engage! Newsletter No. 126

Quarterly Communication Please note that seating at the Bendigo Quarterly Communication is UNLIMITED.

Only the Masonic Forum in the afternoon is limited to 100.

Grand Master of the Philippines

Visiting Melbourne

Tuesday 23rd August, 6.15 p.m.

Come and join the Deputy Grand Master

RWBro. Keith Murray, the Grand Secretary and the

Grand Master of the Philippines

MWBro. Voltaire Gazmin

Middle Park Lodge No 206

Prahran Masonic Centre

36 St Edmonds Rd, Prahran Melbourne, Victoria 3181

Tuesday 23rd August, 6.15 p.m.

Please click on the link below for booking

For more information please contact:

Julia Edwards, Executive Assistant to the Grand Secretary.

https://www.trybooking.com/223909

Visitors attending are required to book for this event.

Seats are limited to 50 places

Freemasons Day Procedure Centre Officially Opened

Freemasonry is proud to announce its recent partnership with Australian Prostate Cancer Research.

Through the support of the Freemasons Foundation Victoria, Freemasonry has committed $750,000

over three years to Australian Prostate Cancer Research (APCR), which will be applied to expand

services related to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of prostate cancer provided to patients

at the Day Procedure Centre, located at APCR's Prostate Cancer Centre in Blackwood Street, North

Melbourne. The 'Freemasons Day Procedure Centre' was officially opened on Wednesday 13 July,

2016.

The event was well attended by Directors of the Freemasons Foundation including Chairman Andre

Clayton, joined by Freemasons Victoria's Grand Master, Don Reynolds. CEO of APCR Mark Harrison

said he was excited to be working with Freemasonry in educating men and their families around

male health, which is a topic most men are reluctant to discuss. Professor Tony Costello AM of APCR

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said he was thrilled that the Centre had been chosen as a recipient for a Freemasons Foundation

grant.

"This generous donation will directly fund the new procedure wing at our North Melbourne clinic

and provide equipment that will allow us to perform procedures in a single visit, fast tracking

diagnosis and treatment thereby reducing the anguish men would typically experience from multiple

visits," he said.

Freemasons Victoria's Grand Master Don Reynolds said that many thanks need to go to Foundation

Director Ted Finch who has been instrumental in ensuring this donation was made.

"Freemasonry is an organisation of good men who care and are passionate about the welfare of the

community, their friends and family. This donation

is very important, and we are pleased to support

APCR in providing these critical services," he said.

After the presentation, guests were given a tour of

the new ward by Volunteer Program Coordinator

Penny Costello, and nurses, Bob Hale, Mia Percy

and David Gray who provided an overview of the

services currently provided in terms of consultancy

and assessment processes, as well as equipment

and facilities for client treatments.

APCR is a not-for-profit organisation whose vision is that 'no man dies of prostate cancer'.

Currently in Australia, 1 in 5 men will be diagnosed by the age of 85 with prostate cancer, with over

20,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Australian men and their families are now able to be treated for prostate cancer in a holistic one-

stop-shop environment. Men in a public outpatient setting in Victoria today will wait up to 8 months

for their first consultation with a specialist. Through APCR's research, education and treatment, it is

making a significant impact for men with prostate cancer and their families, particularly those who

do not have access to expert treatment.

Freemasons Foundation Chairman Andre Clayton with the $750,000 cheque joined by Grand Master Don Reynolds and APCR Professor Tony Costello.

For more information on the specialist services of APCR please

visit www.prostatecancerresearch.org.au

Royal Freemasons Appointed Premier Partner: 2016 Victorian

Seniors Festival

Royal Freemasons will once again partner with the Victorian Government for this state wide

Victorian community event to help recognise and celebrate the valuable contribution our elders

have made and continue to make to our community.

The Festival is open to all older Victorians and also welcomes friends and family members. The

majority of the performers, artists, writers, community leaders and demonstration groups involved

in the program of events are older Victorians – demonstrating a rich depth of talent, a joyful

participation in community life and a commitment to celebrating what they do.

The 34th Victorian Seniors Festival will take place throughout October in 2016. Free and low cost

events and activities will be presented across Victoria, including concerts, dances, theatre shows,

celebrity morning teas, tours, a host of indoor and outdoor recreation activities and much more.

Major free festival events in Melbourne during the free travel period:

Celebration Day at Federation Square, Sunday 2 October, 10:30am-4:00pm

Festival Hub at Melbourne Town Hall, daily Monday 3 to Friday 7 October, 10:00am-4:30pm

Come and Dance! Melbourne Town Hall, Monday 3 October, 12:30pm-4:00pm

Festival at the Edge, Deakin Edge at Federation Square, Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 October,

11:00am-3:30pm

Organ Concert at Melbourne Town Hall, Wednesday 5 October, 1:00pm-2:00pm

Masonic Scholarships to Ringwood Secondary College

Two Keith Hollingsworth Masonic Scholarships, each valued at $500, were presented to two Year 10

students from Ringwood Secondary College on Tuesday 12 July.

