Grand Master's Newsletter - December 2023
21 December 23
Hello Brethren, and welcome to our December edition of the Grand Master’s Newsletter.
Brethren, our last Grand Communication for the year was recently held out at Dubbo in the NSW Central West.
Almost 200 brethren assembled at the Dubbo Masonic Centre on what was a very hot but enjoyable weekend, a weekend that included a Mark Man ceremony by the Royal Arch, the dedication of the newly renovated Dubbo Masonic Centre and, of course, the December Communication and Banquet.
To take the event out West was really important for the Craft, and for me personally. It represented a unique opportunity for our country members to play their role in the workings of their Grand Lodge and it was great to catch up with brethren and their partners who have never had the opportunity to experience a Grand Communication.
I enjoyed catching up with Most Excellent Companion Robert Drake, and to be invited to a Mark Man ceremony that saw eight brethren do their Mark Man Degree. No doubt this confirmed the unity between the Craft and the Royal Arch, and it was an honour to enter the Lodge alongside the First Grand Principal and Grand Master.
On Saturday morning, brethren from Lodges Macquarie, Dubbo, Geurie and surrounding areas witnessed the unveiling of a plaque marking the completion of the renovations to the Dubbo Masonic Centre and I congratulate all those who worked so hard to showcase what really is a monument to Freemasonry within the Central West region. Luckily, given the 42-degree heat outside, the air-conditioning was one of the items upgraded, and that kept a packed Lodge Room nice and cool.
Last weekend pretty much covered it for 2023, with the Charity Darts tournament at Blacktown, Installation down at Queanbeyan and various other Christmas and Masonic events taking place throughout the Jurisdiction. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to a rest before we begin what will be an action-packed 2024.
I congratulate you all on your many achievements both inside and outside your Lodge over recent times. You haven’t just been busy initiating, passing, and raising new members, you have also been very busy providing much needed and much appreciated assistance throughout your local communities.
Brethren … with Masonicare interACTION Grants, Benevolence Grants, Scott Young Trust and the Grand Master's Disaster Relief Fund donations alone you have given almost half a million dollars to some very worthy recipients. I thank you for all that you have done to help those who really did need our help.
In closing, I thank our Grand Secretary and his amazing Team for all that they do. They have worked really hard throughout the year, with all the changes being made to future-proof our organisation; there have been many challenges and I thank them for all that they do for us.
I’d also like to thank you for the support you have given Narelle and me during 2023, and we both look forward to supporting you again during 2024.
This time of the year is such a delightful time; it is a time to relax and enjoy some quality time with our family and our friends, so, if you can, put your feet up, re-charge your batteries and just enjoy the break.
Narelle and I wish you and your family, a restful holiday break, and a very happy and prosperous New Year.
From my family to yours
MERRY CHRISTMAS
