6th February - Masonic Motorcycle Club

Great news brethren from Br. Chris Gaylard.

Finally Queensland has taken its first step in forming a Chapter in the Masonic Motorcycle Association Australia.
On Sunday the 5th of February 2012 brethren and friends met at the BP garage at the Gap. They then rode North to Kilcoy around the Dam, through Esk and met under a pine tree on the  corner of the Brisbane Valley highway and Simpson St Fernvale.  There they formed the QLD Chapter to be known as the MMAA SEQ Chapter.

If you like riding motorcycles, here is your chance to get behind (no pun intended) some like minded people.

1st February - Seminar

A date for all brethren to note is the 4th Feb. On Saturday W.B. Kerry LeBoutillier will conduct a seminar at the Kedron Masonic Centre from 8:30 am. The theme for this seminar will be, "Were the pillars at the porch of King Solomon's Temple Octagonal rather than round". This is open to all Freemasons of all degrees. The cost is free. The more that are there the more lively will be the discussion.

28th January 2012 - Announcement

Would the brethren of Scotia Lodge please take note that the April meeting for 2012 will now be held on 30th March (our normal practice night) in the small meeting room at Kedron. All other details will be as per the lodge summons.

11th October 2011 - What's in a word

What is the difference between Ancient and Antient?
I was inspired to have a look at this after a conversation with a well respected brother in the lodge. I have always regarded the latter as being an old form of the former. That is, both words have the same meaning as well as the same pronunciation. But my brother did not agree. He agreed that the two words had the same meaning but pronounced antient with emphasis on the T. My own thought is that the modern pronunciation of the word in fact fits the old spelling quite well and the modern spelling is a corruption. I believe that people believed they were hearing a C sound when there is none.
It was time to do a bit of digging and delving.
The Wiktionery gives the meanings for ancient as:
Having lasted from a remote period; having been of long duration; of great age; very old. or
Existent or occurring in time long past, usually in remote ages; belonging to or associated with antiquity; old, as opposed to modern.
The same dictionary gives us the following for antient:
(plural antients) Obsolete spelling of ancient.
None of this is all that satisfying. I guess it means that we will have to go on arguing forever. On a lighter side here are some other obsolete forms of ancient.
auncient
auntient
The etymology of the word is as follows:
From Middle English auncyen, from Old French ancien (“old”), from Latin root *anteanus < ante (“before”).
Our modern word, antique, seems to stem from the obsolete word, antient.
Food for thought.

3rd October 2011 - The Heart of Freemasonry

One of my more pleasant tasks in the craft, is going out to meet prospective candidates. I am accompanied on most occasions by my good friend and brother, Tony Vecchio. Most of our contacts are from the internet and comprise everyone from those who are keen to join that day to the tyre kickers. We welcome everyone. Not everyone will join but if we can portray a positive face then we may plant a seed for the future.
One of the questions we are always asked is “What is Freemasonry?”
What indeed? I used to think that the answer to this was easier to ask than to answer. Every Freemason knows what Freemasonry is, but ask him to explain it. He will either trot out the age old clichés about it being a “system of morality”, or he will struggle to find the words that he knows are hidden in the depths of his memory.
I often thought to myself that this was something in my heart not so easily explained. I then realised that I had stumbled on the answer. Or at least I had found a way of providing and explanation to a non-Freemason. It really is an idea that dwells in a man’s heart. It is probably better explained by what it is not.
The craft is not its pomp and ceremony. Nor is it the modes of recognition or those secrets that we hold so dear. Parading one’s self in a monkey suit and jewels might make us look important, but only what we do for the greater good really matters. If a brother forgets his lines, is he any less a Mason?
Charity is what this organisation is about. It is our “raison d’etre”. If you strip away the pageantry, the fancy clothes and the secret ceremonies, there are the bare bones of it. But charity can take many twists and turns. Yes we quietly do wonderful things for a number of organisations, but what about the way we treat our fellow masons. What about the way we interact with our family or friends. How do we treat our fellow human beings. Freemasonry can make a better person of any man but he may have to think beyond the often narrow extremes imposed on us by society.

2nd March 2011 - Social News

Wow  what a turn up!  On Tuesday 2nd March, interested members of Scotia and their ladies met over lunch and took our first pre-emptive steps towards re-establishing Scotia’s Social Committee.   To those who attended, I thank you - it was a very pleasant and enjoyable experience. A lot of ideas were put forward.  This is what we are trying to encourage and it was great to have input from the Ladies.

