Masonry in the Central Coast 1892-1992. Book One. by Central Coast Council

GOSFORD CITY LIBRARY

HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE

CENTRAL COAST OF

NEW SOUTH WALES

Masonry in the Central Coast

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HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE

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Published i n A u s t r a l i a by

GOSFORD DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY STUDY GROUP 4 Adam Street, Narara, NSW, 2250 Telephone (043) 25 1055

ÂŠ

Philippe Ed. Tabuteau, KOPA, BACC(DLI Syd), JP, and Joan Fenton, AssDipLAH, JP, 1993

A l l rights reserved. No part of this or reproduced or u t i l i z e d i n any form mechanical or other means, now known including photocopying and recording, storage or r e t r i e v a l system, without from the publishers.

ISBN Series No. 0 7316 0651 5 ISBN This Volume No. 0 7316 0640 X

book may be reprinted or by any e l e c t r o n i c , or hereafter invented, or i n any information permission i n writing

Centenary Medal Set No.: gzrzrzi:

This book i s part of the series t i t l e d H i s t o r i c a l Records of the Central Coast of New South Wales

Printed i n A u s t r a l i a

Gosford City P r i n t i n g Plant

Australia 17881988

This publication has been endorsed by the Australian Bicentennial Authority to celebrate Australia's Bicentenary in 1988.

IVfesonry in the Central Coast 18921992 "BOOK i

5fom aSEth centunj manuscript.

AN INTRODUCTION TO CRAFT FREEMASONRY OR "BLUE LODGES' IN OUR DISTRICT

Attempt t o d i s c u s s the HISTORY AND NATURE OF MASONRY E x t e n t and c o m p o s i t i o n o f our MASONIC DISTRICT LOCAL ORGANISATION: C r a f t Lodges and o t h e r c l o s e l y r e l a t e d Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n s

"OLUL Masonic 4y.4tem and OUA. acc&ptance. of. toleyiance. towcmdA otkeyvi me.arv6 thxvt FJte.em.aAorviy, IA fJ.exA.b-ie. enough to encompcui.4 ciiff.eM.lng. poJJitA of vLew w-Uthin the bouncU Aet. by, OUA. tamimaAkA. "Biugotn.^. in any, Ahape on, fornn. hoA no pajit in. thlA pn.oceAA and out mindiA AhouXd be open to at teoAt undeJiAtand the othen. peJVion'A point, of view. "

From Grand M a s t e r ' s C h r i s t m a s Message M.W. B r o . Ronald L. H. JOHNSON "The Waratah L i n k " , December 1991

THE

STATE OF CRAFT MASONRY IN OUR DISTRICT FROM THE EARLIEST YEARS

V a r i o u s Masonic o r d e r s appeared i n t h e c o l o n y y e a r s . They r e p r e s e n t e d d i f f e r e n t c o n s t i t u t i o n s i a n c e t o a number o f Grand b o d i e s o v e r s e a s .

from t h e e a r l y and owed a l l e g -

On 17 September 1802, a French e x p l o r a t i o n f l e e t was i n P o r t Jackson. On t h i s o c c a s i o n a Chapter Rose C r o i x met and p e r f e c t e d some l o c a l Masons. A certificate, i n French, on b e h a l f o f the French Grand O r i e n t was i s s u e d t o C a p t a i n Anthony Fenn Kemp. T h i s c e r t i f i c a t e , undoubtedly a u t h e n t i c , i s now d e p o s i t e d i n t h e M i t c h e l l L i b r a r y , Sydney. In 1803, S i r Henry Browne Hayes, an I r i s h c o n v i c t and a man f o r m e r l y o f rank and i n f l u e n c e who had been deported to the c o l o n y , sought p e r m i s s i o n t o h o l d a Free Masons' Lodge. The Governor r e f u s e d p e r m i s s i o n . However, Hayes, i n contempt o f the i n j u n c t i o n , was found w i t h s e v e r a l o t h e r s assembled as Free Masons. He was sentenced, w i t h hard l a b o u r , t o be deported to Van Diemen's Land. The Sydney G a z e t t e o f 22 May, 1803 warned that: "Any s i m i l a r meetings w i t h o u t t h e express a p p r o b a t i o n of t h e Governor, w i l l be punished t o t h e utmost r i g o r of t h e law." C r a f t Masonry was by Lodges a t t a c h e d warrants.

first practised i n Australia t o B r i t i s h Regiments w o r k i n g

before under

1817 Irish

In August 1820, a Lodge was d u l y c o n s t i t u t e d under I r i s h c o n s t i t u t i o n . T h i s was t h e f i r s t r e g u l a r permanent Lodge i n A u s t r a l i a : Lodge " A u s t r a l i a n S o c i a l Mother". L a t e r , Lodges a l s o a f f i l i a t e d w i t h and r e c e i v e d w a r r a n t s from Grand Lodges o f England o r S c o t l a n d . T h e r e f o r e t h e t h r e e main c o n s t i t u t i o n s were r e p r e s e n t e d working s i d e by s i d e u n t i l i t was t h r o u g h t f i t and p r o p e r t o amalgamate them. A f t e r c o n s u l t a t i o n s the p r i n c i p l e of u n i f y i n g the c o n s t i t u t i o n s was agreed upon and A r t i c l e s o f Union were drawn, a step which l e d t o t h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e UNITED GRAND LODGE o f New South Wales, o f A n c i e n t , Free and A c c e p t e d Masons. The Agreement was s i g n e d on 1 June 1888. Consequently a l l o t h e r c o n s t i t u t i o n s o f C r a f t Masonry became e x t i n c t i n the S t a t e o f New South Wales. Our f i r s t C r a f t Lodge i n t h i s d i s t r i c t was n o t d e d i c a t e d u n t i l 1892, f o u r y e a r s a f t e r the Compact o f Union. Therefore, a l l

l o c a l C r a f t Lodges c r e a t e d t h e r e a f t e r belonged t o t h e o n l y constitution; there i s no i n s t a n c e o f r i v a l r y due t o c o m p e t i t i o n of c o n s t i t u t i o n s , o r d i v i d e d a l l e g i a n c e which i s such a f e a t u r e of o t h e r Masonic o r d e r s .

SUMMARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Cramp and Mackaness, A H i s t o r y o f t h e U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f A n c i e n t , Free and A c c e p t e d Masons o f N.S.W. 1888-1938, Sydney, 1938. Cramp, K. R., From J u b i l e e t o Diamond J u b i l e e , 1949. K e l l e r m a n , H. H., From Diamond 2 volumes, Sydney, 1990. Henley, W. , H i s t o r y o f Lodge No. 1, 1820-1920, Sydney, 1920.

Jubilee

t o Centenary,

Australian

Constitutions of the Ancient F r a t e r n i t y Masons, U.G.L. o f N.S.W., 1926.

1938-1948,

Social

o f Free

Sydney,

1948-1988,

Mother,

and A c c e p t e d

OUR AND

THE

F I R S T LODGES

DEVELOPMENT OF

THE

CRAFT AFTER

1888

The f i r s t lodge e s t a b l i s h e d i n the district i n 1892 lasted only nine years. I t s t o p p e d m e e t i n g i n 1900 a n d surrendered i t s w a r r a n t i n 1901. I t w o u l d seem t h a t THE R I S I N G SUN LODGE NO. 206 was a v i c t i m o f an a d v e r s e e c o n o m i c climate. This was the g e n e r a l t r e n d which was reflected i n the declining membership of the Grand Lodge a t t h e t i m e . When t h e U n i t e d G r a n d L o d g e of New S o u t h W a l e s was formed t h e number o f a f f i l i a t e d C r a f t L o d g e s was 176. That number g r e w s l o w l y t o 187 by t h e end o f 1892, when THE RISING SUN LODGE was c o n s t i t u t e d . A l l went w e l l f o r t h e n e x t t h r e e y e a r s , w i t h t h e number o f l o d g e s i n c r e a s i n g t o 197 at the end of 1895. Then a s l o w d e c l i n e s e t i n , and a t t h e e n d o f 1901, when t h e l o c a l w a r r a n t was s u r r e n d e r e d , t h e number h a d decreased. By t h e n , t w e n t y - f i v e new lodges had appeared but twenty-two h a d d i s a p p e a r e d and s i x h a d m e r g e d , w h i c h r e s u l t e d i n a net loss of three. The t o t a l number o f l o d g e s was t h e n 184. I t seems t h a t many l o d g e s w e r e c r e a t e d i n t h e e u p h o r i a following t h e U n i o n o f 1888 and t h e r e was a r e c r u i t m e n t p o o l l a r g e e n o u g h to o f f e r the lodges a chance of r e p l a c i n g wastages w h i c h n o r m a l l y occur. However, i n t i m e s of r e c e s s i o n , l o d g e s traditionally suffer a membership loss without means o f transfusing new blood. Immediately f o l l o w i n g t h a t y e a r , between t h r e e new l o d g e s were c r e a t e d and s e v e n were only two surrenders of warrants - a p o s i t i v e g a i n of f i f t y - t h r e e lodges i n

1902 and 1 9 1 2 , fortywere r e v i v e d . There and no amalgamations ten years.

THE R I S I N G SUN LODGE was b o r n w i t h g r e a t h o p e s i n 1892 with n i n e members. I t g r e w w o n d e r f u l l y i n t h e two f o l l o w i n g y e a r s , r e a c h i n g t h i r t y - f o u r members i n 1894. During 1895, no less than eleven brethren r e s i g n e d . The m e m b e r s h i p f e l l to seventeen by 1900. I t w o u l d seem t h a t i f members h a d b e e n w i l l i n g to stick i t out a l i t t l e longer, considering that the organisation was i n p l a c e and w i t h l i t t l e c u r r e n t e x p e n s e o t h e r t h a n f o r r e n t o f t h e h a l l , t h e l o d g e c o u l d have w e a t h e r e d t h e few bad years, o r perhaps c o u l d have been r e v i v e d under the same name and number, w h i c h i s what h a p p e n e d w i t h a number o f o t h e r lodges w h i c h had l a p s e d i n t o r e c e s s . We would not then have had a gap o f f i v e y e a r s . Obviously the brethren had disbanded w i t h the thought of t h i s being a f i n a l d e c i s i o n . L o d g e WYONG, c o n s e c r a t e d i n 1906, w i t h i n an a r e a o f much s m a l l e r p o p u l a t i o n a n d l e s s r e s o u r c e s t h a n G o s f o r d , d i d w e l l and never looked back. The e c o n o m i c c l i m a t e had by t h e n i m p r o v e d .

Masonry reappeared i n G o s f o r d i n 1917 w i t h L o d g e R I S I N G SUN. I t was a t a p r o p i t i o u s t i m e when M a s o n r y was i n a mode of f u l l expansion. T h i s was r e f l e c t e d i n t h e g r o w t h o f m e m b e r s h i p and t h e i n c r e a s e i n new l o d g e s : 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 I t was a period South Wales.

10 new 13 " 29 " 39 " 31 " 49 " 47 "

lodges "

" "

e x c e p t i o n a l growth

for

the

D u r i n g t h e s e y e a r s , MORNING STAR and MORISSET i t was a v e r y p r o s p e r o u s t i m e f o r M a s o n r y .

EXPRESSIONS OF

H O S T I L I T Y TOWARD THE

Craft

saw

the

New

light:

CRAFT:

ANIMOSITY AGAINST MASONRY

'The relationship between Freemasonry and Religion had been a perennial v e x e d q u e s t i o n f o r a g r e a t many y e a r s , even before the first English Grand Lodge.â&#x20AC;˘ Soon a f t e r 1717 (the year that a largely o p e r a t i v e Masonry was r e c a s t i n a s y m b o l i c modern form of F r e e m a s o n r y ) , lodges b e g a n t o a p p e a r i n many p l a c e s a n d c o u n t r i e s . Under the F r e e mason G r a n d L o d g e o f L o n d o n , M a s o n r y s p r e a d i n t h e following years. I t became f a s h i o n a b l e t o become a F r e e m a s o n . As a r e s u l t , h o s t i l i t y s o o n b e g a n t o be e x p r e s s e d t o w a r d t h i s somewhat mysterious and successful association, and antagonism began t o be shown by b o d i e s whose o p p o s i t i o n was increased i n proport i o n t o t h e i r l a c k of knowledge about i t . The C a t h o l i c C h u r c h was t h e m o s t v o c a l and d e t e r m i n e d . Governm e n t s w e r e a l s o w a r y o f an a s s o c i a t i o n w h i c h r e q u i r e d s e c r e t s o f i t s members. S t a t e P o l i c e r e g u l a r l y sent s p i e s to meetings t o r e p o r t on t h e p r o c e e d i n g s . In fact we know much about e a r l y meetings through p o l i c e r e p o r t s .

[1]

K e l l e r m a n , M.

Sydney:

H. From Diamond J u b i l e e t o Centenary, 1990,

Volume IV, p229.

U.G.L. o f

N.S.W.,

ATTACKS ON FREEMASONRY I n l a t e r y e a r s , d u r i n g t h e p a s t one has a l s o been d i r e c t e d a t M a s o n r y by Protestant persuasions.

o r two d e c a d e s , criticism some C h u r c h m e n o f v a r i o u s

' C r i t i c i s m and d i r e c t a t t a c k s on Freemasonry from individuals and some members o f C h u r c h e s a r e n o t new .... attempts have b e e n made to denounce Freemasonry on r e l i g i o u s g r o u n d s . ' [ 2 ] I know o f one l o c a l i n s t a n c e a Minister of r e l i g i o n .

where

Masonry

was

denounced

To investigate this problem thoroughly, various Committees w e r e s e t up t o i s s u e r e p o r t s a s t o t h e a t t i t u d e t o be a d o p t e d o r how c r i t i c i s m s h o u l d be a n s w e r e d . On more t h a n one o c c a s i o n t h e Grand Master had t o e x p l a i n the meaning and f u n c t i o n o f Freemasonry t o c o u n t e r continued a t t a c k s on i t s b a s i s and i n t e g r i t y . As evinced b y t h e G.M.'s e x h o r t a t i o n at of March 1 9 8 7 , antagonism t o Freemasonry, Church groups, i n t e n s i f i e d . [ 3 ]

the Communication particularly from

The C r a f t met the challenge by p u b l i c i s i n g t h e magnificent M a s o n i c w e l f a r e p r o j e c t s as p o s i t i v e p r o o f o f t h e good i n t e n t i o n s of the I n s t i t u t i o n . M.W.Bro. P r o f e s s o r R o y A. Woodman a t t e n d e d special w i t h opposing f a c t i o n s , d e l i v e r e d addresses and wrote [4]

meetings articles.

A number o f r e p o r t s w e r e made b y v a r i o u s Churches that we have s e c u r e d and s t u d i e d . The B o a r d o f G e n e r a l P u r p o s e s t o o k a number o f d e c i s i o n s t o m o d i f y some o f t h e c a u s e s o f c r i t i c i s m when p o s s i b l e t o a l l e v i a t e o b j e c t i o n s .

OBLIGATIONS To p l a c a t e a n d n u l l i f y t h e m a i n o b j e c t i o n s , G r a n d L o d g e t o remove t h e m a i n c a u s e s o f o b j e c t i o n . The r i t u a l was [ 2 ] K e l l e r m a n , M. H. o p . c i t . . Volume V, p491. [ 3 ] K e l l e r m a n , M. H. o p . c i t . . Volume IV, p231. [4] K e l l e r m a n , M. H. o p . c i t . . Volume IV, p236.

decided altered

by r e m o v i n g t h e of t h e o a t h on be b l a s p h e m o u s .

p e n a l t i e s of the o b l i g a t i o n s from the wording t h e V o l u m e o f t h e S a c r e d Law, considered to

S t i l l c r i t i c s were not s a t i s f i e d : M a s o n r y r e s e m b l e d t o o much, i n words and i n r i t u a l , a r e l i g i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n , as instanced by, f o r example, the M a s o n i c b u r i a l s e r v i c e . The n e x t s t e p , w h i c h a f f e c t e d local Masonry, was to delete the word 'Temple' f r o m e v e r y w h e r e p o s s i b l e ; from the Masonic v o c a b u l a r y a s w e l l as f r o m i t s b u i l d i n g s .

REMOVAL OF THE AS DESIGNATING THE

WORD 'TEMPLE'

MEETING PLAGE OF A LODGE

'Masons have always understood the t e r m M a s o n i c T e m p l e t o mean t h e place where M a s o n i c meetings are held, and t o them t h e w o r d T e m p l e i n t h i s sense was synonymous w i t h Hall, Centre or Lodge Room, I t conveyed no church or religious meaning to them, but t o some n o n - M a s o n s , " T e m p l e " i s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h r e l i g i o n . ' [5] T h i s had c a u s e d c o n c e r n t o t h e B o a r d o f G e n e r a l P u r p o s e s and t o p l a c a t e t h e i l l - i n f o r m e d o r t h e m a l i c i o u s c r i t i c s , i t was d e c i d e d t o remove t h e p r e t e x t f o r an ill-founded allegation. A c i r c u l a r was s e n t t o a l l L o d g e S e c r e t a r i e s t o be read at lodge meetings: 'THE UNITED GRAND LODGE Wales of A n c i e n t , Free Masons 25th March,

o f New South and Accepted

1988

TO: S e c r e t a r i e s o f Lodges M a s o n i c P r o p e r t y Owners Discontinuation of the use of the word "Temple" as d e s i g n a t i n g t h e m e e t i n g p l a c e o f a Masonic Lodge. W i t h a v i e w t o e m p h a s i s i n g and demons t r a t i n g t o Non-Masons a n d t h e general p u b l i c t h a t Freemasonry i s not a r e l i g i o n , the Board of General Purposes has given much thought and consideration

[5]

K e l l e r m a n , M. H. o p . c i t . . Volume IV, p234.

to the

the d e s i r a b i l i t y of discontinuing use o f t h e word "Temple".

' where practicable, the word "Temple" be henceforth replaced in the Book of Constitutions and other Masonic publications with the words " L o d g e Room", " M a s o n i c H a l l " o r " M a s o n i c Centre" as a p p r o p r i a t e , but that no c h a n g e be made i n t h e R i t u a l . ' F o r many, t h e w o r d 'Temple' does n o t n e c e s s a r i l y convey a r e l i g i o u s concept. F o r example, i t i s e x t e n s i v e l y used i n regard to Courts of J u s t i c e : 'Inner Temple', 'Temple B a r ' , etc. A r e n o t C o u r t s o f J u s t i c e T e m p l e s o f t h e Law; Universities, Temples of Learning; A r t G a l l e r i e s or L i b r a r i e s , the Temples o f C u l t u r e ; a n d War M e m o r i a l s , Temples to the Memory o f a N a t i o n ' s H e r o e s ? 'Temple' i s a t e r m t h a t t r a d i t i o n a l l y h a s b e e n u s e d t o d e s c r i b e the b u i l d i n g s where Masons meet. An i n j u n c t i o n f r o m Grand L o d g e i n t i m a t e d t h a t h e n c e f o r t h o t h e r t e r m s w h i c h h a d no r e l i g i o u s c o n n o t a t i o n s w e r e t o be u s e d . The p r o h i b i t i o n p u t o n t h e g o o d o l d t e r m 'Temple' distressed many. T h i s was a d e p a r t u r e f r o m t r a d i t i o n , a n d a n y i n n o v a t i o n i s b o u n d t o be u p s e t t i n g . F o r some t h i s was a k i n t o r e m o v i n g a ' l a n d m a r k ' w h i c h we a r e t o l d i s i m m o v a b l e . For others, i tappeared t o give i n t o u n j u s t i f i a b l e i n t i m i d a t i o n f r o m a body w h i c h , a s i n d i v i d u a l s . Masons respected and t o which they belonged. I n s h o r t , t h e y w e r e r a t h e r r u f f l e d b y w h a t was seen a s 'a m e a s u r e t h a t w i l l make no d i f f e r e n c e , t h e y do n o t e v e n u s e t h a t word f o r t h e i r c h u r c h e s ! Do t h e y ? The w o r d belongs to anybody!' I n essence, t h e word itself was t o be p r a c t i c a l l y removed from p u b l i c n o t i c e but kept i n the p r i v a c y of our ceremonial. New s t u d i e s h a v e b e e n o r d e r e d b y v a r i o u s churches i n recent t i m e s t o r e p o r t on t h e c o m p a t i b i l i t y , o r o t h e r w i s e , of C h r i s t i a n r e l i g i o n and Masonry. A l o n g r e p o r t was p r o d u c e d i n E n g l a n d . Following i t s lead, two r e p o r t s w e r e c o m p i l e d i n A u s t r a l i a b y a t l e a s t two d i f f e r e n t denominations. The c o n c l u s i o n i s t h a t C h r i s t i a n s s h o u l d s t r o n g l y be d i s c o u r a g e d f r o m b e c o m i n g M a s o n s . However, t h e r e s o l u t i o n s t o p s s h o r t o f a p r o h i b i t i o n on j o i n i n g .

A LOCAL HISTORY OF

CONFRONTATION

L o c a l l y , some b r e t h r e n v i v i d l y remember a d e b a t e i n a church h a l l i n w h i c h t h e y had been i n d u c e d t o p a r t i c i p a t e . A minister h a d p r e s e n t e d some u n f a v o u r a b l e comments on M a s o n r y t o a g r o u p of p a r i s h i o n e r s , not a f u l l assembly, but r a t h e r a s m a l l group of keen e l d e r s . In that select c i r c l e of parishioners were t h e w i v e s o f some M a s o n s , They t o o k s t r o n g e x c e p t i o n t o t h e R e v e r e n d g e n t l e m a n ' s comments. F o u r o f us w e r e i n v i t e d t o a d e b a t e on t h e q u e s t i o n at the n e x t m e e t i n g c a l l e d by t h e R e v e r e n d . I t was a n e m b a r r a s s i n g situation; i t was difficult to escape from attending and w h i l s t t h e r e , i t was d i f f i c u l t t o answer questions candidly w i t h o u t g i v i n g away some p o i n t s w h i c h s h o u l d be k e p t c o n c e a l e d . F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e g e n t l e m e n t a k i n g p a r t on b o t h sides of the debate were a l w a y s c a r e f u l not t o p r e s s t h e opponent t o o h a r s h l y . The s c o r e was n i l a l l , b u t s u c h e n c o u n t e r s a r e n o t v e r y u s e f u l , n o - o n e w i s h i n g t o be s w a y e d i n t h e l e a s t o r t o make t h e m i n u t e s t concession.

Reports and articles on F r e e m a s o n r y and R e l i g i o n ;

the

relationship

S y d n e y M o r n i n g H e r a l d , 20 December 1 9 8 3 , Smith, 39 a n d

Dr. G e o f f r e y pl44.

'The Menace o f 1989, pp52-58. 'Freemasonry the Church pages.

the

E.,

Penthouse,

Mason',

The

and Christianity', of E n g l a n d , London,

Report, Presbyterian 1986, p p l 0 6 - 1 1 2 .

Church

Report of S t a n d i n g Committee, S y d n e y , O c t o b e r 1 9 8 8 , 50 p a g e s .

