About Us

Objects of the Masonic Fund of Benevolence

To raise moneys from the members of the Masonic Fraternity in Queensland to provide relief from poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, destitution, helplessness or other need to members of the Masonic Fraternity, their immediate families, including wives, partners, widows and orphans, particularly to those masons who are aged, disadvantaged, or disabled and to children and those who are u able to properly care for themselves which includes provision of financial assistance for the advancement of education.
Provide such relief which shall be available directly to those in need and without discrimination which Masonic Fund of Benevolence aims to benefit
To undertake and carry out any benevolent act, matter or thing in furtherance of any or all of the above objectives.
To carry out without purpose or pecuniary gain for particular persons
To establish independent and charitable entities for the raising of funds consistent with these stated objects.

History

Benevolence has always been in a Freemasons Heart, and in Queensland we have our beginnings around 1859, when Queensland was proclaimed a State of Australia. It was also the time of the inaugural Meeting of “North Australia Lodge”, held on 13th July 1859, in the Lodge room of the Freemasons Hotel, Albert Street, Brisbane, at the hour of High Twelve.

On the 12th July 1897, whilst returning from an Installation at North Pine Lodge, at Petrie, a number of members from The Stanley Lodge, 680 SC, were returning by horse drawn tram to the city, when one of the members fell from the tram, hit his head on the roadway, and the wheels of the tram ran over his body, at Bowen Bridge Road, in proximity to the Brisbane Hospital. He was placed back into the tram and rushed to the hospital, but did not survive.

1893 Omnibus coming down Queen Street

He left a wife and seven children unprovided for. Five pounds was immediately granted from the lodge General Account and fifteen dollars from the Benevolent fund. A subscription list was circulated, and at the funeral service, there were 14 members and 81 visitors attending. A Crawford Relief Fund was established and comprised 33 EC, 37 SC, and 15 IC as well as individual donations totaled six hundred and two pounds, seventeen and eightpence. This paid for the following three hundred and one pound six shillings for a block of land. a piano, as she was a piano teacher. The donations paid for the erection of a dwelling house, blinds, floor coverings, funeral expenses, insurance, registration and stamp duty, and a cash grant of thirty pounds was made.

A balance of one hundred and eighty-nine pounds, thirteen shillings and one-pence was invested to pay for rates and taxes for five years, after which the older children would be able to assist when employed.

Since this, Freemasons in Queensland have raised funds to assist during fire, flood, storm and other natural disasters, and in aiding Brethren who fell into Necessitous Circumstances. Lodges had Charity Boxes, made from Native timbers, and you can visit the Library in Ann Street to see these original collection boxes. This tradition continues today, with Charity Collection in your lodges, being undertaken at the Second Time of Asking in Lodges.

What we do

Masonic Fund of Benevolence has a link back to the Creation of the State of Queensland and the birth of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland. The Masonic Fund of Benevolence Board of Directors, are drawn from Freemasons of Queensland, or from outside Freemasons Queensland, where specific skills are not available within. The Masonic Fund of Benevolence Board reports to, the General Board of Directors, of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland.

Queensland Freemasons, Including PNG members, are eligible for appointment to the Board of Masonic Fund of Benevolence, by submission of an application from the United Grand Lodge of Queensland.
Board Members, volunteer their time to aid and assist the Membership of Queensland and PNG Freemasons, who find themselves in “Necessitous Circumstances”, or in need of “Rapid Relief from Natural Disaster.”

The Masonic Fund of Benevolence raises moneys from the sale of Charity Jewels, and sales of other merchandise, including Masonic Books, as well as receiving donations, and Bequests. We are not designated a “Charity” under the Charity Act (Cwth) and donations are not tax deductable.

We are a member organisation, and not a Public Fund, as is Hand Heart Pocket, which is a philanthropic trust for the General Public. As our Most Worshipful Grand Master, MW Bro Jeffrey Harper AFSM, says, Hand Heart Pocket is “outwardly looking” to benefit the public, and Masonic Fund of Benevolence, “inwardly looking”, to benefit Queensland Freemasons, and their immediate families.

