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Great night with Bro Allan Patman taking his Third Degree. We were delighted to welcome many of our Scottish Ritual friends from St Andrew, Morningside, Ashton, Celtic of Ithaca, Tullibardine and Stanley Lodges. Good work and Fraternity both inside the lodge room and in the South.
As our by-laws changes regarding our name are yet to be approved (they will be in December), we referred to ourselves as Yeronga Lodge ceremonially. We'll do this in December for the last time. In January we will meet fully as Lodge St George.
Congratulations to all officers this month especially Bro Pete Watson in his first night as Inner Guard and Bro Mepi Faoagali on his first floor charge.
Wor Bro Bjorn Snobohm was also presented with his Life Patron AMWOF Jewel by our AGSWks VW Bro Jim Hogg.
On Wednesday this week we raised Brother Peter Watson to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.
Peter was very well prepared and proved an outstanding candidate. We were pleased to welcome a number of visitors which made for an even more pleasant evening.
Bro Mike Alafaci was also invested as a Steward of the Lodge and both he and Bro Kamaran Jbar received their Master Mason's Certificates. Bro Keith Redman, our talented organist, also received his Affiliation certificate.
Pictured are Brethren of the lodge with Pete Watson front and centre standing alongside WM Simon Bell.
The
Most Worshipful Grand Master has approved us to resume our original
lodge name of Lodge St George and retain our roll number of 246. This
change takes effect immediately.
We have worked on this project for some years and are greatly appreciative of the MWGM's consideration.
The image above shows our current Warrant and demonstrates that Yeronga went into the union of 1921 as St George. Between the time of entry and the issuing of the Warrant, the lodge name was changed for reasons revealed below.
Included here is some background on the origins of the St George name and the reasons why Yeronga was adopted.
Background
Yeronga Lodge was originally consecrated Lodge St George No. 1152 on the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1915. A proud and strong name that would have been chosen carefully by our founding Brethren, who are listed below:
|
Phillip William MOSES (R Wor Master) |
Toowong 2306 EC |
|
Thomas James FORSYTH (Dep Master) |
Hope 1134 SC |
|
Charles Robert MORTON (Sub Master) |
Fassifern Kilwinning 808 SC |
|
Thomas Harvey JOHNSTONE (SW) |
Fernberg 1091 SC |
|
Robert PAINE (JW) |
Fenwick 2378 EC |
|
George KIRSHAW (Sec) |
St Andrew 435 SC |
|
Arthur George DORE (Treas) |
Mt Gambier 35 (South Australia) |
|
Richard Arthur LESLIE (SD) |
St Andrew 435 SC |
|
Charles Henry DEANE (JD) |
Fenwick 2378 EC |
|
Richard Ezekiel BIDDLE (IG) |
Fenwick 2378 EC |
|
Joseph Kenneth McPHAIL (Org) |
Fenwick 2378 EC |
|
Arthur Frederick JACKSON (Chap) |
Tullibardine 1124 SC |
|
Isaac Richard HANAN |
St Andrew 435 SC |
|
Henry BAXTER |
St Clair 824 SC |
|
George KINGHORN |
Fenwick 2378 EC |
|
Henry RANKIN |
Fernberg 1091 SC |
|
John George TREW |
St Andrew 435 SC |
|
Frederick G BUTLER-WOOD |
Aberleigh 1133 SC |
|
Joseph McCULLAGH |
Dundonald 303 IC |
|
James Alexander Cadenhead BAXTER |
Morningside 1079 SC |
|
Thomas MAWHINNEY |
Tullibardine 1124 SC |
The most obvious question that is asked is why a Scottish Lodge was named St George in the first place. It has been the subject of a substantial amount of research but no definite answer can be found. A couple of things are clear however. With 13 Scottish Ritual Freemasons in our original Lodge of 21, there can be little chance they simply made a mistake. Perhaps, as Wor Bro Flynn once speculated, this name associated with warriors was chosen particularly in the months of the Gallipoli campaign. The timing is almost exact as the lodge was formed in July 1915.
