engage! Newsletter No. 127

Quarterly Car Parking

Ample Car Parking is available with 100m of the venue.

For elderly Brethren there will be a shuttle buggy to take you

from the car park to the entrance.

Parking during the day is $3 all day

Parking after 5 p.m. is free of charge

There is a designated area for bus parking, again within 100m

of the venue.

On Blue Ribbon Day, September 29th

We Remember Them

159 MEMBERS OF VICTORIA POLICE HAVE BEEN KILLED UPHOLDING THEIR OATH OF OFFICE.

In the small country town of Maryborough three young children grew up with a constant image

above the family fireplace - a photo of a man in police uniform and framed copy of his oath of office.

This man was their father, Senior Constable Maurice Moore, who served at the Maryborough Police

Station.

Life for the Moore family changed forever on the night of 27th September 1986. Wife Heather and

his three children, Stephen, Kathryn and Paul were fast asleep in the security of their Maryborough

home while Maurice was on duty.

In the early hours of the morning Senior Constable Moore was patrolling the Maryborough streets

when he noticed two men pushing a motor vehicle. As he approached to investigate one of the

offenders ran off but S/C Moore was able to detain the second. He was making enquiries on the

police radio when the detained offender started assaulting him and managed to get control of the

officer's gun then shoot him five times, killing him instantly.

In a flash, Heather had become a widow and three young children were left without a father -

because he was a police officer and he did his duty.

In 1878 settlements across the North-East of Victoria were growing into larger towns where the

rough and lawless actions bushrangers were no longer welcome.

But one gang in particular, led by Ned Kelly, were determined to continue their organised, criminal

activities and were prepared to use violence to evade capture.

Following the attempted murder of a policeman, the gang escaped into the Wombat Ranges and two

police parties, one from Greta and the other from Mansfield, were sent out to capture them. The

Mansfield party consisted of Sergeant Kennedy and Constables Lonigan, Scanlan and McIntyre, who

camped at Stringybark Creek on the night of October 25 1878.

At about 6am the following day Kennedy and Scanlan went to search and stayed away all day. At

about 5pm the Kelly's came across the camp site and bailed up Lonigan & McIntyre. Lonigan was

shot and killed and McIntryre was captured and held as a decoy. When Kennedy and Scanlan

returned Scanlan was shot and killed and Kennedy dismounted and ran into the bush. McIntyre was

able to mount Kennedy's horse and ride off. The gang pursued Kennedy for about 700 meters

through the bush before killing him under a hail of bullets and then robbing his body.

Late the following afternoon McIntryre reached Mansfield and raised the alarm. Further search

parties of police and civilians were raised and the bodies of the murdered police were recovered.

The fate of the Kelly Gang is well known in Victoria's history but the police officers murdered by

them at Stringybark Creek are not so well remembered.

Kennedy, Lonigan & Scanlan were buried at the Mansfield Cemetery and a monument was erected

in the main street of Mansfield by the community. Constable McIntyre was treated poorly for being

the lone survivor and suffered bouts of ill-health for the remainder of his life. But he never stopped

seeking justice for his fallen colleagues and had he not escaped, the true story of what happened at

Stringybark Creek might never have been known.

These are just two of the many stories of sacrifice contained in the Victoria Police Honour Roll and

on Blue Ribbon Day, September 29th, Victorians can remember the 159 members of Victoria Police

who have paid a price beyond measure while upholding the Law and keeping our communities safe.

As a caring community we should never forget the sacrifices that have been made and through the

Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation the brave deeds of fallen officers is remembered and

honoured.

Senior Constable Maurice Moore will be remembered on the 30th Anniversary of his murder when

the Urgent Care Centre at Maryborough Hospital will be named in his honour.

A donation of $100,000 from the Blue Ribbon Foundation has assisted with redevelopment of the

Urgent Care Centre to provide better assessment and treatment for patients plus added security for

medical staff.

In 2013 The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation's Police Graves Committee rebuilt the graves and

headstones of Kennedy, Lonigan & Scanlan at the Mansfield Cemetery and rededicated them during

a community celebration of their lives and ultimate sacrifice.

In 2014 the three officers were posthumously awarded the Victoria Police Star by the Chief

Commissioner at Melbourne's Police Remembrance Day Service.

