Devotion Nobles

Two of Devotion's members, WM Damien and WBro Neil, were among 35 Melbourne Freemasons initiated or "fezzed" into The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (The Shriners) on Saturday 11th September 2010 at the Dallas Brooks Centre.

A Shrine Club has been in existence in Melbourne for some months and Damien and Neil joined in support and looking to aid the Shriners charitable efforts and for some of the fun for which the order is renowned. The Club is working under the auspices of the Aahmes Shriners of California. The organization is best-known in the States for the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the red fezzes that members wear.

Leading up to the Initiation, the group have been meeting at Gipps St where they will next meeting in early October.

The Aahmes Shriners Potentate, Jay Williams, accompanied by his Chief Rabban, Al Weisser and Al’s wife Sheri, flew from America especially for the ceremonial. The Potentate is the equivalent to a "Grand Master" while the Chief Rabban position has been described as " similar to the Chief Financial officer of a major corporation', with some similarities to the Deputy Grand Master and President of the Board of General Purposes in the Craft. Some of the leaders working beneath the Potentate are Chief Rabban, Assistant Rabban, High Priest and Prophet and Oriental Guide: "These positions traditionally move up each year and could be referred to as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Vice Presidents. Each position has definite duties to perform during their term."

Several Victorian Freemasons were already members of the Shrine and combined with those recently fezzed, Shriners Victoria now has 41 members. The next ceremonial is expected around March 2011 and the Club is actively seeking new members with the goal of growing to 300 members. This will allow Victorian Shriners to form their very own Shrine equivalent to a Grand Lodge.

Our MW Grand Master Vaughan Werner is the Club's patron and the UGLV Grand Secretary Barry Reaper addressed the Nobles after initiation.

The Club warmly invites members to contact the secretary to join them.

Terry Webster

Secretary

SHRINERS VICTORIA

Mobile: 0425-755-224

A/Hrs: 03-9772-0064

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