Domenic Donato

Masonic Council Precis

My application to the Masonic Council details my experience, enthusiasm and vision for a more vibrant and proactive future for freemasonry in Victoria, Australia and beyond. I have been a member of the Masonic Council on an interim basis and an elected member for two and a half years during which I have assisted in the decision process to improve operation and direction of the craft.

The tools to attain these aims is through youth driven policies intermingled with the experience and knowledge of the older and venerable members of all Lodges. I have had 14 years experience as a Freemason during which, among other achievements, I have assisted in the reclassification of Reginal Districts in a journey of learning, progression and development of skill sets appropriate to Freemason rituals and culture of community spirit. I have immersed myself in all of these requirements that qualifies me to be a valuable member of the Masonic Council.

I freely offer to participate in inducting new members and also support members seeking promotion to higher positions. In the event a new member is successful in an application into Freemasons, I offer to them my belief that once inducted it should not be seen as an end game but as the first step in a journey. The path to this end is governed by their own efforts and involvement in a journey which starts with learning of the history of freemasonry, understanding its philosophy, symbolism and ceremonies.

I am most looking forward to utilising my skills and knowledge to assist newly inducted members, current members and also work with the Council to promote Freemasons to the wider community. The rebirth and expansion of freemasonry depends on the success of Council policies which I am prepared to help initiate and support.

My last 12 months as a Council member provided an understanding of the skills required to assist the current hard-working members. Assisting the Council with advocacy in the areas of membership growth with new ideas will be my initial focus. An area that demonstrates this is my achievements in creating a virtual lodge during the covid 19 lockdowns. This had enabled lodges to keep functional and vibrant.

The virtual lodge has been highly successful with increased membership to my lodge of 70 and a total of 291 virtual attendances. Those participating in the virtual lodge kept members and lodges functioning during covid 19 preventing complete lockdowns.

The virtual lodge has continued unabated and may be the template for expanding membership by outreach to a younger audience. By focusing on a young tech savvy generation freemasonry may achieve a rebirth and growth that will invigorate the membership in Australia but possibly worldwide.

Should I be accepted onto the Council I would explore the use of modern forms of communication while working hand in hand with current members. I am keen to develop and promote these ideas should my application be successful.

WBro. Domenic Alexander Donato PGstB, GLHer