The scholarships, awarded to Lily Hualngo and Lachlan Griffith, were presented by Mrs Iris

Hollingsworth, the widow of the late Keith Hollingsworth.

Funded by the Maroondah Daylight Lodge and the Freemasons Foundation, the scholarships are

intended to assist in providing further educational opportunities to the recipients.

Lily Hualngo has made the most of her opportunities at the college since coming from a refugee

background, has shown a high level of dedication and enthusiasm towards her studies, and her

friendly approach has assisted students with a similar background to embrace the many challenges

of starting school in a new country.

Lachlan Griffith began in 2016 with a renewed passion. He regularly shows new students around the

school and helps them get settled at the college, has a great attitude, focus and determination

towards his studies and a high awareness of collective responsibility, upholding the values of the

college.

The scholarships are named after Keith Hollingsworth who was the Foundation Master of Maroondah Daylight Lodge. He was greatly respected in Masonic circles, particularly in the field of research. Keith had an extensive history in education and at the time was the youngest person to be appointed to the position of school principal. He later became involved in education in the Ringwood area having set up the Ringwood Coaching College which operated successfully for many years.

Because of this connection, the scholarships were directed to Ringwood Secondary College.

Lachlan Griffith, Mrs Iris Hollingsworth, Maroondah Daylight Lodge’s Doug Alkemade and Les Johns with Lily Hualngo.

Freemasons at Work for the Community

On behalf of Lodge Fraternal No. 603, and with the assistance

of Freemasons Foundation Victoria Limited presenting

cheques to the Coordinator of the Avalon Centre (Deborah

Holmes-Pictured) which provides clothing and care products to

the homeless and disadvantaged members of our community.

Present also is Bro Giora Hoffmann and Adi Singer (Volunteer).

Over the next month Lodge Fraternal with the assistance of

Freemasons Foundation Victoria Limited will be donating over

$10,550.00 to various charities in the local community.

Cheque Presented to Werribee School to Support School Camps

Time Harris was shocked when he learnt that some families were unable to afford to send their

children on school organised camps.

So the Chirnside Masonic Lodge secretary of 32 years decided he would secure some money to gift

to Werribee primary school to ensure no

pupil was left behind.

With help from the Werribee Lodge and

Freemason’s Foundation, Mr Harris

presented the school with a $1500 cheque

last week.

“They were extremely happy to receive it” he

said.

“It will probably help pay for between 10 and

15 children to attend camps”.

School Principal David Quinn said the school has a handful of families who struggled to pay the $400

to $500 needed to send their child on school camp.

Students Mitchell, Tara, Alannah and Emma with Chirnside Lodge Treasurer Vic Mayall and Secretary Tim Harris

“Sometimes students just don’t go” he said.

David said the funding from the Lodge will mean all grade 3 and 4 pupils will be able to attend this

year’s camp at YMCA’s Glenmore facility.

Each year the state government also offers payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports

and excursions.

Families with a valid mean-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply

for $125 for primary school students and $225 for secondary students.

A Day of Masonic Excellence

Wednesday 21st September

Masonic Forum Followed by the

Quarterly Communication

Ulumbarra Theatre, Gaol Road, Bendigo

Do you want strong lodges with membership that is vibrant, empowered and engaged? Then we encourage ALL Freemasons associated with this wonderful organisation to attend. 2.30 p.m. Meet the Grand Master, the DGM, PBGP and Board Members.

Find out more about what you expect our Masonic Landscape to look like in the lead up to 2025 and beyond. The new stragetic plan and the road forward under the restructure of Freemasonry in Victoria. Ideal for all brethren.

3.30 p.m. Member / Masonic Services – Bruce Cowie

Planning your lodge year in conformity with the Book of Constitutions, Open Investitures, Installations etc. Ideal for all Lodge Secretaries and Lodge Administrators.

4.30 p.m. Membership – Bruce Stockdale (Growth and Sustainability)

This session is ideal for your Worshipful Master and Lodge Secretary and will cover the following Retention Strategies:

The New Member Program (The “after sales service” program for Freemasons

Retention Process – why it is important

Alternatives to resignation for older members 5.30 p.m. Meet the Blue Lounge Social Group

This is a group of young Freemasons who have formed a social group. This session is ideal for our younger Freemasons, Entered Apprentices, Fellow Crafts and Master Masons. Ideal for any brother from 18 to 80

BOOKINGS ARE LIMITED TO 100 PLACES FOR THESE EVENTS PLEASE BOOK ON THE LINK BELOW;

NOTE: BOOKINGS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE QUARTERLY

COMMUNICATION

https://www.trybooking.com/MINF

What’s On With the Grand Master and Ceremonial Team

This Saturday the Grand Master Don Reynolds will be attending the Vietnam Vets Long Tan

Meeting at Ivalda Masonic Temple with his partner Mya. He will be accompanied by the

Grand Director of Ceremonies and his wife Isabella. This event is hosted by the Vietnam

Veterans Memorial Lodge No 921. To commemorate the 50 year anniversary.

On Tuesday 23rd August he then heads off to the Admiral Collingwood Lodge at Ivalda

Masonic Centre to help the Admiral Collingwood Lodge celebrate their 160th Anniversary.

