TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
2017 sees the celebration of 300 years of English Freemasonry. The District has held various functions to commemorate this landmark event.
PHOTOWALK AND OPEN DAY AT FREENASONS HALL
“As the daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Freemasons, it was such an exciting opportunity for me to attend the recent photo walk and open day at Freemason’s Hall in Park Lane. The historic building, with all its intricacies, took my breath away and I was lucky enough to arrive early enough to capture the golden morning light filling the halls and casting the most perfect shadows across the entrance passage. It really is a photographer’s dream. It was so interesting learning more about Freemasonry in South Africa and I was so impressed by the charity work which is fulfilled by the organisation’s members – it made me proud to be connected to Freemasonry.” – Kelly Adams, a freelance photographer and content creator at Kelly Can Photography and daughter of Chris Adams.
300 YEARS OF MASONIC MUSIC
On Saturday 15 July, Masons, family and friends headed out to the Linder Auditorium, where well known conductor, Richard Cock treated guests to a magical evening of Masonic Music.
The evening included an array of music, all composed by Freemasons. The variety of music on offer was spell bounding with classical works of Mozart and Haydn, to the more recent marches of Sousa, some Jazz from Duke Ellington and Irving Berlin and even the Major General’s song of Sir Arthur Sullivan. it was certainly a memorable evening that was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance.
LODGE OF EMULATION – POTJIE COMPETITION
GRAND LODGE AND SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER APPOINTMENTS 2017
– W Bro. David Pickard
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. CN Burn PAGDC Universal Friendship Lodge No. 9042
W Bro. RJ Lipnicki PAGDC Boksburg Lodge No. 2480
W.Bro. DI Pickard PAGDC King Edward Lodge No. 3004
Promotions:
W Bro. C van Gaalen PSGD Ionic Lodge No. 3235
W Bro. CM Wiehahn PJGD Benoni Lodge No. 3157
Supreme Grand Chapter Appointments:
1st Appointments:
E Comp. DI Pickard PGStB King Edward Chapter No. 3004
E Comp. GB Winter PGStB Acacia Chapter No. 3260
Promotions:
E Comp. DJ Gamble PAGSoj Royal George Chapter No. 2643
OUT AND ABOUT IN LONDON
Above: Companions at the festive board at the Connaught Rooms in April of this year
Right: Companions at The Prince of Wales pub in Great Queen Street next to Freemasons Hall in London.
BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE CHARITY ALLOCATION
DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH AFRICA, North Active District Officers 2017-2018
DISTRICT SENIOR GRAND WARDEN – DAVID ARTHUR MCNALLY
David was born in London in the coldest Christmas of the Second World War in 1944. His father was a Master Builder of Irish descent who assisted in the rebuilding of London after the blitz damage of the Second Word War.
As Dave’s father and most of his maternal relatives were musicians, his mother playing the piano, it was not surprising that from the age of 8, Dave also studied the piano. He again furthered his musical skills on completion of his secondary education at Brockley County Grammar School, S.E. London.
He worked for several American companies based in the UK in the Petro Chemical industry, during which he completed his Tertiary Polytechnic studies and entered South Africa on 23rd August 1972. He then worked mainly in the mining industry eventually spending 20 years at JCI culminating as Project Manager for Steenberg Wine/Golf Estate in the Cape. This involved investigating the Cape Wine route and also obtaining French and Italian wine expertise.
In 1999, Dave returned briefly to the UK but Africa was in his blood. On his return to South Africa he secured employment at Murray and Roberts where he worked from 2002 until his retirement in 2014. Since retiring, he has been kept more than busy with Freemasonry as well as supporting Wendy in her business endeavours. His one regret is not having enough time for Music, Golf or exercise.
It was during his work for Saref Project at JCI that Dave ran his first Comrades Marathon in 1984 which was inevitable as he had previously lived in Hillcrest and often drove the Comrades route.
Dave was initiated into Freemasonry in First Pride Lodge, becoming Master in 1996. He has been the master of most lodges of which he is a member and is currently Provincial Grand Senior Warden in the Royal Order of Scotland and has held District or Provincial Ranks in all 13 orders operating in South Africa and holds Grand rank in 7 of them. He is a Past Deputy District Grand Master in the Cryptic, Assistant District Grand Master in the Mark and is District Grand Prefect of the Allied Masonic Degrees of South Africa.
He met Wendy, a catering Manager, on contract with Fedics and they were married in December 2005 by Father Peter Roberts. To celebrate his 70th Birthday in 2014, Dave says that he was quite proud in managing to host nearly 200 persons seated in No. 1 Dining Room at Park Lane, and at the same time, managed to keep the details of the occasion a secret from all, particularly Wendy and daughter, Tania – a most difficult task !
