FVNews Daily. 
No 80. Wednesday, August 5, 2020
From the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action TeamFVNews Daily is also available at www.FVNews.com.au
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NEW! What’s On
Please notify us about your event. Email: editor@FVNews.com.au
• Wednesday, August 5. 10am. Freemasons Future Recovery Team. Zoom Meeting. Members only.
• Wednesday, August 5. 10.30am. VAT Leaders’ Fortnightly Meeting. Zoom. Members only.
• Wednesday, August 5. 2pm. Membership VAT: Mentor Training Meeting. Launch Strategy discussions with Communications VAT. Zoom. Members only. LINK
• Wednesday, August 5. 7.30pm. Dimboola Lodge. Business Meeting by Zoom. Guest Speaker: RWor. Bro Barry Minster, Grand Almoner, will speak on the operation of the electric car. All welcome. LINK
• Wednesday, August 5. 7.30pm. Lodge of Honour. Meeting by Zoom. Guest Speaker: RWor. Bro. John Glover, ‘OP Bel IsI – A radiographers Perspective on Peacekeeping in Bougainville’. Dress: Casual. LINK
• Thursday, August 6. 1.45pm. Online funeral service for VWor. Bro. Geoffrey William Treanor, PGIWkgs. LINK
• Thursday, August 6. 7.30pm. Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge Meeting. Zoom. All welcome. LINK
• Sunday, August 9. 4.30pm. 2020 Grand Lodge Ceremonial Team Meeting. Zoom. All team members welcome, including ladies. LINK
• Monday, August 10. 7pm. Lodge of Commerce. RWor. Bro Ian Brown, Membership VAT, will give a 15-20 min presentation on the relevance of the Mark degree to Craft Masons, dress casual. All welcome. LINK
• Wednesday, August 12. 7.30pm. Ange Kenos, Grand Lodge Librarian. Monthly Presentation. All welcome. LINK
• Thursday, August 13. 7.30pm. Central Highlands District. ‘Introduction to the Kabbalah’ presentation by Bro. Thomas Mikeska. All welcome.LINK

NEW! Videos
• Discover Freemasonry. WATCH
• Grand Discussion. Between GMs of Western Australia and New Zealand about COVID-19. WATCH
• Grand Master’s Message. July 31, 2020. WATCH

Vale Raymond Barry Brooke
• MWor. Bro. Raymond Barry Brooke, Past Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW and the ACT, 2005-08, has passed to theGrand Lodge Above. He was a businessman and was initiated into Lodge Guilford, and was a member of The Hills Lodge.

COVID-19: A Brother asks for help
• Andrew O’Hara, from Melbourne High School Lodge, writes: “I am indeed in the middle of the biggest challenge and responsibility I have ever had in my life. I work for Cumberland Manor Aged Care in Sunshine North. From one staff member, to 15 residents and six staff members positive in one week and just today increased to 26 residents. Our home has been devastated by COVID. I have gone from humble physio assistant to someone who sees a struggling facility with all its resources and its resources barely being able to manage the situation. With permission from the CEO I have just now taken the responsibility of overseeing the management of this outbreak come to an end. I desperately need help with staffing of carers, laundry, cleaners, maintenance/moving beds and equipment. We desperately need help with waste management within the facility. • “I, along with my three other managers are working 17+ hours, our staff 12+ hours for days on end, and I can see all of our staff burning out. They are all trying so hard but hard work won’t help … we need more hands! If anyone can help please contact me on 0414 124 917….. i won’t even be able to answer it so please text or email me at ohara.andrew.james@gmail.com
• (Sincere thanks to Graham Berry for passing this on.)

‘Shout-out’ to Jay Rottem
• A good word for … Jay Rottem, who continues to volunteer his time to compile much of the MasonsConnect.com website. Jay is an enthusiastic Fellow Craft, and his efforts are very much appreciated. He has published more than 140 listings during the Pandemic. 
• Matt Cameron says of the MasonsConnect.com site: “The community contribute list on masonsConnect is now only available to members, previously it was publicly available.” 

