On Thursday 2 October Royal Freemasons and Freemasons Victoria came together for the President’s Lunch — a celebration to strengthen ties and deepen understanding of the shared values between our two organisations.
Among the lineup of speakers were Royal Freemasons’ Honorary President and Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge MWBro Peter Henshall, Trustees of Royal Freemasons Homes of Victoria RWBro David Gibbs AM and WBro Myles King OAM, CEO Hugh Cattermole, Lifestyle Coordinator Imelda Vinola, and Springtime resident WBro John Kelly.
MWBro Peter Henshall spoke of the founding values of Freemasonry including fraternal love, which involves extending compassion and kindness towards others; relief, which is a commitment to charity, service and caring for others; and truth — to live with integrity and to seek wisdom. The Grand Master also spoke of how Royal Freemasons is a living and practical expression of those values of compassion, service, and integrity in the work that we do every day in serving those in our care, and that those values are our strongest connection alongside our name and heritage.
In her speech, Royal Freemasons’ Lifestyle Coordinator Imelda Vinola said she saw these values coming alive every day at the Springtime residential aged care community where she works. For Imelda, her job was never just a career choice but a calling to build relationships, share moments and bring joy into every day for the people in our care. She said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside our elders, to learn about them, to honour them, and to celebrate who they are. Each day reminds me that life at every stage has value and that the love and respect we show truly makes a difference.”
We were also honoured to hear from WBro John Kelly, who has been a resident at Royal Freemasons Springtime for three years and a Freemason for 60 years. Even at 90 John continues his life of service, charity and caring by representing Springtime on our Consumer Advisory Body, acting as the residential Santa Claus and occasionally singing for the residents.
The lunch was a celebration and strengthening of the shared values between Royal Freemasons and Freemasons Victoria. For more than 157 years our organisations have upheld and embodied the values of compassion, service, and integrity every day and we are committed to upholding them well into the future for the people we serve.
