NZ Freemason magazine Issue 3 September 2013 by Freemasons New Zealand

Freemason NEW ZEALAND

Issue 3 (Vol. 41) September 2013

John & Diana Litton Preparing to take the helm of Freemasonry in New Zealand

www.freemasons.co.nz

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IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial 2

EDUCATION Three ideas to save the Craft 25

Hot news 3 Grand Installation 2013 4 From the Grand Master 6

Reflecting on the journey

Southern recognition 26 Kaibosh — Dr Robyn Langlands 28

News clips 8

HEALTH Helping Cystic Fibrosis sufferers 30

OPINION The relevance of a Research Lodge 12 FREEMASONS IN ACTION

Time for a change 14

Strategic Plan update — Heading for the ‘we will’ stage

Queensland Grand Installation 15

Remembering a North Shore Freemason 31

Introducing RWBro John and Diana Litton 16

CULTURE

Reaching into the Pacific 18

Branding 32

Music to the ears 33 Books 36 REGULARS

National Fieldays 2013 19

Service Awards 38

One hundred years on the scoreboard 20

Masonic Villages Trust 40

From scholarship to Solomon 22

Triple dip 43

A lifetime of Freemasonry ahead 23

Royal Arch 46

Helping to create the Garden of Eden 24

Heartland Bank 42 New initiates 43

The Roskill Foundation 44

The back page 48

Cover: Incoming Grand Master, RWBro John, and Diana Litton. PHOTO: NEIL MCKENZIE

From the Editorial Committee A sense of history

FREEMASONS NEW ZEALAND Level 6, Freemasons House 195–201 Willis Street Te Aro, Wellington 6011 PO Box 6439, Marion Square Wellington 6141 New Zealand Ph: +64 4 385 6622 Fax +64 4 385 5749 Email: secretary@freemasons.co.nz editor@freemasons.co.nz www.freemasons.co.nz

The Old Bike Fundraiser Ride

WBro John Smithies is riding the length of New Zealand for Charity during September and October – see opposite for how you can support his effort. In search for that which has been forgotten – Part 3

Taking off Labour Weekend. For further information contact WBro Brian Crone, email jccrone@xtra.co.nz phone 09 267 9722 Grand Installation 15–17 November

There is still time to register – see page 4. Attend the Business Session and Installation Ceremony free of charge. Make up a table of ten for the Grand Banquet. Brunch for new Master Masons and partners. The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

Join The Freemasons Charity team on 30 November. Contact Anthony Clouston for details, email anthonyclouston@ gmail.com or phone 029 233 0055.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The New Zealand Freemason is the official journal of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand. Unless otherwise indicated, the opinions expressed and the advertising content are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy of Grand Lodge. Articles appearing in this journal may be reproduced without permission provided acknowledgement of the source is made and a copy of the publication is forwarded to the Grand Secretary. Queries or comments regarding subscription or distri bution should be addressed to the Grand Secretary. Queries and comments regarding content and advertising should be addressed to the Editor. Contributions to the magazine are greatly appreciated and should be of interest to a wide audience. Contributions, including letters to the Editor, may be edited. Photographs should be high quality, preferably in jpg or tiff format. Contributions to the magazine can be forwarded through these people: Northern Division: Jack Leigh, leigh99@xtra.co.nz Central Division: Morris Robertson, mrps@ihug.co.nz Southern Division: Rob Cope-Williams, rob.cope-williams@ctv.co.nz Royal Arch: Gary Kerkin, gary@kerkin.co.nz Magazines are distributed in March, June, September and December. The deadlines for contributions are the first day of February, May, August and November Layout by Matthew Bartlett, Wellington Printed by Wickliffe (NZ) Ltd.

I would like to begin by thanking VWBro Duane Williams for finishing off the June issue by writing the Editorial column and steering the magazine through the production phase during my absence in Europe. The photo at left, at first glance, could be any pre-dinner picture of relaxation until the significance of the view is contemplated. Taken on a summer evening in June, I am standing by the pool at a rented cottage in the hills high above Sorrento. In the background, across the Bay of Naples, is Mt. Vesuvius. In the distance, to the right of where I am standing, is the Roman city of Pompeii. Waking up each morning to this scene, so steeped in history, caused me to recall the various strands of history that have led to Freemasonry, as we know it today. Many of them are as old as Pompeii, a city which has origins stretching back thousands of years. The city of Pompeii, frozen in time, is now surrounded by the suburbs of Naples and, looming over it, the ever present threat from Mt. Vesuvius. Likewise, Freemasonry is surrounded by the pressures of the modern world and is ever facing the challenge of modern society. Whereas life in Pompeii came to a sudden and devastating end Freemasonry is threatened with slow decline by complacency. Freemasonry has a long and proud history. Let’s not allow the volcanic flow of complacency sweep it away or freeze it in a time warp. On 20 September I will be installed in the Chair of King Solomon at Westminster Lodge No. 308, my first time in the chair. Just as I explored the streets of Pompeii and revelled in the sense of history I look forward to the new challenges of guiding the Lodge in a way that explores and respects history and traditions while ensuring that it continues to be relevant, attractive and enjoyable for its Brethren and their families. Morris Robertson, Editor

HOT NEWS Tony Smith with his wife Shirley.

Mark Winger.

John Peryer.

Grand Lodge appointments 2013–16 Last month a number of new appoint ments, made by MWBro Selwyn Cooper, Grand Master were announced. These included: Deputy Grand Master RWBro Mark Winger P Dep GM Divisional Grand Masters Northern VW Bro Tony Smith P Dist GM Central VW Bro John Peryer P Dist GM They join RW Bro Jim Harborow who was appointed last year. New appointments among the Executive Officers include: Grand Registrar RW Bro John Pritchard Dep GM Grand Treasurer W Bro Ray Burgess PM Grand Secretary W Bro Richard Lodge PM

The Old Bike Fundraiser Ride A conversation with his late wife Alison, who passed away in 2011 after being diagnosed and subsequently treated over twelve years in a struggle with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, has prompted South Canterbury Freemason, John Smithies, to do something to assist blood WBro John Smithies

cancer sufferers and their families. Thus the ‘Old Bike Fundraiser Project’ was born and, on or about 15 September, which is World Lymphoma Awareness Day, he will set out to raise money on a solo bike ride the length of New Zealand on a 1940s machine, the same vintage as the rider. The ride is expected to conclude in mid October. The generously donated bike was a casualty of the earthquakes in Christchurch and has been restored to mechanical, but not so flash, visual, perfection. Alison passed away before he could undertake this challenge, but the motivation is still present...to increase public knowledge about Lymphoma, and raising money. John feels privileged to be fit and able to meet the challenge of in the memory of Alison, who died in her 70th year. John extends an invitation to any brother who would care to join him for a part of the ride. He is contactable on 022 072 1877. Progress for the duration of the ride North Cape to Bluff will be posted from time to time can be followed on the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ website (www.leukaemia.org.nz/view_ event_profile/2513) and on Facebook. John has the support of his Lodge, The Caledonian No.16, where he was Master in 1990. Brethren of any other Lodge who would like to follow his progress or contribute to his cause can find details on the above website.

Taupo Cycle Challenge There are still positions available in the team for the Round Taupo Cycle Challenge. It is a picturesque tour of lake and countryside. It covers some wonderful country side, not normally witnessed at such a leisurely pace.

There have been a number of entries from Freemasons, and the organisers are keen to see The Freemasons Charity cycling tops on the day. To order cycling gear for training or for the event, contact anthonyclouston@gmail.com. $260 for a set of top and bibs. It is desired that sponsorship is obtained by cyclists, and funds donated to The Freemasons Charity for the Kapiti Coastguard, a worthy cause. If preferred Teams can be organised to complete half of the course. Each half of the event is different and the other half can be completed next year. The event is on the 30 November and riders need to enter directly, on line. Check out the route at www.cyclechallenge.com

Locate a defibrillator A telephone App has been developed to show the locations of defibrillators throughout New Zealand. Called AED Locations further information can be found on www.aedlocations.co.nz. Load it now – it could save a life.

Supporting Camp Quality Camp Quality, which has the support of The Freemasons Charity, is also now able to earn money each time you book accommodation in New Zealand and with no extra cost to you. If you make a booking through the KiwiKarma website www.kiwikarma.co.nz they will donate 3% of your accommodation cost to charity. All you need to do is nominate Camp Quality. As there are no booking or credit card fees you will pay no more than booking direct or through another accommodation website.

2013 Grand Installation Weekend Wellington 15–17 November F

or those who haven’t yet registered, the triennial celebration of Freemasonry in New Zealand is only two months away. Now is the time to get your registration form completed, either online or by using the form enclosed with this magazine. Venues: Michael Fowler Centre and the Amora Hotel. In taking their Obligations all Masters agreed to be present. Lodges are asked to support the attendance by their Master. For Entered Apprentices, Fellowcrafts and new Master Masons their attendance at the Business Session is important, as the future of the Craft will be in their hands and the meeting will include the implementation of the Strategic Plan. For most Wardens this is the last opportunity to attend a Grand Installation prior to their becoming Master of the Lodge. The registration fee includes the Welcome Cocktail Party, Business Session, Seminars, Workshops, Ladies Function, The Grand Installation, Grand Banquet, Church Service and Farewell Lunch.

Optional accommodation packages at the Amora or West Plaza hotels. For those not able to attend the full weekend they are entitled and encouraged to attend the Business Session, the Grand Installation itself and the Sunday Church service, all free of charge. The Freemasons Travelling Museum, last on view in Masterton, will be on display in the Michael Fowler Centre throughout the weekend.

On the Saturday morning there will be a brunch meeting, by invitation, for new Master Masons who have been raised during the current triennium. The invitation is extended to their partners and it will be the opportunity to meet the outgoing Grand Master, MWBro Selwyn Cooper and his wife Jan, together with the incoming Grand Master, RWBro John Litton and his wife Diana.

PROGRAMME Thursday 14 November 9am – 5pm

Freemasons Museum Public Display

Michael Fowler Centre, Fletcher Challenge Foyer

Friday 15 November 9am – 5pm 9.30am – 12pm 10.30am – 1pm 1.30pm – 4pm 1.30pm – 4pm 6–8pm

Freemasons Museum Michael Fowler Centre, Public Display Fletcher Challenge Foyer Rehearsal Michael Fowler Centre Auditorium Registration Amora Hotel Boardroom Foyer, Level 6 Ladies Function Amora Hotel Boardroom, Level 6 Business Session Michael Fowler Centre, Renouf Foyer Heartland Bank Amora Hotel Ballroom Welcome Cocktails and Canapés

Saturday 16 November 9am – 5pm 9am – 12pm

Freemasons Museum Michael Fowler Centre, Public Display Fletcher Challenge Foyer Seminars Amora Hotel, Chambers 1,2,3, Level 6 11am–1pm Master Masons Brunch Amora Hotel, Suites 1,2,3, Ground floor 1– 2pm Delegation photos Amora Hotel, Chambers 1,2,3, Level 6 3 – 6pm Grand Installation Michael Fowler Centre Auditorium 6.30 – 11.30pm Grand Banquet TSB Arena, Queens Wharf

Sunday 17 November 10.30 – 11.30am Church Service Old St Pauls, Mulgrave Street 12.30 – 2.30pm Farewell Luncheon Venue to be advised

Guest Speaker

Dr Terrie Inder MBBCh, MD, Otago Dr Terrie Inder will be the after dinner speaker at the Grand Banquet. She was the recipient of a Freemasons Postgraduate Fellowship in Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Otago in 1992. The Fellowship enabled her to pursue research in the newborn intensive care units on the role of oxygen free radical medicated tissue injury in the newborn.

Now, at the top of her field, Terrie Inder is the Professor of Paediatrics, Neurology and Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA. She is the director of the Washington University Neonatal Development Research team and the Washington University Intellectual and Developmental and Disabilities Research Center.

Dr Inder is a dual boarded child neurologist and neonatologist, who directs clinical and translational research into the nature and timing of brain injury in the preterm and high-risk term born infant. Her team conducts multidisciplinary research initiatives in paediatrics, neurology, radiology, obstetrics, and psychology centering back on studies at the bedside of newborn infants in the neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit at St Louis Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital. The team focuses on efforts in the premature infant, the sick term infant, and the infant with cardiac diseases.

Dr Terrie Inder

This research utilizes state of the art technologies in magnetic resonance imaging and EEG as tools to assist in understanding the timing and nature of brain injury in the newborn infant. Terrie Inderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CV lists some 35 scholarships, awards and prizes she has been received in the course of her studies and work. She has been extensively published and holds a Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award to assist her passion in the mentoring of young clinical scientists.

FROM THE GRAND MASTER

Reflecting on the journey As I report for the last time through this column I can only repeat what I have said on many occasions, that the journey since 2010 has been both one of profit and pleasure.

n my many travels and visitations throughout New Zealand I have experienced a remarkable level of enthusiasm, commitment and hospitality extended by Freemasons, their wives, partners and family members in support of our organisation. May I take this opportunity, as my term of office draws to a close, to personally extend the grateful thanks of Jan and myself to all Districts and host Lodges for the warmth of welcome, hospitality and respective contributions over these past three years. The same can be said for the tremendous support we have both received during our visitations to Australian Grand Installations. As your Grand Master, the sense of pride in leading delegations from New Zealand, in numbers often exceeding those of our Australian Grand Lodges, was in itself awe-inspiring.

We have participated in events celebrating Lodge centeneraries and those special presentations, which acknowledge the input into Freemasonry by Brethren as recipients of 50, 60 and 70 year Service Awards. These occasions highlight the commitment of many Freemasons, over the generations, who remain steadfast in their principles and who make considerable contributions to the organisation. Earthquakes prompt new beginnings

Two months after taking up my appoint ment, New Zealand was dealt a disastrous 6

blow with severe loss of life and major destruction of property in the Canterbury Region. In my Editorial comment in the March 2011 issue of this magazine I said. ‘Many of our Lodge rooms are amongst the destroyed or unsafe buildings. In time they will rise again, maybe in a different form and in different places. That is a task for the future and one that will be in the best interests of all Freemasons in Christchurch.’ Within two short years this has come to pass with Freemasonry witnessing the rising from the ashes of new Lodge accommodation in Christchurch through the development of the Shirley complex. Out of disaster, Brethren were able to refocus planning for improved modern amenities of our membership. The ramifications of the Canterbury earthquakes spread way beyond Christchurch. Many individual Lodges, faced with old, underutilised buildings and soaring insurance costs, were able to cast off parochial differences and work together in harmony to plan new and modern Freemasons Centres. Along with the new Shirley building, redevelopments in both Fairlie and the Kapiti Coast are ushering in a new era, which is demonstrating the importance of lifting standards and enhancing Freemasonry’s visual presence within our communities. Embracing the wider Masonic family

I have been encouraged by the emphasis given by Brethren to the involvement of

the ladies, Masonic widows, our aged brethren and our families as part of our ongoing social activities. In particular, the neo-natal knitting project allowed Lodges, through their Almoners, to proactively involve both our ladies and widows through the supply of wool and in collecting finished articles for distribution to Hospitals throughout New Zealand in support of premature babies. The Freemasons Charity

Many of our Lodges have a strong commitment to working with their communities through charitable projects which not only support local needs but also provide the opportunity for social interaction amongst themselves and with the community. We are in the fortunate position that The Freemasons Charity is frequently able to significantly add to funds necessary to complete so many worthwhile projects. It has been with pride that I have attended, each year, the presentation of the Freemasons University Scholarships, which recognise academic excellence and community service. Many of our awardees have gone on to higher achievements in many fields. They have always been willing to share their stories with us through this magazine. Many have also kindly offered their services by attending and addressing Freemasons functions to share with us what they have aspired to and achieved, often as a result of the financial support given by their scholarships. I am also pleased to report that a number of our scholars have subsequently joined the craft. All this has been made possible by the generosity of our forebears. However, there is a need to top up the Charity’s capital. The Acacia Society was recently

categorise the areas identified to help both Lodges and individual Freemasons plan positively for the future of the Craft and its Brethren.

launched as a means of securing future capital and I commend Brethren to give it their consideration. Forging long term partnerships with institutions

It was notable during my term of office that Freemasons of New Zealand were able to celebrate 25 years of association with, and to renew the ‘Memorandum of Agreement’ with, the University of Auckland. Support for Medical Research at Universities, such as Auckland and Otago play an important role in health development. In addition, fund raising for entities such as Hospices throughout New Zealand, the Otago and Whangarei Hospital Oncology Units, are only a small representation of the magnitude of charitable support by Brethren.

Public awareness It behoves us all to raise the awareness of what Freemasonry is about in its widest context. A favourable impression of our organisation, working in a positive manner within our respective communities, can encourage like minded men to seek out membership and association. The recent sponsorship of the Auckland Youth Orchestra public concert performances in a South Island Tour including Dunedin, Gore, Central Otago Lakes Westport and Nelson, with a final free concert in the Auckland Town Hall is a prime example. The Auckland Town Hall was filled to near its capacity of 1500 amongst whom were over 270 Freemasons financially supporting the evening’s performance.

Leadership development – a sense of renewal Transit of Venus

Some ten years ago, Freemasons in association with the Royal Society of New Zealand, supported sponsorship of the ‘Transit of Venus’, then viewed in the Northern hemisphere. A group of students from the East Coast town of Tologa Bay were part of the travelling group and, in 2012, the Uawa Iwi was able to bring closure and completion of that project within their community. It was a positive outcome with school children following a dream with the help of the community and constructive achievement. With the full participation of the community and local Iwi, landscape restoration work at the river mouth took place by planting vegetation similar to that which Captain Cook and Joseph Banks (Botanist) encountered when first stepping ashore in New Zealand. Since 2003 there has been the participation of successive generations of school students in fostering the project.

