may be edited. Photographs should be high quality, preferably in jpg or tiff format. Contributions to the magazine can be forwarded through these people: Northern Division: Jack Leigh, leigh99@xtra.co.nz Central Division: Morris Robertson, mrps@ihug.co.nz Southern Division: Rob Cope-Williams, rob.cope-williams@ctv.co.nz Royal Arch: Gary Kerkin, gary@kerkin.co.nz Magazines are distributed in March, June, September and December. The deadlines for contributions are the rst day of February, May, August and November Layout by Matthew Bartlett, Wellington Printed by Wickliffe (NZ) Ltd.
Copyright 2013 Freemasons NZ
UPCOMING EVENTS
WBro John Smithies is riding the length of New Zealand for Charity during September and October see opposite for how you can support his effort.
In search for that which has been forgotten Part 3
Taking off Labour Weekend. For further information contact WBro Brian Crone, email jccrone@xtra.co.nz phone
Grand Installation 1517 November
There is still time to register see page . Attend the Business Session and Installation Ceremony free of charge. Make up a table of ten for the Grand Banquet. Brunch for new Master Masons and partners.
The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
Join The Freemasons Charity team on November. Contact Anthony Clouston for details, email anthonyclouston@ gmail.com or phone .
HOT NEWS
Tony Smith with his wife Shirley. Mark Winger. John Peryer.
cancer sufferers and their families. Thus the Old Bike Fundraiser Project was born and, on or about September, which is World Lymphoma Awareness Day, he will set out to raise money on a solo bike ride the length of New Zealand on a s machine, the same vintage as the rider. The ride is expected to conclude in mid October. The generously donated bike was a casualty of the earthquakes in Christchurch and has been restored to mechanical, but not so flash, visual, perfection. Alison passed away before he could undertake this challenge, but the motivation is still present...to increase public knowledge about Lymphoma, and raising money. John feels privileged to be fit and able to meet the challenge of in the memory of Alison, who died in her th year. John extends an invitation to any brother who would care to join him for a part of the ride. He is contactable on . Progress for the duration of the ride North Cape to Bluff will be posted from time to time can be followed on the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ website (www.leukaemia.org.nz/view_ event_profile/ ) and on Facebook. John has the support of his Lodge, The Caledonian No. , where he was Master in . Brethren of any other Lodge who would like to follow his progress or contribute to his cause can find details on the above website.
There have been a number of entries from Freemasons, and the organisers are keen to see The Freemasons Charity cycling tops on the day. To order cycling gear for training or for the event, contact anthonyclouston@gmail.com. for a set of top and bibs. It is desired that sponsorship is obtained by cyclists, and funds donated to The Freemasons Charity for the Kapiti Coastguard, a worthy cause. If preferred Teams can be organised to complete half of the course. Each half of the event is different and the other half can be completed next year. The event is on the November and riders need to enter directly, on line. Check out the route at www.cyclechallenge.com
Locate a debrillator
A telephone App has been developed to show the locations of defibrillators throughout New Zealand. Called Locations further information can be found on www.aedlocations.co.nz. Load it now it could save a life.
PROGRAMME
Thursday 14 November
9am 5pm Freemasons Museum Public Display Michael Fowler Centre, Fletcher Challenge Foyer
Friday 15 November
9am 5pm Freemasons Museum Public Display 9.30am 12pm Rehearsal 10.30am 1pm Registration 1.30pm 4pm Ladies Function 1.30pm 4pm Business Session 68pm Heartland Bank Welcome Cocktails and Canaps Michael Fowler Centre, Fletcher Challenge Foyer Michael Fowler Centre Auditorium Amora Hotel Boardroom Foyer, Level 6 Amora Hotel Boardroom, Level 6 Michael Fowler Centre, Renouf Foyer Amora Hotel Ballroom
Saturday 16 November
9am 5pm Michael Fowler Centre, Fletcher Challenge Foyer 9am 12pm Amora Hotel, Chambers 1,2,3, Level 6 11am1pm Master Masons Brunch Amora Hotel, Suites 1,2,3, Ground oor 1 2pm Delegation photos Amora Hotel, Chambers 1,2,3, Level 6 3 6pm Grand Installation Michael Fowler Centre Auditorium 6.30 11.30pm Grand Banquet TSB Arena, Queens Wharf Freemasons Museum Public Display Seminars
Sunday 17 November
10.30 11.30am Church Service 12.30 2.30pm Farewell Luncheon Old St Pauls, Mulgrave Street Venue to be advised
Guest Speaker
Dr Terrie Inder
Now, at the top of her field, Terrie Inder is the Professor of Paediatrics, Neurology and Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, . She is the director of the Washington University Neonatal Development Research team and the Washington University Intellectual and Developmental and Disabilities Research Center.
Dr Inder is a dual boarded child neurologist and neonatologist, who directs clinical and translational research into the nature and timing of brain injury in the preterm and high-risk term born infant. Her team conducts multidisciplinary research initiatives in paediatrics, neurology, radiology, obstetrics, and psychology centering back on studies at the bedside of newborn infants in the neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit at St Louis Childrens Hospital. The team focuses on efforts in the premature infant, the sick term infant, and the infant with cardiac diseases.
This research utilizes state of the art technologies in magnetic resonance imaging and as tools to assist in understanding the timing and nature of brain injury in the newborn infant. Terrie Inders CV lists some scholarships, awards and prizes she has been received in the course of her studies and work. She has been extensively published and holds a Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award to assist her passion in the mentoring of young clinical scientists.
We have participated in events celebrating Lodge centeneraries and those special presentations, which acknowledge the input into Freemasonry by Brethren as recipients of , and year Service Awards. These occasions highlight the commitment of many Freemasons, over the generations, who remain steadfast in their principles and who make considerable contributions to the organisation.
Earthquakes prompt new beginnings
blow with severe loss of life and major destruction of property in the Canterbury Region. In my Editorial comment in the March issue of this magazine I said. Many of our Lodge rooms are amongst the destroyed or unsafe buildings. In time they will rise again, maybe in a different form and in different places. That is a task for the future and one that will be in the best interests of all Freemasons in Christchurch. Within two short years this has come to pass with Freemasonry witnessing the rising from the ashes of new Lodge accommodation in Christchurch through the development of the Shirley complex. Out of disaster, Brethren were able to refocus planning for improved modern amenities of our membership. The ramifications of the Canterbury earthquakes spread way beyond Christchurch. Many individual Lodges, faced with old, underutilised buildings and soaring insurance costs, were able to cast off parochial differences and work together in harmony to plan new and modern Freemasons Centres. Along with the new Shirley building, redevelopments in both Fairlie and the Kapiti Coast are ushering in a new era, which is demonstrating the importance of lifting standards and enhancing Freemasonrys visual presence within our communities.
Embracing the wider Masonic family
the ladies, Masonic widows, our aged brethren and our families as part of our ongoing social activities. In particular, the neo-natal knitting project allowed Lodges, through their Almoners, to proactively involve both our ladies and widows through the supply of wool and in collecting finished articles for distribution to Hospitals throughout New Zealand in support of premature babies.
The Freemasons Charity
Two months after taking up my appointment, New Zealand was dealt a disastrous
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Many of our Lodges have a strong commitment to working with their communities through charitable projects which not only support local needs but also provide the opportunity for social interaction amongst themselves and with the community. We are in the fortunate position that The Freemasons Charity is frequently able to significantly add to funds necessary to complete so many worthwhile projects. It has been with pride that I have attended, each year, the presentation of the Freemasons University Scholarships, which recognise academic excellence and community service. Many of our awardees have gone on to higher achievements in many fields. They have always been willing to share their stories with us through this magazine. Many have also kindly offered their services by attending and addressing Freemasons functions to share with us what they have aspired to and achieved, often as a result of the financial support given by their scholarships. I am also pleased to report that a number of our scholars have subsequently joined the craft. All this has been made possible by the generosity of our forebears. However, there is a need to top up the Charitys capital. The Acacia Society was recently
launched as a means of securing future capital and I commend Brethren to give it their consideration.
Forging long term partnerships with institutions
categorise the areas identified to help both Lodges and individual Freemasons plan positively for the future of the Craft and its Brethren.
Leadership development a sense of renewal Transit of Venus
It was notable during my term of office that Freemasons of New Zealand were able to celebrate years of association with, and to renew the Memorandum of Agreement with, the University of Auckland. Support for Medical Research at Universities, such as Auckland and Otago play an important role in health development. In addition, fund raising for entities such as Hospices throughout New Zealand, the Otago and Whangarei Hospital Oncology Units, are only a small representation of the magnitude of charitable support by Brethren.
Some ten years ago, Freemasons in association with the Royal Society of New Zealand, supported sponsorship of the Transit of Venus, then viewed in the Northern hemisphere. A group of students from the East Coast town of Tologa Bay were part of the travelling group and, in , the Uawa Iwi was able to bring closure and completion of that project within their community. It was a positive outcome with school children following a dream with the help of the community and constructive achievement. With the full participation of the community and local Iwi, landscape restoration work at the river mouth took place by planting vegetation similar to that which Captain Cook and Joseph Banks (Botanist) encountered when first stepping ashore in New Zealand. Since there has been the participation of successive generations of school students in fostering the project.
Public awareness It behoves us all to raise the awareness of what Freemasonry is about in its widest context. A favourable impression of our organisation, working in a positive manner within our respective communities, can encourage like minded men to seek out membership and association. The recent sponsorship of the Auckland Youth Orchestra public concert performances in a South Island Tour including Dunedin, Gore, Central Otago Lakes Westport and Nelson, with a final free concert in the Auckland Town Hall is a prime example. The Auckland Town Hall was filled to near its capacity of amongst whom were over Freemasons financially supporting the evenings performance.