Concord of Sweet Sounds
• Stephen Carpenter, PM at Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge, who doubles as Principal Conductor of the Heidelberg Wind Ensemble, says: “Raymond Hoefer (oboist in Heidelberg Wind Ensemble) was recently recording at St George’s East Ivanhoe, (which is the usual  performance venue) for a Music Interlude for Fr John Sanderson. The recording features Michael Conolan, (our usual recording engineer, but who also plays eBass in Heidelberg Wind Ensemble when required), his colleague Michael Johnson on Harp, and Raymond on Oboe.” LINK

60 Years as Freemason
• Whilst speaking about Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge, we mention Wor. Bro. Howard Purcell, who this week, 60 years ago, was initiated as a member of Duke of Clarence Lodge, Yea. Howard served as Master of both Lodges. His father, Bill, was also at both Lodges. Yea has a proud connection with Ivanhoe Grammar School, which evacuated to the country town in the World War II years of 1942-43. Howard’s 60-year jewel will be presented at the first in-person meeting after the lockdown concludes.Congratulations to Howard, who, although in indifferent health, plans to be part of the IGL meeting by Zoom on Thursday night. LINK

David Provan’s 60 years

• Jim Jolly of Bairnsdale Lodge notifies: “A presentation was conducted today of the Masonic Service award for 60 years to Wor. Bro David Provan, Past  Master. The photo, from left, is Wor. Bro Peter Andrewartha PGStdB, Wor. Bro. David Provan and Wor. Bro Phil King, Worshipful Master, Bairnsdale Daylight Lodge No 877. The second photo is of Wor. Bro David with his proud wife Judith. David’s proud Masonic career has included periods at Lodge Eshcol No 785, Transit Lodge No 342, Mitchell River No 742 and Bairnsdale Daylight Lodge No 877. It had been hoped to surprise David with a quick visit from his son, whom he initiated, and for whom we await Lewis pins, but his duties with Victoria Police precluded it happening.”

• A report was submitted to the Bairnsdale Advertiser for publication, which read in part: “”The Lodge has a small but enthusiastic membership, enjoying lots of good friendship and support in these difficult times. Occasional lunch and dinner outings are now off limits, and the pandemic has caused the Lodge to become very cautious about its activities. In place of the regular monthly meetings restrictive Zoom meetings are being conducted on the internet, and it is good to see the familiar faces. Finances have become limited as to what community support can now be provided, such as schools grants, but as things get better, they will be reviewed as to how best to continue serving the area. During these disturbed times the lodge still encourages enquiries from prospective new members because the main aim of Freemasonry is to make good men better.”

Royal Freemasons: Bendigo
• The Weekly Source reports: “Royal Freemasons (Victoria) holds off on changes to staffing rosters after backlash from families and unionThe Not For Profit provider says it will maintain all care hours at its aged care homes while Victoria is in a State of Emergency following criticism from the Victorian Branch of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation. The ANMF attacked the move however, with the Victorian Branch Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick saying the cuts amounted to around 500 hours from the fortnightly roster at its 144-bed Bendigo home.” LINK

Royal Freemasons: Benalla
• The McIvor Times reports: “Family members of residents at Royal Freemasons Benalla are anxiously awaiting test results after a staff member was in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case. The daughter of a resident, who asked not to be named, said she had been informed that a staff member arrived for a shift on Thursday and read a contact tracing text message on her phone advising her she had been in contact with a positive case.” LINK

Masonic Apprenticeship
• Tom Stirling and Richard Elkington have passed on this document – What Is A Masonic Apprenticeship? – from Harwick Lodge in Scotland.LINK

George Raphael on TV
• Alex Thomson, Freemasons Victoria Property Manager, writes: “There was an item in Sunday’s news on TV about the Government striking a medal to honour the World War II veterans who are still alive. They had George Raphael PDGM, a member of Keysborough and Keysborough Daylight Lodges, on television, being presented with his medal.”

World News
• “Oxfordshire Freemasons have been supporting Oxford Health’s frontline workers and will provide a piece of equipment that will enhance patient care,” says the Henley Standard. “The organisation, which has 1800 members across 55 lodges in the county, stepped in in April with a £5000 donation to the Oxford Health Cares appeal to provide care boxes packed with snacks, personal care items and treats to boost staff morale. The Freemasons then donated a £4500 bladder scanner, a non-invasive portable tool used for diagnosing, managing and treating urinary outflow dysfunction, which can pinpoint a wide range of health issues. It will be used at City Community Hospital in Oxford, providing rehabilitation and palliative care to older people.” LINK