Strategic Review

The only thing that is constant in our world is ‘change.’ As an organisation it is crucial that Freemasonry reflects on the ever changing environment in order to ensure it both maintains its significant position in the community and improves the well-being of our organisation. With this in mind, a great deal of time has been directed by the Board of General Purposes to a strategy that will focus on the needs of the future. It has identified the seven pillars which

It is most important that we have suitably talented and skilled Brethren to serve Freemasonry, not only within Lodges but also at a national level. Identification of those with leadership potential and ideas that can enhance our organisation in years to come is vital for our wellbeing. The opportunity for Lodges to make suitable nominations and for vacancies to be filled in a transparent manner, including personal interviews, is one mechanism to ensure that the best person for a position is selected. In order to achieve that goal, education and a planned career path may have to be put in place. With the impending installation of Grand Master Designate, RWBro John Litton, and the teams of Grand Lodge officers throughout the Divisions and Districts of New Zealand to serve Freemasonry until 2016, we are confident that we will reach the desired objectives of our strategic goals. In conclusion I extend my personal thanks to those active Officers of Grand Lodge invested in 2010 for the manner in which they have fulfilled the role and discharged their duties within their respective Divisions and Districts – a great job well done. I also give thanks to the Brethren who have served on National, Divisional and District Committees. I also thank those Brethren who have served their Lodges so well and who have gone out into the community to showcase Free masonry to the public. Jan and I extend our best wishes to John and Diana Litton for their term of office in leading our organisation for the coming three years. Selwyn Cooper, Grand Master

NEWS CLIPS

New appointee at Freemasons New Zealand We welcome Kathleen Haskell as the new Executive Assistant. This position is responsible to the Chief Executive for all matters relating to the efficient and effective administration of Freemasons NZ, including maintaining functional relationships and expediting all administrative processes in a timely manner. Duties include responsibility for providing full administrative assistance to all of the Executive Officers, and the first point of contact for Districts, Lodges, and Members in regard to Freemason matters. Kathleen comes from a background of 23 years in the health industry. She was born and raised in Wellington, and her parents and siblings and their families all live in the region. Kathleen loves to travel, and spent five years living in a mobile home and travelling New Zealand building log houses, when her children were babies. Both Kathleen and her partner, Kerry, enjoy growing organic fruit and vegetables. She likes to preserve fruits and vegetables and make sauces,

Kathleen Haskell.

DARGAVILLE DISTRICT NEWS

chutneys, jams and other goodies from their garden. They are very involved at Committee level with Club football, particularly with youth football and, each year, take a team to the National U19 Youth Football Championships in Napier. They enjoying skiing in the winter and anything to do with the water in the summer months. They love to travel with the most recent trips having been throughout Asia. Kathleen and Kerry have four adult children and four grandchildren – who keep them very busy on weekends.

Support for home based stroke recovery In our March 2012 issue we reported on the development of the Able-X stroke home based recovery programme developed and marketed by Freemason, Geoff Todd and his colleague, Sunil Vather. The association with Freemasonry was given a further boost this year when the Wellington Masonic Charitable Bowling Group agreed, through its annual bowls gala day to sponsor the provision of laptop computers to each of the ten Stroke Foundation Ken Johnson and David Wolstenholme, Masonic Bowls, with I’m-Able’s Elliot Kernohan and Geoff Todd. Sara Mackay from the Stroke Foundation demonstrates the Able-X control unit, which operates a series of exercise programmes on the laptop.

Paul Udall, Master of Lodge Pono, and Debbie Evans, CEO of the Kaipara Community Health Trust.

Wellington and Wairarapa Field Officers. The $7,200 raised to support the purchase included $4,800 from The Freemasons Charity. Since the early 1960s, when the annual galas began, many charitable causes have been supported, including Wellington Free Ambulance, The Lifeflight Trust and local hospices.

Wheel in the Teledoctor When a specialist medical opinion is wanted up Dargaville way, it might be time to wheel in the Teledoc. It’s not a doctor of course, rather an apparatus. It is a tele-conferencing device that looks like a perambulating TV set. But it does deliver specialist advice in real time and same-room privacy. Clinics can be held, and it saves patients taking time off work for crosscountry travel, parking hassles and waiting time to see specialists at major hospitals in bigger centres. It can zoom in close for distant scrutiny. Dargaville has had telehealth equip ment on its wish list for a long time but could not raise the $17,000 needed. That has now changed thanks to the Freemasons Charity and six Northland lodges, which have put the purchase within reach. Paul Udall, Master of Lodge Pono No. 203 has presented Debbie Evans, CEO of the Kaipara Community Health Trust, with a combined cheque for $13,250. The trust will own the equipment and the hospital will maintain it. The latest donation joins other items which have come off the trust’s wishlist with The Freemasons help – an auto pulse machine, surgery equipment, TVs, security mesh for windows and garden improvements. Kaitaia also has telehealth facilities. The Freemasons have proved once again where they belong – at the heart of the community. Jack Leigh

NEWS CLIPS

1943–2013

Wartime charity did not go un-noticed

On 24 June Members of Lodge Tuakau No. 278, together with District Grand Master, VWBro Dave Robinson, gathered to celebrate the 70th wedding anniversary of Brother Josh De jongh and his wife, Betty. Josh was initiated into Hauraki Plains Lodge in 1962 and joined Lodge Tuakau in 2008.

During and immediately after the Second World War, Cashmere Lodge No. 271 sent food parcels to the same numbered lodge in Brighton, England. This was the Royal Clarence Lodge No. 271. To show their appreciation RWBro Hutchinson, District Grand Master, South Island, New Zealand, English Constitution, was instructed by the United Grand Lodge of England to present to Cashmere Lodge a silver chalice the inscription on which reads: To the WM and Brethren of Cashmere Lodge No. 271 Christchurch NZ. With the grateful thanks of the WM and the Brethren of Royal Clarence Lodge No. 271 Brighton, England, for their kind thoughts and material help during World War II 1939–45 and after. At the May meeting of Cashmere Lodge RWBro Goodman, Past Div GM and member of Cashmere Lodge, pointed out that it was 60 years since the above events took place and RWBro Rowe, Dist GM SI NZ EC, symbolically re-presented the Silver Loving Cup, as it became known, to the Worshipful Master, WBro Geoff Cain. RWBro Rowe was delighted to represent United Grand lodge of England and spoke favourably of the ‘good works’ that went on during the war among other same-numbered Lodges. He recalled that historical event from a book that was written about early freemasonry in NZ in which there was a specific notation of the Royal Clarence and Cashmere

Betty and Josh De jongh.

The heat goes on in Tuakau On Wednesday the 10 July, Lodge Tuakau No. 278 presented Tuakau College with two barbeques that were subsidised by the generosity of Masport Ltd. The BBQ’s will enable the College to extend its catering ability during College functions and fund raising activities. The presentation was made to the College Deputy Principal, Jaque Hema by the Master of Lodge Tuakau, WBro Maurice Hoskins. Also in attendance were the District Grand Master, VWBro David Robinson and RWBro Terry McConnell, Superintendent of the Freemasons Charity.

Freemasons assembled with the Deputy Principal, Jaque Hema, Amber Piggott, Deputy Head Girl and Bill Larsen from the Board of Trustees.

RWBro Rowe about to symbolically re-present, the ‘Silver Loving Cup’ to the Master of Cashmere Lodge, Koropepe (oneness, being united).

lodges, both numbering 271, with respect to food parcels in wartime. As a consequence of the 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes the Royal Clarence Lodge sent a generous monetary donation to assist the Cashmere Lodge Brethren during such stressful times. In reply WBro PJ Duggan crafted a Koropepe as a token of Cashmere’s appreciation. The inscription reads: Given with fraternal love and affection for the generous assistance that the Royal Clarence Lodge No. 271 extended to the Cashmere Lodge No. 271 in the wake of the 2010 – 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. Cashmere and Royal Clarence lodges continue to communicate with favourable rapport.

NEWS CLIPS

Tea and nibbles in Waipukarau Being a country lodge, Lion No.114 decided, this year, to support Woburn No.25 on the occasion of the Longest Morning Tea. This was held at the Cranford Hospice shop. Lots of cups of tea were made and the Brethren provided a variety of nibbles. Waipukarau town is not the busiest on a lovely Saturday morning but we were able to collect almost $100 for the Hospice. Dave Gibbons, Master Lion No.114

Lion Lodge group.

Of shirts and daffodils Lodge St John, Dunedin, hosted a wellattended Longest Morning Tea on 6 July. The event included the presentation of the Otago Masonic Charitable Trust grant of $975 to the Outram Friends of the School, an organisation that fundraises for projects that are outside of Ministry of Education funding. This project was to provide replacement shirts for wearing at competitive sports events. Keynote speaker at the morning tea was Kim Murtagh from Hart’s Daffodil Charitable Trust, which is associated with the historical Hart’s Black Horse Brewery at Weatherstons, near Lawrence, in West Otago. Kim, wearing a historic gown and cloak gave a well-illustrated and entertaining history of the brewery,

Shooters ready for action.

Carry on shooting Last month we featured a Freemasons clay bird shoot in the Wairarapa. Clay birds beware; there are more shooters about, this time in Marlborough. Somewhere in the hills of Marlborough, at any given time, is a dedicated group of like minded individuals called ‘Rabbits Unlimited’, the brainchild of Bro Karl Slape, a member of The Wairau Lodge no. 42. Rabbits Unlimited, which includes a number of Freemasons, is a group of hunters/ shooters and firearms enthusiasts who take part in rabbit culling operations for Marlborough landowners. Hence a lot of talk in Refectory revolves around aspects of shooting and trophies won. Bro Slape offered to organise a District Clay Bird shoot on Past District Grand Master, Eric Warmouth’s farm forestry block where Rabbits Unlimited has been developing a skid site for clay bird shooting. Newbies amongst the shooters were given a lesson on safety and the rules of the game. After selecting a weapon they which dates back to 1884, and the daffodil park, circa 1895. The site was registered in April as a category 1 New Zealand Historic Place. A collection was taken up at the morning tea to benefit the Daffodil Trust in restoration of the site. The brethren of the Lodge plan to visit the Daffodil Park in spring when the flowers are in bloom.

WBro Alistair Low presenting the OMCT grant to Melanie Woodcock.

Karl Snape pleased with the day’s outcome.

moved in for the shoot with varying results. It is reported that all novices advanced their skills and ended the day smiling. From material contributed by Bro Ben Grady

NEWS CLIPS

Golf puts games on course for Camp Quality Over the past four years the Freemasons of Canterbury and their friends have enjoyed a golf tournament on the last Sunday of daylight saving. Held over 12 holes at the Hagley Golf Club in central Christchurch the classic has been beneficial to the club also as 300 tonnes of liquefaction covered the course after the February 2011 earthquakes and the club was financially stretched. The Ambrose format game proved popular with thirty golfers and a further twenty family and friends enjoyed a barbeque lunch prepared by Sue Worsfold and Susanne Robertson whose husbands ran the golf. The English Constitution versus New Zealand Constitution Trophy was won on a count back again by the English Constitution players. This year the tournament raised $800, which provided for the purchase of board games worth over $1,000 for presentation to Camp Quality at their July Committee Meeting. Thank you to all who participated or assisted in a great day out. WBro Gerald Robertson Games for Camp Quality

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Bro Editor, I am writing regarding the article on Page 8 of your June publication headed ‘History goes up in smoke’ regarding the disastrous fire at the Lodge Rooms in Te Awamutu. This was a building to which I became very ‘closely attached’ for two reasons. Firstly, as I was the Architect for the extensions and alterations in 1983 and, secondly, that the Companions of the Te Awamutu Royal Arch Chapter decided that they would have a special meeting at that time in which I would carry the stone with my Mason Mark on it, which was subsequently built into the wall by the new entrance steps at completion. My initials of P, W and V are quite clear. The Lodge Rooms were finally consecrated on 17th March 1990, two weeks before I moved over to Western Australia and I had the pleasure of giving the Toast to the Te Awamutu Lodges.

I wish the Waipa Lodge ‹The Wisdom of Solomon› in their deliberations as to the future of the Lodge Rooms and I hope that ‘the stone’ can still find a Masonic home. I still visit New Zealand regularly to see the members of my family and am still a full member of the Waikato Lodge of Research, of which I am the Foundation Master and also have the honour of being named on the Annual Prestigious Verrall Lecture. Fraternal Greetings RWBro Peter Verrall PJGW (WA)

Port Chalmers Marine Lodge – a Clarification In the last issue of New Zealand Freemason, page 35, there was an article on the scholarships, which arose from Port Chalmers Marine Lodge No 942 EC closing its doors. What the article didn’t cover was the fact that, although the doors were closed the Lodge did not surrender its charter. The members merely sailed away to new ports. Past Master, WBro Andrew Renton-Green QSO, continues the story. ‘When the members of the Lodge dwindled to the point of implosion in 2005 the Charter was moved to Auckland, rather than surrendering to The Grand Lodge of England. Three years later the Charter was moved to Napier (originally to Scinde Lodge Rooms for a year – now Omaranui Lodge Rooms, Taradale). The

Lodge is in excellent heart, and growing in numbers under the present Master WBro Bruce MacConnell. Port Chalmers Marine Lodge celebrated it’s sesquicentennial in fine style in Napier last November, at a function attended by over 120 Freemasons from all Constitutions and Orders. A banner was presented and dedicated – the Lodge apparently never had one – by the generous gift of the Aorangi RAC 2300 EC, and a wonderful piece of needlework it is. An Honours Board was also presented – again, one appears never to have existed – thanks to the generosity of United Manawatu Lodge 1721 EC.’ The Editor apologies for any confusion that may have arisen

Readers are invite be original th d to submit material for future Opinio oughts or de livered pape n pieces. Th commentari rs suitable fo ese could es. They sho r adaptation uld be abou accompanie to printed t 1,000 to 1 d by a brief ,200 words biography o of the autho in f le th ngth and e author tog r and any oth ether with a er illustration p h otograph Send by em ail to editor material relevant to the article. @freemaso ns.co.nz

OPINION

The relevance of a Research Lodge in enhancing the dissemination of Masonic education

here is now a great deal of information on the change process being considered within Freemasonry New Zealand. The Grand Lodge has led the way with the Strategic Directions paper. But studies within the wider Lodge movement and articles within New Zealand Freemason magazine are providing useful supporting comment. But, perhaps inevitably, issues remain. For many years discussion within Freemasonry has pointed to shortcomings in our performance. A recent paper given in the Research Lodge of Wellington referred to references as far back as 1941 to an overemphasis on the conferring of degrees. There were also comments about lack of time given to the further instruction of the Master Mason. The reference was again made in 1953 to the preoccupation of conferring degrees and finding little time for anything else. The validity of these comments should not be allowed to go unnoticed. As a first measure could the Grand Lodge consider establishing an Action or Focus Group to determine how best to deal with the substantive parts of the many suggestions and comments made over the years, to ensure that ultimately the most useful are fed into mainstream analysis? My second concern relates to the question of whether current reform initiatives are based on research-based analysis across a widely representative group of Brethren as to what they want from their membership of Freemasonry. The other part of the question is; do we have evidence-based data on how the public itself perceives us? If not, on both questions, are we prepared to seek professional advice on how we might best go about obtaining this information? Even more, having received and analysed such advice, would we then be prepared seriously to get to grips with any restructuring that may be required? There is a larger question, and I make this point with some trepidation, whether simply by presenting information on Freemasonry in a better form we would 12

provide a long-lasting solution to the problem we are experiencing with falling numbers in our membership? I am optimistic enough to think that a more modern presentation of our procedures would help. But, there are larger issues. Perhaps the lack of willingness to pick up on the useful suggestions made in the past points to a certain lack of dynamism or unwillingness within the membership to get to grips with a complex range of issues that confront all organisations in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s somewhat self-centred and dissonant world. As a relatively new Master Mason I am constantly concerned at what is an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;apparent,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and I emphasise apparent, lack of self-awareness among our membership as a whole of the significant social and economic changes going on in the community around us; the community that is the very source of our membership. The Wellington Research Lodge, and possibly other such Lodges, has led the way by pointing to better presented education programmes within Freemasonry. Certainly that is an

The younger generation have come through an education system where memorisation and rote learning are almost unknown? In fact, those wishing to achieve any sort of standard in tertiary education would fail to advance if they simply repeated what they found in textbooks. important factor. But equally important are suitably qualified presenters. Is Freemasonry prepared to put the educators through professionally-based teacher training programmes aimed at providing information in a modern and professional way? Any changes required would be undertaken while drawing on well-qualified members within the

organisation who have a deep knowledge of Freemasonry, particularly its unique culture, and who also acknowledge that Freemasonry cannot continue to ignore the need for change. While looking forward they will have the necessary wisdom and, might I say ballast, to know what must be preserved. Their views should be listened to carefully. One of the areas of concern to many new members relates to ritual. Ritual is a central factor in Freemasonry. It should remain so. But are we really aware, or perhaps more importantly do we clearly acknowledge, that the modern generation has different priorities and attitudes to those which the majority of us grew up with? In an earlier issue of New Zealand Freemason [May 2011] I outlined what motivates younger people in the 21st century, what they look for, what they reject. I am delighted that a recent comment to the Research Lodge of Wellington endorsed this view. Indeed younger members want to question, they want involvement, they want to be interactive and to learn. They also have a very low boredom threshold and seem most comfortable with flattened organisational structures. The younger generation have come through an education system where memorisation and rote learning are almost unknown? In fact, those wishing to achieve any sort of standard in tertiary education would fail to advance if they simply repeated what they found in textbooks. Students must demonstrate that their material has gone through their heads and been expressed in a form that demonstrates understanding. A very useful recent article in the March issue of New Zealand Freemason refers to various means by which ritual is being undertaken to cope with modern demands. Has any serious thought been given to the points mentioned in that article? Freemasons should not be too apprehensive. The huge popularity of such films as Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and other such Gothic clones

Bro Gerald McGhie Gerald McGhie first wrote an Opinion piece for New Zealand Freemason, in the June 2011 issue, on the subject of Freemasonry, Society and Ethics. This was developed from a paper he presented to Westminster Lodge while a Fellowcraft. Gerald retired in 2003 fol lowing a distingui shed diplo matic career. Since reti ring he served as Director of the New Zealand

Institute of International Affairs, Pacific Cooperation Foundation and Transparency International, New Zealand. He has produced a number of publications on international affairs. He was initiated into Westminster Lodge No.308 in May 2010 and joined the Research lodge of Wellington No.194 in 2012.

show that young people are not afraid to enjoy aspects of a ritualised past. Can we learn any lessons from this? But, more importantly, there is a huge spiritual gap in the wider community. People are beginning to see that a constant diet of consumerism, and saturation coverage of the deeply shallow celebrity community, provide little more

than the momentary satisfaction of a sugar rush. This malaise represents a huge opportunity for Freemasonry. Freemasonry ethics provide a very positive prospect for the future of the Craft and a pathway to attract new members. Indeed what is our distinctive brand, as the Strategic Directions paper

The Acacia Society

tried to ask? We do have a solid track record and we do provide an alternative. No organisation faces the prospect of ‘reform’, however defined, with equanimity. But, as I have said in the New Zealand Herald with regard to a separate issue, no organisation, governmental, private, institutional, or ecclesiastical, is beyond reform. Some have embraced change successfully and are seen as organisations that, while remaining true to their basic ideas, have become dynamic and forward looking in their activities across the board. I understand the Salvation Army is a case in point. Some organisations have rejected change or have gone through a ritualised activity aimed at satisfying some who are quite happy to see things remain pretty much as they have been. The results of these two different approaches have become plain to see. Bro Gerald McGhie

Making a bequest to The Freemasons Charity plays an important role in helping to maintain the tradition of caring for our communities and will ensure Freemasonry remains a force for good in New Zealand.

