Opening up: Worshipfull Master Graham Berry and Senior Warden Mick Alexander at the Freemasons’ Geelong lodge.
By John Van Klaveren
The “installation” of a Freemasons lodge master will go public for the first time in Geelong next week.
The new Master of Geelong Lodge of Unity and Prudence, Mick Alexander, said the organisation would “reveal its secrets” as part of the ceremony.
He said the event would include the inaugural visit of Freemasons Victoria Grand Master Bob Jones to Geelong, the second oldest lodge in Victoria.
Mr Alexander said the public was invited to the event, including an explanation of the symbolism and practices of Freemasonry.
When not at the lodge, Mr Alexander is a financial advisor and mortgage broker.
Mr Alexander said a common perception of the men-only organisation as a secret society was exaggerated.
“My goal as master this year is to put Freemansonry on the same level as other service clubs, like Rotary or Lions.
“We’re no different to those organisations. We just do it a little more quietly.”
Mr Alexander said the 61-member Geelong lodge had donated $5500 to various local causes in the past year, including three year 12 scholarships.
He admitted the organisation was “starting behind the eight ball” in changing community perceptions.
Freemasonry was increasingly “intriguing” to young men, he said, with enquiries up from one or two a year to four or more.
“They’re looking for a social network where they can be themselves without expectations.
“We have no religious connotations, even though we borrow from the Bible.
“The Lodge initiated a member of the Islamic faith into the lodge recently and has now included the Koran as a volume of the lodge.”
The open installation of the master will be at the Regent St, Belmont, Masonic Centre from 4pm on June 9.
Mr Alexander asked anyone wanting more information to phone Graham Berry on 0419 403 651.
