FVNews 
No. 177. Monday, March 15, 2021
Now Published on Mondays and Thursdays
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What’s On (79 listings)
UPDATED EACH EDITION

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

Monday, March 15

• 6pm. Melbourne St Clair Reunion Lodge. Installation of D. Karanikas by 2021 Team. At Freemasons Melbourne. Try Booking.
• 7pm. United Wimmera Royal Ark Mariner Lodge. 7pm. United Wimmera Lodge of Mark Master Masons. At Ararat Masonic Centre.

• 7.30pm. Lodge of Good Companions. 65-Year Jewel: RWor. Bro. A Ambrose. 60-Year Jewel: RWor. Bro R. Fuge. MM Certificate Bro. P. Varno At Waverley Masonic Centre.

• 7.30pm. Masonic Caravan Club. LINK Meeting ID: 763 8342 1746. Passcode: 4xYjAU
• 7.30pm. Ringwood Mark Lodge. LINK Meeting ID: 890 3753 6367 . Passcode: 886767 
• 7.30pm. St George Lodge. Resumption of Lodge Meeting. Members Only. Dunolly Masonic Centre.

Tuesday, March 16
• TBA. Brunswick United Lodge. Ballot, First Degree (double). At Brunswick Masonic Centre.
• TBA. Combermere (English Constitution). No meeting this month, meetings to start in April.

• TBA. Elrona Lodge. First Degree. Closed Meeting. At Greensborough Masonic Centre.
• TBA. Mildura Lodge. Second Degree. 
• 10am. Dallas Brooks Daylight Lodge. Talk: Peter Russell, The A-Model Ford. At Wangaratta Masonic Centre.
• 10am. Lodge of the Great Ocean Road. 60-Year Jewel to Alan Benson. At Torquay Improvement Association Building, 12 Price St, Torquay
• 6.30pm. Footscray St John’s Lodge. Installation by 2021 Team. At Sunshine Masonic Centre.
• 7.30pm. Moorabbin Lodge. Obligation of Master-Elect, Second Degree. At Freemasons Bayside.
• 7.30pm. St Andrews In The South. First Degree. At Geelong Masonic Centre.

Wednesday, March 17
• 7.30pm. Quarterly Communication. At Freemasons Melbourne. Booked Out. Video to Streaming Centres across Victoria.
Thursday, March 18
• TBA.Albert Victor Lodge. Open and close, business meeting. At Ivalda Masonic Centre.

• 11am. Samaritan Lodge (Daylight). Open and close, business meeting, vote for Master Elect. At Ivalda Masonic Centre.
• 7pm.Prospect Hill Mark Lodge. Talk: Ian Brown. Attire: Members – jacket and tie, Visitors – smart casual. LINK

Friday, March 19
• TBA. Diamond Valley Lodge. Second Degree (double). At Diamond Creek Masonic Centre.
• TBA.Army Lodge. Open and close, planning for ANZAC meeting in April. At Ivalda Masonic Centre.
• 10am.Bairnsdale Daylight Lodge. At Bairnsdale Masonic Centre.

Saturday, March 20
• 3pm. Star of the East Lodge. Installation by Gippsland Team with Richard Elkington. At Freemasons Omeo.
Monday, March 22

• 10am. Funeral Service. Karl Polchow. Heritage Funerals, Wantirna. Burial at Springvale. Video link available.

• 7pm. Metropolis Lodge. First Degree. At Brunswick Masonic Centre.
• 7.30pm. Duke of Sussex Lodge. First Degree. At East Melbourne.
• 7.30pm. Masonic Caravan Club. LINK Meeting ID: 763 8342 1746. Passcode: 4xYjAU
• 7.30pm. South Gippsland Mark Lodge. Talk on Mark Masonry. At Wonthaggi Masonic Centre.
• 7.30pm. Spring Vale Lodge. First Degree. Attire: Dinner suit and regalia. RSVP Essential,

Tuesday, March 23
• 6pm. Lodge Amalthea. First Degree. Attire: Lounge Suit. Dinner: $100. At Australian Club. BOOK

• 7.15pm. Middle Park Lodge. 60-Year Jewel to John Hanby. At Freemasons Melbourne.

• 7.30pm. Admiral Collingwood Lodge. Second Degree. At Ivalda Masonic Centre.

