Freemason clears the air on brotherhood

Arawa Lodge Freemason Charlie Windell prepares for his installation as Lodge Master. PHOTO: STEPHEN PARKER

The ancient brotherhood of Freemasons receives plenty of bad press from time to time over its erroneously "secretive" nature.

So who better to lead the local lodge, and help demystify the traditions to set the record straight, than a near two-metre tall gregarious American who holds no secrets.

Rotorua businessman and Freemason Charlie Windell will soon be installed as Master of the Lodge Arawa 406 at a special ceremony next week.
He replaces past Lodge Master Jeff Schofield, who vacates the position after one year. The Lodge Master holds a similar role in the Freemasons as a club president, or chairman, says Charlie.
He has been a Freemason for the past 11 years, carrying on a family tradition upheld by both his grandfather, father and brother back in North Carolina.

He wears his grandfather's Freemason ring and will use his father's Freemason Bible to take the "obligation", or installation oath, at the Rotorua Masonic Lodge on July 12.

The three-hour ceremony will be attended by up to 100 Freemasons, in traditional regalia, from various lodges in the upper North Island.

"I always intended to join but I was never living in one place long enough to take advantage of membership," he says.

Charlie makes no qualms that the group have been victims of misinformation and are on a drive to encourage more members - specifically "men of high moral standards".

"Membership has stagnated somewhat between generations and we are working to bring the organisation into the 21st century, with more openness about what we do.

"The Lodge Arawa is in pretty good stead with 50 members, and we are working hard to dispel the myths that Freemasonry is a secret society meeting behind closed doors.

"All organisations have secrets - some have lasted for more generations than others," he says.

The centuries-old movement is not a cult or a sect, he says.

"It is the oldest fraternal organisation in the world, it is non-denominational and non-political."

Charlie says the attraction of the organisation is that it helps with making new friendships and keeping up high standards.

"We abide by the saying that it makes good men better men.

"We not a bunch of freaks, or a cult, just a bunch of men who have high moral values."

Wives and partners, while not directly involved in the installation, will join the celebratory dinner following the ceremony, he says.