Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia
(Rosicrucian Society of Freemasons)

No. 6 CRUCIBLE April 2009
Newsletter of the Province of
Victoria
Provincial Annual General Meeting
Tuesday,
7th April 2009
I
welcome you all to this annual meeting of the province. We have moved the venue
to the Kew Temple and the time to 7.30 pm, thus making it easier for members to
attend. And I thank the host college, Francis Bacon, for enabling us to do this
on their Installation night.
I
can report that the six colleges are working well, and it is very pleasing to
see the numbers grow with new members. The colleges are ensuring that short
talks are presented at meetings by members. Fratres are encouraged to do this
as it gives them greater confidence, prepares them for advancement to a higher
Grade, and also informs members on a wide range of subjects.
The
annual meeting of the College of Adepts took place at the Kew Masonic Centre
last June (1st Tuesday) at which the 5th and 6th
Grades were performed, together with time for discussion after each Grade. The
meeting was a great success and we had an excellent attendance of both the
Candidates and members of the 2nd & 3rd Orders. This
special meeting gave these Grades the importance they deserve.
The
T.G.A. was held in August and was a great success. A full report on this event
can be found in the October issue of the provincial newsletter. This evening you
will receive a financial report of the Assembly and you will notice that it
covered its costs, thanks to the hard work of Fra. Barry Minster and the other
members of the committee.
There
were a number of ceremonies and conferrals during the weekend; again, they are
listed in the newsletter. However, I will record here the conferrals and
advancements of Victorian Fratres:
A.C.R.
– Robert Barnes, Frederick Shade; 9th Grade – Kent Henderson,
8th
Grade – Walter Burston, Rod McConnell; C.C.R. – John Molnar.
Congratulations
on your promotions!
At
the end of the year we suffered the tragic loss of the newly Installed Junior
Substitute Magus, R.Wor.Fra. Ernie Adams IX°. He was a great Freemason, a fine
ambassador for the Craft and all the other Degrees and Orders. He will be
sorely missed.
Provincial Team
Firstly,
I would like to express my thanks for the support I have received from members
of the executive: Rob Barnes, my Suffragan, Walter Burston our perspicacious
and peritpatetic Secretary, Barry Minster his indefatigable and able assistant
and Neil Martine our Treasurer.
Secondly,
the Provincial Team has been very generous with their time and they have
assisted me at the Installations with a quiet efficiency. Thank you all. The
third group I would like to thank is the Secretaries of the Colleges, as they
are essential to the smooth running of the province. Their task is not a simple
one as we have numerous Grades that are conferred and various monies going to
London etc. Thank you for your dedication.
I
am now at exactly the midpoint of my five-year term as Chief Adept, and in
accordance with long-standing policy of High Council, I need to change my
Suffragan. I am pleased to advise that I have appointed R.Wor.Fra. Rod
McConnell 8° to that position. In doing so I wish to pay tribute to the support
I have received from Fra. Rob and I look forward to his continued work in the
province. To Fra. Rod, congratulations and good luck!
This
appointment has necessitated a few changes and we now have a new Prov. D.C. and
Asst. D.C. in the persons of Fra. Bill Whitford and Fra. Lindsay Collins. Thank
you for taking on these duties. I also welcome our new Prov. Treasurer V.Wor.
Fra. Don Gerling and Guardian V.Wor.Fra. Ian Blair. I should also report that
Fra. Neil Martine asked to be relieved of his duties as Prov. Treasurer, having
served the province for over 13 years in that capacity. Well done, Fra. Neil,
and thank you so much for your work and dedication. You are a wonderful example
of selfless service.
Finally,
I thank you all for a most enjoyable year and I look forward to working with
the new Provincial Team. May we assist each other in Christian fellowship,
enjoy each other’s company, and to make a daily advancement in Rosicrucian
knowledge.
PROVINCIAL TEAM 2009 – 2010
Suffragan Rt.Wor.Fra. Rod McConnell
8°
Exponent V.Wor.Fra. Ed Lewellin VII°
Chaplain V.Wor.Fra. Len Lacey VII°
Secretary Rt.Wor.Fra. Walter
Burston 8°
Asst
Sec. V.Wor.Fra.
Barry Minster VII°
Treasurer V.Wor.Fra. Don Gerling
VII°
Dir.
of Studies V.Wor.Fra. Ed
Lewellin VII°
Dir. of Ceremonies V.Wor.Fra. Bill Whitford VII°
Asst. D.C. V.Wor.Fra. Lindsay Collins VII°
1st Ancient V.Wor.Fra. Max McCready VII°
2nd Ancient V.Wor.Fra. Greg Buist VII°
3rd Ancient V.Wor.Fra. George Russell
VII°
4th Ancient V.Wor.Fra. David Yole VII °
Guardian V.Wor.Fra.
Ian Blair VII°
Additional appointments:
Auditor V.Wor.Fra.
Ron Hickling VII°
Webmaster V.Wor.Fra. Graeme Nicholson VII°
Melbourne Study Group:
Secretary V.Wor.Fra. Ed Lewellin VII°
Asst Sec. Wor.Fra. Graeme Robinson IV°
This
is to advise that the annual meeting of the College of Adepts will take place
in June at the Kew Masonic Temple. The details are set out below. The purpose of
the meeting is to confer the 5th and 6th Grades on
Fratres of the province. The meeting will also include Talks and Discussion
on the Grade Rituals performed, thus making it a very special occasion. Only
the Adept Grades will be worked at this meeting.
All
members of the 2nd and 3rd Orders are encouraged to
attend this special occasion, the only meeting this year at which these Grades
will be conferred. The province is covering the costs of the hall rental, and
Fratres are asked to pay $10.00.
And in order to assist with catering, would you please indicate your intention to attend or record an apology. Fratres are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to the Grade they plan to attend. Candidates are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to their Grade of admission.
Time: 7.30 pm 6th
Grade; 8.30 pm 5th
Grade, followed by Supper.
Venue:
Kew Masonic Centre,
Strathalbyn Street, East Kew.
Bookings:
R.Wor.Fra. Walter Burston 8°,
Prov. Secretary.
Tel: 9546 1018. Email: walbur20@optusnet.com.au
* * * * * * *
Dates: Saturday
4th July, Saturday 7th November.
Venue: Masonic
Temple, Gipps Street, Abbotsford .
Time: 2.00pm
Dress: Casual.
Contacts: Fra. Ed Lewellin
Tel: 9749 4639 or
Fra.
Graeme Robinson Tel: 9754 4149 (M) 0418
344 803.
All Fratres are welcome.
* * * * * * *