As you will find a plethora of answers to this question on line, here is a quick overview, what it means be a freemason only time can teach you.
For more detailed information we recommend you read some of the answers provided by the Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT, links can be found by clicking here.
It comprises an estimated 5 Million member’s world wide with approximately 600 in the Australian Capital Territory. Freemasonry in its current form can traces its origins to the late 16th century and proudly preserves the traditions it has inherited from those times. These traditions make Freemasonry unique within the community.
Freemasonry offers men a principled way of life, a sense of belonging and of personal growth. The principles by which a Freemason is expected to conduct himself are based on:
- tolerance,
- equality,
- charity
- and honour.
Freemasons demonstrate these principles by:
- showing tolerance and respect for the opinions of others,
- behaving with kindness and understanding
- and practicing charity and care for their community.
Freemasonry teaches new members through ceremonies which utilize medieval stonemasonry tools as symbols to illustrate these principles.
Freemasonry recognizes the richness of all cultural beliefs and excludes no individual from membership on the basis of race or politics. Though Freemasons are required to profess a belief in a Supreme Being the specifics of a Freemasons belief are considered to be a personal matter.
Freemasons in the ACT actively participate in the community through a number of community service projects including:
- feeding the needy on Sunday evenings at the Griffin Centre, Civic
- offering assistance at the Pearce Masonic Homes on a Saturday Morning,
Freemasons look to help others through charitable organisations by raising money for various charities including:
- Masionicare
- Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes
- NSW Masonic Youth Welfare Fund
- William Thompson Masonic School Fund
- NSW Freemasons’ Orphans Society
- Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI)
- Disaster Relief Fund
