- Jun 10, 2008
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You might be interested in a letter I recent wrote ...
The Most Worshipful, the Grand Master
I am appalled at what I read in the recent publication of the proceedings of the September 2010 Quarterly communications. I am referring to the comments made by the Grand Treasurer on page six and seven of those proceedings as appearing in the recent edition of The Queensland Freemason.
Without any foundation the Grand Treasurer has labelled members of Cooroora Lodge with ‘a despicable act of betrayal to the brotherhood’. His comments could only have been made with the knowledge, and indeed, the support of yourself and Grand Lodge.
To direct the words ‘despicable act of betrayal’ at anyone other than someone charged and found guilty of an act of treason is an act of emotional and psychological violence that cannot be otherwise justified or defended. For too long Grand Lodge has hidden behind the facade of never speaking ill of any Brother to attack and belittle those who happen to question the puissant power of the Anne Street echelon. The virtue of silence has been a convenient and effective camouflage to expedite the vitriol that has emanated from Grand Lodge without fearing any avenue of redress. In this respect, the cruel and bitter criticism directed at otherwise well respected Brethren is akin to the scourge of domestic violence which has also hitherto hidden behind a wall of silence.

It is time speak out.
As a serving member of Cooroora Lodge, where I had the pleasure to sit with my father, I am aware and bear witness to the proceedings in closing the lodge. To brand our collective decision as you have born witness thereto is both tragic as it is unconscionable. The procedure that the Brethren followed was in line with Masonic principles and practice.
The ensuing course of conducted persued by Grand Lodge has led to the expelling of two members who have done nothing morally, ethically or criminally questionable. Another member has been emotionally and psychological scarred by the experience.
In the process of pursuing particular members my personal communication to Grand Lodge has been appropriated and used as evidence in a court case against honourable men for no good purpose other than to cause personal anguish and unnecessary legal expenses. The only reason I was alerted to the actions of Grand Lodge was when my name, to my complete surprise, appeared in a newspaper report. That a private communication should find its way into the public domain to be used in this cavalier fashion has caused personal anguish and distress, a point I made to the Grand Secretary personally for which, incidentally, I have never received an apology.
To carry such motion as moved by the Grand Treasurer against Cooroora Lodge members is not only ethically questionable but totally destroys ... calls for harmony within the Brotherhood. Furthermore, to attempt to justify the ‘grab for cash’ mentality of Grand Lodge by appealing to scripture for biblical support likewise demonstrates a peculiar manipulation of those texts to validate behaviour which is otherwise unsupported, and indeed condemned, by those very texts to which such appeal has been made.
To besmirch my father’s name, along with others, demonstrates the complete lack of those Masonic ideals of which you at length illustrate ...
That we as members of the Grand Lodge only pursue the highest and the best.
That each and every one of us sets the highest standards of morality and virtue, and that we constantly guide our conversations and even our very thoughts within the compass of propriety.
... and demonstrates the hollowness and insincerity with which you apply those ideals.
Living with the events that unfolded leading up to and surrounding the closing of Cooroora Lodge has not been easy. I have endeavoured to justify and ameliorated the actions of Grand Lodge by remaining silent. But by remaining silent I now realize does nothing but serve the interest of those who use emotional and psychological bullying as a way of getting their own way.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. (Martin Luther King Jr. (1928 - 1968).
It is time to speak out against the silence that allows the cycle of cruelty and abuse to continue and flourish. Enough is enough. It has to stop - it will stop - but only when the tyranny of silence is broken.
My own integrity cannot allow me to belong to an organization that is so hypocritical of its own ritual and principles. I therefore resign forthwith from the United Grand Lodge of Queensland.
The Most Worshipful, the Grand Master
I am appalled at what I read in the recent publication of the proceedings of the September 2010 Quarterly communications. I am referring to the comments made by the Grand Treasurer on page six and seven of those proceedings as appearing in the recent edition of The Queensland Freemason.
Without any foundation the Grand Treasurer has labelled members of Cooroora Lodge with ‘a despicable act of betrayal to the brotherhood’. His comments could only have been made with the knowledge, and indeed, the support of yourself and Grand Lodge.
To direct the words ‘despicable act of betrayal’ at anyone other than someone charged and found guilty of an act of treason is an act of emotional and psychological violence that cannot be otherwise justified or defended. For too long Grand Lodge has hidden behind the facade of never speaking ill of any Brother to attack and belittle those who happen to question the puissant power of the Anne Street echelon. The virtue of silence has been a convenient and effective camouflage to expedite the vitriol that has emanated from Grand Lodge without fearing any avenue of redress. In this respect, the cruel and bitter criticism directed at otherwise well respected Brethren is akin to the scourge of domestic violence which has also hitherto hidden behind a wall of silence.

It is time speak out.
As a serving member of Cooroora Lodge, where I had the pleasure to sit with my father, I am aware and bear witness to the proceedings in closing the lodge. To brand our collective decision as you have born witness thereto is both tragic as it is unconscionable. The procedure that the Brethren followed was in line with Masonic principles and practice.
The ensuing course of conducted persued by Grand Lodge has led to the expelling of two members who have done nothing morally, ethically or criminally questionable. Another member has been emotionally and psychological scarred by the experience.
In the process of pursuing particular members my personal communication to Grand Lodge has been appropriated and used as evidence in a court case against honourable men for no good purpose other than to cause personal anguish and unnecessary legal expenses. The only reason I was alerted to the actions of Grand Lodge was when my name, to my complete surprise, appeared in a newspaper report. That a private communication should find its way into the public domain to be used in this cavalier fashion has caused personal anguish and distress, a point I made to the Grand Secretary personally for which, incidentally, I have never received an apology.
To carry such motion as moved by the Grand Treasurer against Cooroora Lodge members is not only ethically questionable but totally destroys ... calls for harmony within the Brotherhood. Furthermore, to attempt to justify the ‘grab for cash’ mentality of Grand Lodge by appealing to scripture for biblical support likewise demonstrates a peculiar manipulation of those texts to validate behaviour which is otherwise unsupported, and indeed condemned, by those very texts to which such appeal has been made.
To besmirch my father’s name, along with others, demonstrates the complete lack of those Masonic ideals of which you at length illustrate ...
That we as members of the Grand Lodge only pursue the highest and the best.
That each and every one of us sets the highest standards of morality and virtue, and that we constantly guide our conversations and even our very thoughts within the compass of propriety.
... and demonstrates the hollowness and insincerity with which you apply those ideals.
Living with the events that unfolded leading up to and surrounding the closing of Cooroora Lodge has not been easy. I have endeavoured to justify and ameliorated the actions of Grand Lodge by remaining silent. But by remaining silent I now realize does nothing but serve the interest of those who use emotional and psychological bullying as a way of getting their own way.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. (Martin Luther King Jr. (1928 - 1968).
It is time to speak out against the silence that allows the cycle of cruelty and abuse to continue and flourish. Enough is enough. It has to stop - it will stop - but only when the tyranny of silence is broken.
My own integrity cannot allow me to belong to an organization that is so hypocritical of its own ritual and principles. I therefore resign forthwith from the United Grand Lodge of Queensland.