On this day …
On Friday, in the afternoon, at Masonic Memorial Centre, Brisbane City, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM attended the 2025 United Grand Lodge of Queensland Grand Installation Civic Reception, and the Governor addressed guests.
Grand Master, United Grand Lodge of Queensland, Most Worshipful Brother Jeffery Harper AFSM; Deputy Grand Master and Grand Master Elect, Right Worshipful Brother David Gray; Senior representatives of Freemasons Queensland and leaders of the Masonic Charitable Foundations; Masons; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.
I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this afternoon.
I am honoured to attend this welcome reception in your home on the eve of the installation of your new Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, a significant occasion on the Masonic calendar.
Tomorrow’s ceremony will unite representatives of the brethren from across Queensland, together with visiting Grand Masters from Australia and New Zealand, for the formal investiture of the incoming Grand Master. This is a key milestone for Freemasonry in this State and one that rightly attracts great attention and ceremony.
The ceremony is supported by a full weekend program of social events for Masons and their partners. These activities serve a defined purpose: to reinforce unity, renew fellowship, and acknowledge Freemasonry’s enduring contribution to communities throughout Queensland.
While Freemasonry is an international movement, each individual Masonic Lodge contributes to its local area through a range of community services, as well as charitable and philanthropic activities.
Freemasons build meaningful interconnections and enduring networks in their communities and help break down social isolation. In doing so, each member is contributing to the building of social capital, which helps strengthen and enhance their local communities.
I want to acknowledge the many thousands of Masons in Queensland for their dedication to both personal improvement and to serving local communities. And I thank everyone involved in the two key Masonic Charitable Foundations, Hand, Heart Pocket and Aeguim, for the good work they and others do in responding to needs in our communities.
Returning now to tomorrow’s change of leadership––the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland has a vital role to play in providing guidance and support to local Lodges.
I express my sincere thanks to Grand Master Jeffery Harper for his dedicated service during his term in office. I wish you well as you conclude this important chapter.
I also congratulate Grand Master-elect David Gray, who tomorrow will formally assume the role — with all the privilege and responsibility it entails. Mr Gray, I wish you every success as you undertake your duties.
As Joint Patrons of Brisbane Open House, my husband Graeme and I are delighted that this recently renovated Masonic Memorial Centre will once again open its doors to the public later this month.
The Centre remains one of the most visited sites in the program, and I understand that efforts are underway to open the building to the public more frequently.
In closing, thank you for hosting this welcome reception and celebration. I hope you enjoy the coming days of fellowship and shared purpose.
With your ongoing commitment, the spirit of Freemasonry will not only endure, but thrive.
