Square Talk. SOUTH AFRICA LODGE No 6742, LONDON ENGLISH COMMUNICATION

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1 June 2009 Issue 02 Square Talk The Ezine of Freemasonry in Kwazulu-Natal ENGLISH COMMUNICATION The 234th Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Kwazulu-Natal will be held at the Regimental Headquarters of the Durban Light Infantry, DLI Avenue, Durban, on Saturday 11th July 2009 at 3:00pm. Immediately prior to this Annual Communication, and at the same venue, the District Grand Chapter of Kwazulu- Natal will hold its Annual Convocation, starting at 1:00pm. Few brethren are aware that only the members of the District Grand Lodge are really entitled to attend. They are the Masters, Wardens and subscribing Past Masters of every Lodge in the District. By kind permission of the RW District Grand Master, Master Masons are also invited to attend. They should avail themselves of that privilege so they can see how the District operates. UGLE NEWS The United Grand Lodge of England, only last year, created the new rank and office of District Grand Orator, which ranks immediately before District Senior Grand Deacons. By the time you read this, Grand Lodge will have created a further new rank and office of District Grand Mentor, which ranks immediately before the District Grand Orator. If your Lodge Secretary was doing his job, you will know that two years ago, Grand Lodge recommended that Lodges appoint experienced members as Lodge Mentors. A Mentor is then assigned to each candidate, and has the task of teaching the candidate all about Freemasonry and guiding him along the path to a complete understanding of the Craft. The DG Mentor s Jewel of Office is a chisel, pointing out the benefit of education. This is most appropriate as the function of the DG Mentor is to devise and run training programmes for Lodge Mentors, so that they can, in turn, competently guide and teach the candidates assigned to them. Grand Lodge has demonstrated its commitment to Masonic Education by the creation of these two most important offices. It is their firmly held belief, supported by their own research, that SOUTH AFRICA LODGE No 6742, LONDON Way back in 1948, not so long after the end of WWII, there were a large number of South Africans living in London. Some were attached to the South African Embassy as part of the Diplomatic Corps. Some were working for British companies with branches in South Africa. Some were professional men. A significant number were Freemasons, and one thing they found was that Lodges in England were quite different to Lodges in South Africa. These brethren missed the South African way of doing things and decided to form their own Lodge in London. The petition was drawn up and signed, and on the 6th September 1948 the South Africa Lodge No 6742 was consecrated by the MW Grand Master, The Duke of Devonshire. There were 24 Founders, and the Lodge soon attracted many more brethren with some South African connection. Today a majority of the membership is still of South African origin and operates in the same way that Lodges in this country work. As an example, most Lodges in the UK insist that visitors are invited to attend, and their most new brethren drop out of Freemasonry because they don t understand what it is all about, haven t a clue about what they are supposed to do and say (or not do and not say) at Lodge meetings, and generally feel that after being made to feel very important at their Initiation, they are then pretty well left out and ignored thereafter, except when they are being asked for money. The new made brother who feels he is NOT an integral part of the Lodge, and who doesn t understand what Freemasonry is all about, may stay long enough to receive the Master Mason s Degree, but when nothing changes he resigns or simply stop attending. It follows that the task of the Lodge Mentor is to provide a vital link between the Lodge and its older, e x p e r i e n c e d membership, and the new candidates. In addition to making time to teach them dining fee has to be paid by the member who invited them. This makes visiting difficult for strangers. Nobody want to pay their dining fee! At South Africa Lodge you can simply visit any meeting. They do ask that you advise them in advance to facilitate catering, but you are made very welcome and you pay your own dining fee. South Africa Lodge only meets four times per year; January, April, June(I) and September, but there is a regular Lodge of Instruction. All Brethren from South Africa who will be visiting London, or emigrating, or South African Masons with sons living in London who may want to join Freemasonry, should seriously consider South Africa Lodge. It is a Masonic home away from home with a great bunch of members who will understand you. The kind of people who support the Sharks and the Bokke and tell jokes about Australians and sheep. South Africa Lodge has its own website you can visit for lots of information. Just go to and look around. You won t be disappointed. about Masonry he must be able to answer their questions, provide them with books, and other learning materials, and explain the rules of conduct in our meetings, and the reasons for those rules. Above all, it is the Mentor s task to make the new brother feel completely welcome, and very comfortable, both inside the Lodge room and at the Festive Board. He must assist the candidate to fit in with the other members, ensure that he is included in conversations, and encouraged to participate fully in the running of the Lodge as well as in its social and charitable activities. Truly this is a vital function.

