General News
2 January, 2026
Freemason awards presented
The Maryborough Education Centre’s Katie (Kam) Thomas was the recipient of one of the two Freemasons Regional VCE Scholarships this year valued at $2000.
Kam was selected after all applicants were interviewed by a panel of four representatives of local Freemasons Lodges forming the Central Goldfields Masonic Group.
Grace Dunstan, the recipient at Highview College was presented at the school’s final assembly.
The value of these annual awards was increased last year in an attempt to keep pace with inflation.
While funds for these two awards are raised by charitable contributions from local Lodges, along with contributions from the different Masonic orders that meet at Maryborough and Cohuna, these funds raised are increased by matching contributions from the Freemasons Foundation.
However, 23 primary school scholarships this year valued at $300 each have been presented with funding raised from a number of sources.
An annual Freemasons gathering at Maldon called ‘A Day of Unity’ which follows participation in ‘A Parade of Values’ in the longest running Easter Monday Street Parade, provides some funding from catering and a small raffle held on the day.
Maryborough Highland Society provide a charity event each year with a healthy contribution while Maryborough Craft Shop has come on board donating some funds along with Creswick Woolen Mills, Lodge Ladies Lunch group (Triple L’s) and Contributions from a Grand Chapter team. All these funds are matched by the Freemasons Foundation.
“Selection of students is left to each school principal and year six teacher who will know students well enough to decide that one year six student is likely to make the most of their educational opportunities and is thus worthy of encouragement,” Central Goldfields Masonic Group chairman Ken Calder said.
“Each student is presented with a framed certificate (with copy for resume) along with a letter of congratulations, with funds deposited into the students account at the secondary institution each one is progressing to.”
These Freemasons primary school scholarships are being provided to an ever widening area around Central Victoria.