Most Ex. Comps Leeke Ross Nantes Phipps, leaders of our Sister Constitutions, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Qld, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Mark Master Masons of Qld, Leaders of Other Masonic Orders, Ladies Gentlemen Brethren and Companions.

Good afternoon to you all. Firstly I would like to thank you for supporting the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland by your presence here today. It is so wonderful to see every one of my friends here and to you both I say thank you.

What a wonderful sight it is to see so many visitors from all the States of Australia and New Zealand and a large number from Queensland to support the newly installed Principals and Officers. I would particularly like to thank the Most Worshipful Grand Master M.Wor. Bro. Paul Holland, the Deputy Grand Master R. Wor. Bro Jeff Harper and the Assitant Grand Master R. Wor.Bro David Sherritt for their attendance. I would also like to record my thanks to M. Wor, Bro. William Heading Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Qld for being here.

I would like to thank my family for attending today and in particular my wife Jeanie who has given me such tremendous support during my many years as a Freemason.

It is a great honour to be installed as First Grand Principal of this Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland and I would like to thank Most Ex. Comp. Kirby Leeke and his installing team for the wonderful ceremony performed today.

I would also like to thank M.Ex. Comp. Kirby Leeke for appointing me as his Deputy for the last three years. Kirby you are a hard act to follow but I am confident that with the assistance of the experienced and dedicated team of Co Principals and Grand Chapter Officers we will continue to promote Royal Arch Freemasonry as you have done.

My plan is to work closely with the United Grand Lodge of Queensland and the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons in furthering Freemasonry in Queensland. I aim to target the younger Freemasons to encourage them to increase their knowledge by joining the Royal Arch.

I would like to make special mention of Mervyn and Tetty for the enormous effort they have put in to organise all the functions. To our Grand Organist Terry I would like to say thank you for your music and dedication to this Grand Chapter.

To those Who are not attending the Banquet, thank you for your attendance and support for this Grand Installation and wish you a safe trip home. To those who are going to the Banquet I look forward to talking to you during the evening.

M Ex Comp Colin Oswald Mander, GZ
First Grand Principal 

Col was initiated in Redlands Lodge no 252 on 21st January 1984 Passed in May 1984 and raised in January 1985. He served in all offices and was installed as Master in September 1992. In Grand Lodge Col served in many Offices commencing with Standard Bearer in 1996 through to Assistant Grand Master in 2008. He has also served on the Board of General Purposes and the Board of Benevolence.
Col is a Member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for Australia. He joined the 18th Degree in 1988 and served all offices and installed as Most Wise Sovereign in 1996,2009 and 2010. He joined the 30th Degree in 1993 and served all offices and installed as Grand Commander in 2004. He had the 31st Degree conferred in 2007, the 32nd Degree in April 2011 and the 33rd Degree in June 2011.He was appointed the District Commander of the District of Brisbane Central in 2011 and appointed as Regional Commander of Region 2 and a Member of Supreme Council from 2013 to 2019.

 

Col joined Beenleigh Royal Arch Chapter in June 2005, exalted in February 2006 and installed as 1st Principal in March 2010. In Grand Chapter Col commenced as a Standard Bearer in November 2011 then served as a G2NDSOJ, DGDC, GDC and appointed DGZ 2016/2018.
Col is also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and is currently the Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Queensland.