Text Box: The Masonic year is well and truly into full swing as is the calendar year. Although, the Master for 2004-2005 has just commenced his year! The meeting in March was my first to open and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, albeit with initial nervous anticipation. I would again like to thank those brethren who covered for me during my absence last year, especially David Bennell who kept the Master’s seat warm. Text Box: As always the calendar year has begun with a vengeance. Prior to our first lodge night we met at the Melbourne Zoo for one of the many Twilight Jazz evenings. The annual uniform night was again a great opportunity to catch up with Scouting friends and reminisce of past Scouting adventures. In March we raised Bro. Hugh Douglas and remembered recently passed brethren with Eulogies for Bro. Michael Wilson and V. Wor. Bro. Keith Cameron by Bro. Darren Brain and Wor. Bro. Nigel Text Box: Cavell respectively. I would like to commend the great efforts of the Almoner/Welfare Team. Along with all the terrific work in keeping in touch with absent brethren they have had a busy time visiting those ailing members. I look forward to catching up with you all very soon. Fraternally yours, Jon Franklin. Text Box: There were over 120 masons and guests at our last uniform night in February. Visited by our Grand Secretary, Rt Wor Bro Barry Reaper PSGW, the evening was again a great success. Within the Lodge Room Masonic and Scouting visitors were received by the WM. The Flag Party then preceded the Rover Crew who were selected as winners of the 2004 BP Lodge Rover Crew Service Award. In his address to all the Victorian Branch Commissioner for Rovers, Mr Craig Whan, detailed the efforts achieved by the winners. The Keith Farquhar Rover crew from Text Box: Master’s Message Text Box: Uniform Night continues to be a roaring success.

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B.P. Quarterly
Text Box: Strathmore were then presented with individual certificates, a crew framed certificate and a perpetual honour board. The South was adorned with even more scarves than previous years (and continues to grow). Our Camp Fire leaders lead us through a great selection of familiar and not so familiar songs. In his response speech the Grand Secretary commented on the similarities between Scouting and Freemasonry together with the great bonds linking to two organisations. Text Box: The Anstey Rover Crew was presented with the Ted Whitworth Rover Service Award for an unprecedented second time. Sponsored by the Baden Powell Lodge of South Australia, the aim of the Ted Whitworth Rover Service Award is to support Scouting by encouraging service to the Scout Movement and the community amongst the Rover Section of the Movement. Presentation of the award to the winning Rover Crew was made during the Lodge’s “Uniform Night” (Thursday 3rd March 2005) which is held annually, to commemorate the Founders birthday. Attendance is usually good, and this year was no exception. There were many visiting Freemasons including the Text Box: Grandmaster of South Australia M.W.Bro. Robin Casson, the Grandmaster’s escort, an encouraging number of Scout leaders, both males who were not Freemasons and females, representatives of past winning Rover Crews, the Branch Chief Commissioner Mr Reg Williams, the Branch Commissioner for Rovers and the current Chairman of the Branch Rover Council. The Master, Wor. Bro. Jeff Bettens invited the Grandmaster, the Scout Chief Commissioner and myself to assist with the Award presentations. The late Wor. Bro. Rev. Ted Whitworth was a highly regarded icon of South Australian Text Box: Scouting and Freemasonry. During his long and fruitful life, Ted was a true Scout who actively lived by the principles of the Scout Law and Promise, that B-P laid down for the Scout Movement in Scouting for Boys. During his professional life, Ted served his community as a teacher and as a Scout Leader. On his retirement, Ted became an active Minister of Religion and was a foundation member of the Baden-Powell Lodge of South Australia. It is therefore not surprising, when the Lodge decided to inaugurate the concept of an Award for Rover Scouts; they named the award after Ted Whitworth as a fitting tribute to this inspiring man who lived by example to others. Text Box: Ted Whitworth Rover Service Award. Text Box: Wor. Bro. Michael Baden-Powell represented our Lodge at the March meeting of the BP Lodge of South Australia. Below is an excerpt from his report.