Ancient group casts for new blood

Grand Master Robert Parsons, seated, with Deputy Grand Master Stephen Mikalak in the Grand Lodge on North Tce. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe. Source: AdelaideNow

GOOGLE "Freemasonry" and you're likely to find a host of websites about conspiracies, secrecy and the illuminati.

But the truth, according to the Freemasons, is that the group is about symbols, rituals, allegories and metaphors that help men live a better life.

South Australia and Northern Territory Grand Lodge Grand Master Robert Parsons and Deputy Grand Master Stephen Michalak say that far from being a secret society, the Freemasons simply has an image problem.

They are now focusing on ways to attract younger members keen to give back to their community.

"In the past, going back 10 or 15 years, I believe, in our attempts to attract men to Freemasonry, we've been too old-fashioned," said Mr Parsons, who has been a Freemason since 1968.

"We have not kept up with the times inasmuch as the way to go about it," he said.

"Now we are experiencing a good influx of men, both young and older, who are joining and it's because we have changed our ways with technology.

"It's about time that we did and up until about three years ago we were struggling - we're still struggling as far as membership goes - but it has increased quite considerably over the past couple of years."

Building foreman Jarrod Acres, 25, who joined two months ago, said he wanted to give back to the community.

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Ancient group casts for new blood