Prince Albert Lodge Freemasons Newsletter - February 2012
COMING UP
One of Freemasonry’s most significant messages is presented in the Third Degree. This month, Prince Albert’s Master, Milan Pavasovic, intends to raise Mervyn Ng to the degree of a Master Mason. Merv, fondly known to us as “N.G.”, has left our shores on a business trip. However, emergencies excepted, he’ll be back here in Brisbane for our February meeting. N.G. is one of the keenest Freemasons you’ll ever meet and it will be a delight to see him attain this culminating degree.
WOW FACTOR
It’s amazing! Every festive board at Prince Albert Lodge delivers a brand New experience. The only thing that’s always the same is the atmosphere of fun and friendliness. This month’s supper extravaganza is being managed by a team comprising Brian Annear-Walker, Dennis Johnson, Keith Hamilton and Michael Rowe. You’ll be transported to a location that’s quite different from home.
SIMPLE THINGS
Why does Prince Albert Lodge have such a following? Why are you admired and respected as a Prince Albert member? The answer’s simple. We do our level best to extend the right hand of fellowship. We seek to excel in our ceremonial work. We turn on entertaining festive boards like no other. We endeavour to return visitations. We recognise the need for benevolence. We strive to maintain the principles of the Craft. Simple things ... but your life would be emptier without them.
WELL COVERED
What a nice idea! The eight decorative tablecloths used at Prince Albert’s festive board were thoughtfully donated by Brian and Julie Clements. The fancy cloths launder easily and never need ironing. They give our supper set-up a little touch of class. Thank you, Julie, for purchasing the material and cutting it to size.
GENEROUS ACCOMMODATION
When the Royal Albert Dock on the River Thames was built in 1880 it became part of the world’s largest docking expanse, covering 237 acres of water. The busy complex provided fourteen berths for steamers up to 35,000 tons. It also included vast storage facilities, huge granaries and flour mills. It was named after Prince Albert, who was married to Queen Victoria. Prince Albert Lodge also acts as an open dock ever-ready to welcome visiting brethren and new members.
BECKONING GREEN FINGERS
Say, what are you doing on Saturday 6 June this year? Hopefully, you’ll be visiting Masonic Care at Sandgate to do a spot of gardening. Prince Albert Lodge has been rostered for grounds maintenance on this winter morning. Enter the date in your diary now. The work’s not strenuous -- you set your own pace. And you get free morning tea and a free substantial lunch thrown in for good measure.
WELL DRESSED
Have you noticed the new gauntlets Prince Albert’s officers are wearing? They certainly look smart. The old ones were looking rather daggy. And as your lodge constantly endeavours to look the part and show the Craft the respect it deserves, replacement regalia was called for. This is all part of the process of presenting an upmarket image in keeping with Prince Albert’s lofty level of prestige.
DEBITS AND CREDITS
Like a tightrope walker, maintaining the balance is all-important. Prince Albert Lodge finances are well balanced and manifestly sufficient for the immediate foreseeable future. The lodge’s annual balance sheet and its accompanying written report have been painstakingly prepared by Dennis Johnson. They were formally received, reviewed and ratified at PAL’s February meeting.
GET THE MESSAGE
"Prince Albert Lodge is bankrupt." That’s the message you’d be reading if it wasn’t for our regular supper raffle. The high cost of catering for up to forty diners would cripple the healthiest of budgets. However, the welcome gift you so generously contribute joins the impressive line-up of lucky raffle prizes and tempts everyone into buying a fist-full of tickets. So please, get the message, and favour your lodge, once again, with a raffle prize this month.
FAVOUR RETURNED
It’s not rocket science. When you go visiting other lodges you encourage them to return the favour and visit Prince Albert. They come to see you and thus add a new dimension to our meetings. Go visiting with our Master, Milan Pavasovic,and enjoy the welcome results. It’s not rocket science ... visits beget return visits. And if you’re thinking of making a visit on your lonesome, let your brethren know and you may be able to make up an impressive visiting team.
