THE GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS AT THE JUNE 2026 QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION

22 June 26

Brethren, the number of expressions of interest and nominations received for the various offices for election and appointment coupled by the strong attendance we are seeing in our Grand Lodge Room 1, are a real indication of the brethren’s interest to participate in building and strengthening our jurisdiction.

Tonight is a record for many of us, being the first time in quite some time that Grand Lodge will exercise their suffrage for various Grand Offices and official membership into various Boards and Committees. We also have appointments that arise from voluntary endorsements of current Office Holders to enable our Grand Lodge to leverage expertise and experience among us. I thank all brethren who have gifted us with their time and commitment in writing submissions, attending interviews and assisting in providing our Grand Lodge with compelling choices of candidates for the various roles.

Tonight’s 21 items in the agenda promises to be most productive.. I emphasise “productive” as it continues to describe my personal, and numerous brethren’s experience of the Craft in the last 7 quarters, specifically in the period since our March Quarterly Communication in Bathurst.

Tonight, we welcome another opportunity for reflection and renewal. Reflection as it affords us an opportunity to look back to the last quarter and indeed to the past. Renewal as it is in June annually that we identify and explore ways to move forward with the brethren who will continue the good work of providing servant leadership to our jurisdiction.

On the subject of reflection, I paraphrase, the French author and aviator - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who wrote, “It is the time you have wasted in your rose that makes your rose so important.” in his book, Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince). Brethren, it is the time and effort you have invested in your rose that makes your rose so important. You have invested valuable resources in numerous roses that I have had the good fortune to share.

Who can forget the investment of brethren in interjurisdiction visitation resulting in the largest delegations of NSW & ACT brethren to the Grand Installation of Tasmania in February and, again, in the company of 26 other visiting Grand Lodges from across the globe, to the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines in April. I am pleased to share that the trip to the Philippines again included an historic back-to-back installation ceremony of our Elysian Lodge which attracted Grand Officers from various Grand Lodges such as Victoria, Philippines, Alberta, Queensland, and from the Home Grand Lodges.

The brethren also invested time and resources in fundraising activities organised by Lodges to support the Grand Master’s Sleepout in June 2026.. Ahead of the actual sleepout, and perhaps to avoid actually sleeping out on the weekend before the coldest night of the year, brethren from the United Lodge of Sydney have raised funds through a Billiards Competition participated in by over 100 brethren, while Lodge West Epping organised a basketball tournament over two days this last weekend which saw 11 lodges participate.

The events mentioned are as delightful and important as the regular meetings and installations of Lodges such as the Prince Charles Edward Stuart Lodge, Lodge Wagga Wagga, Lodge Sutherland, Lodge Blacktown Kildare, Lodge Kurringgai, the District 34A meeting hosted by The Cedars Lodge where we witnessed a brother raise his 200th Fellowcraft candidate, and Lodge Temora where we initiated a 4th generation mason into the Craft. All events with noteworthy characteristics peculiar to each Lodge requiring time and effort that make them so important. 

“It is the time and effort you have invested in your rose that makes your rose so important” is the same spirit that unified our forebrothers to form our Grand Lodge in 1888. Articulated in our Articles of Union:

“And Whereas it is expedient in the best interests of the Craft that perfect unity shall be secured and maintained throughout this Colony and that there shall be henceforth perfect uniformity of obligation, of discipline, and of the working of all Lodges.”

Our membership in Freemasonry includes specific obligations that determine our Grand Lodge’s regularity and recognition. A specific principle of recognition adopted by many regular Grand Lodges including ours is –

“That the Grand Lodge shall have sovereign jurisdiction over the Lodges under its control i.e. that it shall be responsible, independent, self-governing organisation, with sole and undisputed authority over the Craft or Symbolic Degrees within its Jurisdiction.

Diversity and education of rites peculiar to ours are novel and are welcomed, however where rituals and ceremonies are concerned, I endorse the principle of “Mastery before Innovation” - mastery of our jurisdiction’s rituals before innovation of any other jurisdictions’, brethren. The ceremonial aspect of our Craft is an important pillar which is unique to Freemasonry. It is the characteristic of our organisation that attracts and keeps good men who continue to seek moral lessons and self-improvement in the company of like-minded men. This is consistent with the analysis that attendance at lodges increases when meetings include degreework, or educative and entertaining (or edutaining) ritual or ceremony. ”Edutainment”, brethren - education and entertainment combined - are the best way to reach and teach adult learners in contemporary times.

