Latest College of Arms Newsletter
College of Arms Newsletter, January 2024 Newsletter (No.74) has just been published in the Member’s section.
Grand Master’s Message
M.Em. Kt. Dr. Chris Roberts, GCT, Grand Master and M.Em.Kt David Craddock, GCT, Immediate Past G.M.
My Fraternal Greetings to all.
My Installation on the 9th September was a privilege and a very special event. There were a considerable number of representatives from other orders, both in New Zealand and from Australia, along with a number of partners and guests.
Some especial thanks go to Rt. Em. Kt. Nik Straugheir who took control of the arrangements and was our key liaison with the hotel. Certainly no simple or easy task and for which I’m enormously grateful. Others on the “Organising Committee” were M.Em.Kt. David Craddock (now immediate Past Grand Master) and Rt. Em.Kt. Phil Brooke, Grand Secretary as well as myself (of course!).
We did have Bro. Kt. “Mac” McKenzie taking photographs, so many that the battery on the camera was flattened! My thanks and a selection of photographs is presented in the Members Section.
I’m very pleased to let you know that Grant Watson was invested as a Knight Commander of the Temple and as Grand Seneschal. We’ve already had a number of discussions and planning for events in the “Deep South” is well in hand!
I want to particularly note the help and assistance from David Craddock, who was very generous with his time, advice and guidance in preparing for my Installation. Discussions and planning started almost a year ago, with the pace picking up considerable in the last few months. A notable challenge was the creation and manufacture of my Coat of Arms and Banner. Not a trivial task but David was always available to discuss the next steps and provide some sage advice.
In researching and designing the Banner, it became clear to me that we have not been diligent in recording the design and background to the Banners of previous Grand Masters. I am now addressing this and information on previous Grand Masters, Banners and some background will be available in the Member’s Section, published as information becomes available. Realistically, however, this will require some research and I’m hoping to have more comprehensive information, including banners, completed by the end of 2024.
While talking about the website, we are making steady progress in “re-animating” the site and some effort has gone into making the site more usable. I ask all Chancellors to ensure that any Priory or Preceptory notices and other sharable materials are sent to our web site administrator so they can be published. Chancellors are able to publish summonses and other Priory/Preceptory notices through the email address we’ve set up. We are also looking at improving the provision of research materials and links to relevant websites.
I thank you again for the privilege and honour of being your Grand Master.
With kind and fraternal regards,
