GRAND LODGE OF TASMANIA

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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.

Masonic Centenary Medical Research Foundation

(M.C.M.R.F.)

Was incorporated as a public company in May 1986 “for the purpose of financing grants for the furtherance of medical and surgical research into the degenerative diseases and disorders of the ageing.”

The invitation to become a member of the Foundation was widely distributed to individual Freemasons, Masonic and non-Masonic organisations and companies throughout Tasmania by active members of the establishment committee.

At the end of the establishment phase the Foundation was handed over to a Board of Management elected from the members. Although the benefits of the research will be for the whole world the management of the Foundation will remain permanently in Masonic hands.

Fundraising commenced before the celebration of the Grand Lodge Centenary .

By1990 $427,000 had been raised with a further $235,000 pledged;

by 1995 $580,000 had been received $with a further $160,000 pledged;

by 2000 $801,000 had been received with $104,000 pledged;

by 2007 $979,254 had been received with $74,292 pledged.

At the 30^th June 2010 we had received $1,008,463 with a further $104,022 pledged

We return a portion of our investment income each year to the fund to maintain its capital value and the value of the fund currently stands at $1,700,000.

The first research grant was allocated in 1991for a total of $26,000 for a project titled “An evaluation of Environment on Behaviourally Disturbed Elderly People with Dementia”.

Since inception, 25 grants have been made totalling $809510;

In recent years the allocation of grants has been primarily in the area of PhD Research Scholarships at the University of Tasmania

The most recent grant was the funding of a Research Fellowship valued at $100,000 per annum for 2009, 2010 and 2011.

MEMBERSHIP

There are four levels of Membership of the Foundation dependent upon amount donated:

Level I – Trustee: has donated $15000 or notification of a bequest of $30000

Level II – Governor: has donated $5000 or notification of a bequest of $10000

Level III – Fellow: has donated $2000 or notification of a bequest of $4000

Level IV – Associate: has donated any amount less than $2000

Donors can add to previous donations and thereby qualify for a higher grade of membership

There are currently 6 Trustees, 18 Governors, 62 Fellows and approx 700 Associates

Trustees are appointed as Directors if they elect to so do.

Other Directors are elected annually from the Governors and Fellows

Donations can be made to the Secretary, Masonic Centenary Medical Research Foundation C/- 3 Sandy Bay Rd. Hobart 7005

Report AGM 25 - 1 MCMRF

The 25^th Annual General Meeting of the Foundation was held on Friday 29^th October at the new UTAS Medical Science 1 building (also known as The Menzies Centre) at the corner of Liverpool and Campbell Sts. Hobart.

To mark the anniversary, the University of Tasmania’s School of Medicine, in conjunction with The Menzies Research Institute Tasmania conducted a variety of talks given by former and current recipients of Foundation grants.

Speakers and subjects were:

1.     Dr. Anna King – “Axon Degeneration in Motor Neuron Disease”

Dr. King shared a MCMRF scholarship with Dr. Adele Woodhouse in 2004 – 2006 studying ‘Focuses on the Role of Cell Adhesion Molecules in Alzheimer’s Disease”

2.     Associate Professor Janet Vial – “Adventures with Aspirin and Related Medicines”.

Professor Vial received grants totalling $80 661 in 1992 for her study of “Aspirin Dose for Selective Platelet Cyclo-oxygenase Inhibition for Prophylaxis in the Elderly”.

3.     Dr. Lisa Foa – “Wiring up a Brain and keeping it Connected”

Dr Foa received a grant of $18 000 in 2002 to purchase an instrument to create ‘micro-pipettes’ for her research into “The Behaviour of Learning and Memory Genes in the Ageing Brain”.

In 2005 she received a further grant of $10 000 for research titled –“Homer and Growth Cones: Unravelling the Jigsaw of Nerve Cell Connections in the Human Brain”

4.     Dr. Jerome Staal – “Key Brain Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease”

Dr. Staal is the Inaugural Recipient of a Post-doctoral Fellowship awarded by The Foundation - $100 000 per annum for 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Dr. Staal’s Research Project is entitled ‘Investigating the Fundamental Mechanisms of Neurological Disorders Associated with Ageing”

All speakers were profuse and generous in expressing their gratitude to The Foundation for its contribution to their study and careers.

