In a grand gesture they handed over a total of $23000 to three separate organisations — $10 800 to Shepparton Villages, $5000 to Christmas For Those Alone incorporated group through Uniting Care Cutting Edge and $7500 to the GV Health Oncology unit, last week.

Freemasons Victoria grand master Vaughan Werner attended the official handover.

"The Goulburn Valley Freemasons are really exceptional in the amount of benevolent work they have done in recent years," he said.

"It makes me feel very warm and very proud that I have Freemasons like that in the Goulburn Valley that do so much for their community.

"Our principle is to assist those who are less fortunate than themselves. One of their (Freemasons) primary teachings, you must be philanthropically-minded towards your fellow man."

There are more than 500 Freemasons in the Goulburn Valley.

In June, SN Weekly reported the Freemasons raised close to $50 000 for Goulburn Valley Health's state-of-the-art oncology facility.

The Goulburn Valley members are now on track to hit their target of $100 000 by the end of this year.

Shepparton Villages PR/marketing and fundraising manager Vicki Glazner said the $10 800 would be used to purchase three SafeCare electric beds.

The beds will be installed in the residential aged care facilities at Shepparton Villages.

Vicki said the beds were designed to provide optimum comfort, with a slimmer and softer design and are the lowest bed available, with a minimum height of 5 cm.

This assists in preventing serious injury due to falls.

"The Freemasons do such a fantastic job, it's lovely to acknowledge their wonderful support both locally and through the Public Charitable Foundation," Vicki said.

As printed in the SN Weekly on Thursday August 5, 2010.