FROM OPERATIVE TO I t i s not the nature t h a t have subject i s

May

between

p7. 1987,

Bulletin,

General February

April

Synod 1985,

Queensland,

Church

pp32-

of 56

Minutes

England,

SPECULATIVE MASONS

our p u r p o s e i n t h i s volume t o d e l v e i n - d e p t h into and o r g a n i s a t i o n o f t h e v a r i o u s M a s o n i c institutions b e e n o r a r e now r e p r e s e n t e d i n o u r d i s t r i c t ; the t o o v a s t and i s e x t r e m e l y complex.

H o w e v e r , some k n o w l e d g e

i s n e c e s s a r y t o u n d e r s t a n d and

appreciate

the r e l a t i o n s h i p which exists between these various o r d e r s and t h e p l a c e t h e y o c c u p y i n t h e s o c i a l o r d e r .

Masonic

We have, therefore, simply marshalled information that is freely and readily available, such as information recorded i n M i n u t e s b o o k s , a u d i t s and r e p o r t s , w i t h o u t d i s c l o s i n g details of a p e r s o n a l nature which any a s s o c i a t i o n p r e f e r s to keep private. We w i l l s k e t c h a g e n e r a l p i c t u r e o f t i o n s w h i c h have e n r i c h e d our s o c i a l years.

the l o c a l life for

Masonic the l a s t

instituhundred

E a c h o f t h e a s s o c i a t i o n s has t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of compiling comprehensive histories of their own, using Minutes books, b u s i n e s s p a p e r s , a n d t h e r e c o l l e c t i o n s o f t h e o l d e r and more a r t i c u l a t e members. Many h a v e a l r e a d y done so, to varying d e g r e e s , and l e t us hope that this very important project w i l l be t a k e n up by competent and dedicated brethren, and t h a t i n t i m e , e v e r y M a s o n i c body w i l l have p r e s e r v e d i t s p a s t h i s t o r y t o make i t a v a i l a b l e f o r f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s . S p e c u l a t i v e M a s o n r y , a s we know i t t o d a y , seems t o i s s u e f r o m a n c i e n t o p e r a t i v e Masonry which f l o u r i s h e d i n the l a t e Middle Ages. F r e e M a s o n was the name g i v e n to craftsmen engaged i n b u i l d i n g the l a r g e s t r u c t u r e s which began t o appear after t h e y e a r 1,000 when ' t h e g r e a t f r i g h t ' was d i s s i p a t e d . Christendom b e g a n t o be c o v e r e d w i t h c h u r c h e s , m o n a s t e r i e s , bridges, c a s t l e s a n d a b o v e a l l , t h e c a t h e d r a l s - monuments w h i c h today s t i l l e l i c i t our a d m i r a t i o n and wonder. T h e s e c r a f t s m e n w e r e n o m i n a t e d as F r e e M a s o n s s i n c e t h e y had no r e s t r i c t i o n s i m p o s e d on t h e i r t r a v e l s , u n l i k e o t h e r o r d i n a r y masons o r t r a d e s m e n whose movements w e r e restricted. Free M a s o n s c o u l d t r a v e l t o any place i n which their skill was i n demand. They s o m e t i m e s a s s e m b l e d i n l a r g e n u m b e r s , with t h e i r many t a l e n t s , f o r l o n g p e r i o d s o f t i m e . The building o f many c a t h e d r a l s t o o k w e l l o v e r one h u n d r e d y e a r s ! T h e y e l e c t e d a M a s t e r M a s o n who was p l a c e d over t h e p r o g r e s s of t h e b u i l d i n g and t o represent him were o v e r s e e r s , c a l l e d Wardens.

them t o them.

direct Under

A s h e l t e r was p l a c e d on t h e b u i l d i n g s i t e w h i c h they called a L o d g e , i n w h i c h w e r e k e p t t h e i r p l a n s and d r a w i n g s , instruct i o n s and c o n t r a c t s and g e n e r a l l y a l l t h e i r r e c o r d s and documents. T h e y a l s o met there to discuss and solve problems a s t h e y a r o s e and t o t r a n s a c t a l l t h e b u s i n e s s o f t h e i r t r a d e . T h e y met eyes and

i n t h e s e c l u s i o n o f t h e i r l o d g e , away f r o m e a r s o f t h e Cowans o r Common L o c a l M a s o n s .

the

prying

The r e l a t i o n s h i p o f members w i t h t h e o r d e r was t e s t e d orally and ascertained by q u e s t i o n s and answers and Pass Words. One o f t h e b r o t h e r h o o d was a r m e d a n d p l a c e d a t t h e d o o r to p r o t e c t t h e p r o c e e d i n g s f r o m b e i n g d i s t u r b e d by u n w a n t e d c a l l e r s . A number o f a p p r e n t i c e s w e r e taken into t h e membership of Free Masons; u s u a l l y f r o m t h e age o f t w e l v e , t o be i n s t r u c t e d i n t h e a r t . A p p r e n t i c e s t o t h e C r a f t were first introduced t o t h e b r e t h r e n when t h e y w e r e e n r o l l e d , o r e n t e r e d , on t h e r o l l books. T h i s was t h e o c c a s i o n i n t h e L o d g e f o r a s h o r t c e r e m o n y c o n d u c t e d following a r i t u a l . They were interrogated by the Master to s a t i s f y him t h a t t h e y were f i t t o j o i n the c r a f t , then t h e y w e r e p a r a d e d a r o u n d t h e room t o be a c k n o w l e d g e d by t h e brethren and t h e y were formally p r e s e n t e d t o t h e Wardens. T h e y w e r e t h e n g i v e n p a s s w o r d s a n d s i g n s t o p e r m i t them t o identify themselves to the brotherhood. Those passwords, s i g n s and t o k e n s were t h e i r oral 'Union Tickets' and their ' P a s s p o r t s ' t o e n a b l e t h e m t o t r a v e l f r e e l y f r o m one j o b s i t e to t h e n e x t and t o g a i n employment. T h e i r i n s t r u c t i o n t h e n commenced. I t was i m p r e s s e d u p o n them to keep t o t h e m s e l v e s t h e s e c r e t s and p r a c t i c e s o f t h e a r t . They u s u a l l y stayed seven years before being q u a l i f i e d to become a f e l l o w c r a f t s m a n . When a f e l l o w M a s o n became a c r a f t s man, he was g i v e n a p e r s o n a l m a r k w i t h w h i c h t o a u t h e n t i c a t e h i s w o r k on t h e s t o n e he c u t o r t h e d r a w i n g s he made. From t h e c l a s s o f c r a f t s m e n , o r f u l l y qualified Masons, one o f t h e i r number was c h o s e n t o become t h e M a s t e r o f t h e L o d g e . He was e l e c t e d b y h i s b r e t h r e n ; he r e p r e s e n t e d t h e m , g u i d e d them, managed t h e i r i n t e r e s t s , a n d r u l e d them. T h e r e were t h e n o n l y two d e g r e e s : that of f u l l y qualified fellowcraft mark t o i d e n t i f y t h e i r work.

that who

o f a p p r e n t i c e s and used a distinctive

A n o t h e r s e t o f s i g n s a n d p a s s w o r d s was c o m m u n i c a t e d t o t h e f e l l o w c r a f t s , a l s o t o the M a s t e r s of the Lodge. T h i s e f f e c t i v e l y p r e v e n t e d a Mason o f an inferior degree passing himself or a t t e n d i n g b u s i n e s s f o r w h i c h he was n o t q u a l i f i e d . Many f e l l o w c r a f t s f i l l e d t h e o f f i c e o f M a s t e r o f a L o d g e d u r i n g t h e i r l i f e t i m e a n d i t became c u s t o m a r y t o a d v a n c e t h e m e r i t o r i o u s - that i s ,w e l l q u a l i f i e d f e l l o w c r a f t s - to the rank of Master Mason, even w i t h o u t h a v i n g s e r v e d as M a s t e r o f a Lodge. This b e i n g t h e c a s e , a M a s t e r Mason c h o s e n t o s e r v e as Lodge M a s t e r was i n s t a l l e d i n due f o r m a n d r i t u a l by o t h e r M a s t e r Masons who h a d s e r v e d i n t h a t c a p a c i t y .

These t r a d i t i o n a l p r a c t i c e s l e d t o the a d o p t i o n of the three degrees o f : E n t e r e d A p p r e n t i c e , F e l l o w c r a f t and M a s t e r Mason. The p o s i t i o n o f installed Master i s not a Masonic degree, a l t h o u g h i t c a l l s f o r s i g n s , p a s s words, and a ceremony from w h i c h a r e e x c l u d e d t h o s e o f t h e f i r s t t h r e e and o n l y degrees i n Free Masonry. The the only link

q u a l i t y of I n s t a l l e d Master i s not a degree as such in s c a l e of Masonry C r a f t - or Blue Masonry - which i s the M a s o n i c Order w h i c h can c l a i m a t r a d i t i o n a l and historical w i t h M i d d l e Ages O p e r a t i v e F r e e Masons o r F r e y M a u r e r s .

,. . "Ur^/^^^"^^

, In/'

ay .

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tefi ^

The Lodges RISING SUN

i n Gosford

Our d i s t r i c t , v i s i t e d i n 1788 and 1789 by Governor P h i l l i p , was not settled for a long time. It was only from 1823 that grants of land were made. The r i s e i n population was slow and numbered only 99 souls by 1828. The cause of this slow growth was mostly because of the d i f f i c u l t y of access across the mighty Hawkesbury River from the south and the escarpment and ridges to the west. Easy a c c e s s i b i l i t y was only available by small s a i l i n g vessels that could enter Brisbane Water through The Rip. Timber was the main industry with products being transported by sea to Sydney. Direct access by land was a necessity to open the d i s t r i c t . This happened with the completion of a railway link from Sydney to Newcastle i n 1888. The transport of goods and products was greatly improved, and the t r a v e l l i n g conditions for people became 'fast and commodious' ( i t took only four hours, and the carriages were provided with wooden benches). The d i s t r i c t then began to expand and the little v i l l a g e began to s t i r . The establishment of the f i r s t Masonic Lodge i n the d i s t r i c t may have been determined, and certainly was f a c i l i t a t e d by, the completion of the north-south Newcastle-Gosford-Sydney continuous r a i l l i n k . The completion and opening on 1 May 1889 of the railway bridge over the Hawkesbury River made t r a v e l l i n g to Gosford from either Sydney or Newcastle a r e l a t i v e l y easy undertaking. U n t i l then, the necessity of boarding the paddle steamer ferry from Brooklyn to Gosford, later to Mu11et Creek, made the journey inconvenient to men dressed in their best black suits and white s h i r t s . In 1892 i t was decided that the d i s t r i c t was ready for Masonry. A p e t i t i o n was drawn up and signed by eleven brethren from Sydney and Newcastle. The Lodge 'STELLA D'ITALIA, No. 200' sponsored the p e t i t i o n , and on 24 September 1892, with the blessing of the newly established United Grand Lodge of New South Wales, 'THE RISING SUN LODGE, No. 206' was dedicated and consecrated i n a ceremony held i n the School of Arts at the corner of Mann Street and Georgiana Terrace, Gosford. The population i n the area local Masons were members years to come, THE RISING from Sydney and Newcastle new local Masons joined the

at the time was sma 11, only three of the newly founded Lodge. For SUN LODGE would depend on v i s i t o r s to f i l l most of the o f f i c e s unti 1 ranks and took o f f i c e .

The canvassing of suitable candidates had been thoroughly investigated beforehand. It was necessary that a large number of local gentlemen accede to membership. At the end of 1892, the Lodge had admitted twelve new members, five had been r a i s e d , six had taken the f i r s t steps up the ladder and one had been affiliated. The following year, 1893, another twelve members joined the ranks. The membership rose steadily u n t i l , after three years, a l l the o f f i c e r s of the Lodge were local brethren and the Lodge was well established. THE RISING SUN LODGE could now

stand on i t s own

feet.

The brethren met in the School of A r t s . At the conclusion of the meetings, they adjourned for the South to the top floor of the premises of Bro. Charles CAIN's 'The Fern Tree Hotel', conveniently situated across the s t r e e t , for some light refreshment and convivial fellowship. The names of some members are s t i l l alive i n our memories: John PARR, Gosford Post Master, was one of the three local foundation members; John SMITH, who b u i l t Stonehurst at East Gosford; Harry WHEELER, then a local storekeeper; William McINTYRE, the f i r s t bank manager; Charles CAIN, the hotelkeeper; J . J . MULLARD; Manasseh WARD; Thomas FALLON, a local Constable; Thomas DEASEY, the f i r s t Estate Agent; Charles PECK, the Schoolmaster; Robert COULTER; John ROBLEY; Chris KOHLHOFF, teacher at Kincumber and a scholar; S. BEVERIDGE, the Clerk of Petty Sessions; are amongst the names s t i l l remembered. Later, James KIBBLE joined the brethren as did Sidney FIELDER, the local medical p r a c t i t i o n e r . Of the local Masons, Alexander RAE, John F, PARR, William McINTYRE, Thomas DEASEY, Charles PECK, C h r i s . Ed. KOHLHOFF and James KIBBLE became Masters i n succession. At the time, the School of Arts was the only suitable building in which to meet. A room i n the basement was used for the meetings of the Gosford Borough Council, the f i r s t elections for which were held i n February 1887. The LOYAL GOSFORD STAR Lodge of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows also met i n the Committee Room of the old School of Arts as probably did other Committees of l o c a l associations. The o r i g i n a l building was victim to a f i r e on the night of 15 November 1927. The happy times came to an end. THE RISING SUN the problems of diminishing membership. Recruits scarce and a number of members defected. Lack from some made i t d i f f i c u l t to conduct meetings. conditions were also deteriorating but this was condition. The last years of the century saw

LODGE struck were becoming of interest The economic not a local a period of

general decline for the C r a f t , the reason for which may have been the recession taking place at the time. It affected many Lodges, THE RISING SUN being one of them. If f i v e men make a Lodge, then THE RISING SUN LODGE was well off with seventeen members, but i t seems that some lost f a i t h in their f a t e . They lost the w i l l to overcome the d i f f i c u l t i e s to carry on, so f e l t i t prudent to suspend and go into recess for a year. It may seem that they could have chosen to keep meeting since they were set up with a l l their regalia and furniture. The last regular meeting for August meeting c a l l e d under Dispensation also lapsed.

1900 lapsed. f o r Election

An of

emergent Officers

On 7 September 1900, THE RISING SUN LODGE had submitted an application for permission to go into recess u n t i l July 1901. The proceedings of the Grand Lodge give a somewhat terse report: 'September 1900 Lodge THE RISING SUN, No. 206, Gosford. An application was received from this lodge for permission to go into recess, u n t i l J u l y , 1901. The Board acceded to this request.' The next meeting was held the f o l lowing year on 21 September 1901 under the chairmanship of Wor. Bro. James KIBBLE. The number of brethren present i s not stated. Charles PECK moved to surrender the Charter and this was seconded by Wor. Bro. Wm. McINTYRE, treasurer. The recess of the lodge had led to i t s d i s s o l u t i o n . The Charter was returned together with dues s t i l l owed of 8/- and a contribution to Benevolence of 14/-. Total paid, ÂŁ1/2/-. The Board of General p27:

Purposes

reports

December

1901,

'WARRANT SURRENDERED The has the its

Warrant of Lodge THE RISING SUN, No. 206, Gosford, been returned, the members being unable to continue active work of Freemasonry. The lodge has donated regalia and furniture to the Board of Benevolence.'

The last brethren to receive their clearance were: N e i l ANDERSON John SMITH, George SMITH, A. M. BEAHAN, J . J . PARRY, Charles PECK, William McINTYRE, James KIBBLE and Thomas DEASEY.

19 Along with i t s Warrant, or Charter, the lodge had surrendered two Minutes Books and a Dues Book. There i s no Attendance Book. Three o r i g i n a l registers have thus been preserved, which i s more than many more recent lodges have been able to do. We are fortunate indeed to be able to study them. They are one century old and are very i n t e r e s t i n g . They have been wholly transcribed and typed. A copy of the transript i s available for Masters or any interested brother to study. Some Masters have decided that hencef o r t h , at the end of the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, they would read the corresponding minutes of a century ago. This i s a commendable proposition which w i l l perhaps infuse the brethren with a sense of their h i s t o r y . Many i n f l u e n t i a l men had joined the early lodge which seems to have been at that time one of the few s o c i a l or c u l t u r a l associations for menfolk. There was no Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Apex or Lions Club, no radio, cinemas or t e l e v i s i o n . The local School of Arts was the focus for community meetings. The Municipal Council of the Borough had been formed i n 1887. It consisted of six members at any one time. Of their number, H. C. WHEELER, J . SMITH, C. CAIN, J . J . MULLARD, J . ROBLEY, M. WARD and N. ANDERSON were a l l members of THE RISING SUN Lodge. Other lodge members were the Managers of the two local banks, Wm. McINTYRE and R. H. WORRALL, and Bank Clerk John FOUNTAIN. Teachers were well represented: C. PECK, Head Master of Gosford, C. KOHLHOFF of Kincumber, and W. THOMPSON of Narara. Local Public Servants were also represented by no less than three Road Engineers (FITZ-NEADS, NICHOLLS and STATHAN); the Clerk of Petty Sessions, S. H. BEVERIDGE; and the local Constable, FALLON. THE RISING SUN LODGE No.

206

26 July 1892:

P e t i t i o n for the formation of a Masonic Lodge in Gosford with eleven signatories, 'to meet on the f i r s t Saturday i n each month.'

14 September:

Favourable recommendation by the Board of General Purposes at the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge.

19 September:

Warrant for the formation of a lodge issued.

24 September:

Consecration and i n s t a l l a t i o n , Saturday i n the month.

1 October:

Monthly five.

5 November:

Monthly meeting, f i r s t passings.

3 December:

Monthly meeting, r a i s i n g candidates, late night!

meeting,

first

being

initiations,

the

first

numbering

first

five

LIST OF OFFICERS 1892 - 1893

V. Wor. B r o . H. Passmore, D.G.I.W. "

WO/L. Ma^te/i

Dugald D o b i e , D.G.I.W. 7. Pa^t Ma^teyi

Bro. A. Rae "

J . F. P a r r

^urvLoJi Wajiden

H. C. Wheeler

ChaplalTL

R. H. W o r r a l l

TA.e.aALUteji

W. H. J o n e s , P.M.

Hon. S&cyieta/LL^

W. M c l n t y r e

Sen-Loyi D&acoa

D. T a l a r i c o

'JunLo/i De.acorL

J . D. Cooper

JnnoA. QuaAd

J . Smith

h ViAt Stewa/id

C. C a i n

S&cond StewoAjd

Hy. Denney

Ty.leA.

A B O V E : Gosford School of A r t s , where Lodge R I S I N G S U N N o . 206 met in 1892.

L E F T : A close-up view of basement wall of the present School of Arts building (Georgiana Terrace side). This part of the building escaped the fire on the night of 15 November 1927 which destroyed most of the old School of A r t s , and is still standing in 1992. Note the wording still visible on the stone wall: COUN[CIL] [C]HA[MBERS]. NEXT PAGE: Master Mason's Certificate 1893 (Henry Charles W H E E L E R ) .

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L O D G E "RISING SUN," . "

O F i'RHK A N D A C C K l ' T K n

' ' .i

MASONS.

\ *â&#x20AC;˘ . No. 206. UNITED GRAND LODGE OF N E W SOUTH W A L E S . 8

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't;

U'onhipful

, '' V The

Bro. Havr;/ J'angi/wre, D.G.I.11'.,

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Miififfr.

I't'guljii^ monthly meeting tVili be \HM on Saturday. Oi'toher

J, 1802, at 5 pau.,

i n the

which your

uttemhiiice

jmuctuul

School

Arts,

is fntlornally

Muim-Mreet,

UoJstorcl, at

i'cr|uestet1.

Hon.

JBro.......

n us

IK Ks s:

O o u H r m a i i o n of M i n u t e s .

T O b a l l o t f o i y a i i d i f uc«i^pt';d a n d p r e s e n t ,

iniii"ir«'

M r . { ' h a r l o s C a i n , Iioi«»lk<'t^iH;r, ( l o s f o r d , a.^'* liro. AL\\ahd«'i' l i a r . S. V\^., b C c u n d t M l Parr, J . W .

yeai.-'. pro)>o.S( ti n y l>y lim, J o h n F«

M r , H e n r y Charl(^^ Vv I M M O I T , s t o r r k e e p e r , <»usf<>rd, tv^e 1*0 ynnvi^^p r o p o b i ' d hv lln). j V i f S a i i d t n l l a e , H . W . , .s.'«:on<l<»d by l * r o . J u n i i P a n , .l!\V. Mr.

W i l l i a m ] M c l n t v r e , !nana;:^or C o m n i e i < n a l B a n k , O t x s f o i d , 3U S i ' a r s , | M ' 4 . p * K s t M l i)\ A l f x a n d i H * lit%i\, i>euondud uy B r o . d u l n i h\ J . W .

nge

.Mr. l l o c l i f o r t f f a r r y W o r r a l l , m a n a g e r A J , H . P a n k , G o s f o r d , •lU y e a r s . p u » p u s r d 1»\. A u ' X . i i i J e i i t a c , S . W . j s e c o n d e d i / j • B r o . J o l a i F . Patr, J AW

ai;e

M r . J o h n 8 n i i t h , Initehrw C»ns['ord, a<^H 41 y o a r s . p r o p o s e d b y B r o . A l e x a n d e r i l a c , ^ . W ' . , s i j c o n a e u by B r u . J o l i u 1'. P a r r , J . W . t. - C ' o l l e c t i o n of Due;^. P r o p o s i t i o n s a n d n o l l e \ of m j t i o n i

Members o f THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206 Gosford. 1892 - 1900 In chronological order: Name

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Harry PASSMORE Dugald DOBIE W i l l i a m Howard JONES Alexander RAE John F i l l i n g h a m PARR John Henry BATH Davide TALARICO John COOPER Henry DENNEY Henry George BENSON Henry C h a r l e s WHEELER R o c h f o r t Henry WORRALL William McINTYRE John SMITH Charles CAIN John James MULLARD Manasseh WARD Thomas FALLON LAWSON ( D r . ) George L a n g r i g L. Thomas DEASEY A l f r e d Ernest FOUNTAIN Charles PECK Robert COULTER John George ROBLEY A r t h u r C. FITZ-NEADS ANDERSON Neil THORNTHWAITE F r a n c i s F r e d e r i c k David TUCK W i l l i a m Robert S. THOMPSON C h r i s t i a n Edward KOHLHOFF S t a n l e y G. BARKER Henry Sydney BEVERIDGE George W i l l i a m STEAD E l i e z e r Walter DENING G McFARLANE Godfrey FRIEDMAN W i l l i a m H. NICHOLLS James KIBBLE P h i l i p Joseph HOLDWORTH FIELDER ( D r . ) Sidney hlAyit

ten. above cute I- oundation

Year of Birth

Occupation

Custom O f f i c e r Builder Contractor Farmer Postmaster Farmer

1865

Farmer Gentleman Member o f P a r l i a m e n t Bank Manager Bank Manager (C.B.A.) Butcher H o t e l Keeper Timber Merchant Landowner Gentleman P o l i c e Constable Physician O v e r s e e r , E s t a t e Agent Bank C l e r k School M a s t e r Carpenter H o t e l Keeper Road Department E n g i n e e r Gentleman Custom O f f i c e r Farmer School Master School Master Draper Clerk Petty Sessions S t a t i o n Master Farmer

1867 1856 1858 1871 1859

S t a t i o n Master Road E n g i n e e r Blacksmith Cadet ( F o r e s t r y ) Physician

1862 1862 1862 1851 1857 1851 1852 1873 1857 1857 1870 1852 1848 1844 1868 1853 1860 1839 1864 1846 1870 1870

membeM.yi of. the. todg.e.

