Harashim 54 January 2012
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Harashim The Quarterly Newsletter of the Australian & New Zealand Masonic Research Council ISSN 1328-2735 Issue 54 January 2012 Vale V.W. Andy Walker KL, FANZMRC. Andy will always be fondly remembered by those who knew him. My association with Andy commenced at Parramatta, the second conference of the AMRC. Like Andy I have been to every Conference of the AMRC and then the ANZMRC apart from the inaugural one in Melbourne. Since then we shared many a tale, a joke and also some serious moments when we would reflect on aspects of Freemasonry and the Scouting movement both of which we held very dear. Andy’s pet topic in Masonry was Masonic Research and at every opportunity he promoted the necessity of providing Masonic education to the brethren. His mentor in this regard was the remarkable RW Bro Harry Kellerman an Icon in freemasonry in Australia. The birth and the development of the “Breakfast Creek Club” will always be remembered. His jovial nature, his love of a chat and the perpetual smoke that used to emanate from him will always bring a smile to the lips of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. In February he was called to the Grand Lodge Above, he is gone to meet his Creator but he shall always be remembered fondly by those who knew him. Graham Stead I corresponded with Andy Walker for some time before I actually met him. I joined Freemasonry on the Mid North Coast twenty years ago, and soon found out about the Research Lodge of New South Wales. I wanted to know more, and my lodge secretary told me to write to Andy, who soon had me signed up as a Correspondent Member. So that is how the relationship began. As I was keen to learn as much as I could about the Craft, Andy sent me a lot of resources, especially copies of papers and lectures on my particular subjects of interest. If I raised a question, he was happy to answer it—at length, even by snail-mail! When I returned to Sydney to live in 1996, I visited the Research Lodge for the first time. Andy was glad to see me, and I rather tentatively enquired about joining as a full member, since the lodge was now within the length of my cable tow. I got a very detailed account of the membership requirements—how the number was strictly restricted to no more than 40, that it was open only to Masons of special merit and ability, and that it would be highly irregular to admit someone who wasn’t a Past Master. Besides, affiliation was but sparingly offered by invitation. ‘Never mind all that, though,’ he said; ‘you’re invited. I’ll get you a paper.’ Andy and I worked alongside each other in the Research Lodge since that time, and I well remember the sly smokos outside the Sydney Masonic Centre that occurred religiously before each meeting. Later on, he Issueroped 54 me in to help another of his pet projects, Lodge Baden Powell. As the years went by, both lodgespage 1fell About Harashim on hard times. Baden Powell The following item is taken from eventually closed, much to the Craftsman, a newsletter by Harashim, Hebrew for Craftsmen, is a VW Br Tony Tabrett Grand quarterly newsletter published by the Andy’s regret; but the other— Australian and New Zealand Masonic Librarian of UGLQ. Research Council (10 Rose St, Waipawa 4210, largely through his efforts—was New Zealand) in January, April, July and eventually reborn as the October each year. Landmarks of Freemasonry: It is supplied to Affiliates and Associates in Discovery Lodge of Research, Our ritual includes charges in hard copy and/or PDF format. It is available which is now lively and thriving. worldwide in PDF format as an email regard to the Landmarks of attachment, upon application to the Asst. Perhaps my warmest memory of Freemasonry for example in the Secretary, [email protected]. Usually Andy is the Masonic Scout final charge of the Second Degree the current issue is also displayed on the website of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania Retreat he ran at Bundilla we find the statement that the WM http://www.freemasonrytasmania.org/. several years ago. It turned out “will guard the Landmarks against Copyright and reprinting to be a fairly small affair, as encroachment” – but what are the Copyright is vested in ANZMRC and the Landmarks? A number of books author of any article appearing in Harashim. there were only four campers: Affiliates and Associates are encouraged to Andy, myself, Kendall Merrick have been written on this subject reprint the entire newsletter (at their own including those by the authors – expense) and circulate it to their own members, and the late David Coburn. George Oliver, Albert Mackey, including their correspondence circles (if any) David, I remember, insisted on and to supply copies to public and Masonic Silas Shepherd and Elbert Bede. libraries within their