At the conclusion of the programme of talks, Senior Vice President Rt Wor. Bro. Kerry Bowerman announced that the Directors had elected Rt. Wor. Bro. Murray Yaxley a Life Member and presented him with a Life Members’ Badge and a Life Members’ Certificate.

In making the presentation Kerry acknowledged Murray’s extensive contribution to education in this state and internationally, his community and Masonic Service and his service for 22 years as President of the Foundation.

He also noted that, although all members of the Foundation are members for life, there is a significant difference in being elected a Life Member.

Junior Vice President Wor. Bro. David Louez then presented Dr Jerome Staal with a Certificate of Recognition acknowledging his appointment as the Foundation’s Inaugural Post-doctoral Fellow and in appreciation of his research in support of Foundation objectives.

Approximately 60 Masons, wives and members of the public enjoyed the talks and the light refreshments served beforehand.

At the AGM all directors were returned unopposed. The President, V. Wor. Bro. Brian Sims, Senior Vice-President , Rt. Wor. Bro. Kerry Bowerman and Junior Vice-President, Wor. Bro. David Louez were re-elected.

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Photographs Taken at the AGM October 2010

'Kerry Bowerman, Murray Yaxley, Brian Sims,
Jerome Staal"
'Murray Yaxley being presented with his Life Membership Badge by Kerry Bowerman'

'Some of the gathering' 'David Louez and Dr Jerome Staal'

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Freemates Scholarship Presentation

Michelle Accepting the Freemates Scholarship from Grand Master

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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Defibrillator Funding

Mr. Peter O'Keefe (centre) President of SAPRA receiving cheques from W. Bro. Allan Burton (Worshipful Master of Lodge Clarence) and W. Bro. Paul Lewis (Assistant Secretary; Lodge Clarence

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.

Paul Lewis

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History

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 Ballawinne 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 Ballawinne Road in June 2000.

The 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 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 BALLAWINNE ROAD, LINDISFARNE 7015

(Including Bowditch Hostel, Wellington Street, Lindisfarne, 7015)

PATRON

His Excellency the Governor,

The Honourable Peter G Underwood AC

VICE-PATRON

Most Wor Bro Norman Roy Cooper, (Grand Master)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Chairman	E K (Keith) Graver OAM, Ph.C., M.P.S., F.A.I.P.M., PGM
Vice Chairman	T D (Terry) Dann ODS, PGW
Treasurer	D J (David) Macrow JP, PGDC
Directors	R T (Robert) Clarke BA, Dip.Mgt., PGM
	B W (Barry) Curtain JP, JGW
	G R A (Robert) Dick PGW
	H F (Harold) James PGSuptW
	M E (Michael) O’Farrell SC
	R N (Regina) Vietz Cert. Ed., REIT
Grand Lodge Representative	H W J (Horrie) Hollick PGW

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Chief Executive Officer	G D (Greg Burgess) PSM, JP., FLGMA
Deputy Chief Executive Officer	P F (Paul) Stevens BA, Dip. Ed., M.Ed. (Lead)
Clinical Care Supervisor	J (Justin) Rossiter SRN, Grad. Dip. Comm Health
Manager Human Resources	S C (Stephanie) Senior
Finance Manager	B R (Barry) Chandler JP, FPNA

"Freemasons' Homes of Southern Tasmania Inc

7 Ballawinne Road, Lindisfarne 7015

Telephone: 03 6243 8600

Facsimile: 03 6243 6667

Email: admin@fmhtas.com.au

For more detailed information: Website: www.fmhtas.com.au "

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CHARITY IN MASONRY	Freemates Scholarship
Southern Homes for Aged The Story	Defibrillator Funding
Southern Homes for Aged	N. W. Masonic Benevolence Society (September 2010)
Masonic Centenary Medical Research Foundation AGM Meeting Report 25 -1 October 2010 Photographs taken at the AGM

DISBURSEMENT OF North West MASONIC BENEVOLENCE SOCIETY FUNDS