FVNews Daily. 
No 63. Thursday, July 9, 2020
From the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action TeamFVNews Daily is also available at www.FVNews.com.au
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New website launched
• Freemasons Victoria has launched its new website, at a new address: www.freemasonsvic.org.au
• The website was launched at 2pm yesterday (Wed.). It has a bright, new look, with a wealth of information. There are Resources, Messages, COVID-19 updates, Events, News sections and an updated Directory (see below). There is also a History and Heritage section.
• Lodge Secretaries are to now use this SITE as the portal to Salesforce, to submit Lodge Meeting Returns, Master and Wardens Returns, and maintain their Lodge Membership records. The www.freemasonsvic.org.au address supersedes previous web addresses.

Digital Masonic Guide
• The new Freemasons Victoria website includes an updated Digital Masonic Guide. It can be accessed by desktop, mobile or tablet.
• “The new and improved Craft Digital Masonic Guide is now available on our new website. Once you have logged in, select ‘Directory‘ from the main menu followed by ‘Masonic Guide‘. You may then begin your search either by Lodges or Districts – it’s that easy.”

All credit to Kelly, Mike, Team

Pictured: Kelly Leventis, Freemasons Victoria Marketing and Communications Co-Ordinator
• The Freemasons Victoria new website is the result of months of work by Kelly Leventis (Marketing and Communications Co-Ordinator) and her colleague Mike King, the Grand Secretariat team, with some assistance from an external web developer. The Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team can take no credit for this significant advance in Masonic communication in Victoria. Well done Kelly, Mike and team.
• The team’s launch announcement said: “freemasonsvic.org.au is the result of months of hard work from our dedicated team members to deliver you the best possible Masonic online experience and resource. We understand that we need to be connected now more than ever, and this website is just the first phase of moving forward digitally. We do welcome all feedback and want this website to satisfy all your Masonic needs. If you have any suggestions, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact our Marketing team at: marketing@freemasonsvic.net.au

VIDEO: GM welcomes website

• Grand Master Richard Elkington (pictured) has recorded a VIDEO to welcome the new Freemasons Victoria website. LINK

Visitors at Swan Hill
• Neil Gannon writes: “I attended, mainly through curiosity, a Zoom meeting on Tuesday last. It was a regular meeting night of Swan Hill No. 919 hosted by RWor. Bro. Russell Sincock, DCO 101. Disappointed by a very low attendance of Swan Hill Brethren, however there were two members who were not members of that lodge in the persons of our GM Richard Elkington and DGM Tony Bucca. I don’t know just what the format had been planned, however it developed into a forum chat on a level playing field where ideas and opinions were thrown into the pot, discussed and thrashed about in an informal manner. It was a very enlightening experience where we were able to express our opinions, have them listened to, dissected and openly discussed. I believe it was a very rewarding meeting with two quite ordinary guys sitting in, adding to the quite informal discussion, and really giving us all a great experience.”

Freemasons Victoria Cycling Club
• Milton Mann writes: “The Freemasons Cycling Club special interest group uniform is ready to go. Online ordering is available for 14 days. You have only until midnight, July 22 to place your order.  Follow the LINK to the site, type in the entry code FCG20 and shop away. Cycling kit and Polo Shirt available.” LINK

The Five Degrees (1)
• Wayne Smith writes: “I would like to make a comment about several recent posts in FV News concerning the concept of a single lodge working all Five Degrees.  Grand Mark and Supreme Grand Chapter have had this concept under consideration (based on the South Australia Lodge Copernicus model) for a considerable number of years.  It is an exciting idea and one that deserves a Lodge being created, as an ‘experiment’ to see just how viable and easily workable the idea really is.  If you never, never try and you never, never know.  
• “The last time that this concept was floated by Grand Mark and Supreme Grand Chapter (September 2017) it did not, shall we say, receive acclaim in some quarters. Today (Wednesday) at the weekly meeting of Grand Mark and Supreme Grand Chapter leadership, it was confirmed that Grand Mark and Supreme Grand Chapter continue to be receptive to the concept of a single lodge working all Five Degrees.”