Strategic Review
The only thing that is constant in our world is change. As an organisation it is crucial that Freemasonry reflects on the ever changing environment in order to ensure it both maintains its significant position in the community and improves the well-being of our organisation. With this in mind, a great deal of time has been directed by the Board of General Purposes to a strategy that will focus on the needs of the future. It has identified the seven pillars which
It is most important that we have suitably talented and skilled Brethren to serve Freemasonry, not only within Lodges but also at a national level. Identification of those with leadership potential and ideas that can enhance our organisation in years to come is vital for our wellbeing. The opportunity for Lodges to make suitable nominations and for vacancies to be filled in a transparent manner, including personal interviews, is one mechanism to ensure that the best person for a position is selected. In order to achieve that goal, education and a planned career path may have to be put in place. With the impending installation of Grand Master Designate, RWBro John Litton, and the teams of Grand Lodge officers throughout the Divisions and Districts of New Zealand to serve Freemasonry until , we are confident that we will reach the desired objectives of our strategic goals. In conclusion I extend my personal thanks to those active Officers of Grand Lodge invested in for the manner in which they have fulfilled the role and discharged their duties within their respective Divisions and Districts a great job well done. I also give thanks to the Brethren who have served on National, Divisional and District Committees. I also thank those Brethren who have served their Lodges so well and who have gone out into the community to showcase Freemasonry to the public. Jan and I extend our best wishes to John and Diana Litton for their term of office in leading our organisation for the coming three years. Selwyn Cooper, Grand Master
NEWS CLIPS
Paul Udall, Master of Lodge Pono, and Debbie Evans, CEO of the Kaipara Community Health Trust.
DARGAVILLE DISTRICT NEWS
chutneys, jams and other goodies from their garden. They are very involved at Committee level with Club football, particularly with youth football and, each year, take a team to the National U Youth Football Championships in Napier. They enjoying skiing in the winter and anything to do with the water in the summer months. They love to travel with the most recent trips having been throughout Asia. Kathleen and Kerry have four adult children and four grandchildren who keep them very busy on weekends.
Wellington and Wairarapa Field Officers. The , raised to support the purchase included , from The Freemasons Charity. Since the early s, when the annual galas began, many charitable causes have been supported, including Wellington Free Ambulance, The Lifeflight Trust and local hospices.
NEWS CLIPS
19432013
On June Members of Lodge Tuakau No. , together with District Grand Master, VWBro Dave Robinson, gathered to celebrate the th wedding anniversary of Brother Josh De jongh and his wife, Betty. Josh was initiated into Hauraki Plains Lodge in and joined Lodge Tuakau in .
RWBro Rowe about to symbolically re-present, the Silver Loving Cup to the Master of Cashmere Lodge, Koropepe (oneness, being united).
lodges, both numbering , with respect to food parcels in wartime. As a consequence of the Christchurch earthquakes the Royal Clarence Lodge sent a generous monetary donation to assist the Cashmere Lodge Brethren during such stressful times. In reply WBro PJ Duggan crafted a Koropepe as a token of Cashmeres appreciation. The inscription reads: Given with fraternal love and affection for the generous assistance that the Royal Clarence Lodge No. extended to the Cashmere Lodge No. in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes. Cashmere and Royal Clarence lodges continue to communicate with favourable rapport.
Freemasons assembled with the Deputy Principal, Jaque Hema, Amber Piggott, Deputy Head Girl and Bill Larsen from the Board of Trustees.
NEWS CLIPS
Carry on shooting
Last month we featured a Freemasons clay bird shoot in the Wairarapa. Clay birds beware; there are more shooters about, this time in Marlborough. Somewhere in the hills of Marlborough, at any given time, is a dedicated group of like minded individuals called Rabbits Unlimited, the brainchild of Bro Karl Slape, a member of The Wairau Lodge no. . Rabbits Unlimited, which includes a number of Freemasons, is a group of hunters/ shooters and firearms enthusiasts who take part in rabbit culling operations for Marlborough landowners. Hence a lot of talk in Refectory revolves around aspects of shooting and trophies won. Bro Slape offered to organise a District Clay Bird shoot on Past District Grand Master, Eric Warmouths farm forestry block where Rabbits Unlimited has been developing a skid site for clay bird shooting. Newbies amongst the shooters were given a lesson on safety and the rules of the game. After selecting a weapon they which dates back to , and the daffodil park, circa . The site was registered in April as a category New Zealand Historic Place. A collection was taken up at the morning tea to benefit the Daffodil Trust in restoration of the site. The brethren of the Lodge plan to visit the Daffodil Park in spring when the flowers are in bloom.
moved in for the shoot with varying results. It is reported that all novices advanced their skills and ended the day smiling. From material contributed by Bro Ben Grady
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NEWS CLIPS
Readers are invite be original th d to submit material for future Opinio oughts or de livered pape n pieces. Th commentari rs suitable fo ese could es. They sho r adaptation uld be abou accompanie to printed t 1,000 to 1 d by a brief ,200 words biography o of the autho in f le th ngth and e author tog r and any oth ether with a er illustration p h otograph Send by em ail to editor material relevant to the article. @freemaso ns.co.nz
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OPINION
here is now a great deal of information on the change process being considered within Freemasonry New Zealand. The Grand Lodge has led the way with the Strategic Directions paper. But studies within the wider Lodge movement and articles within New Zealand Freemason magazine are providing useful supporting comment. But, perhaps inevitably, issues remain. For many years discussion within Freemasonry has pointed to shortcomings in our performance. A recent paper given in the Research Lodge of Wellington referred to references as far back as to an overemphasis on the conferring of degrees. There were also comments about lack of time given to the further instruction of the Master Mason. The reference was again made in to the preoccupation of conferring degrees and finding little time for anything else. The validity of these comments should not be allowed to go unnoticed. As a first measure could the Grand Lodge consider establishing an Action or Focus Group to determine how best to deal with the substantive parts of the many suggestions and comments made over the years, to ensure that ultimately the most useful are fed into mainstream analysis? My second concern relates to the question of whether current reform initiatives are based on research-based analysis across a widely representative group of Brethren as to what they want from their membership of Freemasonry. The other part of the question is; do we have evidence-based data on how the public itself perceives us? If not, on both questions, are we prepared to seek professional advice on how we might best go about obtaining this information? Even more, having received and analysed such advice, would we then be prepared seriously to get to grips with any restructuring that may be required? There is a larger question, and I make this point with some trepidation, whether simply by presenting information on Freemasonry in a better form we would
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provide a long-lasting solution to the problem we are experiencing with falling numbers in our membership? I am optimistic enough to think that a more modern presentation of our procedures would help. But, there are larger issues. Perhaps the lack of willingness to pick up on the useful suggestions made in the past points to a certain lack of dynamism or unwillingness within the membership to get to grips with a complex range of issues that confront all organisations in todays somewhat self-centred and dissonant world. As a relatively new Master Mason I am constantly concerned at what is an apparent, and I emphasise apparent, lack of self-awareness among our membership as a whole of the significant social and economic changes going on in the community around us; the community that is the very source of our membership. The Wellington Research Lodge, and possibly other such Lodges, has led the way by pointing to better presented education programmes within Freemasonry. Certainly that is an
The younger generation have come through an education system where memorisation and rote learning are almost unknown? In fact, those wishing to achieve any sort of standard in tertiary education would fail to advance if they simply repeated what they found in textbooks.
important factor. But equally important are suitably qualified presenters. Is Freemasonry prepared to put the educators through professionally-based teacher training programmes aimed at providing information in a modern and professional way? Any changes required would be undertaken while drawing on well-qualified members within the
organisation who have a deep knowledge of Freemasonry, particularly its unique culture, and who also acknowledge that Freemasonry cannot continue to ignore the need for change. While looking forward they will have the necessary wisdom and, might I say ballast, to know what must be preserved. Their views should be listened to carefully. One of the areas of concern to many new members relates to ritual. Ritual is a central factor in Freemasonry. It should remain so. But are we really aware, or perhaps more importantly do we clearly acknowledge, that the modern generation has different priorities and attitudes to those which the majority of us grew up with? In an earlier issue of New Zealand Freemason [May ] I outlined what motivates younger people in the st century, what they look for, what they reject. I am delighted that a recent comment to the Research Lodge of Wellington endorsed this view. Indeed younger members want to question, they want involvement, they want to be interactive and to learn. They also have a very low boredom threshold and seem most comfortable with flattened organisational structures. The younger generation have come through an education system where memorisation and rote learning are almost unknown? In fact, those wishing to achieve any sort of standard in tertiary education would fail to advance if they simply repeated what they found in textbooks. Students must demonstrate that their material has gone through their heads and been expressed in a form that demonstrates understanding. A very useful recent article in the March issue of New Zealand Freemason refers to various means by which ritual is being undertaken to cope with modern demands. Has any serious thought been given to the points mentioned in that article? Freemasons should not be too apprehensive. The huge popularity of such films as Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and other such Gothic clones
show that young people are not afraid to enjoy aspects of a ritualised past. Can we learn any lessons from this? But, more importantly, there is a huge spiritual gap in the wider community. People are beginning to see that a constant diet of consumerism, and saturation coverage of the deeply shallow celebrity community, provide little more
than the momentary satisfaction of a sugar rush. This malaise represents a huge opportunity for Freemasonry. Freemasonry ethics provide a very positive prospect for the future of the Craft and a pathway to attract new members. Indeed what is our distinctive brand, as the Strategic Directions paper
Making a bequest to The Freemasons Charity plays an important role in helping to maintain the tradition of caring for our communities and will ensure Freemasonry remains a force for good in New Zealand.
If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation or would like to discuss making a bequest, please contact Sheila Hicking in confidence: or sheilah@freemasons.co.nz
Registered Charitable Entity CC
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he Board adopted the Strategic Direction, Strategic Principles and the Seven Pillar framework at its meeting in July . Each Pillar painted a word picture and statement of intent. The consultation process commenced with details in New Zealand Freemason supported by a questionnaire sent to all Lodges requesting feedback. This feedback provided the basis for presentations and workshops at all three Divisional Conferences where, through expert facilitation, considerable constructive information was generated.
