Engage! Newsletter No. 130

How do you like them apples? Members of the Freemasons Cycling Club went bananas over the opportunity to ride in Shepparton’s

annual Fruitloop Ride, all to raise funds for a worthy cause.

WBro. Malcolm Mann with mascot Fruit post ride

On Sunday 11 September, Freemasons Cycling Club (Vic) members rode in the annual Rotary Club of

Shepparton Central Fruitloop Ride in support of the Goulburn Valley Hospice Care Services.

The Hospice offers palliative care that aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their carers

who are facing the challenges associated with living with a terminal illness. They offer both clinical

and bereavement care, and also care to supporters, both family and friends of those with terminal

illnesses.

After a good night’s sleep at the Victoria Lake Caravan Park and a hearty breakfast at a local café,

they pedalled to the Fruitloop Ride start at Princess Park in Shepparton. Along the way, they met up

with newest club member WBro. Keith Stuart of Mooroopna Lodge No. 131.

While Keith headed off early for the 115km journey, WBro. Malcolm Mann, WBro. Milton Mann,

Bro. Cyril Land and Bro. Matthew DeNatris took the opportunity to meet some of the locals and be

included in some of the photos of the event- suitably with some of the fruit mascots! It was a great

opportunity for the club members to socialise with those who participated and those who were

there to support the riders.

At 9.30am the flag dropped and the 50km event got underway, taking in the picturesque countryside

around Shepparton.

As usual, the club members gathered up a group of riders (including Matt’s wife Johanna), swapped

explanations about jerseys, shared stories and had some laughs along the way- such as awarding

‘King of the Mountain’ Points for crossing over the irrigation channel bumps!

After the event, the club members enjoyed a BBQ lunch with other event participants, and made

sure everyone knew the Freemasons Cycling Club (Victoria) would be back for next year’s event.

Left: WBro. Malcolm Mann, WBro. Milton Mann, Bro. Matt DeNatris and Bro. Cyril Land along with

Geoff (official Fruitloop starter) and Fruitloop fruit mascots.

The Freemasons Cycling Club (FMCC) was founded in New York City in 2010 after a number of cycling

charity events where the group decided they wanted to promote Freemasonry at the same time.

They created the club and the jersey that Victorian Freemasons wear to this day.

The FMCC (Vic) team started in Victoria as a group of Wodonga Lodge members riding together with

the same benevolent attitude as their US counterparts.

As no similar club existed in Victoria at the time, members of Wodonga Lodge contacted US

Freemasons who invited them to join what they had already established. The team in Victoria

currently has seven members, with hope to grow in the next year.

If you are interested in joining the Freemasons Cycling club please email WBro. Malcolm Mann

malcolm.fmcc.vic@gmail.com

NINE the Musical! Manilla Street Productions presents NINE the musical, In Concert, raising funds for the Think Pink

Foundation.

After almost 30 long years, the great musical NINE is returning to Melbourne for a one night charity

concert to raise funds for breast cancer patients.

Statistically, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. The Think

Pink Foundation provides practical support to breast cancer patients and their families through their

state-of-the-art, independent and non-clinical facility, The Living Centre.

Australia’s top female musical theatre talents are coming together to support this special event and

charity. The all-star cast includes Lucy Maunder, Alinta Chidzey, Chelsea Gibb, Fem Belling and Maria

Mercedes.

Michael Cormick plays Guido Contini, an Italian film director who on turning 40 is facing a midlife

crisis. The musical is set in 1960s Venice and unlocks a web of Gu ido’s romantic entanglements.

Based on Federico Fellini’s semi-autobiographical film 8 ½, the original Broadway production opened

in 1982 and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score. The creative team

includes music direction by David Wisken heading up a 30 piece orchestra.

This production builds on the Manilla Street Productions’ reputation for presenting Australia’s

leading theatrical talent in new or little performed works. Manilla Street Productions last presented

the acclaimed Sondheim on Sondheim at the Recital Centre in 2015.

The charity concert of NINE will be on Monday 31 October for one performance only at the

Melbourne Recital Centre.

NINE, In Concert

Monday 31 October 2016, 8pm

Melbourne Recital Centre

Tickets $59 - $119

http://www.melbournerecital.com.au Bookings: 03 9699 3333

Who is The Think Pink Foundation? There are many different breast cancer charities and not-for-profit organisations associated with the

breast cancer cause, each addressing worthwhile, but very different aspects of the issue. The Think

Pink Foundation is an independent, volunteer based charity that dedicates its efforts and the funds it

raises to provide practical support for people diagnosed with breast cancer.

When you are undergoing treatment it’s hard to hold down a job. The bills continue to roll in and the

struggle to live is compounded by the struggle to survive. As the ‘helping hand’ in our logo indicates,

our mission is to provide practical support and to enable a better journey through breast cancer for

patients and their families – all of whom are affected by the disease. Primarily, we do this through

our state-of-the-art, independent and non-clinical facility called The Living Centre.

At The Living Centre we focus on the very real needs and struggles of those who have been

diagnosed and are currently living through what is probably the most challenging time of their life.

