EVENTS

Contents click to read item

Installation of
Bro. Douglas Alan Ray

Bro Douglas Alan Ray was installed (at High Noon) as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge by his predecessor W. Bro. G.R. Waite with due ceremony in the presence of representatives from all the Masonic Grand Lodges in New Zealand and a total of approximately 170 brethren. Upon being installed he installed and invested his officers for the year 2016.
At the conclusion of the ceremony a banquet lunch was enjoyed by all.

Installation of Provincial Grand Master
R. Wor. Bro. Andrew McGregor

On Saturday 24th October 2015 our new Provincial Grand Master R. Wor. Bro. Andrew McGregor was Installed with due ceremony by R.Wor. Bro. R.J. Whyte. At the Annual Communications of Provincial Grand Lodge. At the Ara 348 I.C. Airedale Street Auckland Lodge, in the presence of representatives from all our sister Constitutions and a huge gathering of Masons.

After the ceremony a banquet dinner at the Langham Hotel was enjoyed by all.

Ladies Night Dinner
14 May 2016

We wined and dined our ladies on Saturday 14 May 2016 to thank them for assisting us with our Lodge duties.

Fine food was again provided by A1 caterers and we missed Andrea who her husband advised was in hospital.
He thanked the Lodge for the flowers and chocolates the Lodge had sent to her.

A presentation of a cell phone was made to our outgoing Master Graham Waite to show our gratitued for the work and visiting
he has made during the past year. Kerrie, Graham's wife received a bouquet of flowers.

Flowering Phalaenopsis Orchid plants were gifted to each of our ladies to mark our thanks.

Lodge Working Bee
Saturday 16^th May 2015

Brethren turned out in force to Help with the Lodge and grounds cleanup on Saturday 6 May 2015.

They scraped up mountains of autumn leaves from the recent wind storm and swept the entire carpark.

Inside the Lodge all was tidied up ready for our ladies night the following Saturday and Installation day.

 Once all the work was completed a Light lunch was enjoyed by all – Thanks for everyone’s help

ARA 348 I.C. BOOK LAUNCH
The Foundation Stone

On Monday 2nd December 2013 the Ara 348 I.C. Masonic Lodge launched a book of the history of the Lodge from 1842 to 2008.
Right Worshipful Bro. Roland J. Whyte the Provincial Grand Master, Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Grand Lodge of Ireland opened the evening by telling how during a holiday break of the Lodge some years ago Very Worshipful Bro. Geoffrey L. Grenfell and his self had all the Lodge records, from the Lodge’s beginning, spread over many tables in the refectory of the Lodge to put into some order and archive. It was at this time that he decided, and V.W. Bro Grenfell undertook, to make a book record of the Lodge History.
He praised V.W. Bro Grenfell for the great work he has put into the book (six years) and introduced him to the gathering of more than a hundred Lodge members and partners who had earlier enjoyed a supper of finger food.

V.W. Bro. Geoffrey Grenfell

Very Worshipful Bro. Geoffrey L. Grenfell thanked the many people who had assisted him to write, produce and publish the book ‘The Foundation Stone’.
He explained that in the Masonic fraternity it is customary at the erection of all stately and superb edifices to lay the first or Foundation Stone at the North East corner of the intended structure. That being so the Ara Lodge one of the oldest social organisations to operate continuously from the very beginnings of the Auckland settlement in 1840, merits this accolade. Furthermore as it is acknowledged within Freemasonry as the oldest lodge in the country, its claim to this status is additionally confirmed.
He acknowledged the secretaries of the Lodge for painstakingly recording its activities. Without these resources his task of the history would have been so difficult and certainly less informative.
Ara Lodge has created a rich and at times challenging story; one encompassing the successes and failures, trials and tribulations of its Brethren, many of whom were coincidentally prominent in the colourful and eventful history of Auckland. That being so he has attempted to weave the two strands together showing how over the passage of 170 years the activities of the Lodge have mirrored and have been a microcosm of those in the wider society at large.
He thanked members who had helped in various ways to write the book, proof read, enlarge on aspects and provide photos. With out these resources his task of recording this history would have been so much more difficult and certainly less informative.

