Gisborne Lodge Presents $20,000 to the Gisborne Foodbank
13th August 2026 - Our President, Tony Woodgate, attended a presentation at Gisborne Lodge No. 298 expecting a generous but modest gesture of support. What unfolded was one of the most remarkable and moving moments in the history of the Gisborne Community Care Foodbank.
How the Evening Unfolded
Gisborne Lodge, with the generous assistance of Trentham Lodge, had been quietly working behind the scenes, raising $3,900 through their own efforts and successfully applying to the Freemasons Foundation Victoria (the charitable arm of Freemasons in Victoria) for a further grant of $10,000 on our behalf. Together, that already represented a wonderful and deeply appreciated contribution to our foodbank.
The Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria, M.W.Bro. Peter Henshall, stepped forward and pledged an additional $6,100, bringing the total donation to a remarkable $20,000.
About the Freemasons Foundation Victoria
The Freemasons Foundation Victoria is the charitable arm of Victorian Freemasonry, with a long and proud history of giving back to the community. Their objective is to build a stronger and healthier Victoria by supporting organisations engaged in health and medical research, disaster and emergency relief, social justice, Indigenous programs, and education. Since 2014, the Foundation has distributed over $20 million in grants toward charitable projects improving the lives of Victorians, including more than 1,360 community grants to not-for-profit organisations.
Our Heartfelt Thanks
We are deeply and sincerely grateful to everyone who made this possible:
W.Bro. Lt.Col. Peter Crosby — Master of Gisborne Lodge, whose lodge spearheaded this incredible effort
W.Bro. Geoff Graham — Past Master of Trentham Lodge, whose lodge provided vital support
The Freemasons Foundation Victoria — for approving the grant application on our behalf
M.W.Bro. Peter Henshall — Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria, for his extraordinary and unexpected generosity on the night
What This Means for Our Community
$20,000 is a transformational amount for the Gisborne Community Care Foodbank. As our client numbers continue to grow, funding of this scale allows us to plan ahead, stock our shelves, and ensure that no local family goes without. It is a profound act of community mindedness and generosity, and we could not be more grateful.
Pictured (L-R): W.Bro. Geoff Graham, Tony Woodgate (President, Gisborne Foodbank), M.W.Bro. Peter Henshall, and W.Bro. Lt.Col. Peter Crosby.