2 60 YEAR AWARD FOR W BRO WALLY LADBROOKE, PDSGW Camperdown Peace Lodge had the honour, privilege and pleasure of receiving the R. W. District Grand Master, RW Bro Archibald Findley at their February meeting, it was the first occasion the RW DGM had been able to visit Camperdown Peace Masonic Centre in that official capacity, and he was accompanied by many Grand and District Grand Lodge officers. The WM, WBro Jody Riley welcomed him, and the brethren who had accompanied him, into the Lodge room. The DGM expressed his delight at being able to visit Camperdown and thanked the WM for bringing the meeting time forward to accommodate the visiting brethren. He stressed that he was delighted to be with the brethren tonight but the main focus of his visit was to present WBro Wally Ladbrooke with his 60 years service award. As a young man WBro Wally physically helped to build the present Lodge Building at Camperdown. The Lodge originally met in Pietermaritzburg and later at the Camperdown Hotel. When this building was under construction, the then Brethren of the Lodge promised Wally that if he helped them build the Lodge he would be the first person to be initiated when they moved into the new Lodge building. The Lodge building was completed in December 1948 and Wally was initiated into Freemasonry on the 24th January A few years later he had a disagreement with a brother and decided to move to Prince Alfred Lodge in PMB ( the Lodge Secretary is still looking for the clearance certificate, but that's a tale for another night), after many years loyal service to Prince Alfred Lodge - HE SAW THE LIGHT - and returned to Camperdown Peace, "his first love". The Brethren received him with open arms and he made a great impression on the younger brethren (i.e. all the Brethren younger then himself). One year, the Lodge Officers (all Master Masons) were reluctant to move up due to lack of experience, and a stop-gap Master was required. Such was the impression that W.Bro. Ladbrooke had conveyed to the younger Brethren that they demanded (much to the surprise of the past masters) that he take the Chair of K.S. and steer the ship forward. This he accepted with great feeling but only with the assurance of the past masters (you will see that this is past masters in lower case, again that is a story for another (k)night) that they would rally round and assist him in his year of office. This proved to be futile as he set about the work and did a working at every meeting he was in the Chair, he led by example and expressed to the brethren his disappointment that he had not returned to his Mother Lodge earlier and that he should have never left in the first place. That said, he laid another foundation within Camperdown that only the younger members know about; he involved his young Wardens in all aspects of the Lodge and guided, encouraged and mentored them to make decisions within the Lodge, and lead the Lodge forward into the future. This is clearly shown in the love and affection the present WM, Wardens and Officers have for him. This must be the greatest legacy that any brother can leave in Masonry. The evening was a great success and the brotherly love shared at the Festive Board was a true reflection on what Masonry is all about. WBro Peter Mann proposed the toast to Brother Wally wishing him many more years in Freemasonry. All the brethren concurred and toasted his ongoing heath. WBro Wally expressed his thanks to everyone present, and also thanked the District Grand Lodge of Scottish Freemasonry in Natal for bestowing on him Honorary membership and District Rank. [Report by WBro Gerald Douglas-Watson] THE PLIGHT OF THE ALMONER RWBro Archibald Findlay, DGM presenting the 60 Year Award Certificate to WBro Walter Lumley Ladbrooke, PDSGW WHAT S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? Amazingly there is one thing wrong with the picture above. No brethren, this is not a competition, and there is no prize! But have you noticed that WBro Wally Ladbrooke is not wearing a Royal Arch Jewel... And no, brethren, this is not just an oversight. He didn t accidentally leave his jewel in his case. Your editor has checked the records, and WBro Wally, despite 60 years service in the Craft, has never been Exalted into any Royal Arch Chapter. This is doubly-amazing as Prince Alfred Lodge has had a Chapter attached to it for years, while the Camperdown Peace Lodge admirably supports Carnarvon Royal Arch Chapter. Frankly I am very surprised that Bro Wally doesn t have his arms in plaster casts, they must have been twisted so much in the attempts to get him to fill in the forms. In all seriousness though, isn t it time that someone speaks so that Bro Wally can culminate his 60 years of outstanding service by finally completing his Craft Degrees? Please!