Year of Birth

Name

Henry Henry R. Lloyd William Andrew Hugh W o r t h i n g t o n John A l b e r t E. John Augustus M o r r i s Joseph John George

Occupation

1867 1862 1847 1838 1860 1869 1851

H o t e l Keeper Contractor Railway O f f i c e r Engineer Contractor

1851 1861 1861 1853

Farmer Cook Farmer

Clerk

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52

LOVE COX BARLOW ATKINS MENZIES STATHAM SMITH HARRIS SMITH BEAHAN PARRY SMITH

McFARLANE, G. p a i d £1.1.0 i n i t i a t i o n f e e - August 1893 only entry.

NoteThese c a n d i d a t e s l o s t b a l l o t and were n o t a c c e p t e d : JACQUES CLARK WHITE CLEMENTS

A.S. J.W. Robert J . Edward

Timber Merchant

Tailor

Members of THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206 Gosford. 1892 - 1900 ANDERSON ATKINS BARKER BARLOW BATH BEHAN BENSON BEVERIDGE CAIN COOPER COULTER COX DEASEY DENING DENNEY DOBIE FALLON FIELDER FITZ-NEADS FOUNTAIN FRIEDMAN HARRIS HOLDWORTH JONES KIBBLE KOHLHOFF LAWSON LOVE McINTYRE MENZIES MULLARD NICHOLLS PARR PARRY PASSMORE PECK RAE ROBLEY SMITH SMITH SMITH STATHAM STEAD TALARICO THOMPSON THORNTHWAITE TUCK WARD WHEELER WORRALL

Neil William Stanley Lloyd John Henry Augustus Henry George Henry Sydney Charles John Robert Henry R. Thomas E l i e z e r Walter Henry J . Dugald Thomas Sidney A r t h u r C. A l f r e d Ernest Geoffrey Albert P h i l i p Joseph W i l l i a m Howard James C h r i s t i a n Edward George L a n g r i g L. Henry William Andrew John James William H. John F i l l i n g h a m Joseph John Harry Charles Alexander John George George John John Hugh George Davide W i l l i a m Robert Francis Frederic David Manasseh Henry C h a r l e s R o c h f o r t Henry

Gosford Mangrove Gosford Gosford Green P o i n t Gosford Gosford Gosford Rose H i l l , Mangrove Gosford B l a c k w a l l , Woy Woy Gosford Erina Singleton Newcastle, P e r k i n Street Gosford Gosford Gosford Gosford Gosford Gosford Sydney, Custom House Gosford Kincumber East Gosford & Redfern Gosford Gosford Ourirabah Gosford Gosford G o s f o r d , Post O f f i c e Erina Sydney, Custom House Gosford Erina Wyong l a t e r Ourimbah Gosford Wyong Gosford Morisset Erina Narara F i v e Dock Kincumber G o s f o r d l a t e r Drummoyne Gosford Gosford

BY-LAWS of

LODGE RISING SUN No. 206 U.G.L. N.S.W.

2. P l a c e and Time o f M e e t i n g . The Monthly M e e t i n g of the Lodge s h a l l be h e l d a t t h e S c h o o l of A r t s , G o s f o r d , on the f i r s t Saturday i n every month, the b u s i n e s s t o commence a t 5 p.m., t h e same t o be d u l y announced i n t h e summons c a l l i n g the meeting. 5. P r o p o s i t i o n and I n i t i a t i o n . Any B r o t h e r d e s i r o u s o f p r o p o s i n g a Candidate must do so at a R e g u l a r Monthly M e e t i n g , and a t the same time d e l i v e r to the S e c r e t a r y i n w r i t i n g the name, age and p l a c e o f abode, t o g e t h e r w i t h p r o f e s s i o n or t r a d e o f such C a n d i d a t e , and d e p o s i t t h e sum o f One Guinea. A t the next Regular Monthly Lodge M e e t i n g the Candidate s h a l l be b a l l o t e d f o r , when, u n l e s s t h r e e n e g a t i v e s appear, he s h a l l be d e c l a r e d d u l y e l e c t e d , and may be i n i t i a t e d t h e same evening o r any o t h e r meeting of the Lodge w i t h i n s i x months upon payment of f u l l f e e s ; but i n the event of non-attendance within t h a t p e r i o d , t h e d e p o s i t s h a l l be f o r f e i t e d . I f t h e Candidate be r e j e c t e d , the d e p o s i t s h a l l be r e t u r n e d . 7. Fees and Dues. The f o l l o w i n g s h a l l be the f e e s and dues of the Lodge. I n i t i a t i o n , P a s s i n g and R a i s i n g . . . ÂŁ6 6 0 Affiliation... 1 1 0 Emergency M e e t i n g ( i f a t r e q u e s t o f a C a n d i d a t e , except f o r i n i t i a t i o n . ) . . . 1 1 0 C o n f e r r i n g Second o r T h i r d Degree, each degree... 1 1 0 Monthly Dues. . . 0 4 0 15. C l o t h i n g . C o r r e c t Masonic costume, or a t l e a s t dark c l o t h i n g , must be worn i n accordance with the Book of Constitution. 17. Refreshments. No r e f r e s h m e n t s s h a l l be o r d e r e d f o r the Lodge a u t h o r i s e d by t h e W.M.

except those

Submitted t o and approved o f by t h e Board o f G e n e r a l ARTHUR H. BRAY, Grand S e c r e t a r y . Feb. 22, 1893

Purposes.

' ^

J^-Jr.Mi J)^i^^^ f^r^^c^ ^ w s ; ^ ..ยงy^

: '

24 September 1892: OPENING PAGE o f t h e Minutes o f the I n a u g u r a t i o n , D e d i c a t i o n and C o n s e c r a t i o n o f THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206, a t t h e S c h o o l o f A r t s , G o s f o r d .

nil anil inm iiiir 1li§lit ioF5lii|i6illir5ltipi.iniii i n i n j i F i M i

Mg.

3S'a/taA^'ee.^^rtiA.. €a>^!a»r

•/t

vAS^f^ i^^n^

JntothtPis \&Vnn\/(^

^J(t^.jaii/%i/u/J^^t^

J . Cooper H e n r y Denney H . G . Benson

Henry C h a r l e s Wheeler R.H. Worrall W.M. M c l n t y r e John Smith Charles Cain

J.J. Mullard M , Ward Thomas F a l l o n D r . G . L . L . Lawson Thomas D e a s e y A.E. Fountain C h a r l e s Peck

Robert C o u l t e r John G. Robley A.C. Fitz-Neads

8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25

1 Harry Passmore 2 Dugald Dobie 3 Wm H o w a r d J o n e s 4 A l e x Rae 5 John F . P a r r 6 J.W. Bath 7 D. T a l a r i c o

NAMES

SU N

2 2

6 May 6 May

11 11

2 2 2 4 Mar 4 Mar 4 Mar

Feb Feb

Jan Jan Jan

7 7 7

3 Dec 3 Dec 3 Dec 1893 7 Jan 7 Jan

2 2 2

Sep Sep

Sep Sep Sep

1893 11 F e b 4 Mar 11 F e b 11 F e b 11 F e b

1892 3 Dec 3 Dec 3 Dec 3 Dec 3 Dec 1893 4 Mar 4 Mar 4 Mar

1892 5 Nov 5 Nov 5 Nov 5 Nov 5 Nov 1893 7 Jan 7 Jan 7 Jan

5 Nov 5 Nov 5 Nov

No.

206.

RAISED G.L. CERTIFICATE

RIS ING

1892 1 Oct 1 Oct 1 Oct 1 Oct 1 Oct

PASSED

LODGE

Charter Member

INITIATED

MEMBERS

N.S.W.

4 Mar

3 Dec

1893

1892

AFFiLLIATIÂťlS DATE

U.G.L.

United S e r v i c e No.

No.70

Resigned 8.10.1896

Resigned Resigned 20.1.1898 Resigned

REMARKS

Balranald

LODGE FRCM

David

E.W.

G. Friedman W.H. N i c h o l s

J. Kibble F . J . Holdsworth

Sidney

Henry Love H . R . Cox Lloyd Barlow

Wm. A t k i n s Andrew Menzies

H.W.

John Smith A.E. Harris John Smith A u g u s t u s Moss J.J. Parry G. Smith

35 36

37 38

40 41 42

43 44

46 47 48 49 50 51

Statham

Fielder

Denny

Beahan

S t a n l e y George Baker H e n r y S. Beveridge G e o r g e W. S t e a d

30 31 32

Tuck

N e i l Anderson F. Thornthwaite Wm. R . S . Thompson C h r i s t i a n E. Kohlhoff

26 27 28 29

NAMES

19 Feb 98 21 May 18 Nov 99

1896 6 Nov

5 Oct

3 Aug

1895 4 May

Sep

1 Sep 6 Oct

18 Jun 9 8 . 19 Mar 98 16 J u l 20 A u g 20 J a n 0( ) 17 F e b

1897 20 Mar

7 Dec 1896 1 Feb

2 Nov 1896 4 Jan

1897 8 Jan

3 Aug

6 Dec 1895 1 Jun

7 Jul 6 Oct 1895 5 Jan

3 Mar

Jun Sep

2 Dec 1894 3 Feb

4 Nov 1894 6 Jan

2 8

3 Feb

4 Nov 1894 6 Jan

7 Oct

5 Aug

5 May 4 Aug

2 2 2

5 Aug 5 Aug 5 Aug

Jul Jul Jul

1 1 1

8 Apr 8 Apr

1894

1893 2 Sep 2 Sep 2 Sep 2 Sep

1893 6 May 6 May 3 Jun 3 Jun

1893 8 Apr 8 Apr 6 May 6 May

1893 11 F e b 11 Feb 8 Apr 8 Apr Sep Sep Sep

RAISED G.L. CEEOTIFICATE

PASSED

INITIATED

LODGE FRCM

20 Mar 97. F i d e l i t y 78. 20 Mar 97. R i s i n g Sun 206.

5 Oct 95 Lodge Friendship No. 158 Lambton 5 Jun 1896 Lodge Carrington No. 187 Blaney

1 Jun 95 Empress of India 57

1 Dec 94 Ehpress of India 57

7 ^ r 94 Lodge S t . Andrew No 615 S.C.

1 J u l 93 Lodge M'b'gee Hay No 37

AFFILIATIONS DATE

Called off. 15 Jan 1898

Clearance 21 O c t 99

REMARKS

L i s t of Members o f THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206 i n o r d e r o f j o i n i n g as shown by t h e b i - y e a r l y Membership R e t u r n s t o t h e Grand Lodge. The names o f P a s t Master o f t h e lodge a r e u n d e r l i n e d , t h e i r date o f I n s t a l l a t i o n i s n o t e d .

1892

Sep PASSMORE

Harry

W.M.

1892

DOBIE

Dugald

I.P.M.

1892

RAE

Alexander

PARR

John F. J.W. Secretary

BATH

J.W.

TALARICO

Davide

COOPER

John

BENSON

Henry G.

DENNEY

Henry

JONES

Wm, Howard Secretary

Oct CAIN

Henry C.

McINTYRE

William

WORRALL

R o c h f o r t H.

SMITH

John

Manasseh

FALLON

Thomas Secretary

DEASEY FOUNTAIN PECK

1892

1895

John James

WARD

Dec LAWSON

1894 1897

Charles

WHEELER

Nov MULLARD

S.W. 1893

1896 Dec BATH

Dr. George L. Thomas

1896 1899

Secretary A l f r e d E. Charles Secretary

1897 1893

J.W.

1893

Jan COULTER

Robert

ROBLEY

John Geo.

Feb FITZ-NEADS

A r t h u r C.

ANDERSON

Neil

THORNTHWAITE F r a n c i s F. Apr KOHLHOFF

C h r i s t i a n E,

BEVERIDGE

Henry S.

BARKER

S t a n l e y G.

THOMPSON

W i l l i a m R.

J u l STEAD

1897

George W.

J u l COOPER WORRALL

Aug TUCK

David

Nov DENING

E l i e z e r W.

1894

John Rochfort

1894

Jan FRIEDMAN

Godfrey

Apr NICHOLLS

W i l l i a m H.

May KIBBLE

James

Aug HOLDWORTH

Philip J .

Dec FIELDER

Sidney

1899

Dec HOLDWORTH

Philip J .

DENNEY

Henry

FITZ-NEADS

A r t h u r C.

THORNTHWAITE F r a n c i s F, JONES

1895

W i l l i a m H.

1895

May LOVE COX

Henry Henry R.

Aug BARLOW

Lloyd

Oct ATKINS

William

MENZIES

Andrew

J u l COULTER

Robert

1895

Dec WHEELER

Henry C.

LAWSON

George L.

ROBLEY

John G.

BEVERIDGE

Henry S.

BARKER

S t a n l e y G.

STEAD

George W.

DENING

E l i e z e r W.

1896

1896 Jun STATHAM

Nov SMITH

Hugh W.

Jun WARD

Manasseh

FOUNTAIN

A l f r e d E.

THOMPSON

W i l l i a m R.

TUCK

David

NICHOLLS

W i l l i a m H.

BARLOW

Lloyd

John Dec RAE

Alexander

BENSON

Henry G.

LOVE

Henry

FRIEDMAN

Godfrey

189-1

1897 Mar HARRIS SMITH *

A l b e r t E. John Jun FALLON

Thomas

189 3

1898

Feb BEAHAN

Augustus M.

May PARRY

Joseph J .

Jan STRATHAM

Hugh W.

Feb TALARICO

Davide

1898

1898 Aug HARRIS

A l b e r t E.

Oct

John

SMITH

Dec COX

189 ?

189?)

Oct KOHLHOFF Nov SMITH

Henry R.

C h r i s t i a n E.

George

John SMITH one of the f i r s t i n i t i a t e s c a l l e d o f f b e f o r e June 1896, he r e - a f f i l i a t e d i n March 1897.

T o t a l membership a t time of s u r r e n d e r i n g of w a r r a n t - 16 on 2 1 s t o f September, 1901. The f o l l o w i n g were s t i l l members of the lodge a t t h e time of c l o s u r e ; C l e a r a n c e was g r a n t e d on 21 September 1901. John F. PARR W i l l i a m McINTYRE Thomas DEASEY C h a r l e s PECK N e i l ANDERSON James KIBBLE John SMITH Augustus Moss BEAHAN Joseph John PARRY George SMITH Harry PASSMORE Dugald DOBIE

Lodge

THE RISING SUN

Ng 206.

Gosford, 1892 - 1900.

S t a t i s t i c s showing Lodge membership a t the end of June each year from returns to Grand Lodge,

YEAR

NO of to OL UJ

3-;:

1892

Q UJ

h<e t—«

O Q UJ

UJ _1

«£ o

NUMBER OF MEMBERS

U. U.

LI.

»—« Q

tx: 1-

1893

1894

26 22

1895

4 2

1896

1897

1898

1899

1900

1901

Warrant surrendered December 1901.

THE

RISING SUN LODGE No. 206

Balance Sheet f o r the y e a r 1893

INCOME By Nomination Fees I n i t i a t i o n do do Affiliation Dues. Oct 16. M Nov 2. 0. It Dec 2.12. fl Jan 3. 4. 3.16. Feb " II 4. 4. Mar II Apl 3. 4. II May 4. 8. II June 4. 2. 11 July 5. 0. II 4.12. Aug

24. 3. 0 105. 0. 0 3. 3. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

37.18. 0

Balance to Bank

170. 4. 0 6. 7

AudLt&d and f.ound co/uie.cÂą.

170.10. 7

Wm. R. I homp-^on ) AujdJJ:o/i4 A. 6. Fountain ) 2nd Se.pt. 93

EXPENDITURE Grand Lodge C h a r t e r Fee Dues do. Furniture Removing do. C a r r i a g e A l t e r a t i o n s School o f A r t s Material for Ditto Cheque Book Regalia Lodge Stamp Refreshments Bro C a i n do. do. Oysters Painting Higgs Rent School o f A r t s Printing Bone S t a t i o n e r y Postage & Sec Expenses I n t e r e s t on o v e r d r a f t Advertisement

10.10. 0 6. 6. 0 14.14. 0

6. 2. 1 10. 0. 0 10. 0. 0

21. 0. 0 50. 0. 0 1. 8. 0 6.14. 0 2.11. 8 4. 2 16. 7. 6 15. 0

26. 2. 1 2. 5. 0 17. 6 5.12. 6 19. 2. 0 11.18. 2 2. 0 1. 1. 0 170.10. 7

Lodge THE RISING SUN No. 206. 1892

Gosford.

- 1900.

faymentA made, to Q/iand Lodg,a, by. May of. each yean.. TLgiuieA fjiom ^n.and Lodg.e f/ioceedlng^.

YEARS

DUES

CERTIFICATES

JOINED

1893

0/ 7/0

5/ 5/0

1894

2/17/0

16/16/0

1/11/6

1895

3/ 6/0

3/13/6

0/10/6

1896

2/17/0

3/ 3/0

0/10/6

1897

2/ 0/0

1/ 1/0

1898

2/ 1/0

1899

1/16/6

2/ 2/0

1900

1/15/0

1/ 1/0

1901

0/17/0

1902

0/ 8/0

P.H. CERTIFICATE

0/ 5/0

DISPENSE

BENEVOLENCE

TOTAL

0/14/0

( 6/ 6/0)

0/10/6

6/ 0/0

(27/15/0)

0/10/6

7/ 0/0

15/ 5/6

6/ 2/0

12/12/6

4/ 2/0

7/ 3/0

4/ 2/0

6/ 3/0

3/16/0

8/15/6

3/10/0

6/ 6/0

1/ 1/0

1/14/0 WARRANT RETURNED

2/11/0 0/14/0

L i s t o f the M a s t e r s o f Lodge RISING SUN No. 206. w i t h the name o f t h e i r S e c r e t a r y . 24 2 1 7 4 18 17 16

Sept. Sept, Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept.

1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899

H a r r y PASSMORE W.H. Jones A l e x a n d e r RAE C h a r l e s Peck John F i l l i n g h a m PARR W i l l i a m McINTYRE Thomas DEASEY Thomas F a l l o n John F. P a r r C h a r l e s PECK C h r i s t i a n E. KOHLHOFF James KIBBLE Thos. Deafeey

The lodge went i n t o r e c e s s a f t e r the r e g u l a r meeting of 16 June 1900 t o the meeting o f 20 J u l y 1901.

The l a s t meeting was h e l d on 21 September 1901.

1/ 2/0

Minute*. CorreBpondence. To ballot for, and, if accepted and present, to initiate, the f o l l o w i n g â&#x20AC;&#x201D; J Maine.

Age.

I'roft'ssion.

1 2nd Degree. 3rd Degree.

Genera!.

/?;^-

Address.

Proposed liy

Seconded by

Lodge Rising Sun. ^f^^ No 2 0 6 . Wor. Bro. doliq F. Parr, W.M. (AililroRs, (lOBfonl.)

Won. lino. Ai.KHNiiKii l ^ ^ . P . M .

Qosfor Bear ^ i r

Brother, You

are requested

rejjutar /K\enthly be

held

/Y\eetinq

to atter\ the

of ti^is Ledge, to i

at 3^^^*

Qasferd,

on I

By order of \X/or. /jftaster, (JIIAULES I'ECK, HON. SEC.

/ y \.

^^^^^^^^^

PASSMORE, H a r r y .

The involvement o f Harry Passmore i n the formation of our first l o d g e was i m p o r t a n t , a n d f o r t h a t r e a s o n we w i l l delve more f u l l y i n t o h i s c a r e e r . Born

i n 1 8 5 4 , he was

Sydney 1880, became was

i n 1877. and r e c e i v e d Senior

promoted

He a

first was

salary

Inspector

appointed

posted

at the

of ÂŁ250

Customs

Queensland

plus

of Distilleries

i n 1901 a n d made S e n i o r

Officer

i n

border

ÂŁ 5 0 expenses.

and

Inspector

Excise

i n 1899,

i n 1913.

H a r r y Passmore had an i m p o r t a n t Masonic c a r e e r . He was i n s t a l l e d a s W o r s h i p f u l M a s t e r o f L o d g e WENTWORTH N o . 89 a t t h e J u n e meeting o f 1889. On 3 S e p t e m b e r 1 8 8 9 , h e r e c e i v e d t h e new C h a r t e r , w i t h ' a n n e x u r e ' according to a r t i c l e s of union issued t o t h e Lodge by t h e U n i t e d G r a n d L o d g e o f New S o u t h W a l e s . L o d g e WENTWORTH i n i t i a l l y followed the lines of the English Constitution. P a s s m o r e seems t o h a v e had a family connection with Lodge WENTWORTH, a s i n 1 8 9 0 i t s J.W. was F . P a s s m o r e a n d a W.B.T. P a s s m o r e h e l d t h e p o s i t i o n o f T r e a s u r e r i n 1890 a n d 1 8 9 1 . H a r r y a p p e a r s on t h e r o l l as I n s t a l l i n g M a s t e r sive years: 1 8 9 1 , 1 8 9 2 , 1893 a n d 1 8 9 4 .

f o r four

succes-

In J u n e 1890 W o r . B r o . H a r r y Passmore was installed for a second term. A t t h e m e e t i n g h e l d on 7 J u l y 1891, Wor. B r o . Harry Passmore i n f o r m e d t h e L o d g e t h a t he h a d r e c e i v e d representation from a number of Italian Brethren, asking him to take t h e p o s i t i o n o f C h a r t e r M a s t e r o f a new L o d g e , a n d requested t h e W o r s h i p f u l M a s t e r a n d W a r d e n s t o recommend t h e prayer of the p e t i t i o n of the said Brethren f o r the formation of t h e Lodge t o be c a l l e d 'LA S T E L L A D ' I T A L I A ' , w h i c h request was unanimously agreed t o . This successful Lodge now bears t h e t i t l e o f STAR OF A U S T R A L I A , N o . 2 0 0 . A p a r t f r o m b e i n g F o u n d a t i o n M a s t e r o f L o d g e 'LA S T E L L A D ' I T A L I A ' , w h e r e he s e r v e d a s e c o n d t e r m i n 1 8 9 2 - 9 3 , h e a l s o became a C h a r t e r Member a n d F o u n d a t i o n M a s t e r o f L o d g e R I S I N G SUN N o . 206 i n 1 8 9 2 . He was h o n o u r e d w i t h e l e c t i o n to office i n the United Grand L o d g e o f N.S.W. T h e B r e t h r e n o f t h e R I S I N G SUN L o d g e r e s o l v e d to make t h e i r F o u n d a t i o n Master a L i f e Member o f t h e Lodge in February 1893. They a l s o nominated him f o r p o s i t i o n s on t h e B o a r d o f G e n e r a l P u r p o s e s a n d on t h e B o a r d o f B e n e v o l e n c e . [Minutes, 8 A p r i l 1893]

Dugald D O B I E (c. 1845-1930)

became V.W.B. H a r r y

Passmore

was s t i l l

o f Lodge

member

i n 1893. 206 i n 1 9 0 0 , o n e o f t h e t h r e e

f o u n d a t i o n members, when t h e C h a r t e r was s u r r e n d e r e d . In

1903 t h e C r a f t

and Harry

Passmore p a r t e d

ways.