If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation or would like to discuss making a bequest, please contact Sheila Hicking in confidence: 04 385 5748 or sheilah@freemasons.co.nz Registered Charitable Entity CC46016

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

Heading for the ‘we will’ stage In June 2012, the full Board of General Purposes came together for a two-day retreat for the purpose of developing a Strategic Plan for the direction of Freemasonry in New Zealand. The Board recognised that to be successful, the plan would require consultation and development that was wide ranging, achievable, and more importantly, capable of leading the Craft in growth and relevance into the future.

he Board adopted the Strategic Direction, Strategic Principles and the Seven Pillar framework at its meeting in July 2012. Each Pillar painted a word picture and statement of intent. The consultation process commenced with details in New Zealand Freemason supported by a questionnaire sent to all Lodges requesting feedback. This feedback provided the basis for presentations and workshops at all three Divisional Conferences where, through expert facilitation, considerable constructive information was generated.

Work was then undertaken by RWBro Graham Wrigley, VWBro Michael Scott, VWBro Laurence Milton and Bro Dai Gilbertson to consider all feedback and then finalise the ‘we will’ part of the plan. This team is now confident that the plan is sufficiently complete and represents a wide cross section of the Craft and their next stage draft is to be considered by the Board at its August meeting. Once agreed by the Board, it will go on to the Communication in Wellington for adoption. Once adopted, the Strategic Plan

forms the base for all decisions by the Board and will be used to prepare the annual work plan for Freemasons New Zealand. I am confident that this Plan, correctly implemented throughout the Craft, will see growth and engagement at all levels. Its success will depend on robust commitment at Divisional level supported by solid development by the national committees under the leadership of the Chief Executive. Graham J. Wrigley, President, Board of General Purposes

GEMLINK Dennis D. Blacklaws Acknowledging contributors The last issue of the magazine contained some quotes from the Strategic Plan Survey and these quotes were also used by me at the 2013 Divisional Conferences. Whilst these quotes were from the survey responses it needs to be acknowledged that some of them were originally published in various Research Papers and Research Lodge transactions. I therefore give my apologies to the original authors and to the Research Lodges for not acknowledging their contribution. I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the survey and to all those who participated in the Divisional Conference workshops. Your input was vital to the success of this endeavour. Laurence G. Milton, Chief Executive 14

Qualified Gemologist, Diamond-Grader, Internationally Qualified Jewellery Appraiser

04 566 3668 www.gemlink.co.nz dennis.blacklaws@gemlink.co.nz 10 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt

New Zealanders support Freemasons Queensland at their Grand Installation

MW Bro Dr Gary Bacon installed as Grand Master

Seventy-Six Trombones led the Big Parade! Well almost, as a contingent of well over sixty Freemasons and their Partners supported our Grand Master MWBro Selwyn Cooper by accompanying him and Mrs Jan Cooper to The Queensland Grand Installation in Brisbane from 5th7th July. This was one of the largest New Zealand contingents in recent times to an overseas Grand Installation. Convention has our Grand Master attending all the Grand Installations in all the Australian States during his term of office and all the Australian Grand Masters and their contingents will be coming to our Grand Installation in Wellington from 15-17th November. An interesting programme included a Meet and Greet Cocktail Party, Ladies Breakfast and Social Function, The Grand Installation and the Grand Banquet, Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service and a river cruise. Our Grand Master also attended a function at Government House with the State Governor and a Grand Masters Lunch as well as hosting the New Zealand contingent’s get together and The Freemasons Longest Morning Tea. The Grand Installation, held in the Grand Hall of the magnificent 1920’s Freemasons Memorial Centre on Ann Street. Unfortunately, because seating was limited to 1,000 there was no room for partners. Those present witnessed Dr Gary John Bacon, Deputy Grand Master, installed as Grand Master, taking over from MWBro Adrian Burton who was most recently in New Zealand at the Dedication of the Shirley Freemasons

Collecting the coins.

Centre in Christchurch. The Installation ceremony was followed by the Grand Banquet, with partners, family and friends, at the Hilton Hotel. The Freemasons New Zealand Contingent well and truly welcomed MWBro Bacon as Grand Master of Freemasons Queensland and appropriately farewelled MWBro Burton. The strength of the New Zealand contingent’s numbers showed the full support for MWBro Cooper on his final overseas trip as our Grand Master.

The Freemasons Longest Morning Tea hits Brisbane Thirty-two Freemasons, supporting our Grand Master at the Queensland Grand Installation in Brisbane, also participated in The Freemasons Longest Morning Tea on Saturday 6th July at 10.00am in an Ann Street Cafe near the Freemasons Queensland Freemasons Centre. All their partners were otherwise occupied at a ladies breakfast

and social function that started earlier that morning as part of the Queensland Grand Installation programme. Not to be outdone the men consumed not only coffees but also a few late breakfasts as well in their own version of The Freemasons Longest Morning Tea with our Grand Master MWBro Selwyn Cooper hosting the event. All Freemasons present made a donation to participate and also took part in a suitably authorised Charity Raffle with prizes, donated by Duty Free, which raised $750.00 made up of Australian and New Zealand Currency. The Superintendent of The Freemasons Charity, on the spot, then authorised a 2 for 1 subsidy which meant that $2,250 was to be distributed between the three Divisions for Camp Quality — Kids with Cancer. This was another occasion when The Freemasons Longest Morning Tea went offshore! VWBro Duane Williams MBE

New Zealand Freemasons supporting The Freemasons Longest Morning in Brisbane.

Introducing John and Diana Litton

Preparing to take the helm of Freemasonry in New Zealand John and Diana on Waikanae Beach. NEIL MACKENZIE

ohn Litton was born on the Isle of Wight in 1940 but, soon after, the family relocated to Southampton where he received his schooling. This was wartime and John’s playgrounds were bombsites. John’s father worked for Prudential Assurance and encouraged him to join the company that would ‘guarantee him a lifetime career.’ He joined in 1958 at the age of 18 and initially started training to be an actuary but, when finding it wasn’t for him, he transferred to an administration role that served him for the rest of his career with Prudential. In 1969 John, by then married to Diana for two years, accepted the offer of a Nairobi based appointment as Administrative Manager for Prudential Assurance East Africa. The territory was

We welcome our incoming Grand Master, RWBro John Litton, a third generation Freemason, and his wife, Diana. For those who have not yet met John and Diana, or are unfamiliar with their background, this article sets out to convey to readers what has been a unique international story of their lives. It also summarises RWBro John Litton’s already extensive service to Freemasonry. familiar to Diana who had spent part of her schooling in Nairobi. It was during a visit by John’s parents to Nairobi that his father, an English Freemason, visited a local lodge. This connection alerted the lodge to John’s presence and, soon afterwards, he was initiated into Lodge Progress No. 3717EC and thus began a long and illustrious Masonic career. As so often happens John was surprised to find so many of his Nairobi friends and colleagues were already members of the Lodge. John’s role with Prudential was the training of staff but, as time wore on, the pursuit of sound business practices became politically unsustainable and the Litton family was ready for a new challenge. They were given the option of returning to London or transferring

LEFT Newly engaged — London 1966. RIGHT The young family — Tawa 1980.

to New Zealand. Despite family ties in England the positive attitudes of expatriate New Zealand friends in Kenya tilted them towards New Zealand. Settling in New Zealand In 1974 the family, which by then included two sons, arrived in Wellington and settled in Tawa, then a Borough with an established reputation for housing employees of banks and insurance companies. With their household possessions still stuck in Mombasa the young family survived for some time on a limited amount of borrowed furniture. John became Senior Executive Manager for Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd [NZ], a post he held until the first of his retirements in 1995. In this position he was responsible for the Administration and Human Resources functions of the

Home front support team.

company. He was also a member of the executive management ‘due diligence’ team for company acquisitions. Career change Retirement for John didn’t last much beyond a few games of golf. He was engaged to undertake the relaxing job of pruning kiwifruit vines, a temporary job which lasted five months. In 1998 he rejoined the real world when he was employed by The Masonic Villages Trust as Quality Assurance Coordinator to achieve Quality Accreditation for its Woburn and Horowhenua Villages. This led on to his becoming the Regional Manager for the Trust responsible for the overall management of Horowhenua Masonic Village, Wairarapa Masonic Village and Masterton’s Glenwood Masonic Hospital. In 2002 John project managed the $5 million expansion of the Horowhenua Masonic Village which involved the building of a further 18 villas, a leisure/ community centre, a two doctor medical centre, administration offices and the upgrade of the existing 28 rental flat units. Some of the facilities he introduced were unique such as the medical centre, factors that led to his being declared the 2003 Retirement Villages Association NZ Retirement Manager of the Year. John is particularly proud of his work in establishing a Rehabilitation Unit in the Horowhenua Village. John Litton’s final act before he declared his retirement, again, in 2011was as project Manager for the Glenwood Masonic Hospital. Diana Litton Born in Tunbridge Wells, England, Diana had a peripateic upbringing. With a father who worked for Cable and Wireless, the family was frequently on the move. Her first three years were spent in Malta followed by four years in Zanzibar. With no good schooling in Zanzibar, Diana was sent to board in Kenya. One of her recollections of Nairobi was seeing Pricess Elizabeth on her February 1952 Royal Visit. Within days the Princess was to become Queen. The following year Diana’s family returned to England, her father was posted to Sierra Leone and her mother was struck down with Tuberculosis, necessitating almost a year in hospital. For Diana it meant another spell at

boarding school and coming under the care of an aunt. Diana began her working life as a civil servant in the Post Office Headquarters in London. She boarded at the YWCA Hostel and, through social contacts with the nearby YMCA Hostel, she met the young John Litton whom she observed playing the piano. Over time their friendship grew and in 1967 they married and subsequently lived in Reading. The Tawa years Returning now to life in Tawa John and Diana quickly became involved in community affairs particularly those that involved their children. These included supporting everything from Plunket through to secondary schools and various sporting clubs. During the Tawa years two daughters were added to the family, now numbering four children and, in more recent times, five grandchildren have been added to the family. With the family growing up Diana returned to the workforce, initially with part time work including that of school secretary, assistant in a Potters Supply business, an accountant’s office and an art gallery. The latter has evolved into her current three day a week job as Programme Coordinator for the New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust. In 1996 John and Diana relocated to Waikanae and, after another shift, now enjoy when time permits, the relaxing life of a beach side property. Masonic career John was ‘discovered’ very soon after arriving in Tawa, resulting in his joining Lodge Mana No. 352. Four years later he joined Brooklyn Royal Arch Chapter, subsequently becoming First Principal. In 1982 he was installed as Master of Lodge Mana. One of the highlights he remembers from Lodge Mana is organising a steam train trip, which

raised funds for Child Cancer. While remaining a member of Progress Lodge in Kenya and Lodge Mana, John has since joined Lodge Waikanae No.433 and he and Diana have fully participated in the lodge’s activities. Since his initial appointment as a Grand Steward in 1988, followed by Grand Director of Ceremonies two years later, John has had a stellar career in Freemasonry, both in Grand Lodge offices and in the undertaking of special tasks. The former have included Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Divisional Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master. Special tasks have included membership of the ‘Mace’ Review Committee, the National Finance Committee, support and advice to Chief Executive on the review of office staffing and systems. He has also conducted a review of the South Auckland Masonic Charitable Trust’s Administrative systems and operations. Aspirations When asked about his aspirations as Grand Master, John replied that he wanted to see the Strategic Plan fully implemented. He is keen to change the public perception of Freemasonry and to make it more relevant to the generations we wish to attract into the craft. His further thoughts will be revealed in his address at the Grand Installation. In their limited spare time Diana is keen on various crafts and John lists his interests as golf, photography, music, gardening and travel. He enjoys relaxing at the piano but has no aspirations to become a Lodge Organist. And so, as we welcome John and Diana Litton as the couple who will take the helm of Freemasonry for the three years from November, we encourage all Lodges to get to know them and embrace them into their families. Morris Robertson

Reaching into the Pacific Freemasons participate in 70th anniversary gathering The New Zealand Defence Force press release waxed lyrical. Dark clouds gathered, it said, and a cockerel crowed in a far-off field as 500 people stood silently at a New Caledonia cemetery, mourning the dead from ‘a bloody Pacific war’. The sound of The Last Post broke through the stillness. The distinguished gathering was to mark the 70th anniversary of New Zealand’s involvement in the Pacific during World War Two, and 84 Kiwi holders of the Pacific Star decoration aged 86 to 96, were able to attend. Among a small number of Masonic participants was the youngest of the veterans, Auckland’s Ray Laurance, who joined up at 15 and had his 16th birthday overseas. He ended the war as a flight sergeant in the 14th Fighter Squadron. A past divisional grand almoner, he was recently installed for his fifth term as master of Lodge Ara Taimau. Ray’s praise of the treatment the veterans received in New Caledonia reflected the general view — ‘We felt honoured. It was five-star plus. The work of Veterans’ Affairs in arranging everything was outstanding.’ The Minister, the Hon Michael Woodhouse and defence chiefs took part in the commemorative events, in which Australian and French veterans were also represented. There were nearly 25,000 New Zealanders from all three services in the Pacific war against Japan, and we sustained more than 900 casualties.

Lodge Lautoka — Historical Jewish links Fiji, which was also a wartime base, was the recent target of another special but very different mission — Masonic, historic and in the case of Tony Israel of Taupo, dynastic. He went there to be installed as Master of Lodge Lautoka No. 3354 EC, where his grandfather was the founding master in 1909, and another family member held the same office in 1938. Tony who has a distinguished background (five times master in three 18

Ray Laurance, and the RNZAF B757 that took the veterans and official defence delegation to New Caledonia.

different lodges plus Grand Lodge the new capital, the Lodge of Fiji No.1931 honours) was accompanied by three EC received its warrant. Its workings senior brethren — New Zealand Past and charitable activities have continued Grand Master, Ian Ross, Morris Tobias uninterrupted since then. and Jim McQuitty who are past grand Major Henry Marks (later Sir Henry) officers of Victoria and New Zealand became Master of the Lodge of Fiji in respectively. 1893, and his brother Gabriel who was Jim McQuitty in commenting the first mayor of Suva, was Master on the long-range mission says the in 1905 and 1912. Their Melbournecircumstances of the Israel family’s born nephew Albert Moses Israel, the involvement surely constitute ‘a worthy founding master of Lodge Lautoka in 1909 and Tony’s grandfather, first came milestone’ in Masonic history. Tony and his brother-in-law Morris to Fiji to work in the brothers’ business. In a tragic twist to the story we find of Melbourne decided four years ago to join the Lautoka Lodge, which has met at that Gabriel Marks and his wife Marion Nandi since 2003, as various local factors both drowned in 1914 when the ship were causing a decline in membership Empress of Ireland sank in the Gulf and thus finances. Their awareness of the of St Lawrence after colliding with a situation has led to donation of much- Norwegian vessel. Jack Leigh needed regalia and furniture by lodges in Australia and New Zealand. They attend lodge meetings in Fiji monthly. When Masonry in Fiji began in 1871, at the thencapital of Levuka, with an authorising document signed by the powerful Ratu Setu Cakobau, some European detractors put it about that Freemasonry was a dangerous secret society somehow connected to the Ku Klux Klan. This gained no credence and in 1881, WBro Tony Israel supported by visiting Grand Lodge Officers, four years after Suva became Ian Ross, Morris Tobias and Jim McQuitty.

NATIONAL FIELDAYS 2013 An ongoing opportunity This is the 11th year that Freemasons New Zealand has had a stand at the Mystery Creek Fieldays. This has provided what is undoubtedly the biggest promotional opportunity for Freemasonry in New Zealand with an estimated 1.2 million people having seen the stand over this time. It is not just the presentation that has been important but the active follow up on enquiries, which has been to the ultimate benefit of Freemasonry. John Barns Graham, who has been there since the beginning, offers his observations.

veryone lives in their own little world, no matter how outgoing we are. With this in mind Fieldays is a refreshing reminder of the large and expansive nature that surrounds our own being. I have been there talking with stand brethren and the general public for each day of the last 11 Fieldays, bar for a short time when I can get away in the middle of the day to enter the contacts on the computer. My day at the show starts sometime between 6.30 and 7.00 am so I can park close to gate 4, which is next to the Lifestyle Marquee where the Freemasons New Zealand stand is. This allows me to set up the stand, which entails connecting my laptop to the Grand Lodge flat screen, and starting either the Famous Freemasons with its music, or the Freemasons Music video. This provides a background sound for the other stand attendees who pass on their way into the show grounds or are in the marquee with us. It allows contacts with fellow exhibitors to be made prior to the general

public entry at 8.00 am. When my fellow stand brethren arrive all is ready to go. The video is often changed to the Freemason’s Charity video during the day. Moving images catch the eye of the passer by and are a starting point for a conversation. During the day the stand brethren get to know each other betterand their stories are told. Our reasons for joining the Craft and what we get out of Freemasonry, our beliefs our opinions and our feelings can all be aired amongst us. Being present on all four days I have the pleasure of getting to know all the brethren a little bit better and I can say it not only is a pleasure, but a most stimulating experience. This year one of our long standing brethren told of how Freemasonry broadened his The National Communications Committee arranges for this stand and meets most of the costs. A reduced size stand is also available for smaller events

whole outlook, it provided contact with a range of people in professions he would rarely have encountered other than as a customer, client or patient. It provided him with a totally new outlook on life. Not only are the stand brethren most stimulating but so are the members of the general public. They range from men who are really interested in becoming Freemason, women who wish to join a like organisation, children or relatives of Freemasons, people with regalia, people who want to find out about scholarships and awards, people who thank us for some assistance given to them from the Craft or brethren in the past, Questions about religion, and even people who are convinced we want to rule the world. To that last type of query I answer that you would of thought we would be there after nearly 300 years. I hope that the public’s perception of the Craft is more in line with reality. There is no doubt that I, and those who staff the stand, have a new and favourable perception of the public. We all come away with a feeling of how wonderful the people are whom we meet, that the world is full of nice people and that there are few of the type who make the news. The world is truly a great place, and the Fieldays showcases the best of it. My grateful thanks to the brethren and all who called in to the stand during a wonderful four days. John Barns Graham First published in The Alpha Gazette Visitors to the stand.

