Cobram Freemasons Lodge senior member Rob Gee said supporting local young people was an important part of the organisation’s work.
Earlier this year, the lodge also donated funds to help a team of local students travel to Switzerland for the World Hydrogen Remote Control Grand Prix.
Mr Gee said the donation to Emma was made with assistance from the Grand Lodge in Melbourne, after members learned she was still $7000 short of the funds needed for the trip.
On Thursday, July 30, Emma visited the lodge to speak with members about her upcoming trip before being officially presented with the donation.
“She spoke absolutely beautifully,” Mr Gee said.
“We were told by the school that she was $7000 short. She hadn’t even booked her tickets, so our donation was to get her over the line. She got a bit of a surprise.”
Emma said she had been worried about raising the remaining money and wasn’t sure how she was going to do it.
“I was really happy and really grateful to receive the donation,” she said.
“I was excited and shocked all in one. I nearly cried.
“I’m really grateful to the Freemasons and to Anne-Marie (school community engagement officer) for organising it.”
This will be Emma’s first time travelling overseas so she is “very nervous” but looking forward to doing some sightseeing outside of racing.
Mr Gee said it was fantastic to see local young people representing Australia on the world stage.
“We’ve had two lots of young people from Cobram represent Australia overseas now, so the community’s got to get behind them,” he said.
Mr Gee said it was a “privilege” to be able to support Emma, and the lodge looked forward to hearing about her experience when she returned from Argentina.
The Freemasons are always looking for new members and Mr Gee encouraged anyone interested to get in touch.
He said one of the best parts of being a Freemason was the friendships formed through the organisation.
“There’s lodges all over the world, so it doesn’t matter where you are, you've always got a friend,” he said.
If you are interested in becoming a member, you can call Rob Gee on 0447 710 189.
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