Dave and Wendy enjoy weekend breaks in the bush but their greatest pleasure is cooking together, and visiting Dave’s son, Karl, in Ireland and daughter Tania in France and now in the Nederlands. Sadly, his eldest son, Mark, succumbed to lung cancer in 2010. Strangely he was the only member of the family never to take up smoking which Dave continues to this day, purely for the relief of stress, you understand.
DISTRICT JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN – EUGENE BERNHARDT
Eugene was born on 15th July 1949 in Ermelo where his father was a PM of Concordia Lodge. He matriculated at Ermelo High school, after which he completed an apprenticeship in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning with the Transvaal Department of Works in Middelburg. He obtained a Higher National Diploma in the Mechanical and Electrical field and joined the Chief Engineer’s office in Pretoria, designing hospital equipment and installations ranging from Air-conditioning, Refrigeration, Coal fired Boilers, Autoclaves, Medical gasses and many more. This is where he met Joey in 1973 and they married in 1977 when he moved to Johannesburg, to control all refrigeration installations as well as the installation of the biggest air-conditioning system in the world at that time. In 2002 he was promoted to Deputy Director of Public Works and retired in 2009 after 40 years of service.
Joey and Eugene have two sons. The eldest, Trevor, and his wife are both medical practitioners living in Calgary, Canada. They have two daughters and a son. Their son, Raymond, who is a manager with Auto & General, has two sons and lives in Centurion.
He was initiated into The Ionic Lodge in1994. His proposer was Uncle Charley Bernhardt and his seconder was Norman Hood. Hans van Gaalen was Master of The Ionic Lodge at that time. Eugene was the Master of The Ionic Lodge in 1999 and MEZ of Hillbrow R A Chapter in 2002. He is a Past Sovereign of Germiston Rose Croix Chapter, a 30th Degree mason and a founder member of the St Vitus Rose Croix Chapter, a Chapter founded to demonstrate the Intermediate degrees (4th – 17th), where he performed active roles in several degree presentations. He is a member of the South Africa North First Principals Chapter in the Royal Arch, and a Past Master of Transvaal District Grand Stewards Lodge.
Eugene has a passion for working with wood and is known for making all sorts of items for Masonry, masons, friends and family. He has made wands for the District Office, personalised wands for DC`s, DDC`s and ADC`s as well as Senior and Junior Deacons wands for various lodges. Gavels galore, Alms collection plates, Sets of Platonic bodies have been made for the District Office, Mauritius and Boksburg R A. He designed a unique bracket and secured all the seats in Park Lane, thereby extending their use by decades. The display cabinets in the foyer and library at Park Lane were also made by him. He is grateful for the opportunity of making some input to an organisation that has helped him shape his life and that gives satisfaction to many. He often surprises the ladies by making them chopping boards, tea trays and walking sticks for older folk.
He enjoys wild life and is a keen hunter. His wife Joey loves to accompany him to many Masonic Meetings, especially in the country areas and together they spend much time with their grandchildren.
DISTRICT GRAND CHAPTER OFFICERS 2017-2018
SOME THOUGHTS ON THE ROYAL ARCH – E.Comp Tim Smith
“The brother who stops at the third degree is like a man who has erected an edifice without the coping stone. He is neither just to himself nor earnest in his search for truth.
The ceremonies and teachings of the other degrees are beautiful and full of significance. Yet they cannot be compared to the Royal Arch.
They speak of time, the Royal Arch speaks of what will be when time shall be no more. It carries us across the boundary into the presence of the infinite”.
The Royal Arch has been describe as “the root, heart and marrow of freemasonry”.
DISTRICT GRAND SCRIBE NEHEMIAH – RICHARD LIPNICKI
Richard Lipnicki was born at the end of the Second World War, in the UK in Northern Northumberland in the small village of Chatton. His father was an officer in the Polish Army who evacuated Europe via Dunkirk and was sent to Duns in Scotland for training with the First Polish Armoured Division. There he met his future wife, Mary, who was at college and they married in 1944.
The Lipnicki family emigrated to South Africa in 1950 and lived in Hillbrow. Richard attended local Primary Schools and then matriculated at King Edward VII School in Houghton.
By this time, the family had moved to a house in Berea which, as the crow flies, is about 500 me- tres from District Grand Lodge at Park Lane.
Richard became an apprentice Tool & Die maker which was obviously the correct choice, as twenty three years later he started a successful engineering business, Chatton Manufacturing, named after his place of birth.