One hundred years on the scoreboard and Lodge Moutoa No. 195 prepares to declare its innings closed

The 26th of April was a significant date for the Brethren of Lodge Moutoa No.195. On this day, with the Grand Master, MWBro Selwyn Cooper and many visitors, present the Lodge celebrated 100 years of brotherhood, benevolence and service.

he Lodge had its beginnings as the result of a meeting held at the Gonville, Wanganui, Bowling Club on 12 July 1912 when a group of Brethren met to consider the formation of a new Lodge, the first in the district for 45 years. Gonville was a becoming a thriving Town District with a strong community spirit developing among its residents. As this was prior to the advent of public transport or motor car many of the Brethren living in Gonville had to walk to Wanganui Town to attend Lodge. As one commentator put it ‘These walks to and from Lodge no doubt assisted in strengthening that bond of friendship that was to have a due effect on the new lodge’. This, along with the fact that many of the members of the new Lodge were neighbours in the district, were contributing factors. A decision to form a new Lodge was reached, a committee was formed and the process commenced. The name ‘Moutoa’ was chosen to perpetuate the

Visiting Brethren from Lodge North Harbour.

‘Battle of Moutoa’ in 1865. This was an event of some importance in the history of Wanganui. It was on the Island of Moutoa that friendly local Maori defeated the rebel Hau Hau who were on their way to attack the town. Over the next few months approval was sought from the nearest Lodge, St. AndrewsKilwinning No 79, and this was readily given. On 4 November 1912 permission was granted by Grand Lodge to constitute Lodge Moutoa with the number 195. Property was acquired in Tawa St. Gonville, plans were drawn up and building commenced on the new Lodge rooms. The foundation stone was laid in December by the Deputy Grand Master, RWBro JH Keesing, with the support of the Masters and Brethren from St. Andrew-

Kilwinning and the local English Constitution Lodge,Tongariro No 705. The support of these two Lodges has continued till the present day. The ceremony was open to the public and large numbers attended. The Wanganui Chronicle reported the ceremony in full, even to the roles of the various officers involved. They also reported in its entirety a ‘very interesting speech descriptive of the craft’ given by RWBro Keesing. The formation of the new Lodge progressed with rehearsals being held in the Gonville Bowling Club. The new building and the new lodge were dedicated and consecrated on the 24 April 1913 by the then Grand Master, MWBro HJ Williams. The first Master of Lodge Moutoa was WBro D Munroe, a Past Master of Woodville Lodge No 80. It had been reported in the local paper that the new Lodge would commence with 40 members and five new candidates were proposed at the Installation ceremony.

Cutting the Centennial cake – MWBro Selwyn Cooper and WBro Grant Ryder.

In 1915 the Lodge was included in a petition requesting that a Grand Lodge District north of the Manawatu River be formed. The petition was granted and in 1915 the Ruapehu District was formed. Eight members of the Lodge served overseas in World War 1, with one, Brother JE McKinnon killed in Action on the 15th of April 1918. Later, ten Brethren served in the Armed Forces during World War 2. Earthquake strengthening is not new. In 1917, in view of the risk of damage by earthquake, an architect was engaged to report on the safety of the building. The cost of the work was met by a levy of 21/per member. The Lodge continued to thrive to the extent that, in 1925, having outgrown its accommodation the Lodge resolved to build an extension and in July 1926 the Lodge moved into its new premises. On 14 December 1933 the Lodge celebrated the 21st anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone. There were 220 Brethren in attendance. The two pillars that still stand in the Lodge Room were presented to the Lodge by Brothers Symes and Roberts. From January 1946 to November 1948

twelve emergency meetings were held to cope with the number of candidates. In 1954, it was announced that no further propositions could be considered for 12 months: again in 1957 nominations were suspended for a further 6 months. The golden Jubilee of the Lodge was celebrated on 27 1963. A feature of the celebrations was a Masonic Ball. Over 600 people attended and 12 debutants were presented. In 2011, with the expense of maintaining a 98 year old building becoming an issue, the Lodge, after much discussion, decided to join with the other Lodges in Wanganui and move into the Freemasons Centre in Dublin Street. The first meeting of the Lodge in the Freemasons Centre was held on 22 July 2011. But what of the future? Over the ensuing years the Lodge, like many others, has experienced its ups and downs but, while that initial spirit has continued, membership has declined to such a stage that a decision has been made that, later this year, the Lodge will hand in its Charter. However, one thing is certain, the name and reputation of Lodge Moutoa No 195 will have a special

WBro Norman Robson with Bro Tim Schmidt.

The Centennial gavel.

place in the memory of the Brethren and in the Masonic history of Wanganui. The Centenary Celebrations

The focal point of the celebrations was the Installation of the Centennial Master, WBro Grant Ryder and his Officers. During the ceremony VWBro Colin Making, District Grand Master, Ruapehu, handed the Master a centennial gavel. Finely crafted by WBro Hannaford, the gavel was presented to WBro Ryder with the affection of the Brethren and with the proviso that it was his to keep as a memento of this special occasion. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Grand Master presented centennial jewels to Lodge Moutoa Brethren. Meanwhile, the ladies were entertained with a trip up the Wanganui River on the steamer Wairua. The day culminated with a Centennial Banquet held at the Wanganui Racecourse. During the evening the Master of Lodge Moutoa presented a False Acacia Tree (Paraserianthes Lophantha) to the Master of Lodge North Harbour No. 182. This gesture was, as WBro Ryder put it, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;To mark their centenary on the occasion of ours,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lodge North Harbour having celebrated their centenary some months earlier. Rod Johnson

From Scholarship to Solomon Continuing our series of tracing the careers of former Freemasons University Scholars it is always a pleasure to report on those recipients who have not only achieved in their continuing studies and in business but have also found the time to include Freemasonry in their busy lives. Logan Wait, a former scholar, was recently installed in the Chair of King Solomon as Master of his Lodge.

itting in the chair of King Solomon for only a couple of minutes, there was a hint of nervousness about Logan as he started investing his officers for the year in Lodge North Harbour No.182. However, that nervousness quickly diminished after he shared a tongue in cheek joke while investing the WBro Ken Smith as the Immediate Past Master. The lodge room was filled with laughter and, aided by fraternal support, Logan’s speech slowed to a comfortable pace and he led his lodge through the rest of the investitures with the confidence befitting his years as a Freemason. A couple of days after his installation had passed, Logan expressed how immensely humbling the entire experience had been for him. His various roles in the lodge had seen him be at the centre of attention before but the level of support and co-operation that he had received throughout the day from his brothers and the many visitors to the lodge was what had made the day truly special for him. Logan was born in the spring of 1984 to a dairy farming family in Cambridge. Working on the farm with their Jersey-Fresian cows from an early age he developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for agriculture and sustainability. His education started at a small country school down the road with only 89 students, and continued at a local high school, St Peter’s Cambridge. Tertiary studies, however, saw him move up to Auckland where he had his first encounter with Freemasonry. While completing a Bachelor of Technology at Massey University he was awarded a Freemasons Post Graduate Scholarship in his final year. At that time he knew his Father was a Freemason, having attended Lodge Alpha in Cambridge, but did not realise that his grandfather, Lewis Wait, was also a member of Lodge Alpha from 22

Graduation day.

1965 until his death in 1976 or that his great grandfather, James MacMahon, was a member of Lodge Te Marama in Ngaruawahia from 1945 until his death in 1967. With help from his Freemason’s Scholarship and a lot of hard work, Logan finished his degree and completed a Master of Engineering, which transitioned into a PhD in Engineering at the University of Auckland. Then finally, after 23 years of academic education, he successfully defended his thesis and received his doctorate. Logan’s development has also been realised in his Masonic career. Not long after receiving his scholarship, he was initiated into Lodge North Harbour in April of 2007 and raised to Master Mason in June 2008. Starting as a Steward, he worked his way up the ladder installed as Master of the Lodge in July of this year. The craft has helped Logan in other areas of this life, especially his business life. ‘Freemasonry has been useful in understanding how an organisation works, and shown me how important effective interpersonal communication is when motivating a diverse group of people,’ says Logan. And indeed, he has put this knowledge to good use. Logan has successfully bottled a short run of boutique organic eggnog and co-founded KBS, an environmental management company. His latest foray

into entrepreneurship has seen him co-founding www.ecoportal.com, a webbased sustainability management system. Last year, Logan supported the Auckland Council at Rio +20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil. ecoPortal was presented in conjunction with the Auckland Council’s plans to become the most liveable city in the world. This year, Fonterra signed on as a new client of ecoPortal and this will see Logan work in the dairy industry again, this time from a different perspective. Contributed by Gabriel Middleton

Master of the Lodge.

A lifetime of Freemasonry ahead

Tim Schmidt’s story M

y name is Tim Jürgen Schmidt, I’m 22 years old and was born and raised in Germany. After graduating from high school I decided to take a year off before continuing to a University. I wanted to see more of the world while I had the opportunity. As I wanted to go on an adventure in a far away land, I thought to myself, ‘What would be further away from Germany than New Zealand?’ This is how I came to be a volunteer tutor at the Feilding Agricultural High School Hostel. While coming to New Zealand turned out to be the adventure of a lifetime joining Freemasonry made it much more than I could ever have hoped for.

Family home in Germany.

My job at the hostel was mainly supervising the boarding students during their after school activities and during their prep time. My responsibilities included being in charge of the computer room and driving kids around to sport practices and to endless private appointments. I lived in a self-contained room close to the senior boys’ dormitories within the hostel complex that allowed me to keep an eye on them between my many responsibilities. As a result I managed to witness quite a few interesting ways that could regularly get them into trouble. I was lucky enough to have the school holidays off, which gave me plenty of time to travel around both islands. After I drove approximately 30 000 km on New Zealand roads I can honestly say that I know this country better than my own. Freemasonry was not something I discovered solely in New Zealand. My interest in the craft developed while I was a young boy in Germany. I had originally contacted a lodge in Germany but, at the

time, I was too young to join. When I came to Fielding I didn’t expect to join a lodge but, through work and social occasions, I met a number of wonderful Freemasons during the first few months of my stay. One thing led to another and, after a couple of talks with some brethren, I applied to join. I had a basic idea of what it meant to be a Freemason, but I never envisaged how much I would enjoy being part of the craft. I’m really thankful and happy that the Brethren of Lodge Manchester No.287 decided to make me one of their members. It was a pleasure being part of this lodge and part of Freemasonry in New Zealand. My time in New Zealand really helped me practice my language skills and discover other cultures and lifestyles. Now I’m sitting in my parents’ garden back in Germany. Although I enjoy the German summer I’m also missing my time in New Zealand. Soon I will move to a big town and start University, which will also give me the opportunity to join a new lodge. I’m plan to become either a teacher or a pilot for a commercial airline, depends on whether the University or the airline accepts me. While Freemasonry is something for a lifetime I have no intention to rush through it. My third degree will be under the German constitution and in another language. I am looking forward to it since my first and second degrees were such a pleasure. It was an experience I never expected. Before joining, the

Tim Schmidt.

Lodge told me not to look too deeply into the experience as that might destroy the spirit of it. I’m glad I took this advice as that’s exactly how it was. Throughout the ceremonies I kept in mind that all the other brethren went through the same procedures and so I relaxed and I had a great time. I am really proud that I passed the first and second degrees in another language and in another country far away from where I am now. Freemasonry was a big part of my life in New Zealand and made my experience and adventure even more unique. Many of the brethren made me feel part of their families and often invited me over to their places for dinner, a beer out, a camping trip or just a get-together. I really appreciated being so involved and made to feel so welcome. Personally, I can’t understand why Freemasons have to work so hard to get new members because I had such an amazing time with some really awesome individuals. Joining so young in my life ensures that I will have a lifetime of new experiences and adventures. Thank you for the opportunity to write this article and a special thanks to all brethren from Lodge Manchester No.287 it was such a pleasure being part of what will always be my Mother Lodge. Tim Schmidt

Tim with fellow Brethren of Lodge Manchester.

HELPING TO CREATE THE GARDEN OF EDEN

United Horowhenua does it again Levin based United Horowhenua Lodge has taken to the Freemasons Longest Morning Tea project with gusto. Each year the members of the Lodge come up with an innovative project which both serves and involves their local community. This year was no exception.

ike many smaller provincial towns Levin has a number of families who are struggling to provide food for their children. The members of the Lodge chose not to dwell on the complex causes of poverty but, rather, set out to identify and implement a solution. The decision of the Lodge was to see what Freemasonry could do to help those families that have exhausted their Social Welfare funding and have moved beyond the ability of the Food Banks to continue to support. The Junior Warden, in his day job as the local Community Probation Manager, has been seeking meaningful employment for the labour available from the Department of Corrections. He is able to direct disaffected youth into projects that could give them practical lifetime experience in self sufficiency. The Garden of Eden project meets the criteria. An acre of land has been leased at a peppercorn rental to establish a vegetable garden. It is alongside a new housing development, but requires some additional fencing to provide security. This is the area the Lodge will assist to fence and it is hoped that the funds raised, with the generous support of the Freemasons Charity, will provide all of the fencing material required. It will be a treated timber fence and the Junior

Mark Cookson and David Atkinson, at the Freemasons Longest Morning Tea discuss the project with the Horowhenua District Council Mayor, Brendon Duffy and Mrs Duffy.

Warden has been sorting out the labour content, courtesy of Local Judges who can ensure a ready flow of workers. In addition to the youths learning practical skills, produce from the garden will be made available to the Anglican and United Churches supporting the project, for distribution to the families concerned. The project will be working alongside the Food Bank but, as the emphasis will be on garden produce, it will be supplementing the Food Bank which often has supplies of non perishable items. Surplus produce will be donated to the Schools. There will be no sales of produce. From an idea supported by Department

LEFTâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; The elderly enjoy a well cooked sausage. RIGHTâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Eyeing the goodies.

of Corrections staff, local Churches and the Lodge members, wives, partners and a number of prominent business organisations, the Longest Morning Tea raised $2,000 which, with a matching grant from The Freemasons Charity will see $4,000 presented to the project. This project has presented the Lodge with a valuable opportunity to help the local community. It is being driven primarily by two local churches, supported by Local Government and various Government Departments. It gave the Lodge the opportunity for Freemasons to show support for the less fortunate and misguided in the community. Errol Brown

Three ideas to save the craft Ceremonial adjustment

ro Dai Gilbertson, an experienced and well-respected Professor of managing change in large organisations worldwide, startled everyone present with his opening statement, ‘I’ve been a Freemason for just under 3 years and I’m thinking of resigning.’ He wasn’t joking, he was deadly serious because he was experiencing exactly what many of our recent initiates have found in their Lodges and it wasn’t for him. This happened at the Divisional meetings in April/ May when Bro Gilbertson had been invited to facilitate discussions on the seven strategic pillar topics. He formed everyone into breakout groups with instructions for each group to discuss only one topic in detail, come up with a list of meaningful actions and report back in 60 minutes. This article focuses on three educational issues that came out of those discussions. Here are the main points emphasized by the participating Entered Apprentices, Fellowcrafts and Master Masons. 1. Reduce the amount of ritual at each regular meeting, because new masons find it all too much in one hit. 2. Focus on participatory learning instead of lectures, so junior members can take an active part instead of just listening all the time. 3. Perform ritual on groups of candidates. The first point above, namely reducing the amount of ritual delivered at a regular meeting, appears to present us with a major problem because we have been brought up to believe that Masonic ritual cannot be changed, it has to be the way it always has been for nearly 300 years. But hold on, we are not being asked to change the ritual, just to be sensible and perform only the basic amount at each meeting leaving some of the charges and tracing boards to other evenings. This approach has a number of advantages: First, it has been asked for by EAs, FCs and MMs and they are our future. If

we ignore this request and lose them we have to accept responsibility for reduced membership and the eventual demise of the Craft. Second, it would leave time for thinking and discussion on the smaller part of the ceremony that had just been performed and this would enable deeper understanding of that part of the ritual. Third, the charges and tracing board could become the basis of educational discussions in their own right and help new masons, and established members, understand the deeper meanings behind the words. The second point, the focus on participatory learning instead of lectures, highlighted that virtually all the newer masons wanted to be an active part of regular meetings instead of sitting listening to another member reciting a set of words and phrases. Some Brethren seem to forget that all our rituals are for the benefit of our candidates, not themselves. If newer members are not enjoying what we do — they will leave. So it is up to us, in our Lodges, to take positive action here and make it happen. The National Education Committee can provide you with ideas but you and your Lodges have to make it happen. I recommend that we treat long charges as a collection of shorter paragraphs to be discussed immediately they are spoken. This will take time but it is better to cover smaller and fewer pieces of ritual thoroughly and have members understand and learn than to go on making long speeches that show off the ability of the speaker and ignore the learning of the candidate(s). Learning has to be lively, interesting and entertaining or members lose interest and stop attending. The last point, which is to perform our ritual on groups of candidates, goes against the assumed wisdom of thinking that we are doing a favour to each candidate by making his evening special to him and him alone. The feedback from our EAs, FCs and MMs is that this is

quite wrong; they say it would be better for them if they were in a group because the whole thing is scary and frightening for the individual. This is the human nature concept of safety in numbers. The argument made by the younger masons present at one of the Divisional meetings suggested that there would be a bond between candidates who graduated together from one degree to the next. They suggested that this could also be the basis of discussion groups for furthering Masonic learning inside and outside regular meetings; that they would get to know each other better; that it would lead to Brethren forming closer ties. This is a serious point that will need much Lodge discussion because it goes against age-old traditional ways of doing things. Remember the Guardians of the ancient and accepted way we have always done things mentioned in my last article. So, where does this leave us? Make a few changes, as requested, and possibly flourish and grow — or stay as we are and accept a reducing membership. My sincere hope is that some of you will pick up the ball and run with it in your Lodges and in your Districts. This isn’t going to be easy because we have a cancer in our midst and we need to be strong and act now. Not next month, not sometime, but you need to act urgently to get your Lodge to agree sensible action and do it before the cancer gets worse. WBro Dr George Allan Chair, National Education Committee Email: drgeorgeallan@gmail.com

