FVNews Daily  
COMBINED EDITION
No. 148. Monday-Tuesday, November 30-December 1, 2020

• From the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team

• Email: editor@FVNews.com.au or Ash@Long.com.au
• Subscribe/Unsubscribe HERE
• FVNews Daily is also available at the website: www.FVNews.com.au
• All Back Copies are available at: https://fvnews.com.au/wp/back-copies/

What’s On (36 listings)
UPDATED DAILY.

Please notify us about your event. 
Please include date, time, talk details, attire, and a link.
Email: editor@FVNews.com.au

Monday, November 30

• 7pm. Oakleigh Council, Royal and Select Masters. Talk: David Yole. All members past and present of the Order, in addition members of other Orders. Attire: Casual. LINK
• 7.30pm. Citizens Marine Royal Ark Mariners. Talk: W. Jones. RAM Masons only. LINK
• 7.30pm. Great Debate. Teams led by ‘That we should be able to read the ritual’.  Teams led by Kent Henderson and Harry Pitaro. LINK Meeting ID: 822 1742 2503. Passcode: 892911.
Tuesday, December 1
• 7pm. Old Melburnians Lodge. Questions from candidates about Freemasonry and the Lodge. Video: Vacant Chair Ceremony. LINK Meeting ID: 827 8769 1733. Passcode: 179886  
• 7.30pm. Williamstown Lodge. Attire: Dinner jacket, white shirt, black bow-tie. LINK Meeting ID: 612 821 4334. Passcode: 105105
Wednesday, December 2
• 7.30pm. Edward Coulson Mark. Talk: David Barrett, Historical Origins of the Mark Degree. LINK Meeting ID: 856 9266 3168 Passcode: 17
• 7.30pm.Powlett Lodge. Talk: Senior members of the Lodge on their Masonic Journeys. LINK Meeting ID: 919 0673 6003. Passcode: 642537 

Thursday, December 3
• 6pm. Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge. Social Meeting. At Bundoora Park.

• 7pm. 7.30pm: Visitors. Killara Lodge. Talk: Bill Jones, Ararat Power Station. LINK Meeting  ID: 740 6248 2640. Password: 403265 
• 7.20pm: Log On. 7.30pm: Tyle. The Whitehorse Chapter. Talk: Craig Spendlove, ‘A Story on the Temple at Jerusalem – From Solomon to Herod’. LINK Meeting ID: 952 6609 3811 Passcode: 473565
Saturday, December 5
• 5pm. Concord Mark Lodge. Talk: Craig Spendlove, ‘A Grand Mark is Born’. LINK Meeting ID: 926 1367 7906. Passcode: 333746
Monday, December 7
• TBA. Lodge Garibaldi. LINK

• 7.15pm. Rosebank Lodge. Meeting at Fyansford Hotel. Food and drinks at own cost. Brethren only.Tuesday, December 8

• 7pm. Peace and Loyalty Lodge. Talk: Bill Jones, ‘Freemasonry. Some common images explored’. LINK
• 7.30pm. Brighton District Lodge. Trivia Quiz. LINK Meeting ID:8977742458. Passcode: 214765

Wednesday, December 9
• TBA. Williamstown Lodge. Christmas Dinner.
• 5.30pm. Traralgon Lodge. At Traralgon Bowls Club.
• 7pm: Members and Freemasons. 7.35pm: Non Freemasons and Guests. Monash Lodge. Talk: Cyber Security. Ladies’ Night. LINK Meeting ID: 892 9618 1374. Passcode: 417831

• 7.15pm. 7.30pm: Visitors. Northern United Chapter. Talk: ‘Brewing Beer’. LINK Meeting ID: 880 0425 1707. Passcode: 079118
• 7.30pm. Hiram Lodge of Mark Master Masons. Talk: Sam Agombar, ‘Astrophysics for Ordinary People’. Attire: Casual. LINK to come.
Thursday, December 10
• 7pm. Peace and Loyalty Lodge. Talk: Bill Jones, ‘Freemasonry. Some common images explored’. 