Mary Egan (Publisher

Geoff then introduced the Publisher Mary Egan who in turn thanked him for the very thorough and tidy manuscript he supplied and his willing assistance during the publishing of the book.

The Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Roy Nates presented a bouquet of flowers to Shirley Grenfell, Geoff’s wife, for her patience while he devoted much of his spare time to the book.

The Provincial Grand Master R.W. Bro. Roland J. Whyte on behalf of the Lodge announced that the Lodge had made Geoff an Emeritus Member of the Lodge. This was received with a standing ovation.

At the close of the evening Geoff spent a long time signing and endorsing the books that had been purchased during the night

Croquet Social Day
Sunday 7^th October 2012

By Bro. David Hay

Venue Papakura Croquet Club 1 Chapel St Papakura at 10.00am
Great day all around, started with an introduction, by Brother Norton, about the Club, the Game, and how we were going to play.
Each team was assigned a Croquet Club Member and was made up of 4 players, each player is assigned a Color (Blue, Red, Black, Yellow), each Team was then Paired up, Blue / Black and Red / Yellow, we had 5 Teams playing on the Greens, each Team with their own Coarse of Hoops to get there Colored Ball through (or attempt to) First ball through won the Round, then All players in the team would move onto the next Hoop – Needless to say there was some Dirty shots - played to block the other teams Ball from getting through the hoop! Thanks to the Croquet Club Members for helping us through each game and for giving up there time to show us what to do!

Once the Games had finished we had a BBQ Lunch and some light refreshments, we then had a Professional Team show us how they Play. (not much different to us I thought!)

A great day was had by all, as you can see from the Photos – thanks to the Paparazzi.

A Big thanks from me (JW) to Brothers Newton and Norton for putting the day together, everyone wished to play croquet again in the new Year. If Possible

William George Garrod Gough
3 February 1933 - 9 September 2010

It is with great sadness that we report the death of our Provincial Deputy Grand Master and Past Grand Deacon Right Worshipful Brother William George Garrod Gough (Garry) ceased labour early on 9 September after a long fight.

His funeral was held held on 13 Seotember at the North Harbour Chapel of Dil's Funeral Services, Schnapper Rock Road Albany.

VISIT TO STARDOME OBSERVATORY

On the evening of Sunday 22 November the Lodge made a visit to the Stardome Observatory in One Tree Hill Domain.

We met as a social broup before the show and had drinks and food.

After our refreshments we went to the Stardome Theatre where the night sky was projected overhead. We received a very informative and most interesting explanation of the sky by night and the various constelations including the constelation Ara which is an alter.

DEFIBRILLATOR C.P.R. MACHINE

The Lodge has purchased a defibrillator machine, to assist Lodge members to resuscitate anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest. While we hope that it will not be required, we never know when it maybe.

Training was given by Tony, from First Aid N.Z. on the 7th of October. He gave extensive training in the most up-to-date method of delivering C.P.R. as well as how to use the defibrillator machine.

The machine is very simple to use (idiot proof) and instructs you how to set it up and use it. It talks to you and tells you what to do, where to attach the pads, if pads are correctly attached, and when and if the electric shock should be applied.

We will keep the machine on the kitchen wall near the liquor locker.

Provincial Grand Lodge 150th Anniversary celebrations

While a definite date and year can not be confirmed for the 150th Anniversary of Provincial Grand Lodge, we celebrated on Saturday 19th September 2009, after the Annual Communications of Provincial Grand Lodge, at the Lodge of Light at Thames.

The ceremony opened with a welcome from Lodge of Light delivered by their Worshipful Master James Crawford.

