Swapping out corn, wine and oil for bread, snags and sauce.

As Freemasons we are taught that, in the past, common articles of subsistence were corn, wine, and oil. However, on this occasion we turned to bread, snags and sauce, all in the name of charity and benevolence.

On Sunday 9th August 2026 brethren from The Central Coast Lodge 2001 bonded together over a hot plate and delivered over 1,000 sausages in support of Gosford Regional Services (GRS), also known as Wyoming Community Centre. GRS is a charity opened in December 1991 and also a non-profit, welfare, and benevolent organisation whose main objective is to provide assistance to the socially and economically disadvantaged within the community.

They also:

• Deliver flexible support to children, young people, families and communities experiencing, or at risk of, vulnerability.
• Provide beneficial assistance to those in need including material aid and emergency financial relief to those experiencing financial hardship for any reason, including natural disasters.
• Provide opportunities for people with a physical or mental disability to participate equally in community.
• Establish and operate childcare facilities to provide care for school aged children before and after school hours and during school holidays.
• Provide approved services under the national disability insurance scheme.
• Provide community information, education and advocacy, community activities and a variety of other support services to empower people to deal with issues of importance to themselves and the community.

Our aim as a Lodge was to raise up to $5,000 which would then be doubled, dollar-for-dollar by our Grand Lodge Charity, MasoniCare. Making a total donation of $10,000, which is of huge benefit to the charity and yet more proof of the good deeds that Freemasons do in our local community.

The day started slowly with a few and steady customers being greeted by the delightful smell of snags and onions but by 10am the line began to grow. It got busier and busier, peaking at around 12:30. A continuous production line of cooked sausages, onions and bread making its way to the ‘front of tent’ ready to serve the hungry patrons.

Not only were patrons waiting patiently but also Fido the Dog was looking forward to his tasty treat.

Our most grateful thanks go to Freemasons on the Central Coast (FotCC) who, with their Lodge Support Grant of up to $1,000, paid our expenses. With their financial and physical assistance, we raised a huge $3,300 on the day. A monumental amount, especially for a Sunday, and over half way to our $5,000 goal.

Thanks to those Brothers who attended on the day and for those who helped in the background. Also, a huge thank you to Bunnings West Gosford for allowing us to run this event again. This is our third fundraiser at Bunnings and it’s good to see a friendly and fruitful relationship growing both at West Gosford and at Tuggerah.

Over the past 18 months The Central Coast Lodge has raised over $30,000 for charities based on the Central Coast, with the kind assistance of Freemasons on the Central Coast and MasoniCare.

The Central Coast Lodge are immensely proud of their achievements which have increased our bond as Brethren through friendship, selfless commitment and teamwork. Not only does this echo the ethos of Freemasonry but brings us closer together as Masons in making our community a better place for all, whilst flying the banner and showcasing Freemasonry in a positive light.

We are looking forward to our next allocated Bunnings BBQ in December, which is forecasted to be our biggest one yet, with increased foot traffic expected during the busy Christmas season. If you’re in the area come and say hello and grab a snag!