Annual Charity Dinner, July 2018
Charity is the Cornerstone of Freemasonry and the District of South Africa North was proud to be able to assist various charities over the past year. Its charitable efforts culminated in the Annual Charity Dinner in July 2018.
During the past financial year, donations to both Non-Masonic and Masonic Charities reported by our Lodges, amounted to a total of R 1.8 million, an increase of some R700 000 from last year, indicating the generosity and hard work of the Brethren.
Of this amount, some R 1,14 million was made available to District for disbursement and the balance of some R 663 000 was disbursed directly from Lodges to various charities.
During his address, the District Grand Master, RW Bro. Prof. Guy Charlesworth made specific mention of the following Lodges for their outstanding charity contributions.
Corona (R 319 600), Norwood (R 200 060), Woodlands (R 120 000), Verona (R 110 000),
University (R 100 000), Gaborone (R 53 500) and Kosmos (R 52 500).
The District Samaritan Fund, increased by R 183,764 during the year and now stands at just over R 1.50 million. This fund is for the potential use of Brethren and their Families. Please remind your Lodge Almoners that the Fund is there in cases of need. Applications can be made to the Board of Benevolence.
In addition, 2017 / 2018 saw a contribution of R196 000 to the Transvaal Inter-Constitutional Ma- sonic Charity (TIMC), towards grants-in-aid and Educational Bursaries. Currently, in our District, there are some 24 recipients receiving grants-in-aid, and 3 receiving Bursaries.
The District have donated R 29 million to charities over the past 23 years. An outstanding achievement!
CHARITY RECIPIENTS
In addition to non-masonic charities there is a considerable sum of money spent on two further aspects which directly include Masons and their families. These include monthly benevolent grants and educational bursaries.
Currently, benevolent grants to the value of R 1 920 per grant per month, are disbursed to 27 recipients throughout our District. This money supplements the often-small amounts that the recipients have to live on.
In addition, educational bursaries to the maximum value of R 38 000 are awarded to suitably qualified masonic dependants. We currently have three such bursaries running in our District.
One such recipient is Ms Maria Magdalena Hattingh, who is studying education at the Potchefstroom campus of North West University. Ms Hattingh achieved outstanding results in her first year of study in 2017 which has led to her being invited to membership of the Golden Key Society. The Golden Key is a society that provides international recognition for high academic achievement.
With the assistance of Scania, a donation of R 58 000 was made to the Home of Home which looks after trafficked and abused women in Johannesburg . In addition Netcare donated furniture and linen to the same home.
It is important to note that all of the charity recipients listed hereunder were nominated by a brother in our District for consideration by the District Board of Benevolence.
- Epilepsy Mpumalanga received R 30 000 towards their sustainability in the light of diminishing funds from
- R 30 000 was donated to Meals on Wheels. An NGO which assists the poor and needy in the inner city of
- Kwakha Indvodza (Building a man) is a Swaziland based NGO which received a R 30 000 donation. Their aim is to teach young people skills that will equip them to get jobs and live a useful life with
- The SA Depression & Anxiety Group (SADAG) runs national programmes on Depression and Anxiety and Teenage Suicide awareness. In recognition of the work that they do, the District will sponsor and co-brand printing of their brochures for national distribution to the value of R 50 000.
- Read to Rise is a Children’s literacy project based in Johannesburg and Cape town. The facilitator was in dire need of transportation and was given a vehicle
- Cotlands run community based programmes focused on Children in 6 of the 9 provinces. The District has donated a vehicle to the value of R 250 000.00 to be used as a community based Toy Library in the North West
- A donation of R 40 000 will be made to the Doric Lodge Food Tunnel Initiative based in Polokwane and the District Children’s Teddy Bear Initiative will also benefit to the value of R 50
- R 15 000 will be given to the San Salvador home for intellectually handicapped adult women in Johannesburg to assist in their food garden and
- The primary donation for this financial year was allocated to Downs Association Tshwane, for use in a capital construction project to extend their premises in Pretoria. This will enable them to increase their outreach programme. The District has allocated R 300 000 to this project and construction will commence
The total sum donated to non-masonic charities was R 930 000.