During the dinner V. Wor. Bro. Geoff Grenfell proposed a toast to Provincial Grand Lodge and gave a time line of the last 150 years of P.G.L. including an explanation of the uncertainty as to the official Anniversary date.
The Ara Lodge No. 348 petitioned Grand Lodge on 2nd August 1858 for a Provincial Grand Lodge in New Zealand.
Grand Lodge issued a warrant on 3rd of February 1859.
The brethren of Ara Lodge were advised on 6th June 1859 that "Wor. Bro. Cormack Patrick O'Rafferty had been appointed Provincial Grand Master".
By this time Wor. Bro. O'Rafferty had left our country for Australia.
On 6th April 1863 he appointed Wor. Bro. Henry de Burgh-Adams Provincial Deputy Grand Master.
O'Rafferty finally relinquished his warrant by way of resignation which was received at Ara Lodge on 3rd November 1864. Presumably he returned his warrant to Ireland. Sometime in July/August 1865.
Henry de Burgh Adams was confirmed Provincial Grand Master by Grand Lodge [date unknown] as he then called the first Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on 9th November 1865. He proved to be a very worthy man for the position.
Hence we have a choice of several dates for the Anniversary.

The Provincial Grandmaster R.W. Bro. R .J. Whyte replied to the toast.

A letter from the Grand Master was read.

Mrs Sybil Kirkwood, the widow of R. W. Bro. Kirkwood P.A.G.M., honoured P.G.L. by cutting the 150th Anniversary cake.

Address to Provincial Grand Lodge
Annual Communications (150th Anniversary)
Saturday 19th September, 2009
Lodge of Light No. 454, Thames

Worshipful Brethren,
This Annual Communications marks the end of a year of some difficulty and disappointment, some success and triumph, and also marks the beginning of another year of interest and challenge. I take this opportunity to thank the out-going officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge for the manner in which they have all attended to their duties and responsibilities and supported the Province in all of its endeavours.

To those Provincial Grand Lodge Officers, past and present, and you know who you are; who have attended official visits of the Province on a regular basis and supported the Senior Officer representing; thank you most sincerely. A few years ago the Board of General Purposes at my insistence started to take attendance and performance of duty into consideration when deciding on Provincial Grand Lodge honours. The catch-cry Brethren, is “They profit most who serve best”.

This saying may be applied to all spheres of Freemasonry. Once in a while there are found in a Lodge those who disdain small tasks yet wonder why they have never been put in line for the larger tasks which they feel qualified to perform, or why their brethren do not think of them as important in the affairs of the lodge. Such persons, few as we hope they may be, sit in the body of the lodge and say to themselves- sometimes to others- that they could take the Senior Deacon’s part or the parts of the Wardens, or even that of the Master, as well as it is being done, or better. “Why am I not put on the ladder after all of these years?” they question. In the past we have often erred by appointing those who have never demonstrated ability in the performance of small tasks.

The kind of brother who is likely to be the kind of Master who is likely to be in line for appointment as Provincial Grand Master or to some other Provincial Grand Lodge office, is one who is ever ready to help with the small tasks. To help set up furniture, coach candidates, attend funerals, accept some little part in the degree working, learn the ritual for parts he never may be called upon to take, who enjoys assisting the Stewards or is on hand to help clean up the refectory; he is the kind of Brother who if his ability and willingness to serve are recognized by his Brethren and he is advanced to the East, is likely to make a Master who will have a lodge that the Brethren will be anxious to attend.

The Brother who makes good in the lowly positions is the kind of Brother who usually makes good in the higher positions. Let him take example from Past Grand Masters and other distinguished Freemasons who do not hesitate to take part in degrees or perform lowly tasks within the Lodge. Brethren, do not disdain the small tasks that may qualify you for higher things, but perform those tasks because you enjoy performing them.

Thankfully the Province of New Zealand is populated by Brethren who enjoy performing tasks both lowly and important within their own Lodges and within the Provincial Grand Lodge. Mostly we have members who carry themselves proudly within the Irish Constitution and we display to the onlooker an appearance of all that is good about Freemasonry. We have a reputation within the Fraternity of “punching above our weight”. We are few in number but our influence is telling and wide. In the various committees and meetings I attend the Irish are considered to have a voice that is worth hearing, a viewpoint worth considering and advice that is worth taking. We are envied for our relaxed, friendly and inclusive approach to Freemasonry. We are a body that is not consumed with rank and caste. We are more outward looking than inward looking. These are all healthy and positive attributes and we have a formula for success that many would like to emulate.