SOUTHERN RECOGNITION 2013 Otago Grants and Scholarships Presentation Function On Sunday the 9 June the Annual Presentation Function for The Otago Masonic Charitable Trust was held in the Dunedin Masonic Centre. As usual this was held in association with The Freemasons Charity, University of Otago Scholarships Committee.

he main Lodge seating 110 people was completely full with a small number having to stand. Attendees included the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr Dave Cull, The Minister of Immigration, The Honourable Michael Woodhouse, Mr David Clark, MP for North Dunedin; the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, Most Revered Father Colin Campbell, together with RWBro Terry McConnell and Sheila Hicking from The Freemasons Charity. Also present, from the University of Otago, were Professor Barry Gibson, from the Chair of Paediatrics, Dame Norma Restieaux and, representing the Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof Rachael Spronken-Smith. At the same time smaller local presentation functions were held in Oamaru, Alexandra and Balclutha. The total of the Grants for 2013 for the whole of Otago was $57,585, along with another $4,500 to six food banks. After a Welcome and Introduction to the work of the Otago Masonic Charitable Trust, the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr Cull, presented the Grants Cheques to the representatives of the recipient organisations from the Greater Dunedin district: They were; Pregnancy Help Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dunedin, Brain Injury Assn. Otago, Outram School, Caversham Toy Library, Otago Community Hospice, Mosgiel Central Kindergarten, The Operation New Direction Trust, Home of St. Barnabas, Life Education Trust Otago and Wakari Kindergarten. Sheila Hicking presented, on behalf of the Freemasons Charity, two defibrillators, one to the Caversham Bowling Club and one jointly to the U3A Dunedin Charitable Trust and the Leith Bowling Club, Rob Fitzpatrick, from Operation New

Direction, thanked the Trust on behalf of the recipients, and explained how the grant to his organisation would help with a mentoring of at risk youngsters aged between 8 and 13. Gordon Baines, in association with Steve Walker, the Deputy Chairman of the Port Chalmers Community Board, presented the Port Chalmers Marine Lodge Bursary for 2013 to Shaun Markham. Shaun has Cerebral Palsy, but has not let this interfere with his life. He has achieved both academically and in sport. He was the 2012 Dux of Kings High School. Shaun was profiled in the June issue of New Zealand Freemason. Participants of the Trustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Youth Development Programme on Stewart Island, were then presented with their course Certificates, by the Hon Michael Woodhouse, including the NZ Coastguard Day Skippers Certificates, which they completed during the week long course. Bro Alan Jackson, Chairman of the Freemasons New Zealand University of Otago Scholarships Committee, spoke about the Scholarships and Fellowships. While the scholarships had been originally presented in Wellington, this was an opportunity for those family members who could not attend in Wellington, along with friends and local Freemasons, to acknowledge the achievement of the local recipients. Terry McConnell presented a small gift to each of the recipients. Professor Barry Taylor spoke of the work of the Paediatric Fellowships and how the University appreciated the long association with Freemasons in allowing work into this area of research. The 2013 Fellows were then introduced and their specialist subjects explained. Emeritus Professor Dame Norma Restieaux spoke

Hon Michael Woodhouse and Rebecca Vella-King, Youth Development Programme.

of the value of the assistance from The Freemasons Charity towards research and the work of the University. Professor Rachael Spronken-Smith, then explained how funding was vital for the continued development of research in a wide range of fields, and she thanked Freemasons in general, and the Freemasons Charity in particular, for their continued support. After a brief conclusion, those attending adjourned for an Afternoon Tea, and chance to talk further. All in all, a very pleasant and successful afternoon. Grant Watson, Secretary, The Otago Masonic Charitable Trust

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull with Verity Harwick and Leighan Slade from Life Education Trust.

Dave Cull, presenting cheque to Chris Ottley from Pregnancy Help NZ.

Prof Rachael Spronken-Smith speaking at presentation. Prof Berry Taylor, Sarah Harris, Paediatric Fellow, & Terry McConnell.

Steve Walker — Port Chalmers Community Board and Bursary Recipient Shaun Markham.

Sheila Hicking presenting defibrillators to representatives of Caversham Bowling Club, U3A Trust and Leith Bowling Club.

FREEMASONS UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS 2013

Guest speaker, Dr Robyn Langlands In the previous issue of New Zealand Freemason reference was made to the address to the Scholars by Dr. Robyn Langlands, Freemasons 2010 Victoria University Postgraduate Scholar, Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder and Chairperson of Kaibosh Foods — New Zealands’s first dedicated food rescue organisation. The following is the text of Robyn’s address.

ood afternoon Grand Master, honour able guests, scholarship recipients, whanau and friends. It was a great privilege to be asked to speak at this ceremony today and it is wonderful to have the opportunity to pay tribute not only to the work of The Freemasons Charity, but also to the dedication and passion of this year’s scholarship recipients. I was awarded a freemasons postgraduate scholarship in 2010 when I was completing my PhD in Psychology at Victoria University and I am still grateful for the support, which gave me the financial freedom to focus on my studies and charitable work. When I was applying for a Freemasons scholarship, the requirement which appealed to me most was the focus on applicants’ commitment to, and involvement in, their communities. This may not be unique to Freemasons scholarships, but I had certainly never come across an application form where engagement in community work had been prioritised in this way. Of course, this emphasis on community is hardly surprising when one considers that the fundamental principles of Freemasonry are integrity, goodwill and charity. All of these principles are vital in both forming and sustaining strong, connected communities. Recently, I have been thinking a lot about how people connect with one another to form communities, and how these connections are then explored, reflected on, and shared through story. The reason this has been on my mind is because of two particular roles I occupy in my life, which I am going to share with you this afternoon. Clinical Psychology and the importance of relationships The first role is that of an Intern Psychologist; I am in the last throes of my Clinical Psychology training and I am sitting my final exam in June. People who seek help from a Clinical Psychologist are often struggling to meet the demands of 28

their day-to-day lives within the context of their familial and social systems. Many people are lonely and isolated from the people they care about, or are in relationships where they are unable, for whatever reasons, to access the care, compassion and connection they need to sustain themselves. As we all know, human beings are social creatures. We exist in relationship to others. From birth our relationships play a fundamental role in forming beliefs about ourselves, other people and the world around us. As children, our most important relationships are with our caregivers who function as a secure base from which we can go out to explore the world, develop our own unique identities, and be supported to achieve our goals. As we grow older, our relationships with friends and romantic partners are increasingly prioritised, giving us more opportunities to learn about ourselves and our place in the world through our relationships with others. I have no doubt that all of the scholarship recipients sitting here today owe a debt of gratitude to family members, friends and partners for supporting them in their drive to achieve academic excellence and in their passion for their communities. I cannot emphasise enough how precious these relationships are. At the risk of sounding clichéd, cherish the relationships with the people who love you and believe in you. Even as the academic year gets busier, make the time to spend with people who will replenish and re-energise you. Learn how to identify when you need support and ask for it. As we all know, studying can be extremely satisfying, but also demanding and exhausting. One of the most important things I learned through doing my PhD was to rely on other people’s faith in me to sustain and propel me forward when I lacked faith in myself and doubted my own abilities.

Dr Robyn Langlands.

Kaibosh — an idea is born My other role that I wanted to touch on today is as co-founder in 2008, with my partner George, of Kaibosh, a Wellington based food rescue charity. At the time I was volunteering at Wellington Women’s Refuge and Wishbone, a local food retailer with multiple stores across the city, offered us their surplus food at the end of the day. There was only one catch – it had to be picked up after 6pm when their stores had closed. They had approached a number of other charities, but none of them were able to pick up food because they were usually closed by 6 o’clock. To help out, I offered to pick up the food for Refuge one night a week. When I went to collect the food I was amazed at how much there was and it all had to be eaten by the use-by-date, which happened to be the very next day. After a few weeks of collecting the food and dropping it off at the Refuge safe house, it quickly became clear that there was regularly too much for the women and children we supported. It just wasn’t a good fit. Instead, I rang up the Wellington City Mission, which was eager to receive the food and I started donating the majority to the Mission instead. Once a week, George and I would pick up the food, store it in our home fridge, and deliver it to the Mission the next day. We started thinking about how many other retailers in Wellington had surplus food that was needlessly being thrown away. We did our research and

Win–Win for Kaibosh New Zealand’s first dedicated food rescue organisation

were amazed when we couldn’t find any organisations in New Zealand dedicated to collecting surplus food for people in need. The idea for New Zealand’s first food rescue charity was born. We called our charity Kaibosh — a combination of kai [food] and kibosh [to put a stop to something]. We stop food that is good enough to eat from being thrown away. We envisage a Wellington where there is zero food poverty and zero food waste, and work towards achieving this vision by being a link between the food industry and those that support people in need. You may be wondering how this fits into my theme thus far about relationships. Well, quite simply, without relationships Kaibosh would not exist. Certainly the strong, supportive relationship that George and I have cultivated over the past 15 years formed the foundation for our charity. We then roped in family and friends to help us form a charitable trust. We established relationships with funders, such as the Wellington City Council, and we were able to access enough money to rent a community office and employ a part-time staff member. Over the years, fostering relationships with people and organisations that support our vision and want to be part of the Kaibosh community has been the key to our success. We work with our community to obtain funding, recruit volunteers and source excess food that would otherwise be wasted. From its very humble beginnings, Kaibosh now has one full time and four part-time staff members and food is collected in our refrigerated van seven days a week. We have 21 food donors and redistribute their surplus food to 23 different charities. To date, we have

Kaibosh is a Wellington-based not for profit organisation, largely run by volunteers, which acts as a link between the food industry and charities, currently 23, that support people in need. It aims to stop edible food from being needlessly thrown away and ensure that it reaches those in the community who are struggling or vulnerable. Kaibosh collaborates with food retailers and producers to rescue surplus food that’s good enough to eat, but not good enough to sell, and prevents it from being discarded into landfills. This food is redistributed to charities that work with individuals and families who are facing difficulty in making ends meet. The organisation collects, sorts and distributes the food daily, carefully catering for the particular needs of each charity. Some charities utilise Kaibosh’s rescued food for food parcels while others run soup kitchens. No food donation is too big or too small. The service operates at no cost to food retailers and producers or to charities; it’s a win-win for all. In 2012 Kaibosh successfully rescued and redistributed over 53,000 kilograms of food to people in need by working with food retailers and producers across Wellington. An added bonus is that 53,000 kilograms less is deposited in landfills. Kaibosh are currently preparing for their next stage of expansion and are looking for volunteers to help between 2.00 and 4.00 on weekdays at their base in Central Wellington. If you are able to help them out one day each week please email them volunteer@kaibosh.org.nz or call 385 0825. Robyn Langlands and her partner, George, saw an opportunity and acted on it. They didn’t seek to profit from it, but rather acted with a humanitarian motive which fits so well with the community service objective of the Freemasons University Scholarships programme. For further information visit www.kaibosh.org.nz

rescued and redistributed over 100,000 kgs of food to people in need and we are researching how to expand our service into the Hutt and Porirua. The power of relationships

For me, Kaibosh’s success speaks to the power of relationships and a community of people working together to bring about social change. George and I had no idea how to start a charity and never envisaged that

Volunteers Janiece, Julie and Tash with boxes of rescued food ready to start sorting for distribution.

we could play a role in creating such a successful organisation. We simply saw a problem and tried to implement a solution in order to help people in need. To us, the best reward is getting to the stage where the organisation stands on its own two feet because so many people are committed to helping it flourish. This was no more apparent when Kaibosh, in 2012, won the Supreme Award at the Trustpower National Community Awards. To all the students here today, you have been chosen as scholarship recipients because of your intelligence, your commitment to your communities and your continuous striving to learn more about yourselves and your world for the benefit of others. Congratulations for all you have achieved thus far and we look forward to hearing about your future successes. I would like to end with my favourite Maori proverb: He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people! 29

Helping Cystic Fibrosis sufferers to breathe more easily Taia-Raukawa Lodge No.229 in Kilbirnie, Wellington, recently presented the Cystic Fibrosis Association in Wellington with two essential nebulisers for people living with the condition.

ystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition, inherited where both parents carry the defective Cystic Fibrosis gene. Where this occurs, couples have a 1 in 4 chance of conceiving a child with the condition. One in 25 people carry this gene in New Zealand. Cystic Fibrosis affects the lungs and digestive system by making the mucous normally utilised by the body as an effective lubricant, thick and sticky, clogging small ducts and passages such as those that exist in the lungs and pancreas. This leads to frequent and serious infections and a tendency to malabsorption of nutrients vital for weight maintenance and general wellbeing. In the 1980s the life expectancy of children with Cystic Fibrosis was just 16. Advances in care and treatments mean this has now risen to mid-thirties. Those born since 2000 can even hope to live to 50. Life for young people with Cystic Fibrosis is one of a daily struggle for survival, requiring copious medication, physiotherapy and frequent hospitalisation. Most of these young people and their families will tell you immediately that, apart from the obvious dream of an ultimate cure for this condition, their dearest wish is most often simply for a ‘normal’ life. A day in the life

Each day, before school, a child like 11-year-old Eva, pictured, must do thirty minutes of back and chest pounding physio, or nebulise a saline solution to break up the mucus in her lungs. This is followed by nebulised and/or oral antibiotics. She must eat high-fat, high calorie, protein-rich meals, as it is important to get extra calories to maintain her weight and growth. With each meal or snack Eva must swallow dozens of enzymes to help her body process the food. At night it’s the same again, physiotherapy, enzymes and 30

antibiotics. For some, night gastric feeding through a tube is necessary to get all of those important calories. The best way to keep lungs healthier for longer is to exercise daily. Eva loves to run, swim, do ballet, and bounce on the trampoline with her brothers. She has a persistent deep cough, which The Master of Taia-Raukawa Lodge, WBro Barry Ludlow, makes the is her body’s way of presentation to Diane Murray and daughter Eva. trying to clear the mucus; her chest gets very sore from all the coughing. Others parts such as mouthpieces and tubing can around her might think she has a terrible cost as much again each year. 550 people cold, but CF is not catching. With in New Zealand have CF with around 50 decreasing lung capacity everything in the Greater Wellington Region. takes that much more effort, and it’s easy The Wellington Branch of the to become very tired. Association consists of a very small Cystic Fibrosis is a very expensive group of volunteers who work hard to condition, financially, emotionally and raise money to purchase nebulising physically. Staying well takes a lot of equipment for its members. Diane time and effort. It can be isolating too. Murray, Wellington Branch Chairperson, Frequent hospitalisation means isolation says she is extremely grateful to Taiafrom friends and peers. Cross infection Raukawa Lodge for giving her the risks limit the chances for sufferers to opportunity to raise awareness of the come together in groups to share and condition through a presentation to the discuss problems and issues. Lodge, and for its subsequent purchase of equipment. The Lodge has continued Freemasons Supporting the Cause its support by offering to donate the In the Wellington Region, there is proceeds from its Longest Morning Tea no health board funding for basic to purchase a travel nebuliser. At the presentation, I was thrilled nebulising equipment required to deliver the antibiotics required to fight to be introduced to visitors from two infection. Nebulisers are drug delivery other lodges, Hinemoa-Kairangi Lodge, devices used to administer essential Brooklyn, and Waihenga St John’s, with medication in the form of a mist inhaled the possibility to speak at their meetings into the lungs through a mouthpiece. in the future. I would welcome the People with Cystic Fibrosis are required invitation to speak at any other Lodge in to use nebulisers at least twice daily the Wellington area. Diane Murray, Chairperson, to take aerosolized antibiotics to treat Cystic Fibrosis Association, Wellington Branch infections and other drugs to break up diane@cfwellington.org.nz, 027 707 0244 the mucus in the lungs. The nebulisers cost approximately $450 plus replaceable

Donation remembers respected North Shore Freemason North Shore Freemasons have remembered one of their own with a gift of $20,000 to Hibiscus Hospice at Whangaparaoa.

he money was raised at a recent garden party held to commemorate the memory of VWBro Steve Lewis, a prominent and enthusiastic Auckland Freemason, who spent his last days at the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit at Red Beach where he passed away last July, aged 65. Additional funds were provided The Freemason’s Charity and The North Shore Freemasons Centre in Albany. Steve was a former policeman who later qualified in finance and worked for some years with the Serious Fraud Office and the Auckland District Law Society. He was a former District Grand Master for Auckland West. Steve was initiated in The Corinthian Lodge No.1655 EC in Thames in 1981 and later joined Lodge Birkenhead No.337, which merged with two others Lodges to become Lodge North Harbour. He was Master of Lodge Birkenhead in 1994–95, and later joined Lodge Discovery No. 501, where he was Master in 1998–99.

