Deputy Grand Supreme Ruler North
PHOTO TO BE ADDED
RIGHT WORTHY BROTHER JAMES BURNETT SECCOMBE
Jim was born in 1935 and spent his early childhood at Goomeri – on a dairy farm and then in town until the age of 11 when his family moved again to a dairy farm at Harrisville, west of Ipswich. His secondary schooling was as a boarder at Ipswich Grammar School where he was a Prefect and House Captain in 1952 and 1953 and a senior boarder in 1953.
He was a keen sportsman from primary school through to Ipswich Grammar School where he was Captain of the 1st cricket team in 1952 and tennis captain in 1953. At cricket he made the first century for the school in 16 years. He was selected in the representative GPS 1st cricket team in 1953 and he was also in the 2nd representative GPS rugby union team that year. He continued his interest in both cricket and tennis for many years playing in various country teams at club and representative level.
Following matriculation he attended the Kelvin Grove Teachers’ College in 1954 and was appointed to his first school in 1955 at Biggenden State Primary School.
Prior to actually starting teaching he served in National Service in the army. In 1956 he gained selection for the 1956 Olympic torch relay.
In early 1957 he started his career as a School Principal upon his appointment at Bungunya and following 10 transfers he retired from Fitzgerald State School in Mackay in 1992. Some of his appointments were at Depot Hill in Rockhampton, Mt. Isa Central and the Aboriginal Community School in Doomadgee.
He married Betty in 1959 and they had 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Betty lost her battle to cancer in 1993.
His Masonic career started when he was initiated on his 21st birthday in to Continuity Lodge. He was installed as Worshipful Master of Corona Lodge in 1964 while teaching at Jackson near Roma. He has since served as Worshipful Master a further 4 times. His present Grand Rank is Past Junior Grand Warden. He joined Royal Arch Masonry in Kennedy Chapter, Mackay in1966, was 1st Principal of Biloela Chapter in 1979 and has served two further terms in this office. His present rank is Past Third Grand Principal. In the Ancient Accepted Rite he took the 18th degree in 1968, was Most Wise Sovereign in 1982, took his 30th degree in Rockhampton in 1979, and was enthroned Illustrious Grand Commander at William Bickmore Council in 1999. He has held his 32nd degree since 2005.
He was installed in Victor Martin Conclave, Biloela in 1974, enthroned in Capricorn Conclave in 1983 and now holds the rank of Past Grand Chamberlain. He joined Capricorn Preceptory in 1978 and was their Eminent Preceptor in 1983. Now Past Grand Provost. In the Royal Order of Scotland which he joined in1991 he has recently received his patent as Provincial Grand Master of Capricornia. He was admitted at the foundation meeting of the Tabernacle of the Good Shepherd on its consecration day in 2005 in the Order of the Holy Knight Templar Priests. He is currently serving his fourth year as District Grand Prefect in the Order of the Allied Masonic Degree which he joined in 1977.
In Monitor Masonry he was inducted on the 18th April 1978 in Rockhampton Conclave. He was installed as Worthy Supreme Ruler at the Consecration of Harmony Conclave No 17 in Mt Isa on the 4th May 1985. He was again installed as Supreme Ruler in Norman Clarke Conclave in 1990 and has served as Conclave Recorder for most of the years since then. As a Grand Officer he has been Steward 4 years to 1993 Grand Visitor 1994/95/96, Deputy Grand Guide was conferred on 25.09.99 He was appointed Grand Guide in 2001/2/3 and was appointed Past Grand Councillor in 2004 and served as Grand Councillor from 2006 to the date of his appointment as Deputy Grand Supreme Ruler.