Honoured Masons

04 August 25

The two masons celebrated here, RW Bro Dexter Earnest Taylor and VW Bro Hilton Davis have modeled masonic values both for their for their lodges and their communities.

By RW Bro Terry McCallum

RW Bro Dexter Earnest Taylor OAM

RW Bro Dexter Earnest Taylor OAM was awarded his Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division of the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2002. He received this honour for ‘Service to the Community through a range of roles’.

Dexter joined Freemasonry in 1989, and was raised as a Master Mason in 1990. He served his progressive offices in Lodge Frank McDowell, and was Worshipful Master Lodge Wahroonga for 2003–04 and Lodge Hornsby No 262 during 2011–12.

He was a member of the Hornsby and Ku-ring-Gai Masonic Association for over 20 years, involved in fundraising for organisations including St Lucy’s School, Fragile X Association of Australia, Hornsby-Berowra Men’s Shed and Hornsby Women’s Shelter.

He also served with Masonicare, holding the position of Regional Representative from 2006–10, then District Representative between 2010 and 2012. He also received a Regional Masonic Award for Distinguished Service.

Outside of Freemasonry, Dexter was made a Life Member of Apex Club of Gulgong in 1978. Clearly a deserving recipient of recognition in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

VW Bro Hilton Davis OAM PDGIW

VW Bro Hilton Davis PDGIW received his OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list of June 2008 for services to the community of Blayney, particularly through retirement and aged care organisations.

After retiring in 1981 he moved to a small farm in Blayney with his wife Joan.

In 2004 he became Chair of the Christ Church Retirement Village Management Committee. He also chaired the management committee for The Lee Hostel for over a decade, later aiding local cancer patients through his involvement with CAN ASSIST.

Hilton was also involved with his local Uniting church, the local show society, the Blayney Rural Fire Service, and has been a Probus Club member since 1999. Hilton was twice awarded the Blayney Shire Citizen of the Year (1995 and 2006).

Initiated at Lodge Mindari in October 1951, Hilton was Worshipful Master of Lodge Carringtonia No 187 in 1992, 1993 and 1998. He received his 70-year Masonic long service award in May 2025.

As he approaches his 95th year, Hilton has reduced his active involvement in his community but not his commitment to it.

Above - RW Bro Dexter Earnest Taylor OAM

Above - VW Bro Hilton Davis OAM PDGIW

Freemason thanks the editor and staff of the Blayney Chronicle for their assistance with details in Hilton’s biography.