Work was then undertaken by RWBro Graham Wrigley, VWBro Michael Scott, VWBro Laurence Milton and Bro Dai Gilbertson to consider all feedback and then finalise the we will part of the plan. This team is now confident that the plan is sufficiently complete and represents a wide cross section of the Craft and their next stage draft is to be considered by the Board at its August meeting. Once agreed by the Board, it will go on to the Communication in Wellington for adoption. Once adopted, the Strategic Plan
forms the base for all decisions by the Board and will be used to prepare the annual work plan for Freemasons New Zealand. I am confident that this Plan, correctly implemented throughout the Craft, will see growth and engagement at all levels. Its success will depend on robust commitment at Divisional level supported by solid development by the national committees under the leadership of the Chief Executive. Graham J. Wrigley, President, Board of General Purposes
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Qualied Gemologist, Diamond-Grader, Internationally Qualied Jewellery Appraiser
The last issue of the magazine contained some quotes from the Strategic Plan Survey and these quotes were also used by me at the Divisional Conferences. Whilst these quotes were from the survey responses it needs to be acknowledged that some of them were originally published in various Research Papers and Research Lodge transactions. I therefore give my apologies to the original authors and to the Research Lodges for not acknowledging their contribution. I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the survey and to all those who participated in the Divisional Conference workshops. Your input was vital to the success of this endeavour. Laurence G. Milton, Chief Executive
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Acknowledging contributors
Centre in Christchurch. The Installation ceremony was followed by the Grand Banquet, with partners, family and friends, at the Hilton Hotel. The Freemasons New Zealand Contingent well and truly welcomed MWBro Bacon as Grand Master of Freemasons Queensland and appropriately farewelled MWBro Burton. The strength of the New Zealand contingents numbers showed the full support for MWBro Cooper on his final overseas trip as our Grand Master.
and social function that started earlier that morning as part of the Queensland Grand Installation programme. Not to be outdone the men consumed not only coffees but also a few late breakfasts as well in their own version of The Freemasons Longest Morning Tea with our Grand Master MWBro Selwyn Cooper hosting the event. All Freemasons present made a donation to participate and also took part in a suitably authorised Charity Raffle with prizes, donated by Duty Free, which raised . made up of Australian and New Zealand Currency. The Superintendent of The Freemasons Charity, on the spot, then authorised a for subsidy which meant that , was to be distributed between the three Divisions for Camp Quality Kids with Cancer. This was another occasion when The Freemasons Longest Morning Tea went offshore! VWBro Duane Williams
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We welcome our incoming Grand Master, RWBro John Litton, a third generation Freemason, and his wife, Diana. For those who have not yet met John and Diana, or are unfamiliar with their background, this article sets out to convey to readers what has been a unique international story of their lives. It also summarises RWBro John Littons already extensive service to Freemasonry.
familiar to Diana who had spent part of her schooling in Nairobi. It was during a visit by Johns parents to Nairobi that his father, an English Freemason, visited a local lodge. This connection alerted the lodge to Johns presence and, soon afterwards, he was initiated into Lodge Progress No. EC and thus began a long and illustrious Masonic career. As so often happens John was surprised to find so many of his Nairobi friends and colleagues were already members of the Lodge. Johns role with Prudential was the training of staff but, as time wore on, the pursuit of sound business practices became politically unsustainable and the Litton family was ready for a new challenge. They were given the option of returning to London or transferring to New Zealand. Despite family ties in England the positive attitudes of expatriate New Zealand friends in Kenya tilted them towards New Zealand. Settling in New Zealand In the family, which by then included two sons, arrived in Wellington and settled in Tawa, then a Borough with an established reputation for housing employees of banks and insurance companies. With their household possessions still stuck in Mombasa the young family survived for some time on a limited amount of borrowed furniture. John became Senior Executive Manager for Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd [NZ], a post he held until the first of his retirements in . In this position he was responsible for the Administration and Human Resources functions of the
ohn Litton was born on the Isle of Wight in but, soon after, the family relocated to Southampton where he received his schooling. This was wartime and Johns playgrounds were bombsites. Johns father worked for Prudential Assurance and encouraged him to join the company that would guarantee him a lifetime career. He joined in at the age of and initially started training to be an actuary but, when finding it wasnt for him, he transferred to an administration role that served him for the rest of his career with Prudential. In John, by then married to Diana for two years, accepted the offer of a Nairobi based appointment as Administrative Manager for Prudential Assurance East Africa. The territory was
LEFT Newly engaged London 1966. RIGHT The young family Tawa 1980.
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company. He was also a member of the executive management due diligence team for company acquisitions. Career change Retirement for John didnt last much beyond a few games of golf. He was engaged to undertake the relaxing job of pruning kiwifruit vines, a temporary job which lasted five months. In he rejoined the real world when he was employed by The Masonic Villages Trust as Quality Assurance Coordinator to achieve Quality Accreditation for its Woburn and Horowhenua Villages. This led on to his becoming the Regional Manager for the Trust responsible for the overall management of Horowhenua Masonic Village, Wairarapa Masonic Village and Mastertons Glenwood Masonic Hospital. In John project managed the million expansion of the Horowhenua Masonic Village which involved the building of a further villas, a leisure/ community centre, a two doctor medical centre, administration offices and the upgrade of the existing rental flat units. Some of the facilities he introduced were unique such as the medical centre, factors that led to his being declared the Retirement Villages Association NZ Retirement Manager of the Year. John is particularly proud of his work in establishing a Rehabilitation Unit in the Horowhenua Village. John Littons final act before he declared his retirement, again, in was as project Manager for the Glenwood Masonic Hospital. Diana Litton Born in Tunbridge Wells, England, Diana had a peripateic upbringing. With a father who worked for Cable and Wireless, the family was frequently on the move. Her first three years were spent in Malta followed by four years in Zanzibar. With no good schooling in Zanzibar, Diana was sent to board in Kenya. One of her recollections of Nairobi was seeing Pricess Elizabeth on her February Royal Visit. Within days the Princess was to become Queen. The following year Dianas family returned to England, her father was posted to Sierra Leone and her mother was struck down with Tuberculosis, necessitating almost a year in hospital. For Diana it meant another spell at
boarding school and coming under the care of an aunt. Diana began her working life as a civil servant in the Post Office Headquarters in London. She boarded at the Hostel and, through social contacts with the nearby Hostel, she met the young John Litton whom she observed playing the piano. Over time their friendship grew and in they married and subsequently lived in Reading. The Tawa years Returning now to life in Tawa John and Diana quickly became involved in community affairs particularly those that involved their children. These included supporting everything from Plunket through to secondary schools and various sporting clubs. During the Tawa years two daughters were added to the family, now numbering four children and, in more recent times, five grandchildren have been added to the family. With the family growing up Diana returned to the workforce, initially with part time work including that of school secretary, assistant in a Potters Supply business, an accountants office and an art gallery. The latter has evolved into her current three day a week job as Programme Coordinator for the New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust. In John and Diana relocated to Waikanae and, after another shift, now enjoy when time permits, the relaxing life of a beach side property. Masonic career John was discovered very soon after arriving in Tawa, resulting in his joining Lodge Mana No. . Four years later he joined Brooklyn Royal Arch Chapter, subsequently becoming First Principal. In he was installed as Master of Lodge Mana. One of the highlights he remembers from Lodge Mana is organising a steam train trip, which
raised funds for Child Cancer. While remaining a member of Progress Lodge in Kenya and Lodge Mana, John has since joined Lodge Waikanae No. and he and Diana have fully participated in the lodges activities. Since his initial appointment as a Grand Steward in , followed by Grand Director of Ceremonies two years later, John has had a stellar career in Freemasonry, both in Grand Lodge offices and in the undertaking of special tasks. The former have included Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Divisional Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master. Special tasks have included membership of the Mace Review Committee, the National Finance Committee, support and advice to Chief Executive on the review of office staffing and systems. He has also conducted a review of the South Auckland Masonic Charitable Trusts Administrative systems and operations. Aspirations When asked about his aspirations as Grand Master, John replied that he wanted to see the Strategic Plan fully implemented. He is keen to change the public perception of Freemasonry and to make it more relevant to the generations we wish to attract into the craft. His further thoughts will be revealed in his address at the Grand Installation. In their limited spare time Diana is keen on various crafts and John lists his interests as golf, photography, music, gardening and travel. He enjoys relaxing at the piano but has no aspirations to become a Lodge Organist. And so, as we welcome John and Diana Litton as the couple who will take the helm of Freemasonry for the three years from November, we encourage all Lodges to get to know them and embrace them into their families. Morris Robertson
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Ray Laurance, and the RNZAF B757 that took the veterans and ofcial defence delegation to New Caledonia.
different lodges plus Grand Lodge the new capital, the Lodge of Fiji No. honours) was accompanied by three EC received its warrant. Its workings senior brethren New Zealand Past and charitable activities have continued Grand Master, Ian Ross, Morris Tobias uninterrupted since then. and Jim McQuitty who are past grand Major Henry Marks (later Sir Henry) officers of Victoria and New Zealand became Master of the Lodge of Fiji in respectively. , and his brother Gabriel who was Jim McQuitty in commenting the first mayor of Suva, was Master and . Their Melbourneon the long-range mission says the in circumstances of the Israel familys born nephew Albert Moses Israel, the involvement surely constitute a worthy founding master of Lodge Lautoka in and Tonys grandfather, first came milestone in Masonic history. Tony and his brother-in-law Morris to Fiji to work in the brothers business. In a tragic twist to the story we find of Melbourne decided four years ago to join the Lautoka Lodge, which has met at that Gabriel Marks and his wife Marion when the ship Nandi since , as various local factors both drowned in were causing a decline in membership Empress of Ireland sank in the Gulf and thus finances. Their awareness of the of St Lawrence after colliding with a situation has led to donation of much- Norwegian vessel. Jack Leigh needed regalia and furniture by lodges in Australia and New Zealand. They attend lodge meetings in Fiji monthly. When Masonry in Fiji began in , at the thencapital of Levuka, with an authorising document signed by the powerful Ratu Setu Cakobau, some European detractors put it about that Freemasonry was a dangerous secret society somehow connected to the Ku Klux Klan. This gained no credence and in , WBro Tony Israel supported by visiting Grand Lodge Ofcers, four years after Suva became Ian Ross, Morris Tobias and Jim McQuitty.
veryone lives in their own little world, no matter how outgoing we are. With this in mind Fieldays is a refreshing reminder of the large and expansive nature that surrounds our own being. I have been there talking with stand brethren and the general public for each day of the last Fieldays, bar for a short time when I can get away in the middle of the day to enter the contacts on the computer. My day at the show starts sometime between . and . am so I can park close to gate , which is next to the Lifestyle Marquee where the Freemasons New Zealand stand is. This allows me to set up the stand, which entails connecting my laptop to the Grand Lodge flat screen, and starting either the Famous Freemasons with its music, or the Freemasons Music video. This provides a background sound for the other stand attendees who pass on their way into the show grounds or are in the marquee with us. It allows contacts with fellow exhibitors to be made prior to the general
public entry at . am. When my fellow stand brethren arrive all is ready to go. The video is often changed to the Freemasons Charity video during the day. Moving images catch the eye of the passer by and are a starting point for a conversation. During the day the stand brethren get to know each other betterand their stories are told. Our reasons for joining the Craft and what we get out of Freemasonry, our beliefs our opinions and our feelings can all be aired amongst us. Being present on all four days I have the pleasure of getting to know all the brethren a little bit better and I can say it not only is a pleasure, but a most stimulating experience. This year one of our long standing brethren told of how Freemasonry broadened his The National Communications Committee arranges for this stand and meets most of the costs. A reduced size stand is also available for smaller events
whole outlook, it provided contact with a range of people in professions he would rarely have encountered other than as a customer, client or patient. It provided him with a totally new outlook on life. Not only are the stand brethren most stimulating but so are the members of the general public. They range from men who are really interested in becoming Freemason, women who wish to join a like organisation, children or relatives of Freemasons, people with regalia, people who want to find out about scholarships and awards, people who thank us for some assistance given to them from the Craft or brethren in the past, Questions about religion, and even people who are convinced we want to rule the world. To that last type of query I answer that you would of thought we would be there after nearly years. I hope that the publics perception of the Craft is more in line with reality. There is no doubt that I, and those who staff the stand, have a new and favourable perception of the public. We all come away with a feeling of how wonderful the people are whom we meet, that the world is full of nice people and that there are few of the type who make the news. The world is truly a great place, and the Fieldays showcases the best of it. My grateful thanks to the brethren and all who called in to the stand during a wonderful four days. John Barns Graham First published in The Alpha Gazette
Visitors to the stand.
