Scotch College

Young Lodge members make their mark

WORDS: Mr BILL TINGATE

As an important project in a busy and very successful year, the Old Scotch Lodge has embarked on a challenging renewal program – part of a push by Freemasonry in general to bring all lodges up to scratch in the 21st century.

This program is encouraging us to look critically at our activities, methods and administration, to see how we can improve our operations and functions. The aim is to provide better and more enjoyable Freemasonry for our members – and then to seek Grand Lodge accreditation.

This process has involved surveying members to identify areas for improvement, setting new goals, and then monitoring our progress in achieving them. We hope to achieve accreditation during 2009.

As part of this process, it’s very encouraging and refreshing to see the next generation of our younger Freemasons progressing steadily along their personal Masonic journeys. Passing to the degree of Fellow Craft have been Andrew Picken (’99) in May, James Cooper (’05) in June, and Emllyn Green (’03) and Ninan Mathew (’00) in July.

The June ceremony was very capably undertaken by the team of 10 years ago, with WBro. Ian Gould (’76) back in the Master’s chair – an annual tradition at No. 396. In October, Daniel Ritchie (’02) and David Silver (’01) progressed to become Master Masons; and at our December meeting, James Cooper and Andrew Picken will also become Master Masons.

Of our more established members, several have had their special Masonic service recognised with conferral of additional Grand rank: congratulations to David Ferguson (’56) in the Grand Master’s current Grand Lodge Ceremonial Team; and to Bill Galvin (’55), Jeff Kiddle (’41), Jim Mitchell (’41) and Steve Latimer (’71) for their honorary Grand Rank appointments.

At the November meeting, our Master, WBro. Peter Turnley (’57), and his 2008 team retired. Our incoming Master, RWBro. John Maynard (’56) was installed in the chair by the Grand Master, MWBro. Garry Sebo, assisted by his Grand Lodge team. More than 100 visitors and members attended John’s installation and the banquet that followed.

John has himself been a senior Grand Lodge officer for more than 10 years, having been director of the Freemasons Hospital (1998–2007), president of the Board of Benevolence (2000–03), president of the Board of General Purposes (2005–07), and trustee of the Freemasons’ Charitable Foundation (2007–08). All this is on top of a very extensive professional career.

A number of younger Old Scotch Freemasons are progressing steadily along their personal Masonic journeys.

Our charitable efforts have included doorknocking for the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, organised by Bob Arnold (’44) and raising $8,700; a fundraising mystery film night at Scotch in June, with the proceeds going to a District charity; and assisting with several Masonic task force ‘help’ activities.

The OS Lodge meets on the first Thursday of each month (except January), at the Camberwell Masonic Centre. All Freemasons are welcome. Old boys interested in or curious about Freemasonry are invited to contact the secretary, Ian Thomson, via the OSCA office on 9810 4302.

The core values of Freemasonry are:

Practise universal charity, provide opportunities for self-development, build friendships, foster moral standards, and seek excellence in all pursuits. GS