New Leader for New Zealand Freemasons
Christchurch barrister and solicitor, Mr Stanley Barker, has been named as the new head of New Zealand Freemasons.
Mr. Barker, 58, will be installed as Grand Master at the biennial Communication (conference) of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand in Christchurch in November, replacing Barry McLaggan of Taupiri.
Mr. Barker has lived in Canterbury, Napier and Gisborne. After gaining a Law Degree LLB in 1975 from Canterbury University and a Master of Law with Honours LLM (Hons) from Victoria University in 1977, he has since established Barker & Associates, where he is sole principal, employing four associate solicitors and support staff.
Mr. Barker has been a Freemason since 1975. He became Master of Cashmere Lodge No. 271 in 1986, and he served as Grand Registrar of the New Zealand Freemasons from 1998 to 2002. Subsequently, he became President of the Board of General Purposes and served a further four years in that role.
Mr. Barker believes Freemasonry offers young men the opportunity for personal growth and education. "How often have we heard of a person being a great tradesman but a poor businessman? I believe inside every rough stone is the perfect person, and Freemasonry can help produce that person, through education and perseverance," says Barker.
As Grand Master, Mr. Barker will head the New Zealand Masonic movement, which has nearly 10,000 members in 276 Lodges. The work of New Zealand Freemasonry includes a large measure of charitable assistance for many causes and special community projects throughout the country.
For over two decades, major funding has been provided for research at both the University of Auckland and the University of Otago in gerontology and brain disease, and paediatrics respectively. A large number of scholarships are granted to university graduates and undergraduates throughout the country. The total value of scholarships awarded over the last ten years alone is $1,980,000. NZ Freemasons also sponsor the 'Freemasons Big Science Adventures', an annual video competition for secondary schools where winning student teams experience exciting national and international travel. The Freemasons also operate a large number of Masonic villages as residential facilities for the elderly.
Mr. Barker enjoys a farming lifestyle on a 20 acre block in Otahuna Valley, south west Christchurch. He also has a fully equipped joinery workshop at a property in Halswell, Christchurch, and enjoys the satisfaction of making furniture and undertaking all of his own maintenance and repairs on his properties.
