22.06.2007 – The Freemasons of the Murray have donated almost $10,000 to the community in a special presentation held at Albury Base Hospital on Thursday 28 June.

The donation of $9,800 is made up of four separate grants to community initiatives in the local area.

The first grant is of $5,000, to be allocated to Albury Base Hospital’s Chaplaincy program, which provides a team of ecumenical visitors that are available to listen to patients’ concerns. The program is designed to improve patients’ comfort whilst in hospital by listening to their needs and providing suitable referrals where appropriate. The funding will be used to purchase computer equipment that will improve the program’s training functions and administration.

Reverend Libby Gilchrist, co-ordinator of the Chaplaincy program, said, “In a busy hospital nursing staff can often be overworked and stressed. The purpose behind this Chaplaincy program is to fill this gap and listen to the needs of patients – not preach or try to convert them”.

She thanked the Freemasons for their generosity saying, “Thank you so much to the Freemasons of Albury for nominating this program for funding. It’s a big pat on the back for what we are trying to achieve.”

The $5,000 grant was provided by masoniCare, the official charity of NSW and ACT Freemasons. The donation is part of the Regional Grants program which funds 26 local community programs across the state and territory each year. Local Masonic groups are given the opportunity to nominate suitable organisations to receive grants.

The second donation is a Young Achiever Award of $2,000 to Dianne Prince, a local vocalist and musician who has performed with success both locally and nationally. Dianne has done a considerable amount of volunteer performances at local community events including Carols by Candlelight and Anzac Day Services.

Dianne expressed her thanks to Albury Freemasons for nominating her for this award. She plans to use the $2,000 to fund further tuition at a Canterbury Cathedral Choristers Course in the United Kingdom.

The Young Achiever program is also funded by masoniCare and presents awards to 13 young people across NSW and ACT that have made significant contributions to their communities. Recipients are nominated by the Masonic community.  
Gondwana Voices, a choir group, will receive a grant of $1,800 to cover travel costs for one of its members, Matthew Winnel, to participate in a one month international tour which culminates in the BBC Proms, a classical music festival held in the United Kingdom.

The donation of $1,800 was raised by Lodge Farrer who contributed $1,300 to the project, through fundraising conducted by its members. masoniCare then made a $500 contribution through the interACTION Grants program which is designed to assist Lodges in raising money for charity.

Sarah Winnel will accept the donation on behalf of Gondwana Voices at the ceremony on Thursday 28 June.

A donation of $1,000 has also been made to the Rural Clinical School at Albury, which provides training and education for doctors in a rural/regional setting. The donation is made up of $500 which was raised by members of the local Combermere Lodge and another contribution of $500 from masoniCare.

The funding will provide a digital camera to be used in training programs for medical students of the University of New South Wales Rural School who are studying in the Albury Wodonga region. The overall objective of the program is to encourage young students to consider practising as either general practitioners or specialists in country areas where they are desperately needed.

Dr Peter Vine, Campus Co-ordinator, UNSW, who will accept the cheque at Thursday’s presentation, made the following statement, “The Rural Clinical School is delighted to have the support of local organisations such as the Freemasons. This donation will indicate to students the generosity and support of community organisations and also aid the development of their skills in treating patients.”

Ian Alexander, the Regional Manager for the Freemasons in the Murray area, congratulated the efforts of the local members for their efforts in securing funding for these grants. He said, “To make a presentation like this is a fantastic example of what Freemasonry is about, helping others and making the community a better place.”

He added, “Being a Freemason is rewarding as you are given the opportunity to make a difference. Well done to all of the members that assisted in making these grants a reality.”