One day, while showing the family Irish Wolfhounds at Gillooly’s farm, he was asked by the then Goldfields Dog Club Chairman, a member of Doornfontein Lodge, why he was not a Mason. The reply was, “I was never asked.” This answer proved unsatisfactory to the Chairman. He instructed his Vice Chairman, Percy Green, “Make this man a Mason”.
He was initiated into The Boksburg Lodge in July 1987 and became Worshipful Master in 1996, again in 2008 and once more in 2011. Richard was appointed MEZ in the Boksburg Royal Arch in 1999, in 2002, 2003 and in 2009.
Richard received Craft Grand Rank and was appointed by The Grand Master, The Duke of Kent, in April 2017 to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
In the Royal Arch, he has just been promoted to District GSN for the forthcoming year.
Richard is a member of Calvary Rose Croix and was Sovereign in 2004 and 2005. He was promoted to the 30th degree in 2006.
His wife, Karen, has been a stalwart supporter during his Masonic career. Her support and assistance at fundraising events and catering at the Boksburg Lodges and Boksburg Royal Arch festive boards, is appreciated.
KIT MARKOTTER RETIRES AFTER 38 YEARS – RON JACKSON (supersport.com)
Kit Markotter, one of the legends of South African amateur boxing, has retired as secretary of the Johannesburg Amateur Boxing Organisation after 38 years. He was also chairman for 35 years.
He is the only person to have received Springbok and Protea colours for managing SA amateur teams, and has also been awarded life membership of at least seven other boxing bodies, including Sanabo, the SA National Amateur Boxing Organisation.
This was not a bad record for someone who was not interested in boxing and rather disliked the sport when he was a youngster.
When he was at school, Markotter played football. He turned out for a number of teams before joining the Ramblers Football Club in Johannesburg.
After his first season at Ramblers he asked his brother Pat and another boxer, Johnny Watson, if he could work out at their Troyeville Boxing Club to keep fit for soccer.
Markotter was not over-eager to get involved in a new sport, but after a few months he agreed to take part in a tournament.
It was tougher than football. In his first fight he was knocked down three times in the first round and twice in the second. But thanks to his fitness he went on to win by a knockout.
Little did he know then that the bout would turn into a love affair with boxing; an affair that would go on for nearly 60 years, during which he would be involved as a boxer, trainer, manager, official and administrator. One should add ambassador, too.
He won a number of cups in 61 bouts from 1958 to 1967, and at featherweight, he won Johannesburg and District titles in 1960, 1961 and 1962, and also won the Border and Transvaal titles in 1962.
His surname may not provide a clue, but Markotter was born in Paddington, London. The date was 27 September 1933.
He was named Johannes Christopher, after his grandfathers. The nickname Kit apparently comes from Christopher.
His father, who was born in Uniondale in the Cape Province, had gone to London in 1931 to work for an insurance company. There he met Kit’s mother, who was also working at an insurance company.
In 1935 his father decided to return to South Africa and they settled in Johannesburg.
TRAINING AND MATCHMAKING
Kit gave up boxing in 1968 and began helping with the training and matchmaking at the Yeoville Amateur Boxing Club.
In 1971 he was appointed treasurer of the Malvern Amateur Boxing Club and at one time he served on 12 boxing committees, of which he chaired eight.
In 1986 he received Springbok colours when he managed the SA team that toured Paraguay in South America. He was also manager of the Springbok team at the 1989 Interstate Games and of the 1992 Protea team at the Mozambique Independence tournament.
It made him the only person to have been awarded Springbok and Protea colours as manager of a national boxing team.
HIS TRAVEL
Thanks to boxing, Markotter says, he had the privilege of travelling to 23 countries.
His services did not go unnoticed. He received merit awards and life membership of the Malvern Boxing Club, the Southern Transvaal Boxing Association, the Southern Transvaal Boxing Federation, the Transvaal Boxing Association and the Transvaal Boxing Federation, and the SA Amateur Boxing Association, as well as life membership of the SA National Amateur Boxing Organisation.
And in 2000 he was the first recipient of the King Korn Golden Vest Award for his services to amateur boxing.
Showing the same loyalty and diligence that made him such an outstanding sports administrator, Markotter worked for what was then known as the General Post Office.
After 41 years, he retired in December 1992 as a postmaster in Johannesburg.
Kit is a prominent Mason who is a major driving force in Corona Lodge’s “Box and Dine”, which raises vast amounts of money for charity each year.
