A Night of Legacy, Gratitude, and Generosity: The Appreciation Dinner for MW Bro Lesley Norman Hicks
19 March 25
By RW Bro Dr Abraham Constantin and RW Bro Owen Sandry
In the grand halls of the Parliament of New South Wales, an evening unfolded that will long be remembered. The Appreciation Dinner for MW Bro Lesley Norman Hicks, the 40th Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT, was nothing short of extraordinary—an event that blended tradition, reverence, and celebration in a way that left all in attendance deeply moved.
For those fortunate enough to secure a seat at this exclusive gathering, the night was more than just a tribute; it was a testament to the enduring values of Freemasonry—leadership, brotherhood, and service to others. The evening was meticulously planned, with each detail reflecting the stature of the man being honoured. From the moment MW Bro Hicks entered the reception venue, accompanied by his wife Narelle and the event’s host, the Hon. Scott Glynn Farlow MLC, it was clear that this was an occasion of immense significance.
Above: A friend of the Craft, The Hon Scott Farlow, Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Shadow Minister for the Hunter, Shadow Minister for Housing, and Shadow Minister for Cities, Member of the Liberal Party once again hosted the Appreciation Dinner for the immediate Past Grand Master of UGL NSW & ACT at the Parliament House in 2025.
A powerful moment came early in the evening when the assembled guests, without hesitation, rose to their feet to sing God Save the King and the Australian National Anthem. The host himself, Hon. Scott Farlow, remarked that the last time he had heard the anthem in this very hall was in the presence of the King—but never before had he witnessed such passion and unity in its rendition. It was a striking moment that set the tone for the night: a celebration not just of one man’s leadership, but of the brotherhood and shared values that Freemasonry upholds.
RW Bro Dr. Abraham Constantin, serving as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, welcomed guests with warmth and eloquence, acknowledging the deep historical significance of the Parliament of NSW—a fitting venue for honouring a leader who has left an indelible mark on Freemasonry. His words underscored the essence of the night:
Above: Compere extraordinaire, Dr Abraham Constantin kept the program flowing with timed segments, appropriate introductions and seamless transitions.
“Just as this Parliament has been shaped by great leaders, so too has Freemasonry been strengthened by the wisdom and service of those who have guided us forward.”
Yet, beyond the formality and grandeur, this evening carried a deeper purpose. True to his character, MW Bro Hicks chose to use this celebration as an opportunity to give back. The night’s proceeds were dedicated to the Starlight Foundation, a charity that brings joy and support to children facing serious illness. The generosity of those in attendance, Masonicare, the official charity of Freemasons NSW & ACT—along with the two major donors The Cedars Lodge and the Leichhardt Lodge, culminated in a remarkable $48,000 donation, an act of kindness that exemplified the principles of Humility, Kindness and Generosity that MW Bro Hicks has championed throughout his Masonic journey.
As the evening unfolded, a series of speeches, tributes, and heartfelt moments painted a vivid portrait of a leader whose tenure as Grand Master was marked by both great responsibility and deep personal commitment. MW Bro Derek Robson AM CMH the 37th/39th Grand Master captured the spirit of the night when he reflected on MW Bro Hicks’ path to leadership:
Above: The 37th and 39th Grand Master, MW Bro Derek Robson AM CMH PGM reflects on his close masonic association and genuine friendship with the honouree who served in his terms as DGIW, RGC, Chairman of Operations and Chairman of the Board
“Les Hicks may have had a superstitious start in Freemasonry—with every milestone falling on the 13th—but he’s certainly proved that good men rise above mere numbers.”
His tenure as Grand Master was defined by strength in adversity, particularly during the pandemic, when he played a crucial role in keeping the fraternity together:
“During the pandemic, when many organizations were crumbling, Les Hicks helped hold Freemasonry together. Through tireless work, clear communication, and a steadfast commitment, not a single member was lost on his watch.”
But MW Bro Hicks' impact extended beyond crisis management. His leadership was transformative, modernising Freemasonry and ensuring its relevance for future generations:
“Les brought his business acumen, discipline, and leadership from the martial arts world into Freemasonry, modernising our Grand Lodge and shaping its future in ways we’ll appreciate for years to come.”
Despite his high office, MW Bro Hicks remained deeply connected to the fraternity’s grassroots membership—never losing his warmth, humour, or competitive streak:
“Despite the high offices and accolades, Les never lost the common touch—he’s just as at home leading a Grand Lodge as he is fiercely defending his darts championship out in Blacktown!”
His election as Grand Master was more than a ceremonial appointment—it was a turning point in the evolution of the Craft:
“The election of MW Bro Les Hicks as Grand Master wasn’t just a leadership change—it was a turning point. His vision, drive, and ability to embrace the digital age revolutionised how we operate.”
And even as the evening celebrated his legacy, MW Bro Hicks was already looking ahead, offering ideas to strengthen Freemasonry well beyond his tenure:
“Even at this week's Grand Master’s Lunch, Les was still at the forefront, offering ideas to strengthen lodges and communities—because for him, the work is never truly done.”