Our focus is on helping people who have the disease – at every stage of the journey from initial

diagnosis, through treatment and onto survivorship. All of our services are provided free of charge

and we do not limit the number of visits by our clients. Importantly, all our services are available to

breast cancer patients from any treatment centre and at any stage of their journey.

We have a fully qualified Breast Care Nurse fully funded by Freemasons Victoria to support and

counsel patients and also an onsite 2-bedroom apartment available for rural-based clients who are

receiving treatment in Melbourne.

The Think Pink Foundation – Enabling a better journey through breast cancer.

http://www.thinkpink.org.au

Supporting Safe Steps Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre

has recently been provided with some much

needed funding to purchase resources,

equipment and activities for their Children’s

Program.

From grassroots beginnings over 40 years

ago, Safe Steps Family Violence Response

Centre has grown to become the leading first

response service in Victoria for women and

their children experiencing family violence.

Today, Safe Steps provides 24/7 expert intervention, support, advocacy and referral pathways to

women and children throughout Victoria to ensure that those at highest risk receive an immediate

family violence response to keep them from harm.

Last year, Safe Steps provided over 20,000 emergency accommodation beds to women and children

who needed assistance to escape immediate risk or serious injury or death. Over 50 per cent of

those accommodated were under the age of 18 - the majority of whom were children escaping

family violence with their mothers.

The children’s program aims to support and help educate children and young people accommodated

in refuges that have experienced family violence, as well as help them express and resolve their

feelings, giving them strategies to cope with the situation.

Safe Steps fundraising manager, Kristine Robertson wishes to thank Freemasons Foundation Victoria

Limited and the wider Freemasons Victoria community for their ongoing support.

A Where there’s Hope there’s

Freemasonry WBro. Jim

Taylor,

master of

Geelong

Lodge of

Unity and

Prudence No

5 presented

Hope

Bereavement

Care with a

cheque from

Freemasons

Foundation

Victoria for

$950.

Hope Bereavement Care is a counselling care and support service which works with families

following the death of a child.

The highly respected organisation was noticed by Geelong Lodge of Unity and Prudence No 5, and

they showed no hesitation to supporting the cause.

WBro. Jim Taylor, master of Geelong Lodge of Unity and Prudence No 5 presented Hope

Bereavement Care with a cheque from Freemasons Foundation Victoria for $950.

The cheque was presented to Tracy Paech, a counsellor from the organisation.

The money will be added to funds raised by The Geelong Central Fidelity Club (a group of retired

Freemasons), and will sponsor the annual ‘Walk of Hope’.

The ‘Walk of Hope’ remembers and honours a baby or child who has died. The public event is an

opportunity to remember a beloved child, and is very important in the grief journey of a number of

our families.

The event took place on Sunday 10th October at Rippleside Park, Geelong. Together families and

friends walked a short distance along the waterfront and returned to the park.

Participants were given red balloons to carry on the walk and were asked to take them home (not

release them). A dove release also took place. The event concluded with a free BBQ lunch.

Freemasons from Geelong Lodge of Unity and Prudence No 5 assisted on the day by erecting the

marquee, setting up tables and assisting with the marshalling of the participants for the walk.

Hope Bereavement Care conducts a number of special community events for those bereaved, such

as the ‘Walk of Hope’ and the ‘Memorial Service for Children who have died’.

Through support groups, led by trained bereaved parents under guidance of grief counsellors, are

able to connect with newly bereaved parents providing support and information.

3MBS Freemasons Victoria - Young

Performer Award 2016 Freemasons Victoria members are warmly invited to attend the 3MBS Freemasons Victoria Young Performer Award 2016. Hear some of Victoria's brightest talent at this wonderful event. The competition takes place at 2pm, Sunday 30th October at Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), South Melbourne Town Hall. To RSVP for this free event please contact 3MBS by 26 October: rsvp@3mbs.org.au or (03) 9416 1035.

Lowan Lodge Display at the Nhill Show

On 13th October, Lowan Lodge (107) had a marquee display for the community at the Nhill Show.

The Lodge had a great spot right in the main thoroughfare and it was manned by WBro. Bill Howarth,

Bro. Rhys Webb, Bro. Wiremu Larkins, Bro. John Dunbar and Bro. Armand VonBenecke.

Members of the community watched the new Freemasons Victoria promotional video and were

shown around a mock lodge room.

Lowan Lodge received a great response from the community.

Wanted – Community Minded

Freemasons

Our newly constituted Freemasons Foundation has and will be making a number of strategy

‘investments’ in community based projects with a charitable purpose.

Strategically we consider projects against three primary considerations:

Alignment with our Brand

Enduring benefit for the people of Victoria Involvement or potential for involvement with our Lodges

Freemasons Victoria seeks expressions of interest from Freemasons who may like to get involved in

supporting these Foundation originated projects by participating in committee work that will

enhance our relationship with the grant recipient and our status in the eyes of the people of

Victoria.

No previous experience is necessary although you will need to demonstrate skills that may be

reasonably expected to advance the project.

