My Dear Companions and Distinguished Guests,
I express to each of you my grateful thanks for attending this quarterly convocation and also for the continued loyalty that is extended to Supreme Grand Chapter at every Installation conducted throughout our jurisdiction.
The first Quarter's operation of the new Grand Chapter Team has passed since the Installation on April 17th this year, and the members have now settled down into a quietly proficient and convincing team when performing the duties associated with Installations and the occasional Reconsecration at constituent Chapters. V Em Comp Max Murray, G.D.C., is to be complemented on the result of his labours in moulding this team.
There were twenty Installations and one Reconsecration during this period of which I have been privileged to preside at sixteen of the installations and also at the Re-enactment Ceremony of Consecration at Williamstown Holy Royal Arch Chapter No 75, which was celebrating 75 years of age. Of the remainder, I wish to thank R Em Comp John Blythman, D.G.Z., for officiating at four Installations and also accompanying me to two of the Chapters.
On Saturday April 24th, 2010, I was pleased to attend the Installation and other functions of the Allied Masonic Degrees (AMD) for Southern Australia, when Most Worshipful Bro Alf Green was installed as Grand Master.
It was also my joy to lead a delegation from Supreme Grand Chapter to two Grand Installations that were held during the month of May 2010. The first being the Installation of The United Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Victoria when Most Worshipful Bro Robert George Paroissien was installed as the Grand Master on Saturday May 15th and all his officers invested. The Second Grand Installation and associated functions was in Adelaide, South Australia on Saturday May 22nd, where we witnessed the Installation of Most Ex Companion Christopher David Selwood as the Most Excellent First Principal of The Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of South Australia and the Northern Territory. Both Installations concluded with the attendance of many people at the wonderful Banquets that followed.
I must also thank V Em Comp Bruce Cowie for representing Supreme Grand Chapter at the Grand installation and other functions of the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross Constantine held at Gardenvale on Saturday June 26th.
Companions, Principals, Past Principals and Grand Officers in relation to matters associated with the operation and control of Grand Chapter and Constituent Chapters there is a word that should never be forgotten, and that word is COURTESY. Just recently our Grand Inspector of Workings in conjunction with our Grand Scribe Ezra forwarded to the Inspectors of Workings a letter requiring an answer to be submitted by a certain date. Of some sixty plus letters being sent out, only twenty replies have been returned. The appointment of an Inspector of Workings to a Constituent Chapter is a position that is of importance and carries a considerable amount of responsibility within our jurisdiction. Therefore it is only courteous to respond to the requests asked for. May I suggest that we be more responsible for our actions?
Companions, I conclude my communication by saying REMEMBER. As Principals, Past Principals and Grand Officers, our first leadership priority is to keep our Chapters and Lodges motivated, enthusiastic and viable – nothing but failure will ensue if we sit on our hands – we must adapt our attitudes and our practices to meet the times which we now face. We cannot simply exist, we must be alive, vibrant, passionate and professional in the presentation of our beautiful ritual if we wish to keep alive the heritage, the trust, the message and the tradition that our forebears established and entrusted to us to preserve for our successors.
Companions, Our Visitors and Non Royal Arch Freemasons, I do hope that each of you enjoy the rest of the evening with us and I request that you listen intently to the Lecture or Talk to be delivered by Em Comp. Very Rev Frederick A. Shade. P.P.G.Soj. The winner of this years Robert Money Award.
Yours fraternally,
Laurie G Patterson
Grand Zerubbabel
