FVNews 
EXTRA
No. 179. Thursday, March 18, 2021
Now Published on Mondays and Thursdays
• From the Communications and Marketing Volunteer Action Team

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What’s On (78 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

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. Closed meeting. 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.
• 2pm. Graveside Service. Frederick Venon Treble OAM. Maryborough Cemetery, 1 Wright St, Maryborough. Brass Band personnel are invited to join with MCBB for a musical tribute.

• 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

• 7pm. Mount Scopus and Collegians Lodge. Double First Degree. At Freemasons Bayside.

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

• 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.
• 7.30pm. Morwell Lodge. First Degree. At Masonic Centre, Traralgon.
• 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.

• 7.30pm. Warragul Lodge, Presentation of 50-Year Jewel to Graham Dorling and Bert Rance by Richard Elkington. At West Gippsland Masonic Centre, Warragul.

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
• 8am-4pm. Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge. Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Mernda.
• 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. Dimboola Lodge. Ceremony of the Vacant Chair. At Dimboola 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.

• 8am-4pm. Dimboola Lodge. Bunnings Sausage Sizzle. At Bunnings Horsham. 
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 Numurkah 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.

• 6.30pm. Warragul Lodge. Installation by Gippsland team with Chris Scott. At West Gippsland Masonic Centre, Warragul 

Tuesday, May 4

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

Sunday, May 16

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

Friday, May 22

• 7pm. Bayside District Lodges. 160th Anniversary Ball. Entertainment: Wilbur Wilde and the Troubleshooters, Kingsfords. Talk: Richard Elkington. In aid of Les Twentyman Foundation. BOOK

Videos

• Freemasons Victoria. Grand Master’s Chat. (33:15) WATCH
• The Masonic Leader’s Mindset – Purposeful Action. (02:00). WATCH
• Beyond The Third Degree – Secrets of Inspirational Leadership. (40:51) 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

Vote of Confidence for GM

• There was a powerful vote of confidence for Grand Master Richard Elkington at the Freemasons Victoria Quarterly Communication held on Wednesday night (Mar. 17).

• A convincing 679-147 vote saw 81.1 per cent of members say ‘Yes’ to a motion put by Past Grand Master Garry Sebo for Richard Elkington’s two-year term to be extended to three years. A further 11 voters abstained.

• Garry Sebo stated there were compelling reasons for the motion.

Clear mandate for change

• The meeting continued to proceed as members across Victoria voted electronically from their own homes, and also at Streaming Centres. The results were announced late in the meeting by Garry Runge, Grand Secretary. The 679-147 results give the current Grand Master a clear mandate to continue his program of change in 2021-23, and offers his team their full two years to continue their program of work.Grand Secretariat Staff Applauded

• After the Quarterly Communication, the Freemasons Victoria Grand Secretariat team members, who stayed back in their own time to ensure the Quarterly Communication ran smoothly, were warmly applauded by the Grand Team.QC Highlights

• Ian Upjohn, Grand Registrar, gave a detailed explanation of forthcoming motions to be discussed as a Special Meeting, which will be the first of Constitution Conventions, prior to the June Quarterly Communication.

• Garry Sebo, Chair, Change Management Team, offered a thorough look at the coming work, as well as the nine working groups set up, each with an individual focus.
• Craig Head, Grand Treasurer, presented an easy-to-understand analysis of Grand Lodge finances.
• Frank Lombardo, Grand Director of Ceremonies, led four latest District Co-Ordinators to be invested.
• The Grand Team was proclaimed. Details will appear in a Grand Secretary’s Bulletin.
• Ian Buckingham, Leader of the Education Volunteer Action Team, made a presentation to Masonic Studies graduates.
• There was signing of a UGLV and AASR (Antient and Accepted Scottish Rite) Concordat.