Information extracted from: 'Quarterly Communications of New South Wales.'

United

Grand

Lodge

Notes kindly provided by Brian Murphy, History Contact O f f i c e r , Australian Customs Service. Brochure, 'Jubilee History of Lodge WENTWORTH No. 89.'

DOBIE,

Dugald.

D u g a l d DOBIE was t h e f o u n d a t i o n I m m e d i a t e P a s t M a s t e r o f L o d g e 206 i n 1 8 9 3 . A t t h a t t i m e he was t h e D i s t r i c t Grand Inspector of W o r k i n g s f o r D i s t r i c t No. 2, a v e r y energetic and true Mason. A P r e s b y t e r i a n , h e was b o r n i n Dunfermline, Scotland, t h e s o n o f R i c h a r d DOBIE a n d H e l l e n ( S M A R T ) , a n d came t o A u s t r a l i a i n 1854 aged 9 . Dobie devoted most o f h i s t i m e t o t h e C r a f t . He s p e n t a l l of h i s l i f e i n t h e d i s t r i c t o f N e w c a s t l e . He was f i r s t initiated i n t o t h e C r a f t o n 30 J a n u a r y 1872 i n L o d g e UNITY N o . 547 E . C . West M a i t l a n d . Before 1888, three constitutions were represented side by s i d e i n New S o u t h W a l e s . H i s M o t h e r L o d g e i s now U N I T Y , U.G.L. N.S.W. West M a i t l a n d N o . 4 , w h i c h c e l e b r a t e d i t s s e s q u i c e n t e n a r y i n 1990. D u g a l d D o b i e went t h r o u g h a l l degrees i n the Craft; he a f f i l i a t e d w i t h a number of local lodges, and occupied t h e c h a i r o f L o d g e HARMONY N o . 381 S . C . a t N e w c a s t l e i n 1 8 7 4 . He was a p p o i n t e d D.G.I.W. o f t h e D i s t r i c t G r a n d L o d g e o f S c o t l a n d in 1881, l a t e r G.I.W., w h i c h title was c o n f i r m e d i n 1888. He was D.G.I.W. i n 1891-92 a n d 1 8 9 6 .

He was one o f t h e e l e v e n s i g n a t o r i e s o n t h e p e t i t i o n t o f o r m a lodge i n Gosford. He r e m a i n e d w i t h the lodge until i t s l a s t meeting. He lived i n Perkin Street, Newcastle until 1896 a n d a f t e r t h a t h i s a d d r e s s was P h i l l i p S t r e e t , P a r r a m a t t a . He a l s o t o o k a k e e n i n t e r e s t i n M a r k M a s o n r y a n d A r k M a r i n e r ; j o i n e d t h e R o y a l A r c h and R + C o r d e r ; was a life member o f F . B . I , a n d was member o f t h e B. o f G.P. He was a f o u n d e r o f t h e M a s t e r s ' & Wardens' A s s o c i a t i o n i n 1895. He was i n t e r e s t e d i n a n d e n c o u r a g e d t h e s t u d y o f M a s o n i c H i s t o r y , a n d g a v e h i s own l i b r a r y t o t h e M. & W. A s s o c i a t i o n with the proviso that they provide suitable accommodation f o r i t . He was i n s t r u m e n t a l i n f o u n d i n g a n d h e l p e d a great d e a l i n t h e Lodges of I n s t r u c t i o n . One of our a f f i l i a t e d Past Masters, who became foundation M a s t e r o f L o d g e GOSFORD No. 7 4 2 , knew h i m w e l l . The late George STEWART met Dugald Dobie first when he represented t h e G.M. a t L o d g e KURRI ST GEORGE, w h i c h Bro. Stewart had joined: 'When I was i n t h e C h a i r a t KURRI ST GEORGE, D u g a l d D o b i e v i s i t e d u s q u i t e a b i t b e c a u s e when t h e L o d g e was f o r m e d i n O c t o b e r 1 9 2 6 , he h a d b e e n t h e Grand Master's representative at the Consecration. He k e p t h i s i n t e r e s t up w i t h that Lodge and although he was g e t t i n g o n i n y e a r s at that time he used t o come t o v i s i t KURRI ST GEORGE, a l t h o u g h i t was some 30 m i l e s f r o m N e w c a s t l e to Kurri Kurri. Also, when h i s l o d g e was f o r m e d i n N e w c a s t l e he w e n t t h e r e t o p a y a f r a t e r n a l v i s i t o n q u i t e a number o f o c c a s i o n s a t L o d g e DUGALD DOBIE, a n d a s he was always there t h a t i s how 1 came t o know h i m v e r y w e l l . 'He was a r e s i d e n t o f N e w c a s t l e , came f r o m S c o t l a n d o r i g i n a l l y a n d was v e r y a c t i v e i n t h e S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n before the Amalgamation. ' He was a l i t t l e man, v e r y dumpy, a s many Scotsmen a r e , q u i t e s t o u t and w e l l b u i l t . He was stern i n a way, a s t i c k l e r f o r M a s o n i c R i t u a l a n d T r a d i t i o n s and g o o d company t o o . There i s a p a i n t i n g of him i n h i s Lodge', George s a i d . L o d g e DUGALD DOBIE No. 5 6 3 , H a m i l t o n , was named f o r h i m .

formed

1925

and

meeting

R.W. Bro. Dobie died at 'Alloa', Stanley Street, Hamilton, a t t h e age o f 85 y e a r s . He was b u r i e d a t S a n d g a t e i n the P r e s b y t e r i a n s e c t i o n of the cemetery. He was n o t m a r r i e d .

He was involved to such an extent i n a l l aspects of l o c a l Masonry that i t has been written: 'there was scarcely a Lodge that could write i t s early history without recording his name for services rendered'. C l e a r l y , our f i r s t lodge i s one of them. An obituary which appeared in the New South Wales F r e e Mason No. 12, December 1930, reports more f u l l y on the Masonic career of M.W. Bro. Dugald Dobie.

Information e x t r a c t e d f r o m : 'Quarterly Communications of U.G.L. of N.S.W.' A r t i c l e s in 'The Free Mason'. Secretary of Lodge DUGALD DOBIE. Recollections from W. Bro. George F. Stewart. Registrar General's Department:

Death C e r t i f i c a t e .

JONES, William Howard.

William to G.L.

Howard JONES was the sixth signatory to the p e t i t i o n He belonged to Lodge LA STELLA D'ITALIA. A foundation m e m b e r of 206, he gave his address as Customs House, Sydney. He was foundation Secretary a n d wrote i n a neat copperplate s c r i p t . It seems that he was the one who wrote the o r i g i n a l p e t i t i o n to Grand Lodge for the formation of the new lodge. Charles P E C K became secretary i n September 1893 and William JONES resigned from the lodge i n September 1 8 9 4 . We know nothing more about him and have not researched further, i t being a time-consuming study, and he was not a l o c a l i d e n t i t y .

Information extracted f r o m : 'Petition for t h e Formation of a Lodge.

RAE,

Alexander.

We h a v e n o t b e e n a b l e t o f i n d o u t much a b o u t t h e foundation S e n i o r W a r d e n and s e c o n d M a s t e r o f t h e l o d g e . The f i r s t name on t h e p e t i t i o n , Alexander RAE was a member o f LA STELLA D' I T A L I A . He i s e n t e r e d as a f a r m e r o f E r i n a , w h i c h i s s u r p r i s i n g s i n c e he b e l o n g e d t o a S y d n e y lodge. He may have l e f t t h e d i s t r i c t i n A p r i l 1895 a s he c e a s e d t o p a y h i s d u e s - an i n e x c u s a b l e M a s o n i c s i n - w h i c h a m o u n t e d t o f o u r s h i l l i n g s , and l a t e r t h r e e shillings per month. On subsequent lists his address i s l e f t blank. The amount due h a d r u n to 69/by November 1896, and he was subsequently e x p e l l e d from 6 November 1896. He h a d probably left the district, as his a d d r e s s was unknown and he c o u l d n o t be c o n t a c t e d . A l e x a n d e r RAE's to live with a Lodge.

PARR, J o h n

w i f e d i e d on 2 M a r c h 1895. Perhaps he went son or d a u g h t e r , losing a l l contact with the

Fillingham.

A l t h o u g h a member o f L o d g e LA was t h e l o c a l P o s t m a s t e r when he a C h a r t e r member i n 1892.

STELLA signed

D'ITALIA o f the p e t i t i o n

Sydney, he and became

He h a d b e e n appointed to Gosford Telegraph Office in 1878 and t o t h e P o s t M a s t e r ' s O f f i c e f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1879. He came f r o m Q u e a n b e y a n t o t a k e on the full d u t i e s of T e l e g r a p h i s t and P o s t M a s t e r . H i s p r e m i s e s were r e n t e d a t the c o r n e r of Mann and D o n n i s o n S t r e e t s , now t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e Commonwealth Bank. I n M a r c h 1882, PARR o c c u p i e d t h e new G o s f o r d P o s t O f f i c e b u i l d i n g (now G o s f o r d S o u t h P o s t O f f i c e ) . J o h n F. PARR was s t i l l Post Master at b e e n i n c h a r g e f o r n e a r l y 34 y e a r s . Guy PARR, r a t h e r w e l l - k n o w n himself the a r e a .

G o s f o r d i n 1911, having He was the father of to o l d e r r e s i d e n t s of

John Fillingham PARR was w i d e l y known, taking an interest i n l o c a l s p o r t s as w e l l as i n t h e l o c a l d r a m a t i c s o c i e t y . He

was

foundation

J u n i o r Warden

1892,

becoming

the

third

Master of the lodge

1894

and

serving

Secretary

Ha was, t o g e t h e r w i t h Dugald DOBIE and Henry PASSMORE, of the l a s t t h r e e o r i g i n a l c h a r t e r members of the lodge, were s t i l l members when the Warrant was s u r r e n d e r e d i n 1901.

1897. one who

John PARR, son of Thomas PARR, S o l i c i t o r of Goulburn, married E l i z a LONG of Sydney at C h r i s t Church, East Gosford on 25 September 1879. The b r i d e was s i s t e r to the a r t i s t S i d Long. There were three c h i l d r e n : L e s l i e , Ada (Mrs MORRIS) and Guy. The younger son, Guy, was the manager of the R u r a l Bank, G o s f o r d , and was a member of RISING SUN No. 311. PARR owned the c o t t a g e ' N e r i n g l a V i n York S t r e e t , E a s t Gosford b e f o r e the t u r n of the c e n t u r y , as w e l l as o t h e r l o c a l l a n d . J . F. PARR d i e d at A r n c l i f f e i n Sydney i n August 1930 was b u r i e d at Rookwood Cemetery. An obituary stated he was a n a t i v e of Nottingham, England.

and that

A r t i c l e s have been w r i t t e n about PARR and the Gosford Post O f f i c e at v a r i o u s times, i n c l u d i n g the Woy Woy Herald of 3 October 1930, and a n a r t i c l e by George F l e t c h e r i n the Gosford Times i n 1928. An i l l u m i n a t e d address p r e s e n t e d to John P a r r on h i s r e t i r e m e n t i n December 1913 i s i n the B r i s b a n e Water H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y ' s Museum at West G o s f o r d .

Information extracted from: Various

recollections.

Ooituary.

BATH, John Henry.

A member of Lodge EARL CARNARVON No. 180, John Bath signed the petition and became a f o u n d a t i o n member in September 1892, but r e s i g n e d i n December.

I n f o r m a t i o n extracted from: 'Petition for the

Formation of a Lodge.'

TALARICO, D a v i d e .

D a v i d e TALARICO was a member o f Lodge STELLA D'ITALIA, i n Sydney. He became a f o u n d a t i o n Member o f Lodge RISING SUN No. 206 i n 1892 a t w h i c h t i m e h i s a d d r e s s was g i v e n as 55 O x f o r d S t r e e t , Sydney. I n 1895 he was a t E r i n a , a n d he r e s i g n e d i n F e b r u a r y 1898. D a v i d e T a l a r i c o was born i n Lucerne, Switzerland. a f a m i l y o f t h i r t e e n c h i l d r e n , h i s m o t h e r was S w e d i s h .

One

He came t o A u s t r a l i a i n 1 8 6 9 , a g e d a b o u t 24. He was well e d u c a t e d , b e i n g a c i v i l e n g i n e e r . He was a l s o q u i t e a l i n g u i s t , s p e a k i n g some s i x l a n g u a g e s . He s t a r t e d a b u s i n e s s i n O x f o r d S t r e e t , Sydney, s e l l i n g garden implements. His brother later came o u t f r o m S w i t z e r l a n d a n d t h e y b e g a n g r o w i n g a n d selling palms. I m p o r t i n g palm seeds from the i s l a n d s , i t t o o k t h r e e y e a r s f o r t h e p l a n t s t o grow. T h i s was an e x c e l l e n t b u s i n e s s , s e l l i n g o r s u p p l y i n g p o t t e d palms t o c a f e s , p i c t u r e theatres, etc., c h a n g i n g them e v e r y f o r t n i g h t . The b u s i n e s s was situated at Maroubra. He the

married a B r i t i s h g i r l , much y o u n g e r i n f l u e n t i a l Vaughan f a m i l y of Wales.

than

himself,

from

They were good friends of t h e WUNDERLICH b r o t h e r s , Alfred a n d E r n e s t , who came f r o m Germany. The Wunderlich brothers were b u i l d e r s ' s u p p l i e r s , well remembered for their pressed s t e e l ornamental sheeting. D a v i d e was c a u g h t i n t h e b a n k c r a s h when he l o s t a g r e a t d e a l . He s e t t l e d i n t h i s d i s t r i c t a n d e s t a b l i s h e d a n o r c h a r d . He commenced a v i n e y a r d , t h e f i r s t a n d o n l y i n Gosford, making wine, but b i r d s ruined the grapes s o he discontinued this venture. H i s w i n e was q u i t e g o o d . I n a r e p o r t on t h e G o s f o r d Show i n The G o s f o r d T i m e s i n 1902, Talarico's name appeared i n the l i s t of p r i z e winners i n the f r u i t s e c t i o n . A later i s s u e r e f e r s t o him as a ' f r u i t g r o w e r ' . He b u i l t a h o u s e a t E r i n a , n e a r H o l g a t e , w h i c h he c a l l e d 'Como', the name o f t h e p l a c e f r o m w h i c h his family had originated in Italy. 'Como' was b u i l t i n 1906 w i t h t h e h e l p o f a n e i g h b o u r , G e r m a n - b o r n J a c k STRAUB. The c e i l i n g s o f t h e h o u s e w e r e made of i r o n s h e e t s t h a t A l f r e d W u n d e r l i c h s e n t t o h i s f r i e n d . Davide T a l a r i c o died about 1936 at North Sydney, aged 91. He h a d s o l d h i s f a r m t o D a v i d J E N K I N S , m a n a g e r o f t h e V i t i c u l t u r e N u r s e r y , F o u n t a i n Road at Narara. Jenkins later became a member and M a s t e r o f L o d g e R I S I N G SUN 3 1 1 . Abbreviated in

1981

(retired) Talarico.

from

information

Herbert

Bateau

W i l l i am Bay,

son

supplied Talarico, of

Davide

COOPER, John.

A signatory of the p e t i t i o n , and member of Lodge PYTHAGORAS No. 68. His address was Rose H i l l , Mangrove. He resigned in July 1893, and this i s a l l we know about him.

PENNEY, Henry.

Henry Denney was a local storekeeper who had taken up post o f f i c e duties at Blue Gum Flat from 1 July 1886. He was a member of Lodge FRIENDSHIP No. 158 at Lambton, and as such, signed the p e t i t i o n . He was entered on the role of that lodge as a Country Member, which means that he could not attend the meetings. His Post Office store was opposite the school at Ourimbah. The post o f f i c e section was moved a short distance from his shop to the railway s t a t i o n , the reason being that the station master could look after the two jobs. [See No. 45: MENZIES, Andrew.] Denney was born i n the Hawkesbury d i s t r i c t i n 1851. Later on he lived at Lake Macquarie, commencing business i n 1882 as a merchant. He belonged to an old colonial family and is looked upon as one of the pioneer storekeepers of the Gosford district. He called off on 3 November 1894, his address at Ourimbah having been crossed out and replaced with Darlington, Singleton, Accumulated dues of 24/- were paid in f u l l . He had therefore l e f t the d i s t r i c t for Singleton at that date. Henry J . Denney was brother-in-law to Charles CAIN (see No. 15, further on) who had married Denney' s s i s t e r . In 1904 H. J . Denney and his wife were conducting the Premier Hotel at Broadmeadow, Newcastle.

Information extracted from: ALDINE, Centennial History, 1888. Local newspapers.

10.

BENSON, Henry George.

A s i g n a t o r y of the p e t i t i o n t o form a lodge i n G o s f o r d , he belonged t o Lodge FIDELITY No. 101. He r e s i g n e d on 8 October 1896. A w e a l t h y man a t the t u r n of the c e n t u r y , he was born c l 8 6 8 and l i v e d a t R o c k d a l e . He m a r r i e d h i s w i f e E l l e n i n 1887. On the deeds of l a n d purchased a t P o i n t F r e d e r i c k i n 1891, he i s d e s c r i b e d as a gentleman. He b u i l t an imposing house on L o t s 4 and 5 of the T y r r e l l E s t a t e , used as a b o a r d i n g house known as the 'Somatic'. Henry Benson was a m a g i c i a n and a c t o r who performed on stage and c o n s e q u e n t l y was v e r y w e l l known l o c a l l y . He had guest houses, or b o a r d i n g houses as they were c a l l e d , and in 1898 he had moved t o h i s b o a r d i n g house a t Woy Woy (Murphy's). In November 1901 he s o l d 'Somatic' t o R. J . WHITE. seems t o have moved from Sydney to G o s f o r d and back.

The

family

Henry Benson d i e d about 1918, i n Sydney, a v i c t i m of enza e p i d e m i c , l e a v i n g a f a m i l y of young c h i l d r e n .

the

influ-

His c h i l d r e n s e t t l e d permanently s t i l l live.

i n G o s f o r d , where t h e i r

Information

families

from:

Recollections

'Perong'

The

Gosford

Times. Mrs

Philips

and

Doris

Benson,

grand-

daughters.

11.

WHEELER, Henry C h a r l e s . Storekeeper, Gosford.

Age 30 y e a r s .

Henry C h a r l e s WHEELER was i n i t i a t e d i n the October 1892. His c e r t i f i c a t e i s preserved

first intake i n i n our archives.

He was the e l d e s t son of W i l l i a m Wheeler who came t o A u s t r a l i a from London i n 1855 and engaged i n t e a c h i n g i n the then denominat i o n a l s c h o o l s system. Up to 1867, W i l l i a m was stationed

at St Alban's on the Macdonald River. During this period, in 1860, he married E l i z a Martha WORLEY, daughter of the Chief Constable of Brisbane Water, Henry WORLEY. There were four children of the marriage who a l l reached adulthood: Henry Charles (born St Alban's 1862), Edwin, Frederick and Florence. The family lived at various places before f i n a l l y settling in Gosford, but Harry did not arrive u n t i l about 1885, as he was employed elsewhere i n the r e t a i l i n g business. At f i r s t Henry C. WHEELER was managing the Mann Street South store of h i s Aunt Lucy, widow of John WORLEY. Later he bought a substantial general store of h i s own i n Mann Street, one with l i v i n g premises u p s t a i r s . This later became the property of his auctioneer brother Frederick WHEELER when Harry moved on to other f i e l d s of i n t e r e s t . Harry had a shop i n Campbell's building. H. C. WHEELER served as an Alderman of the f i r s t Gosford Borough Council i n 1887 and was the second Mayor i n 1888. He remained in Gosford u n t i l he was elected M.L.A. for Northumberland in 1895, one of the youngest members of Parliament. He resigned from the Lodge i n March 1895, and from then on he lived i n Sydney. He became a member of the Stock Exchange at the end of his mandate, and remained a member of the Stock Exchange u n t i l his death i n 1935. He never married, and i s buried at Point Frederick. A drinking fountain was erected i n Gosford Memorial Park i n 1977 by his nephew, Fred WHEELER, to commemorate H. C. WHEELER's early c i v i c achievements i n Gosford. Fred Wheeler also planted a liquidambar tree i n this park to replace the brush box put there by H. C. Wheeler i n 1888 while he was Mayor, and which had since died. Information from: Various a r t i c l e s in The Gosford Times. Recollections

from

WHEELER's

M. WHEELER.

12.

WORRALL, Rochfort Henry. Manager, A.J.S. Bank, Gosford.

Age 30 years.

Nothing more i s known about Rochfort WORRALL.

nephew,

Fred.

13.

McINTYRE, W i l l i a m . Manager, Commercial Bank, G o s f o r d .

Age

years.

The Mercantile Bank which had been e s t a b l i s h e d i n Gosford i n the 1880s and which was managed by Mr B e l l , was t a k e n over by the Commercial Bank of A u s t r a l i a L t d e a r l y i n 1891. William McINTYRE became the manager. He was an e a r l y i n i t i a t e of Lodge 206 i n October 1892, became i t s Master i n 1895, and was s t i l l a member of the lodge at the time of the s u r r e n d e r of the Warrant. The C.B.A. bank was s i t u a t e d i n a c o t t a g e on of the e a s t e r n s i d e of Mann S t r e e t , now p a r t C o u n c i l s i t e next t o the o l d Court House.

the high bank of the Gosford

McINTYRE a r r i v e d i n G o s f o r d about the time he j o i n e d the l o d g e , and l i v e d i n the bank p r e m i s e s . He l e f t the d i s t r i c t i n 1904, b e i n g t r a n s f e r r e d t o Warracknabeal i n the Wimmera d i s t r i c t of V i c t o r i a . When i n G o s f o r d , he j o i n e d and supported a great many i n s t i t u t i o n s and l o c a l a s s o c i a t i o n s . He gave h i s support t o the A g r i c u l t u r a l A s s o c i a t i o n , b e i n g the secretary of the G o s f o r d Show i n 1902, and w i n n i n g p r i z e s f o r h i m s e l f in the H o r t i c u l t u r a l Section. He was captain of the local Rifle Regiment i n 1904 and he was t r e a s u r e r of the School of A r t s . W i l l i a m McINTYRE was p o p u l a r i n the community. The Mayor opened a s u b s c r i p t i o n l i s t t o p r o v i d e a p r e s e n t a t i o n f o r him when he was l e a v i n g the d i s t r i c t . A p u b l i c s e n d - o f f was also g i v e n t o him at Wyong i n A p r i l , 1904. A dance was h e l d in the G o s f o r d S c h o o l of A r t s i n honour of him and h i s family, and w i t h the p a r t i c i p a t i o n of the Mason's F a m i l y Orchestra, everyone j o i n e d hands to s i n g 'Auld Lang Syne'. A send-off was a l s o g i v e n t o him by the A. and H. A s s o c i a t i o n . William BURNS s o l d by auction h i s f u r n i t u r e , b o a t , buggy, p o u l t r y , etc. i n A p r i l 1904, H i s s u c c e s s o r at the bank was J . E. LORD. W. E. KIRKNESS succeeded McINTYRE as Honorary S e c r e t a r y of the A. and H. A s s o c i a t i o n , and W i l l i a m BURNS r e p l a c e d him as treasurer on the S c h o o l of A r t s Committee. He r e t i r e d to Queens land i n 1927 and many t r i b u t e s were to him, the Mayor of B r i s b a n e b e i n g p r e s e n t .