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The 26th of April was a signicant date for the Brethren of Lodge Moutoa No.195. On this day, with the Grand Master, MWBro Selwyn Cooper and many visitors, present the Lodge celebrated 100 years of brotherhood, benevolence and service.
he Lodge had its beginnings as the result of a meeting held at the Gonville, Wanganui, Bowling Club on July when a group of Brethren met to consider the formation of a new Lodge, the first in the district for years. Gonville was a becoming a thriving Town District with a strong community spirit developing among its residents. As this was prior to the advent of public transport or motor car many of the Brethren living in Gonville had to walk to Wanganui Town to attend Lodge. As one commentator put it These walks to and from Lodge no doubt assisted in strengthening that bond of friendship that was to have a due effect on the new lodge. This, along with the fact that many of the members of the new Lodge were neighbours in the district, were contributing factors. A decision to form a new Lodge was reached, a committee was formed and the process commenced. The name Moutoa was chosen to perpetuate the
Battle of Moutoa in . This was an event of some importance in the history of Wanganui. It was on the Island of Moutoa that friendly local Maori defeated the rebel Hau Hau who were on their way to attack the town. Over the next few months approval was sought from the nearest Lodge, St. AndrewsKilwinning No , and this was readily given. On November permission was granted by Grand Lodge to constitute Lodge Moutoa with the number . Property was acquired in Tawa St. Gonville, plans were drawn up and building commenced on the new Lodge rooms. The foundation stone was laid in December by the Deputy Grand Master, RWBro JH Keesing, with the support of the Masters and Brethren from St. Andrew-
Kilwinning and the local English Constitution Lodge,Tongariro No . The support of these two Lodges has continued till the present day. The ceremony was open to the public and large numbers attended. The Wanganui Chronicle reported the ceremony in full, even to the roles of the various officers involved. They also reported in its entirety a very interesting speech descriptive of the craft given by RWBro Keesing. The formation of the new Lodge progressed with rehearsals being held in the Gonville Bowling Club. The new building and the new lodge were dedicated and consecrated on the April by the then Grand Master, MWBro HJ Williams. The first Master of Lodge Moutoa was WBro D Munroe, a Past Master of Woodville Lodge No . It had been reported in the local paper that the new Lodge would commence with members and five new candidates were proposed at the Installation ceremony.
Cutting the Centennial cake MWBro Selwyn Cooper and WBro Grant Ryder.
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In the Lodge was included in a petition requesting that a Grand Lodge District north of the Manawatu River be formed. The petition was granted and in the Ruapehu District was formed. Eight members of the Lodge served overseas in World War , with one, Brother JE McKinnon killed in Action on the th of April . Later, ten Brethren served in the Armed Forces during World War . Earthquake strengthening is not new. In , in view of the risk of damage by earthquake, an architect was engaged to report on the safety of the building. The cost of the work was met by a levy of /per member. The Lodge continued to thrive to the extent that, in , having outgrown its accommodation the Lodge resolved to build an extension and in July the Lodge moved into its new premises. On December the Lodge celebrated the st anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone. There were Brethren in attendance. The two pillars that still stand in the Lodge Room were presented to the Lodge by Brothers Symes and Roberts. From January to November
twelve emergency meetings were held to cope with the number of candidates. In , it was announced that no further propositions could be considered for months: again in nominations were suspended for a further months. The golden Jubilee of the Lodge was celebrated on . A feature of the celebrations was a Masonic Ball. Over people attended and debutants were presented. In , with the expense of maintaining a year old building becoming an issue, the Lodge, after much discussion, decided to join with the other Lodges in Wanganui and move into the Freemasons Centre in Dublin Street. The first meeting of the Lodge in the Freemasons Centre was held on July . But what of the future? Over the ensuing years the Lodge, like many others, has experienced its ups and downs but, while that initial spirit has continued, membership has declined to such a stage that a decision has been made that, later this year, the Lodge will hand in its Charter. However, one thing is certain, the name and reputation of Lodge Moutoa No will have a special
place in the memory of the Brethren and in the Masonic history of Wanganui.
The Centenary Celebrations
The focal point of the celebrations was the Installation of the Centennial Master, WBro Grant Ryder and his Officers. During the ceremony VWBro Colin Making, District Grand Master, Ruapehu, handed the Master a centennial gavel. Finely crafted by WBro Hannaford, the gavel was presented to WBro Ryder with the affection of the Brethren and with the proviso that it was his to keep as a memento of this special occasion. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Grand Master presented centennial jewels to Lodge Moutoa Brethren. Meanwhile, the ladies were entertained with a trip up the Wanganui River on the steamer Wairua. The day culminated with a Centennial Banquet held at the Wanganui Racecourse. During the evening the Master of Lodge Moutoa presented a False Acacia Tree (Paraserianthes Lophantha) to the Master of Lodge North Harbour No. . This gesture was, as WBro Ryder put it, To mark their centenary on the occasion of ours, Lodge North Harbour having celebrated their centenary some months earlier. Rod Johnson
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itting in the chair of King Solomon for only a couple of minutes, there was a hint of nervousness about Logan as he started investing his officers for the year in Lodge North Harbour No. . However, that nervousness quickly diminished after he shared a tongue in cheek joke while investing the WBro Ken Smith as the Immediate Past Master. The lodge room was filled with laughter and, aided by fraternal support, Logans speech slowed to a comfortable pace and he led his lodge through the rest of the investitures with the confidence befitting his years as a Freemason. A couple of days after his installation had passed, Logan expressed how immensely humbling the entire experience had been for him. His various roles in the lodge had seen him be at the centre of attention before but the level of support and co-operation that he had received throughout the day from his brothers and the many visitors to the lodge was what had made the day truly special for him. Logan was born in the spring of to a dairy farming family in Cambridge. Working on the farm with their Jersey-Fresian cows from an early age he developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for agriculture and sustainability. His education started at a small country school down the road with only students, and continued at a local high school, St Peters Cambridge. Tertiary studies, however, saw him move up to Auckland where he had his first encounter with Freemasonry. While completing a Bachelor of Technology at Massey University he was awarded a Freemasons Post Graduate Scholarship in his final year. At that time he knew his Father was a Freemason, having attended Lodge Alpha in Cambridge, but did not realise that his grandfather, Lewis Wait, was also a member of Lodge Alpha from
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Graduation day.
until his death in or that his great grandfather, James MacMahon, was a member of Lodge Te Marama in Ngaruawahia from until his death in . With help from his Freemasons Scholarship and a lot of hard work, Logan finished his degree and completed a Master of Engineering, which transitioned into a PhD in Engineering at the University of Auckland. Then finally, after years of academic education, he successfully defended his thesis and received his doctorate. Logans development has also been realised in his Masonic career. Not long after receiving his scholarship, he was initiated into Lodge North Harbour in April of and raised to Master Mason in June . Starting as a Steward, he worked his way up the ladder installed as Master of the Lodge in July of this year. The craft has helped Logan in other areas of this life, especially his business life. Freemasonry has been useful in understanding how an organisation works, and shown me how important effective interpersonal communication is when motivating a diverse group of people, says Logan. And indeed, he has put this knowledge to good use. Logan has successfully bottled a short run of boutique organic eggnog and co-founded , an environmental management company. His latest foray
into entrepreneurship has seen him co-founding www.ecoportal.com, a webbased sustainability management system. Last year, Logan supported the Auckland Council at Rio + , the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil. ecoPortal was presented in conjunction with the Auckland Councils plans to become the most liveable city in the world. This year, Fonterra signed on as a new client of ecoPortal and this will see Logan work in the dairy industry again, this time from a different perspective. Contributed by Gabriel Middleton
My job at the hostel was mainly supervising the boarding students during their after school activities and during their prep time. My responsibilities included being in charge of the computer room and driving kids around to sport practices and to endless private appointments. I lived in a self-contained room close to the senior boys dormitories within the hostel complex that allowed me to keep an eye on them between my many responsibilities. As a result I managed to witness quite a few interesting ways that could regularly get them into trouble. I was lucky enough to have the school holidays off, which gave me plenty of time to travel around both islands. After I drove approximately km on New Zealand roads I can honestly say that I know this country better than my own. Freemasonry was not something I discovered solely in New Zealand. My interest in the craft developed while I was a young boy in Germany. I had originally contacted a lodge in Germany but, at the
Tim with fellow Brethren of Lodge Manchester.
time, I was too young to join. When I came to Fielding I didnt expect to join a lodge but, through work and social occasions, I met a number of wonderful Freemasons during the first few months of my stay. One thing led to another and, after a couple of talks with some brethren, I applied to join. I had a basic idea of what it meant to be a Freemason, but I never envisaged how much I would enjoy being part of the craft. Im really thankful and happy that the Brethren of Lodge Manchester No. decided to make me one of their members. It was a pleasure being part of this lodge and part of Freemasonry in New Zealand. My time in New Zealand really helped me practice my language skills and discover other cultures and lifestyles. Now Im sitting in my parents garden back in Germany. Although I enjoy the German summer Im also missing my time in New Zealand. Soon I will move to a big town and start University, which will also give me the opportunity to join a new lodge. Im plan to become either a teacher or a pilot for a commercial airline, depends on whether the University or the airline accepts me. While Freemasonry is something for a lifetime I have no intention to rush through it. My third degree will be under the German constitution and in another language. I am looking forward to it since my first and second degrees were such a pleasure. It was an experience I never expected. Before joining, the
Tim Schmidt.
