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Masonic Charity and Organisations in Tasmania |
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N. W. Masonic Benevolence Society (June 2008) | |
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Burnie Masonic Hilton Sharpe memorial Award (January 2008) |
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The Clock Of Life
The clock of
life is wound but once
And no man has the power,
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.
Now is the
only time you own,
Live, love, work with a will
Place no faith in tomorrow,
For the clock may then be still.
Anonymous
Charity is one of the foremost characteristics of the Masonic order and all masons are fully enlightened in its importance and the practical application of that virtue. Such charity in Masonic circles, of course, is practiced in many ways – it involves the giving of money, time and talents to help those less fortunate, not only within the fraternity, but also within the community in which we live. It requires an awareness of the needs of others and an appreciation that not all people are blessed with the good things of life.
It is probably in the area of the Aged Community where Masonry does its greatest work and the Masonic Homes of Northern Tasmania are a prime example where the truly Masonic ornaments of charity and benevolence are illustrated.
Each year, Masonic Homes of Northern Tasmania are assisted in raising funds by a wide variety of groups and organisations, with donations from Lodges, associated Lodge groups, business and service organisations, families, individuals, and specialised fundraising groups associated with our Homes.
While it is impossible to name here all the generous people who unselfishly give of their resources and time to help us, I believe it is appropriate on this occasion to acknowledge the continuing support of the Northern Lodges, such as Lake, Esk (and Lodge Esk Ladies), Launceston, Heather, Meander, Scotch College, Army and Navy, Rose of Launceston, Ernest Clark Rose, just to name a few; Masters Associations, such as 1981/82 and 1982/84; as well as Past Masters and their ladies.
We have also received generous donations from the Board of Benevolence and Launceston Masonic Club, and acknowledge the support given by ones such as Grand Royal Arch Chapter, Royal Order of Scotland and the former Empire Lodge.
The real beneficiaries of this generosity are, of course, our residents and clients, and the effect of even a small gift on such ones is sometimes immeasurable. For example, the 1977/78 Masters Association provides a small cash donation twice a year, including Christmas, to an elderly man and woman who are in need of help. The gifts are presented personally by Members of the Masters Association and the pleasure that they bring to the recipients is heart-warming.
Although the number of practicing Lodges is getting fewer and the Masters Associations are becoming smaller due to the increasing age of their members, they – and their associated groups – continue to make an invaluable contribution to our organisation.
If all of us can view any contributions we are able to make, not only as a fraternal duty, but as a privilege to serve mankind in general, then we will have practiced true Masonic charity.
ALEX R. SYMONDS P.D.G.M.
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Second Year student nurse at the University of Tasmania, Michelle Young was officially presented with her Freemasons Assisting Tertiary Education Students (Freemates) scholarship by the Grand Master, MW Bro. Norm Cooper. The presentation was made at a morning tea arranged by representatives of UTAS and of Freemates.
Michelle was happy to accept the scholarship, valued at $2000, and said it would help cover various costs, including traveling to and from her home in Rosetta. Michelle is the grand-daughter of the late W. Bro. Jim Brent, who was a foundation member of Lodge Bowen. |
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Lodge Clarence was recently approached by South Arm Peninsula Residents seeking assistance towards the purchase of a Laedal First Aid Heartstart Defibrillator for their community. The association had already received donations from other sources, but were still $1750 short of the total cost. The Lodge was able to make a small donation and then approached the Board of Benevolence for further assistance. The Board agreed to make to make a generous donation through the Masonic through the Masonic Benevolent Fund covering the balance required for the purchase of the Defibrillator. The South Arm Peninsula residents Association said without the support from Freemasonry, it would have been a long time before the equipment would have been purchased. |
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Paul Lewis |
Freemasons' Homes of Southern Tasmania
The Freemasons' Homes of Southern Tasmania originated, following World War II, from a suggestion by Grand Master at the time, Most Worshipful Brother Arthur Crawford LOWE for a suitable Masonic Peace Memorial to be established.
The current site at Ballawinnie Road, Lindisfarne was selected after 33 locations between Kettering and Granton were considered. In 1951 an area of 5 acres was purchased from the Agricultural Bank for $5,400.
The Tasmanian Operative Lodge, No.1 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania commenced planning for the construction of an aged care complex. It is of interest that Most Wor. Bro. Lowe was a member of that Lodge.
A cottage was subsequently constructed and officially handed over to the Homes in December 1953 at no cost, having been constructed through voluntary labour by Freemasons; it was valued at $9,000 at the time.
Two more cottages were built, one in 1955 at a cost of $8,400 and the other in 1957 at a cost of $7,024. These original cottages were demolished in 2006 and replaced with seven 2 bedroom villa units and 2 serviced apartments.
