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Masonic Charity in Tasmania |
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Scooter Presentation (November 2007) | |
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N. W. Masonic Benevolence Society | |
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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.
Burnie Masonic Lodge Hilton Sharpe Memorial Scholarship
Burnie Masonic Hilton Sharpe Memorial Scholarships.
The 2008 winner of this annual Scholarship Bryce Clarke of Ridgley was selected,
following interviews of very deserving candidates from both Marist and Hellyer
Colleges Burnie, conducted by a panel
of lodge members chaired by Rt W/B Brian Poulter.
Bryce will receive the $1000 bursary on commencing his studies at the University
of Tasmania with the intention of gaining a degree in Medicine.
The late Rt Wor Bro Hilton Sharpe after whom the scholarship was named was a
former member of Gill Memorial Lodge and a well respected citizen of Burnie and
it aims to provides financial support to a student who has local residential
qualifications and is embarking on a University Education
Since its inception in 1991 the award has been almost equally divided between
entrants from the two colleges and this year, it has been won by a Marist
Entrant.
Amongst the subjects undertaken by former winners include Geology, Engineering,
Journalism, Pharmacy, Law, Commerce, Occupational Therapy, Political Science and
Dramatic Art.
Burnie Masonic lodge is proud to have been associated with such dynamic and
versatile young people, many of whom are following their chosen professions
within the state and beyond.
Fay Charleston spent 13 years onboard her battered but trusted scooter.
Duct tape held the mudguards
together, at on stage, the RACT had to be called to fix the machine. "It
had a few blemishes," Mrs. Charleston
said. "But it gave me 13 years of good
service."
Mrs. Charleston was given a
wonderful surprise last week when she received her new scooter with all the
added trimmings. "It is wonderful," Mrs.
Charleston I am very thrilled and
appreciative".
Mrs. Charleston received her
new scooter thanks to the generosity of the Leven Masonic Lodge and the Grand
Lodge Board of Benevolence. "We
received a letter asking for help in purchasing
the scooter," secretary of the Leven Masonic Lodge David MacLennan said. "We did
not have the
funds to provide it so passed the request to the Grand Lodge Board
of Benevolence who took up the challenge." We immediately thought we
could
help," president of the Grand Lodge Board of Benevolence, John Packham said.
And help they did, purchasing the $4000 scooter to help
a lady in need. We
always go that extra mile," Mr. Packham said. "Part of the benevolence is
to help people in need and Fay was a grateful and
humble recipient.
Pictured left Leven
Masonic Lodge secretary, David MacLennan, Board of Benevolence president John
Packham and the Grand Master of the
Masonic Grand Lodge of Tasmania Julius
Kearon present Fay Charleston with a new scooter at Levenbank Home, Ulverstone.
(Printed in The Advocate supplement. November 6th. 2007)
Freemasons' Homes of Southern Tasmania
This idea was pursued by the various
organisations within Freemasonry and a report adopted by the Grand Lodge
of
Tasmania led to the establishment of a provisional committee of
1945-46 Masters. Many meetings later it was agreed
that homes for the
aged should be built.
An appeal for funds was made to
Freemasons in Southern Tasmania and after considerable time and the
investigation
of numerous sites in the greater Hobart area, the current
site at Ballawinne Road, Lindisfarne was selected.
This site comprising of more than
five acres and costing £2,700 was purchased in 1951 and the Freemasons
Homes of
Southern Tasmania was established.
The first cottage on the site was built by Tasmanian Operative Lodge No. 1 and officially handed over in December, 1953. Two more cottages were built, one in 1955 and the other in 1957. These original cottages were demolished in 2006 and replaced with seven 2 bedroom villa units and 2 serviced apartments.
The need for further low care accommodation had already become clear. An appeal to Lodges and individuals for support for the project was launched.
With 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 £45,283 and officially
opened in February, 1959. At this stage there was accommodation in the
low care and cottages for twenty-eight residents - seven double and
fourteen single.
It was also becoming 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.
After the self-contained units at the Masonic Centre Kingston, opened in December 1983, the Bowditch Hostel opened in December 1991, and the Masonic Gardens Village in June 2000, the total accommodation provided by Freemasons in Southern Tasmania reached 200.
The Masonic Gardens Residential Care facility at Ballawinne Road was completely redeveloped during 2004 and 2005 at a cost of $11 million and now provides for 130 residents.
Bowditch on the Bay 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. Our Residential Care facilities provide quality care, accommodation and services to 164
residents
who are cared for by 190 professional members of staff.
A further eight independent living units are located adjacent to the Kingston Lodge Rooms.
For further information contact the Homes:
Mr. Greg
Burgess
Chief Executive
Officer
7 Ballawinne Road, Lindisfarne
7015
Telephone (03) 6243
8600
Facsimile (03) 6243
6667
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.
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