3 LETTERS WHAT S WRONG WITH YOUNG MASONS? I would like to congratulate you for a most interesting relaunch of Square Talk in an electronic format. Not only does it cut the costs of production and distribution, but it enables those who spend much time overseas to keep in touch. How often do you intend to publish this magazine? I would certainly like to contribute something on Operative Masonry which is planned to start in the middle of next year. Yours sincerely, Stuart Goold Umhlanga Lodge We currently have a target of four issues per year - March, June, September and December, and we would welcome information about Operative Masonry. Greetings! I was initiated Fifty years ago October 8th 1959 in Empangeni Lodge 5643E.C. Four Lodges later I am the Organist at Malahat Lodge #107 Emulation working, on the Register of British Columbia and The Yukon. Malahat Lodge is situated in Mill Bay on the East Coast of Vancouver Island about 28 miles north of the Capital, Victoria. W.Bro. Alan May Enjoying a Pacific Island Life Northgate Rd Cobble Hill B.C. V0R 1L0 Nice to hear from you and your adress is entered on our mailing list. You're a long way from Empangeni! One of the members of our District emigrated to Canada about three or four years ago, and I understand he also settled on Vancouver Island. His name is Cecil Stacey. Perhaps he has visited your Lodge there? We would love to contact him again. INGS HUNTING & SPORTING EQUIPMENT 53 Hunter Street Durban Tel: jayrow@cybertrade.co.za Why do so many new members resign from the Craft after a short time? Take my own Lodge, Friction & Conflict No 2431, as an example. We do a pretty decent working for our candidates and they seem impressed by the ceremonies. Generally we are a good bunch of blokes and we make the new members feel welcome. It is normal practice to get them involved with all aspects of running the Lodge right off the bat, so they feel part of it from the start. We also appoint a Past Master to look after each new member, to answer questions and guide him along, so he knows what s potting. Last week one of our young Master Masons, Charlie Jones, nice chap, only been a member for a year, phones our Master and resigns. Says he s had enough! It was the day after our last committee. And we had involved him in all the decision-making. O u r c o m m i t t e e meeting only lasted an hour and a half. First we had to discuss what we were going to do with the R we had raised for charity. Some youngsters wanted to buy computers for the phone: local Orphanage and set up internet for the kids. The Past Masters soon explained that the kids would just break them, and anyway it was a lot of work to do that. We all agreed that it was easier just to give a cheque to the Provincial Widow s Fund. So that only took ten minutes to decide. Next on the agenda was the item which Charlie Jones himself had raised. Couple of light bulbs in the Lodge Room had blown. The problem is the ceiling is high and they are really difficult to change. Charlie suggested that we change ALL the bulbs with these new-fangled long-life, low-energy jobs you see in the supermarket nowadays. He said they 22 Winston Road Pietermaritzburg Tel: would probably last ten years in the Lodge, so it was a good investment, and we wouldn t have to change bulbs every few months. Our Treasurer, bless him, explained very nicely that the regular bulbs were much cheaper to buy, and the Lodge wasn t made of money. Reasonable comment. I chipped in my tuppence worth too. These new-fangled long life things haven t really been proven you know. Charlie then went totally off the rails. He actually offered to buy the new-style bulbs out of his own pocket, take his own ladder down to the Lodge, get the fellow-craft bloke to help him, and he would change them all himself. Well, that stirred the debate, I can tell you. Us Past Masters felt Charlie was taking far too much responsibility for a new member. And our Tyler was really put out. He s 73 this year, so he knows how to change a light bulb! Well, I thought the Master did a great job of defusing the tension