And in June 2016 they were once again declared 'back on duty' when the Emergency Resuscitation

Unit at Epworth Hospital in Richmond was opened and dedicated in their honour.

The Kennedy Lonigan Scanlan Emergency Resuscitation Unit was made possible through the

assistance and donation of $50,000 by the Freemasons Victoria Foundation.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation has funded 46 memorial hospital units across Victoria but the Epworth

was its first joint venture project, with Freemasons Victoria and hopefully, not the last.

People can support Blue Ribbon Day in 2016 by purchasing a badge or making a donation at

Woolworths Supermarkets, Police Stations and other outlets or by donating online at

www.remember.org.au. Donations are tax-deductible

From left to right: Nicole Waldron (Epworth Health), John Kinkade (Epworth Health), Leo

Kennedy (Great Grandson of Sgt Michael Kennedy), Jacob Kennedy (Great Great Grandson

of Sergeant Michael Kennedy), Bill Noonan (Chairman Blue Ribbon Foundation), James

Kennedy (Great Great Grandson of Sgt Michael Kennedy), Grand Master Don Reynolds,

and Shane Patton (Deputy Commissioner Victoria Police.

A most enjoyable evening was held recently at the Brighton Savoy Hotel, on the Esplanade, Brighton when the Combined Ceremonial Teams of Craft, Chapter, Mark and Ark Mariners and their ladies all held the annual Combined Team Dinner. Formalities were kept to a minimum with just a few words from MWBro Don Reynolds GM Craft, MEmComp Peter Crick, GZ and MWBro Ian Coad, GM Mark. A fantastic opportunity for all the ceremonial teams to get together on a social evening and enjoy one anothers company.

Combined Team Dinner

Freemasons at Work for the Community

WBro. Simon Benedykt and WBro. Sam Lewin at the donation presentation to Mr. Danny Elbaum,

the Operations Manager at Chevra Hatzolah

Melbourne Inc. on behalf of Lodge Fraternal No 603

and with the assistance of Freemasons Foundation

Victoria Limited.

“In a medical emergency, the first few minutes are

critical and can make all the difference. Chevra

Hatzolah responders are trained by Ambulance

Victoria and are equipped with oxygen and semi-

automatic defibrillators. When seconds count,

Chevra Hatzolah has saved lives.”

“Chevra Hatzolah responders are trained and equipped to deal with any medical emergency.

Hatzolah responders regularly attend cases such as

chest pain, bleeding, full arrest, household

accidents, and asthma and road trauma.”

60 Years of Freemasonry

VWBro. Brian Pallot has joined a revered group of Freemasons who have each dedicated six decades

of their life to Freemasonry. Brian reached this milestone at the August meeting of Traralgon Lodge

when he was presented with his 60-year bar and

certificate. The bar, attached to his 50-year jewel,

was presented by WBro. Stuart Hill, who outlined

Brian’s Masonic history, as well as his years as a

school teacher.

Joining Brian to celebrate his achievement was his

son Andrew, who made a surprise visit from

Melbourne, and a friend who travelled all the way

from Sweden to share in the special occasion. Also

represented among the large attendance were

members from Argyle Lodge, Morwell Lodge,

Commonwealth Lodge, Walhalla Lodge and

Warragul Lodge.

WBro. Sam Lewin, Danny Elbaum and WBro. Simon

Benedykt

Brian was first initiated as a Freemason on 14 June 1956 at the Union Lodge of North Gippsland No

62, and raised at this same Lodge 12 months later.

He spent 10 years working in the building industry, before changing the direction of his career to

attend Teachers College in Collingwood in 1960. In 1962, he shifted to Wonthaggi to take up a

teaching role, and joined Powlett Lodge.

Four years later in 1966, he moved to Traralgon to take up a position as a trade teacher at Traralgon

Technical School, and joined Lodge of Affinity No 789. Brian became Worshipful Master there in

1976.

After Lodge of Affinity handed in its warrant, Brian became a foundation member of the Traralgon

Lodge No 925, and it was here that he became a well accomplished organist. Brian has played the

organ for his Lodges as well as the Mark Degree, Chapter, Latrobe Valley Scottish Team and other

Lodges at times.