Ideas:
* Stuart & Faye Nobbs are checking out happenings at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre.
* Tours of Qld Government House at the Gardens Point Campus.
* A Ladies ONLY Luncheon on a week day.
* Train Trip to Rosewood
*  A “Christmas in July” get together:    Vic Walker has suggested the Black Forest German Restaurant at Highgate Hill. The price and menu sound good. One concern was parking availability.  That is being checked out but if we car-pool that may alleviate the problem to some extent.
* We have Brochures on Day Trips from Cross Country Tours:  They do a Eumundi Market trip which includes time at the Markets & Lunch for a reasonable price. This one I know our Ladies are very interested in.
* Another idea for a trip is to ride the “Gympie Rattler”.   We would start with a bus ride to Gympie then it is ‘all aboard’ the Steam Train for a scenic train ride to Imbil and Lunch .  Then home again - after everyone wipes the coal dust from their eyes.

Brethren if you have any other suggestions likely to promote an enjoyable get together, we would like to hear your ideas.

Date Claimers:
* March
Sunday 13th March     -    The Brisbane Symphonic Band are performing at the Roma Street Parklands. Between 2-5 PM.  Our very own DC is a member. So if you enjoy Band Music  wander along.
Sunday 27th March      -    B B Q Breakfast at the Shorncliffe Pier.  Kicking off about 7.00AM.  This is a BYO whatever you wish to eat for Breakfast.  BBQ’S available.  Tea/Coffee will be provided as well as Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Cream. This is time to relax  and enjoy each others company.
* May
Saturday 14th May    -    High Tea at ‘Teddies N Sweets’,  Comino’s Arcade, Redcliffe. This is a special event being organized by our WM especially to celebrate Mother’s Day.

The next Social Luncheon we are considering is over the road from Doug’s Fish & Chips on the Esplanade at Sandgate.  Further details to be advised.

Fraternally,
Doug Paterson  JW
Ph:    0419 441 105
Email: dcpaterson@optusnet.com.au
Social News Bulletin #1

Scotia Lodge No. 263

Invites
Brethren , family & friends to join us for a Sunday b-b-q breakfast
ON
27th  March 2011     .. 7.00am
AT
Shorncliffe  Pier rest area

BYO: what you would enjoy for breakfast.

Tea, coffee & fruit juice provided.
Also Doug's famous pancakes
with maple syrup & cream.

For more information contact any of the brethren below

Doug Paterson JW        0419 441105
Tony Vecchio                 3256 3076
John Hughes                 3263 3981
John ashby   SEC          3865 7452

2nd October 2010 - Installation

Saturday the 2nd of October 2010 was an auspicious occasion for Lodge Scotia. It marked the installation of WB Ted Faulkner. This event of itself is not that noteworthy, since we install a new master every year at this time. More significantly, it was marked by the attendance of the Grand Master (MWB Adrian Burton) and his team.

From this author’s point of view, there were two more matters even more significant concerning this event. This lodge has a number of upcoming initiations and, as a matter of course, had invited some of our hopeful brethren to our installation banquet. The evening went till late as these things do and the Grand Master was as always a target for questions and chat. However, it was heartening to see MWB Burton give so much of his valuable time even at such an advanced hour, to speak to these young men. I hope they were as impressed by this as I was.

The other matter of significance was a remark by MWB Burton during the lodge meeting. He mentioned as part of his address to the brethren that he felt that that Scottish ritual made for such a rich diversity within Freemasonry and ought to be preserved. This author was particularly pleased to hear such words because it echoes what many in the craft have been saying for many years and to hear it from such a high officer should help to placate those who often feel that they are under attack.

I would personally like to thank the Grand Master for his involvement on the night, especially for his interaction with everyone. I did get the feeling that he could talk under wet cement with a mouth full of marbles but then that is, of course, something that applies to anyone in a high place. Who would want a political representative who was unable to interact verbally with not only his peers but everyone at every level? And he is after all our public face.

Lodge Scotia feels to me like it is marching towards a strong and vibrant future. There is no doubt however, that we should not just rest on these achievements but strive even harder to accomplish this. We may never reach the heights of a Newton or an Einstein but if we sit in our hands we will never be able to say that we tried.

