The new Master of Lodge Howick is Hincal Dogan, a 41 year-old Turk.
His installation as master was held recently at the Howick lodge rooms where many Grand Lodge Officers and other Masonic visitors celebrated his elevation into the master’s chair.
Dogan emigrated to New Zealand with his wife Ceren and baby son five years ago.
Already a Freemason and from a family of Freemasons in Turkey, he joined his local lodge and has made a rapid rise to his new office becoming one of the youngest masters in the 76 year history of Lodge Howick.
The Dogan family recently moved into a new home in Bucklands Beach. He has a master’s degree in computer engineering and is employed as lead engineer software development with Xero Accounting.
His main objectives as master in his one-year term are building the awareness and purpose of Freemasonry in the public domain as well as improving the education of current members in Masonic history and the Masonic principles and practices that can improve and enlarge their lives.
The lodge has an active programme of charitable work in the Howick-Pakuranga area including assistance with speech therapy for children with Down Syndrome and the donation of a special needs car seat for a family with a young child with genetic disorder Noonan’s disease.
Many community charities are also beneficiaries of the lodge’s largesse. Dogan will ensure this traditional help to those in need continues.
