FVNews Daily. 
No 30. Friday, May 22, 2020
From the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action TeamFVNews Daily is also available at www.FVNews.com.au
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Future Recovery Team
• The Freemasons Future Recovery Team is wasting no time in getting into action, after being appointed by the Board of General Purposes. The business continuity team will be led byAnthony Bucca, Deputy Grand Master-Elect. The team will manage the re-opening of Lodges and Masonic Centres across Victoria, post COVID-19. The first team meeting, by Zoomvideo-conferencing, will take place this morning (Fri., May 22).

FFRT members appointed
• The Freemasons Future Recovery Team, managing the business continuity of FV post COVID-19, comprises:
Anthony Bucca, DGM (Elect)
Garry Runge, Grand Secretary
Alison Smith, Administrative Support 
Robert Brennand, Risk & Audit Committee 
Craig Head, GTreas 
Frank Warner, Manager Commercial Services
Matt Donato, GSupt Works, Works VAT
Paul Brennand, GSupt MShip
Ian Buckingham, GSuptEd
Ash Long, Communications VAT
Ian Cross,  Ritual & Ceremonial 
Lionel May, DCO District 114
Neville Wiggins, DCO District 104 (Country)
Geoff Newby, DCO District 109 (Country)
Peter Atkin, DCO District 103 (Country)
Peter Berrand, DCO District 105 (Country) 

Audio: A Beautiful Society
• An audio presentation (02:34) about Freemasonry – A Beautiful Society – can be heard HERE

Meeting at Morwell
• David Aubrey notifies that Jack Aquilina will be the guest speaker at the combined meeting of Morwell, Argyle and Traralgon Lodges to be held at 2.30pm this Sunday (May 24).
• David Grant spoke on his time in Cyprus with the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces.

Testing for Electronic Voting
• Garry Runge, Grand Secretary, advises about electronic voting, which was approved at the September 2019 Quarterly Communication: “It is important that every member be afforded the capability to vote on matters that impact our organisation. Electronic Voting requires a process that will enable every member to receive thevoting material and electronic means to be able to vote. This requires a personal means of communication, and to ensure a simple, repeatable and controlled process, the Board of General Purposes has approved the use of your email address as the communication process. Although an email address is used, your vote remains secret – no one can ascertain how and if you voted.” The full statement is available at the Grand Secretary’s message portal at www.fmv.org.au

70-year jewel for oldest member
• Ken Baker of the Motorcyclists United Lodge has received his 70-year jewel. His fellow members are keen to ride to Inglewood at the earliest opportunity to re-present the jewel, possibly at the old Inglewood Masonic building.

No meetings until at least June 30
• Wayne Smith advises that no Royal Arch Chapter, or Lodge of Mark Master Masons or Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners within Victoria is permitted to meet until at least June 30, 2020. “Brethren and Companions, on behalf of the First Grand Principal and the Grand Master, I thank you for all of your efforts during this problematic time we currently face.  It is vital that we all keep in touch and make every Brother and Companion feel part of our wonderful organisation even though we still cannot meet in our customary manner.  The health and wellbeing of all Brethren and Companions is paramount.”

Personal story from Ben Quick
• “A phone call to a friend or Brother is touching and displays one of our true tenants of Freemasonry ‘Brotherly Love’. Regularly in the office we receive requests to collect regalia, sometimes also to talk to a brother who hasn’t been around for many years. Yesterday Alison and I spoke with  Rowan Kent, son of WBro. Maxwell Kent. WBro. Max hasn’t been affiliated in almost 30 years, and now he is in palliative care at home, however he wanted the chance to talk with a Brother again. Speaking with Max I could hear he was tired in his voice, after a happy discussion, and letting him know that I would remember him at Lodge. He was content, and I reassured him his Masonic items would be cared for.  WBro. Max wished he was able to have more time in Freemasonry if his circumstances were different, but  he enjoyed being a organist in his Mark Lodge, also with attending his Craft Lodge Cosmopolitan. It was nice to receive a text shortly after my conversation with WBro Max from his son. “Hi Ben, thanks again so much for your call which gave Dad a good positive lift, much appreciated.Rowan” We must never forget, that one day, we too may want to hear the voice of a fellow Brother, we should always be ready to take up that call.”

What’s On: online meetings

• Friday, May 22. 7.30pm. Victorian Lodge of Research. Guest Speaker: John Molnar. ‘What Is Freemasonry For?’ LINK

With thanks to www.masonsconnect.com
Please advise us of online meetings, so we can publicise in FVNews.

World News
• The Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Ghana has made a donation of ¢100,000 to support the construction of the COVID-19 infectious disease isolation and treatment facility at the Ga East Hospital in Accra. Deputy Grand Master of the Lodge, Dr Nortey Kwashie Omaboe, presented the cheque for the amount to managing trustee of the Ghana COVID-19 Private Sector Fund, Senyo Hosi. The Fund is spearheading the construction of the facility, at a short ceremony at the project site. LINK

Masonic Mailbag
• Two members have asked  why we ‘lead’ FVNews Daily with obituary notices. We feel we can pay the highest tribute to our late brethren by including details of their lives and passing at the ‘top of the bulletin’. It may be a bitquirky, but someone’s passing often IS the top news of the day. • A member enquired if we can include more photos in FVNews Daily. We usually limit images to one or two per bulletin, because we are aware that many older members use older computers with processing limitations and bandwidth restrictions. We would love to have more images, but we are aware that some readers have trouble receiving rich-text or HTML, let alone a number of illustrations. Hopefully we can add more as we progress.

Best wishes to VAT
• Eddie Manuel, Secretary of Fairfield Lodge, emails about the newly-appointed Committee for the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team: “I must say we have a good representation in the VAT team with WB Damian, WB Graeme, WB Xavier, Bro. Ash, Bro. Luke and RWB Robert. It appears a wealth of knowledge and skill, and I wish them interesting articles.”

Masonic Trivia
• In Christchurch, New Zealand, there are two natural eroded stone pillars standing at the entrance to Tumbledown Bay.  Looking from the land, the one on the left is named Boaz and the other on the right is named Jachin. 
Masonic Wisdom
• “Diligence is the mother of good luck” – Benjamin Franklin

Next issue• The next issue of FVNews Daily is scheduled to be published on Monday, May 25.

INFORMATION TO KNOW
FVNews is published by Bro. Ash Long, Chair of the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team of Freemasons Victoria. 
Phone: 0450 399 932.
Web: www.FVNews.com.au Email: editor@FVNews.com.au
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