30th June - Two sides to the Craft

We are seeing two sides of our Craft these days – Lodges that are booming with candidates right, left and centre, like Prince Albert (free plug). Lodge hard workers, will tell you, it just doesn’t happen by chance. Our Assistant Grand Master, Greg Goding, preached to all of us to prepare the garden bed, get our lodges in order and make them attractive to a different type of young thinker these days. Lodges have to be pro-active; they have to do the very best work possible; they have to be genuinely friendly; they have to encourage new members to be involved at an early stage (like immediately) and have to have fun at their festive boards. The younger generation expect more from anything they are involved in, but from my experience, they find Freemasonry presented at a high level, is right up their alley and they will keep Freemasonry alive and growing, if they are allowed and encouraged to do so.
It is imperative that the older generation remain involved, especially with ideas and positive suggestions and take the newer and younger men under their educative wing. A kind word of encouragement goes a lot further than a harsh criticism of a word forgotten.

Dennis Johnson, Master of Prince Albert Lodge, Number 248.

19th February 2010 - Wearing two hats

This writer sat in a unique position on Monday 15th February 2010. Members of Scotia Lodge paid a fraternal visit to Temperance of Brisbane and Fernberg Lodge on the occasion of their penultimate meeting. Interestingly enough I was a member of both lodges, having affiliated with Scotia only weeks before. My own lodge was being visited by my own lodge. Sounds like I was running in ever decreasing circles.
Sadly for Temperance of Brisbane and Fernberg Lodge this will be last time a third degree will be performed under that particular ritual. But we can all rise from the ashes and this is the message I want to share in this article. The move to Scotia has, for me and other like minded brethren, highlighted the absolute necessity to continue positively to grow this great craft.
Well we might be older but we are definitely a lot wiser. We now know the way forward. There is no magic formula but there are some fundamentals. In simple terms we need to be out there. We need to market ourselves. We need to show respect for those who do not share our views and nurture those who do. We need to put in, because it only then that we can take something back out.
And what of the work that was performed. It was a third degree. The recipient of this honour would rather be anonymous and we must respect that. I know there will come a time when he will wear his Masonic membership proudly and show the world that he is indeed a just and upright man.

Kerry LeBoutillier

9th February 2010 - Fraternal visit to Camp Hill Lodge

Monday the 8th of February saw several members of this lodge pay a fraternal visit to our brothers in Camp Hill Lodge. There was, while there, one of the most fruitful exchange of ideas this writer has witnessed for many a year.
The magnet which drew us to visit them was our own W.B. Tony Vecchio providing a lecture on his Italian experiences. Tony is much travelled in Italy in a Masonic sense and has been able to gather not only some great information but a background into the how and why of the various lodges in that country.
Tony surprised us all by entering the lodge room (after the lodge was closed) as an Italian entered apprentice, muttering strange Italian words and acting in way completely foreign even to us Scottish working masons, who know or thing or two when it comes to strange rituals.
But it was not all one way traffic. We noted with some enthusiasm that Camp Hill Lodge has a few tricks of its own. They have instigated a short presentation to be given at the festive board by one of their number explaining what he does outside of his Masonic activities. What a great way to get to know what each member really does in the real world. The other little gem that I picked up was that the lodge fosters a mentoring system. It also sets aside an extra night per month at a members house to deal with the many issues that arise over the month and not able to be dealt with at either the meeting or the practice night.
Brethren, holding on to those members who come to join us should be our priority and here is a lodge pointing the way.

Kerry LeBoutillier

16th December 2009 - Scotia reports

The following reports were received at the December 5th meeting.

Wor. Bro. John Ashby  attended an OPEN NIGHT held by eight (8) Lodges at Ann Street. There were in excess of 70 people interested in Freemasonry present on the night and John said that the event was very well organised and could be conducted again at Stones Corner and Kedron Centres

Wor Bro. Ashby and other members attended Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication and our Grand Master Elect is Rt. Wor. Bro. Adrian Burton. Wor. Bro. Ted Faulkner made the point that all of the Board of General Purposes candidates were successful in their respective ballots on the night.

The following applications for initiation have been received.
Mr Edward Lim,
Mr Chengi Shava

The following additional applications to affiliate were received
Bro. Ronald Francis LeBoutillier
Bro. Robert Forsyth Farmer
Wor. Bro. Charles Stuart Nobbs
Wor. Bro. Giuseppe Fillippone
Wor. Bro Derek Oswald McMillan
It is proposed that these Brethren be balloted for at our February Meeting and then obligated together on the same evening after a successful Ballot.