He was appointed Grand Steward in 1996 and District Grand Master in 2004 He was closely involved in Masonic benevolence throughout Auckland where he was responsible for guiding recommendations for Masonic charitable donations for many worthy community projects. He was also a keen and gifted golfer. At the presentation of the cheque to the Hospice, Steve’s widow Sue, paid tribute to the Hospice and its staff for the care and support Steve received. ‘The wonderful care given to Steve and the hospitality, comfort and support that the whole family received during his time here, is very much appreciated by us all,’ she said. Hibiscus Hospice will use the gift to fund the running of a patients’ records management system called PalCare for the next 12 months. PalCare software is used by the Hospice to manage patient records electronically, so that staff has ‘real time’ access to the most up-to-date

WBro Geoff Parry, District Benevolence Officer, WBro Greg Taylor, Geoff Foote, Hibiscus Hospice CEO Winsome Stretch, Steve’s widow Sue with their grandson Jayden and their daughter, Claire, and her husband, Des Hirst.

treatment plan information for patients. The fundraising garden party was held at the Coatesville property of VWBro Geoff Foote and his wife Jenny. Geoff says Steve was a very highly regarded and respected Freemason, and his loss has been widely felt throughout the wider Masonic family. VWBro Geoff Foote

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RECOGNISING THE BRAND The importance of consistency

How do we get across to ourselves, and the public generally, just what Freemasonry is in more appropriate terms?

t is achieved by the use of branding that says who we are and what we stand for. This branding was instigated a number of years ago by the National Communications Committee and supported by the Board of General Purposes. Collectively we are Freemasons, we belong to an organisation called Freemasons New Zealand and we meet in Freemasons Lodges, Halls, Centres or Complexes. Legally we are The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand. The Grand Lodge now usually meets once every three years as part of The Grand Installation and we are all members of that Grand Lodge and individually our Lodges cannot exist outside that framework. Outside of this the organisation is called Freemasons New Zealand and supported by a Grand Secretariat. For some years the correct terminology

has been The Freemasons Charity, The Freemasons Deposit Scheme, The Freemasons University Scholarships, The Freemasons Science Travel Awards, The Freemasons Longest Morning Tea and The Freemasons ‘Live Life Lighter’ Family Health Programme. Too often, Lodges refer to grants received from ‘the Grand Lodge Board of Benevolence.’ Not only is terminology wrong, it is important, for reasons of maintaining charitable status, to properly distinguish ‘The Freemasons Charity’ as a separate entity.

All these things belong to us as Freemasons and not to some nebulous body that we can point our finger at when we search to apportion blame instead of taking some responsibility for whatever situation we as Freemasons find ourselves in. We now have Ceremonial

not Ritual a similar word with less connotations. Masonic or Masons was too vague and misused but Freemasonry and Freemasons, as words, are more certain and help to differentiate us. Our branding is important so that we don’t get confused with other pseudo ‘masonic’ organisations or that the words we might continue to use in error add a meaning that we as Freemasons know is not the case but that which the public might misconstrue. We are Freemasons, who practise Freemasonry in its amplest sense, meet in Freemasons Lodges and are part of a national organisation called Freemasons New Zealand. We support The Freemasons Charity. Use the right words and convey the right message, that of Freemasonry – being a modern, vibrant and important part of every New Zealand community. You say potato I say tomatoe! VW Bro Duane Williams MBE Chair, National Communications Committee

Music to the ears Freemasons New Zealand and The Freemasons Roskill Foundation have strong connections with music as evidenced by the support to school groups, opera sponsorship and Freemasons University Scholars. Many of the latter have been able to use their scholarships to help launch careers or to advance their academic studies to a new level which has seen them as recipients of prestigous Rhodes or Fullbright Scholarships. This article profiles several of the connections between Freemasonry and musical performance. in the not-too-distant future would be wonderful too!’ On behalf of the tour organizers, the staff and students of all nine High Schools and the band Phantom Empire, we would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to The Freemasons Charity for making it all possible! Rachel Hewitt

The Freemasons Charity funds a winter pickup for Christchurch students Something exciting took place in Christchurch High Schools during New Zealand Music Month. Uncertainty about the future of Christchurch schools, upheaval to normal schooling and stressed home life resulting from the 2011 earthquakes, had placed a heavy demand on the emotional state of many of Christchurch’s young people. A recent report on the spike in mental health issues among the city’s youth highlighted an area of concern for the community. Thanks to the generous support of the Freemason’s Charity ‘Earthquake Relief Fund’, several Christchurch organisations were able to rally together and set up a special event for High School students for NZ Music Month, something to acknowledge all they have been through. Phantom Empire, a local band, set aside the entire month to focus on the tour. In addition to the lunch time performances the band volunteered their time to participate in classes by sharing their personal life experiences. ‘Most opportunities for exposure to live music are based in alcohol-related environments, which are unsuitable for youth. The Schools Tour makes quality live music available, in a safe and positive environment. We also believe students

Former Freemasons Scholar bound for the bright lights of America

benefited from the inspiration and mentoring goals of the Tour. ‘Currently, we couldn’t see anyone more deserving of a ‘boost’ than ‘Cantab’ students’. said Tim Hewitt of Phantom Empire. In addition to the generous support from The Freemason’s Charity ‘Earthquake Relief Fund’, several other local businesses got on board, donating generous amounts of giveaways for the staff and students of the schools visited and local radio station The Edge visited several of the schools providing a free barbeque. It certainly was a pick me up heading into the winter months, with a huge response from both staff and students alike. As the Head of Music at Rangiora High School said ‘It was a pleasure to have such an enthusiastic and professional band; the students were over the moon about the whole concert. I thanked the sausage people afterwards, as they managed to distribute 500 sausages in an hour! Amazing! My thanks to all involved; it was a great experience for our students. And an event out our way

While then studying at Victoria University Eleanor Bishop was awarded a 2008 Freemasons Scholarship. Her citation highlighted both her academic and practical achievements, the latter including working as a theatre producer and publicist as well as being the theatre editor for the university student publication, Salient. Eleanor graduated in 2009 with a First Class Honours degree. Whilst a student she was the recipient of many academic prizes including the Dronke Prize for Drama and an Education NZ Study Abroad Award which saw her complete a semester at the University of London’s Royal Holloway College. Since graduating Eleanor has built an impressive career directing for Wellington’s Circa, Downstage and BATS Theatres as well as creating her own company, The PlayGround Collective with director Robin Kerr and writer Eli Kent. The PlayGround Collective’s productions, which include Eli Kent’s acclaimed The Intricate Art of Actually Caring, STAB Commission TINDERBOX and Chekhov in Hell, have been recipients of nine Chapman Tripp Awards. Eleanor won ‘Most Promising New Director’ in the 2009 awards for her work on The Intricate Art of Actually Caring. This year, with a weath of experience under her belt, Eleanor has been awarded 33

Eleanor receiving her Fullbright scholarship award from the Hon Steven Joyce.

a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study at one of the top drama institutions in the United States. She will spend three years as a John Wells Fellow completing a Master of Fine Arts in Directing at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Eleanor specialises in the development of new theatre and her work is characterised by a playful and imaginative approach to investigating the contemporary world. Her practice will be challenged and honed by spending three years under the guidance of Marianne Weems, Obie award winning director of New York based theatre company The Builders Association. Marianne is acclaimed as ‘one of the most important theatrical innovators of our time’, particularly for her innovations in the use of new media and technology in theatre. ‘Carnegie Mellon is known for being great at computer science and theatre. In both these fields, they push the boundaries,’ Eleanor says. ‘They’re at the forefront of training directors to be visionaries, the programme is all about new technology, re-inventing theatre and collaborating across art-forms.’ Eleanor has most recenly been directing Auckland Theatre Company’s Like There’s No Tomorrow by the PlayGround Collective. The show was an immersive roaming theatre piece in which the audience were guests at an illicit high-school afterball. ‘The show asked how, as a community, we could challenge New Zealand’s drinking culture. It was the perfect launch pad to begin my study in America; it combined my desire to ask tough questions with innovative ways of telling stories. In this 34

piece, the audience was right in the heart of the party and a lucky few ended up participating.’ Eleanor is also the recipient of the John Wells Fellowship from Carnegie Mellon. John Wells is an American theatre, film and television producer, writer and director. An alumnus of Carnegie Mellon, he is the producer of ER, The West Wing and Shameless and the director of the film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning play August: Osage Country starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. Fulbright awards support a year of academic study in the United States for promising New Zealand graduate students. Selections are based on academic excellence, leadership potential and the ability of candidates to act as a cultural ambassador for New Zealand. In Eleanor’s words. ‘It’s a thrill to get a Fulbright scholarship. The arts are so tough and Fulbright really get in there behind artists. I am looking forward to returning to grow New Zealand’s theatre industry, particularly supporting more female directors. My ultimate dream is that in our lifetime we will see a New Zealand national theatre.’ The Freemasons Charity is proud to have played a part in Eleanor’s success and looks forward to following her ongoing career in theatre.

MUSICAL BRAINWAVES Joshua Foster’s next journey Former Freemasons University Scholar, Joshua Foster, has been awarded Fulbright Science and Innovation Graduate Award, which he will take up Joshua Foster

this month at the University of Oregon where he plans to start his PhD in Psychology. Hailing originally from Havelock North, a lot of Joshua’s life revolves around music where his interests range from classical to rock. He has achieved success in Hawke’s Bay competitions for Young Musician of the Year, Chamber Music and Smokefree Rock Quest. He has taught guitar to school-aged students and tutored psychology students. Josh’s ambition is for a career in psychology, particularly cognitive psychology and neuropsychology. He graduated MSc from Victoria University in 2013. Josh has commented on the next stage of his academic journey. ‘I’m very excited about heading over to the United States. I have now completed a Master of Science in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience at Victoria University of Wellington. The Fulbright Science and Innovation Graduate Award that I have received will take me to the University of Oregon to complete a PhD in Psychology. To be honest, my studies consume most of my time, leaving very little for music. However, I do continue to play classical guitar for my own enjoyment. Although music has had to take a back seat, it has been very influential in my life. Playing classical guitar has taught me a lot of self-discipline, which has served me well as a postgraduate student. Like music, science often involves a great deal of work in order to achieve results and a one of the keys to success is perseverance.’

SUCCESS IN THE BIG APPLE Gemma New’s career takes off Aspiring conductor, Gemma New, was awarded a Freemasons Undergraduate scholarship in 2009 to assist her with the completion of her studies in USA. Gemma studied a BMus(Hons) in violin performance at the University of Canterbury and New Zealand School of Music. She was assistant conductor of the Christchurch Symphony, and conductor of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra during these years. During her time with the CYO, the orchestra grew from around 40 to over 70 players,

Gemma New

and performed around nine concerts a year. Since moving to the United States in 2009 Gemma’s career has taken off. Born and raised in Wellington, Gemma started violin and piano studies in primary school and began conducting at age 15. While at school Gemma worked weekends and evenings as a front of house staff member at the Wellington Convention Centre where she stood through hundreds of concerts dreaming of the day she could take centre stage. A graduate of the Peabody Institute, Gemma studied conducting with Gustav Meier, Marin Alsop and Markand Thakar. During this time, she served as cover conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, assistant conductor for the Peabody Concert Orchestra, and made several recordings with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra. Recently praised by the Baltimore Sun for her ‘absorbing and well-honed performance’, Gemma is now Assistant Conductor for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and Director of the Lunar Ensemble. She has conducted orchestras on multiple continents, including A music lesson for a Prime Minister.

the Danish National, BBC Scottish, Baltimore, and Christchurch Symphony Orchestras as well as the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières (Canada). In April Gemma made her conducting debut at Carnegie Hall as one of three conductors selected for the Carnegie Hall Professional Training Workshop with John Adams and David Robertson. As Assistant Conductor of the NJSO, Gemma conducts education and summer programs, and works with its affiliated Greater Newark Youth Orchestra. Covering most subscription concerts, she has worked with Music Director Jacques Lacombe, Conductor Laureate Neeme Jarvi, and many visiting artists. In 2012, Gemma received the American Prize 1st place for orchestral conducting, and was selected by members of the Vienna Philharmonic to reside at the Salzburg Music Festival, as an Ansbacher Fellow. Chosen by Kurt Masur to share the podium with him in concert at the 2012 Usedom Music Festival (Germany), she was invited to study with Maestro Masur again in New York. Gemma was selected to attend the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen as a conducting fellow, this past northern summer. Gemma is a leader in presenting and commissioning new works. As Director of the Lunar Ensemble, she has premiered 26 works in the last 2 years. In 2012-2013 season, she held residencies with the Lunar Ensemble in Fredonia NY, Baltimore MD, and New Orleans LA, where the group worked closely with selected composers on the Pierrot Centenary Project. She conducted the ensemble in a limited edition 2-CD album, featuring Schoenberg’s Pierrot lunaire, recorded in Baltimore’s prestigious Shriver Hall. She has also recorded an album of contemporary concertos and suites by New Zealand composer Eric Biddington, titled A Piece for Maurice, with the chamber orchestra ‘L’Estro Armonico.’ In addition to he Freemasons University Scholarship Gemma has received awards from the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, NZ Federation of

Graduate Women, NZ Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, Peabody Institute, AMP, University of Canterbury and the Adastra Foundation. In 2010 she received first prize in the International Conducting Competition in Macon, Georgia and, in 2012, she was a semifinalist of the Donatella Flick LSO competition. Gemma has been awarded conducting fellowships with the Allentown Symphony (2013), Atlantic Music Festival (2011) and Hot Springs Music Festival (2010).

Update – Rosel Labone In the last issue we reported on 2007 Freemasons Scholar, Rosel Labone. Since then Rosel has performed the role of Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera in Wellington. Like our other recipients Rosel’s career continues to develop. ‘In other news, I can now officially announce that I am the 2013 Pettman Dare Scholarship recipient. From October 2013 I will spend 7 months in the UK, where I will, among other things, study the role of Ellen Orford in Peter Grimes at Opera North (and get to work closely with the principal soprano playing Ellen during the rehearsal period for their production of Grimes,) work with the Royal Northern College of Music, and even get the opportunity to travel outside of England to audition in Europe and the US (where I hope to catch up with some of you!) During my time at Opera North I am thrilled to be involved extensively with other Britten productions, including Death in Venice and Midsummer Night’s Dream, as part of the Britten centenary.’ 35

BOOKS Freemasonry is a topic which has lent itself to much literature over the ages. Here, we present a series of literature-related stories.

Michael Baigent versus Dan Brown One of the world’s best-known Freemason authors, Michael Baigent, died recently at the age of 65. A New Zealander, for some years he edited the UK journal Freemasonry Today. Baigent shot to fame as a result of the 14 books he produced, some of them causing controversy due to his questioning of some of the origins and claims of the Christian faith. His unwavering goal was to test the claims of religious institutions and holy books against historical fact. Michael Baigent was born in Christchurch in 1948. He received a Roman Catholic upbringing. He was tutored in Catholic theology from the age of five and attended church three times a week. Baigent’s father was a fervent Catholic and teacher, but his zeal alienated his son. ‘I finally gave up on Catholicism when I began being told about Limbo and Purgatory,’ he recalled. At eight, he went with his mother to live with his maternal grandfather, Lewis Baigent, a sawmill owner, and took his surname. Educated at Nelson College and the University of Canterbury, Baigent originally intended to study science. However he switched to comparative religion and psychology. After graduating in 1972, he set off to see the world, arriving in London in 1976.

He was working in on, among other subjects, the BBC photographic the Dead Sea Scrolls, the department, when through origins of Freemasonry, Lincoln, a TV producer; he and the Inquisition. Each met Leigh, an Americancontained similar elements born budding novelist. of buried evidence, an Together the three establishment cover-up discovered a passionate and sinister plots, but sales interest in the mystery that never attained the heights surrounded a small church of the first collaboration. in Rennes-le-Château in The Jesus Papers (2006) Michael Baigent. the Languedoc region of attracted considerable France. This interest led media attention with its to Baigent’s most successful book, The claim that Pontius Pilate had faked Holy Blood and the Holy Grail (1982), co- Christ’s death on the cross. authored with Richard Leigh and Henry Despite the question marks that his Lincoln, which became an international books, and the worldwide lecture tours bestseller. that accompanied them, Michael Baigent This volume reinterpreted medieval never lost his own personal faith in a legends and claimed that Jesus had creator God. He described himself as a had a physical relationship with Mary mystic, regularly practised meditation, Magdalene, that their children grew and remarked when questioned: ‘I up in exile in France, and that their operate within a vaguely Christian descendants subsequently intermarried perspective.’ with the Merovingian royal house. The When American author Dan Brown existence of this ‘Christ bloodline’ had covered similar historical ground to been covered up by the Roman Catholic The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail in Church, and their secret protected by the his 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code, shadowy Priory of Sion. Baigent and Leigh sued his publishers Academics and church authorities for plagiarism. They lost that case – and dismissed the findings. The book was a subsequent appeal in 2007 – and were banned in some Catholic countries, while faced with a £3m legal bill. in Britain the religious historian Marina Baigent paid a high price for the Warner labeled it ‘a lurid falsehood’. legal action. To meet the bill, he had Readers, however, were intrigued by the to sell his home and he was living in theory, and sales topped two million. rented accommodation at the time of his Its commercial success led Leigh and death. The resultant stress took a heavy Baigent to five further collaborations in toll. All revenue from his later writing a similar vein, one of them with Lincoln, projects went into paying off his debt, but he worked away furiously to restore his fortunes. Two days before he died, he had finished his second novel. He is survived by his wife and children. Reg Nicholson MNZM, Lodge Tawhiri

Big Beliefs in Short Bites The Venerable Reg Nicholson’s new book, Big Beliefs in Small Bites, has just been published. It is a new kind of book of over 360 pages in 168 short chapters, written with the realization that many people in today’s society lack the time 36

to study lofty volumes searching for knowledge. Big Beliefs In Small Bites discusses today’s issues in digest-sized articles in an easy manner, with unusual quotations, and often with a pinch of humour. The purchase price is $35. Copies can be obtained by sending an order to joan2@ clear.net.nz. For Freemasons who can collect copies from the author (and so don’t require postage), there will be a discount of five dollars. Poppies bookshop in Casabella Lane, Hamilton, and St Peter’s Cathedral Bookshop also have copies.

