Your Grand Charity

31 August 22

Since its foundation, MasoniCare has been a source of relief and assistance to thousands of people and has done much to promote the image of Masonry 

Brethren, there is no doubt that most of you have heard of Masonicare, both in your various lodge rooms as well as at Grand Communications and in Grand Lodge publications. However, we take this opportunity to introduce Masonicare to our newer brethren and give our more experienced brethren a fresh insight into our Grand Charity. 

Founded in 1990 by Past Grand Master MW Bro Ron Johnson AM PGM CMH, Masonicare is key in encouraging and enabling masons within our jurisdiction to practise one of the guiding virtues of the Craft – Charity. 

To enable Masonicare to distribute funds as needed equitably throughout the jurisdiction; there are three dedicated programmes, each of which serves a critical purpose to enable the board to distribute funds to where they are needed most. 

These programmes are: 

InterACTION Grants 

The Masonicare interACTION Grants programme is designed to stimulate fundraising throughout NSW and the ACT, thereby maximising the charitable benefits to local communities. Masonicare will contribute matching funds to monies raised by masonic lodges for local charities of their choice, enabling Freemasonry to have a multiplying effect in supporting those causes which need it most. 

Donations can be made to organisations with a Deductible Gift Recipient status. Lodges are pre-authorised by the board after having made an application to raise funds publicly for these charities. 

Funds raised for these charities are then met dollar-for-dollar by Masonicare to a maximum of $3,000. Thus if a lodge raises $3,000, Masonicare matches this amount, resulting in the chosen charity receiving a total of $6,000. 

The monies raised by the lodge are sent to Masonicare, this amount is doubled and the total funds transferred to the charity on behalf of the lodge. 

The interACTION Grants programme is successfully engaging people across the jurisdiction to make a collaborative difference in proudly supporting our local communities. 

A prime example of this is the Coffs Coast Freemasons Association which runs a series of separate events annually, and then applies for interACTION Grants to support the local CanDo Cancer Trust’s provision of transport and assistance for cancer sufferers in the region. 

Another very effective and noticeable programme developed by Masonicare was the Wheelchairs programme. 

This was an initiative which allowed for the donation of specially manufactured wheelchairs for use in hospitals and aged care facilities. The chairs carried the Square & Compasses and Masonicare logo as well as the name of the lodge or association involved in its presentation. 

Lodges or masonic associations that made application to be involved in this programme enjoyed the benefit of having their donated funds matched by Masonicare, dollar for dollar, towards the purchase of these wheelchairs.  Masonicare received more than 30 applications from lodges and district associations throughout the jurisdiction, including Sydney, Byron Bay, Macksville, Ballina, Glen Innes, Coffs Harbour, Bellinger River, Tamworth, Wauchope, Walgett, Toukley, Goulburn, Canberra and Queanbeyan.

This effort enabled more than 200 wheelchairs to be donated.

Masonicare’s vision statement is to promote and uphold the Masonic principle of charity and heighten public awareness of Freemasonry’s commitment to our local communities.

The media coverage generated shows that this was achieved and the hospitals, aged care facilities (as well as their patients and residents) will enjoy the convenience of these wheelchairs for a long time.

Disaster Relief

Sudden natural disasters and other emergencies can wreak havoc on unsuspecting communities, leaving a trail of despair. The Grand Master’s Disaster Relief Fund, overseen by Masonicare, is designed to offer fast and effective aid to communities in distress impacted by disasters such as fires, flooding, tsunamis and earthquakes.

Through the Disaster Relief programme, Masonicare can respond quickly to emergencies, providing much needed financial assistance and other support to communities. The Disaster Relief Fund continues to support those within our communities who need it the most, including through the recent flooding.

Several years ago, following disastrous bushfires, Masonicare launched a Disaster Relief Appeal that raised $150,000. A special programme was created to donate Thermal Imaging Cameras, specifically identified by the Rural Fire Services specialists. We donated three such cameras to each of five brigades in the affected areas.

These cameras are vital in identifying persons inside a burning building or to spot heat signatures in areas which have already been extinguished. The RFS was most grateful for this meaningful donation.

Benevolence Fund

Masonicare’s Benevolence Programme exists to support masons and their families who have fallen on hard times or have difficulties which threaten their wellbeing.

Masonicare provides confidential financial grants, access to financial advice and counselling services to masons or their families who are in financial distress. Financial grants are of an amount up to $5,000 ($6,500 for funeral expenses) and subject to the individual circumstances and appropriate due diligence.

Application forms are available from Masonicare or the Grand Lodge office for the nominated people only and grants are subject to Masonicare Board approval.

Masonicare is overseen by a board made up of masons. They are: 

MW Bro Les Hicks, Grand Master 

RW Bro Andrew Fraser PDGM, Chairman* 

RW Bro Tony Craig PAGM, Deputy Chairman & Grants*** 

MW Bro Ron Johnson AM PGM CMH, Strategic Planning*** 

RW Bro Richard Collins PDGM, Grand Treasurer** 

W Bro William Whitby PDGM, Grand Registrar** 

RW Bro Geoff Burns PSGW, RMMs, DMRs & MCOs*** 

RW Bro Allan Drane PJGW, Fundraising***

VW Bro Joe Corrigan DGIW, Marketing*** 

Bro Stephen Coote MM, IT & Website***

* Nominated by the Grand Master

** Elected position in UGL

*** Appointed by the Executive Council

This board has sub-committees which oversee applications from lodges and district committees which have previously been submitted to a Regional Masonicare Manager (RMM) and /or District Masonicare Representative (DMR)

Each Lodge should appoint a Masonicare Caring Officer at its Installation.

Masonicare is a Tier 1 Charity governed by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission which has very strict guidelines. It is the Masonicare board’s responsibility to ensure these guidelines are adhered to and complied with.

Masonicare also oversees the Fund of Benevolence, the Scott Young Trust and the disbursement of funds raised for the Grand Master’s Disaster Relief Fund.

In recent years Bunnings has enabled lodges and district masonic committees to raise funds on a regular basis without having a DGR charity in mind. As a result, many lodges and district masonic committees have funds which do not qualify for dollar-for-dollar funding.

These funds can still be donated to local charities or given as scholarships to schools in the local communities.

This results in the added benefit of giving Freemasonry, Masonicare and your local lodge a higher community profile, demonstrates Freemasonry’s charitable tenet and can assist your lodge in attracting new members as well as encouraging lapsed members to return.

Masonicare is a key part of our Grand Lodge, under which we masons can unite to make our communities better through our collective strength. That collective strength helps us to fly our flag high, both literally and figuratively. Masonicare has banners available – your DMR or RMM should be able to assist.

Visit Masonicare website here https://www.masonicare.org.au/