FVNews Daily 
SPECIAL SUMMER SERIES EDITION
No. 158. Week Commencing Monday, January 11, 2021

• 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 (17 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

In-person visiting to physical lodge meetings is currently not permitted, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Visiting Zoom meetings is encouraged.

Monday, January 11
• 2pm. Funeral Service for VWor. Bro. George Redfern. At Balwyn Anglican Church 86 Balwyn Rd, Balwyn. If any Brother wishes to attend, could they kindly contact Ian Redfern, 0411 351 407, prior to the service.

Tuesday, January 12
• 7.30pm. Brighton District Lodge. Business and Planning Meeting. LINK Meeting ID: 8977742458. Passcode: 214765

Wednesday, January 13
• 10am. Freemasons Future Recovery Team. Meeting (Zoom). Team Members only.
• 6.30pm. Phillip Island Lodge. 1000th Meeting. At Wing Lock Chinese Restaurant, 8 Thompson Ave, Cowes. RSVP: Colin Cordery, 0402 483 404.
• 7pm. Williamstown Lodge. Special Meeting. Presentation of a 70-Year Service Jewel to George Bindless by Ron Swift. At Williamstown Masonic Centre.

Thursday, January 14
• 7.15pm. Antient York Lodge. Talk: Rahim Samat, District Co-Ordinator. Attire: Collar and tie desirable. LINK Meeting ID: 836 9940 7136. Passcode: 841343

Monday, January 18
• 7.30pm. United Wimmera Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Lodges Combined Meeting (Zoom). Talk: Len Lacey, new year theme. RSVP by EMAIL by Fri., Dec. 18 to Len Baker.
Wednesday, January 20
• 7pm for 7.30pm. Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge Committee of General Purposes. In-Person Meeting. Members. At the home of Wayne Motton, Richmond.
Tuesday, January 26
• 7.30pm. Mount Scopus and Collegians Lodge. Talk: Steve Herman from Hackenburg-Mount Moriah Lodge in Pennsylvania USA, ‘The Gift of Life Donor Program’. LINK TBA
Monday, February 1
• 7pm. Gippsland Lodge. Business Meeting by Zoom.
Wednesday, February 3
• 7pm. Gippsland Lodge. At Sale Masonic Centre, followed by ‘South’ at Sale RSL. 50-year jewel presentations by Richard Elkington, Grand Master, to Bros. Jarrad and Nicholls.
Saturday, February 6
• 10am-12 Noon. Change Management Team Workshop. At Bayside Masonic Centre.
Monday, February 8
• 7pm-9pm. Change Management Team Workshop. By Zoom. LINK TBA
Thursday, February 11
• 7pm-9pm. Change Management Team Workshop. At Eastbourne.Tuesday, February 16
• 7pm-9pm. Change Management Team Workshop. By Zoom. LINK TBA
Wednesday, March 17
• 7.30pm. Quarterly Communication. At Freemasons Bayside. Details TBA.
Saturday, March 27
• TBA. Grand Re-Installation. At Freemasons Bayside. Details TBA.

Videos

• Grand Lodge of Irish Freemasons. (07:29) WATCH
• Secrets, Rituals and Dinner Suits. (04:22) WATCH
• William Thompson Masonic School. (05:48) WATCH

Vale Jack Lake
• We regret to advise of the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of Wor. Bro Jack Lake, Member of Australasia Lodge No. 3 (1974-1989), 13/05/1930 – 28/12/2020. Jack (Swampy), of Parkdale, wasaged 90 years. He was husband of Mary, father of Donna, Jodie and Paul, father-in-law of Dale and Veronica, grandfather of Indigo, Kyle, Bronte and Jack. He was a proud retired member of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. 

Vale George Redfern
• We regret to advise of the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of George Redfern, 50-year member of Admiral Collingwood Lodge.

Vale Geoffrey Rankin
• A Masonic Commemoration Service was held for the late Wor. Bro. Geoffrey Raymond Rankin, PJGD, at the Highton Cemetery, Barrabool Rd, Highton, at 10am on Friday (Jan. 8). The service was conducted by RWor. Bro. Rev. Neil Oliver, PDGM.

Vale Dominic Serratiello

• We regret to advise of the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of Bro. Dominic Serritiello, June 7, 1980-January 2, 2021. Barry Minster, Grand Almoner, forward this message: “Brethren, it is with a heavy heart that I should inform you that Dominic has tragically been taken from us far too early to the Grand Lodge above. Our Almoner is offering our full support to his family at this absolute gut-wrenching time. Dominic is often remembered to us all as a cheerful, strong, young man and loving father who was a proud Mason, doing many charitable works with the #SleepattheG, several Christmas parcel events and many other benevolent activities. Reflecting over time, it was an absolute pleasure to be around Dom, he always enjoyed his whisky and cigars and he really was so proud to become a Master Mason.”

Back in the Lodge Room

• In mid-December, Grand Secretary Garry Runge sent out advice that Lodges and Masonic Centres could immediately prepare for re-opening.The Manual offered details of the multi-stage approach with Lodges allowed to meet for administrative and educational purposes, subject to latestGovernment rules. It was foreshadowed that ritual (subject to Ritual and Ceremonial Committee advice) might re-commence from as early as February 1. Across Victoria, Freemasons are keen to return to Lodge.
• Yesterday (Sunday) saw the Grand Lodge Ceremonial Team at the Sunshine Masonic Centre, observing all the rules about QR codes, distancing, cleaning wipes, no gloves and registers. Regular cleaning of Masonic Centres is all that is required, there is no need for ‘deep cleaning’. Yesterday’s meeting saw the Brethren retire afterwards to a local restaurants. Souths are permitted at Masonic Centres if they have outside caterers, and follow the rules.