Lodge told me not to look too deeply into the experience as that might destroy the spirit of it. Im glad I took this advice as thats exactly how it was. Throughout the ceremonies I kept in mind that all the other brethren went through the same procedures and so I relaxed and I had a great time. I am really proud that I passed the first and second degrees in another language and in another country far away from where I am now. Freemasonry was a big part of my life in New Zealand and made my experience and adventure even more unique. Many of the brethren made me feel part of their families and often invited me over to their places for dinner, a beer out, a camping trip or just a get-together. I really appreciated being so involved and made to feel so welcome. Personally, I cant understand why Freemasons have to work so hard to get new members because I had such an amazing time with some really awesome individuals. Joining so young in my life ensures that I will have a lifetime of new experiences and adventures. Thank you for the opportunity to write this article and a special thanks to all brethren from Lodge Manchester No. it was such a pleasure being part of what will always be my Mother Lodge. Tim Schmidt
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ike many smaller provincial towns Levin has a number of families who are struggling to provide food for their children. The members of the Lodge chose not to dwell on the complex causes of poverty but, rather, set out to identify and implement a solution. The decision of the Lodge was to see what Freemasonry could do to help those families that have exhausted their Social Welfare funding and have moved beyond the ability of the Food Banks to continue to support. The Junior Warden, in his day job as the local Community Probation Manager, has been seeking meaningful employment for the labour available from the Department of Corrections. He is able to direct disaffected youth into projects that could give them practical lifetime experience in self sufficiency. The Garden of Eden project meets the criteria. An acre of land has been leased at a peppercorn rental to establish a vegetable garden. It is alongside a new housing development, but requires some additional fencing to provide security. This is the area the Lodge will assist to fence and it is hoped that the funds raised, with the generous support of the Freemasons Charity, will provide all of the fencing material required. It will be a treated timber fence and the Junior
Mark Cookson and David Atkinson, at the Freemasons Longest Morning Tea discuss the project with the Horowhenua District Council Mayor, Brendon Duffy and Mrs Duffy.
Warden has been sorting out the labour content, courtesy of Local Judges who can ensure a ready flow of workers. In addition to the youths learning practical skills, produce from the garden will be made available to the Anglican and United Churches supporting the project, for distribution to the families concerned. The project will be working alongside the Food Bank but, as the emphasis will be on garden produce, it will be supplementing the Food Bank which often has supplies of non perishable items. Surplus produce will be donated to the Schools. There will be no sales of produce. From an idea supported by Department
of Corrections staff, local Churches and the Lodge members, wives, partners and a number of prominent business organisations, the Longest Morning Tea raised , which, with a matching grant from The Freemasons Charity will see , presented to the project. This project has presented the Lodge with a valuable opportunity to help the local community. It is being driven primarily by two local churches, supported by Local Government and various Government Departments. It gave the Lodge the opportunity for Freemasons to show support for the less fortunate and misguided in the community. Errol Brown
LEFT The elderly enjoy a well cooked sausage. RIGHT Eyeing the goodies.
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ro Dai Gilbertson, an experienced and well-respected Professor of managing change in large organisations worldwide, startled everyone present with his opening statement, Ive been a Freemason for just under years and Im thinking of resigning. He wasnt joking, he was deadly serious because he was experiencing exactly what many of our recent initiates have found in their Lodges and it wasnt for him. This happened at the Divisional meetings in April/ May when Bro Gilbertson had been invited to facilitate discussions on the seven strategic pillar topics. He formed everyone into breakout groups with instructions for each group to discuss only one topic in detail, come up with a list of meaningful actions and report back in minutes. This article focuses on three educational issues that came out of those discussions. Here are the main points emphasized by the participating Entered Apprentices, Fellowcrafts and Master Masons. . Reduce the amount of ritual at each regular meeting, because new masons find it all too much in one hit. . Focus on participatory learning instead of lectures, so junior members can take an active part instead of just listening all the time. . Perform ritual on groups of candidates. The first point above, namely reducing the amount of ritual delivered at a regular meeting, appears to present us with a major problem because we have been brought up to believe that Masonic ritual cannot be changed, it has to be the way it always has been for nearly years. But hold on, we are not being asked to change the ritual, just to be sensible and perform only the basic amount at each meeting leaving some of the charges and tracing boards to other evenings. This approach has a number of advantages: First, it has been asked for by EAs, FCs and MMs and they are our future. If
we ignore this request and lose them we have to accept responsibility for reduced membership and the eventual demise of the Craft. Second, it would leave time for thinking and discussion on the smaller part of the ceremony that had just been performed and this would enable deeper understanding of that part of the ritual. Third, the charges and tracing board could become the basis of educational discussions in their own right and help new masons, and established members, understand the deeper meanings behind the words. The second point, the focus on participatory learning instead of lectures, highlighted that virtually all the newer masons wanted to be an active part of regular meetings instead of sitting listening to another member reciting a set of words and phrases. Some Brethren seem to forget that all our rituals are for the benefit of our candidates, not themselves. If newer members are not enjoying what we do they will leave. So it is up to us, in our Lodges, to take positive action here and make it happen. The National Education Committee can provide you with ideas but you and your Lodges have to make it happen. I recommend that we treat long charges as a collection of shorter paragraphs to be discussed immediately they are spoken. This will take time but it is better to cover smaller and fewer pieces of ritual thoroughly and have members understand and learn than to go on making long speeches that show off the ability of the speaker and ignore the learning of the candidate(s). Learning has to be lively, interesting and entertaining or members lose interest and stop attending. The last point, which is to perform our ritual on groups of candidates, goes against the assumed wisdom of thinking that we are doing a favour to each candidate by making his evening special to him and him alone. The feedback from our EAs, FCs and MMs is that this is
quite wrong; they say it would be better for them if they were in a group because the whole thing is scary and frightening for the individual. This is the human nature concept of safety in numbers. The argument made by the younger masons present at one of the Divisional meetings suggested that there would be a bond between candidates who graduated together from one degree to the next. They suggested that this could also be the basis of discussion groups for furthering Masonic learning inside and outside regular meetings; that they would get to know each other better; that it would lead to Brethren forming closer ties. This is a serious point that will need much Lodge discussion because it goes against age-old traditional ways of doing things. Remember the Guardians of the ancient and accepted way we have always done things mentioned in my last article. So, where does this leave us? Make a few changes, as requested, and possibly flourish and grow or stay as we are and accept a reducing membership. My sincere hope is that some of you will pick up the ball and run with it in your Lodges and in your Districts. This isnt going to be easy because we have a cancer in our midst and we need to be strong and act now. Not next month, not sometime, but you need to act urgently to get your Lodge to agree sensible action and do it before the cancer gets worse. WBro Dr George Allan Chair, National Education Committee Email: drgeorgeallan@gmail.com
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SOUTHERN RECOGNITION
2013 Otago Grants and Scholarships Presentation Function
On Sunday the 9 June the Annual Presentation Function for The Otago Masonic Charitable Trust was held in the Dunedin Masonic Centre. As usual this was held in association with The Freemasons Charity, University of Otago Scholarships Committee.
he main Lodge seating people was completely full with a small number having to stand. Attendees included the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr Dave Cull, The Minister of Immigration, The Honourable Michael Woodhouse, Mr David Clark, MP for North Dunedin; the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, Most Revered Father Colin Campbell, together with RWBro Terry McConnell and Sheila Hicking from The Freemasons Charity. Also present, from the University of Otago, were Professor Barry Gibson, from the Chair of Paediatrics, Dame Norma Restieaux and, representing the Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof Rachael Spronken-Smith. At the same time smaller local presentation functions were held in Oamaru, Alexandra and Balclutha. The total of the Grants for for the whole of Otago was , , along with another , to six food banks. After a Welcome and Introduction to the work of the Otago Masonic Charitable Trust, the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr Cull, presented the Grants Cheques to the representatives of the recipient organisations from the Greater Dunedin district: They were; Pregnancy Help Inc. Dunedin, Brain Injury Assn. Otago, Outram School, Caversham Toy Library, Otago Community Hospice, Mosgiel Central Kindergarten, The Operation New Direction Trust, Home of St. Barnabas, Life Education Trust Otago and Wakari Kindergarten. Sheila Hicking presented, on behalf of the Freemasons Charity, two defibrillators, one to the Caversham Bowling Club and one jointly to the U A Dunedin Charitable Trust and the Leith Bowling Club, Rob Fitzpatrick, from Operation New
Direction, thanked the Trust on behalf of the recipients, and explained how the grant to his organisation would help with a mentoring of at risk youngsters aged between and . Gordon Baines, in association with Steve Walker, the Deputy Chairman of the Port Chalmers Community Board, presented the Port Chalmers Marine Lodge Bursary for to Shaun Markham. Shaun has Cerebral Palsy, but has not let this interfere with his life. He has achieved both academically and in sport. He was the Dux of Kings High School. Shaun was profiled in the June issue of New Zealand Freemason. Participants of the Trusts annual Youth Development Programme on Stewart Island, were then presented with their course Certificates, by the Hon Michael Woodhouse, including the NZ Coastguard Day Skippers Certificates, which they completed during the week long course. Bro Alan Jackson, Chairman of the Freemasons New Zealand University of Otago Scholarships Committee, spoke about the Scholarships and Fellowships. While the scholarships had been originally presented in Wellington, this was an opportunity for those family members who could not attend in Wellington, along with friends and local Freemasons, to acknowledge the achievement of the local recipients. Terry McConnell presented a small gift to each of the recipients. Professor Barry Taylor spoke of the work of the Paediatric Fellowships and how the University appreciated the long association with Freemasons in allowing work into this area of research. The Fellows were then introduced and their specialist subjects explained. Emeritus Professor Dame Norma Restieaux spoke
of the value of the assistance from The Freemasons Charity towards research and the work of the University. Professor Rachael Spronken-Smith, then explained how funding was vital for the continued development of research in a wide range of fields, and she thanked Freemasons in general, and the Freemasons Charity in particular, for their continued support. After a brief conclusion, those attending adjourned for an Afternoon Tea, and chance to talk further. All in all, a very pleasant and successful afternoon. Grant Watson, Secretary, The Otago Masonic Charitable Trust
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Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull with Verity Harwick and Leighan Slade from Life Education Trust.
Dave Cull, presenting cheque to Chris Ottley from Pregnancy Help NZ.
Prof Rachael Spronken-Smith speaking at presentation. Prof Berry Taylor, Sarah Harris, Paediatric Fellow, & Terry McConnell.
