From the Grand Master

FROM THE GRAND MASTER New Grand Master takes office

In mid-November at the Grand Installation in Wellington, NZ, RWBro Jim Watt, former Deputy Grand Master, was installed as the 85th Grand Master of Freemasons NZ. Over 450 Brethren from NZ and overseas, and their partners, attended the event, in what is the pinnacle celebration of the Craft in New Zealand. Here, for those who could not attend, are excerpts of the Grand Master’s speech.

To our partners, families, friends, distinguished guests, visiting Grand Masters, Brethren, I extend my greetings and my thanks for your attendance today.

I wish to pay tribute to our partners and families, all of whom contribute so much to Freemasonry by supporting our quest to be better men and better Freemasons, and to our making a difference in our communities.

I especially want to thank my partner, Penny, for her love and understanding, and our sons and wider family and friends, for their encouragement in my 38-odd years of being a Freemason.

To the Grand Masters from Australia and the United States of America, and to the delegations who have accompanied you, our Sister Constitutions and members of the Royal Arch, thank you for attending today.

Most Worshipful Brother Graham Wrigley, Past Grand Master, I know this is not how you wanted your term to be remembered; that of being the Grand Master who steered us through a Pandemic.

But it was your decision making and prompt and clear communication that was the key to Lodges and Brethren being on board as we went through lockdowns, restricted numbers at meetings and all the other inconveniences that Covid dealt us.

Most Worshipful Brother Graham, on behalf of the Brethren and our wider Masonic family, I thank you for keeping our families and Brethren safe during what must be the most disruptive period in New Zealand Freemasonry since World War Two. You can look back on your term with pride.

I would also like to acknowledge your team of Grand Lodge officers who had an equally disrupted term, and I thank them for their commitment to their Brethren and to the Craft.

My journey from an Entered Apprentice to Grand Master has been one of discovery and enlightenment, and I have been counselled and supported by many Brethren, too many to name.

But I would like to single out one Brother, Most Worshipful Mike Pope, who has been a guide and mentor to me. Thank you Most Worshipful for your friendship and your wise and tactful counsel over the years.

Two important words There are two words you will not hear me use over the next three years and they are ‘Change’ and ‘Culture’.

I won’t use them because we Masons regularly roll them out when discussing what ails Freemasonry … then we promptly do nothing about either.

But while I may not speak them, rest assured they are front and centre on my radar.

But you will hear me talk regularly and passionately about our younger Masons and our future; how we, as One United Team of Brethren, can work together to add to Freemasonry’s wonderful legacy.

I’ve long thought that candidates join the Craft for one reason, but they stay for different reasons.

I think our numbers prove we are successful at encouraging candidates to join our ranks.

But we are not so good when it comes to encouraging them to stay.

So, my overarching message to you as Grand Master is – I want our organisation to give our younger, aspiring - and enquiring - members more of a voice.

I want to see our newer Brethren active in their Lodge, participating in Lodge activities, actively seeking, and securing development opportunities, being invited to take on – and accepting – roles that enable them to contribute meaningfully to their Lodge’s growth and its success, and ones that also support them to grow as individuals within their vocations and their communities.

Season’s Greetings from JIM WATT, GRAND MASTER

PHOTO: ANDRE BERNHARDT / UNSPLASH