Freemasons Foundation 2018/19 Annual Report Chairman’s Report It is with pleasure I present my final report as Chairman of the Freemasons Foundation Board of Management on our activities for the financial year ending 30th June 2019. Andrew Lathlean JP Chairman, The Freemasons Foundation Inc. In doing so, I wish to thank the Since inception, the Foundation reflects the high quality of our Grand Master, MW Bro Dr Neil has overseen the expenditure of investments, along with the Jensen, for his support for me as some $8.042 million in charitable assiduous work of the Investment Chairman and his huge contribution assistance. This figure is made Committee, Chaired by John to Freemasonry in general. up of $2.710 million in general Behenna with Nicholas Handley as benevolence, more than $4.038 Treasurer. On behalf of the Board of million in medical research and Management, I wish to thank you $1.293 million in scholarships and the members for your ongoing Our Lodges are very educational grants – all with a support through interesting times important. volunteer Board of Directors. of change. The Freemasons Foundation is a The most significant area of I am aware that this is the 30th multi-faceted charity. While there charitable funding relates Annual Report to members of the has been strong emphasis towards to funding the Freemasons Freemasons Foundation since the FFCMH, this has not in any way Foundation Centre for Men’s Health being established in 1989 as detracted from the importance (FFCMH) at $300,000 per annum, the charitable arm of the Grand we place on our Lodges and an amount matched each year by assisting them with their charitable Lodge of South Australia and the the University of Adelaide. While endeavours of assistance to the Northern Territory. This was the this has made some inroads on our community, along with their many first charitable body established corpus, funding the initiative has scholarships. Our support to our by a Grand Lodge in Australia and always been a deliberate strategy Lodges is undiminished. Our role is now replicated in most other of the Board. Unfortunately, this is to support them, whenever jurisdictions. At the time, it was a initiative cannot be continued by possible, while seeking to develop bold and innovative move and the the Foundation in isolation. We in them a sense of pride, relevance Foundation has been a leader in are hopeful of maintaining this and renewal. this role for others to emulate. important work beyond December As you are aware, over the last 2019, and indeed broadening Moving forward 11 years we as the Freemasons the scope, but this will only be For quite some time, and in Foundation, on behalf of all undertaken with the financial particular since the sale of Masonic Freemasons, have undertaken a assistance of Masonic Charities. Homes, the Foundation’s Board of huge initiative in the Freemasons As you are no doubt aware, Management has been looking to Foundation Centre for Men’s Masonic Charities now holds, or the future and looking to engage Health. This unique partnership will hold shortly, the proceeds from effectively with both Masonic with the University of Adelaide the sale of Masonic Homes and is Charities and the Grand Lodge has enjoyed great success and considering the future of FFCMH at Board of Management. I am gained an international reputation the moment. pleased to report the Foundation for excellence in research. Again, The Foundation ended the already enjoys a close working the model adopted was the first of financial year with a net deficit of relationship with these bodies, its kind in Australia, and indeed in $115,337 after net transfers from which will continue to grow. This the world. reserves of $15,103. The fair value relationship is imperative. In accordance with the charitable gain in financial assets totalled The Grand Master has previously objects of the Foundation’s $165,122. remarked that the Foundation constitution our ability to Illustrative of the careful nature in has a wonderful story to tell of provide charitable benefit to which we have husbanded and quite remarkable achievement. the community, while carefully managed our financial affairs, Now in its third decade, the managing our relatively small is that the five year aggregate Foundation has a proven record financial base, continues to of return on equity is 9.61%. This be remarkable. of endeavour, providing high • 36 Masters, PhD and honours Also, as only one nomination quality charitable assistance to the students successfully graduated had been received for each of community at many levels, with • 13 additional higher degree the elected Fellow and Member minimal overheads. These include students currently enrolled categories, Dr Marcin Stankiewicz in education; medical