Senior DeMolays, those members of the Order of DeMolay who turned 21 years old, have fond memories and experiences with the fraternity that they wished for their sons, grandsons and other young men to experience. These include not only the many life-long friends they've made but also the camaraderie and the many lessons taught and learned in their formative years.
With the recent closures of the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley Chapters, Senior DeMolays who are also Freemasons in this jurisdiction dreamt of creating another chapter in the Blacktown area. Thus the rise of the Phoenix Blacktown NSW Chapter came into being.
The dedication of the new chapter and inaugural installation of officers was held last 28 July at Blacktown Masonic Centre in the presence of the Supreme Grand Master of DeMolay Australia, Dad Trevor Green, and members of the Supreme Council of DeMolay Australia and many Senior DeMolays from Australia, the Philippines, and Brazil; most are also Freemasons.
The ‘star-studded’ affair was also graced by the presence of the Most Wor Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW and ACT, MW Bro Derek Robson, AM accompanied by partner Ms. Gael Knox and many Grand Lodge members.
Other Masonic orders were also on hand to support the new chapter:
The First Grand Principal & Grand Master of the United Supreme Grand Chapter of Mark & Royal Arch Masons of NSW & ACT, Most Excellent Companion John B Anderson.
The Supreme Council 33* of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite for Australia was represented by the Grand Secretary-General, Most Illustrious Bro Dominic De Candia 33*.
The Provincial Grand Master of the Royal Order of Scotland, Right Worshipful Bro Thomas Pfeifle.
The United Grand Chapter of Australia, Order of the Eastern Star represented by the Most Worthy Grand Matron Sister Blanche Watt and Most Worthy Grand Patron Brother Paul Smith and accompanied by the representatives of the Grand Chapter of NSW & ACT and various District Grand officers.
Heads of various orders presence signify their attachments to the Order, some have husbands and sons who were DeMolays in the past. One of which is Sis Val London, whose husband was the inaugural Chapter Dad of Kumali Chapter in Blacktown, and who was killed in a car accident while traveling to a Lodge meeting with four other Masons. She donated the Marshall baton made by Bro London to the chapter, thus coming full circle.
The most impressive is the presence and support of the officers and members of the International Order of Rainbows for Girls, some of whom were also inducted as Chapter Sweethearts. DeMolay everywhere has close relationships with other young people Masonic organizations around the world, such as the Rainbows and members of Job’s Daughters.
The Supreme Grand Master of DeMolay Australia Dad Trevor Green duly constituted the new chapter with Grand Adjutant and DeMolay Australia Ltd Company Secretary Dad Bob Jenkinson and Grand Chaplain and Supreme Council Member, Dad Richard Laws. Sworn in as members of the Advisory Council were Dads (Dad and Mum are DeMolay lingo for Advisors and members of the Mothers Club) John Arceo, Orlando Al Pacino, Mario Baylon Jr, Mum Jheannie Callao, John Callao, Gene Capistrano, Charlie Cosoleto, Kenneth Fuentes and Dad Jay Tayag.
The Installing Team headed by installing officer Dad Ferdinand ‘Don’ Pandes (DGIW 25A) proceeded to install the Master Councillor, Bro Joshua Francis Co, Senior Councillor Bro Youssef Beydoun, Junior Councillor Bro Christian James Singson, Senior Deacon Bro Julian Marco Callao, Junior Deacon Bro Julian Rafael Arceo, Senior Steward Bro Jeriko Rameses Arceo, Junior Steward Bro Jaime Jose Paje, Orator Bro Jayden Alexander Tayag, Sentinel Bro Jericho Balasabas, Chaplain Bro Rubens Nigel Yu, Marshall Ashlee James Utan, Standard Bearer Bro Jaylen Jacob Baylon-Utan, Almoner Bro Kallen Jai Utan and Preceptors Brothers Adam Beydoun, Christian Aeron Lopez, Iris Rivera, Sean Alezandro Castro, Daniel Balasabas and Jeremy Balasabas.
The Order of DeMolay is an international organization with chapters all over the world and was founded in Kansas City, Missouri USA on March 1919 by Frank S. Land. DeMolay celebrated its centenary last March and was also celebrated by the formation committee and charter members of Phoenix Blacktown Chapter and friends last March in Blacktown Masonic Centre.
The name of the order was taken from the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Jacques DeMolay, who was the best example of fidelity to his comrade in arms and of toleration; and it teaches seven cardinal virtues - Filial Love or love of Parents, Reverence for Sacred Things, Courtesy, Comradeship, Fidelity, Cleanness, and Patriotism. DeMolay accepts young men between the ages of 12 to 21 years old, after which he is no longer an 'active' member but a Senior member not able to actively participate in the business aspect of the chapter. The reason for this is that young men are taught leadership, conduct business meetings, plan fun events, fundraising for charities and their own activities. It teaches crucial skills like public speaking and helps make valuable connections and friends as well as teach them responsible adulthood. DeMolay has changed and continues to change millions of lives around the world.
The chapter wishes to thank Lodge Blacktown Kildare for acting as sponsors as well as the board of Blacktown Masonic Centre for allowing the chapter to meet in the centre free of charge. There are countless Freemasons and supporters who also donated financially and their time to make this dedication and inaugural installation a success.