CALL FOR CANDIDATES
Now is a great time to be a member of Prince Albert Lodge. Our fraternity is buzzing with energy and ideas. You’re a vital component in a really enthusiastic lodge that’s a credit to the Craft, determined to score further progress and genuinely esteemed by many Freemasons who wish their ownlodge had Prince Albert’s vim and vigour. However, to maintain our momentum, we need new recruits. You can confidently introduce a newcomer into our ranks, knowing that he’ll be warmly welcomed and will quickly settle in, confidently and comfortably.
THE FIRST STEP
Lucky you, if you witnessed Paul Johnson take his Obligation and beformally initiated into Prince Albert Lodge last month. The ceremony was carried out with deep sincerity and refinement. Welcome into the Craft, Paul! We trust you’ll feel at ease and contented as a treasured member among us. You’ve taken the first step on a journey that opens up new vistas of discovery and understanding. Aaron Oliver acquitted himself well in his first time as Junior Deacon escorting a Candidate. Those involved in the work are listed below.
CAST LIST
Acting Tyler Don McAlister prepared Candidate Paul Johnson for his entry into the lodge. His entry was assisted by Acting Inner Guard Bill Sondergeld. Prince Albert’s Master, Milan Pavasovic, administered the Obligation. Chaplain Brian Annear-Walker read the Scripture. Aaron Oliver, as Junior Deacon, conducted Paul in the perambulations, followed by Acting Senior Deacon Dennis Johnson.
The Lesser Lights were described by Bill Sondergeld. The Secrets were confided by Dennis Johnson. Milan Pavasovic gave the North-East charge. The D.C., Graeme Ewin, explained the Reasons for Preparation and the Charge After Investiture. Junior Warden Michael Rowe presented the Working Tools, and Ross Fraser gave the Apron Investiture Charge and the final Charge After Initiation. Doug Beatton sat in as Acting I.P.M.
AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE!
"G’day Mate" said the notice on the wall at Prince Albert's festive board last month. A supper preceding the arrival of Australia Day appropriately featured chunky Aussie hot pies, Tassie potatoes and mushy peas, damper and “fly bog”,and other sorts of bush tucker. Room decorations highlighted the Oz theme and included dozens of Australian flags of all sizes. The celebratory event was organised by Dennis Johnson and Aaron Oliver, assisted by Eric Evers. Ross Fraser entertained with a mysterious mind-reading routine.
ROYALTY IN THE CRAFT
Here’s a bit of history for you, just in case you haven’t come across it before. In the First Degree, the Candidate is told that “Monarchs have been promoters of the art and have not thought it derogatory to their dignity to exchange the sceptre for the gavel”. Edward, Duke of Kent, became Britain’s Grand Master in 1967.
Previous Royal Grand Masters included George, Duke of Kent (1939-42); Arthur,Duke of Connaught (1901-39); Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII (1874-1901); Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1813-43); Edward, ]Duke of Kent (1813); George, Prince of Wales, later King George IV (1790-1813); and Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland (1782-90). Many other Royals joined the Craft, including Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, King Edward VIII, plus the Duke of York, later King George VI, to name a few.
oooOOOooo
Alternative Medical Definitions
| Artery | The study of paintings |
| Bacteria | Back door to cafeteria |
| Barium | What doctors do when patients die |
| Benign | What you be, after you be eight |
| Caesarean section | A neighbourhood in Rome |
| Cat scan | Searching for Kitty |
| Cauterise | Made eye contact with her |
| Colic | A sheep dog |
| Coma | A punctuation mark |
| Dilate | To live long |
| Enema | Not a friend |
| Fester | Quicker than someone else |
| Fibula | A small lie |
| Impotent | Distinguished, well known |
| Labour Pain | Getting hurt at work |
| Medical staff | A doctor's cane |
| Morbid | A higher offer |
| Nitrates | Cheaper than day rates |
| Node | I knew it |
| Outpatient | A person who fainted |
| Pelvis | A second cousin to Elvis |
| Post operative | A letter carrier |
| Recovery room | Place to do upholstery |
| Rectum | Nearly killed him |
| Secretion | Hiding something |
| Seizure | Roman Emperor |
| Tablet | A small table |
| Terminal illness | Getting sick at the airport |
| Tumour | One plus one more |
| Urine | Opposite of you're out |