This reputation and “aura” is I believe due in part to my predecessors and to previous Provincial Grand Lodge Officers who over 150 years (give or take a few) have merged the best of Irish attitude from the Old Country with the best of the New Zealand culture and persona.

At the half yearly Communications meeting in March the Board of General Purposes spent much time talking finance and you will recall that I talked about finances and the global recession in my Address to the Provincial Grand Lodge. Not only are the Lodges in the Province affected by falling income but also the Provincial Grand Lodge itself has been feeling the effects of the recession. A recent study of our accounts tells us that we are not living within our means and in danger of having to eat into our invested capital. This must be avoided at all costs and so the discussion has turned to how we might ameliorate this state of affairs.

Discussion within the Senior Officers of the Province has been going on for a few months now regarding the role of the Provincial Grand Lodge here in New Zealand and how important it is to maintain our status and position within the wider Masonic community. We have been talking about what Dublin expects of its Provinces overseas especially one as important as ours and we have been engaged in wide ranging discussion on how we might best cushion ourselves against reducing income and rising costs.

At the end of the day there is of course no other avenue open to us except to seek relief from the Lodges in the Province. How best to do this fairly and equitably has also been a topic for discussion. At the next Board of General Purposes meeting in November we will again approach this problem and hopefully make a decision which the Lodges may find acceptable. Our initial thinking is that an increase in the annual levy to the Lodges for the operation of the Provincial Grand Lodge will not produce sufficient funding to overcome the problem. It is possible therefore that we may have to make a one off levy on the Lodges of sufficient magnitude that funds will maintain us in the manner which Grand Lodge, the Lodges within the Province and of course the other Constitutions, expect of us, well into the medium to long term. We will of course consult with the Lodges on this subject.

I am very grateful to the Master, Wardens, Officers and Brethren of the Lodge of Light No. 454 for the use of the Lodgeroom here today so that the Provincial Grand Lodge could carry out its prescribed function and I would like to extend to the Lodge members my sincere appreciation and thanks for the hospitality they have shown towards us all.

RJ Whyte
Provincial Grand Master

Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand
Grand Lodge of Ireland
2015-2016

Four Brethren have received Honorary Grand Rank

At the June 2009 Communications meeting of Grand Lodge held in Dublin the following Brethren of this Province were given Honorary Grand Rank.

RW Brother KB Gudopp, PPAGM was promoted to Honorary Past Grand Deacon.
RW Brother JFT Griffin, PAGM was given the rank of Honorary Past Grand Steward.
VW Brother RJ Foote, PPSGW was given the rank of Honorary Past Grand Almoner.
VW Brother NJ Wishart, PPDC was given the rank of Honorary Past Grand Almoner.

Provincial Grand Master's Addresses to Communications

Address to the Half year Communications meeting of
the Provincial Grand Lodge
held at Lodge of Light No. 454, Thames
on Saturday 21st March, 2015 at 4.30pm

Worshipful Brethren,
Today there has been a major change in the leadership and structure of the Provincial Grand Lodge. Right Worshipful Brother George Drury has retired as Provincial Deputy Grand Master after a very busy and productive 5 years. He was installed by the Grand Master in Hong Kong at the Provincial Grand Lodge there, an honour he appreciated at a meeting he enjoyed. He has been to date the only Provincial Grand Lodge Officer of this Province ever to have been installed by a Grand Master. George also appreciated I’m sure, the fact that he survived his term of office when the two previous Provincial Deputy Grand Masters sadly died in office. George has represented me and the Province throughout New Zealand, in the Far East and in Ireland. He has always conducted himself with dignity when visiting other Lodges and has only acted irreverently on a few occasions for which he is forgiven. As a Deputy he has been loyal, supportive, wise and good company; I shall treasure memories of good times George and hope that you will still be able to carry out official duties for the Province from time to time.
Brethren I’m sure you will join me in congratulating George on a job well done and wish him well for the future.

