Keeping in Touch December 2021
It has been a year to forget as far trying to arrange events and meetings.
I would like to thank all members for their support and understanding in these uncertain times.
On a brighter note we have managed to get all our installations through except Kerikeri which is still to come on 14th Dec and a lovely evening at Parahaki where six Entered Apprentices had the Tracing Board explained to them. It could have been a lot worse, Auckland and Counties Hauraki and to a lesser extent Waikato District have been closed for most of the year and you have to feel for them.
You will all have received the directive from National Office on the new Covid 19 Protection Framework --traffic light rules --for meetings and gatherings which we must adhere to. You will need to have someone--The Covid Marshall---at the door to make sure people scan in and show their vaccine pass. Hand sanitizer to be used and masks to be worn except when doing charges, and social distancing practised as much as practical. As much as I hate wearing masks this is the procedure while we are in Red in the new traffic light system. Do refer to the Guidelines Circular from the GM for more details.
In the meantime have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hopefully we’ll be able to meet at Orange level when Lodge resumes again in 2022.
Yours Fraternally VW.Bro Ron McCracken
Keeping in Touch with Northland October 2021
Another month goes by and not much to report---fingers crossed that things are going to improve!?
You will have seen that the Special Olympics Summer Games have been postponed until Dec 2022, but our Northland fundraising concert hopefully will go ahead in the New Year.
Northland Lodges are able to open up again so do try to get those 1st Degrees done as soon as possible. One item of interest---Alistair Mitchell did a great job of publicising an open meeting held in one of the meeting rooms at the Kororareka Marae to which to which members of the public were invited. Unfortunately only 2 turned up but those 2 are joining Kororareka Lodge! You did a fine job Alistair and maybe it is another sign of the times.
We have 3 installations in October
12th Oct Kerikeri VW Bro John Campbell
16th Oct Okara Daylight VW Bro Trevor Hall
26th Oct Hatea Bro Joseph Cross
ALSO
11th Oct Whangarei 3rd Deg Bro Ian Kake
18th Oct Whangarei 3rd Deg Bro Levi Lucas
6th November DISTRICT MEETING Please send to Dist Secretary any items for discussion VIA your LODGE
As we now have Daylight Saving Please remember change of dress code---Dinner or lounge suits.
Yours Fraternally VW.Bro Ron McCracken.
Keeping in Touch with Northland September 2021
Well I’m sitting here wondering what I’m going to write about! Covid has certainly put a stop to life as we knew it! So when we do get back to normal I can see there will be installations and degree work to compress into the months before the Christmas break.
For those waiting for 1st Degrees it is important to get them done even if it means applying for extra meetings making sure you don’t clash with other Lodges. Unfortunately there will be no calendar this month until we know when we can meet again. My advice is that when we get to Level 2 we should be able to resume meetings-- remembering Covid protocols—and Installations and Degree work when we return to Level 1.
In the meantime be kind and look after one another.
Obituaries
W.Bro Stan Bartlet RH PM Parahaki PM
W.Bro Ken Notton PGL PM Maungakiekie Auckland,
PM Parahaki, PM Okara Day Light
W.Bro Peter Faber PM Parahaki, PM Okara Day Light
Bro Cameron Goldie Hatea
Yours Fraternally VW.Bro Ron McCracken
Keeping in Touch with Northland August 2021
The months seem to be getting busier or I’m getting older, but I do know that my memory is not as good as it once was! It is pleasing to see so many visitors at our meetings especially the newer members—we had 3 entered apprentices visiting at Hatea for Bro Walden Bawayan 1st Deg. Making 4 in total. It is pleasing to see so many names coming up for initiation. Keep this up and some of us older ones will be able to take a back seat! I encourage the brethren to continue to visit for degree work—who knows you may make a new friend for life. I congratulate W.Bro Peter Young for doing the great meal at his own installation—well done Peter!
Reminder—District Project----Fundraising Concert for Northland Special Olympics Team Sunday Aug 22nd 1.30—4.30pm at Kamo Club $15 ticket available from Bryan Wiig Tickets is selling fast
Upcoming Events
5th Aug Parahaki Installation of W.Bro Peter Cains
6th Aug Hikurangi 2nd Deg Bro Levi Lucas
8th Aug Whangarei Soup Kitchen more info contact W.Bro Harry Gray
9th Aug Whangarei 50 years Badge Bro Graeme Whiteman -- GL Visit
13th Aug Okara 2nd Deg Bro John Caldwell
19th Aug Wellsford-Marsden 1st Deg Mr Richard Balainey
22nd Aug Dist Project Special Olympics Concert
24th Aug Hatea Installation of Bro Joe Cross
Yours Fraternally VW.Bro Ron McCracken
Keeping in Touch with Northland July 2021
Well that’s half a year gone! During June we had Gilbert Hawkins installed as Master of Wellsford--Marsden; a 60 year Bar for Bro Pete Johns at Whangarei; and a 50 year Jewel for Ian Cook from Kaikohe who now lives in Napier. Hugh and Lynne Chamberlain took Bev and I down there and I had much pleasure in presenting this to him. His wife doesn’t have the best of health but they made us all very welcome and I must admit it was a nice 5 day break
We have had a request from Special Olympics Whangarei for $800 to sponsor their Country and Western fundraising afternoon to be held on Sunday 22nd August 1.30—4.30pm at the Kamo Club. This will pay for the entertainment . Money raised will go towards expenses of sending a Northland Team (adults and children) to the National Special Olympics to be held in Hamilton in December. Northland District have agreed to do this. Tickets for this are $15 If interested please contact RT.W.Bro Bryan Wiig 09 4372840 and he will make a block booking.
Upcoming Events
12th July Whangarei 3rd Deg Bro Ray Anderson
27th July Hatea 1st Deg Mr Walden Bawayan
28th July Kaikohe-Ohaeawai Installation of W.Bro Peter Young
Please try to visit these Lodges doing Degree work for a better impression on the candidate.
Yours Fraternally VW Bro Ron McCracken
Keeping in touch with Northland June 2021
Keeping in Touch with Northland June 2021
Another month gone already!
We had a very successful installation of Bro George Swanepoel conducted by Counties-Hauraki District in the capable hands of Paul Chappel and his team. 130 Freemasons and ladies sat down to dinner afterwards. The Ladies were entertained during the meeting with a Whangarei harbour cruise.
I attended a very interesting Northland Pest Control Wananga (Education) Day with NRC and Kiwi Coast –our project. There were several very interesting and informative speakers and demonstrations. The Freemasons were mentioned on numerous occasions. We are certainly getting known for our support in the region and with our stage 2 ready to go it will only get better.
Upcoming Events
3rd June Parahaki 1st Deg Ashton Dunn
14th June Whangarei 60yr Badge for Bro Pete Johns
Official GL Visit
17th June Wellsford Marsden Installation of WBro Gilbert Hawkins Brethren Only
26th June Mangonui –Business Meeting & Social at Kerikeri—I would encourage those that can to attend as there will be a good guest speaker—more info to come.
28th June Hatea 3rd Deg for Jade Bryers which was postponed due to an op for a rugby injury
Yours Fraternally VW Bro Ron McCracken