• 7.30pm. Lodge Amicus. Ballot for candidates. At East Melbourne.
• 7.30pm. Wimmera Lodge. First Degree. At Horsham Masonic Centre

Wednesday, March 24

• TBA. Weston Street United Lodge. First Degree. At Brunswick Masonic Centre.
• 7.30pm. Keystone Mark Lodge. At Preston Masonic Centre.

Thursday, March 25

• TBA. Revival Lodge. First Degree. At Greensborough Masonic Centre.
• 7.30pm. Creswick Havilah Lodge. Second Degree. At Creswick Masonic Centre.
• NIL. Lodge of Amity. Not meeting in March.

Friday, March 26
• 6pm. Grand Installation Rehearsal. At Freemasons Bayside.
• NIL. Lodge of Research. No meeting this month.

• NIL. Endeavour Lodge. Online. No meeting this month.
Saturday, March 27
• TBA. Grand Re-Installation. 2021 Team. At Freemasons Bayside. Booked Out.

• 2pm. Huon Daylight Lodge. Installation by 108 Team. At Freemasons Wodonga.
Sunday, March 28
• 10am. Masonic Advancement Program. First Degree. 11.30am. Second Degree.1pm. Third Degree. At Greensborough Masonic Centre.
Monday, March 29
• 7.30pm. Masonic Caravan Club. LINK Meeting ID: 763 8342 1746. Passcode: 4xYjAU
Tuesday, March 30
• 6pm. St Andrews In The South. Special Meeting. Obligate Master-Elect. Geelong Masonic Centre.

Wednesday, March 31
• 7.30pm. The Great Debate. NSW v Victoria. ‘Is a belief in a god necessary to be a good Freemason?’ DETAILS Meeting ID: 889 1705 1154

Thursday, April 1
• 7.15pm. Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge. Double First Degree. At Ivalda Masonic Centre.

• 7.30pm. Victorian Naval and Military Chapter. At East Melbourne.

Friday, April 2 – Good Friday
• All Day. Collections for Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Saturday, April 3 – Holy Saturday
• Holiday Weekend

Sunday, April 4 – Easter Sunday
• Holiday Weekend
Monday, April 5 – Easter Monday
• 7pm. North Melbourne Lodge. Social Meeting.

Tuesday, April 6
• 7.30pm. Masonic Advancement Program. MAP2. At Brunswick Masonic Centre.Wednesday, April 7
• 6.30pm. Glenroy Lodge. Installation by Team with Andrew McPhee. Essendon Masonic Centre.
• 7.30pm. Old Scotch Collegians Lodge. First Degree. At East Melbourne.

Thursday, April 8
• 6pm. Gordon Lodge. Installation by 2021 Team with Tony Bucca, supported by John Rodrigo. At Essendon Masonic Centre.
Saturday, April 10
• 2pm. Gippsland Lodge. Installation by 2021 Team with Richard Elkington. At Sale Masonic Centre.

• 4pm. Benambra Lodge. Installation by 108 Team with David Keame. At Tallangatta Masonic Centre.
• 4pm. Duke of Connaught Lodge. Installation by 2021 Country Team with Chris Scott. At Korumburra Masonic Centre.
• 4pm. Stewart Lodge of St Arnaud. Installation of Neville Wharton by the 2021 Country Team. At St Arnaud Masonic Centre.
Sunday, April 11

• TBA. Earl of Dunmore Lodge. Installation of Tony Meechan by Rob McGregor. Richard Elkington at Festive Board. At Freemasons Bayside.
Monday, April 12
• 5pm. Carisbrook Lodge. Installation by 2021 Country Team with John McTaggart. At Freemasons Carisbrook.
• 7.30pm. City of Abbotsford Chapter. At Collingwood.

Tuesday, April 13
• 10am. Allara Lodge. Installation by Magenta Team with Leonard Kelly. 
• 7.30pm. Marnoo Lodge. Second Degree. At Stawell Masonic Centre.
Thursday, April 15
• 9.30am. Sale Daylight Lodge. Installation by Gippsland Team with Chris Scott. At Sale Masonic Centre.
Friday, April 16
• TBA. South Australian Grand Installation.
Saturday, April 17

• TBA. South Australian Grand Installation.