Right Worshipful Brother Frank Griffin is now the Provincial Deputy Grand Master. As you know Brother Frank has acted as Provincial Assistant Grand Master since July 2007. He has carried the Irish banner mainly in the South Island and he has a reputation throughout the Province as a strong leader with a warm personality, sharp mind and quick wit. I have no doubt that this appointment today will be widely appreciated throughout this Province and also within the Districts of the Sister Constitutions, and I congratulate him publicly on his preferment and wish him all the best for the future.

My appointment of Garth Liddell as Provincial Assistant Grand Master I am sure will be a popular one as Brother Liddell displays all of those qualities which makes a good Freemason and an excellent leader. In the relatively short time that he has been a Freemason he has been a very active and useful team member of his Lodge, his Royal Arch Chapter and the Provincial Grand Lodge. I am sure that in time as he grows in this leadership role that he will become a much admired Senior Officer and I ask that you all support him and I know that you will respect his office as a Grand Lodge representative. Brethren, I’m sure that you will join me in congratulating Garth and wish him a long and enjoyable future in Freemasonry.

With George’s retirement and Garth’s appointment we have almost halved the average age of the Provincial Grand Lodge Officers (some laughter at this point) and thus with the introduction of youth into the mix of Senior Officers it signals the beginning of a new era for Irish Freemasonry in this country. It is recognition that a younger cohort of members is now starting to come through the ranks and that they are emerging as the future leaders of the Craft.

This evening, in the time honoured fashion we saluted the memory of our recently departed Brethren. I have been reflecting on the life of Worshipful Brother Hermann Schmidt. As I have already said we had some things in common but until he died I didn’t realise what a wonderful life of service he had led. As a sailor in his native Germany; in New Zealand working in the Health Sector caring for people; in his Lodge as a very active and attentive Almoner, assisted by his ever supportive wife. A life time of service to his fellow man. It was a great honour to recommend Hermann for the Grand Lodge rank of Honorary Past Master of the Irish Constitution in recognition of his excellent work for his Lodge.

At a recent Masonic meeting VW Brother BR Young as Chaplain was called on to say Grace. He started by referring to Charity and for a breathtaking moment I wondered where he was going with it. But he very nicely rounded the Grace off by thanking the Visitors for exhibiting charity by generously giving of their time to come and support us. And so I have been reflecting on Bernard’s reminder that Charity is not just “money in the collection plate” or writing a cheque for some worthy cause; Charity is many other things such as; Love of one’s fellow man; Indulgence or forbearance in judging others; Benevolence or generosity toward others or towards humanity; freely giving of your time to assist a neighbour or friend; provision of help or relief to the poor.

I don’t usually single out Brethren who have, in my opinion, been good examples of charitable action and Brotherly love. I know that many of you in many different ways helped Hermann and Renate during his last years but I would like to mention the outstanding care and love given by Worshipful Brother George Thomson the Almoner of 348 and also VW Brother Andrew McGregor. Both of these men visited Hermann in his various stages of dementia and supported his wife through the very difficult times leading up to and after his death. What you all gave Hermann was the Brotherly love that he deserved after his lifetime of service to his fellow man and the manner in which he cared for others.

All of these Brethren are tightly linked together. Brother Schmidt for his example to us all; the Brethren who gave him love and support during his final years which he so justly deserved and the wise Brother who reminded me that Charity means much more than money.

The PGM left his formal address at this point to talk about the success of the 150th Anniversary celebrations recently held at Lodge 446

I will now conclude by giving the Provincial Grand Lodge a brief account of the Installation of the Grand Master, MW Brother Douglas T. Grey held in Dublin in November last. I was supported by RW Brother Drury and the three sitting Masters of 348, 446 and 454. The most unfortunate part of the whole event for me was that W. Brother Darling the Master of Lodge 468 could not be with us because of his son’s grave illness at the time.

The Installation was a splendid affair with 21 Grand Lodges being received mostly from European countries and with a great display of colour and pageantry. The Lodge was packed out and various other side Lodges and refectories were linked by video for those unfortunate Brethren who didn’t have a ticket to the main room. In the evening a banquet was held for approximately 300 Brethren and Ladies at the Mansion House and in the usual Irish fashion speeches and toasts were short and succinct.
It was a great honour to represent you all at the meeting and I thank you all for the opportunity to attend. I know that our attendance there was greatly appreciated even though we didn’t get a mention in the minutes of the meeting, while the Sri Lankan’s and South African’s did. The Grand Master was truly amazed that we had travelled so far for such a short time to support him on his special day.