Peter Thornton Memorial Lecture winner

• Richard Elkington revealed that Ash Long, Grand Superintendent of Communication-Designate, was named by an independent judging panel as winner of the 2021 Peter Thornton Memorial Lecture Prize, which is accompanied by a $2500 cheque. The lecture – Colourful Victorian Freemasons in the Black-and-White Press of the 1800s – will first be published by the Victorian Lodge of Research, then be made available as a video, and also be delivered by Ash at Victorian lodge meetings.
• Ash Long says the $2500 will be split into $500 donations to each of: Freemasons Foundation Disaster Relief Fund; Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge Benevolent Fund (for two $250 bursaries for students at local disadvantaged schools);Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-Operative (in honour of Ash’s grandmother Althea Long, a Gunditjmara woman); Yea Football-Netball Club (for two $250 bursaries for a financially disadvantaged girl and boy in the bushfire region); and the Taralye Centre for Deaf Children.

Grand Chaplain’s Address

• Gordon McKenzie, Grand Chaplain, delivered an inspiring address to the Quarterly Communication last night. READ a copy of his address at this LINK.

Life Member honour for David

• David Gibbs, perhaps best known for his Freemasons Foundation volunteer week, is a Fellow Chartered Accountant. He has been made a Life Member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand in recognition of his distinguished career. READ MORE

Masonic Mailbag

• Nikolas Sakellaropoulos, Past Master of Victorian Lodge of Research, writes: “I was honoured this week to have been asked to attend an Installation at Freemasons Melbourne.  The purpose of the request was for me to speak to the prospective candidates there assembled – eight of 17 (!!). Many questions were asked of me: some of them particularly good; most of them I could answer. But there was one question I could not: “When we have joined the lodge . . . who will teach us then?” – I was wondering, does any brother have an answer to this?”

Best wishes from Madagascar

• Michael Fernando says: “As the UGLV rep for Madagascar: could we acknowledge their recent GL installation which I viewed via zoom, and the warm reciprocated greetings they share to the brethren here in Victoria?”

World News

• The Rhyl Journal (UK) says: “Rhuddlan Dementia Group’s bids for funding to create a dementia friendly sensory area in the town’s nature reserve have been awarded. Syd Gaskin, who is a member of the Freemason’s St. Asaph Lodge and a Rhuddlan town councillor, has championed the group’s bids for funding within the Freemasons.” READ MORE

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: Garry Runge, Kelly Leventis, Mike King, Graham Berry, Ben Quick, Richard Elkington, Ian Buckingham, Paul Brennand, Ange Kenos, John Blyth, Philip Mayers, John Patterson, Gordon McKenzie, Garry Sebo. Hillel Benedykt, Don Reynolds, Bob Jones, Terry Clifton, Haydn Gregson, Barry Minster, John Rosenberg, Geoff Thompson, Michael Fernando

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
• “The tale of Hiram Abiff as passed down in Masonic Lodges underpins the Third Degree. It starts with his arrival in Jerusalem, and his appointment by Solomon as chief architect and master of works at the construction of his temple. As the temple is nearing completion, three Fellow Craft masons from the workforce ambush him as he leaves the building, demanding the secrets of a master mason. Hiram is challenged by each in turn, and at each refusal to divulge the information his assailant strikes him with a mason’s tool (differing between jurisdictions). He is injured by the first two assailants, and struck dead by the last.
• “His murderers hide his body under a pile of rubble, returning at night to move the body outside the city, where they bury it in a shallow grave marked with a sprig of acacia. As the Master is missed the next day, Solomon sends out a group of Fellow Craft masons to search for him. The loose acacia is accidentally discovered, and the body exhumed to be given a decent burial.” – Wikipedia

Masonic Knowledge
•  “In many societies an office holder reverts to the same status at the end of his term which belonged to him before. The rule in Masonry is different. A Lodge member who has held the highest office in the Lodge has for life a Masonic position of his own. It has its own identity and recognition and carries with it the title of “Past Master”. Past Masters have a standing in Masonic Law; certain duties may be assigned to them. In etiquette they are entitled to a deference which belongs to their position; in protocol they are entitled to a certain order of precedence. On their own part, Past Masters are bound to the same rules of etiquette that is observed toward the Worshipful Master by all other members of the Lodge.” – The Masonic Trowel

Masonic Wisdom
•  “A righteous man hates lying, But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.” – MWor. Bro. King Solomon. Proverbs

The Last Word
•  “Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Solomon.

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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