Following the reflections of MW Bro Robson, the Master of Ceremonies, RW Bro Dr Abraham Constantin, welcomed MW Bro Bernie Khristian Albano, the current and 41st Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT, to the stage.
Above: MW Bro Bernie Khristian Albano, the current and 41st Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT
MW Bro Albano “We are here to acknowledge the contributions of a Brother who has led our jurisdiction from 2021 to 2024 under the theme of Humility, Kindness and Generosity. Over that period, I have had many occasions to listen to and participate in toasts to the Grand Master and extol his theme.
One of my favourites was the toast that quoted a Brother from the Grand Lodge of Maryland, the 26th President of the United States, Bro Theodore Roosevelt. We have already received the details of GM40’s Masonic journey from MW Bro Robson who spoke earlier, and I mean not to elucidate what has already been articulated. Rather, I would seek to juxtapose GM40’s theme of Humility-Kindness-Generosity with Bro Roosevelt’s words, specifically The Man in the Arena, which was part of his speech Citizenship in a Republic, delivered in Sorbonne, France, in 1910.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
"The Man in the Arena is about daring greatly. And it must remind us of MW Bro Hicks and his theme of Humility, Kindness and Generosity as follows:
- Humility – A Grand Master is a servant leader who not only has to perform but must also be seen performing. We all know that to serve many men is to inevitably attract ‘feedback,’ and unfortunately, the feedback we get is not always constructive. Humility is a virtue required to ever be ready for feedback.
- Kindness – A Grand Master must form a team of other Men in the Arena that enables him to deliver his program to serve the brethren and improve the Craft. These other Men in the Arena are unelected volunteers from whom good work is expected. Kindness is an essential qualification to give and inspire others.
- Generosity – MW Bro Hicks is a member of six lodges, and almost an equal number of Associated Orders. In addition to this, we have already learned that he was DGIW in 2010, RGC for two terms from 2013-17, Chairman of Operations in 2018, and Chairman of the Board of Management from 2019-21. It takes generosity to commit to over ten years of service to our Grand Lodge.
The Grand Master in closing invites MW Bro Les Hicks and his wife, Narelle, to the stage to receive gifts from the Jurisdiction. He presents MW Bro Hicks with the Grand Master's ring, describing it as "sized like a championship ring and crafted from a mould featuring the Coat of Arms on one side, the Grand Lodge Centennial Seal on the other, and crowned with a precious stone inside the inscription: 'The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT – Est. 1888'." Narelle is then presented with a beautiful necklace.
The Grand Master making presentations of gifts on behalf of the jurisdiction to MW Bro Hicks and Mrs Narelle Hicks
The moment of anticipation has finally arrived as the unveiling of the Grand Master’s portrait takes centre stage. Kirsty Neilson, the talented and award-winning artist behind the masterpiece, is invited to also join MW Bro Les Hicks and his wife, Narelle, for the grand reveal.
As the cover falls, a stunning painting of our Past Grand Master is revealed, met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Amid the excitement, RW Bro Abraham Constantin steps forward to introduce the 40th Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT. His voice rises above the applause as he declares, “Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived! This evening is truly special because of one remarkable individual—someone whose presence and contributions have left a lasting impression. Admired, respected, and loved by all, it is my great honour, with immense pride and excitement, to welcome our esteemed Guest of Honour, MW Bro Lesley Norman Hicks, to the stage.
Reflecting on his term as Grand Master, MW Bro Hicks shared:
"From the outside, the role of Grand Master seems fun and exciting, and to some extent, it is. But there is a side to the role that requires great responsibility, and there are decisions that need to be made that, one way or another, have a profound and long-lasting effect on our Craft."
"My theme during my term was Humility, Kindness, and Generosity, and the thing that makes me proudest of all is being absolutely humbled by looking around at the hundreds of people that have taken the time to be here with Narelle and me tonight."
“It wasn't just work that needed to be managed, and I really thank Narelle for her hard work, attention to detail and her incredible support during what was no doubt the busiest 3 years of our 44-year marriage.”
“I am, and always will be, a Craft Mason first and foremost, and while ever I draw breath, I will stand ready to assist our Craft, its Grand Master, and its management in any way that I can.”
And with that, he concluded with the words that resonated most deeply with all in attendance:
“Above all, the best part of being Grand Master was meeting and becoming friends with all of you. Your kindness and generosity blows me away, and you are the reason I'm a Mason.”
As dessert was served and the final toasts were made, it was evident that this night would be remembered not just as an event, but as a defining moment in the rich history of Freemasonry. As one guest was overheard saying,
“This was the best Masonic event I have ever attended.”
And with that, MW Bro Lesley Hicks’ tenure was not just honoured but immortalized in the hearts of those who had gathered to celebrate him.
That hand will never be withheld by any brother in any part of the world so long as you continue worthy of confidence and esteem.