I n f o r m a t i o n e x t r a c t e d from: The

G o s f o r d Times, v a r i o u s a r t i c l e s .

paid

LEFT: Manasseh W A R D (1852-1923) and his wife Madeline. [Photo taken by Freeman & Co., Sydney].

BELOW: Thomas D E A S E Y (18571941) surrounded by his family.

14.

SMITH,

John.

Butcher, Gosford.

Age 41 y e a r s .

J o h n SMITH was a b u t c h e r i n G o s f o r d , t h e t o w n t h e n b e i n g s i t u a t e d m a i n l y w h e r e E a s t G o s f o r d i s now. He l i v e d i n t h e s t o n e h o u s e which s t i l l s t a n d s on t h e spot where h i s f a t h e r b u i l t i t a t t h e edge o f E r i n a C r e e k , j u s t b e f o r e t h e punt b r i d g e and on the l e f t hand s i d e g o i n g e a s t . The s t o n e f o r t h e h o u s e was q u a r r i e d under t h e h i l l , down-stream on t h e r i g h t , a t a p l a c e c a l l e d P e t e r ' s Lease (an oyster lease being nearby). The s t o n e was b r o u g h t b y p u n t t o t h e s i t e w h e r e i t was c u t a n d set. J o h n a n d h i s w i f e M a r g a r e t (nee CAIN, e l d e s t d a u g h t e r of William N i c h o l a s C A I N a n d M a r i a COBDEN a n d s i s t e r of Charles CAIN) l i v e d the re w i t h t h e i r f a m i l y of eleven children: Joseph, John, Miriam, Margaret, S t e l l a , Henry, N i c h o l a s , David, C h a r l e s and S i d n e y . A l l t h e boys l e a r n e d the butchering trade but few f o l l o w e d i t i n t h e i r l i f e . One who d i d was H a r r y SMITH. All t h e f a m i l y was m u s i c a l l y m i n d e d . Brothers and s i s t e r s formed a band w h i c h u s e d t o p l a y a t v a r i o u s v e n u e s . Charles SMITH remembers t h a t t h e y p l a y e d a t t h e o r p h a n a g e a t K i n c u m b e r , for instance. J o h n SMITH was a g o o d c r i c k e t e r ,

a good

batsman.

He h a d h i s s l a u g h t e r h o u s e c l o s e b y h i s h o u s e , t h e n situated i n t h a t space l i m i t e d by George and R u s s e l l S t r e e t s , extending toward S p r i n g f i e l d . I t was a b i g p a d d o c k , e n c l o s e d b y a f e n c e f o u r f e e t h i g h , made o f s l i p p o s t s a n d t h r e e r o w s o f r a i l s . I t h a d t o keep t h e sheep as w e l l as t h e b u l l o c k s inside! The s l a u g h t e r house was s i t u a t e d approximately i n t h e same p l a c e a s t h e E l a n o r a H o t e l s t a n d s now. The

late C l i f f

HOWARD r e c a l l e d

some y e a r s

ago t h a t :

'They h a d a s h o p i n t o w n , a s f a r a s c a n be a s c e r t a i n e d , b e t w e e n t h e o l d WHITE'S b u i l d i n g ( c o r n e r o f G e o r g i a n a Terrace) and where J o e ERASER h a d h i s b u t c h e r ' s shop. Waltons [now F r o g y ' s Roller Skating rink] w o u l d be a b o u t t h e s p o t . A r e a l o l d looking butcher shop a d j o i n i n g what i s now t h e B.W.C.C. [Sydney County C o u n c i l ] . On t h e t o p was a n o t h e r butcher s h o p , t h a t o f o l d B i l l WHITE.' M a r g a r e t SMITH d i e d o n 6 J u l y 1901 a n d i s b u r i e d a t P t F r e d e r i c k . On 15 O c t o b e r 1 9 0 2 , J o h n SMITH m a r r i e d h i s s e c o n d w i f e , L o u i s a H i l l a s ( n e e DRINKWATER) SPEARS, w i d o w o f James SPEARS, l i c e n c e e of t h e U n i o n H o t e l i n G o s f o r d .

J o h n SMITH d i e d o n 26 F e b r u a r y 1 9 0 8 , when he was 5 8 . He was b u r i e d i n the o l d Brady's Gully Cemetery where h i s marble h e a d s t o n e was c a r v e d w i t h M a s o n i c emblems. H i s p l o t was c l o s e t o t h a t o f James SPEARS. L o u i s a SMITH was b u r i e d at Point C l a r e Cemetery, and o t h e r s o f t h e f a m i l y a r e i n t e r r e d a t P o i n t F r e d e r i c k Cemetery. H i s g r a n d s o n , W i l l i a m ( B i l l ) ROGERS, a member o f o u r L o d g e , now d e c e a s e d , p r e s e n t e d u s w i t h a n o l d f r a m e d M a s o n i c C e r t i f i c a t e d a t e d 10 F e b r u a r y 1893 i s s u e d b y t h e U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f N.S.W. T h a t c e r t i f i c a t e was i d e n t i c a l t o t h a t o f H e n r y WHEELER w h i c h was d o n a t e d t o me b y h i s nephew F r e d WHEELER o f G o s f o r d (a d e s c r i p t i o n o f w h i c h h a s b e e n g i v e n a l r e a d y ) . J o h n SMITH's c e r t i f i c a t e b e a r s t h e number 7697. He was r e c e i v e d o n 1 O c t o b e r 1892, and a d m i t t e d t o t h e T h i r d D e g r e e o n 3 December o f t h e same y e a r i n L o d g e R I S I N G SUN No. 2 0 6 , G o s f o r d .

I n f o r m a t i o n e x t r a c t e d from: F a m i l y t r a d i t i o n s and r e c o l l e c t i o n s . Various

recollections.

Newspapers and Records.

15.

CAIN, Hotel

Charles. Keeper, Gosford.

Age 3 5

years.

W i l l i a m N i c h o l a s C A I N , who d i e d on 18 J u l y 1893 a g e d 6 2 , was b u r i e d a t P o i n t F r e d e r i c k Cemetery. He was a r e s i d e n t o f East Gosford, a fact recorded i n the Gosford C o u r t H o u s e Day Book ( 1 8 6 1 - 1 8 8 1 ) , a n d h i s o c c u p a t i o n was r e c o r d e d as 'shell gatherer'. W i l l i a m was t h e f a t h e r o f C h a r l e s , whose mother M a r i a C A I N d i e d o n 22 A u g u s t 1916 a g e d 82 y e a r s , a n d who was also buried at Point Frederick. W i 1 l i a m was F i s h e r i e s I n s p e c t o r at Gosford when he d i e d , a n d b e t w e e n 1873 a n d 1876 he kept the M i n e r ' s I n n a t East Gosford. A c h i l d was b o r n ( t h e name o f t h e c h i l d h a s f a d e d from the r e c o r d ) t o [ W i l l i a m ] N i c h o l a s CAIN and h i s w i f e M a r i a COBDEN i n 1866 o r 1867 a t K i n c u m b e r , B r i s b a n e Water, t h e God-mother b e i n g M a r g a r e t CAIN. The CAINs w e r e C a t h o l i c s , a n d t h e b a p t i s m was p e r f o r m e d b y F a t h e r D. O ' R E I L L Y . Charles

CAIN

married

Sarah

DENNEY.

son, William

John,

was

born on 16 February 1887 a t G o s f o r d . He was b a p t i s e d on 13 A p r i l t h a t y e a r by Wm. P. Madden. The God-mother was M i r r i a m CAIN. Sarah CAIN, w i f e of C h a r l e s , f o r m e r l y o f G o s f o r d , d i e d a t Newcastle H o s p i t a l on 2 January 1902. An ' I n Memorium' n o t i c e was i n s e r t e d i n a newspaper i n 1906 by Henry and Mary Ann DENNEY, h e r b r o t h e r and s i s t e r - i n - l a w . The F e r n Tree H o t e l was a p o p u l a r h o t e l , w e l l s i t u a t e d on the e a s t s i d e o f Mann S t r e e t i n t h e township o f G o s f o r d , near the Donnison S t r e e t c o r n e r . The L i c e n c e e was C h a r l e s CAIN from A p r i l 1889 t o A p r i l 1899. He was p o p u l a r and l i k e d t o j o i n groups o f p e o p l e . He was a l r e a d y a member o f t h e Order of t h e O d d f e l l o w s whose members met i n t h e F e r n Tree H o t e l i n 1887. When t h e Masonic Lodge was formed a t G o s f o r d i n September 1892, meetings were h e l d a t t h e S c h o o l o f A r t s . Although a C a t h o l i c , C h a r l e s CAIN j o i n e d . The minute book s t a t e s t h a t 'the Lodge c l o s e d i n due form a t 7 p.m. The b r e t h r e n were i n v i t e d t o a banquet which was h e l d a t Mr. CAIN's H o t e l ' . At t h e October meeting, C h a r l e s CAIN, H o t e l Keeper, aged 35, j o i n e d , one of t h e v e r y f i r s t members, and from then on t h e Minutes read 'Bro. J u n i o r Warden i n v i t e d a l l t o B r o . CAIN's for r e f r e s h m e n t s ' , o r 'supper'. C h a r l e s CAIN h e l d office of Second Steward from 1892, becoming T r e a s u r e r i n September 1898 and 1899. In 1899 when he l e f t G o s f o r d , h i s numerous f r i e n d s gave him a s e n d - o f f : ' C h a r l i e CAIN's s e n d - o f f on t h e 27th i n s t . promises to be t h e b i g g e s t a f f a i r o f i t s k i n d h e l d i n G o s f o r d f o r a l o n g time p a s t . ' The o c c a s i o n went v e r y w e l l . 'Charlie' f e l t he had t o acknowledge t h e event and, as a l a s t public r e l a t i o n s e x e r c i s e , he had t h e f o l l o w i n g i n s e r t e d i n t h e l o c a l newspaper: RETURN THANKS Mr. & Mrs. CHAS. CAIN d e s i r e t o e x p r e s s t h e i r deep g r a t i f i c a t i o n . . . . A l t h o u g h t h e Lodge d i d n o t go i n t o r e c e s s i s no evidence t h a t C h a r l e s CAIN r e s i g n e d .

until

1900, t h e r e

A good photograph of C h a r l e s CAIN's h o t e l i s reproduced i n Gwen DUNDON's 'More O l d G o s f o r d & D i s t r i c t i n P i c t u r e s ' on page 6 taken i n 1905. I n Mrs DUNDON's 'Old G o s f o r d & D i s t r i c t i n P i c t u r e s ' (volume I ) , page 21, t h e r e i s a photograph taken i n 1895 i n t h e time o f C h a r l e s CAIN, w i t h Masons on t h e b a l c o n y p r i o r t o t h e p a r t a k i n g of r e f r e s h m e n t s and supper. We have reproduced t h i s photo i n t h i s p r e s e n t volume. [See No. 30: C. E. KOHLHOFF.] Information extracted Family and

research;

from: newspaper

various r e c o l l e c t i o n s .

articles;

16.

MULLARD, John James. Timber Merchant, Gosford.

John MULLARD was i n i t i a t e d series of intake.

Age 41 years.

i n November

1892, i n the second

Born i n Gosford, Brisbane Water, i n 1852, he was the son of James, an English migrant from Middlesex who arrived about 1838, and Mary Kendal BRADLEY. James and Mary had been married in Gosford by Rev. Alfred GLENNIE i n 1857 and they settled on a grant of 140 acres at Kincumber. John James MULLARD was declared insolvent i n 1884 (Government Gazette, p3174). He proceeded to rebuild his f i n a n c i a l position successfully, and married i n 1887. In 1891, J . J . MULLARD was advertising l o c a l l y as a timber merchant and ironmonger, was s e l l i n g p a i n t s , and was manufacturing steam aerated water and c o r d i a l . He was a man of many i n t e r e s t s . His yard was situated on the north corner of Mann and Beane Streets, opposite the Railway Goods Yard. He had a joinery there, and the building was s t i l l standing i n the early 1930s. John had a steam launch, the DAISY, which he made available for f i s h i n g excursions and picnic p a r t i e s . The DAISY was described as 'a r e a l l y comfortable l i t t l e steamer'. He also had s i x or eight good boats f o r h i r e , which v i s i t o r s were able to rent by the day or hour during the holidays. In 1890, he was elected as an Alderman on the Borough Council formed i n 1887. In 1893 he was elected Mayor of the Municipal Council. He sold his store-keeping business i n September was situated i n George WATT's old store.

1898, which

John J . MULLARD resigned from the Lodge on 24 A p r i l 1900. In 1902 he contracted to build 1905 he advertised:

the local

public

baths.

' To l e t or for s a l e : â&#x20AC;&#x201D; s i x roomed cottage and large shop opposite railway goods shed. Every convenience for carrying on general storekeeping business. For further particulars apply J . J . Mullard, "Park House", Gosford.' This was the s i t e where George MARGIN, a cordial maker from Muswellbrook, began his operations. MARGIN was later to become Master of RISING SUN No. 311.

J . J . MULLARD was the grandfather of Ern BAILEY, of Chickadee Chicken, Lisarow, whose father was also a Past Master of that same lodge i n 1940-41. Later, J . J . MULLARD l e f t Valley where he managed a Mountains v i a Morlsset.

the d i s t r i c t f o r the Yarramalong saw m i l l ; M i l l House, Wattagan

He died i n Prince Alfred H o s p i t a l , Camperdown, leaving c h i l d r e n . His wife died much l a t e r , i n 1953, aged 88.

four

Information extracted from: Family records. Newspaper a r t i c l e s .

17.

WARD, Manasseh. Gentleman, Gosford. Age 40 years. I n i t i a t e d 5 November 1892.

Manasseh WARD was born on 23 August 1851 at Ward's Bay, an area which later became known as K i l l c a r e Extension. He was the seventh c h i l d and second son of William WARD, who died aged 83 on 16 February 1876, and Catherine (nee MITCHELL) whose death occurred at Balmain i n 1898. William WARD, according to his death c e r t i f i c a t e , was a Londoner who had been i n the Colony for about 50 years. William acquired land at K i l l c a r e by deeds dated 1836. He was a mariner who owned various vessels such as the cutter TRAVELLER'S BRIDE and the ketch MIDSHIPMAN, both b u i l t at Brisbane Water. At Balmain on 3 July 1877 , Manasseh WARD married a wealthy young widow with a baby daughter, Adelaide (Madeline) Mary Geary KEELE, daughter of Robert HENDERSON (2) of Veteran H a l l . We find Manasseh WARD's name, c i r c a 1879, as Warden and member of the Parochial Council of the Church of England i n Gosford in company with J . PARR and H. C. WHEELER. In 1886 he went to Balmain f o r a year. W. G. HUMPHREY, who knew Manasseh WARD, stated i n 1950 that WARD was a friend and business colleague of John BOOTH, formerly of Kincumber, who had a steam saw m i l l and timber yard at Balmain.

He r e t u r n e d t o G o s f o r d his residence.

1887,

purchased

land

and

erected

He a n d M a d e l i n e h a d t h r e e sons a n d two d a u g h t e r s by 1 8 8 8 . In a p r o f i l e published i n 1 8 8 8 , M a n a s s e h WARD s t a t e d that he h a d f o l l o w e d t h e o c c u p a t i o n s of farming and f r u i t growing f o r many y e a r s a n d t h a t he was a l s o l a r g e l y e n g a g e d i n the timber trade a t Kincumber. He was known a s a s u p e r b bushman. He was T r e a s u r e r Jockey Club.

the School

of A r t s

i n 1888, a l s o

of the

The f i r s t e l e c t i o n s f o r the M u n i c i p a l C o u n c i l of t h e Borough were h e l d i n 1887. M a n a s s e h was n o t i n v o l v e d , b u t i n 1888 he was e l e c t e d an A l d e r m a n , a n d became M a y o r i n 1 8 9 0 . The Borough M u n i c i p a l i t y l a s t e d u n t i l 1906 when i t became t h e Gosford Municipal C o u n c i l , this being replaced by t h e a l l e m b r a c i n g E r i n a S h i r e C o u n c i l i n 1908. The C o u n c i l m e e t i n g s were h e l d i n t h e S c h o o l of Arts where M a n a s s e h w o u l d h a v e made c o n t a c t w i t h many o f t h e brethren, probably i n c l u d i n g C h a r l e s WHEELER, J o h n SMITH, C h a r l e s CAIN, a l l e l e c t e d t o C o u n c i l i n 1888; J o h n ROBLEY, elected 1889; J o h n James MULLARD, 1 8 9 0 ; a n d N e i l ANDERSON, 1 8 9 3 . I n 1892 M a n a s s e h l i v e d a t 'Myee', G e r t r u d e Street, Gosford. He i s m e n t i o n e d i n The G o s f o r d T i m e s o f 30 J u l y 1893 a s M a y o r . The same p a p e r , i n r e f e r r i n g t o t h e r e c e n t w r e c k o f t h e p a d d l e steamer ' M a i t l a n d ' , wrote: ' F i r s t t o a r r i v e on t h e s c e n e o f t h e w r e c k o n H o r s e b a c k was Mr W a r d , M a y o r of Gosford. Mr Ward piloted about 15 h o r s e m e n over the mountain headlands t o B o a t H a r b o u r B e a c h [now M a i t l a n d Bay i n B o u d d i N a t i o n a l Park] a feat which the d a i l y papers considered an absolute i m p o s s i b i l i t y . ' On 3 J u l y 1 9 0 2 , t h e t o w n s p e o p l e o f G o s f o r d presented t h e Wards w i t h a s i l v e r t e a s e r v i c e a n d i l l u s t r a t e d a d d r e s s t o commemorate t h e i r s i l v e r wedding anniversary. A special issue o f The Gosford T i m e s was p r i n t e d on w h i t e s a t i n t o commemorate t h e event and a p u b l i c b a l l g i v e n i n t h e i r honour. At t h i s time he was p r o p r i e t o r o f 'Myee P o u l t r y Y a r d s ' , G o s f o r d . He r e s i g n e d a s M a y o r i n J u l y 1903 o w i n g t o h i s t e m p o r a r y a b s e n c e f r o m t h e d i s t r i c t , a n d A l d e r m a n J . J . MASON was elected i n his stead. He r e p r e s e n t e d Woy Woy f r o m 1906 t o 1908 - t h e t e r m existence of the Gosford Municipal C o u n c i l , of which Mayor i n 1907.

of he

the was

I n 1908, Woy Woy became t h e 'D' R i d i n g o f E r i n a S h i r e and was r e p r e s e n t e d b y M a n a s s e h WARD u n t i l 1913. He became P r e s i d e n t o f t h e S h i r e C o u n c i l , f r o m 1909 t o 1 9 1 2 , m e e t i n g s o f which were h e l d i n the G o s f o r d C o u r t House. President's H i l l i s said the t u r n o f the c e n t u r y .

t o have

been

named

f o r him

before

He was a v e r y a c t i v e w o r k e r i n many ways f o r advancing the progress of the d i s t r i c t p o l i t i c a l l y , culturally and i n t h e f i e l d o f s p o r t s . He t o o k a g r e a t p e r s o n a l i n t e r e s t i n c r i c k e t , sailing, horse-racing (owning horses), swimming and rifle marksmanship. W i t h h i s b r e t h r e n o f t h e L o d g e , James K I B B L E a n d C h a r l e s C A I N , M a n a s s e h WARD was one o f t h e o r i g i n a l p r o m o t o r s o f t h e l o c a l Cottage H o s p i t a l Fund. (However, a h o s p i t a l d i d n o t e v e n t u a t e u n t i l 1945.) From t h e Dues Book o f t h e l o d g e we s e e t h a t h i s a d d r e s s , first b e i n g G o s f o r d , was c r o s s e d out after 31 December 1893 for 470 D a r l i n g S t r e e t , B a l m a i n , a n d i n a b o u t J u n e 1 8 9 4 , ' S e a f o r t h ' , P l u n k e t S t r e e t , Drummoyne, S y d n e y , was s u b s t i t u t e d . He

c a l l e d o f f and o b t a i n e d h i s c l e a r a n c e on 4 January

1896.

M a n a s s e h d i e d i n G o s f o r d o n 10 May 1923, aged 7 1 , a gentleman o f i n d e p e n d e n t means, f r o m m i t r a l d i s e a s e a n d a n g i n a pectoris, from w h i c h he had s u f f e r e d f o r seven y e a r s . He was a warm, p o p u l a r man o f g r e a t p e r s o n a l i t y . He was s u r v i v e d b y h i s w i d o w , a s t e p - d a u g h t e r , and t e n a d u l t children of the marriage, three others having predeceased him. He was b u r i e d i n S t P a u l ' s A n g l i c a n C e m e t e r y a t K i n c u m b e r . Madeline d i e d i n 1934, aged 7 9 , a n d was b u r i e d i n Veteran H a l l Cemetery. G e o r g e FLETCHER, t h a t c h r o n i c l e r o f l o c a l h i s t o r y a n d o b s e r v a n t w i t n e s s o f men a n d e v e n t s , w r o t e i n The G o s f o r d T i m e s o f 10 S e p t e m b e r 1931: 'Manasseh WARD: ( t h e g r e a t e s t o f t h e m a l l , b y common consent) h i s photograph adorns t h e Board Room o f the E r i n a S h i r e C o u n c i l Chambers. As a sportsman. Alderman, Mayor, C o u n c i l P r e s i d e n t , on t h e c r i c k e t field o r anywhere, Manasseh (as everybody called h i m ) was one o f t h e f i n e s t a n d most l o v a b l e men the w r i t e r ever met i n h i s v a r i e d c a r e e r . Even

t o d a y , a n d , we hope f o r w r i t e r ' s d e l i g h t to tend

Who

y e a r s t o come t h a t photo w i t h

knows w h a t h a p p e n e d t o t h a t p h o t o ?

Where i s i t now?

Information extracted Family History - J . Aldine Centennial

i t is the reverence.'

from: Taylor.

History,

1888.