Steve Walker Port Chalmers Community Board and Bursary Recipient Shaun Markham.
Sheila Hicking presenting debrillators to representatives of Caversham Bowling Club, U3A Trust and Leith Bowling Club.
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ood afternoon Grand Master, honourable guests, scholarship recipients, whanau and friends. It was a great privilege to be asked to speak at this ceremony today and it is wonderful to have the opportunity to pay tribute not only to the work of The Freemasons Charity, but also to the dedication and passion of this years scholarship recipients. I was awarded a freemasons postgraduate scholarship in when I was completing my PhD in Psychology at Victoria University and I am still grateful for the support, which gave me the financial freedom to focus on my studies and charitable work. When I was applying for a Freemasons scholarship, the requirement which appealed to me most was the focus on applicants commitment to, and involvement in, their communities. This may not be unique to Freemasons scholarships, but I had certainly never come across an application form where engagement in community work had been prioritised in this way. Of course, this emphasis on community is hardly surprising when one considers that the fundamental principles of Freemasonry are integrity, goodwill and charity. All of these principles are vital in both forming and sustaining strong, connected communities. Recently, I have been thinking a lot about how people connect with one another to form communities, and how these connections are then explored, reflected on, and shared through story. The reason this has been on my mind is because of two particular roles I occupy in my life, which I am going to share with you this afternoon. Clinical Psychology and the importance of relationships The first role is that of an Intern Psychologist; I am in the last throes of my Clinical Psychology training and I am sitting my final exam in June. People who seek help from a Clinical Psychologist are often struggling to meet the demands of
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their day-to-day lives within the context of their familial and social systems. Many people are lonely and isolated from the people they care about, or are in relationships where they are unable, for whatever reasons, to access the care, compassion and connection they need to sustain themselves. As we all know, human beings are social creatures. We exist in relationship to others. From birth our relationships play a fundamental role in forming beliefs about ourselves, other people and the world around us. As children, our most important relationships are with our caregivers who function as a secure base from which we can go out to explore the world, develop our own unique identities, and be supported to achieve our goals. As we grow older, our relationships with friends and romantic partners are increasingly prioritised, giving us more opportunities to learn about ourselves and our place in the world through our relationships with others. I have no doubt that all of the scholarship recipients sitting here today owe a debt of gratitude to family members, friends and partners for supporting them in their drive to achieve academic excellence and in their passion for their communities. I cannot emphasise enough how precious these relationships are. At the risk of sounding clichd, cherish the relationships with the people who love you and believe in you. Even as the academic year gets busier, make the time to spend with people who will replenish and re-energise you. Learn how to identify when you need support and ask for it. As we all know, studying can be extremely satisfying, but also demanding and exhausting. One of the most important things I learned through doing my PhD was to rely on other peoples faith in me to sustain and propel me forward when I lacked faith in myself and doubted my own abilities.
Dr Robyn Langlands.
Kaibosh an idea is born My other role that I wanted to touch on today is as co-founder in , with my partner George, of Kaibosh, a Wellington based food rescue charity. At the time I was volunteering at Wellington Womens Refuge and Wishbone, a local food retailer with multiple stores across the city, offered us their surplus food at the end of the day. There was only one catch it had to be picked up after pm when their stores had closed. They had approached a number of other charities, but none of them were able to pick up food because they were usually closed by oclock. To help out, I offered to pick up the food for Refuge one night a week. When I went to collect the food I was amazed at how much there was and it all had to be eaten by the use-by-date, which happened to be the very next day. After a few weeks of collecting the food and dropping it off at the Refuge safe house, it quickly became clear that there was regularly too much for the women and children we supported. It just wasnt a good fit. Instead, I rang up the Wellington City Mission, which was eager to receive the food and I started donating the majority to the Mission instead. Once a week, George and I would pick up the food, store it in our home fridge, and deliver it to the Mission the next day. We started thinking about how many other retailers in Wellington had surplus food that was needlessly being thrown away. We did our research and
were amazed when we couldnt find any organisations in New Zealand dedicated to collecting surplus food for people in need. The idea for New Zealands first food rescue charity was born. We called our charity Kaibosh a combination of kai [food] and kibosh [to put a stop to something]. We stop food that is good enough to eat from being thrown away. We envisage a Wellington where there is zero food poverty and zero food waste, and work towards achieving this vision by being a link between the food industry and those that support people in need. You may be wondering how this fits into my theme thus far about relationships. Well, quite simply, without relationships Kaibosh would not exist. Certainly the strong, supportive relationship that George and I have cultivated over the past years formed the foundation for our charity. We then roped in family and friends to help us form a charitable trust. We established relationships with funders, such as the Wellington City Council, and we were able to access enough money to rent a community office and employ a part-time staff member. Over the years, fostering relationships with people and organisations that support our vision and want to be part of the Kaibosh community has been the key to our success. We work with our community to obtain funding, recruit volunteers and source excess food that would otherwise be wasted. From its very humble beginnings, Kaibosh now has one full time and four part-time staff members and food is collected in our refrigerated van seven days a week. We have food donors and redistribute their surplus food to different charities. To date, we have
Kaibosh is a Wellington-based not for profit organisation, largely run by volunteers, which acts as a link between the food industry and charities, currently , that support people in need. It aims to stop edible food from being needlessly thrown away and ensure that it reaches those in the community who are struggling or vulnerable. Kaibosh collaborates with food retailers and producers to rescue surplus food thats good enough to eat, but not good enough to sell, and prevents it from being discarded into landfills. This food is redistributed to charities that work with individuals and families who are facing difficulty in making ends meet. The organisation collects, sorts and distributes the food daily, carefully catering for the particular needs of each charity. Some charities utilise Kaiboshs rescued food for food parcels while others run soup kitchens. No food donation is too big or too small. The service operates at no cost to food retailers and producers or to charities; its a win-win for all. In Kaibosh successfully rescued and redistributed over , kilograms of food to people in need by working with food retailers and producers across Wellington. An added bonus is that , kilograms less is deposited in landfills. Kaibosh are currently preparing for their next stage of expansion and are looking for volunteers to help between . and . on weekdays at their base in Central Wellington. If you are able to help them out one day each week please email them volunteer@kaibosh.org.nz or call . Robyn Langlands and her partner, George, saw an opportunity and acted on it. They didnt seek to profit from it, but rather acted with a humanitarian motive which fits so well with the community service objective of the Freemasons University Scholarships programme. For further information visit www.kaibosh.org.nz
rescued and redistributed over , kgs of food to people in need and we are researching how to expand our service into the Hutt and Porirua.
The power of relationships
For me, Kaiboshs success speaks to the power of relationships and a community of people working together to bring about social change. George and I had no idea how to start a charity and never envisaged that
Volunteers Janiece, Julie and Tash with boxes of rescued food ready to start sorting for distribution.
we could play a role in creating such a successful organisation. We simply saw a problem and tried to implement a solution in order to help people in need. To us, the best reward is getting to the stage where the organisation stands on its own two feet because so many people are committed to helping it flourish. This was no more apparent when Kaibosh, in , won the Supreme Award at the Trustpower National Community Awards. To all the students here today, you have been chosen as scholarship recipients because of your intelligence, your commitment to your communities and your continuous striving to learn more about yourselves and your world for the benefit of others. Congratulations for all you have achieved thus far and we look forward to hearing about your future successes. I would like to end with my favourite Maori proverb: He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!
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ystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition, inherited where both parents carry the defective Cystic Fibrosis gene. Where this occurs, couples have a in chance of conceiving a child with the condition. One in people carry this gene in New Zealand. Cystic Fibrosis affects the lungs and digestive system by making the mucous normally utilised by the body as an effective lubricant, thick and sticky, clogging small ducts and passages such as those that exist in the lungs and pancreas. This leads to frequent and serious infections and a tendency to malabsorption of nutrients vital for weight maintenance and general wellbeing. In the s the life expectancy of children with Cystic Fibrosis was just . Advances in care and treatments mean this has now risen to mid-thirties. Those born since can even hope to live to . Life for young people with Cystic Fibrosis is one of a daily struggle for survival, requiring copious medication, physiotherapy and frequent hospitalisation. Most of these young people and their families will tell you immediately that, apart from the obvious dream of an ultimate cure for this condition, their dearest wish is most often simply for a normal life.
A day in the life
Each day, before school, a child like -year-old Eva, pictured, must do thirty minutes of back and chest pounding physio, or nebulise a saline solution to break up the mucus in her lungs. This is followed by nebulised and/or oral antibiotics. She must eat high-fat, high calorie, protein-rich meals, as it is important to get extra calories to maintain her weight and growth. With each meal or snack Eva must swallow dozens of enzymes to help her body process the food. At night its the same again, physiotherapy, enzymes and
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antibiotics. For some, night gastric feeding through a tube is necessary to get all of those important calories. The best way to keep lungs healthier for longer is to exercise daily. Eva loves to run, swim, do ballet, and bounce on the trampoline with her brothers. She has a persistent deep cough, which The Master of Taia-Raukawa Lodge, WBro Barry Ludlow, makes the is her bodys way of presentation to Diane Murray and daughter Eva. trying to clear the mucus; her chest gets very sore from all the coughing. Others parts such as mouthpieces and tubing can around her might think she has a terrible cost as much again each year. people cold, but CF is not catching. With in New Zealand have CF with around decreasing lung capacity everything in the Greater Wellington Region. takes that much more effort, and its easy The Wellington Branch of the to become very tired. Association consists of a very small Cystic Fibrosis is a very expensive group of volunteers who work hard to condition, financially, emotionally and raise money to purchase nebulising physically. Staying well takes a lot of equipment for its members. Diane time and effort. It can be isolating too. Murray, Wellington Branch Chairperson, Frequent hospitalisation means isolation says she is extremely grateful to Taiafrom friends and peers. Cross infection Raukawa Lodge for giving her the risks limit the chances for sufferers to opportunity to raise awareness of the come together in groups to share and condition through a presentation to the discuss problems and issues. Lodge, and for its subsequent purchase of equipment. The Lodge has continued Freemasons Supporting the Cause its support by offering to donate the In the Wellington Region, there is proceeds from its Longest Morning Tea no health board funding for basic to purchase a travel nebuliser. At the presentation, I was thrilled nebulising equipment required to deliver the antibiotics required to fight to be introduced to visitors from two infection. Nebulisers are drug delivery other lodges, Hinemoa-Kairangi Lodge, devices used to administer essential Brooklyn, and Waihenga St Johns, with medication in the form of a mist inhaled the possibility to speak at their meetings into the lungs through a mouthpiece. in the future. I would welcome the People with Cystic Fibrosis are required invitation to speak at any other Lodge in to use nebulisers at least twice daily the Wellington area. Diane Murray, Chairperson, to take aerosolized antibiotics to treat Cystic Fibrosis Association, Wellington Branch infections and other drugs to break up diane@cfwellington.org.nz, the mucus in the lungs. The nebulisers cost approximately plus replaceable
he money was raised at a recent garden party held to commemorate the memory of VWBro Steve Lewis, a prominent and enthusiastic Auckland Freemason, who spent his last days at the Hospices Inpatient Unit at Red Beach where he passed away last July, aged . Additional funds were provided The Freemasons Charity and The North Shore Freemasons Centre in Albany. Steve was a former policeman who later qualified in finance and worked for some years with the Serious Fraud Office and the Auckland District Law Society. He was a former District Grand Master for Auckland West. Steve was initiated in The Corinthian Lodge No. EC in Thames in and later joined Lodge Birkenhead No. , which merged with two others Lodges to become Lodge North Harbour. He was Master of Lodge Birkenhead in , and later joined Lodge Discovery No. , where he was Master in .