In his 60 years of active involvement in Freemasonry, Brian has been invested as an officer of the

Lodge in all but four of those years. He has been Installing Master on six occasions, Proclaiming

Officer three times, and installed as First Principle of Chapter. He has also helped organise

entertainment such as plays or skits on many occasions and wrote welcome songs for the South for

several members, many of whom were not even born when Brian was initiated into Freemasonry!

It was clear that Brian was extremely proud to receive his 60-year bar. He made special mention of

his wife Joan, and her unwavering support. Brian and Joan have been happily married for 62 years.

From all at Freemasons Victoria, congratulations Brian on achieving a remarkable Masonic

milestone.

Freemasons Support

‘Backpacks 4 Vic Kids’ Backpacks 4 Vic Kids is a not-for-profit charity that focusses

on the wellbeing and support of children in Vic and some

parts of NSW. Sally Ritter, founder of the organisation has

delivered over a staggering 1600 backpacks since starting

the charity.

Ms Ritter initially gained the idea for the organisation,

when she started out as a foster carer, where she gained

firsthand experience caring for children from a variety of

backgrounds.

South Eastern Masonic Centre's Bro.

Andrew Gleeson, Bro. Giorgio Migliaccio

and Sally Ritter (centre)

She started Backpacks 4 Vic Kids when she looked into donating to a similar Queensland-based

organisation. She soon realised that some of the money raised through the charity was being wasted

on shipping backpacks to kids in Victoria- so within eight weeks Ms Ritter set up backpacks 4 Kids in

Victoria.

Sally says the organisation is in desperate need of donations for the backpacks, from babies up to

children of 17 years old. As well as cash, they need supplies such as new soft toys, pyjamas, bathing

products, blankets and backpacks.

The backpacks give a child who is in a struggling situation the comfort and provisions that every child

deserves. They also allow child protection and foster care workers that additional support when

assisting a child to settle into a new environment.

Packs can be distributed by the Department of Human Services, Victoria Police, Foster Care Agencies

and Crisis Accommodation providers.

The demand for the packs has seen

Sally moving her business from home

to a factory- along with a demand of

$2500 monthly expenses.

Just in perfect time however, South

Eastern Masonic Centre have

generously offered to help raise funds

and support the charity by hosting a

Rock ‘n’ Roll dinner dance.

Giorgio Migliaccio, Secretary of the

SEMC, said the opportunity was too

good to miss, supporting such a

worthwhile charity.

“It is helping children in those situations- it was something that had

to be supported”.

As well as Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, the masonic centre will maintain backing charity events in the future

that are valuable to our society.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll dinner dance will include music from The Kingpins, a quality 3 course dinner, drinks and nibbles. A monster raffle and auction will also be held.

Location will be South Eastern Masonic Centre, Hutton Road, Keysborough on 3rd September from

6.30pm. Tickets are $35 each.

Make sure you book your place now by contacting Mike Jenner on 0421 251 299 or Denis Henry on

0409 112 381.

Donation to Swan Hill North

Primary School

Bro. Cameron smits presented swan hill north primary school with two cheques each valued at $500

from the swan hill lodge, and Freemasons Foundation Victoria.

The local lodge ran a fundraiser BBQ stall for the school

at a local Bunnings. The state body generously matched

the amount raised, totalling an overall donation of

$1,000.

With plenty of team spirit, the BBQ stall was run on a

roster, with a total of twelve lodge members running

the stall for the day.

Swan hill lodge have every intention of continuing to

contribute to their community. The lodge members

really enjoy helping out raising money and being a part

of giving back to the community that they live in.

As Bro. Cameron Smits of Swan Hill Lodge kindly told us,

“We are trying to spread the word of our existence of the Swan Hill Freemasons. We thought that reaching out

through different social channels would not only benefit

those in need, but would raise awareness of the Lodge

to a different demographic”.

Volunteers Working Hard at It!