in the committee at that moment. Mustering his considerable Masonic experience, he called for order, and then made some suggestions. Firstly, a sub-committee of Netcetera for all your software, custom programming website design, update & hosting service : campaigns graphic designs : cards, pamphlets, brochures & newsletters pc sales, upgrades, repairs & accessories sales@netcetera.co.za Past Masters would be formed and given the task of investigating and deciding on the type of light bulbs we would buy. Part of their duty would be to get quotes and find the cheapest suppliers, and produce a written report, for discussion in open Lodge, within six months. Naturally we discussed who should be on this committee, and nominated eight Past Masters, from which six would be elected at our next Lodge meeting. Next, the Tyler and I were charged with forming a Lodge Maintenance Committee. The Maintenance Committee would meet weekly to discuss how we would tackle the job of changing the bulbs, and submit a written plan to the Lodge. This all took over an hour, so there was no time for anything else and the meeting was closed. Then, the next day, Charlie goes and resigns. I was most disappointed because I was going to ask him to be on my Maintenance Committee. Just shows, you can t rely on youngsters these days...

4 V W Bro John Edwin Wright I think the following details of Very Wor. Brother John Edwin Wright, PM, Ulidia Lodge 292, I.C., Hon. PGD of Ireland, must surely be a record in the annals of Freemasonry in South Africa: V. Wor. Bro. Wright ( Bunty ) turned 99 years young on the 3rd January, 2009, and completed 78 YEARS AS A FREEMASON AND MEMBER OF ULIDIA LODGE, on the third Thursday in February this year. He took the Chair of Ulidia in Being a station master he was transferred throughout Natal, to outlying stations including Empangeni and Donnybrook. This did not stop Bunty from attending Ulidia meetings. When stationed in Empangeni it took him five days to go to his meeting and back, with traveling done mainly on goods trains. He attended both Ulidia and St. Finbars meetings regularly until his move to Johannesburg to be with his daughter, who takes great care of him. Thanks go to the brethren of SA Northern who ensured his attendance at Belfast day lodge until he became too frail and had to be moved to a frail care establishment, where he is currently residing. I was fortunate to be able to attend s e v e r a l m e e t i n g s w i t h h i m i n Johannesburg and was able to present him with Honours and several certificates issued by Ireland. In March this year my wife Rhea and I, in the company of Rt. Wor. Bro. Cecil Bates, PGM SA Northern, visited him. Although very frail he was still very attentive and was interested in the progress of Freemasonry in Natal. V. Wor. Bro. Wright is an inspiration to many other Freemasons who have come into contact with him. At all times a true gentleman, he still managed to maintain a jovial disposition while being humble and straight-forward - ideals to follow and be proud of. Rt. Wor. Bro Mike Gwynn ProvGM, IC for all your property requirements ACUTTS REAL ESTATE AGENTS Shop 7 Park Boulevard 11 Brownsdrift Road Umgeni Park 4051 GRAHAM JORDAN GOLD CLUB WINNER MULTI MILLION RAND SALES CLUB MEMBER Tel: (031) Fax: (031) Cell: durbannorth@acutts.co.za graham@ws.co.za Rt Wor Bro Mike Gwynn, PGM for Natal with V Wor Bro John (Bunty) Wright SCOTTISH DISTRICT GRAND LODGE COMMUNICATION On Saturday 4 April 2009 The Scottish District Grand Lodge Communication was held at Hunt Road, Durban. As is the custom, the District Grand Lodge entered in procession to the skirl of the bagpipes. Bro Robert Neil Young, Hon JGW, and Rt Wor District Grand Master for Kwazulu-Natal opened the District Grand Lodge. A Memorial Service was then held for those Brethren who had been called to Higher Service, namely Bro LD Bosch, Bro E Cookson and Bro N Jones. The Rt Wor District Grand Master then Platinum Agent gave his address to the assembly particularly mentioning the repair and redecoration of the Hunt Road property, which now looks quite