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The Fabric Of Society

For nearly 150 years, Ashley Lodge No. 28 has been part of the life of Rangiora and North Canterbury.

Then the earthquakes came.

Its home in Percival Street was eventually condemned and demolished, leaving the Lodge without a permanent home for more than a decade. In that time, other New Zealand Constitution lodges across North Canterbury closed their doors for good.

Ashley kept going.

In this special episode of The Masonic Mic, we sit down with Bro. Bernard Fears and Bro. Roger Smith to hear the story of a Lodge that refused to disappear.

We talk about the loss of the old building, thirteen years of displacement, the brethren and widows Ashley has continued to care for, and the long search for somewhere to call home again.

Then came 15 Coronation Street.

An old community hall. A building with character. “The Fabric of Society” painted across it. Checkered floors. Bees. And, as it turned out, a builder who had himself been a member of Ashley Lodge and later served as its Worshipful Master.

Now Ashley has the opportunity to return home to Rangiora.

But there is still work to do.

This episode is about more than renovating a building. It is about identity, continuity, fellowship and what happens when a community loses the place where it gathers.

It is also the story of a group of Freemasons determined to make sure Ashley Lodge is not the next name added to the list of those that disappeared.

The Fabric Of Society
A story of loss, persistence, community — and the long road home.

Masonic Frequency on Frequency.

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What happens when a young Freemason starts asking whether progress sometimes costs us more than we realise?

In this episode of The Masonic Mic, we sit down with Bro. Michael Galloway — mechanical engineer, Junior Warden, full-time father and one of Christchurch SRIA’s newest Zelators.

At 32, Michael might seem an unlikely advocate for old traditions. Yet much of what drew him to Freemasonry was precisely its ability to carry ideas, symbolism and human connection forward through generations.

And there is a certain poetry in discovering that Michael also happens to work on the development of modern steam engines.

From ritual, ancient stories and the effects of an increasingly digital world, to community, responsibility, suffering, truth and what he describes as “a ladder to climb,” this conversation moves well beyond the usual question of what Freemasonry is.

Instead, Michael asks something more interesting:

What have we gained through progress — and what might we have lost along the way?

Thoughtful, occasionally strange and frequently philosophical, this is a conversation about preserving what matters without becoming trapped in the past.

And, naturally, about finding somewhere you can ask the "batshit crazy" questions and still get a serious answer.

Masonic Frequency on Frequency.

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How can someone sing in front of 20,000 people… yet still find reading from a page one of his biggest fears?

In this episode of The Masonic Mic, we sit down with Bro. Dean “Deano” Johnstone — artist, signwriter, performer, film-industry craftsman and Freemason — for a conversation about creativity, confidence, perseverance and finding your own place within the Craft.

From working on major film productions and singing in Las Vegas, to restoring lodge spaces, creating Masonic art and confronting the parts of Freemasonry that don’t come quite so naturally, Deano’s story is a reminder that contribution doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.

We talk about the loss of a close friend who helped push him toward following his dreams, what it really means to call yourself an artist, the symbols you begin to notice once you learn how to look, and whether Freemasonry has changed the man behind all of it.

Funny, thoughtful and occasionally unexpected — this is a conversation about discovering what you can bring to the work, rather than worrying about whether you fit the mould.

Masonic Frequency on Frequency.

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What do the Royal Navy, the Falklands War, a mysterious black briefcase and a suspiciously productive potato have in common? In this episode, they all lead back to Freemasonry.

Dan and Reuben sit down with Worshipful Brother Clive Fletcher, a Royal Navy veteran, marine engineer and three-time Master of Avon Shirley Lodge No. 185. Clive reflects on growing up in a deeply Masonic family, despite nobody being willing to explain where his father kept disappearing to in a dark suit, and on joining his father’s lodge in 1985.

