Companions All,
I welcome each of you to this, the July Quarterly Convocation of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Freemasons of Victoria, which usually brings with it the winter chills. I thank you all for making the effort to attend, particularly the Country Companions who have travelled significant distances to be here tonight.
The Grand Installation Ceremony held on Saturday April 12th was well attended to witness the reinstallation of myself and the Deputy, the newly appointed Haggai and Jeshua in the persons of Rt. Em. Comp. Peter Thick and Em Companion Tony Langford and the team of officers who were invested.
This team has settled down very quickly into their responsibilities and has provided an excellent standard of Ceremonial for the 20 Installations conducted during the Quarter with the Deputy officiating at 8 of them. The Grand Standard Bearers and Grand Stewards have been outstanding in their appreciation of the importance and meanings of their investitures and have bonded into a close-knit performance group. The next Quarter will see their work allocations expanded.
The Team is also about to commence rehearsals for the forthcoming re-enactment of the Consecration Ceremony to be conducted at the St. Andrews in the South-Geelong Holy Royal Arch Chapter Temple to celebrate their 150th year on September 13th.
On May 17th the Grand Chapter team provided a full Team Delegation to the Grand Mark Installation of Most Worshipful Brother Kerry Grills. This was held in the Dallas Brooks Centre and was very well attended by all Lodges and Orders of Freemasonry in Victoria, the States of Australia and New Zealand. This installation provided for a very impressive day of Freemasonry preceded by an evening Reception held at Parliament House.
On June 28th our Deputy, Rt. Em. Comp. Laurie Patterson, represented Grand Chapter at The Grand Installation of the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine.
Currently, there are several of our Chapters seeking to achieve consolidation. Our membership continues to age as the years go by and the replacement level of new members does not match the attrition rate. Companions, I plead with each of you to personally take on the responsibility of seeking new members through your contacts in Craft and Mark Lodges. I am advised that 66 percent of Chapter members are Mark Men but only 40 percent of Mark Members are Chapter Members. Likewise the Craft Membership of Chapter is only 14 percent. Companions, these figures are demoralising and do not reflect any endeavour by Holy Royal Arch Freemasons to promote new Members for our Organisation; which is recognised as having the most instructive, revealing and beautiful Ceremonial in Freemasonry. Companions, the Craft Rule 86 recognises and, in fact, infers that Freemasons are not in possession of the full knowledge and understanding until each of the five degrees have been completed.
Currently the Holy Royal Arch Chapter Association is developing a paper entitled "Information for Master Masons" which is anticipated to be available for distribution by our October Quarterly.
Companions, the Craft, Mark and Chapter Memberships are declining at an alarming rate and we need to consolidate our existing memberships by working together to provide attractive and interesting meeting programs. Unfortunately paternalistic attitudes and claims of ownership exist in all our Lodges and Orders and when discussions of change or consolidation take place, the control and arrogance of ownership displayed can be destroying to any new venture.
Companions, tonight we have welcomed the leaders of many if not all of the Other Orders of Freemasonry that currently exist and operate in Victoria. They total approximately 16 in number and, would it surprise you to know that 50 percent require Royal Arch membership qualification. These orders provide segregated aspects of Freemasonry and certainly promote further education within the whole structure of Freemasonry. My point is that if anyone anticipates joining any of these Orders a full understanding in the five degrees of Freemasonry becomes essential and is a prerequisite for Membership. So why not join the H.R.A. now?
On a more pleasant note let me relate to you an enjoyable experience we had recently. I had the occasion to visit the Grange H.R.A. Chapter at Hamilton back in late May at one of their regular meetings for the purpose of Conferring Grand Rank on one of their well-deserving members. The Grand Director of Ceremonies, my Sword Bearer and two Grand Officers accompanied me. When we arrived at Grange we were informed that they were scheduled to conduct an Exaltation Ceremony with a Candidate. On further enquiry we found that Grange had recruited members from the Western District Chapter at Warrnambool and Portland Chapter to assist in the ceremony. As it turned out the Principal Sojourner for the night was also the proposed recipient of Conferred Rank who has served as Principal Sojourner for no less than 6 years. The ceremony was extremely well conducted by all officers and the visit proved to be a very enjoyable one. I congratulate the Grange H.R.A.C. Chapter on their work, which gave them a second candidate for the year.
Last Saturday Evening Val and I were invited to attend the 80th year Celebratory Dinner of the Mark Masters Association of Victoria. This was an excellent evening attended by approximately 130 Members, Ladies and friends. The Three Course Meal was as satisfying as the entertainment provided by the Tommy Carter Jazz and Fun Band. A great Celebration capped off by a one thousand dollar donation to the "We Care Appeal" from the Association.
Companions I again thank you for attendance here tonight and I wish each and everyone one a safe return home.
Keith Hill
Grand Zerubbabel
Speech by the MEm First Grand Principal Keith Hill at his Installation on April 12th, 2008
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Brethren and Companions,
On behalf of Supreme Grand Chapter I extend to you at this Installation Convocation a hearty welcome and my thanks for your support over the past year.
To be installed for a second term to serve as First Principal in this Supreme Degree of Freemasonry is a privilege and honour. I thank the Past Grand Zerubbabels for their nomination and in particular Most Eminent Companion Robert Paroissien, PGZ, for installing me today.
During the past year we have enjoyed the opportunity to work in conjunction with Most Worshipful Brother Garry Sebo, his Deputy, Right Worshipful Brother Vaughan Werner, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Mark Master Masons, Most Worshipful Brother Barry Colyer and his Deputy, the Grand Master-Elect, Right Worshipful Brother Kerry Grills.
It is my hope that in the near future we may be able to find a time slot to organise a combined function of these Teams so as to promote a still stronger relationship of fraternity in Freemasonry.
During this coming year Supreme Grand Chapter will endeavour to assist constituent Chapters to review and develop future programmes. This will result in positive planning for the future of all Chapters. This programme may highlight the need for some amalgamations to sustain stronger and more viable Chapters which, in return, will effectively retain members.
I am acutely aware of the responsibilities and obligations that have become my lot to uphold as First Principal of this beautiful Order. I will use my best endeavours to uphold the trust, dignity and high standards that have been set by my predecessors.
Grand Craft have used a slogan during this year Our Principles Make A Difference and, must I say, they certainly do. We need to adopt a pro-active program to promote the Mark and Chapter Degrees as Orders that follow on from the Craft Third Degree. These Degrees provide ceremonies of educational and interesting ritual that qualifies a Freemason for further enlightenment and knowledge in Freemasonry. After all, we were all instructed to make a daily advancement in Freemasonry.
During my obligation I promised to Faithfully, Zealously and Impartially perform the duties of my office and preserve the ancient landmarks of the Order. I was charged to rule well and to possess and practise several important attributes, as a man, as a citizen, as a Freemason and as a First Grand Principal, all of which I will endeavour to achieve.
Companions, together with my co-Principals and the members of our 2008 – 2009 team we are committed to serving you for the next twelve months and trust that we will set a standard that will attract more members and provide a model for your Companions to emulate.
In conclusion I congratulate the New Team members who are now about to be installed and invested, and may the year ahead be one that brings much happiness and satisfaction in serving this Grand Chapter as we visit each constituent Chapter throughout Victoria. I personally look forward to serving this Grand Chapter for another year and I again express my deep appreciation to all Companions for your continuing support.
Keith Hill
Grand Zerubbabel