• 4pm. Koo Wee Rup Lodge. Installation by South Gippsland Team with Paul Vassil. At Koo Wee Rup Masonic Centre.
• 4pm. Rupertswood Numurkah Lodge. Installation by North East Team with David Blake. At Shepparton Masonic Centre.
• 4pm. Zetland Lodge. By 2021 Country Team with Bob Jones. At Freemasons Kyneton.

Sunday, April 18
• TBA. South Australian Grand Installation.
• 4pm. Melbourne High School Lodge. First Degree. At Melbourne High School.

• 7.30pm. Masonic Advancement Program. MAP3. At Greensborough Masonic Centre.

Monday, April 19
• 10am. Eureka Daylight Lodge. By 2021 Country Team with John McTaggart. At Ballarat Masonic Centre.
Tuesday, April 20
• 6.30pm. Ballarat-Yarowee Lodge. Installation by 2021 Ceremonial Team. 75-Year Jewel to Bill Messer. 65-Year Jewel to Max Matters. At Ballarat Masonic Centre.
• 6.30pm. Moorabbin Lodge. Installation by 2021 Team. At Bayside Masonic Centre.
Friday, April 23
• TBA. Lodge of Research. Truncated Version.
Saturday, April 24

• 3pm. Garibaldi Lodge. Installation by 2021 Lodge with Matt Donato. At Essendon Masonic Centre.
• 4pm. Prince of Wales Lodge. Installation by 2021 Country Team. At Smythesdale Masonic Centre.

Sunday, April 25 – ANZAC Day

• Throughout Day. Dawn Service, Marches across Victoria.

Monday, April 26

• 9.30am. Derrimut Daylight Lodge. Installation by 2021 Team with Richard Elkington. At Freemasons Sunshine.

• 6.30pm. Baxter Lodge. 2021 Team with Tony Bucca. At Frankston and District Masonic Centre.

Tuesday, April 27

• 6.30pm. Mt Franklin St George Lodge. Installation by 2021 Country Team with John McTaggart. At Freemasons Daylesford.

Tuesday, May 4

• 7.30pm. Masonic Advancement Program MAP3. At Brunswick Masonic Centre.

Sunsday, May 16

• 10am. Masonic Advancement Program MAP1. At Greensborough Masonic Centre.

Videos

• Freemasons Victoria. Grand Master’s Chat. (33:15) WATCH

Essential Information

• Freemasons Victoria. Re-Opening Lodges: The Manual. Version 2. READ
• Freemasons Victoria. COVID-19 Modifications for Lodge Ceremonies. LOG INat Freemasons Victoria website

Membership Numbers Turnaround (1)

• After many years of decline, the fall in membership numbers at Freemasons Victoria appears to have been arrested. If current trends continue, there could actually be a modest increase in membership numbers in 2021. The numbers come from a detailed statistical analysis by VWor. Bro. Paul Brennand, Chair of the Freemasons Victoria Membership Volunteer Action  Team. Opening membership numbers as at January 1, 2021, were 7611. Projected total figures as at December 31, 2021, are estimated at 7631, an increase of 20. If this outcome occurs, it will be the first time in decades that the membership numbers freefall has been halted. And the trend for immediate years ahead looks promising too.

Membership Numbers Turnaround (2)

• “The projections for 2021 are for 160 resignations and 250 deaths. Against this is a realistic forecast of 430 initiations across the state. The Membership Team is also about to:

• launch a geo-specific membership attraction campaign. To be trialled in two regional locations prior to an across state initiative

• together with the Communications Team, roll-out a marketing campaign including increasing direct recruitment into lodges

• Membership satisfaction is growing. Resignation numbers are falling. In 2015, there were 572 resignations for the year. In subsequent years, the trend has been: 2016 (482), 2017 (449), 2018 (366), 2019 (329), 2020 (184). The drop in resignation numbers is partly due to the work of the ‘Come Back Team‘ which contacts all members who indicate that they want to cease their membership. Solutions are often found where there are internal Lodge problems, or the member has a change in location or circumstances.
Membership Numbers Turnaround (3)

• Paul Brennand is hopeful that the Come Back Team will find even greater success in post COVID-19 circumstances. There have been just 29 resignations across Victoria for the first 72 days of 2021. The Membership VAT works on evidence-based data.