He was appointed Grand Steward in and District Grand Master in He was closely involved in Masonic benevolence throughout Auckland where he was responsible for guiding recommendations for Masonic charitable donations for many worthy community projects. He was also a keen and gifted golfer. At the presentation of the cheque to the Hospice, Steves widow Sue, paid tribute to the Hospice and its staff for the care and support Steve received. The wonderful care given to Steve and the hospitality, comfort and support that the whole family received during his time here, is very much appreciated by us all, she said. Hibiscus Hospice will use the gift to fund the running of a patients records management system called PalCare for the next months. PalCare software is used by the Hospice to manage patient records electronically, so that staff has real time access to the most up-to-date
WBro Geoff Parry, District Benevolence Ofcer, WBro Greg Taylor, Geoff Foote, Hibiscus Hospice CEO Winsome Stretch, Steves widow Sue with their grandson Jayden and their daughter, Claire, and her husband, Des Hirst.
treatment plan information for patients. The fundraising garden party was held at the Coatesville property of VWBro Geoff Foote and his wife Jenny. Geoff says Steve was a very highly regarded and respected Freemason, and his loss has been widely felt throughout the wider Masonic family. VWBro Geoff Foote
FIRST AID
LEARNING ONLINE
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t is achieved by the use of branding that says who we are and what we stand for. This branding was instigated a number of years ago by the National Communications Committee and supported by the Board of General Purposes. Collectively we are Freemasons, we belong to an organisation called Freemasons New Zealand and we meet in Freemasons Lodges, Halls, Centres or Complexes. Legally we are The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand. The Grand Lodge now usually meets once every three years as part of The Grand Installation and we are all members of that Grand Lodge and individually our Lodges cannot exist outside that framework. Outside of this the organisation is called Freemasons New Zealand and supported by a Grand Secretariat. For some years the correct terminology
has been The Freemasons Charity, The Freemasons Deposit Scheme, The Freemasons University Scholarships, The Freemasons Science Travel Awards, The Freemasons Longest Morning Tea and The Freemasons Live Life Lighter Family Health Programme. Too often, Lodges refer to grants received from the Grand Lodge Board of Benevolence. Not only is terminology wrong, it is important, for reasons of maintaining charitable status, to properly distinguish The Freemasons Charity as a separate entity.
All these things belong to us as Freemasons and not to some nebulous body that we can point our finger at when we search to apportion blame instead of taking some responsibility for whatever situation we as Freemasons find ourselves in. We now have Ceremonial
not Ritual a similar word with less connotations. Masonic or Masons was too vague and misused but Freemasonry and Freemasons, as words, are more certain and help to differentiate us. Our branding is important so that we dont get confused with other pseudo masonic organisations or that the words we might continue to use in error add a meaning that we as Freemasons know is not the case but that which the public might misconstrue. We are Freemasons, who practise Freemasonry in its amplest sense, meet in Freemasons Lodges and are part of a national organisation called Freemasons New Zealand. We support The Freemasons Charity. Use the right words and convey the right message, that of Freemasonry being a modern, vibrant and important part of every New Zealand community. You say potato I say tomatoe! VW Bro Duane Williams Chair, National Communications Committee
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in the not-too-distant future would be wonderful too! On behalf of the tour organizers, the staff and students of all nine High Schools and the band Phantom Empire, we would like to say a huge thank you to The Freemasons Charity for making it all possible! Rachel Hewitt
benefited from the inspiration and mentoring goals of the Tour. Currently, we couldnt see anyone more deserving of a boost than Cantab students. said Tim Hewitt of Phantom Empire. In addition to the generous support from The Freemasons Charity Earthquake Relief Fund, several other local businesses got on board, donating generous amounts of giveaways for the staff and students of the schools visited and local radio station The Edge visited several of the schools providing a free barbeque. It certainly was a pick me up heading into the winter months, with a huge response from both staff and students alike. As the Head of Music at Rangiora High School said It was a pleasure to have such an enthusiastic and professional band; the students were over the moon about the whole concert. I thanked the sausage people afterwards, as they managed to distribute sausages in an hour! Amazing! My thanks to all involved; it was a great experience for our students. And an event out our way
Eleanor receiving her Fullbright scholarship award from the Hon Steven Joyce.
a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study at one of the top drama institutions in the United States. She will spend three years as a John Wells Fellow completing a Master of Fine Arts in Directing at Carnegie Mellon Universitys School of Drama in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Eleanor specialises in the development of new theatre and her work is characterised by a playful and imaginative approach to investigating the contemporary world. Her practice will be challenged and honed by spending three years under the guidance of Marianne Weems, Obie award winning director of New York based theatre company The Builders Association. Marianne is acclaimed as one of the most important theatrical innovators of our time, particularly for her innovations in the use of new media and technology in theatre. Carnegie Mellon is known for being great at computer science and theatre. In both these fields, they push the boundaries, Eleanor says. Theyre at the forefront of training directors to be visionaries, the programme is all about new technology, re-inventing theatre and collaborating across art-forms. Eleanor has most recenly been directing Auckland Theatre Companys Like Theres No Tomorrow by the PlayGround Collective. The show was an immersive roaming theatre piece in which the audience were guests at an illicit high-school afterball. The show asked how, as a community, we could challenge New Zealands drinking culture. It was the perfect launch pad to begin my study in America; it combined my desire to ask tough questions with innovative ways of telling stories. In this
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piece, the audience was right in the heart of the party and a lucky few ended up participating. Eleanor is also the recipient of the John Wells Fellowship from Carnegie Mellon. John Wells is an American theatre, film and television producer, writer and director. An alumnus of Carnegie Mellon, he is the producer of ER, The West Wing and Shameless and the director of the film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning play August: Osage Country starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. Fulbright awards support a year of academic study in the United States for promising New Zealand graduate students. Selections are based on academic excellence, leadership potential and the ability of candidates to act as a cultural ambassador for New Zealand. In Eleanors words. Its a thrill to get a Fulbright scholarship. The arts are so tough and Fulbright really get in there behind artists. I am looking forward to returning to grow New Zealands theatre industry, particularly supporting more female directors. My ultimate dream is that in our lifetime we will see a New Zealand national theatre. The Freemasons Charity is proud to have played a part in Eleanors success and looks forward to following her ongoing career in theatre.
this month at the University of Oregon where he plans to start his PhD in Psychology. Hailing originally from Havelock North, a lot of Joshuas life revolves around music where his interests range from classical to rock. He has achieved success in Hawkes Bay competitions for Young Musician of the Year, Chamber Music and Smokefree Rock Quest. He has taught guitar to school-aged students and tutored psychology students. Joshs ambition is for a career in psychology, particularly cognitive psychology and neuropsychology. He graduated MSc from Victoria University in . Josh has commented on the next stage of his academic journey. Im very excited about heading over to the United States. I have now completed a Master of Science in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience at Victoria University of Wellington. The Fulbright Science and Innovation Graduate Award that I have received will take me to the University of Oregon to complete a PhD in Psychology. To be honest, my studies consume most of my time, leaving very little for music. However, I do continue to play classical guitar for my own enjoyment. Although music has had to take a back seat, it has been very influential in my life. Playing classical guitar has taught me a lot of self-discipline, which has served me well as a postgraduate student. Like music, science often involves a great deal of work in order to achieve results and a one of the keys to success is perseverance.
Gemma New
and performed around nine concerts a year. Since moving to the United States in Gemmas career has taken off. Born and raised in Wellington, Gemma started violin and piano studies in primary school and began conducting at age . While at school Gemma worked weekends and evenings as a front of house staff member at the Wellington Convention Centre where she stood through hundreds of concerts dreaming of the day she could take centre stage. A graduate of the Peabody Institute, Gemma studied conducting with Gustav Meier, Marin Alsop and Markand Thakar. During this time, she served as cover conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, assistant conductor for the Peabody Concert Orchestra, and made several recordings with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra. Recently praised by the Baltimore Sun for her absorbing and well-honed performance, Gemma is now Assistant Conductor for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and Director of the Lunar Ensemble. She has conducted orchestras on multiple continents, including
A music lesson for a Prime Minister.
the Danish National, Scottish, Baltimore, and Christchurch Symphony Orchestras as well as the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivires (Canada). In April Gemma made her conducting debut at Carnegie Hall as one of three conductors selected for the Carnegie Hall Professional Training Workshop with John Adams and David Robertson. As Assistant Conductor of the , Gemma conducts education and summer programs, and works with its affiliated Greater Newark Youth Orchestra. Covering most subscription concerts, she has worked with Music Director Jacques Lacombe, Conductor Laureate Neeme Jarvi, and many visiting artists. In , Gemma received the American Prize st place for orchestral conducting, and was selected by members of the Vienna Philharmonic to reside at the Salzburg Music Festival, as an Ansbacher Fellow. Chosen by Kurt Masur to share the podium with him in concert at the Usedom Music Festival (Germany), she was invited to study with Maestro Masur again in New York. Gemma was selected to attend the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen as a conducting fellow, this past northern summer. Gemma is a leader in presenting and commissioning new works. As Director of the Lunar Ensemble, she has premiered works in the last years. In season, she held residencies with the Lunar Ensemble in Fredonia NY, Baltimore MD, and New Orleans LA, where the group worked closely with selected composers on the Pierrot Centenary Project. She conducted the ensemble in a limited edition -CD album, featuring Schoenbergs Pierrot lunaire, recorded in Baltimores prestigious Shriver Hall. She has also recorded an album of contemporary concertos and suites by New Zealand composer Eric Biddington, titled A Piece for Maurice, with the chamber orchestra LEstro Armonico. In addition to he Freemasons University Scholarship Gemma has received awards from the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, NZ Federation of
Graduate Women, NZ Vice-Chancellors Committee, Peabody Institute, , University of Canterbury and the Adastra Foundation. In she received first prize in the International Conducting Competition in Macon, Georgia and, in , she was a semifinalist of the Donatella Flick competition. Gemma has been awarded conducting fellowships with the Allentown Symphony ( ), Atlantic Music Festival ( ) and Hot Springs Music Festival ( ).