FREEMASONRY SOUTH AFRICA INITIATIVES – W Bro. Simon Knutton
The UGLE Tercentenary celebrations during 2017 have given rise to an increased awareness both externally and internally to the positive influences of Freemasonry. Press and Social Media have been used extensively to educate and promote the Craft and have gone a long way to improving the public perception of Freemasonry in general. Such efforts cannot be allowed to fizzle out and we cannot afford to allow our fraternity to disappear back into the shadows again.
It is very clear that the enthusiasm which the celebrations generated within the South African lodges must be further developed on the basis of “300 Years and beyond”.
With this in mind, a number of short and long term initiatives are being implemented within the District of South Africa North adding to the efforts of the other districts of English Freemasonry in South Africa.
The Teddy Bear Initiative:
Back in October 1999, Freemason Ian Simpson took his wife, Angela, to Southend Hospital’s Accident & Emergency (A&E) unit after she had an allergic reaction causing her windpipe to swell and block. Anxious and frightened, the couple decided to do something to say thank you to the A&E staff and, with the help of Ian’s lodge, the Teddies For Loving Care appeal was born.
Teddies For Loving Care (TLC) is a simple idea. Freemasons donate money to their lodge’s TLC appeal, and the appeal (organised by each individual Province / District) donates teddy bears to the local A&E to be given to distressed children receiving treatment. To date in England 2 million Teddies have been donated.
The Teddy Bear Initiative – South Africa
Grand Lodge has made R 50 000 available for English Freemasonry in South Africa to implement a Teddy Bear project. It has been proposed that instead of making Teddy Bears available all year round in the Hospitals, that we distribute them to hospitals annually on Children’s day (Saturday 3rd November 2018).
South Africa North has sourced a supplier and has put aside R30 000 for this project. As a starting point, a circular will be sent to every lodge in our District, asking them to identify a government hospital or clinic in their area, and to find out how many bears would be required to ensure that every child undergoing treatment in that facility receives a bear. They could then place an order and distribute the teddy bears to the hospital on Children’s day.
English Freemasonry Website
An English Freemasonry Website www.freemasonrysa.org has been established. The website links all 6 English Districts and has an enquiry form that can be filled out. On completion, the form will automatically be directed to the district that the enquiry emanated. The website will also capture an amount of important information that can be used to help us with our marketing.
Consolidated Marketing Documents
In an attempt to reduce costs and maximize exposure, marketing documents such as A Freemasonry “Answers to Frequently Asked Questions” information sheet will be created. Another idea is to design a business card which has “Freemasonry 2B1 Ask 1” on it along with a bar code that can be scanned with a Smart phone. The scan will link to a simple form that can be fill out asking for more information. The card will also give the website address for those who do not have the bar code scanner available.
WIDOWS SONS VISIT TO THE MUGG AND TREE – W Bro. Lance Epstein
On the 24th June 2018, the Central and East Rand Chapters of the Widows Sons visited the Mugg and Tree (Community Centre / Soup Kitchen) in Krugersdorp. The Mugg and Tree feeds over 100 people a day and serves as an after care for children.
The Widows Sons raised over R16 500.00 in the form of food parcels, blankets, clothing and toys. 40 Kids were in attendance and each received a McDonalds happy Meal and a toy parcel.
OUTSTANDING SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS
The 11th Muzzle Loader Associations’ International Confederation world long range muzzle loading championships was held at Adelaide, South Australia 8-14 October 2017.
The Black Powder Shooting Union of South Africa made representation to South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) for Christopher van Gaalen to wear Protea Colours whilst representing the Republic of South Africa as a member of the South African Team.
In 2016 Chris represented South Africa at the World Short Range Championships in Hungary, receiving his first Protea Cap. This time round in Adelaide, South Australia, the distances ranged from 300 to 1000 metres. Contrary to hot, dry and windy conditions expected, wet, cold and windy was the order or the day. With tough conditions on hand no new world records were achieved. When the final scores were tallied, Grand Aggregate placed South Africa second behind the USA.
