Community-led gardening service scales across Masonic districts

What began as a simple act of service by one lodge is now helping more Freemasons, Masonic widows and vulnerable community members stay connected to their homes, their gardens and their Masonic community.

Thanks to support from Freemasons Foundation Victoria and Lodges of the Waverley, Oakleigh, Ferntree Gully and Belgrave Masonic Centres, the volunteer-led Gather My Lodge initiative has expanded, bringing the successful model to the Monash Gully District. Originally established by Brighton District Lodge in 2020, Gather My Lodge provides free gardening and outdoor maintenance assistance for Freemasons, Masonic widows and others with a Masonic connection. Over time, the service has also supported vulnerable older residents referred through local council, extending Freemasonry's charitable impact into the wider community.

For Monash Gully District, the decision to establish its own Gather My Lodge (GML III) team was driven by a simple need. With many elderly residents across the local membership and district, Lodges recognised the opportunity to bring this tested initiative to the neighbourhood.

District Coordinator Lionel May said they help people remain connected to their homes while demonstrating Freemasonry's commitment to practical community service.

"It's part of our makeup in Freemasonry to help the community. Getting our members out and about helping people is exactly what we want to achieve."

The new service officially launched on 18 April with the unveiling of the new gardening trailer, “Maggie,” equipped with a wide range of tools – funded through the Freemasons Foundation Victoria Masonic Grants program. During the launch at the Belgrave Masonic Centre, GML III volunteers participated in an orientation session to familiarise themselves with the trailer’s equipment. Following this, volunteers put their knowledge into practice by undertaking a clean-up of the vegetation surrounding the Centre.

Since then, volunteers have already completed several jobs for Masonic widows, with further requests from elderly members continuing to come in.

The team's first recipient, a Masonic widow, was overwhelmed by the support. Seeing fellow Freemasons turn up to help maintain her garden was a powerful reminder that she remained connected to the Masonic family.

The expansion into Monash Gully District builds on the success of the original program, and 2025’s expansion into the South Eastern District. The 2025 grant funded a new trailer and equipment, replicating the original set-up, as well as branding, marketing and modest maintenance costs for its home hub at the South East Masonic Centre in Keysborough.

The Gather My Lodge initiative is about much more than maintaining gardens. For many recipients, it provides an opportunity to stay living safely at home, reconnect with fellow Freemasons and know they remain a valued part of the Masonic community.

For the volunteers involved, Gather My Lodge offers a practical way to put Freemasonry's values into action through service, fellowship and community connection. It provides an opportunity for members to volunteer together, drawing on a wide range of skills. The Monash Gully District GML III team includes qualified chainsaw operators and even an arborist, ensuring the service is delivered safely while focusing on practical gardening and outdoor maintenance.

Lionel hopes the program will inspire other districts to consider adopting the model.

"We're not out there asking for money or donations. We're putting an effort back into the community, and that's something people should see."

As Gather My Lodge continues to grow across Victoria, it is proving that a relatively simple idea - neighbours helping neighbours - can strengthen connections within the Masonic family while demonstrating Freemasonry's values through visible, practical service.

Lodges interested in pursuing a Gather My Lodge initiative in their area should chat to their District Coordinator, who can help coordinate efforts across Lodges to apply for FFV funding.