GRAND LODGE
of ANTIENT, FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS of
SOUTH AUSTRALIA and the NORTHERN TERRITORY

 Freemasonry in South Australia and Northern Territory

 
APPEALS

Freemasons Tsunami Appeal                Bushfire Relief Appeal

 
 
SEAT BELTS ON SCHOOL BUSES
2006
This Appeal for funds was conducted in the latter half of 2006. 
For further information please see the webste of The Freemasons Foundation.

FREEMASONS NATIONAL TSUNAMI APPEAL
2005

Following the disastrous tsunami which struck different parts the Asian shores of the Indian Ocean in late 2004, and after discussion with other Grand Lodges in the region, on 10 January 2005 the Grand Master of South Australia and Northern Territory announced a National Appeal for relief funds.  He asked that "all members of our fraternity join together and contribute substantially towards the rehabilitation of those affected, particularly focusing on children, who have suffered due to this disaster." 

The Freemasons of South Australia and Northern Territory raised about $73,000 towards the Appeal, which was conducted at the same time as the Bushfire Appeal. 

In August 2005 the sum of $450,000 was presented by the Freemasons of Australia and New Zealand to help build a $750,000 orphanage and vocational training centre in Sri Lanka operated by the Catholic order of the Salesians of Don Bosco.  Some 600 orphans left homeless by the tsunami will be housed in the project, which will also leave a long term legacy of education and care for the residents of Elpitiya, on Sri Lanka's SW coast.   In working with the Salesian  Brothers, there are no overheads or administration charges.  Australian Freemasons worked with the Salesians previously on the "Working Tools for Timor" Project.

The Freemasons Foundation which is a registered deductible gift recipient charity registered by the Australian Taxation Office ran the Appeal. 

Donations over $2.00 made to The Freemasons Foundation Inc. for this Appeal received a tax benefit.

A Media Release about the Freemasons National Tsunami Appeal was issued 13 August 2005
and may be downloaded in pdf format by CLICKING HERE ....

BUSHFIRE  RELIEF  APPEAL
2005

Following the disastrous bushfires in Eyre Peninsula on 11 January 2005 The Freemasons Foundation  organised a Bushfire Relief Appeal.

More than $80,000 was raised towards this appeal, with contributions coming from Freemasons and Lodges around Australia.

Freemasons from the two local lodges - Port Lincoln Lodge No.45 and Lodge Sirius No.133 - worked together to decide how funds raised could best benefit their communities.  In partnership with the Country Fire Service the recommended project was for ten 20,000 gallon water tanks to be erected in strategic locations across lower Eyre Peninsula for fire fighting purposes.  One of the great dilemmas arising out of the  bushfire was the agonising delay experienced when fire trucks had to leave the scene of the fire to replenish their water supply.  This project has significant and practical benefit.


UPDATE - February 2006: 

The water tanks were officially commissioned by the Grand Master on 19 March 2006


Note: news from Eyre Peninsula may be read on an external site at  http://eyre-peninsula-news.newslib.com/
http://www.freemasonrysaust.org.au/appeal.html
[Page hit counter]
Counter added 31 March 2005