We put no barriers on time commitments but would expect no less than four meetings per annum.

Applications should be made by email to Jane Sydenham-Clarke, Chief Executive, Freemasons

Victoria at jsydenhamclarke@freemasonsvic.net.au

Initial enquiries can be directed to RWBro. David Gibbs PJGW (a Foundation director) at

david.gibbs@bennettgroup.com.au

Deputy Grand Master & Board

Selection Panels

Freemasons Victoria recently called for representatives from suitably qualified Brethren to serve on

either the Deputy Grand Master or Board Selection Panels. To date we have vacancies in a number

of Districts. If you are interested in serving on either of these panels please contact WBro. Bruce

Cowie, Assistant Grand Secretary for further information.

Nominations – Deputy Grand Master Selection Panel

The Leadership Selection Panel has the responsibility for the selection of candidates for the position

of Deputy Grand Master. Rules 27 – 44 of the Book of Constitutions define the process for the

nomination and election of this panel.

This panel replaces the Leadership Electoral College following changes to the Book of Constitutions

approved by Grand Lodge at its December 2015 Quarterly Communication.

The selection panel is comprised of:

a. A Chairman which was appointed by the Board of General Purposes at its April 2016

meeting. The appointment is for a period of 2 years. He shall be entitled to be re-appointed

for a further 2 year term. Should the Chairman resign or otherwise cease to be a member of

the Panel, a replacement shall be appointed by the Board of General Purposes. The

Chairman shall not be entitled to vote. The appointed Chairman is RWBro. Bill Hayes, PDGM.

b. An elected representative of each District who, in each case, shall be of or above the rank of

Past Junior Grand Warden and a member of a Lodge in the District from which he is elected.

c. The President of the Board of General Purposes or, if he is himself a candidate for election as

Deputy Grand Master, the Vice-President of the Board. The President of the Board of

General Purposes or the Vice – President of the Board shall not be entitled to vote.

d. The Grand Registrar, who shall not be entitled to vote.

In addition the regulations approved by the Board, state that every candidate must be able to demonstrate:

o He is a man of good character and has demonstrated, over a period of time, attachment to the Craft and loyalty to the United Grand Lodge of Victoria.

o A thorough understanding of the state of the Craft in Victoria and an appreciation of the challenges which it faces.

o An understanding of the vision and the Strategic imperatives f or the future of Freemasonry in Victoria and an understanding of what will be required to bring the vision and strategic imperatives to reality.

o An understanding of the governance structures of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria.

o An understanding of the skills and experience r e q u i r e d to make a contribution to the Leadership and strategic management of the organisation.

o He possesses the skills and personal qualities which will enable him to contribute to the panel in i ts se lection process.

If you are interested in serving on this panel application forms are available from WBro. Bruce Cowie, Assistant Grand Secretary. The applications do not have to be endorsed by the Lodge. A photo of the applicant will also be required. Each applicant must submit a short biographical description (250 – 300 words max) outlining their qualifications relevant to each criteria. Applications which do not address the qualifications of the nominee in respect of each and all of the above criteria, will be deemed to be incomplete and therefore invalid. Nominations – Board Selection Panel

The Board Selection Panel has the responsibility for the selection of candidates for the Board of

General Purposes. Rules 300 – 308 of the Book of Constitutions define the process for the

nomination and election of this panel.

This panel replaces the Board Electoral College following changes to the Book of Constitutions

approved by Grand Lodge at its December 2015 Quarterly Communication.

The selection panel is comprised of:

a. The Deputy Grand Master.

b. An elected representative of each District who, in each case, shall have held at least the rank

of Master Mason for at least five consecutive years and be a member of a Lodge in the

District from which he is elected.

c. The Grand Registrar.

The Deputy Grand Master shall chair the meetings of the Panel and the Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Registrar shall not be entitled to vote. Pursuant to Rule 302 (d) of the Book of Constitutions the Board has determined that every candidate must be able to demonstrate:

o A man of good character and has demonstrated, over a period of time, attachment to the Craft and loyalty to the United Grand Lodge of Victoria.

o He possesses a thorough understanding of the state of the Craft in Victoria and an appreciation of the challenges which it faces.

o He possesses an understanding of the vision and the Strategic imperatives for the future of Freemasonry in Victoria and an understanding of what will be required to bring the vision and strategic imperatives to reality.

o An understanding of the governance structures of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria and role of the Board of General Purposes within those structures.

o An understanding of the skills and experience r e q u i r e d to make a contribution to the strategic management of the organisation.

o He possesses the skills and personal qualities which will enable him to contribute to the panel in i ts se lection process.

If you are interested in serving on this panel application forms are available from WBro. Bruce Cowie, Assistant Grand Secretary. The applications do not have to be endorsed by the Lodge. A photo of the applicant will also be required. Each applicant must submit a short biographical description (250 – 300 words max) outlining their qualifications relevant to each criteria. Applications which do not address the qualifications of the nominee in respect of each and all of the above criteria, will be deemed to be incomplete and therefore invalid.