I wish to record my thanks to the Master, Officers and Brethren of Lodge 454 for accommodating us here today; to those Brethren who have travelled from Dunedin and New Plymouth, thank you, and of course to all of you who have exhibited Charity by giving of your valuable time to support the Provincial Grand Lodge and indirectly to support me. Your presence is very much appreciated.

RJ Whyte
PGM

Visit to
Lodge Scinde
Sesquicentenial Celebrations

Our Lodge was represented at Lodge Scinde No. 5 New Zealand constitution, in Napier, to celebrate with them, their sesquicentenial (150th) celebrations during the weekend 11th -12th October 2008. Six members of Ara Lodge and their partners stayed at the Edgewater Motel.

An application was made to the Grand Lodge of Ireland for a lodge to be called Scinde Lodge. (The name Scinde Island had been gazetted just three years earlier for the hill area behind the port to acknowledge Sir Charles Napier's successful Indian battle). The charter was sent to Lodge Ara No. 348 Irish Constitution in Auckland. The original charter was dated 8 October 1858 and this has been regarded as the birth date of Scinde Lodge No. 419 I.C. In 1878 Scinde Lodge sponsored the formation of Bedford Lodge No. 464 I.C. in Waipukurau. Scinde Lodge is therefore our daughter lodge and Bedford (now Woburn) Lodge our grand daughter lodge. Both lodges joined the New Zealand Constitution when it was formed in 1890. Scinde Lodge became No. 5 and Woburn No. 25 N.Z.C. Lodge Scinde No. 5 retained its 'right' in 'perpetuity' to retain all of its original Constitution and Lodge workings

.

On Saturday afternoon the ladies were taken on a guided tour of the Napier region while the men attended the Lodge meeting to celebrate the Sesquicentenial, afterwards the ladies joined the men for a snack of smoked trout and whiskey. The evening celebration was held in the Napier Cosmopolitan Club rooms with a banquet dinner and entertainment by the Napier Jazz Club. During the celebrations two cakes were cut and then sampled by all.

Sesquicentenial cakes

We had Sunday breakfast at the County Club Hotel with Lodge Scinde members. This was followed by a visit to the site of Lodge Scinde's future Lodge building guided by W. Bro. Derek Ricketts. The Lodge building will be their third Lodge building, the first was destroyed by fire in the Great Fire of Napier in 1886 and the other in the fire that followed the Napier Earthquake on 3 February 1931. They now have three blocks of commercial buildings and a large site where they have plans for a two storey building with a car park underneath.

Derek Ricketts shows the commercial buildings and the Lodge site.

We wish them a long and prosperous future.

FAMILY DAY AT ZOO

More than sixty Lodge members, family and friends enjoyed a barbeque and look at Auckland's zoo on Sunday 16th March 2008.

Grandchildren to grandparents were there, all enjoying the food and social atmosphere.

Zak Palmer the boy who the Lodge sponsored for major facial surgery in Toronto was also there with his family.

Ruapehu Weekend

A social group of Lodge members, family and their friends enjoyed a weekend (22nd - 24th February) at the top of the Bruce Road Mt Ruapehu, an active volcano that last erupted in 1995.

The group aged from ten to sixty plus stayed in the Levin Waiopehu ski lodge that is well appointed with a tv room, large lounge, kitchen and spa room.
On Saturday those who wished went tramping, they had a choice of a three hour or five hour walk.

The start of the Silica Rapids track.	The walkway of boardwalks, bridges & tracks.	Rest time at the look out.
Jon, Rex and Miriam walking.	Jon, Tim & Garth cross the bridge.	They finished at the hotel that was closed.
Tim walking in the bush.	Waipapaiti Track Group	The group leaves the bush.

On Saturday night they enjoyed a delicious roast dinner and desert prepared by Lesley.
It was a most enjoyable weekend for all young and old.