FREEMASONRY AS THEATRE Masonic stage presentations by Peter Verrall What does Amateur Dramatics have in common with Operative Masonry, Speculative Freemasonry and the Ritual? The answer to this question can be found in Freemasonry Upstaged, a new book by RWBro Peter Verrall, Past Junior Grand Warden. Peter was born in England in 1927, brought up in Gibraltar and Bombay. He trained as an architect in London and emigrated to New Zealand to take up a position as Architect for New Zealand Railways where he was responsible

Tips for job seekers Prolific Author Geoffrey Moss, who was profiled in the March 2013 New Zealand Freemason, has published yet another book, this one entitled No Job! What Now. It comprises 100 pages of tips for people, who may have lost their job, unemployed graduates, demobbed military personnel, early retirees and those returning to the workforce after a prolonged absence. Geoffrey Moss was motivated to write this book in the light of increasing redundancies, often from once secure careers, largely due to factors such as computerisation of tasks, sending work offshore and

for upgrading the Royal Train for the 1953 Royal Tour. He entered private practice in Rotorua in 1954 and, among his projects was the Waipa Lodge Rooms in Te Awamutu, so unfortunately destroyed by fire 1981. He has subsequently earlier this year. held a number of Masonic With his early offices in Western experience of amateur Australia following his dramatics at Rotorua move to Perth in 1991. In Little Theatre Peter 2009 Peter undertook an wrote and produced extensive lecture tour of his first costumed New Zealand visiting ten production, Service Research Lodges. Above Self, a Rotary In Perth Peter wrote and melodrama in produced three further Rotorua. major productions, The In 1964 Peter was First Degree as Worked in initiated into Lodge 1760, The Four Faces of Matakana, was Master Freemasonry, a Masonic in 1978, and, in 1981, Pageant and Freemasonry: he produced his first The Never Ending Story. costumed Masonic Peter Verrall’s book production with The of 130 pages, which Canadian York Rite TOP: Peter Verrall plays Hiram Abif. is lavishly illustrated, Third Degree. He ABOVE Peter Verrall. traverses the history and was instrumental in relationship between dramatics and founding the Waikato Lodge of Research, Freemasonry, explains each of the plays being the Foundation Master in 1980 and and their individual productions and includes the full scripts. It is often heard that Masonic ceremonies are a form of theatre. This book demonstrates how the theatrical nature of the ceremonies can be taken to a new level and it demonstrates belt-tightening generally. how this can be achieved. He notes that becoming redundant Copies of the book can be ordered is an emotional and stressful time that direct from the author: verrallpe@ can lead to anger and despondency. bigpond.com for NZ$30 plus P+P. The aim of the book, which is set out in Payment can be made by cheque to short simple chapters, is to highlight ANZMRC at Colin Heyward, 10 Rose the preparation necessary to be at the St. Waipawa 4210 or by direct credit to front of the queue for ANZMRC at ANZ Bank Waipukurau 01 future employment. 0778 0071205 03 The contents are Morris Robertson equally relevant for first time job seekers. The catchphrase is ‘Success occurs when opportunity and prepa ration meet.’ The publication is available from good bookstores. 37

An extraordinary fifty years MWBro David Mace PGM honoured By any measure it was a big night. Not that presentations of 50-year service badges to Past Grand Masters aren’t all big occasions. And not just for Past Grand Masters. Fifty years in the Craft for any Freemason is, of course, to be celebrated. But this one was rather extraordinary.

or MWBro David Mace, his substitute Mother Lodge, Lodge Ponsonby No 54, Master Ian Ross, had made this event the working of their Regular Meeting on Tuesday 6th August and had organised an event that had something for everyone. Held in their Lodge rooms at the Freemasons Auckland Centre in Khyber Pass, the telling of the life work of Bro Mace was full of stories of amazing achievements in management, in dedication, in benevolence, in service and love and affection. How his professional, personal and masonic lives were intertwined both in New Zealand and in his long international sojourn in Hong Kong. First, it was a gathering of numbers. The large assembly of Grand Lodge Officers included the Grand Master MWBro Selwyn Cooper and several other Past Grand Masters; Joe McManemin, Michael Pope, Ian Ross, Barry McLaggan, and the Grand Master designate John Litton. Senior representatives of the Sister Constitutions were present, Divisional Grand Masters past and present and multitudes more Freemasons of every rank. Fellowcrafts and Entered Apprentices were left standing because all seats were taken —

literally a ‘full house.’ And, apart from Freemasons, the family, the ladies and many good friends of long personal and business connection, were present to pay tribute to the man of the evening for his profound and outstanding contribution made in so many ways to the principles of Freemasonry. RWBro Mark Winger as MC, Clynton Hardy of the English Constitution, Professor Richard Faull from the University and David Mace receives his Badge from the David’s daughter, Ngarie, each Pinned! Grand Master. explored aspects of David’s life and work offering their praise and Caricature presented to David Mace as a memento of 50 years in Freemasonry. thanks for his untiring labour. While pinning the Badge on his lapel the Grand Master praised the depth of his commitment in all parts and all aspects of our organisation. Later, everyone relaxed while members of the New Zealand Opera Freemasons Intern group entertained with singing, the likes of which has never before been heard on Khyber Pass. Noel Ryan

David & Anne with daughter Ngarie and her husband Paul.

David acknowledges his ‘mentor’ MWBro Joe MacManemin PGM (1986-88).

SERVICE AWARDS

70 YEAR BADGE WBro Harry Thomas Stewart Hoy PM RH WBro Allan Robinson PM

The Saint Andrews Lodge No. 32 Lodge Waihi No. 112

60 YEAR BADGE WBro Graeme Archibald Petersen PM Bro Allan Braldwood Flynn MM WBro Rowland Alfred Jones PGBB Bro Charles Edwin Brown MM WBro John Vernon Ernest Hipkins PM WBro Lewis Pat Miller PM WBro Raymond Victor Franc Egginton PM RH Bro Alexander Donald McKenzie MM Bro James Doreen Dine MM WBro Percy Desmond Hollings PM WBro Desmond John Doyle PM Bro William Pat Nichol MM Bro Ian Robert Donaldson MM Bro Harold Rayner Cummins MM Bro Marton John Nelson MM

New Zealand Pacific No. 2 The Coromandel Lodge No. 17 Lodge Rangitikei No. 38 The Heretaunga Lodge No. 73 Marlborough Lodge of Unanimity No. 106 Motueka Bays Lodge No. 117 Lodge North Harbour No. 182 Roslyn Morning Star No. 192 Lodge Omarunui No. 216 Lodge Manurewa No. 222 Taia-Raukawa Lodge No. 229 Lodge Katikati No. 295 Harmony Lodge No. 325 Lodge Windsor No. 377 Lodge Kerikeri No. 402

50 YEAR BADGE Bro Edward James McConnell MM WBro William James Adams PGBB RH Bro Stewart Maxwell Reid MM WBro Donald George Hoy PM WBro Donald Watkins PM WBro Richard Lionel Ball PM MWBro David William Mace PGM WBro Arthur Haworth PM Bro William Douglas Anderson MM Bro John Hoult Campbell Ellis MM VWBro Gordon Daniel Riach PG Alm RH Bro John Max Clayton MM WBro Raymond Lawrence Barry PM WBro David Michael Forsythe PM RWBro Thomas Richard Mason P Prov GM WBro Laurence Reginald Bartholomew PM Bro Richard Martyn Spencer MM Bro Clifford Thomas Reid MM Bro Henry Allen Brenssell MM Bro Edward Hardy Harrison MM WBro Donald Andrew Cathey PM WBro James Bruce Miller PGD WBro Donald John Haythornthwaite PGD Bro Ronald Weatherhead MM VWBro Desmond Edwin Carr PG Lec

The Sir Walter Scott Lodge No. 15 The Caledonian Lodge No. 16 Manukau-Westmere Lodge No. 24 The Saint Andrews Lodge No. 32 Waihenga St Johns Lodge No. 37 The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 The Ponsonby Lodge No. 54 The Advance Mawhera Lodge No. 61 The Fortitude Lodge No. 64 Thistle Lodge No. 113 Otaihape Lodge No. 142 Lodge Rotorua No. 153 Lodge Tawhiri No. 166 Empire Fergusson Lodge No. 225 Lodge Whangamomona No. 234 Lodge Awatea No. 258 Lodge Awatea No. 258 The Mangere Lodge No. 330 Lodge Eckford No. 334 Lodge Te Kauwhata No. 364 The Milford Trinity Lodge No. 372 The Wayfarers Lodge No. 389 Lodge Benjamin Kneubuhl No. 441 Petone Daylight Lodge No. 458 Petone Daylight Lodge No. 458

The Masonic Villages Trust is a charity set up in 1960 by Freemasons in the southern North Island to provide care and services for older people. Since then, the Trust and its charitable operating companies, Masonic Care Limited and Masonic Villages Limited, have earned an enviable reputation for quality accommodation and personalised care.

Charities play vital role in aged care Charities have a vital role to play in the provision of aged care in New Zealand and overseas. In the words of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bethanie Group, not-for-profit aged care providers are unique by design. They were founded upon the altruistic principle of providing quality care for all people who need it. This creates a perception problem, because policy makers and economists tend to evaluate organisations receiving public funds purely on financial criteria. Tal Williams, a partner with Holman Webb, a major Australian law firm, highlights the issue by comparing the radically different findings of two studies into aged care providers in a Financial Times article, Aged care facilities disappearing fast. In the first study, the Australian Productivity Commission analysed the use of inputs to generate outputs such as the number of aged care clients handled per staff member. It concluded for-profit facilities were more efficient than not-for-profit (NFP) facilities. In the second, Prof Gordon Guyatt of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s McMaster University reviewed data from tens of thousands of nursing

Like to join? Membership of The Masonic Villages Trust is open to all, but Trustees would like more Freemasons to join. Membership, which is only $20 a year, is one of the main ways the Trust has of keeping supporters well informed and involved. To join the Trust, contact the Chief Executive Officer, Warick Dunn by email: warick.dunn@masonicvillages.co.nz or by telephone 04 569 8512

homes, mostly in the United States. He concluded that NFPs delivered higher quality care than for-profit facilities in terms of quality staffing, a lower prevalence of pressure ulcers (bed sores), less use of physical restraints and fewer deficiencies in governmental regulatory assessments. As Williams points out, the growing cost of caring for an ageing population and limited government funding means smaller aged care facilities, many of them owned by NFPs, are struggling to remain viable. Economies of scale and tougher regulatory standards favour larger facilities increasingly owned by public companies. This, he argues, does not bode well for Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapidly greying population. This is also true on this side of the Tasman, where corporates now account for nearly two-thirds of care beds. The 2010 Grant Thornton report into residential aged care in New Zealand says the financial returns being achieved by most operators are well below those needed to encourage investment in new and ungraded rest home, hospital and dementia services. The only way these services can economically be provided is by larger providers cross-subsidising their aged care services with revenues from their retirement villages, as well as by levying care residents with extra charges. This means that access to new and refurbished aged care facilities is increasingly favouring those who can afford to pay for it. The Masonic Villages Trust shares this economic environment Continued over

Glenwood Masonic Hospital Popular care suites supplement its income

“The Trust remains financially viable by integrating an understanding of the commercial drivers in the sector with our charitable activities. But even with the generous support of donors, charitable operators like the Trust will face massive challenges gearing up to meet the future demand for hospital level beds without a change in government funding policies,” says chair Bill Arcus.

with the for-profits and is investing in expanded retirement offerings in part to generate the revenues needed to fund new and upgraded rest home and hospital facilities. But its charitable mission means it provides care beds to people from all walks of life, not only those who can afford to pay for them. Also, the Trust provides rental units to retirees who don’t have the means to buy an apartment or villa, but want the security and companionship offered by a village. Looming ever closer is the reality of an ageing population that according to the Grant Thornton report will need 78% to 110% more care beds by 2026. At present, this need is being deferred by a sensible trend to care for older people in their own homes for so long as it is safe and affordable to do so. But it does mean that eventually there will be a steep increase in the demand for care beds, especially hospital level ones. In recent years the majority of new stand-alone, non-extra charge facilities developed in New Zealand have been built by NFPs. The state-of-the-art Glenwood Masonic Hospital in Masterton is one of these, but even here income is supplemented with income from its popular care suites.

“There is a lack of recognition that when the average person comes into care these days they are functionally more dependent than their predecessors.” The Grant Thornton report says a sustainable funding system for the aged care sector – for reasons of equity, quality and access to appropriate services – should encourage participation from both the for-profit and NFP sectors. More: Aged Care facilities disappearing fast: http://bit.ly/19OLemz Grant Thornton Report, Aged Residential Care Service Review: http://bit.ly/1cwAFp6

Hoists give staff and residents a lift The installation of ceiling hoists in the new care suites at Horowhenua Masonic Village has been welcomed by staff and residents. As part of their daily life, many residents require assistance with moving and positioning. This can pose a risk of injury and discomfort to both staff and residents. All Masonic Care staff are trained in safe manual handling practices and work under a ‘no-lift’ policy. Mechanical hoists are used to assist where lifting of residents would otherwise have been needed. Before ceiling hoists were installed, mobile hoists were used. These require two carers to operate, can be cumbersome to move about and were always in very high demand. The new ceiling hoists donated by Masonic charities – the Freemasons Roskill Foundation and Hinemoa Kairangi Lodge Charitable Trust – along with an existing mobile gantry hoist and an installed ceiling hoist funded by The Masonic Villages Trust, have improved both time management and resident choice. “We have had tremendously positive feedback about the existing ceiling hoist from both staff and residents. Staff have found it very easy to use and residents have said how secure and comfortable they felt during lifting,” manager Sue Maney says. The care suites were opened in May by local MP, Hon Nathan Guy. A relatively new concept, they offer an alternative to the traditional accommodation offered in rest homes. Care suite residents enjoy a sense of living in an apartment, while benefiting from full rest home or hospital-level care, depending on their needs. “To be eligible to purchase an occupation right agreement for a care suite, a person must be assessed as needing rest home or

Horowhenua Masonic staff member Ida Van der Velde demonstrates the new ceiling hoists that take the strain out of lifting residents who cannot move themselves. Manager Sue Maney is in the foreground and Ida is being assisted by clinical nurse manager Glenys Rumsey

hospital level care,” Maney says. At Glenwood Masonic Hospital in Masterton, care suites have been available for three years. They have proved popular with people who require care but are reluctant to move into a conventional rest home which provides a private bedroom but only communal living areas.

The Masonic Villages Trust Head office: 63 Wai-iti Crescent l Woburn l Lower Hutt 5010 New Zealand l Tel +64 4 569 8512 l www.masonicvillages.co.nz warick.dunn@masonicvillages.co.nz

Freemasons Deposit Scheme update T

he Freemasons Deposit Scheme provides Freemasons members and their families’ access to simple and competitive investment options, while supporting Freemasonry in New Zealand. Earlier this year Freemasons New Zealand appointed Heartland Bank Limited (Heartland Bank) to be the new provider for the Freemasons Deposit Scheme. The response has been really pleasing and we have appreciated the feedback provided by many account holders and members. I thought I would take the opportunity to answer some of the questions raised over the last few months. Why was the decision to change providers made? This was a decision made by Freemasons New Zealand and was primarily based on the fact that account holders were not receiving a competitive return and the scheme was reducing as a consequence. In addition, the product offering lacked features desired by account holders, such as internet banking and the way the scheme was structured resulted in considerable administrative responsibilities for Freemasons New Zealand. Freemasons New Zealand undertook a thorough review of the scheme and explored a number of options, with Heartland Bank best meeting the criteria. What has the response been? The response has been fantastic and we are pleased to report that over 2,500 accounts have been opened representing well over $50 million of deposits. We are looking to grow this considerably going forward. The partnership is built on ‘shared values’ — what does this mean? Heartland Bank’s vision is ‘to enable prosperity for businesses, farmers and families in heartland communities’. This is aligned with Freemasons goal of creating better men, leading to better families and better communities. How does Heartland Bank support communities? Heartland Bank’s focus is on the pro ductive sector rather than the property

sector. The businesses which make up the productive sector form the back bone of our country, provide jobs to New Zealanders and in turn drive prosperity in local communities. In addition, through the Heartland Trust, our registered charity, we assist in the region of 80 organisations across New Zealand. How does Freemasons Deposit Scheme and Heartland Bank support Freemasonry in New Zealand? The Craft directly benefits from every dollar invested in the Freemasons Deposit Scheme, as Heartland Bank pays Freemasons New Zealand a commission. This does not affect the return account holders receive. In addition, it was with pride and pleasure that we agreed to support the Heartland Bank Scholarships for Year 13 students. We are delighted that the recipients (chosen from a very tough field of competition) are three individuals who are not only focused on driving their own ambitions and succeeding in their chosen fields, they are involved with helping the communities in which they live and study — values that resonate well with us. Heartland Bank has also committed to support the Grand Installation. Heartland Bank is new — what is your history? Although Heartland Bank is New Zealand’s newest bank, our roots stretch back to 1875. We were formed through the merger of CBS Canterbury, MARAC Finance and Southern Cross Building Society, and the subsequent acquisition of PGG Wrightson Finance. Collectively we have a long and proud history of helping New Zealanders to succeed. What is Heartland Bank’s credit rating and what does this mean? Heartland Bank has a BBB- credit rating from Standard & Poor’s. Whilst it is lower than the ratings of major banks in New Zealand, it is in the same vicinity of our New Zealand banking peers. Credit ratings reward scale and international diversity. While this may be the case Heartland Bank is unashamedly focused on New Zealand and does not intend on growing for growths sake. Like other

New Zealand operated banks, Heartland Bank’s rating is currently on negative outlook which is a reflection of Standard & Poor’s view on the risks to the New Zealand economy, primarily due to overinflated property prices – a market Heartland Bank has very little exposure to. For further details on Heartland Bank’s credit rating see www.heartland. co.nz. Does Heartland Bank lend overseas? No — all of Heartland Bank’s lending is in relation to New Zealand based assets or businesses. It is fair to say that when you invest in Heartland Bank, you are investing in New Zealand. What does the ‘Heartland Saver’ account offer? The ‘Heartland Saver’ is an on-call savings account that offers Freemason members and their families a competitive floating interest rate (3.75% p.a. as at 1 August), easy access through internet banking and unlimited transfers to your nominated bank account with no fees. We believe this is an excellent product and this view was recently confirmed by financial products research company Canstar who rated the ‘Heartland Saver’ ‘five stars’ for representing ‘outstanding value’ to depositors. Canstar assesses products based on features considered to be desirable to customers including returns, fees, access, credit rating and flexibility. This is a fantastic achievement and is an independent endorsement of the value Heartland Bank offers. Further questions If you have any questions, or would like to know more about the Freemasons Deposit Scheme and Heartland Bank, or for a copy of Heartland Bank’s Disclosure Statement or Investment Statements, please don’t hesitate to give me, or one of our dedicated Freemasons service team a call on 0508 FREEMASON (0508 373 362). Andrew Ford, Heartland Bank National Retail Manager

Freemasons New Zealand is not a promoter of and does not guarantee the obligations of Heartland Bank Limited in relation to Heartland Bank deposits.

