Strategic Plan 2001 - 2002

How much time will my partner be Can I be involved in Masonic For further expected to dedicate to ? activities? information please contact: In Australia and New Zealand lodge meetings are Family and family values are an important part of a usually held monthly. Members are encouraged to Freemason’s life and families are frequently invited to attend regularly. take part in Masonic activity and the day-to-day NEW SOUTH WALES & ACT However, if your workings of the Lodge. Freemasonry can provide men Grand Secretary - United of NSW & ACT Sydney Masonic Centre, 279 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000 partner decides to and their families with a fun and active social life with PO Box A259, Sydney South 1235 take a more active like-minded people from all walks of life. Ph: Sydney Region: 02 9267 9133 Country & ACT: 1800 803 354 role within his Fax: (02) 9261 1662 Your support of your partner in his Masonic activities is lodge or within Email: [email protected] vital for his development as a Freemason. the Masonic VICTORIA community, the Grand Secretary - United Grand Lodge of Victoria amount of time he Masonic Centre, 300 Albert Street Who should I contact for further PO Box 154, East Melbourne VIC 3002 will dedicate to Ph: 03 9419 2288 Fax: 03 9416 1468 Freemasonry will information? Email: [email protected] increase. There are You are most welcome to contact your local Grand QUEENSLAND a lot of for further information about the organisation. Grand Secretary - United Grand Lodge of Queensland activities You are free to visit the Grand Lodge and discuss Masonic Memorial Centre, 311 Ann Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 throughout the membership with our friendly staff. Please call at any GPO Box 2204, Brisbane QLD 4001 Ph: 07 3229 3533 Fax: 07 3229 9298 year, like quarterly time if you wish to discuss membership or obtain Email: [email protected] communications, further information. SOUTH AUSTRALIA celebratory dinners Grand Secretary - Grand Lodge of South Australia and fundraising Freemasons’ Hall, 254 North Terrace events, which your PO Box 19, Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000 partner might choose to take part in also. Ph: 08 8223 1633 Fax 08 8225 0755 Email: [email protected]

WESTERN AUSTRALIA What costs are involved in joining Grand Secretary - Grand Lodge of Western Australia Freemasons’ Hall, 137 Burswood Road, Burswood Freemasonry? PO Box 691, Victoria Park WA 6979 Ph: 08 9355 3599 Fax: 08 9355 4902 As with all organisations, annual membership fees are Email:[email protected] expected of members but are reasonably priced. Fees TASMANIA may vary from Lodge to Lodge depending on the Grand Secretary - Grand Lodge of Tasmania style of the Lodge. For example, a Lodge that values Masonic Centre, 3 Sandy Bay Road, Hobart TAS 7000 fine wine and cuisine would have larger catering Ph: 03 6223 5814 Fax: 03 6223 8159 costs. When first becoming a Freemason, your partner Email: [email protected] will pay a one off joining fee and also purchase NEW ZEALAND Masonic attire. Grand Secretary - Grand Lodge of New Zealand Masonic Building, 39-41 Ghuznee Street, Wellington CI PO Box 6439, NEW ZEALAND Ph: 0011 64 4 385 6622 Fax: 0015 64 4 385 2420 Email: [email protected] Strategic Plan 2001 - 2002

with men from all and spaces used to discreetly classify some significant in 1723 unites Freemasons all over the world. All the What is Freemasonry? walks of life without words and signs. A Freemason will not reveal this regular Grand Lodges adhere to the principles therein. Freemasonry is an organisation of men who strive to live religious, political or information to you, but if you were really curious, To change these constitutions to allow women to by the fundamental principles of integrity, goodwill and social barriers. further study of Freemasonry at your local library might become members would require Lodges throughout charity. It is a non-profit organisation that is heavily be of assistance. the world to agree to the change. involved in supporting charity and community service. It As cultures are so diverse and vary so dramatically in is a society that unifies men of high ideals regardless of What is the terms of social structure and gender relations, making colour, creed or worldly status. What do Masonic Symbols mean? history of this fundamental change to the Constitution would be There are approximately Freemasonry? The most widely recognised symbol of Freemasonry is extremely difficult. five million Freemasons the . Members wear the symbol worldwide and about The precise origins to remind themselves of their obligation to the lessons 75,000 in Australia of Freemasonry have learned in their lodges and to identify their Are there similar organisations and New Zealand. been lost in time, membership to other Freemasons and all people. for women? Freemasons are however, its Masonic symbols have wide meanings – some directly ordinary men in the traditions date back relate to the tools used by operative Masons and some Yes, there are. There are orders with Masonic community, 18 to the Middle Ages represent the need for order and direction in life. characteristics, such as The Order of the Eastern Star years and over, of all and to the and The Order of the Amaranth that are for women. stonemasons who built the castles and cathedrals of religions and Members of The Order of the Eastern Star are Europe. These highly skilled masons formed themselves backgrounds, who share dedicated to working together for the good and into ‘lodges’ to protect the skills and secrets of their a concern for human values benefit of mankind. The moral and social purpose of trade and to pass on their knowledge to worthy and moral standards, respect for this Order is to elevate character, promote friendship apprentices. the laws of society and the rights of individuals. and practice charity. For further information, please By the 17th Century, when the building of castles and contact your local Grand Lodge. cathedrals subsided, Freemasonry began to lose its The Order of the Amaranth is a fraternal institution Why would my partner want to be ‘operative’ aspects and worthy men were also accepted inspired by the Gala Annual Amaranth Ball held in into its membership. It was from this time that Masons a Freemason? Sweden during the reign of Queen Christina. Its were known as ‘free and accepted’ Masons, as they There are many reasons why a man will choose to be a objectives are to unite Freemasons, their wives and continue to be known to this day. Freemason. It is an organisation that promotes self- female relatives so that development, family and community values. It provides all may enjoy sincere members with Are there any secrets that my partner affection and an opportunity mutual for public must keep from me? confidence, and service and The so-called ‘secrets’ of modern Freemasonry are used have the hands-on solely as a ceremonial means of demonstrating that one opportunity to involvement in is a Freemason when in Lodge meetings. The point of a work for the charitable and Freemason promising not to reveal them – even to you Why can’t women become common good community – is basically a dramatic way of testing the good Freemasons? of the issues, as well as character of those who join. community. a chance for Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation with practises For further If you were to read your partner’s notice papers or them to socialise deeply entrenched in tradition and history. The Book information, contact ritual books, you might discover that there are initials of Constitutions, compiled by Anderson and published your local Grand Lodge.