PERSONAL HISTORY
I was born and grew up on a sheep and cattle station outside Charleville in western Qld. I started my schooling in the bush by correspondence and then went to Slade School in Warwick as a boarder, returning to the property in 1958 to assist my father. I married my wife Moya in 1961. Our children Robert, Michael, Leon and Sonya were all born and raised on the property. Moya's and my fathers were very dedicated Royal Arch Freemasons. In 1974, I sold the property and moved to Brisbane to provide better opportunities for the children. All our children have been successful in their chosen fields and have given us 14 wonderful grandchildren. When we arrived in Brisbane, Moya continued her teaching career and I worked with my brother in the concrete business before my present job with Mt. Gravatt Bus Service, first as their mechanic-driver and, as they expanded, senior driver.
My Masonic career began in October 1963 when I was initiated into Charleville Lodge No. 70. I was installed as WM in September 1971. I am a foundation member of City of Logan Lodge No 529 where I hold the office of Junior Warden and affiliated with Southern Qld. Lodge No 29. I joined Charleville Royal Arch Chapter No 87 where I completed my Mark Degree on September 1, 1966, Exalted 7th September 1967. Before I left Charleville, I did all the appended degrees and joined Beenleigh Royal Arch Chapter in May 1974 where I have been a member ever since. In March 1981, I was installed First Principal. I was appointed G.D.R in 1985; conferred as Past Third Grand Principal in 1995; Past Second Grand Principal in 2001; and appointed Deputy First Grand Principal in November 2007. I served the office of Deputy Grand Inspector of Workings from October 1997 for six years. I am a member of Brisbane No. 4 30ยบ Council; The Royal Order of Scotland, am a Past Sovereign of Alpha Conclave No 20, a Past Grand Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine, a Past Preceptor of Beenleigh Preceptory No 167 and a Grand Officer of the District Grand Priory of Queensland.
My wife Moya and I have been members of the Order of the Eastern Star since 1973. I, together with Moya, have been Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron of Beenleigh Chapter No. 199, Order of the Eastern Star, four times, Worthy District Grand Patron of South Brisbane District Grand Chapter in 2004/5 and Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Queensland in 2006/7.
My other interest is the Boy Scout movement where I have been a leader for thirty-five years, receiving the Silver Koala Service Award in 1999. I have spent many a weekend in these thirty-five years keeping our scout bus on the road and performing general maintenance work around the den, from ground work on the ten acres to repairing the roof.
The remainder of my spare time is spent helping the family and supporting my good wife in her administrative duties with Star Gardens, Order of the Eastern Star Homes for the Aged in Beaudesert and as Grand Secretary of the O.E.S. Grand Chapter of Queensland.