• 7.30pm.Antient York Lodge. Talk: ‘Where To From Here?’ LINK to come
• 7.30pm.Cohuna Lodge. Guest Speaker TBA. LINK Meeting ID: 891 5902 9647. Passcode: 857504
• 7.30pm. Gardenvale Chapter. Talk: Craig Spendlove, ‘Rebellion In The Wilderness’. LINK Meeting ID: 895 5957 2846. Passcode: 091524
• 8pm: Visitors. Geelong Unity and Prudence. Talk: Jim Taylor, ‘Music and its application to Freemasonry’. Attre: Smart Casual. LINK Meeting ID: 856 5002 3676. Passcode: 211821
Friday, December 11
• 7.30pm. Bairnsdale Daylight Lodge. Talk: Paul Brennand, ‘English Freemasonry during WWI and WWII’. LINK
Saturday, December 12
• 12 Noon.  Sale of Myrtleford Masonic Centre to Scouts Victoria. Media Event.
Sunday, December 13
• 6.30pm.  Mildura Lodge. Christmas Dinner. At Mildura Golf Resort. (Preceded by 1pm-5pm barbecue at Nowingi Place).
Monday, December 14
• 6.30pm.  Wimmera Lodge. Christmas Dinner. Face-to-face at Horsham Sports and Community Club.
Tuesday, December 15
• 7.30pm.  Hamilton Grange Lodge. Talk: Scott Loxley, Major Fundraising Walk. LINK Meeting ID: 889 1992 2824
Wednesday, December 16
• TBA. Freemasons Victoria Quarterly Communication or Business Meeting.
Thursday, December 17
• 7pm. Prospect Hill Mark Lodge. Talk: Peter White, ‘Walking the Kokoda Track – A Personal Experience’. Dress: Lodge Officers: collar and tie, Visitors: smart casual. LINK Meeting ID: 857 0379 5106. Passcode: 951227

Saturday, December 19

• 6pm.Lowan Lodge. Christmas Party. At Rhys and Lem’s house/garden. RSVP 0410 232 996. 

Sunday, December 20

• All Day. Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge. Bunnings Mernda Sausage Sizzle.
Saturday, December 26
• All Day. Union Lodge of North Gippsland. Bunnings Bairnsdale Sausage Sizzle.

Sunday, December 27
• 7.30pm. Masonic Festival of St John. Speakers: Neil Morse, John Molnar, Richard Elkington, Ari Indra. LINK Meeting ID: 858 0585 9809. Passcode: 466048

Videos

• A Masonic Poem By Dennis Rawlings. (02:14). WATCH
• The Old Master’s Wages. (01:59) WATCH
• The Mother Lodge. (02:51) WATCH

Social Media Guidelines

• Garry Runge, Grand Secretary, has issued the Social Media Guidelines for Freemasons Victoria. The document incorporates some helpful hints from the United Grand Lodge of England that have proven successful in helping to portray Freemasonry in a positive light. LINK

Wakanyanas Cancelled

• Bob Pullin advises: “Due to COVID-19 restrictions,  the Wakanyanas gathering on December 28, has been cancelled.”

Cobram Community Cinema Opens (1)

• Tim McCurdy, MLA for Ovens Valley, speaking in State Parliament last week, mentioned Freemasonry: “The opening of the Cobram Community Cinema this week is a major milestone. It is just over 10 years since the Melba Theatre in Cobram was destroyed by fire in April 2010. It took a few years before the energetic community leader Rob Morey began to form a formidable team that would start the journey back to a cinema in Cobram. Emily Gough played an important role early on in the development, which has always been a joint community project. The Cobram Youth Group have been heavily involved with the fundraising for and building of this project, and it would not have made it off the ground without the partnership with the Cobram Masonic Lodge, as it is their building and their land which is the foundation for this wonderful community asset.

Cobram Community Cinema Opens (2)
• “For the masonic lodge’s contribution to the cinema may I say, on behalf on everyone in our community, thank you very much. Meg Drew and the youth group have worked tirelessly to reach this point as well. Damian Drum, Federal member for Nicholls, came to the rescue with $526,000, and in regional Victoria we are extremely grateful to the Commonwealth Government, who continue to support regional communities. A massive $140,000 has been donated by local businesses, families and individuals. Libro Mustica as the builder has gone above and beyond duty to ensure that this facility is completed on time and within budget. In fact all the tradies and suppliers have been outstanding. But the greatest accolade is reserved for Rob Morey, without whose vision and determination the Cobram Community Cinema may never have made it beyond a pipedream. The Cobram-Barooga community owe a great deal of gratitude to Rob and his wife, Lyn, for their time, energy and positive attitude to deliver the showpiece that we have today, the Cobram Community Cinema.” 

