Sydney Masonic Centre 2pm
There were many things going on just on the day in the lead up to the entrance of the Grand Master, MW Bro Derek Robson AM at 2pm, however, I think we can at least kick this post off on or around 1:45pm on the great day of the Consecration.
It was around that time when the Grand Director of Ceremonies, RW Bro Khris Albano gathered the Grand Lodge Officers present and assembled them for a group photo (main image) before being addressed by the Grand Master.
Jerusalem members assemble
The brethren and visitors were asked to be seated in Grand Lodge, Room 1 at the Sydney Masonic Centre with ample time to receive the Grand Master and his delegation. The Brethren who signed the Petition to form a new Lodge were seated in the rows of chairs that had been set up in the centre of the mosaic pavement, 7 wide and 7 deep.
The Consecration
The ceremony itself requires 4 individual perambulations to present the various vessels to the Grand Master. These are Corn, Wine, Oil and Salt. Most of these you hear about in the Second TB being common articles of subsistence during the time of the building of the Temple.
These perambulations are traditionally completed by the Deputy Grand Master, Assistant Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden and Junior Grand Wardens. This time was no exception, with those roles being respectively performed by RW Bro Andrew Fraser, RW Bro John Armfield, RW Bro Paul Barber and RW Bro Neville Grego.
The last perambulation was completed by the Grand Chaplain, RW Bro Robert Searle who swung the smoking incense censer whilst he blessed our new Lodge.
Throughout the ceremony, the Grand Director of Ceremonies, RW Bro Khris Albano expertly led each aspect of the consecration with great skill.
After the Consecration, Grand Honours were given to the Grand Master, the Chaplain gave the Benediction at which point the Grand Master closed the Grand Lodge.
Before retiring he announced that we would take a short recess whilst the Grand Lodge was converted to a regular lodge. All chairs to be removed from the mosaic pavement and all required Working Tools and Tracing Boards to be installed in place.
Re-Installation
Conducted in due and ancient form.
Readmission of Visitors
Ladies and other visitors readmitted and took up their seats in the Grand Lodge in order to witness the final parts of the ceremony, namely the presentation of our new warrant, Book of Constitutions, Codification of Decisions of the Ritual Committee and By-Laws. Investiture of Officers and the Addresses.
The WM was then invited to Invest his Foundation Officers per the Installation Booklet.
The Addresses
The Address to the Worshipful Master was then delivered by the Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro Andrew R G Fraser. The Address to the Wardens was delivered by the Assistant Grand Master, RW Bro John E Armfield PDGM. The Address to the Brethren was delivered by The Most Worshipful Grand Master.
The Musical Item
The Musical Item was “The Holy City” and sung by RW Bro Alexander Parker PAGM and accompanied by The Grand Organist, RW Bro Russell Littlefair. This was a very moving piece and tied in beautifully with the ceremony and was greatly appreciated.
After the presentations, the Grand Organist commenced Advanced Australia Fair and the Grand Director of Ceremonies announced that the Grand Master was about to retire.
After the Grand Ceremonial Team had retired, the Foundation WM welcomed all the Brethren, Ladies and Guests.
RW Bro Joseph Haffner then unveiled and presented the Lodge Jerusalem banner to the WM, who warmly accepted it on behalf of the Brethren.
It wasn’t long before the ladies, guests and Brethren then joined the Grand Master at the Consecration Banquet which was very well attended and equally well catered.
Lodge Jerusalem No. 1056 