BOOKS
Freemasonry is a topic which has lent itself to much literature over the ages. Here, we present a series of literature-related stories.
He was working in on, among other subjects, the photographic the Dead Sea Scrolls, the department, when through origins of Freemasonry, Lincoln, a TV producer; he and the Inquisition. Each met Leigh, an Americancontained similar elements born budding novelist. of buried evidence, an Together the three establishment cover-up discovered a passionate and sinister plots, but sales interest in the mystery that never attained the heights surrounded a small church of the first collaboration. in Rennes-le-Chteau in The Jesus Papers ( ) Michael Baigent. the Languedoc region of attracted considerable France. This interest led media attention with its to Baigents most successful book, The claim that Pontius Pilate had faked Holy Blood and the Holy Grail( ), co- Christs death on the cross. authored with Richard Leigh and Henry Despite the question marks that his Lincoln, which became an international books, and the worldwide lecture tours bestseller. that accompanied them, Michael Baigent This volume reinterpreted medieval never lost his own personal faith in a legends and claimed that Jesus had creator God. He described himself as a had a physical relationship with Mary mystic, regularly practised meditation, Magdalene, that their children grew and remarked when questioned: I up in exile in France, and that their operate within a vaguely Christian descendants subsequently intermarried perspective. with the Merovingian royal house. The When American author Dan Brown existence of this Christ bloodline had covered similar historical ground to been covered up by the Roman Catholic The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail in Church, and their secret protected by the his novel The Da Vinci Code, shadowy Priory of Sion. Baigent and Leigh sued his publishers Academics and church authorities for plagiarism. They lost that case and dismissed the findings. The book was a subsequent appeal in and were banned in some Catholic countries, while faced with a m legal bill. in Britain the religious historian Marina Baigent paid a high price for the Warner labeled it a lurid falsehood. legal action. To meet the bill, he had Readers, however, were intrigued by the to sell his home and he was living in theory, and sales topped two million. rented accommodation at the time of his Its commercial success led Leigh and death. The resultant stress took a heavy Baigent to five further collaborations in toll. All revenue from his later writing a similar vein, one of them with Lincoln, projects went into paying off his debt, but he worked away furiously to restore his fortunes. Two days before he died, he had finished his second novel. He is survived by his wife and children. Reg Nicholson ,Lodge Tawhiri
to study lofty volumes searching for knowledge. Big Beliefs In Small Bites discusses todays issues in digest-sized articles in an easy manner, with unusual quotations, and often with a pinch of humour. The purchase price is . Copies can be obtained by sending an order to joan @ clear.net.nz. For Freemasons who can collect copies from the author (and so dont require postage), there will be a discount of five dollars. Poppies bookshop in Casabella Lane, Hamilton, and St Peters Cathedral Bookshop also have copies.
for upgrading the Royal Train for the Royal Tour. He entered private practice in Rotorua in and, among his projects was the Waipa Lodge Rooms in Te Awamutu, so unfortunately destroyed by fire . He has subsequently earlier this year. held a number of Masonic With his early offices in Western experience of amateur Australia following his dramatics at Rotorua move to Perth in . In Little Theatre Peter Peter undertook an wrote and produced extensive lecture tour of his first costumed New Zealand visiting ten production, Service Research Lodges. Above Self, a Rotary In Perth Peter wrote and melodrama in produced three further Rotorua. major productions, The In Peter was First Degree as Worked in initiated into Lodge , The Four Faces of Matakana, was Master Freemasonry, a Masonic in , and, in , Pageant and Freemasonry: he produced his first The Never Ending Story. costumed Masonic Peter Verralls book production with The of pages, which Canadian York Rite TOP : Peter Verrall plays Hiram Abif. is lavishly illustrated, Third Degree. He ABOVE Peter Verrall. traverses the history and was instrumental in relationship between dramatics and founding the Waikato Lodge of Research, Freemasonry, explains each of the plays being the Foundation Master in and and their individual productions and includes the full scripts. It is often heard that Masonic ceremonies are a form of theatre. This book demonstrates how the theatrical nature of the ceremonies can be taken to a new level and it demonstrates belt-tightening generally. how this can be achieved. He notes that becoming redundant Copies of the book can be ordered is an emotional and stressful time that direct from the author: can lead to anger and despondency. for plus P+P. The aim of the book, which is set out in Payment can be made by cheque to short simple chapters, is to highlight at Colin Heyward, Rose the preparation necessary to be at the St. Waipawa or by direct credit to front of the queue for at Bank Waipukurau future employment. The contents are Morris Robertson equally relevant for first time job seekers. The catchphrase is Success occurs when opportunity and preparation meet. The publication is available from good bookstores.
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or MWBro David Mace, his substitute Mother Lodge, Lodge Ponsonby No , Master Ian Ross, had made this event the working of their Regular Meeting on Tuesday th August and had organised an event that had something for everyone. Held in their Lodge rooms at the Freemasons Auckland Centre in Khyber Pass, the telling of the life work of Bro Mace was full of stories of amazing achievements in management, in dedication, in benevolence, in service and love and affection. How his professional, personal and masonic lives were intertwined both in New Zealand and in his long international sojourn in Hong Kong. First, it was a gathering of numbers. The large assembly of Grand Lodge Officers included the Grand Master MWBro Selwyn Cooper and several other Past Grand Masters; Joe McManemin, Michael Pope, Ian Ross, Barry McLaggan, and the Grand Master designate John Litton. Senior representatives of the Sister Constitutions were present, Divisional Grand Masters past and present and multitudes more Freemasons of every rank. Fellowcrafts and Entered Apprentices were left standing because all seats were taken
literally a full house. And, apart from Freemasons, the family, the ladies and many good friends of long personal and business connection, were present to pay tribute to the man of the evening for his profound and outstanding contribution made in so many ways to the principles of Freemasonry. RWBro Mark Winger as MC, Clynton Hardy of the English Constitution, Professor Richard Faull from the University and David Mace receives his Badge from the Davids daughter, Ngarie, each Pinned! Grand Master. explored aspects of Davids life and work offering their praise and Caricature presented to David Mace as a memento of 50 years in Freemasonry. thanks for his untiring labour. While pinning the Badge on his lapel the Grand Master praised the depth of his commitment in all parts and all aspects of our organisation. Later, everyone relaxed while members of the New Zealand Opera Freemasons Intern group entertained with singing, the likes of which has never before been heard on Khyber Pass. Noel Ryan
David & Anne with daughter Ngarie and her husband Paul.
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SERVICE AWARDS
70 YEAR BADGE
WBro Harry Thomas Stewart Hoy PM RH WBro Allan Robinson PM The Saint Andrews Lodge No. 32 Lodge Waihi No. 112
60 YEAR BADGE
WBro Graeme Archibald Petersen PM Bro Allan Braldwood Flynn MM WBro Rowland Alfred Jones PGBB Bro Charles Edwin Brown MM WBro John Vernon Ernest Hipkins PM WBro Lewis Pat Miller PM WBro Raymond Victor Franc Egginton PM RH Bro Alexander Donald McKenzie MM Bro James Doreen Dine MM WBro Percy Desmond Hollings PM WBro Desmond John Doyle PM Bro William Pat Nichol MM Bro Ian Robert Donaldson MM Bro Harold Rayner Cummins MM Bro Marton John Nelson MM New Zealand Pacic No. 2 The Coromandel Lodge No. 17 Lodge Rangitikei No. 38 The Heretaunga Lodge No. 73 Marlborough Lodge of Unanimity No. 106 Motueka Bays Lodge No. 117 Lodge North Harbour No. 182 Roslyn Morning Star No. 192 Lodge Omarunui No. 216 Lodge Manurewa No. 222 Taia-Raukawa Lodge No. 229 Lodge Katikati No. 295 Harmony Lodge No. 325 Lodge Windsor No. 377 Lodge Kerikeri No. 402
50 YEAR BADGE
Bro Edward James McConnell MM WBro William James Adams PGBB RH Bro Stewart Maxwell Reid MM WBro Donald George Hoy PM WBro Donald Watkins PM WBro Richard Lionel Ball PM MWBro David William Mace PGM WBro Arthur Haworth PM Bro William Douglas Anderson MM Bro John Hoult Campbell Ellis MM VWBro Gordon Daniel Riach PG Alm RH Bro John Max Clayton MM WBro Raymond Lawrence Barry PM WBro David Michael Forsythe PM RWBro Thomas Richard Mason P Prov GM WBro Laurence Reginald Bartholomew PM Bro Richard Martyn Spencer MM Bro Clifford Thomas Reid MM Bro Henry Allen Brenssell MM Bro Edward Hardy Harrison MM WBro Donald Andrew Cathey PM WBro James Bruce Miller PGD WBro Donald John Haythornthwaite PGD Bro Ronald Weatherhead MM VWBro Desmond Edwin Carr PG Lec The Sir Walter Scott Lodge No. 15 The Caledonian Lodge No. 16 Manukau-Westmere Lodge No. 24 The Saint Andrews Lodge No. 32 Waihenga St Johns Lodge No. 37 The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 The Ponsonby Lodge No. 54 The Advance Mawhera Lodge No. 61 The Fortitude Lodge No. 64 Thistle Lodge No. 113 Otaihape Lodge No. 142 Lodge Rotorua No. 153 Lodge Tawhiri No. 166 Empire Fergusson Lodge No. 225 Lodge Whangamomona No. 234 Lodge Awatea No. 258 Lodge Awatea No. 258 The Mangere Lodge No. 330 Lodge Eckford No. 334 Lodge Te Kauwhata No. 364 The Milford Trinity Lodge No. 372 The Wayfarers Lodge No. 389 Lodge Benjamin Kneubuhl No. 441 Petone Daylight Lodge No. 458 Petone Daylight Lodge No. 458
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