Homes Restrictions Lifted

• Royal Freemasons has circularised: “In line with the new directions, there are no limits to the number of visitors to an aged care facility or the duration of the visit. However, we kindly ask that bookings are still made via our online booking platform or by calling the facility directly. This is to ensure that we have adequate contact tracing measures and the appropriate allocation of staff available to assist with entry screening.

• “From Monday, you will notice a change to the way you book your visit online. You will no longer have to select a  time slot, you simply have to indicate the time you wish to attend. We encourage visitors between 8am and 8pm via the online booking system, with other times by arrangement with your Facility Manager. A Visitor Declaration Form must be completed and signed before entering the home. These forms are available at reception. A QR code will also be available soon that can be scanned and filled out using your smartphone.”

Lodge Amicus Descends On Lancefield

• Some 54 or more members and friends of Lodge Amicus set off for Lancefield, north of Melbourne, for a lunch at the Lancefield Hotel on Saturday (Nov. 28). It was the first time in almost 10 months that they  came together in person for a drink and celebration on what would normally have been the day of the 17th Installation. Some spent a weekend away.

• Anthony Bucca writes: “A happy and boisterous lunch was enjoyed by all, a presentation to yours truly by Doug Susic who had some special gifts for me from the GM of the Grand Lodge of New York and from Garibaldi Lodge 542 NY and we celebrated the birthdays of PGM Don Reynolds and our IG Bro Tomasz Wojciechowski. A few stayed for dinner and caught up the next morning for breakfast.”

Lodge Members To Meet – In Person!

• Frustrated with an inability to book sufficient numbers at local restaurant or hotels, Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge is taking a social Christmas meeting this Thursday (Dec. 3) to Bundoora Park. Fine sunny weather is predicted for gathering of members and their families, with strict observance to latest Government health regulations.

Toys For Tots

• A number of Victorian Lodges usually participate in Toys For Tots drives prior to Christmas. This year, because of COVID-19, there may be a hiatus. In the US, CBS Philly reports on a contactless Toy Drive at Philadelphia’s Tacony Masonic Temple. LINK

Helping Child Bereavement

• Dunmow Broadcast (UK) publishes: “Essex Freemasons have donated £10,000 to The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust to help support child bereavement.” LINK

Tonight’s The Night

• Kent Henderson (affirmative) and Harry Pitaro (negative) will captain teams that will conduct a ‘Great Debate’ at 7.30pm on Monday (Nov. 30) to be conducted by the Victorian Lodge of Research in association with the Education VAT. The topic: ‘That we should be able to read the ritual.” Meeting ID: 822 1742 2503. Passcode: 892911

Why Are Ranks Dwindling?

• NPR – National Public Radio (US) publishes an article – “Freemasons Say They’re Needed Now More Than Ever. So Why Are Their Ranks Dwindling?” READ

Masonic Mailbag

• Tom Stirling, following on from publication of a quote on Friday, writes: “Stan Laurel was not a Freemason, his partner in crime was Bro. Oliver Hardy.“
• The Lodge of Discovery 8737 (English Constitution), Vanuatu, notes: “Contrary to some web sites, Stan Laurel was not a Freemason; this is from a letter he wrote two week after (Oliver Hardy) Babe’s death: “August 21, 1957 – It was interesting to note that you are a Mason – a wonderful organisation. My Dad was a 32nd Degree Member in the Scottish Order, for some reason I never became one.” Not only was Stan’’s dad a mason, he was a member of Lodge Dramatic No.571 in Glasgow, Scotland. 

