Valedictory Address: -W Bro DP Lyons - 18 March 2026.
I am in the somewhat unusual position of giving my Valedictory Address at the end of my year as Master, shortly to be followed by my Inaugural Address after my installation as Master for a further year.
They are two quite separate addresses, and so I will begin this address by looking back at my plans in March 2025.
Inaugural Address - W Bro DP Lyons - 18 March 2026.
Although I have served as Master before, this term presents a distinct opportunity. The pan-constitutional nature of the Lodge, and its focus on the pursuit and dissemination of Masonic knowledge, rather than ritual work, makes this a unique and rewarding responsibility.
In closing, I wish to reflect on a principle that continues to guide my approach to leadership: Laboramus Non Nobis; we labour not for ourselves.
The role of Master is not one of personal distinction, but of service to the Brethren, ensuring that the Lodge is handed on to our successors in at least as strong a condition as it was received.
THE THREE GREAT EMBLEMATICAL LIGHTS - POSITIONING THEREOF - Bro N A Adams.
The three great emblematical lights in Freemasonry are The Volume of the Sacred Law, the Square, and the Compasses.
It is the positioning of these tools that primarily stirred my interest, as I have noticed that some Lodges position them with the points down the page, whereas others position them with the points up the page.
There are three variations that are in practice in New Zealand.
These are:
1. Volume of the Sacred Law placed on the Worshipful Master’s pedestal.
2. Volume of the Sacred Law placed on a pedestal on the tessellated pavement (none on Worshipful Master’s pedestal.)
3. Two Volumes of the Sacred Law – one placed on both the Worshipful Master’s pedestal, and one on the pedestal on the tessellated pavement.
Title
2026 – Volume 30 – No 7 - Obituary - W Bro Ian Duncan McLean PM - Valedictory Address -W Bro D P Lyons - 18 March 2026.