The conversation explores the camaraderie Clive found in both naval service and Freemasonry, his move from England to Christchurch, and the remarkable chain of coincidences that led him to Avon Lodge. He also shares candid advice on leadership, preparing for the Master’s chair and knowing when to focus your energy rather than collecting Masonic titles like particularly elaborate Pokémon.

Along the way, Clive discusses cancer support, men’s health awareness, community volunteering and the legendary lodge potato-growing challenge.

It is a thoughtful, funny and refreshingly honest conversation about brotherhood, service, leadership and finding somewhere you truly belong.

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He starts by saying the quiet part out loud: he researched Freemasonry because he believed it was evil. From there, Tony Fallon takes us through the real-world moments that challenged the conspiracy narrative, from visible Masonic charity in New Zealand to the people he met once he actually knocked on the door in Christchurch. If you’ve ever wondered what Freemasons do and why the symbols matter, this is a grounded, human answer from an Irish Kiwi.

We talk about the practical shape of Freemasonry in Aotearoa New Zealand: the three craft degrees, what the Royal Arch adds, and why Tony finds the Cryptic degrees so moving. He also breaks down roles that sound mysterious until you hear the day-to-day reality, including what a grand steward does during installations and official visits, and how tools like the Masonica app support lodge life behind the scenes. Along the way, we touch on joining different orders, meeting brethren in unexpected places, and the surprising amount of volunteer work that keeps the craft running.

The heart of the conversation is culture. Tony makes a strong case for better communication, more patience with newer members, and less ritual nitpicking that embarrasses people or pushes them out. He also shares thoughtful advice for anyone considering joining: do enough research to understand the tenets, avoid getting lost in dodgy online “ritual” dumps, spend time meeting people, and don’t rush the process. If you care about Freemasonry, membership retention, and building a lodge that feels safe and welcoming, you’ll get plenty to think about.

Subscribe to the podcast, share this episode with a mate who’s curious, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. What’s the biggest myth or question you’ve heard about Freemasonry in New Zealand?

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You've been raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.

Now what?

For many Brethren, that question arrives sooner than expected. The ceremonies are complete, the excitement settles, and a new curiosity begins to emerge: is there more?

In this episode, Bob Wright joins Dan and Reuben to discuss the wider world of Freemasonry beyond the Craft Degrees. From side orders and additional Masonic pathways to the deeper lessons that continue long after the Third Degree, this conversation explores why so many Brethren choose to continue their journey.

If you've ever wondered what lies beyond the Third Degree, this episode is for you.

The first three degrees may tell an incredible story.

But they might not be the whole book.

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Freemasonry gets labelled as secretive or old-fashioned, but the real challenge is far closer to home: can you honestly look at yourself and do better? We’re joined by Graham Martin, a past grand lecturer and long-time Royal Arch Mason, for a grounded conversation about New Zealand Freemasonry that starts with a simple origin story. After losing his father, Graham didn’t wait for an invitation. He went to the library, found a lodge phone number in 1991, and asked to join. That choice sets the tone for everything that follows: no shortcuts, no easy path, just steady work.

We dig into why Masonry is intentionally staged and demanding, and why “progress” only means something when it’s earned. Graham connects Masonic values to everyday ethics through a powerful test: if you explained your decisions to someone you truly admire, would they be proud of you? From there we explore fidelity, responsibility, and how ritual is meant to shape behaviour, not simply be memorised. We also talk leadership development in lodge, including how office can build confidence in men who never thought they could speak in public, while still keeping family and time commitments front and centre.

Then we open the Royal Arch, including how the degrees are structured in New Zealand, what the Mark degree teaches about owning your work, and how operative Mason’s marks in cathedrals become a sharp metaphor for accountability today. Graham also unpacks the idea of “to die regretted” as a call to purpose and character, and “wages due” as a spiritual reward for a life lived with justice.

If you enjoyed this kōrero, subscribe, share it with a mate, and leave us a review. Download the Masonica app to stay connected and support the show.