With a Federal Government subsidy of two pounds for one, the first section of the low care accommodation for eighteen persons was erected at the cost of $80,992 and officially opened in February, 1959. At this point in time there was accommodation in the low care and cottages for twenty-eight residents; seven double and fourteen single.
It also became apparent that facilities were required to support administration, laundry and catering services, nursing, dining and communal lounge areas. These facilities and others were included in extensions to the low care accommodation of thirty-four beds. The official opening of that new development was in February, 1965.
Griffiths, Voss and Waring & Quigley Wings were later added.
The Masonic Centre at Kingston was
opened in December, 1983, following the construction of 8 independent
living units. Following a donation by the Vernon and Bowditch
families, the Bowditch Hostel was constructed and opened in December
1991. In addition, financial support was provided by the Florence
Nightingale Nursing Home, following its closure, with residents of the
latter being relocated in a Wing of the same name at Bowditch Hostel.
The Hostel provided accommodation for twenty four residents.
Eleven independent living units were constructed at the Masonic Gardens Village at Ballawinnie Road in June 2000.
The residential care facility at Ballawinnie Road was completely redeveloped during 2004 and 2005 at a cost of $11 million and now provides for 130 residents.
Bowditch Hostel was extended by 10 additional rooms and 3 Independent Living Units between 2004 and 2006. The Hostel now provides for 34 Low Care residents.
The Freemasons Homes of Southern Tasmania remains a leading provider of aged care services in Tasmania. What commenced at as voluntary operation has grown to a multi-million dollar business. The total assets of the Southern Homes are now valued at more than $35m, and provide accommodation at three sites for almost 200 people with a workforce of 190.
THE FREEMASONS’ HOMES OF SOUTHERN TASMANIA INC
7 BALLAWINNIE ROAD, LINDISFARNE 7015
(Including Bowditch Hostel, Wellington Street, Lindisfarne, 7015)
PATRON
His Excellency the Governor,
The Honourable Peter G Underwood AO
VICE-PATRON
Most Wor Bro Norman Roy Cooper, (Grand Master)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIRMAN: Keith Graver OAM, Ph.C., MPS., FAIP, QAM, PGM
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Terry Dann P.G.W.
TREASURER: John Woods DBA, CFTP (Snr) FAIM, AIAMA, PGSt
DIRECTORS : Norm Cooper G.M.
Robert Clarke BA, Dip.Mgt., PGM
Robert Dick PGW
Philip Spinks AAIB, AFAIM, PGW
Harold James PG Supt Works
David Macrow JP, G.Deac
GRAND LODGE REP.: Horrie Hollick PGW
SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Greg Burgess PSM JP FLGMA
DIRECTOR of NURSING: Kathryn Marney SRN
MANAGER, CORPORATE SERVICES: Robert Barden
MANAGER, QUALITY ASSURANCE: Paul Stephens BA, Dip.Ed., M.Ed (Lead)
MANAGER, HUMAN RESOURCES: Stephanie Senior
Freemasons' Homes of Southern Tasmania Inc
7 Ballawinnie Road, Lindisfarne 7015
Telephone: 03 6243 8600
Facsimile: 03 6243 6667
Email: admin@fmhtas.com.au
Web: www.fmhtas.com.au
Email: fmhomes@southcom.com.au For more detailed information Southern Homes Web Page
http://www.fmhtas.com.au
Courtesy of M. W. Bro. A Swinton
N.W. Masonic Benevolence Society.
Tasmania's West Coast and North West Coast Masonic Lodges formed the North West Masonic Benevolence Society Inc. in November 1995. It was established when a proposal to build Masonic homes at Sulphur Creek was abandoned and the money raised towards these homes had been invested.
Interest earned from the investments is donated to various projects that are determined by the Society at the quarterly meetings which are held at Penguin. The Society is represented by two delegates from each of the 10 Lodges on the West and North West Coast who consider requests for financial assistance from various organizations.
In keeping with the objects of the Society "periodic grants are made to selected organizations engaged in the provision of caring services to the aged, disabled and/or infirm on the North West and West Coasts of Tasmania".
There are so many worthy projects that the Society is asked to support that the most difficult task is to determine which of the requests they should support.
Report June 2008 Distribution of Grants.
The school of special education at Devonport received $1566 for a special tricycle that will enable the children to enjoy the pleasures of riding a bike.
$2,750 was allocated to Multicap to assist them in staging a concert, and $3,000 was given to Cape Country Accommodation to help them complete a Bar B Q area for their residents.
To enable them to purchase two special hoists to assist with the movement of some residents, $6,600 was made available to Mt. St. Vincent Nursing Home. This brings the total donations made by the Society to various organisations since 1996 up to $100,760.
Ken Knight
Secretary:
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