The Five Degrees (2)
• Geoffrey Davey writes: “Dear Bro. Num, I am grateful to the Editor for passing on your comments, and particularly to you for your interest. When I was made a Freemason in 1947 one of the first messages I remember reading was Rule 86 (identical with the 1885 Mother Grand Lodge; perhaps not surprising, though). I have been  bemused ever since why I am not regularly advanced and exalted in my only lodge
• “Nevertheless, my latest news is that Grand Mark and Grand Chapter are more interested than Grand Craft in integration. I congratulate you and your associates on your enlightenment, albeit in the 21st Century.”

LinkSafe at Homes
• Royal Freemasons Homes circulates: “We are becoming well versed in adapting to the ever-changing environment to keep our communities safe and our experience in window visits, creative activities and entry processes will ease the transition through this increased restriction period. Given the heightened risks, we are reducing our visiting hours and encourage those who do not need to attend our homes, to contact their loved ones by phone or video call instead.” The Homes have introduced LinkSafe registration where visitor photographs and proof of vaccination are pre-loaded. 

World News
• “Generous freemasons from lodges across Inverclyde (Scotland) have donated more than £15,000 to local good causes since coronavirus lockdown began. The Renfrewshire West province recently presented Ardgowan Hospice with a cheque for £1,500 – the latest in a series of kind-hearted gestures to help people in need,” says the Greenock Telegraph.• “The cash donation takes the total gifted by the province – in terms of cash donations, goods and services – to more than £15,000. Robin McIntyre, provincial grand master for Renfrewshire West, presented the cheque to Ardgowan Hospice in memory of the care it has given members of the grand lodge over the years, and in recognition of the difficult times charities are currently facing.” LINK

Masonic link removed
• “In response to the Albert Pike statue in Washington D.C. being toppled and set on fire on June 20, the Hopkins Historical Society has covered up references to the Confederate Army officer and Freemason for which the building was named. In 2015, the City of Hopkins purchased the building at 907 Mainstreet for use as the history centre.• “Mary Romportl, interim president for the Hopkins Historical Society, explained that the historical society is a separate entity from the formerHopkins Masonic Lodge and any previous name for the building. Therefore, signs on the building have been changed to reflect the new use of the space,” reports the Sun Sailor newspaper. LINK

Masonic Mailbag
• Adam Moyle writes: “Last night I visited MWor. Bro Bob Jones,Past Grand Master, 50 -ear jewel presentation by the Williamstown Lodge. Apart from the fact I like the Williamstown Lodge and think they’re a great bunch, I really wanted to experience this presentation because I’ll always consider Bob to be part of my Masonic journey. • “When I was looking at Freemasonry from the outside it was Bob Jones who as acting Grand Master, cut such a good strong decent figure that further added to my perception of the Craft in Melbourne as something of which I could and wanted to be a part. It was only yesterday, before the presentation was made I read that MWor. Bro Bob was first made a Worshipful Master the year I was born. Another bit of Masonic serendipity. Congratulations Bob. Thanks for your inspiration.” 

What’s On: online meetings
• www.masonsconnect.com

Famous Freemasons
• “Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1850-1942) – Born in Buckingham Palace on May 1, 1850, Prince Arthur was the 3rd son of Queen Victoria. He joined the British Army aged 16 and served with distinction in various parts of the Empire for 40 years, during which time he was made Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. He also served as Governor-General of Canada in the early part of World War I.• “When Prince Edward was crowned King in 1901, Prince Arthur was elected Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England  and, in 1939, became the longest serving GM in history. Arthur was responsible for commissioning the building of Freemasons’ Hall, on the original site ofGrand Lodge in London, as a memorial to the thousands of Freemasons who died in The Great War.” – Timothy Hudson

More Famous Freemasons
• Eddie Levey of the Mildura Lodge remarks: “We prepare for breakfast, toast with Vegemite, created by Bro.Fred Walker (1884-1935). Bro Walker was initiated in the Austral Temple Lodge No.110, Melbourne. in 1919.”

Masonic Knowledge

• Did you know that there is complete horizontal and vertical artwork for your Lodge logo – with current Freemasons Victoria branding – instantly available free at the new Freemasons Victoria website’s Marketing Hub?LINK – look under All Lodge Logos

Masonic Wisdom
• “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” – Bro. Samuel Clemens (‘Mark Twain’)

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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