On Tuesday 23rd August the Grand Master of the Philippines will be in the company of the

Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Secretary at Middle Park Lodge, who meet at the

Prahran Masonic Centre, tyling at 7.15 p.m.

On Wednesday 24th he will then join the other heads of orders with the “Combined Team

Dinner” being held at the Brighton Savoy Hotel where the Combined Ceremonial Teams of

Grand Craft, Grand Mark, Royal Arch Freemasons and the Ark Mariners will all enjoy an

evening together.

The Grand Lodge Ceremonial Team will be at the following locations over the next few weeks:

August Commitments for the Grand Lodge Team

Sat 20 Aug 2016 Vietnam Vets Long Tan Meeting Ivalda Masonic Centre Grand Master

Mon 22 Aug 2016 Lodge of Quest Ringwood Masonic Centre Deputy Grand Master

Tue 23 Aug 2016 Admiral Collingwood Lodge Ivalda Masonic Centre Grand Master

Tue 23 Aug 2016 Middle Park Lodge Prahran Masonic Centre

DGM @ GM Philippines

Wed 24 Aug 2016 All Orders Dinner Brighton Savoy Hotel Grand Master and Deputy

Thu 25 Aug 2016 Creswick Havilah Lodge Creswick Masonic Centre Junior Grand Warden

Thu 25 Aug 2016 Cobram Lodge Cobram Masonic Centre Grand Master

Sat 27 Aug 2016 Lodge Devotion Collingwood Masonic Centre Grand Master

Sat 27 Aug 2016 Great Priory of Victoria Installation South Eastern Masonic Centre

President of the Board

Have You Been Snapped?! Submit you photographs to editor@freemasonsvic.net.au

FREEMASONS VICTORIA

SOCIAL MEDIA PROTOCOL

Overview Social media channels present fantastic opportunities for the advancement of Freemasonry. They continue to be an enabler of regular interaction between members, offering increased opportunities for networking and allowing members to get to know each other in a far more personable way than ever before. Social media includes but is not limited to platforms such as blogs, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linked In and any other internet based platform for sharing of information on a social or informal basis. Our online personalities should reflect our core values at all times. Items connected with the Craft that are encouraged for social media include: promotion of special events, social activity, fundraising efforts, member ‘meet ‘n’ greet’ and other such events that may/may not involve friends and family. Consent when posting items including others is recommended. Protocol

1. The actions of a Brother on various social media outlets must:

- reflect the highest standards of morality and integrity that a Brother would practise within the Lodge; and

- present a positive image of his membership in Freemasonry to the world. - be clear about Freemasons interests, and use these to promote a sense of positive

community presence - encourage Brothers to contribute relevant content and form strong connections to

the community - maintain a level of respect and personal responsibility for social media posts, as an

exemplary figure to all Freemasons - be consistently open, honest and ethical

2. Brethren should not:

- make public the business of a Lodge and what is discussed within tyled doors, be it

by way of general discussion, sound, video or image file; - discuss an application, background, investigation or ballot of an applicant; or - identify any Freemason as a member of the Craft unless he has provided his consent,

or has already identified himself as such. - endorse or make judgements about specific people, processes or organisations

3. When considering making a personal comment or posting on social media, members should reflect on the following questions;

- Are my comments consistent with how Freemasons expect their Brethren to operate

and behave? - Could my comments lower or undermine the reputation of Freemasons Victoria? - Are my comments lawful and anti-discriminative to society?

4. Social media postings are a permanent record with the potential to influence the public at large with a positive or negative opinion about a Brother personally, and about the organisations to which he belongs. Content can also be replicated and shared beyond the original intended audience and sent to recipients who were never expected to see it, or who may view it out of context. You should be aware the content you create is the property of the site where it is posted and so may be re-used in ways which you had not intended.

5. Closed social media groups and ‘invitation-only’ social media groups are

recommended as ‘safer’ outlets for the discussion of matters relating to the practice of ritual and ceremonial within the Craft, however all standards of behaviour as listed above must still apply.

6. Social Media is not a platform to air grievances or make complaints. All such

grievances and/or complaints should be addressed responsibly and with decorum, outside of the social media platform or formally directed to the Grand Secretary.

7. Photography (meaning any image whether still or moving) that is posted on Social Media is deemed in law as being ‘published’. Members who do not consent to have their photograph published online may seek options by law to have these images removed.

Behaviour in Masonic social media settings should reflect membership in the Craft and mirror expected behaviour at all Masonic social occasions. Brethren are reminded that photographs posted to Social Media platforms are as much a reflection of the Craft, as the level of discussion had within it, and must always remain respectful and appropriate. Our objective is to make all social media attention positive within our organisation. In using social media, let us showcase to our friends and families our great Masonic principles. Let us always remember to adhere to the degree obligations we swore to uphold. After all, we are Freemasons – online and offline. “Post unto others as you would have them post unto you”

For more information or to make an enquiry please contact the Grand Secretariat at grandsec@freemasonsvic.net.au