I endorse to brethren coordination with our Ritual Advisory and Private Lodges Committees, and the College of Masonic Studies in creating opportunities for education and experience of wider masonic education while ensuring that we remain true to our obligations, discipline and working. The Ritual Advisory Committee and the College will provide clear guidance to enable brethren to create events that stimulate attendance and sustain interest while keeping relevant stakeholders and principles aligned.

We also remind Lodges to ensure that our rights and privileges are extended to worthy men and to worthy brethren alone. In our modern world connected by technology, the convenience of electronic communication must be used to inform and orient us to remain true to the principles on which our fraternity is built. But our traditional methods for avouchment and admission must be preserved. Let us continue to vouch only for brethren whose degree conferral we have actually witnessed, with whom we have actually sat with in open lodge or whom we have subjected to proper examination. These are the only methods of avouchment and admission noting that once a visitor has had occasion to enter and attend an open lodge, even without proper qualifications, all brethren in attendance, become default vouchers for the visitor in perpetuity. Circulars will be forthcoming to strengthen protection of our West gate. “It is the time and effort we invest in our rose that makes our rose so important.”

On the subject of renewal, I quote the same book, Le Petit Prince, “It is only with the heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” In Freemasonry, as in life, ranks, titles and offices are but labels that would only have meaning to us and to others when one embraces them and makes them their own.

Offices, ranks and titles do not bring honour to a man; it is the man who lends honour to the office, rank and title. And brethren, we are fortunate to have numerous brethren in our midst who, selfless, have, at heart, the best interest of the brethren and the Craft.

Tonight is a significant night as we are given an opportunity to confirm the new Team who will carry on the responsibility of carrying us into the future and also to acknowledge the commitment and service gifted to us by many Grand Officers.

As we confirm the recommendations of incoming DGIWs, I acknowledge the service of outgoing DGIWs. Tonight, as the members of the Ceremonial Team progress, it also heralds the approach of the last quarter in the long tenures of our Grand Wardens, RW Bro Emmanuel Konitopoulos and RW Bro Edgar Dela Cruz. As new brethren are onboarded in the various teams, we thank those who have served in the various Boards and Committees of our Grand Lodge.

On your behalf, I take the opportunity to thank the Grand Officers who have applied themselves to their roles noting their contributions as well over many years of zealous service to the Craft and who will be moving from roles of most senior offices while continuing their concurrent roles in their respective Boards and Committees.

•   I am pleased to announce that I have appointed RW Bro Joseph Corrigan as the Deputy Grand Master for the Masonic Year 2026-2027 succeeding RW Bro Paul Schultz who has elected to focus on the Ritual Advisory Committee and support initiatives moving forward; and I thank RW Bro Schultz for his continued support.

• It is also my pleasure to announce that I have appointed RW Bro Brian Potter as Assistant Grand Master for the Masonic Year 2026-2027 succeeding RW Bro Samuel Young who continues his responsibiloty in the Board of Management. I thank RW Bro Young for his continued support to our Grand Lodge and to me personally as well as in keeping his serious business in the Boards and key initiatives.

I thank our Deputy Grand Master and Assistant Grand Master for RW Bro Schultz and RW Bro Young for their outstanding delivery of their respective roles in the Boards, Councils and Committees where their offices contribute as well as their unwavering support to the strategic plans and initiatives discussed in the lead-up of these announcements.

Brethren, I am pleased to confirm the re-appointment of RW Bro Dr Raul Amor as Chairman of the Grand Charity Fund for the Masonic Year 2026-2027.

Membership in our lodges is not the end of our quest to become better men. It is the beginning and it is ongoing. We have an ongoing opportunity to keep improving and such improvement can only be sustained if it comes from the heart and when we take it to heart. With this and by this, we are always becoming better.

When we involve ourselves in the lifestyle and not just in the membership, when we initiate events, when we imbibe our Craft so that, as an example, you create events that involve community and family, you keep the pulse that keep us alive, relevant and exciting.

I hark back to the same spirit that prompted our forebrothers to unite into one Grand Lodge. The coming together of brethren with varied interests to become better and be part of something better. Grand Lodge is just another concept to us until one engages and fully embraces it as your own. The various workings of Grand Lodge are made available to you in the agenda pack, brethren. Your Grand Lodge leadership with the committees boards and councils stand ever ready to provide assistance and collaborate to strengthen your lodge and your presence in the community.