The Library and Museum currently is a hive of activity with a set of new

Volunteers having started within the Library and Museum. Researching

through the Lodge files and investigating Warrants held within the Library

and Museum collection, Volunteers are gradually mapping the histories of

Lodges within the State of Victoria in an effort to create a Lodge Family

Tree. Other Volunteers are undertaking an inventory of the Library

Magazine. A number of students from both Deakin University and the

University of Melbourne are also working on developing displays within

the Library and Museum and undertaking conservation treatments on

some of the objects within the collection.

The Library is open Monday to Friday from 10-3pm for further information contact the library on

9411 0119.

Bro. Cameron Smits (right) with Swan Hill Primary

School principal – Campbell Mckay

Have You Been Snapped?! Submit you photographs to editor@freemasonsvic.net.au

Grand Lodge Ceremonial Team

Date Lodge No Centre Installing Master Tyle

Fri 02 Sep 2016 Dromana Lodge 511 Mornington Masonic Centre Grand Master Installation 6.30 p.m.

Fri 02 Sep 2016 Lodge of Rapport 920 Mount Waverley Masonic Centre RWBro Jack Simpson Installation 6.30 p.m.

Sat 03 Sep 2016 The Francis Ormond-University Lodge 171 Oakleigh Masonic Centre Grand Master Installation 3.15 p.m.

Mon 05 Sep 2016 Carisbrook Lodge Carisbrook Masonic Centre Grand Master Talk with Members 7.30 p.m.

Wed 07 Sep 2016 Dimboola Lodge 144 Dimboola Masonic Centre Peter Woods Installation 6.00 p.m.

Fri 09 Sep 2016 Altona Lodge 572 Williamstown Masonic Centre DGM Installation 6.30 p.m.

Fri 09 Sep 2016 Lara Lodge 834 Lara Masonic Centre Grand Master Talk with Members 7.30 p.m.

Sat 10 Sep 2016 Bendigo City Lodge 714 Bendigo Masonic Centre JGW Installation 4.00 p.m.

Sat 10 Sep 2016 Duke of Abercorn Lodge 137 Bacchus Marsh Masonic Centre SGW Installation 4.00 p.m.

Sat 10 Sep 2016 The Lodge of the Golden Fleece 300 Coppin Hall Grand Master Installation 2.30 p.m.

Tue 13 Sep 2016 Arcadian Veritas Lodge 340 Prahran Masonic Centre DGM Installation 6.30 p.m.

Tue 13 Sep 2016 Golden and Corinthian Lodge 007 Bendigo Masonic Centre JGW Installation 6.30 p.m.

Tue 13 Sep 2016 Richmond Lodge 089 Box Hill Masonic Centre G Sec Installation 6.30 p.m.

Thu 15 Sep 2016 Williamstown St. Andrew Lodge 470 Williamstown Masonic Centre DGM Installation 6.30 p.m.

Fri 16 Sep 2016 Dandenong Lodge 635 Keysborough Masonic Centre Grand Master Installation 6.00 p.m.

Fri 16 Sep 2016 The Diamond Valley Lodge 252 Diamond Creek Masonic Centre RWBro B Reaper Installation 6.30 p.m.

Sat 17 Sep 2016 Allied Masonic Degrees Installation Ringwood Masonic Centre GSuptWksGSuptWks to

represent GM3.50 p.m.

Sat 17 Sep 2016 Baden Powell Lodge 488 Waverley Masonic Centre DGM Installation 4.00 p.m.

Sat 17 Sep 2016 Cohuna Lodge 227 Cohuna Lodge JGW Installation 3.30 p.m.

Sat 17 Sep 2016 Lodge of Unity 054 Bright Masonic Centre Grand Master Installation 4.30 p.m.

Tue 20 Sep 2016 Henty Lodge 279 Waverley Masonic Centre MWBro V Werner Installation 6.30 P.M.

Thu 22 Sep 2016 Lodge Observance 654 Oakleigh Masonic Centre DGM Installation 6.30 p.m.

Thu 22 Sep 2016 The Revival Lodge 926 Greensborough Masonic Centre Grand Master Installation 6.30 p.m.

Sat 24 Sep 2016 The Spring Vale Lodge 389 Keysborough Masonic Centre Grand Master Installation 4 .00 p.m.

Mon 26 Sep 2016 Yarraville Lodge 164 Yarraville Masonic Centre Grand Master Installation 6.30 p.m.

Thu 01 Sep 2016