Earlier today Mr Bruce Cowie, Grand Secretary of Freemasons Victoria, advised us they are not supportive of a LOUD fence being created at their Bayside location and any other Melbourne locations, on Sunday 1st May. Given Mr Cowie was unable to tell us what actions Freemasons Victoria would take if people went ahead with tying ribbons at any of their properties on 1st May, we are not confident that doing so will be both safe and supported.

• Mr Cowie did say Freemasons Victoria would not call the police, or background the organisers, (which we know has happened at other LOUD fences, and for other LOUD fence organisers).
• We raised our concerns that any negative response by his organisation to people tying ribbons, would be harmful, as ribbons represent the voices of survivors, and deceased victims. We advised Mr Cowie that some people may be openly acknowledging child sexual abuse they experienced, for the first time. And how difficult it will be for many to visit a Freemasons site.

What are Freemasons Victoria's reasons for their decision?

• Mr Cowie wants Freemasons Victoria to have more time to understand what a LOUD fence 'project' is. We did offer to ask Matt Finnis, CEO of St Kilda FC, if he was happy to share with Mr Cowie, what it looks like for an organisation to support it. This offer was not taken up. We also corrected Mr Cowie's assertions that Freemasons Victoria had only just found out about the planned LOUD fence, given we first communicated with their organisation three weeks ago, and our numerous follow up communications weren't responded to.
• Mr Cowie informed us that a LOUD fence would be distressing for their members who do so much good work for the community. Similar to "the huge amount of distress the malicious vandalism, behaviours and awful words (graffiti)' on their properties causes for their members. When we asked what words? .. "pedophiles."
• Mr Cowie stated Freemasons Victoria were not equating a LOUD fence with the "pedophiles" graffiti, but did acknowledge that both do share a attribute of signifying where child sexual abuse has occurred. 

What happens now?

• Mr Cowie advised us that it is a 'no' to LOUD fences on Sunday 1st May, but not for a future date. 
• We are writing to Freemasons Victoria to summarise what was discussed and agreed this morning, and what we are communicating to our community.
• We are removing Freemasons Victoria as an organisation participating in our LOUD fences day on 1 May.
• We will continue to communicate with Freemasons Victoria about a LOUD fence in the future.

We are aware this will be disappointing news for many of you, and we welcome your comments and feedback, on what else you think we can do on your behalf.  You can do so via the comment section below or message us on our Facebook page.

Beaumaris And Surrounding Communities - CSA Survivors And Families

If you still wish to create a LOUD fence at any Freemasons Victoria site, please let us know. There is safety, support and strength in numbers, and if we can help facilitate that, we will most certainly try.