The educational ethos that Prince Alfred College engenders in the young men of this state continues well beyond their School years. The Prince Alfred Collegians’ Lodge is a Freemasons’ Lodge with a history over a century, making it the oldest School lodge in Australasia. Men of the Princes community join in a fraternity that not only promotes community service and charity, but also places a great deal of emphasis on the continuing self-development of the individual. The Lodge thus furthers the education of men of the Princes family throughout their adult life.
Our efforts to support the educational goals of the School include a Preparatory School Short Talk competition and a Senior School Scholarship. The latter was presented at the Old Scholars’ meeting of the Lodge held at the School on the Saturday of Old Boys’ Week.
The brethren of Prince Alfred Collegians’ Lodge have met regularly throughout the 2010-2011 Masonic Year. A characteristic of the Lodge fraternity is the range of ages, personalities and experiences of its brethren. We have old timers who can reminisce about times past, and their stories illustrate how Freemasonry has been a rich part of their life. Younger members check their calendars on their smart phones, swap stories about the last big night out and arrange Masonic activities via Facebook. Freemasonry is a great leveller – we all learn from each other, we gain support both spiritual and material from our brethren, and revel in each other’s company.
This year has seen the creation of a Lodge domain name and website (www.pac-lodge.org) which serves both the brethren and the general public with information about the Lodge and the activities of the brethren. We have even moved into social networking, with a PAC Lodge Page on Facebook.
Freemasons’ Lodge meetings are deeply infused with ritual and ceremony, highly allegorical and filled with wisdom. The Prince Alfred Collegians’ Lodge prides itself on the quality of its ceremonies, and teaches its brethren to reflect on the deeper meanings behind them. There is a rise of interest in Freemasonry among younger men in general, reflecting a greater emphasis and importance that young men place on matters spiritual. The PAC Lodge provides a supportive environment for Princes men to develop a greater sense of meaning and purpose.
Prince Alfred Collegians’ Lodge enjoys an extensive fellowship with other Lodges. Groups from PAC Lodge visit other Lodges, and vice versa, and this practice greatly enhances the bonds of friendship and encourages networking across a wide spectrum of our society.
One of the highlights of the year was a combined meeting with brethren from Hyde Park-Bankers and Milton Lodges, with some of the brethren from our Lodge contributing to the ceremony.
Another highlight was the Old Scholars’ meeting held at the School on the Saturday of Old Boys’ Week. As has been the custom for a number of years, this was a past master’s meeting involving old scholar past masters from other lodges, mainly from rural South Australia. Unfortunately we do not have a good register of old scholar Freemasons and we would encourage all such individuals to provide contact details so that we can advise them of our activities. As is usual the festive board on this occasion included toasts to the School and the Old Scholars’ Association.
This year, we hosted a meeting where Saints Old Scholars occupied the officers’ chairs for the ceremonial proceedings in commemoration of St. Peters Collegiate Lodge, which had ceased to function a little over 25 years ago.
Many old boys of the School hail from the country, and PAC Lodge has for many years maintained a close bond with old scholar Freemasons in rural areas. Most significantly, our Lodge has a Twinning arrangement with Union Lodge at Kadina. In October, a group of our brethren travelled to Kadina to join our brethren there in their regular Lodge meeting.
Ian Wride, a diligent hardworking member of our lodge has left Adelaide to live in Burra. The Lodge shall miss his enthusiasm and fellowship. Trevor Shepherd has been appointed as a District Grand Superintendent, and Murray Olsson continues his work in the Masonic Museum as well as for the Freemasons Foundation. Bruce Standen was conferred the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer by the Grand Lodge in recognition to his services to Freemasonry over many years. Peter Broadbent was awarded the Grand Master’s Order of Service for his long service over three decades as Lodge Secretary.
One of the practical aspects of brotherhood is charity. This is supported by contributions made by brethren as well as fund raising activities, most notably by regular film nights. The latter, run ably by Murray Olsson, raises a significant sum of money which goes to support the Freemasons Foundation.
The last meeting of the Masonic Year was, as is customary, for the outgoing Master to install the new Master for the new Masonic Year. Thus the Lodge continues its proud history, serving the Princes community in particular and the wider community in general. All members of the Princes family are encouraged to visit our website.
