Possibly the most talked about number in  freemasonry.

Recte et Fideliter

We sat down with about 10 young(ish) active Freemasons and listened to what they had to say about being a Freemason and what it means to them.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                 29 April 2013

Local Freemasons host Dining in the Dark dinner

Have you ever wondered how challenging life would be if you were blind?

Ipswich residents will have the chance to find out at a ‘Dining in the Dark’ dinner organised by local Freemasons to raise money for Guide Dogs Queensland.

Guests will be blindfolded during the two-course dinner at the Jets Rugby League Club on Saturday, May 18 to give diners a taste of what it’s like to be vision impaired.

Local Freemason from the United Tradesmen’s Lodge, Ian Brown, said the aim of the event was to raise much-needed funds and increase awareness about the important work of Guide Dogs Queensland.

“While helping out a good cause, guests will also have lots of fun at this very unique dining experience,” he said. “On arrival people will be provided with blindfolds and escorted to their seats.

“Everyone will then eat their meal in complete darkness, which I imagine will be quite a challenging experience.”

Ipswich Freemason Stephen Palmer said the idea for the Dining in the Dark dinner was suggested by his father during a recent visit from the U.K.

“My father recently held a similar event in the U.K to raise money for the Guide Dogs organisation  over there, so we thought why not give it a go here in Ipswich,” he said.

“As my stepmother is blind we understand how significant and life changing the Guide Dogs service is.”

Guide Dogs Queensland CEO, Chris Laine, said the Dining in the Dark concept was new to Queensland and a great way to raise awareness about what people with low or no vision experience in their everyday lives.

“It was a fantastic idea for the Freemasons to hold this fundraiser and I’d like to encourage Ipswich people to lend their support by attending this event,” she said.

“We provide our Guide Dog services for free and only receive seven per cent government funding for some of the rehabilitation services we provide, so we rely heavily on the generosity of the community to fund our vital work for Queenslanders.

“I’d like to thank the Freemasons for their ongoing support of Guide Dogs Queensland and I hope this Dining in the Dark experience may be adopted by other lodges around the state to help us raise funding and awareness in the community.”

Money will be raised through dinner ticket sales, as well as raffles and auctions on the night. There will be some great prizes up for grabs including two helicopter flights, a gym membership and gift vouchers for local restaurants.

Media are welcome to attend the Dining in the Dark event. Details are as follows:

TIME:                6.30pm for a 7pm start
DATE:               Saturday, May 18, 2013
LOCATION:     Jets Rugby League Club, 15 Downs Street, Ipswich North
TICKETS:         $25 per head. To book phone Ian Brown on 0431 034 852 or Stephen Palmer on                            0414 078 909
PHOTO OPP:   Blindfolded guests attending the Dining in the Dark dinner   
INTERVIEWS: Local Freemasons Ian Brown and Stephen Palmer will be available for interview.

A Guide Dogs Queensland spokesperson will also be at the dinner.
Freemasonry was founded on the principle of universal charity and has a proud history of assisting those in need. In 2011 the Grand Master’s flood and cyclone appeal raised $1 million for 34 community groups across the state.

For media inquiries contact:

Michelle Cull

Big Splash Communications

P: 07 3395 0772         M: 0488 209 071        E: michelle@bigsplash.net.au

Recte et Fideliter

We sat down with about 10 young(ish) active Freemasons and listened to what they had to say about being a Freemason and what it means to them.

As told to WorBro Stig Hokanson of Thespian Lodge, this is another UGLQ Hero’s story and is our salute to the many Freemasons like him in Queensland, and to all  Australian Defence Force  personnel who have served, and continue to serve, Australia.

UGLQ will commemorate ANZAC Day with many services in Lodges right across the State, including the Lodge Commemorations on ANZAC morning at 9 am at the Urn of Remembrance in the Masonic Memorial Centre at 311 Ann Street, Brisbane, followed by a March to the Shrine of Remembrance where the MW Grand Master Adrian Burton will lay a wreath on behalf of the Freemasons of Queensland. On ANZAC evening the AIF Memorial Lodge will conduct the annual ANZAC Memorial Service , which is open to the public, in Grand Hall from 7 pm.

Lest We Forget

On Monday 22 April, the MW Grand Master Adrian Burton and Grand Officer Team will attend the ANZAC Commemoration Service conducted by Broadwater Surfers Paradise Lodge at the Southport Masonic Centre.

On Wednesday 24 April, N Morris PDGM and Grand Team will attend the ANZAC Commemoration Service for the Combined Sunshine Coast Districts at the Nambour Masonic Centre hosted by Maroochy Lodge, Yandina; A Townson PAGM and Grand Team will attend the ANZAC Service conducted by Mulgrave Lodge at the Bundaberg Masonic Centre.

On ANZAC DAY Thursday 25 April, the MW Grand Master, DGM and AGM, Grand Officers and UGLQ Lodge Representatives will attend the ANZAC Day Commemoration Service and Wreath Laying at the Urn of Remembrance in the Masonic Memorial Centre, 311 Ann Street Brisbane at 9 am, followed by the March to the Shrine of Remembrance at ANZAC Square where the MW Grand Master will lay a wreath on behalf of the Freemasons of Queensland. At night the MW Grand Master, DGM, AGM and Grand Officer Team will attend the AIF Memorial Lodge’s ANZAC Service in Grand Hall at the Masonic Memorial Centre commencing at 7 pm. Yeppoon Lodge will also hold an ANZAC DAY Service which will be attended by P de Merlo AGSWks and Team.

On Friday 26 April, J Menzies PGM and Grand Team will attend the Installation Ceremony of Central Queensland Daylight Lodge at the Rockhampton Masonic Centre.

Lest We Forget