My dear Companions and distinguished Guests.
Since we last met we have passed from 2009 into 2010 and as of to day this year is already 20 days old. As men, and as Royal Arch Freemasons, we must not live in the past. We must learn from the past and plan for the future, but perhaps more importantly, we must live and enjoy life Now.
It was Pythagoras who said, and I quote - "The earth gives of its fruits but once a year; friendship gives its fruits at each moment of life", may our companionship as Royal Arch Freemasons give of our fruits at each moment of life.
Since October 21, 2009 the night of our last Grand Chapter Quarterly Convocation, the Grand Chapter Ceremonial Team has officiated at fifteen Installations and one re-enactment of the consecration ceremony. This evening I extend a sincere thank you to REm Comp John Blythman Deputy First Grand Principal for presiding over five of these installations, also to REm Comp Len Lacey, PGH Grand Lecturer, REm Comp Peter Crick PGJ Grand Treasurer, REm Comp Ted Murrant, PGJ, PBGP and REm Comp Tony Langford PGJ for their assistance at a number of these events.
On Saturday December 5th 2009 the Grand Team was invited to conduct the Ceremony of re-enactment of Consecrating the Melbourne Holy Royal Arch Chapter No 8 in celebration of their One Hundred and Twenty Fifth Anniversary as they were originally consecrated in year 1884. A considerable number of Companions, Ladies and non Royal Arch Freemasons were in attendance to witness this colourful ceremony.
Saturday October 24th 2009 at the Weston Masonic Centre, Ardeer. My wife Anne and I attended the Installation of Most Illustrious Companion Keith Raymond Hill as the Grand Master of Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, Victoria.
I would again acknowledge with gratitude, the loyalty, dedication and efficiency of the Grand Team who have accompanied me so consistently to Chapters throughout Victoria, I feel that the team is leaving behind it a trail of goodwill and great happiness.
On behalf of this Supreme Grand Chapter, I would congratulate one of our esteemed Companions, VEm Comp Vaughn Werner, PGIWkgs, a member of Greensborough Holy Royal Arch Chapter No 87, on his election to the high and dignified office of Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Victoria. We extend to him our very best wishes.
I acknowledge with thanks the many Seasons Greetings extended to me personally, and to Supreme Grand Chapter and the Joint Secretariat, from Sister Constitutions and from many Chapters in our own jurisdiction.
May the year 2010 bring each one of us to a state of inner peace – that lasting peace which is a quality of mind and heart. If we can learn to live at peace with ourselves, we may learn to live at peace with others. The man of noble heart walks quietly, and is at peace with himself and with God. By being in tune with The True and Living God Most High, and by applying our talents for the benefit of others, our future happiness is assured. If you have found that inner peace, then you are radiating true happiness and true companionship to all mankind. May we all, live and work together, in peace, dignity, and in love.
Laurie Patterson
First Grand Principal
Speech by the MEm First Grand Principal Laurie Patterson at his Installation on April 4th, 2009
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Brethren and Companions,
I stand before you this day, a very proud and humble man having been obligated and installed as the Most Eminent First Grand Principal and Leader of The Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Freemasons of Victoria. I thank you all for attending this Grand Convocation and Installation, and hope that each of you have enjoyed the ceremony so far and will continue to enjoy the rest of our formal duties and festivities.
Over a number of years on many occasions I have been privileged to witness and participate in this beautiful Installation Ceremony and have found it to be an impressive and moving experience, but never more so than today, one which will live in my memory always, and one which I trust will inspire us all to give of our best at all times no matter what our field of endeavour.
I thank M Em Comp Keith Raymond Hill, Past Grand Zerubbabel, not only for the friendly and magnificent manner in which he has installed me this afternoon but also for his confidence, firstly for appointing me as his Deputy First Grand Principal and secondly nominating me to be your First Grand Principal for the ensuing 12 months and I also take this opportunity to thank the M Em Past First Grand Principals and all my Companions for supporting that nomination by electing me to this, the highest office in your power to bestow.
Today's Ceremony has indelibly imprinted in my mind the duties and responsibilities which I have undertaken and with the loyalty and assistance of all Holy Royal Arch Freemasons and the support and guidance of TTALGMH. I humbly pledge to work to the best of my skill and ability to promote the interests, welfare and teachings of Freemasonry in general and of Royal Arch Freemasonry in particular.
As I take up my duties of First Grand Principal I am concerned to find that many of us have become disheartened, dispirited and complacent, a number of our Chapters have diminished, become run down and tattered around the edges. We should not let this happen, as nothing is too hard to overcome.
Companions, our ideals are of the highest standard and there is nothing in our ceremonies or our activities about which we need to feel ashamed.
The aims and goals that I would like to achieve within the next 12 months are to re-establish the word PRIDE throughout our jurisdiction, our membership and to encourage the companions to make their CHAPTERS become the pride of all Freemasons. This can only be done with the cooperation of all the Companions who meet in Victoria.
To enable these aims and goals to be achieved may I suggest some ingredients of a recipe for the renewing the spirit of PRIDE, which our predecessors must have felt in establishing our organisation.
THE WORD PRIDE RELATES TO:
PARTICIPATION: - Our Lodge or Chapter meetings and Functions need members who are going to participate and make things happen. This can be achieved in many ways, by taking office, submitting ways of improving our meetings or festive boards, offering assistance in many areas, so long as it falls within the bounds of our constitutions. Freemasons should be amongst those making it happen whether in their Masonic, religious or civil duties.
RITUAL: - Our Ritual when properly learnt and delivered at our beautiful ceremonies cannot fail to impress new members on their night of Inniation or exaltation, However too often we are seeing poor work that fails to communicate the lessons intended to be conveyed. It is my belief and that of many others, that the prime reason for this is lack of preparation. If we believe in the principles we espouse, we must take the time to receive members in a proper and meaningful manner.
INNOVATION: - Be like an inventor and be prepared to try out new ways and ideas of doing things without encroaching on the genuine landmarks of the order but without making innovations in the ritual that destroy our meanings or ceremonial, thus upsetting our Inspectors of Workings and even our own members. I believe and I hope you agree, tonight Grand Chapter has set an example.
DEDICATION: - One of the main requisites required of a Freemason is he must be dedicated to his wife and family, his work, his beliefs, dedicated to improving his community and dedicated to improving and advancing the welfare of his Lodge and Chapter.
EDUCATION: - All men belonging to our organisation must first learn for themselves the real meaning and purpose of Freemasonry then we can use this to teach and instruct our new members. Our teachings must also be taken from the lodge or chapter room and practised through the world if we are to be effective freemasons and examples to our fellow citizens.
Companions with the thoughts of the before mentioned statements in our minds continually; we will find we have instilled PRIDE into our Chapters, our Lodges and any other Order we belong to. Not the pride that we associate with a haughty arrogance but the pride, which comes from humble, self esteem.
Companions it is our duty to follow this path so that this Supreme Degree, which we love so much, may continue to survive for many years to come, to further enrich the hearts and lives of men.
Thank you Most High for allowing me to be in this position.
Laurie G Patterson
Grand Zerubbabel