'Perong' a r t i c l e s . Newspaper a r t i c l e s and

18.

FALLON, Thomas. Police Constable,

Thomas FALLON i n J u l y 1897.

19.

records.

was

Gosford.

initiated

LAWSON, G e o r g e L a n g r i g g Doctor, Gosford.

Dr LAWS ON was lodge. He Mrs H a w k i n s , proposed for

Age

29 y e a r s .

November

1892,

and

resigned

Leathes.

years.

t h e f i r s t M a s o n t o a f f i l i a t e w i t h t h e new local was a legally qualified medical practitioner. grand-daughter of Charles PECK (whose name was i n i t i a t i o n at the same m e e t i n g ) remembers him:

' I a l w a y s u n d e r s t o o d t h a t he was a Guy's Hospital man and I also understood t h a t he was very high i n h i s p r o f e s s i o n over there. I think he served i n t h e 14-18 w a r . ' [He w o u l d have been 56 years old.] Information extracted

from:

1. Government G a z e t t e , 1884.

V o l . I , p305:

No 2010. LAWSON George L a n g r i g g L e a t h e s . L i e . Royal C o l l e g e of P h y s i c i a n s , Edinburgh,

1881. Mem.

Royal

College

Surgeons,

England,

L e g a l l y Q u a l i f i e d Medical P r a c t i t i o n e r . 2. R e c o l l e c t i o n s - Mrs

Hawkins.

1882.

20.

DEASEY, Thomas. Overseer, Gosford.

Age 35 years.

Thomas DEASEY was the Master of the Lodge following McINTYRE. He was not born i n this d i s t r i c t , but he here.

William settled

Thomas DEASEY was the ninth candidate to be i n i t i a t e d i n THE RISING SUN LODGE on 3 December 1892, passed then raised on 7 January and 4 March 1893. He took only three years to a t t a i n the high o f f i c e of Master of the Lodge, i n 1896. He stayed with the Lodge u n t i l the last meeting and served as Secretary i n Decemaber 1899. He o r i g i n a l l y came from Ireland with his family. His father, Hugh DEASEY, was married i n December 1854 at L e i s l e , Co. Cork, to Margaret LATHAM and they had f i f t e e n c h i l d r e n . Thomas was their t h i r d c h i l d and was born at S c h u l l , Co. Cork, on 23 February 1857. Thomas married i n Sydney on 29 September 1884, his wife being an I r i s h g i r l , Annie TEAPE, who had made the t r i p over with some of her family. We do not know when the Deaseys arrived in this district, but their f i r s t c h i l d , Margaret, was born at Fountain Dale, Ourimbah, where they had settled f i r s t i n 1885. Their second son was born in 1887 at Gosford, so we know that they had moved to the town by that time. When he came from Sydney, Thomas was an overseer, managing property for somebody e l s e . He later established himself as an agent and lived at Wyoming. His o f f i c e was situated i n front of the house and hostel for g i r l s working at the Railway Refreshment Room, next to Thompson's saddlery shop. He became an Alderman when the towns of Gosford and East Gosford were incorporated into a Municipality i n 1886. During his term of o f f i c e , also serving as Aldermen were fellow Masons H. C. WHEELER, N. ANDERSON and J . J . MULLARD. Later, Bro. J . KIBBLE and Bro. M. WARD were Mayors of Gosford. DEASEY r e t i r e d from municipal o f f i c e , together with another MasonAlderman, Dr FIELDER, i n 1902 and the Municipal Council tendered thanks to them. Thomas and his wife should have raised a large family, but they had more than their share of tragedy. Three children

were born i n 1889, 1891 and 1892. One of these children died at b i r t h and a report i n The Gosford Times on 16 December 1892 acquaints us with the fate of the other two: 'For the past few months scarlet fever has been prevalent among the i n f a n t i l e residents of the Gosford D i s t r i c t , and i n some cases serious consequences and even death has resulted. Mr. Thos. Deasey has been exceptionally unfortunate i n this respect, he having during the past three weeks lost two children by a virulent attack of the fever, one a boy aged three years and ten months and the other a g i r l aged one year and eleven months. The duration of the i l l n e s s was only a day or two in each case. Much sympathy i s f e l t for the unfortunate parents and family i n their bereavement.' That very same month Thomas DEASEY, the father of the children just buried, had been i n i t i a t e d into the RISING Lodge.

two SUN

In 1894 and 1898, the last children were born, two g i r l s who never married. Mary DEASEY was a primary teacher at Gosford for some 17 years under Headmaster George WALPOLE, one of our Wor. Masters. Kathelene, or K i t t y DEASEY, finished her days as a resident of Avoca House Nursing Home. Thomas acquired quite a lot of land on the P a c i f i c Highway at Wyoming at the corner of the section of Maiden's Brush Road known more recently as Gary Street. Thomas was s t i l l closure i n 1900.

the

list

He died i n Gosford on 6 August Gully Cemetery on 7 August.

of members of

1941

and

was

Information extracted from: Grandson's r e c o l l e c t i o n s . Family records. Newspaper a r t i c l e s .

the

Lodge at i t s

buried i n Brady' s

21.

FOUNTAIN, A l f r e d E r n e s t . Bank C l e r k , G o s f o r d .

Initiated 4 March.

3 December

Age 22 y e a r s .

1892.

Passed

7 January

1893 and R a i s e d

A l f r e d E r n e s t was born a t Narara on 28 May 1870, t h e son o f John FOUNTAIN, who s e t t l e d t h e r e i n 1865. He l e f t school i n 1886 and took a j o b w i t h t h e G o s f o r d Branch o f t h e M e r c a n t i l e Bank o f Sydney, which l a t e r amalgamated w i t h t h e Commercial Bank o f A u s t r a l i a . He was proposed by W. Managers of t h e two WORRALL was Manager which opened a branch

McINTYRE and seconded by R. Henry WORRALL, banks then r e p r e s e n t e d i n G o s f o r d . R.H. o f t h e A u s t r a l i a n J o i n t Stock Bank ( L t d ) i n G o s f o r d i n mid-1890.

A l f r e d FOUNTAIN r e s i g n e d from t h e Lodge i n June 1897. He worked v a r i o u s l y i n t h e Head O f f i c e a t Sydney, then i n Melbourne, P e r t h and Melbourne a g a i n , where he was when he r e t i r e d . He s t a t e s i n h i s r e c o l l e c t i o n s t h a t t h e r e were p l e n t y of opport u n i t i e s f o r a young man t o enjoy h i m s e l f i n G o s f o r d i n t h e daytime by way o f s p o r t s , but t h e e v e n i n g s , a p a r t from an o c c a s i o n a l c o n c e r t o r dramatic show, were extremely dull. Sometimes t h e r e was a game of b i l l i a r d s a t one o f t h e h o t e l s to occupy an e v e n i n g . He c o u l d have added t h a t of a s o c i a l e v e n i n g .

t h e Lodge's meetings

o f f e r e d a chance

H i s f a t h e r , John FOUNTAIN, was an honorary M a g i s t r a t e who a c t e d i n t h e absence of t h e P o l i c e M a g i s t r a t e . F o u n t a i n Road at Narara was named f o r him and n o t f o r a c l e a r water s p r i n g there! FOUNTAIN Sr d i e d a t L e i c h h a r d t , Sydney, i n 1904 aged 81, one o f t h e S t a t e ' s o l d e s t J u s t i c e s o f t h e Peace. He had served not o n l y on the G o s f o r d Bench, but on t h e B r i s b a n e Water L i c e n s i n g Board and t h e l o c a l Land Board. A l f r e d FOUNTAIN r e t u r n e d t o P e r t h at t h e end o f h i s working l i f e .

t o enjoy

Information extracted from: ALDINE, Centennial History, 1888.

h i s retirement

22.

PECK, Charles. Public School Teacher, Gosford.

Age 40 years.

Charles PECK was i n i t i a t e d i n December 1892, took o f f i c e became Secretary i n 1893 until 1896, became Master of Lodge i n 1897 and remained with the Lodge u n t i l i t s end. He was born i n England, to James and Amelia ham, Norfolk, i n Apri1 1851.

PECK i n Old

and the

Bucken-

At an unknown date a f t e r 1853 , the PECK family came to A u s t r a l i a and s e t t l e d at Attleborough, l a t e r moving to Katoomba, but the lure of gold attracted his father to the other side of the Blue Mountains. Charles' father became a miner i n very rough country where they had to cross some extremely d i f f i c u l t ridges, the baby strapped to i t s mother's back, father carrying the parcels and the children struggling over a rough t r a c k , when there was one. Charles was largely self-taught, nevertheless he managed to instruct his brother and passed an examination to be a teacher. He taught i n many small places, married his wife Jane, and came to Gosford. They had six c h i l d r e n , and sadly, his wife died giving b i r t h to the l a s t one in Gosford. Charles asked his mother-in-law to come and help bring up her grandchildren, but i t was not a happy so lut ion as she was very stern with them. It was i n Apri1 1887 that he was appointed Headmaster at Gosford Public School, on the h i l l where the TAFE Co 1 lege stands now. He held that pos i t ion for 23 years, r u l i n g over and educating two generations of c i t i z e n s . He had 173 pupils and two a s s i s tants when he l e f t i n 1910. Charles PECK was himself very s t r i c t and even harsh as a teacher. He was c a l l e d 'Grizz Peck' behind his back and even his family was i n awe of him, but he was a very good teacher and thought nothing of staying back a f t e r school for hours on end to help his p u p i l s . He was popular with the parents because he could keep the boys i n c o n t r o l . As a former p u p i l , Fred WHEELER chuckles when remembering the short time he was with him: 'Mr. Peck; he was a very stern old fe 1 low, he used to keep them i n order. Ah! he was a pretty good man, old Grizz Peck!' Charles PECK was a scholar and student, a great reader and thinker. He was also honest and frank. Although an agnostic, he was s t i l l a worker for his wife's church.

We do not know i f he joined any other lodge subsequently, but when he r e t i r e d at Pyrable, mostly reading and pondering, he l i v e d close to a d i v i n i t y college and used to have long and l i v e l y sessions of discussions with his neighbours. Charles PECK's wife Jane Ann had died on 2 August 1894, aged 37. She was buried i n Brady's Gully Cemetery and on the headstone i s also engraved: 'Charles PECK. 10th March, 1930, aged 79', although he was cremated i n Sydney. One of Charles PECK's great friends i n Gosford was James KIBBLE, a very staunch Methodist. L i l l y , one of Charles PECK's daughters married James KIBBLE'S nephew Joe EARNSHAW i n Gosford. We have an early photo of Charles PECK i n Gosford and one of him when r e t i r e d . His face i s stern and his eyes p i e r c i n g .

Information extracted from: Mrs Hawkins' recollections (grand-daughter). Family records and documents. Department of Education, f i l e s .

23.

COULTER, Robert. Builder, Gosford. Age 46 years. I n i t i a t e d 1 January 1893. Resigned 6 July 1895.

Robert COULTER was the son of Irvine COULTER and Elizabeth (nee PATTERSON) who came to New South Wales on the vessel 'Margaret', a r r i v i n g at Port Jackson on 17 August 1840. Irvine was a native of E n n i s k i l l e n , County Fermanagh, Ireland, the son of farmer George COULTER and his wife Sarah. Elizabeth was a native of Black Lion, County Cavan, Ireland and was the daughter of a boot and shoemaker, William PATTERSON and his wife Jane. Shipping records show that Irvine COULTER, aged 27, was a farm labourer and cooper, and could read and w r i t e , while his wife was a housekeeper. Despite the l i s t e d occupations of the husband, he was teacher of the National School at Hexham, Newcastle.

appointed

In 1856 I r v i n e COULTER was g r a n t e d l a n d a t P o i n t Frederick, G o s f o r d , and he and h i s w i f e and s i x c h i l d r e n came t o live in this d i s t r i c t . The c h i l d r e n were W i l l i a m I r v i n e , E l i z a b e t h , John P a t t e r s o n , ROBERT, Frances (Fanny) and Samuel James. I r v i n e a c q u i r e d o t h e r l a n d at P o i n t F r e d e r i c k and the f a m i l y e s t a b l i s h e d a b u t c h e r i n g b u s i n e s s w i t h a shop and s l a u g h t e r h o u s e , the l a t t e r b e i n g s i t u a t e d on the w e s t e r n s i d e near the p r e s e n t H a r r i s o n S t r e e t . Robert and h i s o l d e r b r o t h e r W i l l i a m d e l i v e r e d meat i n a rowing boat w i t h double s c u l l s and made a t r i p c o v e r i n g t w e n t y - f i v e m i l e s t h r i c e weekly. They would c a l l a t G l e n r o c k , Koolewong - home of F r e d COUCHE and f a m i l y - then Woy Woy, the B r i c k Wharf and B l a c k w a l l , c o n t i n u i n g through The R i p to Booker Bay, Davistown and Kincumber. T h i s was b e f o r e the advent of the r a i l w a y l i n e i n the 1880s. When Robert COULTER was 18, he h e l p e d t o convey the m a i l s on horseback from G o s f o r d t o Kincumber and d i s t r i c t . His f a t h e r (who was G o s f o r d Postmaster from 1862 t o 1868) and l a t e r h i s b r o t h e r W i l l i a m , had horseback m a i l c o n t r a c t s f o r most of the p e r i o d between 1861 and 1880. Robert l a t e r worked at the Tom DAVIS s h i p b u i l d i n g y a r d at T e r r i g a l , living then at S c o t c h Creek, E r i n a i n the v i c i n i t y of the p r e s e n t T e r r i g a l Timbers on T e r r i g a l D r i v e . In 1873 he m a r r i e d Jane SMYTHE a t o l d C h r i s t Church, E a s t G o s f o r d , and they had one son and two d a u g h t e r s : Robert I r v i n g Lucas ( B e r t ) , S t e l l a ( d i e d aged 8) and Annette (Mrs Aubrey BEST). H i s w i f e , Mrs Jane COULTER, taught a t E r i n a school, now E r i n a H e i g h t s , from 1873 t o her death i n 1909. At the age of 30 He l a t e r b u i l t f o r at the bottom of l i v e d f o r the r e s t

Robert COULTER e n t e r e d the b u i l d i n g trade. h i m s e l f the house ' N e t t a v i l l e ' , s t i l l s t a n d i n g ' C o u l t e r ' s H i l l ' i n York S t r e e t , where he of h i s l i f e .

In 1879 Robert and h i s b r o t h e r Samuel became co-owners of a 33 t o n , 5 9 . 4 f t long k e t c h named 'Sun-beam' which was b u i l t f o r them a t B r i s b a n e Water, and which Robert s k i p p e r e d between G o s f o r d and Sydney. H i s cargoes to the c i t y i n c l u d e d b a k e r s ' f i r e w o o d and produce, and he brought back b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l s . He c a r r i e d a l l the b r i c k s f o r h i s house as w e l l as b r i c k s for the b u i l d i n g of Woy Woy r a i l w a y t u n n e l , which were unloaded at the B r i c k Wharf, Woy Woy. The 'Sun-beam' a l s o brought i n f o d d e r f o r h o r s e s w o r k i n g a l o n g the r a i l w a y l i n e c o n s t r u c t i o n , and a l l the s t e e l and i r o n used i n the b u i l d i n g of the drawbridge - the f i r s t Punt B r i d g e - a c r o s s the mouth of E r i n a Creek i n 1884-5. Robert COULTER, l i k e h i s b r o t h e r s , was a noted l o c a l and s a i l o r , and many s t o r i e s of h i s s k i l l s t i l l l i v e

oarsman i n the

memories of d i s t r i c t p i o n e e r s . He p l a y e d a good game of c r i c k e t , was a champion step-dancer and c o u l d e n t e r t a i n as a humorous songster. He r e t i r e d from the b u i l d i n g t r a d e i n 1914 and d i e d J u l y , 1928, s h o r t l y b e f o r e h i s 8 1 s t b i r t h d a y . He was i n the o l d P o i n t F r e d e r i c k Cemetery, now P i o n e e r Park. A long a r t i c l e d e s c r i b i n g h i s l i f e and times i n The G o s f o r d Times i s s u e of 2 August 1928.

was

on 27 buried

published

I n f o r m a t i o n e x t r a c t e d from: Newspaper

articles.

Family r e c o l l e c t i o n s . ALDINE, C e n t e n n i a l H i s t o r y ,

24.

1888.

ROBLEY, John George. C o n t r a c t o r , Wyong - G o s f o r d . Age 49 y e a r s . I n i t i a t e d 7 January 1893. Passed 11 February 9 May 1898.

and

Raised

John George ROBLEY was born a t K e l s o , New South Wales, on 13 September 1843, r e c e i v i n g h i s e a r l y t r a i n i n g t h e r e . Kelso, near B a t h u r s t on t h e Macquarie R i v e r , i s s i t u a t e d s o u t h o f Tumbarumba and t h e NSW g o l d f i e l d s . In 1855 he s e t t l e d i n the B r i s b a n e Water d i s t r i c t and worked the f i r s t timber m i l l e r e c t e d a t B r i s b a n e Water. He next went back t o t h e g o l d f i e l d s a t Tumbarumba, a d i s t r i c t he knew w e l l , and he s t a y e d t h e r e f o r some t e n y e a r s . I n 1864 he m a r r i e d t h e daughter o f Mr RAMSDEN o f S t o c k p o r t . He r e t u r n e d t o t h e B r i s b a n e Water D i s t r i c t i n 1873. I n 1885, he became L i c e n s e e of the Union H o t e l which was newly b u i l t . He went t o Wyong i n 1888 and b u i l t i n 1889.

the f i r s t

Royal

Hotel

there

He was e l e c t e d t o the n e w l y - c r e a t e d M u n i c i p a l C o u n c i l of the Borough o f G o s f o r d , succeeding George WATT. He served until the end of January 1890.

In 1892 he b u i l t the Commercial H o t e l on the s i t e of an o l d shanty, and s t a y e d t h e r e f o r a s h o r t w h i l e . He j o i n e d the f i r s t Masonic Lodge i n the d i s t r i c t , b e i n g l i s t e d a t t h e time as a C o n t r a c t o r of Ourimbah. He was s e l e c t e d t o f i l l the o f f i c e o f Road T r u s t e e , one o f the e a r l y ones a t t h e n o r t h e r n end o f the d i s t r i c t . He was s e c r e t a r y of the G o s f o r d C r i c k e t Club. At the time o f the bank c r a s h i n 1895 ( i t i s thought t h a t he l o s t h e a v i l y i n i t ) , he r e s i g n e d from h i s Lodge i n A p r i l and r e c e i v e d a c l e a r a n c e . He then went t o t h e Yarramalong a r e a t o farm a t a p l a c e c a l l e d Ravensdale where he remained f o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y seven y e a r s . ROBLEY r e t u r n e d t o Wyong i n 1901, and he b u i l t a seventeenroom s t r u c t u r e t h a t he i n t e n d e d to c a l l the Oxford Hotel, on t h e n o r t h - e a s t c o r n e r o f Church S t r e e t . However, he c o u l d not secure a l i c e n c e and turned i t i n t o a boarding house, 'The C o f f e e P a l a c e ' . The C o f f e e P a l a c e was s o l d t o A. H. WARNER i n 1904 and burned down i n the same y e a r , as d i d t h r e e o t h e r b u i l d i n g s i n 1913. The ROBLEYs l o s t s e v e r a l c h i l d r e n i n i n f a n c y , but one daughter survived. John ROBLEY was w i d e l y known as 'a s t e r l i n g good f e l l o w and a g e n i a l host and c a r r i e d on a s u c c e s s f u l t r a d e . ' He had been a c r i c k e t e r and p l a y e d a prominent r o l e i n introducing the game and o r g a n i s i n g l o c a l c h a l l e n g e c o m p e t i t i o n s . John ROBLEY i s p r o b a b l y b e s t remembered f o r c o n s t r u c t i n g t h r e e of Wyong's e a r l i e s t b u i l d i n g s , i n c l u d i n g the o l d Royal H o t e l , b u i l t i n 1889 and demolished t o make way f o r the p r e s e n t Royal H o t e l b u i l t i n 1919. He b u i l t t h e Commercial H o t e l a t Wyong i n 1892 on the s i t e of t h e p r e s e n t Grand H o t e l which was e r e c t e d i n 1912 and has s i n c e been c o n s i d e r a b l y a l t e r e d and extended. The o l d Commercial H o t e l was removed from i t s o r i g i n a l site i n 1912 t o Hely S t r e e t , where i t stands today - the t w o - s t o r e y b u i l d i n g next t o the Scout Cabin - one o f the town's o l d e s t buildings. John ROBLEY d i e d i n November 1931, aged 88. Wor. B r o . BATEMAN read the Masonic S e r v i c e over h i s l a t e r b r o t h e r Mason. He was b u r i e d i n L i s a r o w Cemetery and a l a r g e number of b r e t h r e n a s s i s t e d . Wreaths and f l o r a l t r i b u t e s were numerous. George FLETCHER ('Perong') had t h i s t o say o f him:

'John Robley of t h e w o n d e r f u l memory and t h e g e n i a l disposition, loved and r e s p e c t e d by a l l ... now the grand o l d man o f Wyong.' [The G o s f o r d Times, 23 J u l y 1931]

ROBLEY's w i f e I s a b e l l a r e s t s b e s i d e him. She d i e d on 5 August 1944, some t h i r t e e n y e a r s l a t e r , when she was 100 y e a r s o l d . Information extracted from: ' P i c t o r i a l History of Wyong Shire', Volumes I to IV, Edward STINSON, passim. Newspaper a r t i c l e s .

25.

FITZ-NEADS, A r t h u r C. Roads Department, G o s f o r d .

A r t h u r FITZ-NEADS was proposed f o r a f f i l i a t i o n from SERVICE Lodge No. 24 Sydney-Five Dock i n March 1893.

t h e UNITED

The p r o v i s i o n o f s e r v i c e and maintenance o f roads i n t h e S h i r e was conducted by t r u s t e e s a d j u d i c a t i n g works t o c o n t r a c t o r s . The system was e v e n t u a l l y abandoned f o r t h a t of a Government Department. The Road S u p e r i n t e n d e n t f o r P u b l i c Works was F. N. OXLEY and h i s a s s i s t a n t was A. C. FITZ-NEADS. We f i n d FITZ-NEADS' name when c l u b formed i n G o s f o r d i n 1892. c r i c k e t e r i n t h e 1890s.

he j o i n e d t h e f i r s t f o o t b a l l He was a l s o a prominent l o c a l

He withdrew from t h e lodge i n October 1894.

Information extracted from: 'Perong' a r t i c l e s .

26.

ANDERSON, N e i l . Gentleman, Gosford.

Age 40 years.