research; and Mr Nicholas Cooper were both assisting those in need; and in • 17 early career post-doctoral elected unopposed. scientists supported and general charitable support to various In November 2017 Mr Arnie causes undertaken by our Lodges. trained, including 12 FFCMH funded Fellows. Narayan resigned from the Board As mentioned, the funding of the and at the Annual General Meeting Freemasons Foundation Centre • 3 Visiting Fellows Joseph Nehme retired. The Board for Men’s Health over the last 12 • 55 summer vacation research acknowledges and thanks them for years has enabled this world class student placements their valued contribution. facility, branded in the name of • $38.8Million in grant and Freemasonry, to be exceptionally contract research funding Conclusion successful. For every dollar received I am indebted to the members for invested in the Centre, the Centre their continuing thoughtful and has leveraged eight dollars directly In so doing, the Centre has advanced frank advice and strong support. to support research through major research, knowledge and influenced I also commend the Foundation’s research grants. Just a few of the national and international policy, small administrative staff, which FFCMH’s many achievements are: practice and education relating to consists of only one full time health care for men. • 414 peer-reviewed scientific employee in its Executive Director, papers published, cited Mr Robert Clyne OAM, a part-time more than 13,000 times by Lodge Sponsored Education Secretary Mrs Christine Lock, and researchers/policy makers Grants & Scholarships part-time Accountant Mrs Gillian • Representation on state, Apart from awarding major Page. Their combined dedication to national and international scholarships we also support the task, continued enthusiasm and working groups on men’s Lodge sponsored education grants ongoing commitment to achieve health. This includes invited and scholarships which amounted our vision is most commendable. membership with the Australian to some $43,352. This provides To all of our many volunteers, Men’s Health Forum (Australia’s much needed assistance to young freemasons and friends, I extend peak body for men’s health) and people enabling them to continue my grateful thanks for the time invited membership with the and advance their educational which you have given so freely Global Action for Men’s Health opportunities. During the past year on numerous occasions and in (based in UK) in 2019. this significant charitable activity so many ways to support the provided assistance to more than important work undertaken • Numerous federal and state 50 students. government health briefings by Freemasons Foundation throughout the year. and participation in standing Corporate Governance committees on men’s health. Thank you all. This includes working with The Board met regularly in Andrology Australia to draft the accordance with the Constitution. proposal to the Commonwealth At the Annual General Meeting Government that led to the held in October 2018 Mr Lathlean release of the National Men’s was re- appointed Chairman, Mr Health Strategy 2020-2030 by John Behenna, Vice Chairman and the Federal Health Minister in Mr Nicholas Handley, Treasurer. April 2019. Charitable AssistanceOverview Charitable The Foundation ended the financial year with a net deficit of $115,337 after net transfers to reserves of $15,103. The fair value gain arising from revaluation of financial assets was $165,122. It is pleasing to reflect that the Foundation has Foodbank of SA Inc $920 now expended over $8,042,000 in charitable Xmas hampers assistance since inception. Lodge Yankalilla No 110 This is made up of $2,710,877 in general SAHMRI Neil Sachse Centre $5,500 benevolence, $4,038,095 in medical research Spinal cord injury research program and $1,293,111 in scholarships and Edwardstown Lewis Lodge No 207 / educational grants. Sir Douglas Mawson Lodge No 244 / During the financial year $424,795 was Masonic Homes Auxiliary expended in charitable assistance, medical Beyond Blue Ltd $1,720 research funding and educational scholarships Men’s Mental Health, and assistance, as shown below: the Way Back Program Lodge sponsored benevolent projects $75,943 Lodge St John No 15 Men’s health & medical research $305,500 SACWA Emergency Aid Fund Inc $30,000 GM’s drought appeal Educational scholarships and grants $43,352 Freemasonry Community Lodge Sponsored Projects Starlight Children’s Foundation $10,000 Starlight Express Room project We continued to support constituent Lodges Earl of Zetland Lodge No 231 and recognised Masonic Organisations throughout the jurisdiction with local projects Cancer Care Centre Inc $1,479 amounting to $81,443. The projects supported Group Video conferencing system were