Cambridge-based freemasons farewelled one of their own this month at an unusual ceremony that dates back to the late 1800s.
The ‘Empty Chair’ placed for the late John Mace, bearing his masonic apron and sprigs of acacia. It is flanked by the Rural Support Trust’s Wanda Leadbeater, left, Mace’s widow Kaye Lillico, and the Lodge’s Past Master Marc Dresser. Photo: Viv Posselt
The ‘Empty Chair’ ceremony was performed by Lodge Copernicus members to mark the passing of John Mace. The longstanding freemason, who was awarded his masonic 60-year service badge in 2021, had been central to a fundraising initiative that saw the 12 Waikato Masonic lodges collaborate to support the Waikato-Hauraki-Coromandel Rural Support Trust to the tune of $26,000.
John Mace at his investiture in 2018.
Lodge Copernicus led the fundraising efforts by making a significant donation to the Rural Support Trust. That was further supported by the other Waikato lodges and the Freemasons Charity.
Their donation to the Rural Trust is the third by Lodge Copernicus. The money will be used to fund professional help for Rural Support clients, ensuring access to vital services such as mental health support, financial advice and crisis management.
John Mace’s widow, Kaye Lillico, attended the rarely-seen Empty Chair ceremony, as did Freemason’s Waikato District Grand Master Len Jeffrey, and Matamata-based Wanda Leadbeater, who was representing the Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust.
Mace, who died in Auckland on December 29, was well known in the farming, timber processing and swimming fraternities. He was also a life member of Swimming NZ, and in 2018 was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to swimming in the New Year’s Honours list.
He had served as vice president and then president of the NZ Swimming Federation from 1992-1996 and was Chef de Mission for the NZ Aquatic Team in Rome in 1994, overseeing swimming, diving, water polo and synchronised swimming. He played a leading role in restructuring the sport; that led to the review of Swimming NZ in 2012, and to his election as president of Swimming NZ until 2015.
Mace’s journey with freemasonry started in Taumarunui in 1961. He later became a member of two Auckland lodges before joining Cambridge’s Lodge Copernicus in 2008 as a trustee and a founding member. He played a pivotal role in the lodge’s charitable work and was a strong advocate for its donations to the Rural Support Trust, which has gratefully acknowledged the support, saying it makes a significant difference in the lives of those navigating challenging times.
The Empty Chair ceremony is understood to date back to around 1875, a decade after the close of the American Civil War, when it was used in Masonic lodges to pay tribute to those who did not return from the war. It has since been used by many lodges to pay homage to members whose lives are lost in war.
This month’s ceremony, which was characterised by ritual and precision, saw an empty chair brought into the lodge as a symbol of Mace’s spiritual presence. After addresses by various members of the lodge, his masonic apron was placed on the chair, then members and guests filed past placing springs of acacia on the apron.
In his eulogy, Lodge member Warwick Roberts said John Mace’s membership had been unwavering until his passing.
“He served as Master in the 2011/12 year, and his leadership was characterised by compassion and integrity,” he said. “He understood the importance of service to others and worked tirelessly to achieve that end.”
Past Master Marc Dresser, under whose leadership the funds were raised, thanked the Rural Support Trust for the work it does in rural communities.
Pictured at the dinner that followed the ceremony are Lodge Copernicus Past Master Marc Dresser, the Rural Support Trust’s Wanda Leadbeater, and District Grand Master Len Jeffrey. Photo: supplied