splendid and is a proper ornament to F r e e m a s o n r y i n general and Scottish Masonry in particular. He also appealed to brethren to support the Alan Hill Memorial Golf Day which is one of the major charity fund raising activities on the Scottish calendar, but is open to golfers of all Constitutions. Similarly the Scottish Church Service is a major event open to all brethren and their families (more details in our September issue - Ed) The usual business was then conducted, and the District Grand Lodge was closed in due form. The brethren then retired to the adjoining hall for Harmony where old friendships were renewed and new one made. The friendly and very sociable atmosphere was enhanced by the wide array of delicious snacks provided. Many present were delighted that Bro Eddie Metcalf, who last year emigrated to the UK, had found his way back to Durban to be present at a family wedding and was able to attend the Communication. It was really good to see him again, particularly since he was looking so well. Obviously the British climate agrees with him. Our thanks go to the Scottish District for a great afternoon.

5 Rt Wor Bro Grey is not a physically imposing figure. By our South African standards he is a rather small man - the sort of man you would pass on the street without a second glance. In vivid contrast, Rt Wor Bro Grey is a powerfully charismatic speaker, a man who blends his wide experience with good, solid common sense and then adds just the right dash of wonderful Irish humour to what he says. At St Finbar s Lodge, Rt Wor Bro Grey took the Chair and spoke very openly about the Grand Lodge of Ireland and his own rapid rise from relative obscurity, as the Secretary of his Lodge, to the important office of Deputy Grand Master. He described how he was quite surprised when approached to take on this position, and displayed sincere humility when he told the assembly how he had discussed it with his good lady, and secured her support, before he gave his answer. Rt Wor Bro Grey gave a good overview of what was happening in Irish Freemasonry as well as Freemasonry throughout Britain, indicating the current thinking shared between the three Grand Lodges. VISIT OF THE DEPUTY GRAND MASTER OF IRELAND During the early part of May all Kwazulu-Natal Freemasons were privileged to receive, and have the opportunity to meet, the Deputy Grand Master of Ireland, Rt Wor Bro Douglas Grey. He very graciously not only made himself available to visit St Finbar s Lodge as well as the Installation of Inyati Lodge, but seems to have positively enjoyed the opportunity to meet and talk with Brethren of every rank. Provincial Grand Masters and their Chain Officers from several provinces were present at the meeting, along with delegates from other Constitutions. Brethren were also particularly pleased to see Rt Wor Bro Ron Warren, PPGM of Irish Masonry in Natal. All in all, Rt Wor Bro Grey spoke for quite some time - nobody really noticed for how long, because his talk was so interesting - and never once referred to any notes. There was no squirming in chairs, and no discomfort. Those present listened intently and everyone seemed genuinely disappointed when his talk ended. It may have been a frivolous thought, but the adage Dynamite comes in small packages seemed very appropriate at the time. Rt Wor Bro Grey then went on to present awards to various brethren for their long service to the Craft, which he did with great sincerity. We are certain that the recipients will retain the experience in their memories forever. Of particular interest was the way that Rt Wor Bro Grey conducted himself with great dignity, yet still managed to introduce moments of humour which lightened the proceedings and made everyone relax and enjoy themselves. At one stage a Brother made a comment about the ceremonial aspect of the meeting and asked if what Bro Grey had done was in accord with the Grand Master s Lodge of Instruction. The reply from Rt Wor Bro Grey was that what he had done was perhaps not in strict compliance, however it was a function of the Deputy Grand Master to