Scotch College

Lodge gains full accreditation

WORDS: MR BILL TINGATE (’55) Masonic Lodge

Dr Richard Tait (’76) is more than halfway through his busy year as Master of the Old Scotch Lodge, having taken over from Neil Hart-Smith (’60) last November, after his installation by the Victorian Grand Master, Vaughan Werner.

Richard had undertaken a SWOT survey with members, and has developed a ‘future directions’ plan for the Lodge. One of the first achievements, thanks to the excellent work of the previous management and ceremonial teams, was the award by Grand Lodge of our full accreditation, in recognition of the Lodge’s high operational standards.

The passing to the Grand Lodge Above of our Brother, Robert Brélaz (1939-1949), in December last year, was a very sad loss. He joined the Old Scotch Lodge in 1975, and was an active member, becoming the Master in 2001/2002. He was a long-time convenor of our Wednesday lunch group. Rob had been made a Special Member.

A number of our members have been progressing along their Masonic journeys:

• James Nicolson (’93) joined the Lodge, and has started on his journey
• Alex Buirski (’05) has passed on to become a Fellowcraft
• Iain Christie (’99) and Simon Doherty (’96) are now Master Masons;
• Grant Stevens (’54) and Geoffrey Weller (’55) received their 50-year jewels
• Bruce Symon (’45) received his 60-year bar, and
• In March, the ceremonial team of 10 years ago (2000/2001), with Bill Tingate briefly back in the Master’s chair, undertook the ceremony for a visiting Craftsman.

Several of our younger members with very busy work commitments, are currently somewhat restricted on their journeys: James Nicolson (‘93) on oil-rig drilling projects; and Daniel Ritchie (‘02) in Beijing.

With all the natural disasters that have been occurring around Victoria in the early part of this year, there has been great need for volunteer support and assistance, such as by the Freemasons Victorian Task Force, in flood recovery projects.

Several Old Scotch Lodge members have been heavily involved, including: Ian McMurtrie (‘58), the task force state coordinator; Gary Edwards (‘60), task force executive committee; and Graeme Weber (‘64), fencing restorer.

As ‘charity’ is a fundamental activity of Freemasonry, the Lodge has also put considerable time and effort into supporting Best Chance, which provides a wide range of special care, early intervention and support for needy children and families.

We have now raised approximately $10,000 towards a special sensory garden project to be established at Best Chance’s Glen Waverley centre, with functions such as our miniature railway picnic day in March at Lower Eltham Park, which also included many of the children from Best Chance.

The Old Scotch Lodge meets on the first Thursday of each month (except January), at the Camberwell Masonic Centre; all Freemasons are welcome. Old Boys interested in joining the Lodge should contact our Secretary Ian Thomson on 5981 0581 or iaroth@netspace.net.au. GS