FVNews Daily. 
No 41. Tuesday, June 9, 2020
From the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action TeamFVNews Daily is also available at www.FVNews.com.au
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Vale Alexander Leslie Jenkins
• Bro Alexander Leslie Jenkins, aged 98, Essendon Daylight Lodge No. 861, died on June 1.  Husband of Beryl (dec). Father of Denis andKaren and father-in-law of Lyne. Papa of Melissa, Ali, Adam, Michael, Ryan and Sarah (dec). Great Papa of Finn, Alicia, Patrick, Alaska, Hannah, Sophie, Alexandra, Catherine and Lachlan. Alex passed away in John Fawkner Private Hospital after a very short illness. 

Vale Esma Thompson
• It is with sadness we record the passing of Esma Thompson (August 25, 1935 – June 8, 2020). Wife and supporter to RWor. Bro Jim Thompson PDGM. And mother of Wor. Bro Ian Thompson GSwd Designate.

Vale Julius E. Kearon
• David J Macrow, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania, shares the sad news of the passing of MWor. Bro. Julies E. Kearon to the Grand Lodge above on Thursday, June 4, after a long illness, aged 78 years.

Honour for Dr David Kram
• When Australia Day and Queen’s Birthday honours are announced, it usually takes a few days to discover the full list of Freemasons and their connections to be recognised. Dr David Kram, Past Master of Lodge of Commerce, was cited for his community work including:
For significant service to the performing arts, to opera and chamber choirs, and to education.
More Than Opera• Creative Director, 2010-2018.• General Manager, 2005-2009.• Chairman, 2000-2005.
Music• Conductor, Melbourne Opera, current.• Musical Director, Melbourne Chamber Choir, 2013-2018.• Music Director, State Opera of South Australia, 1988-1990.• Guest Conductor including ABC orchestras and state operas, 1986-1996.• Resident Conductor, The Australian Opera, 1978-1986.The University of Melbourne• Senior Fellow and Casual Lecturer, since 2010.• Senior Lecturer, Victorian College of the Arts, 2006-2009.•Head of Opera, Victorian College of the Arts, 1996-2005.
International• Musical Director, International Opera Productions/Concertori (New York/Prague), 2006-2009.• Fellow, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (London), since 1999.• Associate, Royal College of Music, London.
Committees• Artistic Committee, Acclaim Awards Melbourne.• Music Advisory Committee, Australian Singing Competition.• Member, Music Arrangers Guild of Australia.• Member, Macedon Ranges Arts Committee.• Chairman, Arts Committee, Rotary Club of Melbourne.• Curriculum Advisory Committee, NSW Department of Education.

VIDEO: 4 teams for Membership
• Paul Brennand, Grand Superintendent of Membership, in a 90-second video, explains the four teams working in this Volunteer Action Team.YOUTUBE LINK

Test of character
• Organist John Cantrill has responded to Stephen Carpenter’s guest editorial (FVNews, June 5): “My opinion that we all should be patient and prepare ourselves for a NEW normal as far as possible in all we do. I am not one to ‘gloomify’ the current circumstances but to gain from it in time and energy by updating skills and continuing to keep in sincere contact with other Brethren. We are all on the same level playing field from theCOVID-19 virus and it is a test of character and endurance how each of us handle our present circumstances.  To all keep safe and well- a day at a time. – John Cantrill (Organist is waiting and still practising).

VIDEO: Masons help 120-year-old business
• Fox News reports on a 120-year-old jewellery store in the US. The owner mentions the help given by Freemasons to help clean up.LINK (Thanks to Gary Prigg for sharing this.)

Encouraging Words
• Graeme Germaine, Duke of Abercorne Lodge, writes: “I for one congratulate you on your dedication to the ‘Job’.  I look forward to the Newseach day. Forget any criticism that comes to you, it’s unfounded.”

What’s On: online meetings

• Tuesday, June 9. 7pm. Richmond Lodge. Guest Speaker: Richard Elkington, Grand Master-Elect. LINK• Wednesday, June 10. 7.30pm. Williamstown Lodge. Guest Speaker: Myles King. ‘Operations of Freemasons Foundation and Disaster Relief’. LINK
• Thursday, June 11. Blue Lounge Social Club. Educational Forum. LINK

Go to www.masonsconnect.com

Please advise us of online meetings, so we can publicise in FVNews.

World News
• UKFreemasons are providing 120,000 people with donations of 300,000 meals and 38 tonnes of food during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports the London Post blog. With many families struggling to put food on the table Freemasons across England and Wales are currently working on hundreds of initiatives to help minimise the daily pressure on households across the UK. LINK

Masonic Mailbag
• Dr Brian Austen commends the cautious approach being taken by Freemasons Victoria in re-opening Masonic centres following the COVID-19situation: “It is feasible that similar statements would have arisen during the 1919 Pandemic, the ‘Spanish Flu‘, as even in the light of today’sCoronavirus 19 Epidemic, we still have I for one congratulate you on your dedication to the “Job”.    I look forward to the “News” each day.     Forget any criticism that comes to you, it’s unfounded.Graeme Germaine Pm.urgers trying to put our communities in peril by contravening medical advice as we witness the number of lawbreaking incidents daily.”

Masonic Trivia
• What was the origin of the expression “Blue Lodges“? There are several theories, of which two have the most adherents. Some believe that operative Masons felt that blue, the color of the sky both by day and by night, was associated in their minds with the purity of Deity, which Masonsattempt to emulate. Others refer to the change made by speculative Masons shortly after the establishment of the original Grand Lodge of England when blue was substituted for white as the official Masonic color, presumably because it was the color of the Order of the Garter of which a number of Masonic leaders were members. – Reagan Lodge, Texas.

Masonic Wisdom
• “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Bro. Thomas Edison

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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