Ben Morton (Tangney, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am very pleased to join the member for Dobell in congratulating Mr Wand on his OAM. I have known Mr Wand all of my life, and he is very dear to me. Mr Wand's contribution is not just to rugby league. Mr Wand is very much involved in the Masonic Lodge on the New South Wales Central Coast, an organisation that he joined on 21 March 1991.

On Masonry trips Terry is known to provide travellers with a history lesson on local information and landmarks. People refer to him as a walking encyclopaedia. On trips to places like Muswellbrook, Dunedoo, Tamworth, Scone, Katoomba, Coonabarabran and Vaucluse, Terry and the Masons would raise money for charities and local organisations, like the Wyong hospital, surf lifesaving, prostate cancer and the men's shed at Bateau Bay. Terry progressed through committee positions and became a junior warden in 1997 and a senior warden in 1998, the second-most senior of the lodge. He also became heavily involved in the lodge's Anzac commemoration service. Terry became Master of the Wyong Tuggerah Lakes Masonic lodge in 1999 and, at the request of the grand master, held this position for two years, a position that is normally held for only a 12-month term.

In 2008, Terry became involved in the Grand Officer Committee and was elected to the board of management as operations chairman. Terry excelled himself in this difficult role and is responsible for a number of very important changes to the Masonic reporting system.

In 2009, Terry became Secretary of Lodge. He still holds that position today and he remains actively involved in the local masonic widows association.

In 2010, the district honoured him by electing him to the position of district grand inspector of workings. He also became a member of the grand lodge administration team.

Terry has made a very strong contribution to his community. One of his proudest achievements is that of being the under-16 Central Coast breaststroke champion. His selfless commitment to his community, to the Masons and to the Wyong Rugby League Club Group, and his charitable work, his friendship and his compassion for so many people in the local Wyong community are recognised and applauded today by the parliament of Australia.

It does not just happen, and I would like to mention Mrs Wendy Wand for supporting Terry in his work for the Wyong Rugby League Club Group and his work as a Mason.

I am very pleased to be a close friend of Terry and his family. I am pleased that he is here today to share this occasion with us. Terry, congratulations on being awarded the honour of the Medal of the Order of Australia.

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