Learning Zoom. Part 3
• Paul Brennand, Membership VAT Chair, says: “How do I access a Virtual Meeting? You can access the meeting by any device including your computer, laptop, tablet, or phone. All you need to do is just click on the ‘Click here to access meeting’ in the invitation Getting access to our Lodge meetings is easy, secure and convenient with just one simple click of the button.• “What do I need to do to be able to participate? Make sure you get the following ready in order to maximize your virtual experience: 1. A quiet, well-lit space. 2. Headphones. 3. Webcam or inbuilt device camera. 4. A microphone. • “It is your duty to ensure you ‘tyle’ your own space to prevent any cowans or intruders from being privy to our meeting.  The only sign to be given at our virtual meetings is the Sign of Fidelity in place of a degree salute at all times.”

‘RSL rewards Bruce’

• From the Phillip Island and San Remo Advertiser, July 29
• David Hall writes: “This is the latest community award Bruce Proctor has earned. In the past he has been awarded: Honorary Life Memberships of Warley Hospital, Wonthaggi Hospital, Phillip Island Historical Society and a few others. He also was Bass Coast Citizen of the Year 2004 for his dedication to Phillip Island and surrounds. Masonically speaking he has been WM five times in the Blue, once in the Red Cross and currently the Mark. He is a past Secretary of Phillip Island Lodge, 16 years; current Treasurer of MUL939, (8 years); and current social Secretary of P. I. 512. Bruce has never been out of office at any Lodge I am aware of, he is also the current Tyler of P.I.“

75-year-old Entered Apprentice
• Sean Thomson tells us of Bro. John Selleck EA, Altona 572, who is aged 75 and was initiated last October. “He must be our oldest and one of our longest serving EAs,” says Sean.

About our What’s On Guide
• Our aim is to construct a daily What’s On guide for Freemasons Victoria. The guide will initially be at this www.FVNews.com.au website, and we hope to then integrate it at the Freemasons Victoria website. As part of the ‘One Voice’ strategy plan of our VAT, we want to establish the organisation’s official guide to include every Lodge meeting and event. 
• Lodges can assist be sending emails about every lodge meeting and event to editor@FVNews.com.au Please include us on your Lodge Summons mailing list.
• Members across Victoria can assist by volunteering to work from their own home to proactively contact Lodges by email and phone so that we can present the most up-to-date and accurate information. To volunteer, please send an email to editor@FVNews.com.au

Famous Freemasons
• Blanc, Mel (real name: Melvin Jerome Blank) (1908-1989) – If you have heard cartoon characters ‘Bugs Bunny’, ‘Wile E. Coyote’, ‘Elmer Fudd’, ‘Barney Rubble’ (of the Flintstones), ‘Daffy Duck’, ‘Porky Pig’ and ‘Sylvester the Cat’, then you’ve heard the voice of Bro. Mel Blanc, who brought so much pleasure to so many children (young and old), for so many years. Known as “The Man of a Thousand Voices”, at the time of his passing to the Grand Lodge Above in 1989, it was estimated that 20 million people heard his voice everyday – most just didn’t know it. Mel Blanc joined the Order of DeMolay  as a young man, and was a Freemason for 50 years.
– Timothy Horton

More Famous Freemasons
• Eddie Levey of the Mildura Lodge writes: “Sennitt’s Ice Cream wasfounded by Bro.John Paul Sennitt (1851-1922) who was made a Freemason in the Admiral Collingwood Lodge No.13 in 1894. Sennitts Ice Cream business merged with Streets Ice Cream in 1961. Sennitts Ice Cream motto was “Bear in Mind Sennitt’s Ice Cream” featuring a polar bear.

Masonic Knowledge
• “Freemasons’ Hall (UK) welcomes more than 200,000 people from across the world through its doors every year, including members visiting for meetings and guests attending special events. Freemasons’ Hall is open to the public from Monday to Saturday, with guided tours showcasing the architecture and history of the building, which comprises 22 Lodge Rooms, the Museum of Freemasonry, Letchworth’s Shop, Board and Committee rooms and administrative offices.” – LINK

Masonic Wisdom
•  “No amount of law enforcement can solve a problem that goes back to the family.” – Bro. J. Edgar Hoover

One More Thing …
•  There was no FVNews Daily issued yesterday (Tue., Aug. 4). The Editor’s attention was diverted to completing logistics arrangements for newspapers, ahead of the Stage 4 work restrictions that come into effect at 11.59pm tonight (Wed.).

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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