$10,000 for Benevolent Society
• Giorgio Migliaccio writes: “The Spring Vale Lodge organised to raise funds for the Springvale Benevolent Society. They provide vouchers, food and essential items to vulnerable families, approx 400 families, in the local area. Lodges that supported Spring Vale Lodge wereKeysborough Lodge, Morton Ray Sovereign Chapter, Keysborough St Andrews Daylight Lodge, and the South Eastern Masonic Social Club. The Freemasons Foundation then added significant funds to top it up to the $10,000 donated.”

Feast of St John
• St John’s Lodges met on December 27. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE, password: fortitude (all lower case)

Homes Visit Limits
• Royal Freemasons residents may have one visitor at any time, once per day for a maximum of two hours. For end of life care residents may have two visitors at any time, no time limit. the current COVID situation continues to evolve and its is strongly encouraged  to frequently review the DHHS exposure site website for updated information: LINK

Townhouse In Converted Lodge Building
• The Rhode Island Monthly reports: “After twenty-two years, the Freemasons lodge conversion is complete. The structure was designed by architect Peter Harrison — aka “America’s first architect” and the man behind Newport’s Touro Synagogue and Redwood Library and Athenaeum — and completed in 1803. According to listing agent Michelle Kirby of Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty, the Freemasons sold the lodge in 1998 to a developer who subsequently partnered and sold to Blue Dog Capital Partners, the Providence-based firm that completed the project.”READ MORE

Your FVNews
• This is the first FVNews issue for 2021. Daily production is set to resume on Wednesday, January 27. Occasional issues will be published  during the summer break.

Zoom, In-Person Meetings
• Gippsland Lodge at Sale is a Victorian Lodge that will adopt a new style of meeting for February. The Lodge is holding a Business Meetingby Zoom on Monday, February 1. Two days later (Wednesday, February 3), the Lodge will meet briefly at the Sale Masonic Centre, then adjourn to the Sale RSL where two 50-year jewel presentations will take place. Grand Master Richard Elkington will make the presentations.
• Iain Nicolson advises members: “When we assemble in in the centre you will need to scan the QR code and you will be asked to record your mobile phone number as well as your name. We are required to comply with State Government regulations. Hand sanitiser will be provided and we would ask that you use this as directed.”

Lifeline for Torquay (UK) Foodbank
• In Your Area reports: “Freemasons of Devon have come to the  aid of the Torquay-based Riviera Life Link foodbank with a grant of  £1500 to help them continue with their important work. The foodbank which has been operational  since January 2018 on a one day per week basis, providing an average of  50 food parcels per month. Each parcel provides three meals a day for five days.” READ MORE

World News
• “The Carl Junction Masonic Lodge (Joplin, Missouri) is raising money to pay for bills and building repairs,” reports KSNF. “Saturday afternoonCarl Junction Masonic Lodge Number 549 set up a drive-through ham and bean dinner. Organisers say it was the first fundraiser they have held during the pandemic.” READ MORE

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 welcome Andy Chapman, Gordon Atkins, Ed Dingey, James Anodin, Renz Villamil, Peter Hamilton, John Mercier, Alan Mott, Andrew Davernport, John Grieve.

Sincere Thanks

• Amongst those who assisted with contributions to this edition of FVNews Daily have been: Jeff Cripps, Craig Spendlove, Barry Minster, Iain Nicolson, Adam Woledge, Stephen Duns, Richard Elkington, Ian Samuel, Greg Crew, Kevin Redfern, Harry Adlerstein, Brendan Kyne.Thanks also to Nobby Forster, Les Cooper, Emmanuel and Gabrielle Marabeliotakis, Neil and Elvie Gannon, Ross and Rosemary Broad, Bill Jones, Geoff Newby, Jonathan Krane, Bob Pullin and Frank Bennett for encouraging words. Frank Bennett advises that the South East Mornington District has The District has much ritual work waiting with 40 First Degrees, 35 Second Degrees and 24 Third Degrees all waiting to be done, with all the MAP work in between.

Put Us On Your Mailing List
• Lodges can assist FVNews Daily 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. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, CD, ADC (Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick; born October 9, 1935) is a member of the British royal family. He is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II through their fathers, Prince George, Duke of Kent, and King George VI. Because his mother, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark was a first cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Edward is both a first cousin once removed and second cousin to the Prince of Wales and his siblings.• 
• He has held the title of Duke of Kent since the age of six, after the death of his father in a plane crash in 1942. Edward carries out engagements on behalf of the Queen and is involved with over 140 charitable organisations. He is president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, presenting the trophies to the Wimbledon champion and runner-up, and served as the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, retiring in 2001. He is president of The Scout Association, the Royal United Services Institute, and the Royal Institution of Great Britain, and since 1967 Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Masonic Knowledge
• The Origins of Masonry In India: WATCH VIDEO

Masonic Wisdom

• “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” – Bro. Henry Ford

The Last Word
• “The true Mason always carries his working tools everywhere.” – Bro. William Howard Taft

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