Media Release

Freemason’s hold High Tea to help Smith Family Students

Since 2017, Freemasons from District 21 have been raising money for ten students, residing in the Central Coast LGA, and participating in The Smith Family’s ‘Learning for Life’ programme.

Their efforts so far have provided over $61,800 to the Charity.

In addition, Freemasons on the Central Coast (FotCC) provide the same ten students with $100 Gift Cards each Christmas.

Students are nominated by schools within the area and, where possible, all are assisted. They range in age from Year 4 students to those undertaking tertiary studies. This initiative has been a great success and is very much appreciated by both students and their parents.

Always looking for ways to help the local community, a discussion took place in August 2025 between Brothers Dennis Young, Chris Matthews and Graeme Ingall; it was decided to hold a raffle to raise money which would be donated to the Smith Family.

After many weeks of organising, including raffle ticket design and print, choosing a draw and closing date, sourcing suitable prizes, booking a venue and arranging a function for the ticket draw and the sale of tickets throughout the district, we purchased an open travel voucher valued at $1,500 from Helloworld, Gosford. Bunnings West Gosford kindly donated our 2nd and 3rd prizes. A huge thank you goes out to the sponsors and Freemasons on the Central Coast who assisted with the purchase of the travel voucher and the costs for the presentation function.

Graeme travelled all over the District, from South to North, selling the raffle tickets, Chris and Graeme sold tickets to the District 21 Lodges, with Dennis also selling tickets to the View Clubs.

Sunday 29 March was the big day, held at the Wyong Masonic Centre, with over 70 people attending. There was an indulgent High Tea served – organised by Dennis and his family – as everyone eagerly awaited the drawing of the raffle by Mrs Anne Louise O’Connor, Past President of the Smith Family. There was also a Lucky Door prize.

Entertainment was provided by Craig Butt and his band. A member of Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes, Craig and his band are well known entertainers in the area; in fact the band was so very well received that the raffle was almost forgotten! Craig and his band performed at no charge.

After the highly-delighted winners were presented with their prizes, High Tea continued for a while as those present enjoyed each others company.

On the day $4,400 was raised, and with the help of Masonicare – the Grand Lodge Charity – this was doubled to a final donation of $8,800 which will be presented to The Smith Family in July.