Recent research has uncovered another interesting possibility. When James II was deposed he fled to France where he established a base for the ongoing Jacobite cause. His son, James Francis Edward, Prince of Wales (10 June 1688 – 1 January 1766), often called the ‘Old Pretender’, was also known in France as ‘the Chevalier de St George’. This, along with the believed Jacobite connections to the origins of the Rite of 25 Degrees (later the Ancient and Accepted or Scottish Rite), suggests that this could be another story to underpin the choice of Lodge name. In discussions with RW Bro Trevor Stewart during his recent visit to Queensland this proposition was discussed and he concurred that there could be a logical connection.
Attached is a scan from the Lodge’s original minute book which reports on the choice of name but is silent on the reason for that choice
St George (c. 275/281 – 23 April 303) was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian. He is remembered as a Christian martyr. Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic (Western and Eastern Rites), Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox churches. He is immortalised in the tale of Saint George and the Dragon. His memorial is celebrated on 23 April and he is regarded as one of the most prominent military saints. His English connection is only one of many.
There have actually been two Scottish Lodges St George established in Queensland Freemasonry. The first was established in 1897 as Lodge St George 853 SC in the town of St George. It disappears from the record however in 1906, shortly after the formation of the breakaway Grand Lodge of Queensland. Prior to that in 1885, St George Lodge No 1978 English Constitution was established in Herberton and, as the English lodges did not join the GL of Q, it continued with that name and number until 1920 when the Queensland Grand Lodge was formed as a means of leading towards unification. St George 1978 EC became St George No 28 QGL.
Our lodge, Lodge St George No 1152 SC, was formed in 1915, nine years after the previous Scottish Lodge St George folded. Was there are connection between the two? Our surviving documents don’t shed enough light on that although interestingly we were not the daughter lodge of an existing Scottish Lodge but had Lodges such as Woolloongabba and Hope as sponsors. Our brethren were drawn from a number of existing lodges.
Our lodge joined the Queensland Grand Lodge in 1920 and was renumbered Lodge St George 180 QGL. In 1921 we joined the newly formed United Grand Lodge of Queensland and originally kept our name and number 180. However the other St George Lodge No 43 UGLQ at Herberton (28 QGL & 1978 EC) had seniority and so our Brethren decided to take the name of the locality in which they met – Yeronga. On the name change we were renumbered 246 UGLQ. Disappointingly St George 43 UGLQ (28 QGL & 1978 EC) at Herberton then within six weeks merged with Lodge Evelyn 39 UGLQ (39 QGL & 685 SC) to form Lodge Herberton No. 39 UGLQ. We thus lost our name in that first year after the formation of UGLQ and our Brethren continued with their new name.
The displeasure of our early Brethren at this turn of events was something that was carried down through the years and remembered by our more senior members to this day.
We have sought to return to our original name as we near our Centenary to honour our founding Brethren and also to choose a name less confusing as we now have little connection to our original suburban location.
Great
night at Yeronga Lodge with Ben Creevey taking his First Degree. Good
work and a number of our good friends visiting from Morningside, Tuscan
and Kianawah. We were also very pleased to welcome RW Bro Geoff Walker,
Grand Superintendent of Workings. Also great to have fine young
Freemason from Dennistoun Lodge, Shane Ali, with us. Many thanks to our own Bro Alan Patman who excelled himself again with catering for the festive board.
Third Degree on Bro Peter Watson next month.
Pictured are (l to r front): Bro Baillie Hutchison, Bro Jeff Dole, Bro Ben Creevey, Wor Bro Simon Bell (WM), Wor Bro Dave Jensen, VW Bro Jim Hogg AGSWks.
(l to r centre): Bro Shane Ali (Dennistoun Lodge), Bro David Burrows, Wor Bro Peter Sinclair, Bro Tony Anderson, RW Bro Cedric Holland, VW Bro Rodger Klopp.
(l to r back): Wor Bro Ray Hodson, Bro Mepi Faoagali, Bro Brad Archer, Bro Malcolm Teasdale.
All
lodges are made up of men of quality who add value to society in many
ways. Occasionally though we have men who also receive a degree of
public acknowledgment for their activities. One such Yeronga member was
our second RW Master (1916) Thomas Harvey Johnston. He was a member for 9
years before relocating to SA with work. Here is a bio:
Thomas
Harvey Johnston (1881-1951), biologist and parasitologist, was born on 9
December 1881 at Balmain, Sydney, son of Thomas Johnston, Irish-born
foreman mason, and his Australian-born wife Mary, née McLeod. After
schooling Johnston joined the education department, won the Jones
memorial medal and went to the University of Sydney (B.A., 1906; B.Sc.,
M.A., 1907; D.Sc., 1911). On 1 January 1907 at Petersham he married
Alice Maude Pearce.
