THE GRAND MASTERS ADDRESS AT THE JUNE QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION

01 August 25

Before beginning his formal address to the brethren, the Grand Master congratulated MW Bro Dr Greg Levenston on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia at the recent King’s Birthday Honours, which he received for services to the Woollahra community.

He also thanked Lodge Mark Owen and Lodge French’s Forest and Lodge Army and Navy, who moved their meeting nights to accommodate this Quarterly Communication, and made special welcome to those joining via the livestream facility. He also acknowledged each of the eight Heads of Orders who were invited to attend in their respective Order’s regalia.

Address

Brethren, I welcome you all to our June 2025 Quarterly Communication. Tonight is an opportunity for reflection and renewal. Reflection as it affords us opportunity to look back to the quarter that was, and indeed to the immediate relevant period. Renewal as it is in June annually that we identify winning ways to move forward with the brethren who will continue the good work of providing service to the jurisdiction.

Earlier, we congratulated MW Bro Dr Greg H Levenston on his recent recognition and award of the Medal of the Order of Australia. The brethren would also be pleased to hear that W Bro Peter Doukas, VW Bro Michael Morris and his wife Jo-ann also received such honours on Monday’s announcement on the King’s Birthday. They join this year’s recipients RW Bro Geoff Baker, RW Bro Grahame Williams, Bro Giancarlo Placanica who received recognition in the Australia Day Honours.

Departed brethren

Let us also remember our brethren who have left their earthly abode since our last GL Communication, and offer our sincerest condolences and assistance if required to their nearest and dearest, our brethrens’ widows and orphans from whom we benefited with our departed brethrens’ service to our Craft.

With solemn hearts we announce the passing of the brethren listed on a sheet in your agenda pack who have entered the Grand Lodge Above since our March Communication. We honour their years of dedicated service to the Craft and the invaluable contributions they made during their masonic journeys.

We recall RW Bro Grahame Marr PDGM who passed to the Grand Lodge above on 29 May at 82 years. He was a mason for 67 years, with his extensive service including roles at multiple lodges including Lodge Dawn No 511 and Twin Towns Daylight Lodge No 436.

We also remember RW Bro Bruce Quirk PDGM. Raised in 1974, RW Bro Quirk had been a mason for 52 years when he passed to the Grand Lodge above on 29 May at the age of 82 years. A certified Masonic Mentor and Membership Officer, he dedicated his retirement years to serving as Masonicare Caring Officer at multiple lodges. I shared membership with him in Lodge Jose Rizal.

We also remember RW Bro Leslie Hipwell PSGW who was a Craftsman for 76 years, 20 years of which as Secretary of his Lodge well into his 90s. I had the honour of assisting him as a GDC in 2018 when he was 93 years old. He passed at the age of 99 years on 10th May.

We remember the labours and contributions of our brethren to our Grand Lodge with gratitude and pray they may have heard the welcome words from the GAOTU.

Tonight promises to be a most productive meeting with 23 items in the agenda. I emphasise ‘productive’ as it is characteristic of many of our brethrens’ experience of the Craft in recent months, and specifically in the period since our last Communication in March.

Having involved myself in every aspect of the Grand Lodge and many of the lodges’ events, ‘productive’ has certainly become my invariable response to the question, ‘How are you?’. That reply, brethren, is an honest delightful description resulting from the numerous events that you – both in the lodges and the Grand Lodge – continue to create.

To name a few:

• Two days after our March Communication, over 350 brethren and their family and friends showed their respect to our 40th GM, MW Bro Les Hicks at the NSW Parliament House in an Appreciation Dinner and Fundraiser organised by The Cedars Lodge. With the support of Masonicare, masons donated just under $50,000 to the Starlight Foundation on the evening.
• I had the great fortune of leading the largest delegations of NSW&ACT brethren to the Grand Installation of UGL Victoria in March and, again, to the Annual Communication of the GL Philippines in April. I am pleased to share that the trip included an historic installation ceremony of our Elysian Lodge which was attended by Grand Officers from Victoria, Philippines, Grand Lodges of Alberta and Quebec in Canada, Grand Lodges of New York and Illinois in the US, as well as Home Grand Lodges Scotland and UGLE, among others.
• It was very pleasing to join lodges celebrating milestone events such as the Nowra Building Dedication in March, the Milton Masonic Centre Rededication and Lodge Barham’s Centenary in May as they leveraged their occasions and attracted impressive crowds to attend their events.
• I was also pleased to have participated in fundraising activities organised by lodges to support the Grand Master’s Sleepout initiative. Ahead of the actual sleepout, and perhaps to avoid actually sleeping out on 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 weekends participated in by 10 teams. Yes, brethren, I played and won some games in both tournaments.

