Last week I travelled to Launceston for work and as in the past I had arranged to visit a Lodge meeting .
On my travels , I was in transit awaiting in the Qantas club in Melbourne- Where I noticed a Gentleman dressed with a suit and two gold pins , The freemasons Square & compass and a musical staff.
My first thought- he was a member of a side order - Freemason Symphony Orchestra.
I eventually approached him and pointed to my pin- Square & Compass with Kangaroo ( I was incognito ), after a rigorous testing ( I believe we are in the same fraternity).
After some discussion, His name in Peter Stokes Lodge Sincerity WA and a Past Grand Master - Grand Lodge WA in Perth , and was in Melbourne for a meeting with other Grand lodge masters including our own Grand Master .
Again , he thought I was a Master or a grand master ? ( It must be my aurora ), I said no, I am just part of a Scottish Lodge !
I hope to see him again at the Grand Installation in July .
So Mote It Be! by Adriaan Luus
O come Young Men, those on The Path in search of The Inner Gold, The Philosophers Stone, and drink Abundantly of the Streams that run from the Fountain of Freemasonry ...
So that ... that One - inside may Feel, hetero it is drawn ...
... there is a well-spring of The living water within - the Selve ... springing up to quench the thirst of the Eternal Knowledge ...
... that as He lives through thee ... from whence all the springs do come -
... He lives through thine Sacred Body, and thine Pure Heart, only ...
In Freemasonry one may partake of His glory, through thine own perspective ...
If any brother is intending to participate in some entertainment or social event that he thinks other members (or even selected members e.g. motorcycle riders or music lovers) may enjoy, send out an Email or give them a call. I am sure you will appreciate how this can increase friendships and lodge harmony.
As the festive season approaches I encourage (I hesitate to say direct), all members to examine the list and select at least 2 members who you don’t know or at least haven’t had contact with in for a long time and give them a ring and wish them the compliments of the season. A phone call (not a text or Email unless it is to a group of people) and a personal introduction once again should support Scotia’s fraternal aims.
We have also commenced work on finalizing the years of developing our Ritual for final acceptance by the Brethren and Grand Lodge. I commend all the Brethren who have participated in this process in the past and while I am aware of some reluctance to formalize this document, I once again believe it is for both the harmony of the Lodge and our new members that this work needs to be completed. I believe that the 1st degree is just about there and I am hopeful the other 2 degrees won’t be too far behind. The installation Ritual should be completed prior to our next Installation.
Last night Celtic of Ithaca Lodge gave support to Lodge Scotia by conducting a 2nd Degree on our Brother, Will McLay. We had 10 Scotia members attend (including Bro McLay and Wor Bro Hanney who is also a member of Celtic of Ithaca) so we were able to make it a fraternal visit. Bro McLay was duly passed to the 2nd Degree with our Wor Bro Kerry LeBoutillier giving the Secrets. A most enjoyable night was had by all.
This is an update on our first month of operation as a new team. It is specifically directed towards those of our members who are unable to join us at our regular meetings, but there is some information that is also appropriate for our regular attendees.
Last Friday night we were pleased to conduct a successful 1st Degree on a father and his son – Adriaan and Shane Luus. Both brethren expressed their gratitude and enjoyment at being initiated into the craft by a team who obviously had put a lot of work into being prepared for this first meeting of our new Masonic year. This is the first time for most of our members that they have been part of a double Degree and while some challenges presented themselves, I believe the whole night (although quite late) was a success.
There are those out there in cyberspace who see conspiracies everywhere. Masonic “secrets” provide them with all the evidence they need to convince the more gullible that the anti Christ is surely among us. Type “Masonic Secrets” into a Google search and you will be sure to find thousands of sites, each claiming special knowledge of these secrets. So I find the argument, that the masons are part of a world domination conspiracy based on the fact that we have secrets, a bit shallow, when those very secrets are on display to anyone with internet access and a will to type in two small words.
I have to say that I am absolutely astonished by the level of knowledge professed by non Freemasons on the net. There is little doubt that we as Freemasons see and hear much of the symbolism used in a our ceremonies repeated in the world around us. But to say that Freemasons have cornered the market on symbolism would be akin to saying that a Bolivian bank has cornered the world economy. Just about every religion uses symbolism in some way. I think symbols help us to focus our thoughts. Freemasons do not decry the symbols of religion, the symbols of justice or the symbols of nationality. Why should we? Generally we are part of those things in one way or another. Why do our detractors see such mayhem in Freemasonic symbols?
Dear Brethren,
Unfortunately, Dennis has passed away. The legacy that he left for Freemasonry in Queensland won't be forgotten. His calendar has now been developed and is available below.
Dennis Johnson Calendar
Dennis gave us this little bit of history as well.
Craftsman - History of the former Masonic Centre in Alice Street, Brisbane
3rd November 2012
On Friday the 2nd November we initiated Tom Wayne into the craft. This initiation has capped off a successful year for this lodge. It has also been a busy one with initiations, passings and raisings. Read More→
4th November 2012
Sunday the 4th November saw a number of the brethren and their wives attend the Sea Grill Restaurant at Ascot for a meal and a get together for Christmas. For many of us it presented the last chance to see one another before the jolly fellow tried to squeeze down our non-existent chimneys.
As usual the many topics of discussion kept us in the venue until the staff made it very plain they wanted to go home and we were beginning to overstay our welcome. But they were gracious as we finally did so and had to divvy up the large bill. Read More→
Australian Masonic Centres