Johnston taught at Fort Street Public
School in 1903-06, lectured in zoology and physiology at Sydney
Technical College in 1907-08 and became assistant director of the
Bathurst Technical College in 1908. He was appointed assistant
microbiologist at the newly established Bureau of Microbiology of the
New South Wales Health Department in 1909. Lecturer in charge of the
department of biology in the new University of Queensland from 1911, he
was appointed professor in 1919.
Johnston was chairman of a
committee formed in 1912 to investigate control measures for the
introduced pest, prickly pear, and worked overseas in 1912-14 with Henry
Tryon. The two men, known as 'the prickly pair', succeeded in
introducing Dactylopius ceylonicus, the cochineal insect which
controlled one species of the pear Opuntia monacantha. In 1920 Johnston
was appointed controller of the Commonwealth prickly pear laboratories
and went overseas again in 1920-22. He had twice collected and
introduced unsuccessfully the insect Cactoblastis cactorum in 1914, when
it did feed on the pear but died out in 1921. The eventual devastation
of the prickly pear by it followed a later introduction in 1924.
Johnston was keenly interested in the marine ecology of Caloundra and
the southern Barrier Reef islands. He was president of the Royal Society
of Queensland (1915-16) and of the Queensland Field Naturalists' Club
(1916-17). He was a foundation member of the Great Barrier Reef
Committee and a member of the Australian National Research Council until
his death.
Johnston was appointed professor of zoology at the
University of Adelaide in 1922, creating a new department, and acted
also as professor of botany in 1928-34. Specializing in descriptive
parasitology, he was also a world authority on helminthology; he added
much new material to the extensive collection of the South Australian
Museum. At the invitation of Sir Douglas Mawson he served as chief
zoologist with the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic
Research Expedition of 1929, went on two cruises of the Discovery in
1929-31 and was editor of the zoological and botanical reports. In
1929-37 he participated with (Sir) John Cleland in many expeditions to
Central Australia.
Active in many scientific and cultural
institutions and societies, Johnston won numerous honours including the
David Syme prize in 1913, the first Walter and Eliza Hall fellowship in
economic biology in the University of Queensland, the Sir Joseph Verco
medal and, in 1939, the Mueller medal of the Australian and New Zealand
Association for the Advancement of Science. He wrote or co-authored 299
papers.
Affectionately known as 'T.H.J.', Johnston was gentle,
kindly, hard working, clear thinking and sensitive, with a slow, quiet
sense of humour. He lived up to a high ethical code and was in the sense
of the Greek philosophers 'a complete man'. He died in Adelaide of
coronary thrombosis on 30 August 1951, survived by his wife and
daughter; his son predeceased him. He was cremated.
Another terrific night at Yeronga Initiating Brad Archer into Freemasonry. Straight into degree work for our 2013/14 team - minus our new WM, Wor Bro Simon Bell, unfortunately absent through illness. IPM, Wor Bro Peter Ryan, took the reins and the team performed very well.
Even though it was State of Origin night we had a good rollup of members and a great bunch of visitors.
We were also very pleased to welcome our new Assistant Grand Superintendent of Workings, VW Bro Jim Hogg. We look forward to a long association with Jim - a good friend from another Scottish Ritual Working Lodge - Lodge Caledonian.
Brad was well prepared and very attentive, proving to be a great candidate.
Pictured are (l to r): Wor Bro Peter Sinclair, Wor Bro Ray Hodson, Bro Kamaran Jbar, VW Bro Jim Hogg AGSWks, Bro David Burrows, Bro Mepi Faoagali, Bro Brad Archer, Wor Bro Peter Ryan, Bro Tony Anderson, Wor Bro Don Burns, Wor Bro Shawn Ket, VW Bro Rodger Klopp, Bro Malcolm Teasdale, Bro Baillie Hutchison, RW Bro Paul Holland, Bro Jeff Dole.