Neil ANDERSON was born i n 1847 at Skudenes, near Stavanger in Norway. He was born Knud or Canute ANDRIESEN (his Naturalisation C e r t i f i c a t e i s s t i l l extant). He arrived i n Australia in 1876, aged 29, and married at Woolloomooloo the following year. He was i n i t i a t e d i n February 1894 and remained a member of the lodge u n t i l his death. He had the d i s t i n c t i o n of being one of the two Masons of the old lodge, with Bro. James KIBBLE, to j o i n Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 at the time of i t s constitution in 1917. He was a foundation member and acted as Tyler at its consecration i n 1917. He obtained his clearance i n Apri 1 1919. ANDERSON was a man of resources and v e r s a t i l i t y . He came to Wyong f i r s t i n the early 1880s, where he lived with the ALISONs, helping to manage their estate. (See No. 52: George SMITH.) When the railway line from Waratah to Gosford was being buiIt he started a butchering business, eventually moving to Mann Street, Gosford, near the corner with Donnison Street ( l a t e r the s i t e of the Regal Theatre and now the Commonwealth Bank). In 1893 he was styled a gentleman, in 1899 a sawmill proprietor and i n 1917 an orchardist. He was elected a Councillor of the Municipal Council i n February 1893. In 1902 he was returned unopposed to represent West Ward i n the l o c a l Borough Council. In his old days he 1ived at Narara by the creek, i n Old Mait land Road (Showground Road), but later buiIt on the other side of the creek and raiIway l i n e , at Wyoming. He c a l l e d the house 'Norge'. Both houses are s t i l l standing. He l e f t family l i v i n g i n the d i s t r i c t when he died at ' Norge' , Wyoming, i n May 1922. Information extracted from: Fred Hi 11 (grandson), r e c o l l e c t i o n s . Family documents. Local newspaper a r t i c l e s .

RIGHT: Charles P E C K (18511930). Public School Teacher, Gosrord.

ABOVE: John George R O B L E Y (1843-1930).

ABOVE RIGHT: Neil A N D E R S O N (1847-1922), as a young man. RIGHT: Neil A N D E R S O N in his later years.

27.

THORNTHWAITE, F r a n c i s F r e d e r i c k . H.M. Customs, Walker S t r e e t , F i v e Dock.

Age 30 y e a r s .

THORNTHWAITE was sponsored by W i l l i a m H. JONES, a f o u n d a t i o n member o f LA STELLA D'ITALIA, and p r o b a b l y a Customs O f f i c e r too. H i s name d i s a p p e a r s from t h e r e g i s t e r i n August 1894.

28.

TUCK, D a v i d . Farmer, Green P o i n t .

Age 50 y e a r s .

I n i t i a t e d i n August 1893, D a v i d TUCK was T y l e r i n 1895 and r e s i g n e d i n A p r i l 1896, w i t h no o t h e r d e t a i l s a p a r t from he was o f Eagle H u r s t , Kincumber. David's w i f e was Emma Maud TUCK, and t h e i r c h i l d r e n i n c l u d e d : Percy F., born 1888; Constance A., born 1889; F l o r e n c e S., born 1890; Margaret E., born 1892; and David E., born 1894.

29.

THOMPSON, W i l l i a m Robert S t r a h a n . P u b l i c School Teacher, N a r a r a .

Age 29 y e a r s .

W i l l i a m THOMPSON m a r r i e d a l o c a l g i r l , COOK, a b u l l o c k team d r i v e r . He was 1893 and he r e s i g n e d i n June 1893.

a daughter o f W i l l i a m initiated on 5 A p r i l

30.

KOHLHOFF, C h r i s t i a n

Edward.

P u b l i c School Teacher,

Kincumber.

Age

47 y e a r s .

C h r i s KOHLHOFF was born at E r u n g a l o r e , South India in 1846, w h e r e h i s f a t h e r was a Missionary. A t t h e age o f s e v e n , he was s e n t t o C a n t e r b u r y i n E n g l a n d t o be e d u c a t e d . He r e c e i v e d a s c h o l a r l y e d u c a t i o n , w i t h L a t i n and G r e e k . He d e c i d e d later t o s a i 1 f o r A u s t r a l i a and become a t e a c h e r . A t one s t a g e he t a u g h t c r o s s i n g the Hawkesbury h o r s e b e h i n d him.

at St Albans, where he i n Wiseman's r o w i n g b o a t ,

He was m a r r i e d a t W i l b e r f o r c e , j u s t n o r t h o f C H R I S T I E , o f L o w e r P o r t l a n d , on 27 J u n e 1 8 7 0 .

recollected towing his

Windsor,

Alice

I n 1874 he was sent to teach i n a denominational school at S o f a l a , an a l l u v i a l g o l d m i n i n g town h a l f w a y between B a t h u r s t and Mudgee. He won the esteem and g r a t i t u d e o f h i s pupils' p a r e n t s and when he l e f t i n 1879, the Sofala Public School Board gave him a t e s t i m o n y of a p p r e c i a t i o n . He was a p p o i n t e d to Newbridge was s e n t t o K i n c u m b e r .

near

Bathurst

and

from

there

He t a u g h t f o r t w e l v e y e a r s a t K i n c u m b e r , f r o m 1886 to T h i s was c a l l e d the 'Kohlhof f E r a ' by Owen and John i n t h e i r booklet w r i t t e n f o r the Centenary of Kincumber S c h o o l i n 1970.

1898. JAMES Public

B r o . KOHLHOFF was i n i t i a t e d i n A p r i l 1893. He took office i n 1894 and a c c e d e d t o t h e M a s t e r s h i p o f t h e L o d g e i n S e p t e m b e r 1897. H i s y e a r i n t h e c h a i r was not a propitious one for the lodge. I t s u f f e r e d f r o m t h e e x o d u s o f f i v e members c a l l i n g o f f a g a i n s t a n i n t a k e o f o n l y two c a n d i d a t e s , f u r t h e r r e d u c i n g the s t r e n g t h of the lodge to o n l y seventeen. I n a d d i t i o n t o h i s o t h e r c o m m i t m e n t s , C h r i s t i a n KOHLHOFF a l s o took the time to conduct s e r v i c e s i n the Church of England, o p p o s i t e t h e s c h o o l , where h i s w i f e occasionally played the organ. H i s w i f e was p r o b a b l y the s i s t e r of E l l e n CHRISTIE, the w i f e o f a James GOSPER, who i s b e l i e v e d t o be the same W. Bro. GOSPER, W.M. L o d g e ST. LEONARDS No. 98 who v i s i t e d our local lodge. ( M i n u t e B o o k , 4 November 1 8 9 3 . ) C h r i s t i a n KOHLHOFF had many i n t e r e s t s : he was a c r i c k e t e n t h u s i a s t and he k e p t b e e h i v e s . I n a t i m e when K i n c u m b e r was remote

from Gosford because o f t h e roads o f r e p a i r , he h a d t h e d i s t i n c t i o n buggy.

b e i n g i n a v e r y bad state of driving a four-wheeled

R e f e r e n c e h a s a l r e a d y b e e n made t o a p h o t o of the Ferntree H o t e l , Mann S t r e e t , G o s f o r d , t a k e n c l 8 9 4 , w h i c h shows a g r o u p o f M a s o n s on t h e f i r s t f l o o r b a l c o n y l o o k i n g down a t a f o u r wheeled buggy a r r i v i n g i n t h e c o u r t y a r d . I t i s believed t h a t t h e man t h e y a r e l o o k i n g a t i s C h r i s t i a n KOHLHOFF, a r r i v i n g w i t h a n o t h e r member. He i s w e a r i n g a g r e y b o w l e r h a t . H i s g r a n d s o n b e l i e v e s t h i s t o be t h e famous e q u i p a g e . The KOHLHOFF family consisted of One o f t h e s o n s became a t e a c h e r .

two

boys

and

two

girls.

When C h r i s t i a n KOHLHOFF was t r a n s f e r r e d t o W o o d s t o c k i n 1 8 9 9 , he c a l l e d o f f f r o m t h e L o d g e . H i s c l e a r a n c e was d a t e d 21 October 1899. The e v e n i n g p r i o r t o t h e KOHLHOFFs l e a v i n g K i n c u m b e r a p l e a s a n t g a t h e r i n g o f r e s i d e n t s and f r i e n d s took place at 'Palmyra', t h e r e s i d e n c e o f B. T. DUNK, t o w i s h f a r e w e l l t o C. E. KOHLHOFF, h i s w i f e and f a m i l y . The g u e s t s d e p a r t e d t o t h e i r respective homes a t d a y b r e a k . ( T h e G o s f o r d T i m e s , 20 J a n u a r y 1 8 9 9 . ) C h r i s t i a n E d w a r d KOHLHOFF d i e d at Willoughby i n 1931, aged 8 5 , a t h i s d a u g h t e r ' s home. He h a d b e e n b l i n d f o r t h e l a s t seven years o f h i s l i f e .

Information

extracted

from:

Grandson's r e c o n e c t i o n s . Department o f E d u c a t i o n , f i l e s . Kincumber P u b l i c School Centenary b o o k l e t . Other r e c o l l e c t i o n s and a r t i c l e s . Testimonials

31.

and a p p r e c i a t i o n s .

BARKER, S t a n l e y G e o r g e . Storekeeper,

Gosford.

S t a n l e y BARKER was i n i t i a t e d i n A p r i l 1 8 9 3 . When he r e s i g n e d i n August 1 8 9 5 , h i s a d d r e s s was 8 B o y c e S t r e e t , G l e b e . His d u e s w e r e p a i d up t o J u n e 1 8 9 4 , w h i c h p r o b a b l y i n d i c a t e s t h e t i m e he l e f t t h e d i s t r i c t f o r S y d n e y .

32.

BEVERIDGE, Henry Sydney. C l e r k of P e t t y S e s s i o n s , G o s f o r d .

Henry BEVERIDGE was i n i t i a t e d i n A p r i l 1893 and resigned i n March 1895 w i t h c l e a r a n c e . He was the seventeenth candidate i n THE RISING SUN Lodge. BEVERIDGE came to G o s f o r d c l 8 9 1 when he was about 21 years of age. I t i s r e p o r t e d i n h i s f a m i l y t h a t he was a Clerk of P e t t y S e s s i o n s (C.P.S.) a t the age of 18, the youngest i n the S t a t e . H i s f a t h e r was a S c o t , who had a commission i n the Scotch Greys, but he s o l d i t and came to Sydney f o r h i s honeymoon, and d e c i d e d to s t a y . Henry Sydney was born i n Sydney i n a house b e s i d e the church known as Scots K i r k . H i s f a t h e r became a P o l i c e M a g i s t r a t e and Henry spent h i s e a r l y life i n the c o u n t r y , a t Beechworth i n V i c t o r i a and i n Bega, where h i s father i s buried. At f i r s t he went t o s c h o o l i n Beechworth, and when the f a m i l y moved to M a i t l a n d , he a t t e n d e d Sauchie House i n M a i t l a n d , a famous s c h o o l run i n the most r i g i d Scottish traditions. I t was a p r i v a t e s c h o o l w i t h a P r e s b y t e r i a n M i n i s t e r , s t e r n d i s c i p l i n e and p h y s i c a l punishment. Many well-known men went to t h a t s c h o o l w h i l e he was t h e r e . I t may even be s t i l l s t a n d i n g in Maitland. Coming to Sydney a t the age of 17, Henry was a s s i g n e d t o the Water P o l i c e Court and l i v e d i n the A r g y l e Cut, an infamous and dangerous p l a c e t h e n , when one took one's l i f e i n one's hands when w a l k i n g about a t n i g h t . As an 1 8 - y e a r - o l d b a c h e l o r , Henry was posted to Richmond, and then to G o s f o r d . He took a l i v e l y i n t e r e s t i n the l o c a l s o c i a l l i f e and remembered the times when t h e r e were many p u b l i c houses. At t i m e s , he reckoned, he would have been the o n l y sober man i n town. (Perhaps he was a l i t t l e b o a s t f u l , s i n c e we know t h a t t h e r e would have been at l e a s t two, he and James KIBBLE!) He promised h i s mother when he l e f t her f o r a l i f e i n the c i t y , t h a t he would not touch any a l c o h o l u n t i l he was 21. While i n G o s f o r d and s t i l l unmarried, he seems t o have been v e r y much i n v o l v e d w i t h c i v i c endeavours. He p l a y e d i n the f i r s t C r i c k e t Club team formed i n 1892 together with other y o u t h f u l members of the Lodge: FITZ-NEADS, WHEELER, FRIEDMAN, FOUNTAIN and BAKER. I n 1889, he was a l s o S e c r e t a r y of the G o s f o r d A g r i c u l t u r a l and H o r t i c u l t u r a l A s s o c i a t i o n when they h e l d t h e i r second Show on the n o r t h e r n c o r n e r of Mann and Donnison S t r e e t s . In a copy of The G o s f o r d Times dated 16

December 1892 he s i g n e d as Hon. S e c r e t a r y of in an a d v e r t i s e m e n t t o announce a S p e c i a l i n the School of A r t s f o r 3 January 1892.

that A s s o c i a t i o n General Meeting

In A p r i l 1892, he j o i n e d THE RISING SUN Lodge, meeting at the same School of A r t s , then a f a i r l y r e c e n t b u i l d i n g which was a l r e a d y p l a y i n g a v e r y i m p o r t a n t p a r t i n the l i f e of the community. He a l s o j o i n e d the l o c a l p l a y e r s ' a s s o c i a t i o n i n s t a g i n g performances i n t h a t h a l l . B e i n g r a t h e r handsome (see p h o t o ) , young, and w i t h good p r o s p e c t s he was q u i t e p o p u l a r , and enjoyed the l o c a l dances. His wife, however, was not t o be a l o c a l g i r l . Henry met a g i r l from Richmond, daughter of the l o c a l d o c t o r , and 'Love a t first s i g h t ' was the t r a d i t i o n a l cause of t h e i r u n i o n . They were m a r r i e d i n Sydney at St Luke's Church of England, Concord, i n 1897 a f t e r a f a i r l y l o n g engagement. Henry brought h i s young w i f e t o G o s f o r d , where they spent the f i r s t years of m a r r i e d l i f e i n Albany S t r e e t . Their f i r s t son was born t h e r e but the second l i v i n g one was born i n Sydney e i g h t e e n months l a t e r . They must have moved soon a f t e r w a r d s . In a l l , they had t h r e e sons and a daughter. The couple's e l d e s t son was brought i n t o the w o r l d by Dr FIELDER, a Lodge f e l l o w , when b u t t e r was worth one s h i l l i n g a pound and a maid wanted 5/- a week p l u s o l d d r e s s e s . I t was a v e r y h i g h p r i c e and they were e x p e c t i n g her t o drop her p r e t e n s i o n s t o 3/-. A J u n i o r C l e r k o f P e t t y S e s s i o n s was g e t t i n g no more than ÂŁ2/10/- per week. Henry s t a y e d f o r about seven y e a r s i n G o s f o r d , u n t i l 1898, but a t some time the f a m i l y l i v e d a t Kiama. He was appointed C.P.S. and l a t e r Chamber M a g i s t r a t e a t Burwood. He a l s o a t t e n d e d Court a t A s h f i e l d and C a n t e r b u r y . He had a busy time and used t o go by hansom cab. A s h f i e l d b e i n g about t h r e e m i l e s from Burwood and C a n t e r b u r y , he was d r i v e n t h e r e , h e l d the c o u r t once a week i n each p l a c e , and then the cab would b r i n g him back a t n i g h t . He remained t h e r e u n t i l he r e t i r e d at the age of 65. He was h i g h l y thought of and v e r y k i n d t o p e o p l e . Very much a home and f a m i l y man, he d i d not take a b i g p a r t i n c i v i c l i f e . He d i e d i n 1959 when he was 86 and was l i v i n g alone i n Burwood, h i s w i f e h a v i n g predeceased him. He had v e r y happy memories of h i s time i n G o s f o r d , of the p i c n i c s and o u t i n g s and dances of which h i s w i f e d i d n ' t approve, she h a v i n g had a v e r y s t r i c t upbringing.

Henry had been a g r e a t sportsman; he l o v e d p l a y i n g t e n n i s and was a good runner. I n h i s l a t e r years he spent much o f h i s time w i t h h i s f a m i l y , and enjoying, h i s garden.

Information extracted from: Recollections from his daughter. Newspaper a r t i c l e s .

33.

STEAD, George W i l l i a m . Railway

S t a t i o n Master, Morisset.

Age 30 y e a r s .

Of Lodge MURRUMBIDGEE HAY No. 37, he a f f i l i a t e d and r e s i g n e d i n March 1895. C l e a r a n c e g r a n t e d .

34.

DENING, E l i e z e r W a l t e r , Farmer, E r i n a .

(sometimes

i n J u l y 1893,

Ebenezer).

Age 28 y e a r s .

L a t e r moved t o Wamberal. He was a l s o c a l l e d by George FLETCHER, who had t h i s t o say o f him:

' E l i ' DENING

'...we a r e d e a l i n g w i t h events l e a d i n g up t o the establishment of Gosford Municipal Council...and the T r u s t e e s p e r i o d . . . T r u s t e e s who can be authenti c a l l y p l a c e d a r e ( i n Gosford-Wamberal d i v i s i o n ) . . . E l i Dening, Orchardist and o u t s t a n d i n g violinist of the day...' E l i e z e r was i n i t i a t e d i n November 1893, was b a l l o t e d and accepted i n June, but h i s i n i t i a t i o n was postponed s u c c e s s i v e l y due to h i s f a i l u r e t o appear. He r e s i g n e d i n March 1895 w i t h dues amounting t o 52/-. C l e a r a n c e was not g r a n t e d . E l i e z e r DENING was one o f f o u r b r o t h e r s , market gardeners, who came t o t h e d i s t r i c t from F i v e Dock, Sydney, i n t h e 1880s.

35.

McFARLANE, G.

P a i d one g u i n e a initiation.

36.

i n August

1893,

but

d i d not

proceed

with his

FRIEDMAN, Godfrey. N i g h t - O f f i c e r , Railway S t a t i o n , Gosford.

Age

In January 1894 a b a l l o t was t a k e n , which proved t i v e , on c a n d i d a t e Mr FRIEDMAN, and he was n i g h t . He r e s i g n e d i n August 1896.

27 y e a r s . t o be a f f i r m a initiated that

In the e a r l y 1900s a FRIEDMAN'S r e s i d e n c e i s r e c o r d e d next to J a c k AGGETT's house and l i v e r y s t a b l e s (between the Union H o t e l and E r i n a S t r e e t , i n Mann S t r e e t ) on l a n d a t the back of the r a i l w a y s t a t i o n and t h a t of W. SPEARS, which was next to the Union H o t e l . Godfrey FRIEDMAN j o i n e d the f i r s t football club at Gosford i n 1892. He was S t a t i o n M a s t e r at Wyong f o r t e n y e a r s , r e s i g n i n g i n November 1919. He d i e d d u r i n g a t r i p abroad i n 1922.

37.

NICHOLLS, W i l l i a m H. Road S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , G o s f o r d .

Age 38 y e a r s .

L a t e of Lodge FELICITY No. 58, E.G. and Lodge ST ANDREW S.C. No. 615, Queanbeyan. NICHOLLS was

Past

a candidate f o r a f f i l i a t i o n i n A p r i l

Senior

1894.

Warden,

38.

KIBBLE, James. Blacksmith, Gosford.

Son of E n g l i s h e m i g r a n t s , i n January 1858. As He of he of

Age

James

years. KIBBLE was

born

Victoria

a young man, he became i n d e n t u r e d t o a b l a c k s m i t h i n A l b u r y . j o i n e d the Good Templars a t A l b u r y , t a k i n g t h e i r pledge t o t a l a b s t i n e n c e from a l c o h o l . H i s a p p r e n t i c e s h i p completed, went t o Mount Hope, a copper m i n i n g town, where the s e r v i c e s a b l a c k s m i t h were i n demand.

He m a r r i e d E l i z a b e t h ARCHER a t Mount Hope. When the mining p e t e r e d o u t , he then d i r e c t e d h i s s t e p s towards G o s f o r d , in about 1885 or 1886. He f i r s t worked f o r C h r i s PALMER, l a t e r b u y i n g PALMER'S b l a c k smith's shop w h i c h was on the c o r n e r of Donnison and Mann Streets. T h i s i s the c o r n e r where the Commercial Bank of A u s t r a l i a ' s second b u i l d i n g later stood (1985) and where a modern shop and o f f i c e b l o c k i s now l o c a t e d . In 1893, i n 1887)

KIBBLE was and i n May

e l e c t e d t o the M u n i c i p a l C o u n c i l ( e s t a b l i s h e d 1894 he became a Mason.

He s t a r t e d b u y i n g l a n d i n the township on w h i c h t o b u i l d c o t tages. He became M a s t e r of the Lodge i n August 1899. Due to d i f f i c u l t times c a n d i d a t e s were s c a r c e and, still worse, many members l e f t . The membership f e l l t o such an extent t h a t a f t e r one year i n r e c e s s , James KIBBLE s u r r e n d e r e d the warrant i n 1901. KIBBLE 1944.

left

Gosford

for Asquith

1924,

where

died

James KIBBLE was a M e t h o d i s t of s t r o n g p r i n c i p l e s , a d i s c i p l i n a r i a n , and a committed t e e t o t a l l e r . He l e f t no f a m i l y . H i s name was g i v e n t o Gosford's K i b b l e P a r k , the l a n d been purchased by G o s f o r d S h i r e C o u n c i l f o r h i s E s t a t e .

having

39.

HOLDSWORTH, P h i l i p

Joseph.

Cadet, S t a t e F o r e s t N u r s e r y , G o s f o r d .

Age 23 y e a r s .

P h i l i p HOLDSWORTH was i n i t i a t e d i n August 1894 and he r e s i g n e d the f o l l o w i n g October. An emergent meeting had been h e l d on 7 September ' f o r the purpose of c o m p l e t i n g the work p e r t a i n i n g to the F i r s t Degree and to c o n f e r 2nd Degree on Bro. P. J . H o l d s w o r t h , the same b e i n g rendered n e c e s s a r y on account of Bro. Holdsworth's approaching departure for England ' He was r a i s e d on 6 October, gave i n h i s r e s i g n a t i o n , and l e f t f o r England. N o t h i n g f u r t h e r i s known of him.

40.

FIELDER, Sidney. P h y s i c i a n , Gosford.

Age 35 y e a r s .

An o l d i n n owned and run by Edward WAMSLEY s t o o d on the s i t e where Dr FIELDER'S r e s i d e n c e was l a t e r b u i l t , i n Mann S t r e e t South. Dr FIELDER came from England. He was r e p o r t e d t o be a good d o c t o r , a 'Harley S t r e e t man'. Few now remember him p e r s o n a l l y . George A. WALPOLE was one who knew him, and he r e c a l l e d : 'He was a v e r y r a c e y s o r t of chap; l i v e d h a l f way up C o u l t e r ' s H i l l a t one t i m e , where H e c t o r McKENZIE the d e n t i s t l i v e s now [5 York S t r e e t ] . They had t h e i r h o r s e s and p o n i e s and t r a p s t h e r e and they owned much l a n d . He a l s o b u i l t the house which became Hinemoa H o s p i t a l i n Mason's Parade. Later Dr James PAUL m a r r i e d h i s o n l y daughter.' I t i s of i n t e r e s t t h a t Dr J . H. and Mrs ( E s t h e r ) P A U L ' S sons A d r i a n and A l i s t e r , Dr FIELDER'S grandsons, also practised as medicos i n G o s f o r d . When i n Sydney, Dr FIELDER had been i n i t i a t e d i n Lodge EMPRESS OF INDIA No. 57, W o o l l a h r a . He therefore a f f i l i a t e d as an E n t e r e d A p p r e n t i c e and had t o be passed and r a i s e d , which o c c u r r e d i n December 1894 and i n the f o l l o w i n g January. He was C h a p l a i n i n October 1895 and he s t a y e d w i t h the lodge to the l a s t day.