Not just a flash in the pan, Chris finished the competition ranked sixth ahead of his team mates, all making the illustrious “Top Ten”. He competed with a Replica Pedersoli Gibbs .45 calibre target rifle. First produced in 1865, this modest design is renowned for being extremely accurate. What’s next? Besides local, Provincial and National competitions he will compete in the 2018 World Short Range championships, Austria
GRAND LODGE AND SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER APPOINTMENTS 2017
– W Bro. Guss Southgate
The Right Worshipful District Grand Master, Prof. Guy Charlesworth wishes to inform all the Brethren of the District of South Africa, North and offer congratulations on their behalf to the following Brethren who have received Grand Rank Promotions and 1st Appointments this year.
Grand Lodge Appointments:
1st Appointments:
W Bro. G Williams PAGDC W Bro. P Knight PAGDC W Bro. S Hansen PGStB W Bro. J Ebdy PGStB
Promotions:
VW Bro. C van Gaalen PGSwdB
W Bro. BR Glanville PJGD
W Bro. P Moore PJGD
Supreme Grand Chapter Appointments:
1st Appointments:
E Comp. D Penrose PGStB
E Comp. C van Gaalen PGStB
E Comp. I Purdon PAGDC
E Comp. AR Ball PAGDC
Promotions:
E Comp. B McDermott PAGSoj
WITSWATERSRAND LODGE No.3745
ACTIVE OFFICERS 2018/2019
| DepDistGM | VW.Bro. Christopher van Gaalen | Ionic | 3235 |
| ADistGM | W.Bro. Brian F McDermott | United Services | 2967 |
| ADistGM | W.Bro. Charles N Burn | Universal Friendship | 9042 |
| ADistGM | W.Bro. Simon C Knutton | St Michael’s | 8643 |
| ADistGM | W.Bro. Tim Timothy J Smith | Park Lane | 8657 |
| DistSGW | W.Bro. Sean Heathcote | University | 7327 |
| DistJGW | W.Bro. Alan R Clothier | Boksburg | 2480 |
| DistGChap | W.Bro. Vernon H van Wyk | Universal Friendship | 9042 |
| DistGTreas | W.Bro. W Colin Richmond | Semper Vigilans | 7362 |
| DistGReg | W.Bro. Kevin J Hyde | Golden Harvest | 9234 |
| PresDistBoardGP | W.Bro. Mike Michael S Edy | Corona | 2731 |
| DistGSec | W.Bro. Guss Guthrie J Southgate | Transvaal Jubilee | 6143 |
| PresDistBoardBen | W.Bro. Chris Christopher Adams | Lyceum Lodge of Research | 8682 |
| DistGDC | W.Bro. Andre’ Ferreira | Johannesburg | 2313 |
| DistGSwdB | W.Bro. Dudley D Poulton | Arcadia | 7149 |
| DistGSuptWks | W.Bro. Christopher C Reynolds | Emrys | 3259 |
| DistGAlm | W.Bro. Woody Richard J Woodward | Norwood | 3149 |
| DistDepGDC | W.Bro. Charles W Fox | University | 7327 |
| DistDepGDC | W.Bro. Guy D Rae | Exsequi | 8994 |
| DistDepGDC | W.Bro. Leighton B Shaw | Transvaal | 1747 |
| DistGOrator | W.Bro. Dick Bernard R Glanville | Prosperity | 2607 |
| DistGMentor | W.Bro. Philip Heydenrych | Transvaal District Grand Stewards | 8192 |
| DistSGD | W.Bro. Daniel J S Macqueen | Bryanston | 7815 |
| DistSGD | W.Bro. Phil Phillip M Venn | Union | 7081 |
| DistSGD | W.Bro. Serge Srdjan Obradovich | Emulation Lodge of | 8717 |