On Saturday 15 June the Lodge held its annual Installation Meeting with a full Scottish Ritual Ceremony to place Brother Simopn Bell in the Chair of King Solomon. Simon, at 29 years of age, is Yeronga's youngest WM in its history.
Were were honoured to have 80 Brethren in our lodge room including the RW Assistant Grand Master, RW Bro Greg Short, and his team of Grand Officers. The AGM was accompanied by three Past Deputy Grand Masters, RW Bro Bruce Thomas, RW Bro Wayne Williamson and RW Bro Bob Spence.
It was a very good ceremony followed by a great banquet which was enjoyed by all present. We had over 100 in the festive board room.
The RW Assistant Grand Master presented 2 Charity jewels at the banquet. The recipients were Wor Bro Rodger Klopp, elveated to Life Vice Patron from Life Vice President, and Bro Tony Anderson, elevated from Life Governor to Life Vice President.
Our good friends at Lodge Ashton assisted us with Scottish musicians and dancers and Wor Bro Allan Kingston who delivered a great Address to the Haggis.
Below are a range of photographs from the Installation.
Great
night at Yeronga welcoming Bro David Gibson into Freemasonry. Good work
allround plus a wonderful group of visitors including a Fraternal
Visitation from Tuscan Lodge. The Tuscan boys took away our Traveling
Tool which we'll seek to reclaim shortly.
David was a great
candidate and a fine night was had by all. We also balloted for Mr Brad
Archer. Brad joined us again for the festive board and will be initiated
in July following our June Installation.
Picture above (front row l to r): Bro Jeff Dole, Wor Bro Peter Sinclair (acting WM) Bro David Gibson, Bro Simon Bell (Master-Elect), Wor Bro Len Walder
(back row l to r): Wor Bro Ray Hodson, Bro David Burrows, Bro Ian Godson, VW Bro Don Long, Bro Malcolm Teasdale, Wor Bro Rodger Klopp.
Pictured below (l to r): Wor Bro Ray Hodson, Bro Mepi Faoagali, Bro David Gibson, RW Bro Cedric Holland.
Another great night with our friends at General Glasgow. A cooperative Second Degree ceremony on Bro Jim van Leent. The ceremony was well performed and the candidate was very attentive.
Many thanks to VW Bro Bob Sable, WM of General Glasgow, and the Officers and Brethren of the Lodge. Yeronga had a good turn out as visitors to support JIm. We also had the opportunity to participate with WM Peter Ryan obligating the candidate and Wor Bro Rodger Klopp delivering the Secrets. Bro Jeff Dole acted as Junior Deacon and VW Bro Paul Holland as Chaplain.
Pictured are VW Bro Ted Sharp AGSWks, VW Bro Bob Sable, Bro Jim van Leent and Wor Bro Peter Ryan, WM of Yeronga Lodge, along with Brethren from both lodges.
Great night at Yeronga last night with Bro Mike Alafaci being Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. The ceremony was well peformed and Mike thoroughly appreciated his experience.
We were very pleased to welcome a good number of visitors with groups from Redlands and Morningside Lodges plus many other regular and first time vsitors.
Pictured above are a group of Yeronga Brethren with Mike front row centre in the dark coat and WM Peter Ryan to his right. Also with us last night was one of our two new Scottish affiliates Robert Given. You'll see Rob in the front row in his distinctive apron from Douglas Lodge No 1557.
In February Yeronga celebrated another great night with Bros Matt Callow and Damian Poi being Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.
Good work inside the lodge, many very welcome visitors and good fellowship at the festive board.
Last night we Raised Bro Mepi Faoagali and Bro Adam Palfrey to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.
We were delighted to welcome a number of visitors including the Worshipful Masters of St Andrew, Tuscan, Dennistoun and Kianawah.
The ceremony went well and both candidates performed admirably. Congratulations to Bro Nick Jelcic who gave his first Floor Charge in excellent fashion.
Pictured above: Yeronga Brethren with our new Master Masons:
(L to R front and middle) Bro Jeff Dole, Bro David Burrows, Bro Adam Palfrey, Wor Bro Peter Ryan (WM), Bro Mepi Faoagali, Bro Nick Jelicic, Bro Callum Gillman.
