Freemasons urged to open up

It is all very grand. For starters, the Freemasons’ head honcho goes by the title of Grand Master.

Then there is the Grand Initiation, which took place on Saturday, to usher in a new Grand Master for the next triennium, followed up by the Grand Banquet and ball.

But let’s cut to the chase – do they actually ride goats during initiation ceremonies?

With a chuckle, outgoing grand master Mark Winger says what you may have heard about the animals is pure fantasy. Plotting to take over the world? ‘‘I’m a bit busy this week,’’ Winger laughs.

If you really want to know, the society is a humble, charitable men’s group designed to build upstanding citizens.

In New Zealand, there are 220 lodges and 6000 brethren – as well as a bunch of ‘‘ridiculous’’ myths and legends about what they get up to.

The ‘‘secrets’’ come down to the ceremonial lingo used which depicts people’s ranks and upholds tradition, Winger explains.

‘‘Because we have been so reluctant to stand up and be counted, these silly urban myths start to grow.’’

Yes, they recite masonic odes, wear guilded aprons adorned with symbols, and sit on impressivelooking thrones. But when Winger handed over the reins to Graham Wrigley at the Michael Fowler

Centre on Saturday, it simply represented the next chapter for the group’s community work.

The ceremony – or Grand Initiation – certainly comes with pomp, upholding as it does

182 years worth of traditions handed down since the French held New Zealand’s first known meeting aboard a ship floating in the Akaroa Harbour.

Winger says Masons’ ‘‘humility can be misinterpreted as secrecy’’.

‘‘So, what I have been saying is we should be talking to the media, we should be talking to our friends, our families about Freemasonry.’’

And as for the next grand master? Wrigley says he will continue the focus on unveiling the ‘‘secrets’’ of Freemasonry.