jurisdictions. private accommodation, and The Library holds copies of the Individual items from any issue may be reprinted brought along an extensive by Associates and Affiliates, provided: The item is reprinted in full; range of personal supplies, The name of the author and the source of the including cologne, tinned paté article are included; and A copy of the publication containing the and cognac. This caused Andy reprint is sent to the editor. some angst, for, as an old- Anyone else wishing to reprint material from Harashim must first obtain permission from the fashioned Scout, he thought we copyright holders via the editor. ought to be roughing it! Unless otherwise specified, authors submitting original work for publication in Harashim are Nevertheless, we had a great deemed to grant permission for their work to be time revisiting our childhood— published also on the Internet websites of ANZMRC http//anzmrc.org and the Grand whittling sticks, building fires Lodge of Tasmania: and learning to tie knots. The http://www.freemasonrytasmania.org/. liquid refreshments around the Contents Affiliate and Associate members are encouraged fire at night were liberally to contribute material for the newsletter, shared. At the end of the retreat, including: Their lecture programs for the year; Andy solemnly administered the Any requests from their members for Scout Pledge to us in a information on a research topic; ceremony that was as sincere as latter two books: Research papers of more than local interest * The Landmarks of Freemasonry that merit wider publication. it was makeshift. I’m still not The newsletter also includes news, reports from sure about the constitutionality by S H Shepherd - Label M13SHE ANZMRC, book reviews, extracts from other * The Landmarks of Freemasonry publications and a readers’ letters column, from of making Scouts ‘at sight’—but by E Bede – Label M32BED. time to time. it meant a lot to Andy and to us. If the source of an item is not identified, it is by the editor. Opinions expressed are those of the During his last illness, I visited The concept first appears in the author of the article, and should not be attributed Andy in hospital several times. to the Council. General Regulations incorporated Material submitted for publication must be in a He was gravely ill, and I was into Anderson's 1723 digitised form by email at somewhat surprised by his rapid Constitutions‟ written by George [email protected] or mailed on a CD or DVD, or Memory stick recovery. It did prove, sadly, to Payne (Grand Master 1718, 1720) addressed to the editor, Harvey Lovewell 33 be the last flare of the flame in the 39th article: Wattle Street Millaa Millaa Queensland 4886 “Every Annual Grand Lodge has Australia. before it was extinguished. I was grateful to assist Andy when his inherent power and authority to Clear illustrations, diagrams and photographic wife Val died, by leading the make new regulations, or to alter prints suitable for scanning are welcome, and these, for real benefit of this most computer graphic formats are acceptable. prayers at her funeral. I was Ancient Fraternity: provided Photos of contributors (preferably not in regalia) again grateful, and honoured, to would be useful. Contributors who require always that the old Landmarks be mailed material to be returned should include a lead them for him. stamped, self-addressed envelope. carefully preserved”. Andy—Walker the Talker—was Neither the Premier Grand Lodge General correspondence All other correspondence, including about a friend, a mentor and a brother nor the Antients Grand Lodge purchase of CDs and books, should be directed to me. attempted to define exactly what to: The Secretary, ANZMRC Tom Hall these landmarks were and nothing page 2 Harashim really changed under the United Grand Elbert Bede believes that if a analogy with the working tool Lodge of England. custom or usage is being generally symbols in Roman times as Elbert Bede begins Chapter 1 with used in a manner that characterises illustrated by this tombstone, dated these words “The Landmarks probably and distinguishes us and seems to from the first century A.D. are the most intriguing subject in be a vital part of Freemasonry, Reference: Freemasonry, a subject that has been “that custom or usage is a www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/ discussed with fervour by many Landmark to me”. He offers a few ltar_Statius.html recognised masonic authorities and suggestions on omissions from It is the funeral Monument of Lucius remains as devoid of solution today as Mackey‟s list: the Lambskin Alfius Statius, found in Aquileia, when the discussion started”. Apron; our archaic and peculiar North East Italy, along the ancient There have been numerous attempts to language; only Master or Warden Roman route - Via Petrada (made of reach a definition for “Landmarks of may open lodge.