• VWor. Bro. Paul Brennand says: “Under Grand Master Richard Elkington’s leadership, and even with the problems of COVID-19 in the background, the Lodges of Freemasons Victoria have stemmed the tide of resignations. “They are now initiating a stronger-than-ever stream of new candidates, such that for the first time in many years our membership numbers are stabilising.”Grand Master’s Video

• Richard Elkington has recorded a new Chat Video. WATCH

Personal Pars

• Gerry Newland was admitted to Dandenong Hospital after a fall at Dandenong Market. He has a broken leg.
• Mya G. Grayly, partner of Don Reynolds, enjoyed a special birthday celebration at the weekend. Congratulations.
• David Todd, Secretary of Geelong Lodge of Unity and Prudence No.5, organised a clothing collection for the Mental Health Department of Barwon Health, Geelong. In all 250 items of clothing were collected and delivered to the Swanston Centre in Geelong. 

Big Day at Williamstown

• Bob Pullin tells of a great day at Williamstown Lodge on Saturday (Mar. 13).  Two new candidates were initiated at a special meeting of the lodge, witnessed by a good attendance of members and visitors. Belmir Velic and Derek Haayema took their first steps in Freemasonry and were warmly welcomed by all in attendance. 

Lodge’s Average Age Drops

• White Salmon Lodge, Washington (USA) has referenced Freemasons Victoria as a success story regarding membership. Their latest meeting included visitors from Victoria. Their Trestle Board newsletter said: “Potential constraints on Lodge membership included the lack of ritual practice over the last year, initial fees, and lack of advertising, for example, the continued relevancy of Masonry especially during these times. Thoughts about increasing membership included, advertising (FV has a nice two-page flyer from their Grand Lodge and their Lodge of Commerce has a similar publication), wearing Masonic rings or even ball caps  to perhaps initiate conversations about Masonry, utilising personal contacts for talking up how enjoyable the Lodge experience is, and that FV has a volunteer ‘Masonic Task Force‘ trained, willing and able to assist in emergencies. Most recently it assisted local recovery from the devastating bushfires experienced over much of Australia. [They] reported that the recent influx of new members into Lodge of Commerce dropped their average age by 14 years. It can be done.”

Next Issue on Thursday

•  FVNews is now being published twice weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays. We will review this decision after Easter.

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

Sincere Thanks

• Amongst those who assisted with contributions (and encouragement) to this edition of FVNews have been: Richard Elkington, Paul Brennand, Barry Minster, Bob Pullin, Jeff Cripps, Robert Billing, John Rosenberg, Braith McClure, Neil Thorn, Wayne Smith, Giorgio Migliaccio, Stuart McArthur.

Please Send Your Summons
• Lodges can assist FVNews 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
• Bro. Sir John Grey Gorton, former Australian Prime Minister. From 1968 to 1971, he led the Liberal Party, having previously been a long-serving government minister. Gorton had a turbulent childhood. He studied at Brasenose College, Oxford, after finishing his secondary education at Geelong Grammar School, and then returned to Australia to take over his father’s property in northern Victoria. Gorton enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940, and served as a fighter pilot in Malaya and New Guinea during the Second World War. He suffered severe facial injuries in a crash landing on Bintan Island in 1942, and whilst being evacuated, his ship was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine. He returned to farming after being discharged in 1944, and was elected to the Kerang Shire Council in 1946; he later served a term as Shire President.

Masonic Knowledge
•  The Masonic Trowel advises of the Masonic Protocol of visiting the sick: “Expression of good Masonic etiquette is not limited to assemblies of the Craft. • He will ask for permission in advance, in order to make sure of not arriving at an inconvenient time.
• Will present himself as coming from the Lodge;
• Will begin by bringing greetings of the Lodge; and
• Will adapt the length of his visit and nature of his talk to information received from the family.
• There need be no report made of the visit to the Lodge unless the Brother visited requests there be, or the visitor believes the Lodge is entitled to news or may wish to tender some official act of courtesy. 

Masonic Wisdom
•  “If anything I say is in line with the Government’s views, it would be purely coincidental.” – Bro. Sir John Grey Gorton.

The Last Word
•  “Better slip with foot than tongue.” – Bro. Benjamin Franklin

INFORMATION TO KNOW
FVNews is published by Wor. 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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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