Wor. Bro. Stephen Carpenter, Past Master of Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge, has penned an opinion piece about Freemasonry in Victoria during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Dear Bro. Ash, 

I write in some response to your ‘Personal Opinion’ items.In no particular order, nor in any priority, but just as a general response to your comments as raised. (FVNews Daily, Thu., Jun. 4, 2020)

As the Past Master  of an active Lodge and being engaged (over the years) in some significant contribution to the support and betterment of opportunities, especially during my time as Master, to those who have no direct connection to Freemasonry, I am very cognisant of the important role that Freemasonry can have and should have within the community, outside the Lodge Room. 

But let me make this very clear, our monthly meetings are social events.

They are not integral to our interaction with the world. Albeit that Masonic Ritual is a significant part of any meeting, it is the interaction and communication with men of like mind and the social interaction that occurs, with every meeting, which is the only element, that in these times of Pandemic lock-down, is missing. 

Learning ritual and the reading of Masonic text can be done, as it should be, outside our meetings. Resources can searched out and our understanding of what Freemasonry is and should be can be done as part of your personal and individual development. 

I have made continual and regular contact with members of my Lodge, as well as personal friends and associates, by phone, FaceTime and Zoom since I have been restricted to not leaving my home. 

Bemoaning the FACT that we do not have access to our Lodge rooms and Masonic Centres is a total inconsequence. 

There are much larger issues and more significant disconnections that have been affected by the Pandemic restrictions. 

I will highlight just some restrictions that have personally and significantly affected me and I will admit forthrightly here that not being able to attend Lodge – once a month – is not one of them. 

1) My work as an Arts Professional came to a complete halt as of March 6. The regular weekly ensemble rehearsals that I was responsible for and which involved 45-48 people just stopped.

What have those people been doing since then to engage in music making?  Nothing! As result of the Isolation restrictions, three concert performance events for 2020 have been cancelled. They may be re-scheduled to occur in 2021.

The venue we use as a rehearsal space will not be available for use by the public (us) until July 29 – and then for only 20 people at a time.

We are really looking at February 2021 before we can meet again as a full ensemble to rehearse.

 2) My work as a presenter on a community FM radio station ceased as of April 4. So my ability to choose, present and broadcast music for the radio station listeners has been postponed.

Pre-recorded programs only have been broadcast for the last two months. There is some advice, that limited access to the radio station’s studios and facilities by presenters may be possible by June 29.  But social-distancing limitations may make the usual work of program recordings compilation near impossible. 

3) My engagement in keeping healthy and fit by regularly swimming three to four times a week has been completely cancelled. Swimming pools are closed and remain closed for the near future.

So my mental and physical health, kept energetic by being engaged in physical activity, has been significantly restricted. 

4) Meeting with the members oftThe Savage Club at least every Friday, to enjoy a lunch, and engage in the other myriad activities run by the club on other days and evenings, ceased mid-March.

Discussion of literature and art and enjoying meeting over a ‘good’ wine ceased. The club is open as of last Monday, but to only 20-members at a time. No other ‘interest’ groups however are yet back in operation. 

So, is the fact that Masonic Centres are not open of our once-a-month Lodge meetings important. No. When it is safe to do so and we can guarantee the health and safety of ALL Freemasons in attendance via the existence of a cure or vaccine, then that is when we should meet again. 

Until then, engage in the Zoom sessions of your own Lodge, attend Zoom sessions of other Lodges from the comfort of your home, call and contact Lodge members outside these meeting times and enquire as to their health and well-being. 

Engage with your community as a well thinking Freemason focused on how you can assist other people deal with these difficult times. 

Yours fraternally,
Wor. Bro. Stephen G. Carpenter, 
Past Master, Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge, No. 584