Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many informative Newsletters.
My intention is that these newsletters will be short and sweet, so let's get down to business. Over the next couple of years I will begin to sound like a broken record, as I constantly discuss the benefits of visiting other Lodges.One of the main principles of Freemasonry is "Brotherly Love". It is that bond of Brotherhood that has made this organisation what it is today, and I feel that one of the best ways of increasing the bonds of Brotherhood is to get out amongst the other Brethren and Visit. The benefits of the Lodge being visited cannot be measured in physical terms, but the Moral and Spiritual support that visiting is invaluable. Let us remember back 12 years ago, when Lodge Sawtell Twilight had so few members that it could not open the Lodge, unless there were a goodly number of visitors. Brethren can be forgiven in thinking that this Lodge was only marking time until it closed. However it was SUPPORT of Visitors that enabled the Lodge to continue, until the time came for it to turn around, and it is still the support of visitors that keep it strong today. This is the same situation for a number of Lodges in our District. Let's not sit back and say "They are as good as done", let's dig in and help out. A final thought: if visiting has lost it's relevance to modern Freemasonry, why then does every Lodge still have a Visitors Toast, and looks forward to giving the Toast at every meeting?
The Rock and Roll Fifties night is coming and should be a great night for everyone. Great Music,Great Memories and Great Fun. Come dressed in 50's attire if you like. (Prizes for best dressed on the night).
Bring your own drinks and bring a picnic basket if you want. Pickies will be on your tables however. Entertainment will be a great show by the Harbour Lights, there will be a twist competition for those that are game, plus plenty of other entertaining events during the night. Heaps of fun prizes, and all for $5 per head.
Contact Geoff or Sonia for tickets. 66531798 home, 66512133 work.
Bring Family and Friends, this is not just for Masons, but for anyone wanting a good time
Saturday 30th October, 7.00pm at the Masonic Centre Coffs Harbour.
This is not a fundraising event, but rather a FUNRAISING event
Also coming up is the BIG BAND DAY, in the Carpark at The Masonic Centre on Sunday 14th November (weather permitting). Enquiries to Doug McCumstie on 66511300
The District 53 Christmas Picnic is on Sunday the 5th December at the Bongil Bongil National Park (off Williams Road Bonville). BYO everything. A BBQ will be their on the day to cook up your steaks,etc. This is a Christmas Family BBQ, so bring the family. Hopefully the District 52 Brethren will be able to attend as well, so it should be a great day.
Enquiries to Geoff Greenaway 66531798, or Bruce Ellem 66538332
A smorgasbord breakfast is on at the Sawtell RSL on the 7th November at 8.30am ($13.50 per head), hosted by Lodge Sawtell Twilight. Enquiries to Bruce Ellem 66538332
Lodge Fitzroy # 248 - 2nd Tuesday, 7.00pm - Lectures By VW Bro. Norm Standing and VW Bro John Bertram
Lodge Urara # 469 - 2nd Saturday, 4.30pm - Exemplification of the 2nd Degree
Lodge Woolgoolga # 705 - 1st Saturday, 6.00pm - Exemplification of the 2nd Degree
Lodge Sawtell Twilight # 741 - 3rd Wednesday, 6.00pm - 3rd Degree Past Masters Night.
Brother Jamie Greenaway will be raised, his Father and Grandfather will be in attendance, so it will be the first time we have had 3 generations in the Lodge for sometime
Coffs Harbour Daylight # 1016 - TBA
The retiring DGIW VWBro Norm Standing requested that the Lodge Meeting go from labour to refreshment to enable the Ladies to witness the Changeover Ceremony and a musical interlude by RWBro Colin Gill and his wife Margret. A Director of Ceremonies Baton was also presented by RWBro Des Moffitt to the new DGIW, VWBro Geoff Greenaway. 72 Ladies and Brethren were present to witness the Changeover Ceremony
The Regional Masonic Award for distinguished service and recognition of outstanding contribution in Region 5 was awarded to retiring DGIW VW Bro Norm Standing.
W Bro Phil Robertson of Lodge Fitzroy was awarded the District Award for service to Freemasonry and the Community for his unstinting dedication and hard work for the Coffs Coast Freemasons Association.
“We did it!” Cheered a small band of dedicated masons and their wives in District 52 who raised $100,000 to launch the Coffs Coast and Clarence CANDO! Cancer Trust. “So many people doubted that we could succeed but we have proved that with hard work, determination and faith we have met the challenges head on and gone on to achieve our goal,” said Chairman of the Coffs Coast Freemasons Association VW Bro Norm Standing DGIW of District 52. “My wife Judy and I have been very fortunate in having the support of a terrific team. Their loyalty and dedication have been second to none and without them none of this would be possible.
The idea to raise the necessary $100,000 to create a Cancer Trust came after a visit to the Coffs Coast Cancer Institute. We a formed committee and mapped out a plan of attack. We launched our campaign at the Region 5 Conference held in Coffs Harbour in April 2009. A $20,000 grant from Masonicare laid the foundation for the fund. The various fund raising activities that we organised included an Art Union with a prize of a Holden Colorado Ute and Stacer Family Fishing Boat, a Grand Charity Auction, two Charity Bowls days, a Charity Golf day and a raffle for a 50inch Plasma TV. We received huge support from local business houses in the area especially from the Coffs Coast Advocate. Our campaign culminated with a Grand Charity Debutante Ball where our Most Worshipful Grand Master Dr Gregory Levenston presented a cheque for $100,000 to Ms Julie Jardine President of the CANDO! Cancer Trust.
This campaign has been a fantastic experience. For the last fourteen months local freemasons and their wives have regularly been in the public eye. During this time there have been many opportunities to promote and explain the values and principles of Freemasonry and lay some of those “old ghosts” to rest. Freemasonry is well and truly on the map on the Coffs Coast.”
On May 7th a unique event took place at RW Bro Vic Weller’s Re-Installation as Worshipful Master, this time at Lodge Urara 469 District 53 at Glenreagh, NSW. VW Bro Norm Standing DGIW District 52 was given special dispensation to represent the Most Worshipful Grand Master Dr Gregory Levenstone.
There have been two generations of friendship and Masonic fellowship between the Weller and Standing families. RW Bro Vic’s late father, W Bro Bill Weller was Worshipful Master of Lodge Urara in 1937 and VW Bro Norm’s late father W Bro Keith Standing was Worshipful Master in 1962. Lodge Urara has been VW Bro Norm’s mother lodge for 55 years.
At the banquet, held at the CWA Hall in Glenreagh, VW Bro Norm spoke of the necessity for Masons to be forward thinking. A new age of Freemasonry is dawning with the need to change and embrace the future. Openness, tolerance towards younger members and new style lodges pave the way to adapt traditional Freemasonry to the needs of 21st Century Masons.
RW Bro Anthony Eden supported these views. He also enlightened the Brethren regarding the new membership kits and the way to use the new publication "Its No Secret Real Men Wear Aprons". RGC Region 5 RW Bro Bruce Arnol also spoke in a similar vein.