Wor. Bro. Ted Faulkner, will be attending Lodges Tuscan, Pine Rivers and Ashton in December.

Bro Doug Paterson will be going to Caboolture Lodge

The coming year looks like being a busy one for the lodge. How good is this?

14th November 2009 - Picnic in the park

Report on the Scotia Lodge Barbecue 8/11/09

I'd like to thank all those brethren who brought their wives, partners, friends and families to our Ladies Day BBQ at Shorncliffe Pier on Sunday 8 November. The weather played a good part on the day as well.
A special thank you to our soon to be members from Temperance of Brisbane  & Fernberg, Tony & Paola Vecchio , John & Lorraine Hughes, Kerry & Donna LeBoutillier and their daughter and Wayne and Sheree. I hope you all enjoyed the day because without such an attendance, the day wouldn't have been as successful as it was.
Also some special mentions; to John and Pat for their time and effort on the famous "Ashby Pancakes"; to John for getting their early to guard our spot and to Doug Paterson for bringing along extra hot water for tea and coffee.  Still in the thank you department I was very thrilled to see Roy and Gloria Brough. Roy is one of the very senior members of our Lodge. He and Gloria came along and enjoyed the day. In finishing off my plaudits, I thank all the ladies for coming and I sincerely hope you all enjoyed yourselves. It made for a good day.
We had prizes for our ladies on the day. The first prize (an electric slow cooker) was donated by Vic Walker and won by Gloria Brough (See Photo at left). Second prize (A bottle of wine) were donated by John Ashby and won by Paola Vecchio. The final prize also donated by John (set of wine glasses) was won by David Kirk's daughter. (Sorry Dave I have forgotten your daughters name - old age !!!)
Last not but not least, it would be remiss of me not to mention the melodic harmonies on the day provided by two fine gentlemen, in the persons of Terry Philip and Peter Betel. I hope they had as good a time performing as the rest of us did listening to some fine instrumentation and singing it. It would be very pleasing to see them both again on our next BBQ breakfast. Thank you, gentlemen.
Brethren, stay tuned because their will be more BBQ breakfasts organized in the first and second half of the year.

Mick Conyard. WM, Lodge Scotia

2nd October 2009 - Decision to close Temperance Lodge

Well we have finally reached a crossroads. After 110 years, Temperance of Brisbane and Fernberg lodge will be no more. The brethren have voted to hand in our warrant. It is a sad time for many of us and something not many Freemasons like to see.
Ironically this site has been working well for the lodge and prospective candidates are coming from everywhere. Alas, we are not able to use this to resurrect the lodge. The time for a new mason to advance through the various offices and eventually to master is too great for many of us. But we have looked after these prospects by introducing them to more viable lodges and hopefully this action will produce a new generation of Freemasons stronger than the last.
Along with the lodge closure there is the inevitable question of what is to become of this site. The author is moving to Lodge Scotia, No 263. I have decided to re-brand the site with the Scotia name. The address will remain the same. In due course these changes will be made and I will add the History of Scotia lodge to the site.
This site will remain for the good of Freemasonry in general and for the good of Lodge Scotia in particular.

6th June 2009 - Temperance visits Scotia Lodge

We paid a fraternal visit to Scotia lodge on Friday evening the 5th June. The lodge was passing Br. Daniel Philip to the second degree. The ceremony itself is not really what is important, of course. It is the cementing of the relationship between the lodges. Every one says it is the great cornerstone of freemasonry. These fraternal visits reinforce the relationships between all freemasons. Other lodges, as is often the case, were represented as well. Bon Accord lodge was there as was Ionic Prudence.
There is a wonderful blend of Scottish and Queensland Constitution lodges in these visits. It demonstrates the artificiality of the differences. Indeed it celebrates them. Ritual always looks good to me when it is performed well. It does not matter what book it comes from.
All this is not to say the evening was not important for Daniel. It marks for him what is a milestone in a Masonic journey which for many lasts a lifetime. We all have to start somewhere. Confucius said, “The longest journey starts with a single step.” Who would doubt his wisdom?
The ceremony like all degrees performed by Scottish lodges in Queensland was unique. This writer was impressed by what he saw. I could only hope that the Daniel was also impressed.
So let us extend our congratulations to Daniel and our best wishes for the future. Click here for photos.

Kerry LeBoutillier