CORONA LODGE 94.7 CYCLE CHALLENGE
Corona Lodge will be entering a Charity team in the 94.7 Cycle challenge. The race will be taking place on 19 November 2017. R300 per cyclist will be donated towards charity. Visit www.cyclechallenge.co.za for more information.
The Masonic Widows
A poem by Heinrich B. Uys, PDistJGW. WM Golden Harvest Lodge No. 9234 E.C.
The dear ladies married to a Mason, Are very special for their inspiration.
For supporting us in what we aim to do, Maintaining the principles we believe is true.
—oOo—oOo—
Allowing us our time away from home, Not developing a solitariness syndrome.
Even while at home the minds often are Masonically occupied, For word perfect addresses is our pride.
—oOo—oOo—
Not always so easy be assured, The minds often becomes obscured.
So, dear ladies, this poem is dedicated to you, We as Masons appreciate you through and through.
—oOo—oOo—
For all your Love, Care, Patience and Support, We wish you all the Blessings of our Lord.
Enjoy this feast, the least we can do to show our gratitude, For without your support, our Masonic careers are destitute.
As read by W.Bro. Frank Stock, PJGD (Eng).
at the Golden Harvest Ladies Lunch, 5th August 2017.
SIR DAVID HUGH WOOTTON , ASSTGM, VISITS PRESIDENT LODGE
Sir David Wootton is a British lawyer and politician. He was also the Lord Mayor of London between 2011 to 2012 and he is the Alderinan of Ward Langbourn.
In Masonic circles, Sir David oversees bursaries and the manner in which they are applied for Grand Lodge.
WORKING TOOLS OF THE FOURTH DEGREE
I, now present you with the working tools of the fourth degree. They are the fork – the knife and the
tumbler
The fork – is an implement which enables even the most inexperienced Freemason to secure, sometimes by reaching across the table, the most delicate and succulent morsels which adorn our festive board, to delight the eye and stimulate the jaded appetite. This important implement is used to covey the various morsels to that aperture which has specially been designed to receive them, and which reduces all nutriment to a common level. The fork should always be used when partaking of peas which if conveyed to the mouth with the assistance of the knife, often proves very elusive.
The knife – when properly ground and sharpened is used to reduce all crude matter to a common level and assists us to dissect the anatomy of even the most venerable rooster,and bring all crude matter into due form. The knife also teaches us not to cut off more than we can chew, but to limit our desires in every station of life, so that rising to eminence by merit we may live respected and die regretted.
The tumbler – enables us with accuracy and precision to ascertain and determine
The quantity of liquor which we find quite conducive to the preservation of general joviality, and as all tumblers have not that mark upon them , commonly known as the “ pretty “, the skilful craftsman may measure his tot with the aid of two or more fingers rule. But as the tumbler will only hold a certain quantity with detriment to its surroundings. It teaches us that we should ascertain and never exceed the limits of our own internal economy.
But, brethren as we are not met here this evening as speculative but rather as energetic and operative free masons, we apply these tools to our morals.
In this sense – the fork– teaches us that we should not always sit down and wait for what we most desire, but to reach out, secure and retain it profiting by our opportunities and assimilating the knowledge gained by our experiences, nor should we forget that the little things of life should be looked after, should we forget that the little things in life should be looked after lest they elude our grasp and are lost beyond recall.
As the prongs of the fork are all equal and mutually assist one another, being joined together in one compact structure, so we as free masons should stand shoulder to shoulder and practice those four qualifications which cannot be too strongly recommended to your notice :- straight forwardness in our dealings with another; sympathy with the feelings of a brother good temper in our differences of opinion, and fidelity to the sacred ties which binds us together.
The knife – teaches us the value of assiduity and patience to cope with many of the problems which confront it, so we are taught to take care of our mental and corporeal faculties.
The tumbler – teaches us the importance of moderation and temperance. As it is has no graduated scale by which to measure it’s varying contents the user must exercise his judgement as to the quantity of liquor he pours therein, for as the tumbler will hold a limited quantity without detriment to it’s surroundings so we should estimate our capacity and not confuse our mental or physical equilibrium.
The perfect tumbler rings true, no matter whether it is empty or it is filled with liquor, so the perfect convivial free mason should ring true after labour in the fourth degree. A cracked tumbler is despised and rejected.
Thus brethren the working tools of the convivial free mason teach us to practice and bear in mind cardinal virtues – of temperance and prudence – so that when we may be summoned to rise to drink the tyler’s toast after having partaken of the good things provided by a bounteous providence for our use, we may depart homeward with a gratifying testimony of a contented mind. A clean brain and an equal poise.
– Bro. Nicolaas Jacobus Trytsman (1952)