The events mentioned are as delightful as the regular meetings and installations of lodges such as the Hawkesbury Heritage Lodge, Lodge Jerusalem and Prince Charles Edward Stuart Lodge which are all events with noteworthy characteristics peculiar to each lodge.

Appointed Representatives and Grand Directors have also assisted with many installation ceremonies, and the Ceremonial Team and I are all looking forward to attending many more special ceremonies that our jurisdiction has planned for later this year. I recommend to brethren that special events are our opportunity to engage the community leaders in government and in business. Recently, we have proven that if you build it, and invite them, they will come; and Grand Lodge will appoint the best of the ritualists and event participants with the Ceremonial Team to help you present your Craft to the public in the best light.

To have travelled so in the company of committed members of the Craft and the Ceremonial Team has been memorable. I have enormous respect for those who volunteer to serve Freemasonry, and the Grand Master in this regard. To the Ceremonial Team, thank you. Your unceasing support of all Grand Lodge activity is most admirable, and in extending my appreciation of all that you do, I also personally thank your Grand Director of Ceremonies for his leadership.

Tonight is a significant night when we confirm the new Team who will continue on the responsibility of carrying us into the future, and also to acknowledge the commitment and service gifted to us by many Grand Officers in the past period.

In particular, as we confirm the recommendations of incoming Regional Grand Counsellors, I acknowledge the service of outgoing Regional Grand Counsellors, RW Bros Philip Robertson, Brian Samson, Gustavo Fiestas and Dr Sean Hogan. Tonight, as the members of the Ceremonial Team progress, it also heralds the approach of the last quarter in the long service of our Grand Wardens, RW Bros Joshua Newman and Roland Martinez. They will be accompanied in their departure from the Team by RW Bro Bro Don Pandes who elected to give aspiring Grand Stewards opportunity to progress to more responsible roles. As new brethren are onboarded in the various teams, we thank those who have served in the Boards and Committees of our Grand Lodge.

On the subject of reflection, brethren, I quote MW Bro Robson and his endorsement of the ‘we are all of one company’ value. It is the same spirit that unified our forebears to form our Grand Lodge in 1888 articulated by the Articles of Union which states: ‘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.’

We are all of one company in our jurisdiction, and indeed with our brethren in the world. Our membership in Freemasonry includes specific obligations that determine our Grand Lodge’s regularity and recognition. A specific principle of recognition adopted by many 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 (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason) within its Jurisdiction: and shall not in any way be subject to, or divide such authority with any other Power claiming any control or supervision over those degrees.’

The ceremonial aspect of our Craft is an important pillar which is unique to Freemasonry. It is the characteristic of our organisation that attracts good men who continue to seek moral lessons and self-improvement in the company of like-minded men. This is consistent with the analysis of Lodge Monthly Reports that attendance at lodges increases when meetings include an event such as a degree work, exemplification or other ritual or ceremony.

I commend the lodges who continue to work on ceremonies with excellence and also those who work with our Ritual Advisory and Private Lodges Committees in creating opportunities for education and experience of wider masonic rituals while ensuring that we remain true to our obligations, discipline and working. Brethren, recent circulars from the Deputy Grand Master and the Ritual Committee provide clear guidance for instances when inevitable changes to ceremonies and customs require dispensation. Further clarification will be issued 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 worthy men 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. Our Grand Secretariat and Committee on Foreign Correspondence can help enable lodges to fraternise and act accordingly with brethren from other Grand Lodges. Let us continue to strengthen foreign relations and intended inter-jurisdiction communication via the proper channels. This is equally relevant to processing applications and affiliations, receiving visitors as well as demonstration of rituals from other jurisdictions.