More Masonic Mailbag
• Bernard Henry writes about the brief history of the Lodge of Commerce published in FVNews Daily: “On reading the info on “Lodge of Commerce” and notice that “Freemasons Hall”, 25 Collins St, is now the Sofitel, not the Regent Hotel. In fact No 25, is actually the open space, over the carpark (clearly distinguished by the Mark Keystone, placed there in May, 1999, in the presence of Prince Michael of Kent.
• Editor replies: “Thanks Bernard. The words within the quotation marks, contributed by Laurie Jacons, come from a 1996 clipping from The Victorian Mason. The Regent rebranded to Sofitel in that same year, I believe.”

New Subscribers
• We are building FVNews to be a vital daily guide to Masonry in Victoria. You can have your free copy emailed to your inbox. Use the ‘Subscribe’ option at www.FVNews.com.au We welcomeJon Browne, Wayne Moncur, Anton Alers.

Sincere thanks

• Amongst those who assisted with contributions to this edition of FVNews Daily have been: Tom Stirling, Anthony Bucca, Ray Wilson, Silvio Mignone, Craig Spendlove, Don Roy, Harry Vagianos, Joe Leibowitz, David Todd, Gary Power, Ray Crellin, Jeff Cripps, Paul Brennand, James Jolly, Greg Crew, Bob Pullin, Peter White, John McTaggart, Russell Hicken, Rhys Webb.
 

Please Send Your Summons
• Lodges can assist by sending emails about every lodge meeting and event to editor@FVNews.com.au – please include us on your Lodge Summons mailing list.

Famous Freemasons
•  “Ringling Brothers – This famous circus family benefited Freemasonry with the mem bership of all of its seven sons, and even their father too. Five of the Ringling Brothers started the Ringling Brothers Circus in 1870 with two other brothers, Henry and Augustus joining later. At one time, John Nicholas Ringling had become one of the richest men in the world, with property in Florida and a large collection of art, but the Great Depression (1929-1939) robbed him of most of his fortune. This gathering of famous Ringling brethren was:
• Albert Charles ‘Al’ Ringling (1852–1916);
• Augustus Gustav ‘Gus’ Ringling, Jr. (1854–1907)(joined the circus in 1889);
• William Henry Otto ‘Otto’ Ringling (1858–1911);
• Alfred Theodore ‘Alf’ Ringling (1861–1919);
• Charles Edward ‘Charley’ Ringling (1863–1926);
• John Nicholas Ringling (1866–1936)and
• Henry William George Ringling (1868–1918). (Joined the Brothers’ circus in 1886.)
• Their father, Heinrich Friedrich August Ringling (1826-1898), was from Hanover, Germany and was also a Freemason. All seven brothers and their father, August Ringling, were members of Baraboo Lodge No. 34, Baraboo, Wisconsin.
– Timothy Horton

Masonic Knowledge
• “We are committed to excellence in our lives and we are not willing to compromise ourselves for the sake of popularity. One time, the great German mathematician, Karl Gustav Jacobi, was asked why he decided to spend his life at work in such an obscure field. He replied, ‘For the honour of the human spirit.’ That is the reason why we, as Masons, give our lives affirming our beliefs in moral conduct, brotherhood and compassion. We do it for the honour of the human spirit.” – Stanley F. Maxwell 

Masonic Wisdom
• “What is the purpose for which Masonry exists? Its ultimate purpose is the perfection of humanity. Mankind it self is still in a period of youth. We are only now beginning to acquire a consciousness of the social aim of civilization, which is man’s perfection. Such perfection can never end with physical perfection, which is only the means to the end or spiritual perfection.”

The Last Word
• ““You know, there’s a right and wrong way to do everything.”  – Bro. Oliver Hardy

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

FVNews is an opt-in email. If, for any reason, you would prefer not to receive our emails, simply reply to editor@FVNews.com.au or fill out the Unsubscribe form at https://fvnews.com.au/wp/subscribe/  – type OPT OUT in the subject line, and please include your email address. Or use the unsubscribe option at https://fvnews.com.au/wp/subscribe/

DISCLAIMER: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text of FVNews belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the United Grand Lodge of Victoria (Freemasons Victoria) organisation, committee or other group or individual. Readers should take all steps necessary to ascertain that information you receive from FVNews is correct and has been verified. FVNews assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. The information contained in FVNews is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness