The Lodge St. Andrew No. 1437 two-year Bursary Agreement Ceremony was held on 8th March 2023 at the Temasek Polytechnic Library, marking a special occasion for the Lodge, Masonic Charitable Fund and Temasek Polytechnic. The bursary, which amounts to 20,000 SGD, represents a significant contribution towards supporting students who may face financial constraints in pursuing their education. This ceremony underscores the Lodge’s and the Masonic Charitable Fund’s commitment to investing in education and creating opportunities for young individuals to achieve their academic and professional goals.
The signing ceremony was graced by esteemed guests, including Dr. Brian Shegar, the Chairman of the Masonic Charitable Fund (MCF), Dr. Yip Wing Kong, one of the Board of Trustee of the Masonic Charitable Fund and a Past Master of Lodge St. Andrew No. 1437, and his wife, Helene. Also in attendance was Bro. Tan Boon Cho, the Master of Lodge St. Andrew No. 1437, and several members of the Lodge, such as Bro. Ryan Goh, Bro. Lester Poon Yu Da, Bro. Robert Fuchs, Bro. John Louie Marfil, and Bro. Leon Vin Sen. The event was also attended by representatives from Temasek Polytechnic, including Mr. Albert Yeo and Mr. Samuel Wee, as well as other polytechnic staff who were present to witness the momentous occasion.
Dr. Brian Shegar, representing the Masonic Charitable Fund, was the first to speak at the ceremony. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this event and commended Lodge St. Andrew No. 1437 for their commitment to supporting education. Dr. Shegar spoke of the importance of education in shaping the future and highlighted the Masonic Charitable Fund’s mission to support education as a way of improving society.
Dr. Yip Wing Kong, a Past Master of Lodge St. Andrew No. 1437, then addressed the audience. He expressed his appreciation for the ongoing support of Temasek Polytechnic and thanked the Masonic Charitable Fund for their contribution towards the bursary program. Dr. Yip emphasized the transformative power of education and how it can create opportunities for individuals to improve their lives and positively impact the community.
Bro. Tan Boon Cho, the Master of Lodge St. Andrew No. 1437, took the opportunity to express his heartfelt appreciation to the attendees. He spoke about the Lodge’s dedication to philanthropy and its support for educational causes, emphasizing the significance of overcoming obstacles that hinder students from realizing their full potential. Bro Tan also highlighted how the bursary program helps to break down those barriers and enable students to pursue their education with financial assistance.
The event was also a platform for other members of Lodge St. Andrew No. 1437 who were present to share their own reflections on the significance of the occasion.
Mr. Albert Yeo from Temasek Polytechnic also spoke at the ceremony. He expressed his appreciation for the support of Lodge St. Andrew No. 1437 and the Masonic Charitable Fund, and highlighted the importance of partnerships with the community to support education and create a better future for all.
After the speeches, the bursary agreement was signed by representatives from Lodge St. Andrew No. 1437, the Masonic Charitable Fund, and Temasek Polytechnic.
Overall, the Lodge St. Andrew-Temasek Polytechnic bursary agreement signing ceremony was a powerful reminder of the importance of education and the impact that can be made when communities come together to support it. It was a testament to the Lodge’s commitment to charity and supporting education, and the Masonic Charitable Fund’s mission to improve society.