The board is always looking for opportunities to talk about our history and receive donations from you, or your lodges, as Queensland Freemasons have done since 1869, and from which we assist our Brethren and immediate families in Brisbane today.

Add a Links to publications:
History of Board of Benevolence and Aged Masons Widows and Orphans fund, trading from 2019 as Masonic Fund of Benevolence etc

Leadership and team

RW Bro Jack Wolstencroft GTreas – Chairman

Jack is one of the five directors and currently Grand Treasurer of UGLQ and a member of the
General Board. He is also a past director of the Grand Lodge of SA&NT. Jack has fifty years’
experience as a Chartered Account, thirty years in Public Practice as a Partner with Deloitte
and the last twenty years as a Specialist Consultant to the Department of Defence. He was initiate on the 16 th April 1984 in the Alice Springs Lodge #156 in the SA&NT jurisdiction.

RW Bro Peter Troeger GDC – Director

Peter is one of five current directors of MFOB. He is currently Grand Director of UGLQ, is past a director of the General Board and a current director of Aegium. Peter has over forty four years’ experience in Information Technology, the last 33 specifically in the SAP space. Peter is a member of Viking Lodge and Moreton Lodge has been a member of the Craft for 17 years. Semi-retired, Peter spends his time between various hobbies, touch football and his family.

VW Bro John Woodford GDirMus – Director

VWB John Woodford is a current Director for the Masonic Fund of Benevolence, and has, over the last twelve months, has been the Grand Director of Music at UGLQ, implementing “Music on USB” to our lodge, and acting as musician for lodges without organists.
John, now retired, was a Project and Site Manager on Commercial and High Rise Construction, Refurbishment and was later, National Health and Safety Manager for Lend Lease.
He is currently the president of No-Boundaries Disability Services Inc, at Margate Queensland, and a Hand Heart Pocket Champion.
John is a member of Pine Rivers Lodge No 511 UGLQ and a Grand Officer of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland.

RW Bro Malcolm Cope DGDC – Director

Malcolm first joined Matthew Flinders Lodge No 414 in 1984 but soon found himself working and living in the country. This experience allowed him to become a member of some country lodges. Eventually he returned to Brisbane and became a member of Redcliffe First Settlement Lodge No 287 (his Mother Lodge had combined with other lodges on the Redcliffe peninsula to form RFS) and later, following his interest in research and education, Barron Barnett Lodge No 146. Malcolm’s passion for Freemasonry has led him to become a Grand Officer and a member of the Royal Arch, Antient and Accept Rite for Australia and the Royal Order of Scotland.

Bro Darin – Director

RW Bro Milan Pavasovic GSec – Company Secretary

VW Bro Edward (Ted) Faulkner - Grand Almoner

We also have the Grand Almoner, VW Bro Edward (Ted) Faulkner reporting to the board.

The Board is keen to enlist like-minded and charity focused Queensland Freemasons to come and join us in our activities. Contact Membership UGLQ to enquire about vacancies on the Board.

Necessitous Circumstances

Necessitous circumstances refer to situations where individuals or families face significant challenges that threaten their basic well-being. These circumstances may arise from financial hardship, lack of access to essential resources such as food, shelter, or medical care, or other unexpected crises that affect one’s ability to maintain a decent standard of living. The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is committed to providing compassionate support to those in these circumstances, offering timely assistance and resources to help alleviate the burden and improve their quality of life.

At MCF, we understand that life’s difficulties can emerge suddenly and without warning. Whether it’s due to unemployment, illness, a natural disaster, or other unforeseen events, MCF steps in to bridge the gap and ensure that those affected receive the support they need to regain stability and security.

Immediate Disaster Relief Program

The MFOB Board recently approved the introduction of an Immediate Disaster Relief Program, to enable immediate financial assistance to members and families affected by natural disasters, including fire, flood, cyclone, so immediate payment for essential needs like shelter, food, etc.

a) All applications for assistance must be submitted in the approved form.

b) Applications are considered and processed by MFOB Pty Ltd monthly or by exception on a necessitous need basis.

c) If the application is approved, all payments are electronically transferred soon after requisite approval has been given. A member of staff will contact you in regard to your application and if successful, request your bank account details.