R.W. BRO. MICHAEL GRIMA
Home Lodge, Corona Lodge No. 454, Burk's Falls, Ontario

Our District Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Michael Grima, was born on March 17, 1957 in Melbourne Australia. After finishing year 11 at St. Johns College, he took on an apprenticeship as an Electrical Fitter with the Victorian Railways, and went on to complete exams for his A Grade Electrical Mechanic license classifying him as a Special Class Electrician. He then took on a position with Telecom Australia as an Installation Technician and remained with them until he left Australia in 1987.

He met Brigitte in Melbourne while she was traveling and after a brief courtship, Michael flew to Canada in March of 1980 where he and Brigitte were married in Toronto, and they went back to Australia to live. In 1982 they had a daughter, Sarrah, and in 1983 a son Christopher.

From a teenager, Michael always enjoyed woodworking as a hobby, and would make furniture for himself, family and friends in his spare time. In 1985 he came to Canada for a holiday with Brigitte and their two children only to return to Australia with an offer on a 35 acre property in Burk’s Falls. In 1987 they made the permanent move to Canada and spent a year building their house, and in 1988 they start a wood-working business out of their home called The Wooden Roo. After out-growing the garage they moved the business into a new building on the property which now houses a retail outlet upstairs and the workshop downstairs. Today Michael stays busy making custom furniture.

Michael joined the Burk’s Falls Lions Club in 1988, and has been an active member since, serving on and chairing many committees. He was club President in 1992-93, and has received various awards for service which include Life Membership in the Lions Foundation of Canada in 1991, Honorary Life Directorship in Lions Camp Dorset in 1994, The Helen Kellar Fellowship in 1995, The Judge Brian Stevenson Fellowship in 1996 plus three president’s appreciation pins for dedication and service performed.

Michael joined Corona Lodge No. 454 in Burks Falls, Ontario, and was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in 1995. He served as Master of Corona Lodge in 2000-01 and is currently going through the chairs for the second time. In 2003-2004 he served as District Secretary for Muskoka-Parry Sound District and in 2009 he became a member of Seguin Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry in Parry Sound.