Since being involved with Friendship-Dilkara assembly from before the formal opening till the present day this group has been a major part of mine and family’s life.
Rainbows has allowed me to help multiple charities, improve my public speaking and confidence, and to be involved with many different activities and events that I would not have had the opportunity to do such as large charity events, interstate and overseas travel.
But most importantly it has been the lifelong friendships and family memories that I have made especially with my three beautiful daughters.
Cheers Debbie
The ability to make new friends that last a lifetime. Sometimes not seeing them for quite a while but picking up where you left off.
The opportunity to travel interstate and overseas.
The feeling of “family.”
Carolyn
Problems are normal but as Rainbow Sisters, we understand the difficulties and support each other. Our ceremony says: in the midst of life’s storms, the Rainbow of Promise and Victory will emerge.
Sister Laize
Brazil
I was initiated into IOJD (Job’s Daughters) at 12 years old in Virginia USA, which is where I first learned about Rainbow, as a similar organisation, but based on Genesis, instead of the book of Job, as an organisation for girls aged 12-18, affiliated with Masons, but in different states in the US. So when we moved to North Carolina, I applied to become a Rainbow Girl.
My mother and grandmother had been taking me to charity functions and socials at the Masonic Lodge and Shrine Temples since birth (as my family have been involved with masonic fraternal organisations for several generations including both York and Scottish Rite, Daughter’s of the Nile and Amaranth) because my grandfathers on both sides were 33rd degree masons.
We started 2 new Rainbow Assemblies in North Carolina and the first IOJD and held many joint functions with DeMolay (for boys) which my brother joined. I held most offices in Rainbow but we moved before I could serve in the East. I became a Majority member when I turned 18. My experience in Rainbow led to my joining Eastern Star at 18 and serving as a line officer and becoming the youngest Worthy Matron by 20, so my grandmother could enjoy seeing me in the Chair that year, before passing on.
Prof. Nadira Pardo
My name is Elizabeth Watt. I was the foundation Worthy Advisor for the Assembly. My sister, Blanche, worked with Lorraine and when she found out that Blanche had a younger sister, that was it, Lorraine came to see me and I became a member of Friendship Assembly, which later became Friendship Dilkara Assembly. I knew nothing about the Order before becoming a member but I have never regretted it. Besides all the friendships I have made over the years, the Order taught me many things including how to run a meeting and public speaking all of which helped me in my career and my life in other organisations.
I was Worthy Advisor for two terms and my charities were the Masonic Village and Warrawee Private Hospital to whom we gave some Lego for the older children and the Blind Welfare Association. In the early years we did a lot for both the Masonic Village and the Blind Welfare Association. We had a number of our Installations at the Masonic Village at Somerton and we also had the dunkin pool which Alan made at their fete, this involved one of the girls sitting on a seat over a water tank and we sold balls to be thrown at a target that if hit would cause the seat to fall causing the girl to fall into the water. We also assisted the Blind Welfare at their fetes, we were given the Sweet stall, I had had plenty of practice making cakes but had to now make sweets, lots of toffees, marshmallow, and coconut ice to name a few.
The end result was that we had lots of fun while helping others in our Community. I also had my first of many overseas trip as a result of Rainbows.
Cheers,
Elizabeth