29 January 2021
Hello Brethren,
I wish to address you on a very serious matter.
Bullying is never acceptable in society, and it certainly has no place at Freemasons Victoria. We advertise ourselves as the best principled men, so we must demonstrate that we really mean it.
As your Grand Master, I have a solemn responsibility to every member to ensure a healthy and safe environment.
Freemasons Victoria is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful place where all voices are heard, where claims are investigated, and where appropriate action is taken where necessary.
There have been a number of allegations of bullying. I am calling it out. Bullying cannot be allowed. It is totally against our principles of ‘brotherly love'. Our hard work towards change will mean nothing if we permit our Brothers to be hurt in any way.
I have asked our Grand Secretary, RWBro. Garry Runge, OAM, JP, to immediately organise an independent panel to investigate complaints. That Panel will make immediate and thorough inquiries.
Our Craft's solemn obligations demand that none of us can suffer any Brother to suffer harassment without interesting ourselves in the preservation of his name and character.
So Brethren, let me be perfectly clear. To ensure a process of natural justice, I am requesting that the Panel make their independent enquiries. I am authorising them, should they feel it necessary, to co-opt Masonic colleagues to join them to consider these serious complaints. I am authorising them to refer matters to the Grand Registrar, and to take all necessary legal advice. We cannot … we will not stand by, and witness bullying go on, unchallenged. It stops, right now.
None of us can allow the bullying of a Brother. With the responsibilities of the Board of General Purposes transferred to me temporarily at the moment, let me state that I will have no hesitation in taking firm disciplinary action against any Brother found to be guilty of bullying or harassment. Disciplinary options include their expulsion from our fraternity.
And let there be no mistake. Whilst the Ethics Centre Report calls on our Brotherhood to practise rapprochement – a forgiveness for past shortcomings – this does not mean our organisation will idly standby and allow good Brothers to be hurt.
I ask all Brethren across Victoria to support this drive to clean-up unacceptable behaviour from the handful who live in their delusional world. Bullying is an ongoing, repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm.
We are a whole lot better than that.
Our policy is Zero Tolerance of bullying.
Together, let us demonstrate the moral courage to call out the bullies. Their time is over.
I thank Brethren across Victoria for their support.
I'm Richard Elkington, goodbye.