(L to R rear) Bro David Myles, Bro Ian Godson, Bro Brendan Klopp, Wor Bro Don Long, Bro Peter Watson.
Click on photo to enlarge.
We started the year in the midst of a real growth phase that showed little sign of slowing down. 2012 didn't disappoint with 16 working nights courtesy of partnering with Lodges such as St Andrew, Morningside, Stanley and General Glasgow.
We conferred a total of 22 degrees during the year: 8 Firsts, 9 Seconds and 5 Thirds.
The biggest highlight of the year was no doubt our hosting the Gathering of the Clans held in March in Grand Hall. We raised Bro James Sherrit to the Third Degree in the presence of the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Assistant Grand Master, many Brethren from Scottish Ritual and UGLQ Ritual working lodges throughout Queensland and a delegation from the District Grand Lodge of Western Australia (Grand Lodge of Scotland).
Bro Peter Ryan was Installed into the Chair of King Solomon in June with Master Masons in all progressive offices.
During the year Grand Lodge rank was conferred on Wor Bro Shawn Ket who was given the rank of Past Senior Grand Deacon. Also participating in Grand Lodge activities in 2012/13 were: RW Bro David Sherrit (Grand Director of Ceremonies), VW Bro Paul Holland (AGSWks and nominated as Senior Grand Warden), Wor Bro Shawn Ket PSGD ( Board Member, Board of General Purposes), Wor Bro Rodger Klopp (Grand Sword Bearer and nominated for AGSWks), Wor Bro Peter Sinclair (nominated for Grand Standard Bearer) and Bro Tony Anderson (Grand Tyler (continuing).
This week we finished off the year with a First Degree on Mr Matt Parslow. Matt was a fine candidate and good work was done by all.
We were delighted to welcome a number of visitors and a very enjoyable festive season supper finished off the night very well.
Above is Bro Matt Parslow in the front row with the WM, Wor Bro Peter Ryan.
Tonight our friends at Lodge Stanley generously worked with us to Pass two of our Members to the Second Degree.
Brothers Pete Levine and Allan Patman were great candidates and an enjoyable night was had by all. Many thanks to Lodge Stanley for their fraternity and great work.
Picture above are members of Stanley and Yeronga Lodges (we wear very simiilar aprons).
In the front row centre are Bros Pete Levine (black coat) and Bro Allan Patman (white coat) with the WM of Lodge Stanley Wor Bro Vic Haseldine.
Last week we raised Bro David Myles to the Third Degree
and were delighted to welcome a good number of visitors.
It was great to have a large delegation from Lodge Lord Saltoun plus other visitors from Scottish Ritual Working lodges such as Tuscan, Morningside, Caledonian and Celtic of Ithaca.
Our very special visitor was VW Bro Bill Myles PDGDC from Monto Lodge. Bill is David's grandfather and came down especially from Monto for the evening.
Above is a picture of David with his grandfather and Yeronga Brethren.
Another very enjoyable night pf cooperative work last
night with General Glasgow Lodge. We jointly Passed Bro Peter Watson of Yeronga Lodge
to the Second Degree.
Both Lodges participated in a fine ceremony.
Pictured are are members of both lodges with the Worshipful Masters Peter Ryan (r) (Yeronga) and Bob Sable (l) (General Glasgow) in the front row flanking the new Fellowcraft Peter Watson.
(click on photo to enlarge)
Brethren
Karl Schwantes of Dennistoun Lodge is donating a fantastic Masonic ring
to raffle for MOvember fund raising. Karl is boss of Xennox Diamond World
and knows his stuff. Here is his message:
Morning Brethren,
I am donating one of my Executive Sterling Silver and Enamel Freemason
rings to raise money for Movember. I have made up some raffle ticket
books but i need help selling tickets. If you are able to help take a
book for when you go visiting to sell tickets, please let me know, and i
will get one to you.
Thanks is advance
FR Karl
I have
asked Karl for two books of tickets to sell, so have plenty to go
around. Please let me know if you'd like me to quarantine tickets for
you. You can pay and pick them up at our joint degree meeting with
General Glasgow Lodge on Nov 14 or at our regular meeting on Nov
21. Please consider supporting MOvember in this way or donating
directly at:
http://au.movember.com/mospace/1401410/
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