VISITING Masons from across New South Wales joined special guests in Moree on Saturday night to celebrate the installation of Lodge Courallie’s new Worshipful Master, Roman Modzelewski.

Guests included past Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW and ACT, Les Hicks, 94-year-old Right Worshipful Brother John Walker from Palm Beach, Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse, her husband Oscar, and deputy mayor Wayne Tighe.

Mr Modzelewski joined the Masonic movement at the Gold Coast in 2020. About three years ago, he and his wife, Renata, moved to Moree to retire.

“Taking this role means a lot to me, and is very special – I am the first Polish man in New South Wales to become a Worshipful Master,” Mr Modzelewski smiled.

“I’m fully retired now and Renata is semi-retired, and we came to this beautiful little town to enjoy everything Moree has to offer.”

Past Worshipful Master, Doug Hill, presented Mr Modzelewski with a special pendant symbolising the office of the elected leader of a Masonic Lodge.

“I wish Roman the best in his term as Worshipful Master of Lodge Courallie Moree,” Mr Hill said. “Roman will have the support of everyone to keep things moving along. I think he is going to be a great asset to Lodge Courallie for the next 12 months, or longer if he decides to extend his term for another year – he has that option,” he said.

Secretary Henry Trow explained the meaning behind Freemasonry and Saturday night’s installation dinner.

“This is similar to a change of office, and Roman has decided to take the chair, which has been agreed upon by all Lodge members,” Mr Trow said.

“Roman will be Worshipful Master for the next 12 months, or two years if he decides to go longer.

Lodge Courallie’s new Worshipful Master, Roman Modzelewski (left) with past Worshipful Master, Doug Hill, at Moree Masons’ installation dinner on Saturday.

“Freemasonry is an organisation where we have meetings once  a month at our lodge – gatherings where brethren come along – and we do a lot of charity work in the community and raise money for different organisations.

“We try and do as much as we can in the community and often, Freemasonry is the silent achiever.

“We go about our work quietly in the background. It comes from the heart and is not about personal gain, but about helping the community,” he said.

For many years, Freemasonry wasn’t spoken about widely or openly, but in recent times the movement has been promoted as an important fundraising organisation with worldwide appeal.

“That’s been a really good thing for Freemasonry, because it lets more people know about what we do, and how Freemasonry works and operates,” Mr Trow said.

“Freemasonry is a fantastic organisation, and by us continuing the work we do, means we’ll be here for many years to come.”

Greg Donovan, from Lodge Eltham near Lismore, was bestowed a special service medal for 55 years’ service to Freemasonry in New South Wales.

Mr Donovan and his wife, Donna, accepted the award from past Grand Master, Les Hicks.

“This is a great honour to receive this after 55 years, and I’m sure there will be many more years to come,” Mr Donovan said.

Raffles were also held, with more than $500 raised for Down Syndrome NSW’s annual Scrapheap Adventure Ride fundraiser, a unique event involving motorcycle enthusiasts from across Australia.

The ride will held this weekend, with nearly 30 teams and individuals competing.

Moree Mason Joe Bliss has been participating in the event since 2012, in partnership with a team from Lodge Inverell.

This year’s ride will terminate at Lake Cargelligo in central-western New South Wales, about 250km west of Forbes.

“To enter the challenge, riders need to have a bike they bought for $1000 or less, and get it roadworthy and registered,” Mr Bliss said.

“Down Syndrome NSW then nominates the destination, and this year it’s Lake Cargelligo.

“The idea is to find a route for the nominated destination – not the direct route and not the easiest route.

“This year it will take us three days to get to Lake Cargelligo, and two days to get back,” Mr Bliss said.

Team Moree has raised nearly $3500 so far, topped up by raffle ticket sales on Saturday night.

Since first hitting the road 15 years ago, the Scrapheap Adventure Ride has raised more than $1.1m for the Down Syndrome community.

“I’ll meet up with Team Inverell, we’ll head to Gunnedah and go as far as the Hunter Valley before we head west,” Mr Bliss said.

Past Worshipful Master, Doug Hill, said the Scrapheap Adventure Ride was just one organisation supported by Lodge Courallie in Moree.

“Joe started Team Moree, and this is the second year Lodge Courallie has been involved,” Mr Hill said.

“It’s a very good cause, and Joe has put in a lot of work organising it all. It’s a great thing, and Lodge Courallie will support him as much as we can,” he said.

Donations can be made by visiting, Team Moree Scrapheap Adventure Ride.