Important initiatives are highlighted in the reports in your agenda pack. Your leadership team continues to look for opportunities to create successes.

• You will be pleased to note, as an example, that only a few years ago, our financial outlook was substantially challenged with seven figures in the red. This financial year, we are anticipating finishing with a meagre win in the black. We have established entities that address issues relating to tax implications for our operations.

• Inter-jurisdiction concordats are being negotiated with other Grand Lodges that support your premium and exclusive experience of the Craft in our jurisdiction. As an example, we executed a concordat with the Grand Lodge of Tasmania in February. The same document is now being reviewed by Grand Lodges in Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. 

• The Shop @ SMC will open by mid-June. Our shop will be able to supply items of utility and interest to the brethren across the state and beyond. The Shop will work with Masonic Orders and interest groups to provide specific paraphernalia and regalia for masons who seek further education and light in Masonry or for those involved in special interest groups.

• District, Regional and Grand Lodge Leadership teams continue to work with lodges - especially those who approach seeking to work together. A good example is Lodge Narrabri who sold their building for a substantial amount, bought another property, developed it, and now have a new Masonic Centre with half of their sale proceeds intact which will sustain their operations and extend their presence in the community.

• Masonicare has organised, once again, a fundraising initiative to upgrade SMC meeting rooms 2 and 3 with organs via the sale of a second version of limited-edition premium watches.

An opportunity to leverage your presence and impact to your community is your charity work bolstered by Masonicare. MW Bro Levenston summarised it best: we are not a charitable organisation, but we undertake a lot of charity work. Charity is a natural by-product of becoming better. Charity work in our Craft is an important pillar which unites us as it gives us a chance to practice our moral and masonic virtues together as we continuously become better men.

Masonicare engagement with the brethren has markedly increased. More and more brethren are showing their co-ownership of our Grand Charity.

The upcoming GM Sleepout on Saturday, 13th June has attracted significant support from numerous brethren, lodges, and Masonic Centres. Donations of substantial amounts from brethren and their immediate circles have been received while many others have organised their own Sleepouts at their Masonic Centres.

You can also join any of the organised Sleepouts at the Masonic Centres in Sydney CBD (SMC), Camden, Canberra, Blacktown, Castle Hill, Fairfield Kelso, Kurri-Kurri, Mawson, Moree, Oatley, Queanbeyan, Toronto, Turramurra, Wagga Wagga and many others.

I thank W Bro John Koina and his family for his personal donation of $50,000 to Masonicare as well as Lodges for their early response to the call. Brethren, if your Lodge, Chapter, Council, Conclave or Orders are looking to support a charity organisation, please note that we are a registered deductible gift recipient (DGR) and all donations over $2 will be issued a receipt for the purpose and Masonicare will match your donation – not just for the Sleepout but for any undertaking with charity in mind.

The abundance of brethren and Masonic Centres participating is truly overwhelming, and this is just for one of the initiatives. The Region 3 Gala Night is happening in July, District 33’s Gala is happening in August, we have Masonicare’s Carrington Gala happening in November where we have invited the Governor and several Members of Parliament and Ministers.

Brethren, I have been asked several times what Grand Lodge is doing for membership. We have been working with leaders and groups in the jurisdiction to organise initiatives that impact your communities that you can leverage to engage your prospective candidates - leaders in your locations, your dignitaries, your councils. We continue to listen and we continue to create opportunities to engage the public. It is an endorsement that you take advantage of the trend and consider creating similar or social events, and if you require Grand Lodge to support, we stand ever ready.

My invitation remains ever relevant, brethren. Join me, not as witnesses but as co-creators of our history, co-creators of a good and pleasant Freemasonry here in NSW & ACT. 

I again commend the outgoing Grand Officers for a job well done and congratulate the brethren who will be elected and appointed tonight and otherwise appointed into Councils, Committees and Boards and positions of service to the jurisdiction.

Let me close by reinforcing tonight’s theme of reflection, renewal and harmony in Grand Lodge by paraphrasing Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in The Little Prince, It is the time and effort you put into your Craft that make your experience of the Craft so important; and it is only with the heart that one can see clearly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. Offices, ranks and titles do not bring honour to a man; it is the man who lends honour to the office, rank and title. Our quest to become better men is internal, not external, and it is ever ongoing. We must always be becoming better, always evolving, always becoming.”