On the subject of renewal, I cite MW Bro Hicks who often said the most important part of the regalia is the mason wearing it. It emphasises the importance of personal connection and experience in giving meaning to things. To paraphrase GM40, ‘an apron is just an apron until you wear it on your person’. It suggests that the same concept applies to opportunities, roles, organisations and life experiences – they don’t have meaning until someone embraces them and makes them their own.

I endorse the same spirit that prompted our ‘fore-brothers’ to unite into one Grand Lodge – harmony. The coming together of brethren with diverse backgrounds and varied interests. Grand Lodge is just another concept to you until you engage and fully embrace it as your own. On this proposition, your Grand Lodge leadership stands ever ready to provide assistance and collaborate to strengthen your lodge and your presence in the community.

I now highlight examples from when the Building Management Committee (BMC) of your Grand Lodge has created and protected value:

1. The Broken Hill MC was intended to be sold. In working with BMC, we were able to retain presence in the westernmost part of our jurisdiction and we are currently in negotiations with three prospective tenants which will sustain our ownership and maintenance of the asset.

2. Lodge Gundagai’s lease expired early in 2025 and the building owner has determined to take possession in February. With BMC’s assistance, the lodge was able to hold on to the property to the present.

3. The BMC is currently negotiating with a multi-state daycare business, Gymbaroo, for several masonic centres in Collaroy, Bondi and Matraville with a potential upside of $40k annually for a three days a week lease.

4. And these are all on top of finalising agreements which add value to Grand Lodge assets such as the renovation of the SMC foyer, and adding a swimming pool in the UGL-owned Ibis Hotel – both projects valued in the millions and at no cost to our Grand Lodge.

Members of the BMC, experts in their fields, are available to any and all lodges who require legal and commercial assistance in the management of their masonic centres.

Another opportunity for the brethren to highlight your presence and impact to your community is your charity work, bolstered by Masonicare. This is an important pillar which unites us as it gives us a chance to practice our moral and masonic virtues individually and collectively.

Masonicare is reviewing its processes and innovating to improve its partnership with lodges. Engagement with the brethren has markedly increased. Initiatives resulting from the analysis of the survey sent to the jurisdiction have increased the participation rate of lodges and it is very encouraging. The brethren are showing more awareness of their co-ownership of the Grand Charity.

I am pleased to announce the winner of the new Masonicare logo competition; VW Bro Edgar Dela Cruz AGDC from Lodge Blacktown Kildare. A new slogan contest will commence shortly, and I seek the most creative input from brethren.

The support and consideration given by the brethren and Sister Constitutions to the GM Sleepout initiative to raise awareness of the homeless population has been remarkable. Numerous lodges and Orders have donated substantial amounts while others have organised their own Sleepouts at their Masonic Centres. We have also received individual donations from brethren and their immediate circles.

I thank Lodges Leichhardt, Resurgo, St Joseph Banks, Jerusalem, Jose Rizal, West Epping, United Lodge of Sydney, Mark Owen, Pennant Hills, Elysian, Highway, Tweed Valley Masonic Welfare and District 35 for their early response to the call; as well as the Shield of David Conclave of the Order of Secret Monitor, Royal Order of Scotland and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

Brethren, if your lodge, or Order, or Chapter or Council or Conclave is looking to support a charity organisation, please note that Masonicare is a registered deductible gift recipient. All donations over $2 will be issued a receipt for the purpose and Masonicare will match your donation.

You can also join any of the organised Sleepouts at the Masonic Centres in Orchard Hills, Picton, Turramurra, Richmond, Blacktown and Weston.

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.

Congratulations again to the outgoing Grand Officers for a job well done and congratulations to the brethren who will be appointed tonight to positions of service to the jurisdiction.

Let me close by reinforcing tonight’s theme of reflection and renewal and harmony in Grand Lodge by quoting Khalil Gibran, a renowned Lebanese-American writer who may or may not have been a Freemason depending on whom you ask:

I endorse to you once more brethren, in indulging in recollection, reflection, renewal and harmony, we are all one in this jurisdiction. What affects one affects everyone, and what one achieves is achieved by everyone. So let us all be brethren supporting each other. Let us be akin to an ocean of countless rivers of brethren with diverse backgrounds and varied interests meeting on the Level with Humility, acting by the Plumb of Integrity and parting on the Square in Harmony.

By The Grand Master, MW Bro Khris Albano.