| DistJGD | W.Bro. Ian T McKinley | Acacia | 3260 |
| DistJGD | W.Bro. John M M Mehliss | Flame Lily | 8540 |
| DistJGD | W.Bro. John T Beare | Witwatersrand | 3745 |
| DistAGSec | W.Bro. Donovan M Oschger | Emrys | 3259 |
| DistAGDC | W.Bro. Adam L Simcock | Clifton | 2748 |
| DistAGDC | W.Bro. | Eric P Hackett | Temperance | 3215 |
| DistAGDC | W.Bro. | Gordon W Harrison | Boksburg St John | 8642 |
| DistAGDC | W.Bro. | Lance M Joseph | Union | 7081 |
| DistGOrg | W.Bro. | Philip Gert L P Kruger | Prosperity | 2607 |
| DistGStB | W.Bro. | Keith L Bright | University | 7327 |
| DistGStB | W.Bro. | Reenen J Coetzer | Ionic | 3235 |
| DistGPurs | W.Bro. | Jose M P Q Coelho | Vernon | 2774 |
| DistGStwd | W.Bro. | Adriaan D Baker | Premier Diamond | 3172 |
| DistGStwd | W.Bro. | J Fernando Barradas | Kensington | 4893 |
| DistGStwd | W.Bro. | James M Veal | Baden Powell | 9370 |
| DistGStwd | W.Bro. | Mark R Mohring | Verona | 8187 |
| DistGStwd | W.Bro. | Pete Peter W Atteridge | Norwood | 3149 |
| DistGStwd | W.Bro. | Vlastimir Obradovich | Jack Folly | 8335 |
| DistGTyler | W.Bro. | (Jerry) John A E Davies | Doornfontein | 2585 |
ACTIVE OFFICERS 2018/2019
| DepGSupt | E. Comp. | Tim Timothy J Smith | Fairview | 3010 |
| 2ndDistGPrin | E. Comp. | Vaughn P Williams | Orphic | 5949 |
| 3rdDistGPrin | E. Comp. | Tom Thomas J Korff | Gold Fields | 2478 |
| Asst to DistGPrins | E. Comp. | Lance A Epstein | Transvaal Jubilee | 6143 |
| PresDistComGP | E. Comp. | Richard Moore | Apollo | 3437 |
| DistGSE | E. Comp. | Guss Guthrie J Southgate | Transvaal Jubilee | 6143 |
| DistGSN | E. Comp. | Paul S Knight | Clarendon | 7041 |
| DistGTreas | E. Comp. | Charles N Burn | Apollo | 3437 |
| DistGReg | E. Comp. | Kevin J Hyde | Golden Harvest | 9234 |
| DistGDC | E. Comp. | Ian Fraser | Johannesburg | 2313 |
| DistGSwdB | E. Comp. | Dieter K Dreyer | Hillbrow | 3046 |
| DistDepGDC | E. Comp. | Lawrence J Atrash | Prosperity | 2607 |
| DistDepGDC | E. Comp. | Rory J Jones | Orphic | 5949 |
| DistGSoj | E. Comp. | Mike Michael D Smith | Doornfontein | 2585 |
| Dist1stAGSoj | E. Comp. | Glenn C Rae | Apollo | 3437 |
| Dist2ndAGSoj | E. Comp. | Peter W Veal | Johannesburg | 2313 |
| DistAGSE | E. Comp. | Brandon G Eatwell | Prosperity | 2607 |
| DistGStB | E. Comp. | Bogdan J Milewski | Flame Lily | 8540 |
| DistGStB | E. Comp. | Patrick B Shortt | Hillbrow | 3046 |
| DistGOrg | E. Comp. | Philip Gert L P Kruger | Prosperity | 2607 |
| DistAGDC | E. Comp. | Bill William J Hynds | Fairview | 3010 |
| DistAGDC | E. Comp. | Carl P de Montille | Orphic | 5949 |
| DistGStwd | E. Comp. | JM Jean-Michel Girard | Vernon | 2774 |
| DistGStwd | E. Comp. | Mark G Smith | Pretoria United | 6017 |
| DistGStwd | E. Comp. | Roland Dunstan | Apollo | 3437 |
| DistGStwd | E. Comp. | Vojin Djordjevic | Vernon | 2774 |
| DistGJan | E. Comp. | (Jerry) John A E Davies | Doornfontein | 2585 |