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Freemasonry gets talked about like it’s either a punchline or a plot twist, but what’s it actually like when you’re the new bloke walking through the door? We sit down with our friend Yotti, a new Fellowcraft in Christchurch, to hear the honest version: what sparked his curiosity, what made him feel “ready”, and why the first year can be both confronting and genuinely uplifting.

We get into the part that people rarely describe well, the lived experience of brotherhood. Yotti shares how the refectory felt welcoming, then how initiation flipped a switch from being a visitor to being treated like family. We also unpack the nuts and bolts of growth: having a mentor who can answer questions at the right time, learning charges and public speaking, and discovering how much wisdom is sitting right there in the room when you’re willing to ask.

We don’t dodge the tricky stuff either. Family and partners can worry about the unknown, especially when you’re not sure what you’re allowed to explain yet. Yotti talks about cultural and religious concerns, how those conversations changed over time, and why modern Freemasonry in New Zealand needs to be clearer about its positive work, including charity, scholarships, and community support.

If you’re curious about joining a lodge, supporting someone who is, or you just want a grounded take that cuts through conspiracy noise, this chat will give you plenty to think about. Subscribe, leave a review, share it with a mate, and download the Masonica app to stay connected and support the show.

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Freemasonry can look mysterious from the outside, but the real story is usually human: family, belonging, and a decision to be useful. We’re joined by Worshipful Brother Arvind Masilamani, an Indian Kiwi who grew up in Chennai and later made Christchurch home, to talk about the moments that shaped his Masonic journey, from watching his father suit up for lodge to finding his own way into the Craft through a trusted connection.

We get practical about what’s similar and what’s different between Freemasonry in India and Freemasonry in New Zealand. Arvind explains how ritual and lodge structure stay close to English tradition, while everyday culture shifts with place: the Volumes of the Sacred Law can reflect many faiths, socialising after lodge can be a bigger part of the night overseas, and here in Aotearoa, we’re still learning how to better reflect the communities we live in. We also dig into diversity, accents, real listening, and why a sense of welcome matters more than people think, especially for newer members who don’t yet feel confident to speak up.

Arvind also lifts the lid on Grand Lodge of New Zealand roles, including what it means to serve as a Grand Steward, why he’s stepping back from that time commitment, and where he’s putting his energy next: the Freemasons Charitable Trust in Canterbury. We talk through how local funding applications work, the kinds of projects supported, and why charity is one of the strongest answers to outdated myths. If you care about rebuilding community, attracting younger members, and keeping Freemasonry relevant without losing its core values, this conversation is for you.

If you enjoy the kōrero, subscribe, share the episode with a mate, and leave a review so more New Zealanders can find it.

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Progress can be a loaded word in Freemasonry, especially when people confuse it with getting everything perfect. From inside Lodge of Progress No. 22, we talk with the Worshipful Master about why “progress over perfection” is not lowering the bar, it’s choosing a healthier way to grow. That single shift links straight to wellbeing, confidence, and staying engaged in lodge life without the stress of needing to nail everything instantly. 

We also go deeper than the usual diversity and inclusion talk. Our guest shares his story as a Filipino immigrant in Christchurch, including the awkward moments of learning Kiwi colloquial English, reading the room through a new cultural lens, and trying to find a real sense of belonging. He offers a simple, memorable definition of diversity in a Masonic context: “harmonious inclusion”, then expands it into something practical for everyday life: belonging without the assumption of ownership, and relating without erasing differences. If you care about community, leadership, or just becoming easier to be around, this part will land. 

From there we tackle the values people associate with Freemasonry in New Zealand: brotherly love, relief, and truth. We talk charity as more than money, including presence, empathy, and helping a brother through stress. We also address common misconceptions about Freemasonry and religion with calm clarity, then finish with Lodge of Progress history and a nod to its 150th anniversary, including the symbols that keep pointing back to the theme: keep moving, and learn from the past. 

If you enjoyed this, subscribe to The Masonic Mic, share it with a mate, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.

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