A well-deserved award

26 May 25

The Carrington Medal By RW Bro Terry McCallum

Many will recall the announcement of MW Bro Noel Frederick Dunn’s award being made at the December 2024 Communication, which he was unfortunately unable to attend, so the presentation of the medal itself was deferred.

Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait too long. On 23 January 2025 Lodge Sir Walter Scott – the

Mother Lodge of MW Bro Dunn – was conducting an initiation for Mr Feyzi Kuru as well as a traditional Burns Night South. They kindly included the presentation of MW Bro Dunn’s medal in their proceedings for the evening.

As you can imagine, such an inclusion boosted the attendance numbers phenomenally. The Grand Master MW Bro Khris Albano was accompanied by no less than 84 Grand Lodge Officers, and Craft members matched that number.

The activities in the lodge room were of course mainly focused on the initiation of Mr Feyzi Kuru, but few masons will ever be able to claim such a numerous and high-ranking number of masons in attendance at the night of their initiation.

It was in the South that the Grand Master presented the framed certificate as prepared by RW Bro Alan Farrell PDGM, PCBM, CMH to MW Bro Dunn, and it was followed by a long and well-deserved standing ovation.

Well-deserved indeed, when one considers the history and achievements of this highly regarded mason.

MW Bro Noel Frederick Dunn,OAM, PGM, (Membership of professional associations)

Grand Master – 1992–96

Medal of the Order of Australia – Awarded 26 January 1998 for Services to the United Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and as President of the Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes.

Carrington Medal of Honour –Awarded 11 December 2024

Born on 23 December 1930, MW Bro Dunn was Initiated into Sir Walter Scott Lodge 123 on 26 March 1953, Passed on 28 May 1953 and Raised on 23 November 1953.

He worked his way through the progressive offices, being installed as Worshipful Master on 26 June 1969.

He was Chairman of the Sir Walter Scott Centenary Committee from 1981–84 and Trustee of the Lodge from 1968–85.

His first steps into Grand Lodge began as Grand Steward from 1972-1974. This was followed by progressive positions in the Grand Ceremonial Team from 1974–78.

He is a Foundation Member of Grand Stewards’ Lodge 1022 (from 1997 to the present day)

In 1985, then RW Bro Dunn was appointed by MW Bro Roy Woodman as Assistant Grand Master and served the position from 1985 to 1988, when he was appointed as Deputy Grand Master by MW Bro Ronald Lewis Hale Johnson, AM. RW Bro Dunn served in this position from 1988 to 1992.

On 7 August 1992, MW Bro Dunn was installed as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory and served as Grand Master until 1996.

Boards and Committees include:

Member Executive Council: 1988–96

Chairman Executive Council: 1992–96

Member of the Ritual Advisory Committee: 2004–22

President Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes: 1992–96

MW Bro Dunn’s contributions extend beyond the Craft. He was in the Order of the Secret Monitor, becoming Supreme Ruler with the Shield of David Conclave No 14 from 1993.

The Carrington Medal of Honour

As summarised by RW Bro Alan Farrell PDGM, PCBM, CMH

The Carrington Medal of Honour was implemented as part of a three-tiered system of Grand Master’s Awards in December 2001 by MW Bro George Curry, then Grand Master.

The other two awards were:

1. The Grand Master’s Distinguished Service Award, and
2. The Grand Master’s Award of Merit

The medal is named after Lord Carrington, GCMG, first Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW and the ACT. Lord Carrington served as Grand Master from 1888 to 1891.

In announcing the award, MW Bro Curry said that the Carrington Medal of Honour recognises the outstanding efforts of a brother who has made a major contribution to the community at large, as well as those made within our masonic family. The award is to be made sparingly.

The award consists of a collarette jewel showing a bust of Lord Carrington. The jewel is gold and suspended from a garter blue ribbon. The reverse side is suitably inscribed with the details of the recipient.

Recipients of the Award include:

• RW Bro Rev’d Harold Ctercteko, PDGM, CMH, PGC,
• MW Ronald Lewis Hale Johnson, AM, PGM, CMH
• RW Bro Dr Frank John Radcliff, PDGM, CMH
• RW Bro Alan Ernest Farrell, PDGM, PCBM, CMH
• RW Bro Kenneth Francis Mole, PDGM, PRGC, CMH
• RW Bro Graham Hugh Cumming, OAM, PDGM, CMH
• MW Bro Derek James Robson AM, PGM, CMH
• MW Bro Noel Frederick Dunn, OAM, PGM, CMH