NEW INITIATES Hakan Dinc John Scobie Peni Vinakadina Andrew Ravenscroft Mark Baynes Mark Goreham Peter Hillocks Raymond Behm Lee Clark Stephen Wills Hubert Neeson Campbell Todd Dwayne Tebbutt John Padilla Paul Fifield Scott Dixon David Burke Raymon Mercado Henry Vergara Nelson Tkatch Christopher Williams Ashley Stirling Kyle Roberts Paul Boyd David McManus Jaye Joyce Barry Joyce

New Zealand Pacific No. 2 The Ashley Lodge No. 28 The Ashley Lodge No. 28 The Hiram Lodge No. 46 The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 Papakura Lodge No. 56 Hokianga Lodge No. 69 The Mangonui Kaitaia Lodge No. 78 Lodge St John No. 84 Lodge St John No. 84 The MacKenzie Lodge No. 93 The MacKenzie Lodge No. 93 The Havelock Lodge No. 104 Lodge Manuherikia Kilwinning No. 109 Thistle Lodge No. 113 Thistle Lodge No. 113 The Tauranga Lodge No. 125 Te Awahou Lodge No. 133 The Crown Lodge No. 138 Lodge Ahurewa No. 181 Lodge Ahurewa No. 181 Lodge Ahurewa No. 181 Lodge Te Marama No. 186 Lodge Whakatane No. 198

Peter Hilliard Peter Robbins Ian Tay Michael Kemmerer Peter Jackson Jason Smyth Damien Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Callaghan Samuel Grice Warrick Reid Jay Sieteriales Elmer Hugo Gibran Azouri Rodrigo Toledo Andrew Chandler Sidney Ball Marius Van Zyl Phillip Cole Caleb Male Jupri Callegah Delantar Wayne Severn Mark Abbott John Fastier Kelvin Taylor Graem Pate Kane Wharepouri Jeffrey Hunter

Lodge Papatoetoe No. 227 Lodge Tawera-O-Kapiti No. 253 Lodge Awatea No. 258 Lodge Te Puke No. 261 Lodge Cashmere No. 271 Te Mata No. 298 Westminster Lodge No. 308 Lodge Howick No. 314 Lodge Howick No. 314 Harmony Lodge No. 325 Harmony Lodge No. 325 The Mangere Lodge No. 330 Lodge Mana No. 352 Lodge Orewa No. 370 Lodge Orewa No. 370 Lodge Fendalton No. 384 Lodge Otahuhu No. 387 Lodge Arawa No. 406 The Pakuranga Lodge No. 416 Lodge Mangaroa No. 419 Lodge Kaimanawa No. 426 Lodge Maungarei No. 427 United Horowhenua Lodge No. 464 The United Lodge of Wanganui No. 468 Lodge Waitomo No. 469 The Lodge of The Liberal Arts No. 500

Initiations between 1 May and 31 July 2013

Triple header The Woburn Lodge No.25, located in Waipukurau, Hawkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay, can be justly proud of local scholars, brothers Alex and, younger brother, Harry Frere. Through the nominations of The Woburn Lodge both Alex and Harry received the support of The Freemasons Charity, which enabled them to start their University studies. This year Alex graduated with the triple degrees of BA in psychology, a BSc in computer science and BCom in marketing concluding six years of studying at the University of Otago. When he arrived at Otago in 2007, Alex began studying health sciences, later opting for psychology, but never dreaming of doing more than one degree. He eventually decided to diversify his study interests, partly to improve his

job prospects. Thus, in 2009, the final year of his psychology studies, he also began studying computer science and marketing. Completing three degrees has meant a lot of hard academic work. Towards the end of his studies, Alex was also doing a lot of other part-time work, particularly at weekends, to help make ends meet financially. He has taken all the challenges in his stride, and is grateful for strong support from his girlfriend, other friends and family members. Alex now has a good information technology job in Wellington. Meanwhile, Harry Frere is in the final year of completing a double degree at the University of Otago. Alex Frere on Graduation Day OTAGO DAILY TIMES

Freemasons

Roskill RoskillFoundation FoundationRepoRting RepoRting

‘Inspire’ programme fosters excellence in young musicians

A new programme whose focus is the development of the skills of young musicians

and their encouragement to take up professional careers in music is to be supported by Freemasons Roskill Foundation.

‘Inspire’ is part of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s community outreach activity designed to give young people more access to the orchestra and orchestral music. It touches the lives of over 25,000 children, teenagers and their families. Already highly successful and running for some years, it is being further expanded for 2014. The key audience is youth - secondary school and university musicians already involved in music who have the capability of taking their skills to a higher level. ‘Inspire’ will give them new opportunities to be encouraged and motivated through access to professional musicians, being mentored by them and playing alongside them. They can compete for such titles as Young Soloist or Young Composer of the Year, be chosen to play with the APO orchestra in concert, be mentored as conductors or attend workshops for composers.

Lodge Youth Orchestra Concert inspires: The Foundation’s extended involvement in youth music has been inspired by the success of its support of The Lodge of the Liberal Arts No 500 annual concert of orchestral music featuring the Auckland Youth Orchestra. The 2013 version of the Concert took place at the end of July in the Auckland Town Hall, Auckland’s premier venue for arts performance, and has been hailed by all as an outstanding success. A near full house and an enthusiastic response from Auckland Freemasons, of which more than 270 were present, confirmed the decision to take up the new youth opportunity with APO. As a result, the Youth Orchestra players will be especially catered for in the ‘Inspire’ programme starting next year. As with other Foundation arts, science and education programmes the motivation to support young people at advanced levels of achievement has the promise of great rewards for our future leaders and our society in general. 44

In Memoriam RW Bro Oliver Ross Nicholson, OBE PGW T

he Foundation is mourning the recent loss of RW Bro Ross Nicholson, Board Patron, who died in July at age ninety. Highly respected and a valuable contributor to the Board from long before his appointment in 1997, Ross was well known and highly respected in medical circles. He was widely recognised as the founder of modern orthopaedic medicine in New Zealand and many tributes were given at his funeral in Parnell. Among his achievements was setting up New Zealand’s first scoliosis (curvature

of the spine) unit at Middlemore Hospital in the 1960s. He was associated with the introduction of hip replacement surgery in 1967 and instrumental in founding the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit, formerly known as the Otara Spinal Unit. He also led the establishment of the orthopaedic training programme used by the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association and continued teaching until 2012. Auckland surgeon Dr Peter Robertson summed up his legacy succinctly. ‘’Simply stated, I don’t think anybody in the future will achieve or contribute as much as Ross

Nicholson did and we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude.’’ Although his orthopaedic career precluded a deep masonic involvement during his working life, he was a Past Master of Lodge Oliver Nicholson (named after his Grandfather, the first Mayor of Mt Eden Borough and Grand Master 191617), and a great believer in the Masonic ideal. He was a loyal and active member of both Lodge Arawhaiti No 267 and The Lodge of the Liberal Arts No 500. His wise counsel on medical and many other matters will be greatly missed.

New faces, more skills for Foundation Board Two

highly skilled and experienced Auckland businessmen, Neil Domigan and Dennis Waller, have been appointed as Trustees of the Freemasons Roskill Foundation. With a PhD in biochemistry and an MBA, Neil worked as a research scientist in New Zealand and France where he spent 3 years at the Institute Pasteur, and as teaching Professor at Paris University. He brings expertise in the business of medical science and technology, and has written a special report for Government on clinical trials. He was Director & technical advisor to a private merchant bank and comanaged a New Zealand Government Seed Venture Capital Fund. Neil has also worked as advisor and consultant to Government on technology commercialisation partnerships and Neil Domigan with Universities, Crown Institutes and industry on a wide range of governance and development issues. His own company provides corporate and fund-raising services to both public and private clients nationally and internationally on technology development. With Freemasonry heavily embedded in his family (Father and both Grandfathers) Neil joined the Craft just a few years ago and is currently Senior Warden at Lodge Howick No 314. Neil is married to Sarah and has three daughters.

Dennis Waller has a long and successful background in finance. He was Divisional Manager for Broadlands in Christchurch. Subsequently in Auckland, his merchant bank, Kendall Waller, grew to be the second biggest in New Zealand. Today, Dennis runs his own financial advice company specialising in exit & succession planning.

Dennis Waller

He has many years of experience and a deep understanding of the process of charitable community funding. Over many years, both professionally and in volunteer roles, this work has been a personal calling. He has an impressive 30year record in Rotary, was President of the Pakuranga Club and is a Saphire Paul Harris Fellow. Dennis is a Past Master of The Lodge of the Liberal Arts No 500 and served as Grand Lecturer 2008-10. He is a Past First Principal of the Royal Arch Chapter of Peace and is currently serving as Grand Lecturer. He is married to Glenys and has two adult children. Foundation Chairman, David Mace, says Dennis and Neil’s special skills, experience and knowledge will be invaluable in maintaining the high level of professional acumen and understanding necessary on the Board in developing relationships with partners and grant recipients.

ROSKILL FDN

The Foundation can be contacted at PO Box 113144, Newmarket, Auckland 1149. Telephone: (09) 520 6414 or email: info@roskill.org.nz 45

Continuing The Masonic Journey The First Grand Principal has been addressing Companions in Refectories and other venues on his views of the status of the Order, what we, as members, should be doing to improve the status, and the direction relationships with Grand Lodge are taking. The following is based on comments he recently made at the Mt Maunganui Chapter Installation. ‘Deciding to continue his Masonic journey is probably the most important decision a Freemason can make,’ Les Borrell, First Grand Principal said. ‘Most are aware that the journey does not end at the Third Degree but only a relatively small proportion decide to take the next step.’ ‘If Masonic education is important,’ he said, ‘then what better way to learn more about Freemasonry than by joining another Order?’ The way was pointed out many years ago when the Antients introduced the Royal Arch Degree and developed the Lodge-Chapter concept, an arrangement which was adopted by the United Grand Lodge of England when it was formed in MEComp Les Borrell presents his inaugural address.

1813. The Grand Lodge of New Zealand followed this trend when if wrote its Constitution. Speaking in the Refectory after the Mt Maunganui Chapter Installation he said ‘Rule 71 recognizes three Craft Degrees three Royal Arch Degrees.’ He believes this is most important, because it inextricably links the two Orders. ‘As I have indicated in the past, survival of our Order, indeed the survival of all facets of our fraternity, depends on a strong and thriving Craft.’ ‘It is not rocket science to know that as Craft Masons we must play our part in the future progress we desire so strongly,’ he continued. Earlier this year the Management Council offered its active support to the Board of General Purposes for the Strategic Plan, considering it equally applies to our Order. ‘I am delighted to report that our cooperation has been accepted and is highly appreciated,’ Les said. ‘Not only is the response significant,’ he says, ‘but it indicates how important that support and cooperation is to both Orders.’ At the time of the Installation the Northern Division Conference was imminent and he encouraged all Royal Arch Masons who are, of course, Craft

Masons, to make every effort to motivate their Craft Lodges to participate in the conference and to support the Grand Lodge Strategic Plan with enthusiasm. ‘Now,’ he says, ‘Grand Chapter has been invited to have a visible presence and a support role at the Grand Lodge Communication in November. We will be providing information material and a small gift with our compliments to every registrant at the event.’ There will also be a display stand with publicity material available, staffed by Royal Arch Companions to respond to questions. ‘We have also been invited to participate in and contribute to a preCommunication event involving all District Grand Masters Designate. We are very excited about these opportunities, which add lustre to the relationship between our Sovereign Body and the Grand Lodge of New Zealand,’ the First Grand Principal said. ‘I am sensing a real sense of excitement among our Companions as I visit Districts and report on these plans.’ ‘I urge all Royal Arch Companions to assist us with their keen support,’ Les said. Gary Kerkin

‘We’ve Been Working On The Chain Gang…’ Who says working on a chain gang is not a memorable experience? On the 4th of July Bro Cowie of Wellington Royal Arch Chapter No 62 was acknowledged as an Excellent Master. It is a night he will long remember. The ceremony held at Wellington Chapter No. 62 was undertaken by a ‘Chain Gang’ – very senior Offices of Grand Chapter each of whom wears a ‘Chain Collar’. Taking part were ME Comps Les Borrell GZ, Bruce 46

Hebbard PGZ, Graeme Pengelly PGZ and REComps Barry Cleaver GSupt, Raymond Arnold DepGZ, John Evans GJ, Tony Waters GH, Geoff Davies GSupt, Graham Redman PGLec, Phil Brooke PGSupt, Rod Johnson PGLec, Robert Jaray GSE and Ray Glover SGR (the latter two not pictured). The enthusiasm of the Grand Chapter officers taking part was an excellent

example to all the Companions who attended, demonstrating the willingness of these Companions to step-up and take part when invited. It showed that attention to ritual and detail is not limited by age or rank and that, given the proper conditions, everyone can enjoy their Royal Arch Masonry. The ‘Chain Gang Workings’ were started by RE Comp Rod Johnson,

The Chain Gang.

PGLec of Waterloo-Russell Royal Arch Chapter No 2, now resident in Wanganui, this being the second occasion of such an event in the Wellington District. It is hoped it will become an annual event on the calendar. After the ceremony ME Comp Borrell was able to present RE Comp Eoin Wimsett SGR with a First Grand Principal’s Award. In addressing RE Comp Wimsett, ME Comp Borrell commented on his outstanding commitment to freemasonry and Royal Arch masonry noting that RE Comp Wimsett had been a Lodge Secretary for at least 28 years, his Chapter’s Scribe Ezra for some 27 years and Recorder for Russell Cryptic Council for more than 10 years. It was a very enjoyable evening culmi nating with a fine refectory at which ME Comp Borrell expounded on his thoughts for the future of the Order Of The Royal Arch. Rod Johnson

Presentation to RE Comp Eoin Wimsett.

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For contact details of your local agent and to view our online shop, go to

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THE BACK PAGE

An ancient tradition has its Renaissance

t is a well-known fact that much of the early history of the craft ales ultimately proved Masonic Fraternity was spent in taverns. The Craft met, as too much and, in 2005, he did virtually every other club and society of the day, in local inns swapped the grape for the and taverns. Often, the proprietor would start a club simply as a grain and set about creating means of drawing more business for his establishment. a range of beers that would enlighten palates. Freemasonry enjoyed a cheerful, convivial nature, and prints Following some early teething problems, such as the delayed of the period reveal that Lodges would actually perform ritual dispatch of their bottling machine when the Italian suppliers work while seated at a table spread with glasses, bottles, and decided to take six weeks off to celebrate Italy winning the world copious punch bowls. As the ritual became more precise and cup in 2006, the brewery was soon shipping beer the length and stylized later in the eighteenth century, the habit of sitting at breadth of New Zealand to eager customers. the table was replaced with the familiar practice of calling off to In September 2007 the beers scooped two trophies at the refreshment. prestigious BrewNZ Beer Awards in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Brewing is truly alchemy. This is Past Master of The Wairau Lodge Wellington. This success and their No. 42, Andy Deuchars is a co-founder as good as the mystery of how growing cult status with beer aficionados and Head Brewer of Renaissance around New Zealand encouraged them to turn lead into gold.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Brewing and is responsible for the to expand their range of beers from beers style and design. Having worked and trained as a brewer in three to five. This range has since been extended. California, Andy relocated to Marlborough to be a winemaker. Andy was initiated into The Wairau Lodge, Marlborough, in An over-riding passion to try and get the New Zealand beer May 2005 and was installed as Master in June 2010 and, again drinking public out of the dark ages and enlightened towards for the following year.

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Heroes Heroines &

in the making

2013 Freemasons Dame Malvina Major Young Artist:

Maaike Christie-Beekman Sarah-Jane Rennie Bianca Andrew

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Anna Leese

Wendy Doyle

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Andrew Grenon

Emma Roxburgh

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Emma Sloman

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Thomas Atkins

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Cheuky Chan

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Derek Hill

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Kate Lineham

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Morag McDowell

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Atlas Andrea Munro

Robert Tucker Freemasons Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists:

Edward Laurenson

Amongst the cream of New Zealand’s young opera performers lies the potential for international fame.

2013 Freemasons Resident Artists: Amanda

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Elizabeth Mandeno

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Kieran Rayner

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Oliver Sewell

The New Zealand Opera Freemasons Internships give these very talented young artists the time and opportunity to immerse themselves in the craft, receive coaching and tuition in music and performance, travel, assume stage roles and work very hard. Our aim is to encourage excellence and reward merit. These are our values. We are proud to help.

Freemasons rosKILL FoUnDaTIon

Changing lives – for the better

Photo: Former Emerging Artist Emma Fraser as the Countess Ceprano, with Rafael Rojas as the Duke of Mantua, Rigoletto, 2012.

New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest bank is proud to support Freemasonry in New Zealand Heartland Bank is the NEW Freemasons Deposit Scheme partner. With roots stretching back to 1875, Heartland Bank has a proud history of providing families, small-to-medium sized businesses and farms with financial solutions to help them achieve prosperity. Through our partnership built on shared values, Heartland Bank is working with Freemasons New Zealand to support the Craft in local communities, while providing Freemasons and their families with competitive interest rates on their deposits. To find out more about Heartland Bank and the Freemasons Deposit Scheme, see the inside front cover of New Zealand Freemason. Alternatively you can contact a dedicated Heartland Bank Freemasons Deposit Scheme representative on 0508 FREEMASONS (0508 37 33 62) or email freemasons@heartland.co.nz.*

*Freemasons New Zealand is not a promoter of and does not guarantee the obligations of Heartland Bank Limited in relation to Heartland Bank deposits. Copies of Heartland Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Disclosure Statement and Investment Statements are available from www.heartland.co.nz or by calling 0508 FREEMASONS (0508 37 33 62).

Call us. 0508 FREEMASONS www.heartland.co.nz Email: freemasons@heartland.co.nz