control the Grand Master s Lodge of Instruction and, as such, the Deputy Grand Master could do whatever he wanted! On another occasion, he added the aside that the position of Deputy Grand Master carried with it great power - but what good is power unless you can abuse it a little from time to time? Freemasonry generally is changing. There is a trend towards a far more professional and business-like approach and this is reflected in the appointment of rulers who are more dynamic, younger and who have the ability to bring into Freemasonry those competencies and skills they have acquired through their experience in the business world. Rt Wor Bro Douglas Grey is one of such new breed of ruler. With men like him at the helm, Freemasonry is well-poised to drive forward into the twenty-first century and to re-take its proper place in society. Rt Wor Bro Mike Gwynn PGM & Rt Wor Bro Douglas Grey DGM (centre) with senior Irish Masons at St Finbar s Lodge

6 THE PARETO PRINCIPLE & FREEMASONRY The Pareto Principle, also commonly called the 80:20 Rule, can be roughly explained as 80% of the effects arise from 20% of the various causes. This can be applied to many organisations where 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people. How does this apply to Freemasonry? The photo below of brethren & their family members preparing to distribute Christmas Hampers illustrates the topic. SQUARE TALK MAGAZINE Published by: The DG Lodge of KZN (EC) PO Box MARINE PARADE 4056 Editor: Tony Leeson Advertising: Doug Kirton SQUARE TALK is available free of charge, by , to all Freemasons of any recognised Constitution. If you are not receiving SQUARE TALK and you would like to have a copy ed to you, simply subscribe by sending us an , with your name and rank, the name and number of your Lodge and Constitution. Make the subject S u b s c r i b e = Ye s a n d s e n d i t t o squaretalk.kzn@gmail.com. We will immediately put you on our mailing list. If you would like to stop receiving SQUARE TALK send an with the Subject of Subscribe=No and we will remove your name from the mailing list. As we have already mentioned, it is most common in organisations for 80% of the work to be done by 20% of the people. Clearly this is a most inefficient use of labour as the remaining 80% of the people are not being used productively. One of the reasons Freemasonry is so successful is that everyone shares in the work - all the work. You can see this from the photograph. There are 20 people in the photo. Four are stacking hamper buckets on the lorry. One is busy securing the cargo net so that nothing falls off. The two people in the foreground are supervising flat out to make sure everything is done properly. Meanwhile the 13 people in the group in the right background are extremely busy discussing the tactical plan for the entire distribution exercise. So here, in a completely unposed photo, we have evidence that in Masonry 100% of the work is done by 100% of the people. What s that I hear you say - Where are the other 600-odd Durban Freemasons who could have been there, working? Hmm. Seems like we have a 97:3 Rule. Just imagine what could be achieved if EVERYONE assisted... SQUARE TALK can also be viewed on the District Grand Lodge of Kwazulu-Natal (EC) website at by clicking the Square Talk link. ADVERTISING RATES All advertising in full colour HxW(mm) COST Full Page...277x190...R200 Half Page...138x190...R120 Third Page(a)...138x125...R80 Third Page(b)... 92x190...R80 Quarter Page...105x125...R65 Bus Card... 50x90...R50 Full Column...277x60...R75 Half Column...138x60...R50 Small Block...35x63...R20 Classified...10 lines...free ALL PROFITS GO TO THE MASONIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Please note that the views expressed in SQUARE TALK are not necessarily the views of the Publisher, the Editor or any Masonic body, unless specifically stated. Articles for publication are most welcome. Kindly them as attachments to us at We do squaretalk.kzn@gmail.com reserve the right to edit any article submitted and publication in a specific issue is not guaranteed.