Dr FIELDER d i e d i n February 1924, aged 64 ( h i s w i f e had d i e d one y e a r p r e v i o u s l y ) . Both are b u r i e d i n Pt C l a r e Cemetery and a s t a i n e d g l a s s memorial window p e r p e t u a t e s t h e i r memory i n modern C h r i s t Church i n Mann S t r e e t , which stands not f a r from the s i t e of t h e i r former r e s i d e n c e .

41.

LOVE, Henry. C l e r k , Gosford.

Age

28 y e a r s .

Henry LOVE was i n i t i a t e d i n May 1895. He r e s i g n e d i n December 1896. There i s n o t h i n g more known about him.

42.

COX,

Henry

Robert.

Gentleman, Woy

Woy.

From Lodge EMPRESS OF i n June 1895.

Age

INDIA No.

years. 57,

COX

was

affiliated

Henry Robert COX was born i n 1862, the son of Henry Robert and E l i z a COX. Henry Robert ( S e n i o r ) and h i s b r o t h e r , James P a u l Gee COX, had come t o the Colony as c h i l d r e n w i t h their p a r e n t s , Robert and C a r o l i n e COX on the 'LANG'. This vessel a r r i v e d a t P o r t J a c k s o n i n 1829. Robert and C a r o l i n e COX owned the l a r g e area of l a n d 'Lisaroe'^ which gave i t s name, i n a s l i g h t l y d i f f e r e n t form, t o today's L i s a r o w , j u s t n o r t h of G o s f o r d . The COX f a m i l y was t o a l s o have c l o s e c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h the Woy Woy d i s t r i c t . Henry Robert COX ( J u n i o r ) m a r r i e d E t h e l McDOWELL, and after a l e n g t h y honeymoon, s e t t l e d i n a c o t t a g e not f a r from the B r i c k Wharf a t Woy Woy. The c o t t a g e was known as ' K e r e i ' . E a r l y i n 1891 a G o s f o r d correspondent to the 'Sydney M a i l ' newspaper r e p o r t e d t h a t COX was a new r e s i d e n t of the p l a c e ,

and had a number o f Japanese employed. They were engaged i n growing the v e g e t a b l e s o f Japan which were 'very unlike those grown by Europeans.' ' K e r e i ' was v a c a t e d by t h e Cox c o u p l e when t h e i r i m p r e s s i v e home ' E t t a l o n g H a l l ' was completed, o v e r l o o k i n g The R i p . The Japanese gardeners e v i d e n t l y moved w i t h them, f o r they had noted gardens. ' K e r e i ' became 'St Elmo' B o a r d i n g House. In The Town & Country J o u r n a l on 16 J u l y 1892 ("Gosford Notes') mention i s made o f t h e G o s f o r d and B r i s b a n e Water A g r i c u l t u r a l and H o r t i c u l t u r a l A s s o c i a t i o n . H. R. COX was among t h e e l e c t e d t r u s t e e s of the Showgrounds. Other t r u s t e e s were Frank McNEIL, E. DENNING, H. C. WHEELER and T. S. PHILLIPS. I n t h e same r e p o r t , i t was noted t h a t J . W. LLOYD and W. B. WHITEWAY had r e s i g n e d as t r u s t e e s o f t h e School o f A r t s , and H. R. COX and J . KIBBLE were d u l y e l e c t e d i n t h e i r p l a c e . COX had an 1 8 f t s a i l i n g s k i f f and a steam y a c h t , 'CANARSIE'. He was a J u s t i c e o f t h e Peace, a member o f the G o s f o r d L i c e n s i n g Board and Chairman o f the Annual Flower Show. Contemporary accounts o f t h e wreck o f the 'MAITLAND' on t h e n i g h t o f 5/6 May 1898, c r e d i t H. R. COX, a l o n g w i t h Rock DAVIS, A r t h u r DAVIS, J . MURRAY and P. MURRAY as d e s e r v i n g t h e h i g h e s t commendation f o r t h e i r a s s i s t a n c e a t the wreck i n s u p p l y i n g s u r v i v o r s w i t h food and c l o t h i n g . H. R. COX r e s i g n e d

from t h e Lodge i n June 1899.

Tragedy s t r u c k i n 1909. Mr and Mrs COX went t o Sydney and booked i n t o the A r c a d i a H o t e l f o r a s h o r t s t a y . Some time d u r i n g t h a t f i r s t n i g h t , Henry Robert COX f e l t t h i r s t y , and t a k i n g a d r i n k from a g l a s s v e s s e l on the washstand i n t h e dark, i m m e d i a t e l y became i l l . With some a s s i s t a n c e , Mrs COX got h e r husband back t o bed and a s l e e p . Bad o y s t e r s eaten the p r e v i o u s evening i n an o y s t e r s a l o o n were blamed. In the morning, Mrs COX found h e r husband was dead. Henry Robert COX d i e d on 3 September 1909, aged 48 y e a r s . He and h i s w i f e had no c h i l d r e n . P o l i c e l a t e r found t h a t an o p t i c i a n who had p r e v i o u s l y the room had been e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h silver-plating l e f t a m i x t u r e which i n c l u d e d c y a n i d e i n t h e d e c a n t e r , i t would be thrown out by a maid!

occupied and had thinking

Mrs COX l i v e d on a t ' E t t a l o n g H a l l ' f o r many y e a r s a f t e r h e r husband's death. The o l d home was demolished when p r e p a r a t o r y work began f o r the b u i l d i n g o f t h e p r e s e n t R i p B r i d g e , opened i n 1974.

43.

BARLOW, L l o y d . H o t e l Keeper, G o s f o r d .

L l o y d BARLOW was b a l l o t e d r e s i g n e d i n A p r i l 1896.

44.

ATKINS.

Age 48 y e a r s . and i n i t i a t e d

i n August 1895.

William.

Farmer, Mangrove.

Age 56 y e a r s .

ATKINS was a l s o a t one time a road c o n t r a c t o r

45.

f o r the area.

MENZIES, Andrew. R a i l w a y O f f i c e r , Ourimbah.

Age 35 y e a r s .

Andrew MENZIES was a member o f Lodge FRIENDSHIP No. 158 o f Lambton, and was b a l l o t e d f o r a f f i l i a t i o n i n October 1895. He was S t a t i o n Master a t Ourimbah from A p r i l 1890 u n t i l March 1908. Henry DENNEY (see No. 9) had been P o s t m a s t e r at Ourimbah i n 1886.

and

Storekeeper

The P o s t O f f i c e was moved t o t h e R a i l w a y S t a t i o n so t h a t t h e S t a t i o n Master c o u l d look a f t e r both s e r v i c e s . He n o t o n l y l o o k e d a f t e r t h e p o s t a l arrangements, but a l s o t h e t e l e g r a p h i c f a c i l i t i e s t h a t t h e p u b l i c were a u t h o r i s e d t o u s e . The t r a i n s dropped and p i c k e d up t h e p o s t a l bags a t t h e s t a t i o n . As t h e S t a t i o n M a s t e r , MENZIES was r e q u i r e d t o handle h i s d u t i e s , s i g n a l work, s h u n t i n g of t r a i n s , e t c . , as w e l l as the d u t i e s a t t a c h e d t o t h e P o s t O f f i c e , such as t h e i s s u i n g of money o r d e r s , and a t t e n d i n g t o t h e s a v i n g s bank and t e l e p h o n e . When t r a i n s were b e i n g a t t e n d e d t o , p o s t a l b u s i n e s s was suspended.

Ourimbah was also the place where locomotives r e f i l l e d tanks with water, so he was kept busy supervising. Andrew MENZIES was of Arts i n 1904.

the

Committee

the

Ourimbah

their

School

Information extracted from: 'Blue Gum Flat to Budgewoi', p31 (Charles Swancott).

46.

STATHAM, Hugh Worthington. Resident Engineer, Gosford.

Age 27 years.

Late of Lodge CARRINGTONIA No, 184, Blayney, Hugh STATHAM was a f f i l i a t e d i n June 1896. FLETCHER mentioned him, saying: '....he was a Shire Engineer, popular and of, before Braithwaite maybe.' In f a c t , STATHAM was before J . J . MUIR.

the

Shire

Engineer

well

after

Hugh STATHAM resigned in January 1898. He had FITZ-NEADS and NICHOLLS, the t h i r d Road Engineer Craft.

thought

ADAM

and

been, after to join the

Information extracted from: Newspaper a r t i c l e .

47.

SMITH, John. Contractor, Tuggerah-Wyong Creek.

Age 45 years.

John SMITH was i n i t i a t e d on 6 November, January 1897, and raised on 20 March 1897.

1896,

passed

SMITH was a farmer and a road contractor. Born at Wilberforce in 1851, he was a son of Michael SMITH, a farmer, and Elizabeth

ARMSTRONG. He was probably a brother of George SMITH (see No. 52), the permanent Entered Apprentice. Therefore, information given about John's family would also apply to George. John SMITH lived at Kangi Angi where he had a dairy farm, which i s s t i l l standing at a place c a l l e d Windy Drop Down. The farm was operated by William BAILEY, who was also a partner. SMITH married Mary Helen GOLDIE at Ourimbah in 1876. He was a contractor working on roads, c u l v e r t s , e t c . , at a time when the Municipality c a l l e d for tenders to form and repair the roads. He l a t e r went into partnership with a timber merchant, William Bernard WOODBURY, son of the Inn Keeper of Woodbury's Inn. He remained i n the timber trade for about twenty years, trading as 'Smith & Woodbury'. Their o f f i c e was located next to the Wyong Court House. SMITH belonged to the S p i r i t u a l i s t Church. He r e t i r e d Ourimbah, and died in Sydney, aged 66, on 13 October 1917.

'Mr John Smith, of Ourimbah Creek, one of the oldest residents of the D i s t r i c t , died in "Jenner" Private Hospital, Potts Point, Sydney on Saturday night. He underwent an operation at the hands of S i r Herbert Maitland on 22nd September.' He was buried on 16 October 1917 i n the cemetery at J i l l i b y . He l e f t eight c h i l d r e n , four sons and four daughters: E. (MACGUIRE); Cyrus H. ; Florence A. (LARKEN); Leonard; Ruby (McNEIL); Robin R.; and P e r s i a .

Hannah Oliver;

Information extracted from: 'A Pictorial History of Wyong Shire', Vols. IV, E. H. Stinson, passim. Wyong Advocate, 18 October 1917.

48.

I -

HARRIS, Albert Ernest. Refreshment Room Manager, Gosford. Age 28 years.

From Lodge ST GEORGE No. 78, Newcastle, Albert HARRIS in February 1897. He c a l l e d off i n August 1898.

affiliated

49.

SMITH, John. B u t c h e r , East G o s f o r d .

Age 45 y e a r s .

Lodge o f Lodge RISING SUN. He r e - j o i n e d h i s o l d lodge by affiliation. He i s the same John SMITH as No. 14, who was i n i t i a t e d i n October 1892.

50.

BEAHAM, Augustus M o r r i s . Farmer, Green P o i n t .

Age 32 y e a r s .

He was i n i t i a t e d i n F e b r u a r y 1898 and r a i s e d i n May 1898.

51.

PARRY, Joseph Erina.

John.

Age 35 y e a r s .

J . J . PARRY was i n i t i a t e d t o the f i r s t and was r a i s e d i n August of t h a t y e a r .

52.

degree

i n May

1898

SMITH, George. Farmer, J i l l i b y .

Age 46 y e a r s .

George SMITH was born a t Ebenezer i n 1859. He came t o the d i s t r i c t w i t h h i s f a t h e r when he was a young boy i n 1867. The f a m i l y had s u f f e r e d from a d i s a s t r o u s f l o o d , l o s i n g most of t h e i r p o s s e s s i o n s - house, shed, c r o p s and most of t h e i r c a t t l e , and t h e f a m i l y d e c i d e d t o l e a v e f o r a f r e s h start. C r o s s i n g the r i v e r a t Wiseman's F e r r y , they swam a c r o s s what

c a t t l e they had l e f t and s e t t l e d on t h e spot R a i l w a y S t a t i o n was l a t e r t o be b u i l t .

where

t h e Tuggerah

George SMITH d i d p l o u g h i n g and g e n e r a l farm work w i t h N e i l ANDERSON f o r W i l l i a m ALISON, c l 8 8 0 . He l a t e r worked i n t h e t i m b e r t r a d e on the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f the r a i l w a y l i n e , and then had a farm a t J i l l i b y . He was a s s i s t e d i n b u y i n g h i s farm by a g i f t o f ÂŁ10 from W i l l i a m ALISON as a reward f o r the p a r t SMITH p l a y e d i n h e l p i n g t o r e s c u e the ALISON f a m i l y when a boat they were i n c a p s i z e d . SMITH s e l e c t e d an a r e a from t h e O l d M a i t l a n d Road t o CAMPBELL'S house. In 1900 he b u i l t a h o t e l a t Tuggerah, but l o s t h i s l i c e n c e , which was t r a n s f e r r e d t o E t t a l o n g . The h o t e l was, as many were, t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o a b o a r d i n g house. George SMITH l e f t t h e d i s t r i c t f o r Bomaderry on t h e south c o a s t , where, as f a r as we know, some o f h i s descendants a r e s t i l l residing.

RIGHT: Henry Sydney B E V E R I D G E (1870-1959).

LEFT: James K I B B L E (1858-1944).

The final page of the Minute Book, T H E RISING S U N Lodge, No. 206, showing the signatures of James K I B B L E and Thomas D E A S E Y .

CRAFT FREEMASONRY T e r r i t o r i a l O r g a n i s a t i o n of the Masonic Lodges Under the U n i t e d Grand Lodge i n the State of NSW

T e r r i t o r i a l Organisation:

A Century of Freemasonry

i n the C e n t r a l Coast:

1892-1992

TERRITORIAL ORGANISATION OF THE MASONIC LODGES UNDER THE UNITED GRAND LODGE IN THE STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES

DISTRICTS & INSPECTORS OF WORKING: Masonry was u n i f i e d i n 1888 i n t h e S t a t e of New South Wales, i n c o r p o r a t i n g Lodges o f the E n g l i s h , S c o t t i s h and I r i s h c o n s t i t u t i o n s i n t o a U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f New South Wales. A period of growth f o l l o w e d , and i n 1892 the U n i t e d Grand Lodge comprised over 200 Lodges. The S t a t e was s u b d i v i d e d i n t o Masonic D i s t r i c t s and an I n s p e c t o r o f Working was a p p o i n t e d i n each District. He was chosen from the Past Masters o f a lodge from t h e a r e a , and e l e v a t e d t o t h e rank of G.L. O f f i c e r . H i s duty was t o v i s i t as many lodges i n h i s d i s t r i c t as he c o u l d , f o r t h e purpose o f e n s u r i n g t h a t they d i d n o t d e p a r t from t h e Masonic r e g u l a r i t y i n the p r a c t i c e of t h e r i t u a l , observed t h e customs, and t h a t i n g e n e r a l they conformed t o t h e p r e c e p t s s e t out by t h e Grand Lodge o f New South Wales. Many b r e t h r e n had p r a c t i s e d o t h e r r i t u a l s : Scottish, English or I r i s h , w i t h p r a c t i c e s which were perhaps p a r t i c u l a r t o some l o d g e s . The i n f l u e n c e o f t h e I n s p e c t o r o f Working, which i s s t i l l v e r y g r e a t a f t e r one hundred y e a r s o f p r a c t i c e o f the r i t u a l , was e s s e n t i a l i n t h e f i r s t decade following the u n i o n o f 1888. The I n s p e c t o r , as r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e Grand d i s t r i c t , was the a u t h o r i t y r e g u l a t i n g t h e works k e e p i n g them on the p a t h o f orthodoxy 1892

Master i n h i s of the lodges,

At t h e time THE RISING SUN Lodge No. 206 was c o n s e c r a t e d and began i t s Masonic a c t i v i t y , t h e d i s t r i c t t o which i t was a t t a c h e d was D i s t r i c t No. 2, which comprised t h i r t e e n Lodges, t o which Lodge No. 206 was added on 24 September 1892. The D i s t r i c t Grand I n s p e c t o r o f Workings i n t h a t y e a r was Very W o r s h i p f u l B r o t h e r Dugald Dobie, a b u i l d e r , and a prominent Mason o f N e w c a s t l e . When V.W. B r o . Dugald Dobie was i n charge 2, i t was a l r e a d y a v e r y l a r g e D i s t r i c t .

of D i s t r i c t

No.

The f o l l o w i n g l i s t o f Lodges, g i v i n g t h e i r s i t e s and membership as a t June 1893, w i l l g i v e t h e r e a d e r an i d e a o f t h e s i z e of D i s t r i c t No. 2 a t t h e time THE RISING SUN Lodge No. 206 came i n t o b e i n g :

* [See 'The New South Wales Freemason',

status

by G.L.:

uniformity

of practices as defined

1 A p r i l 1938, p205.]

and

duties

of D.I.W. in regard

December 1937,

and L e t t e r s ,

Lodge No.

4 15 45 54 78 112 115 125 149

UNITY 'cat M a i t l a n d Newcastle HARMONY Newcastle ST JAMES Minml THISTLE KILWENING Newcastle ST GEORGE UNITY o f BALLINA Balllna Newcastle ST JOHN THE SEDGWICK Wickham LORD CARRINGTON

158 160 163 170 189 198

FRIENDSHIP STAR IN THE EAST FIDELITY WARATAH STAR IN THE WEST ST ANDREWS

Warrant surrendered

95 111 40 51 73 41 69 68 60

Members

1895

Lambton Hamilton Newcastle Waratah Adamstown West W a l l s e n d

43 57 55 33 40 22

( T h i s l i s t has been c o m p i l e d from v a r i o u s fragmentary r e p o r t s from t h e I n s p e c t o r s through t h e y e a r s , and may be s l i g h t l y incorrect.) In the August 1893 i s s u e o f t h e P r o c e e d i n g s of t h e Grand the Report o f t h e Board o f G e n e r a l Purpose, page 4, succinctly that:

Lodge, stated

'A p e t i t i o n was r e c e i v e d p r a y i n g f o r t h e i s s u e o f a Warrant f o r a new lodge a t G o s f o r d , t o be c a l l e d "THE RISING SUN LODGE".' The Board d e c i d e d t o recommend be g r a n t e d .

that

the prayer

A Report o f the Grand I n s p e c t o r o f Workings says

of the p e t i t i o n

later:

'I a l s o a t t e n d e d w i t h Grand Lodge a t t h e ceremony of c o n s e c r a t i n g and d e d i c a t i n g t h e new lodge "RISING SUN" No. 206 a t G o s f o r d . ' In s t u d y i n g the many r e p o r t s we n o t i c e t h a t t h e G.I.W. v i s i t e d more o f t e n t h e lodges he c o u l d r e a c h by r a i l . A v i s i t to the o t h e r s , t r a v e l l i n g by horse and s u l k y , was a f u l l e x p e d i t i o n . In t h e case o f G o s f o r d , i t was o n l y a m a t t e r o f t r a v e l l i n g some t h r e e hours i n the g r e a t c o m f o r t , a t t h e t i m e , of unheated railway carriages. T r a i n s had been r u n n i n g between Newcastle and G o s f o r d f o r a f u l l f i v e y e a r s . 1898

I n August 1898, Lodges 213 and 215, HIRAM o f Dungog and ORIENT of E a s t M a i t l a n d , had been added t o t h e o t h e r t h i r t e e n which i n 1892 made up D i s t r i c t No. 2. The I n s p e c t o r then was W. Bro. Dr. J . L. Beeston, He had s i x t e e n Lodges t o l o o k a f t e r as f o l l o w s :

o f Newcastle.

Newcastle 4, Hamilton, Lambton, Minmi, Wickham, Waratah, Adamstown, Maitland 2, Dungog and S t o c k t o n . 1906

Wallsend, Gosford,

I n December 1906, more Lodges had been added. Of special i n t e r e s t t o us was Lodge WYONG. Some, such as LORD CARRINGTON and THE RISING SUN LODGE, had d i s a p p e a r e d . Sixteen lodges formed the D i s t r i c t No. 2 i n 1906: Newcastle 4, Hamilton, Lambton, Minmi, Maitland 2, Wickham, Waratah, Adamstown, Dudley, Lake M a c q u a r i e , Wyong and S t o c k t o n . The new ones were: 213 221 233

1917

HIRAM, Dungog PENINSULA SINCERITY, Adamstown

I n 1917, the D i s t r i c t was s p l i t i n two: Nos. 2A and V.W. B r o . F. J . N i c h o l l s was the i n s p e c t o r of D i s t r i c t He v i s i t e d the f o l l o w i n g :

2B. 2A.

HARMONY 15, ST GEORGE 78, ST JOHN 115, THE SEDGWICK 125, STAR IN THE EAST 160, FIDELITY 163, STAR IN THE WEST 189, PENINSULA 221, SINCERITY 233, LORD ROBERTS TEMPERANCE 303, EARL KITCHENER 308 at H a m i l t o n . V.W. B r o . E. T i n g l e the f o l l o w i n g :

visited

our D i s t r i c t

( 2 B ) , which comprised

THISTLE KILWENING 54, Minmi; ST JAMES 45, W a l l s e n d ; LAKE MACQUARIE 243, Toronto; FRIENDSHIP 158, Lambton; ST ANDREW'S 198, West W a l l s e n d ; WYONG 247, Wyong; to which RISING SUN 311, G o s f o r d , was added on 29 September 1917. 1922

I n 1922 a new s u b d i v i s i o n was made and d i s t r i c t s were renumbered. Our d i s t r i c t became D i s t r i c t No. 10. Our D i s t r i c t Inspector was V.W. B r o . E. J . Thomas, of E l d e r S t r e e t , Lambton. Under h i s s u p e r v i s i o n were p l a c e d : ST JAMES 45 THISTLE KILWENING 54 FRIENDSHIP 158 WARATAH 170 ST ANDREW 198 LAKE MACQUARIE 243 WYONG 247 RISING SUN 311 FERNDALE 400 MORNING STAR 410 MORISSET 441

MAYFIELD 493 NEW LAMBTON 516 SPEER'S POINT 538

A t o t a l o f 14 Lodges.

Roads were v e r y bad and c a r s were r a r e . I t was d i f f i c u l t to make r e g u l a r v i s i t s t o each Lodge i n the two y e a r term. The Report o f t h e Board o f G.P. o f 13 September 1922 s t a t e s t h a t t h e burden o f t h e D.I.W. was t o be somewhat a l l e v i a t e d . A new s u b d i v i s i o n was adopted as f o l l o w s : D i s t r i c t No. 10 t o comprise t h e f o l l o w i n g Lodges:FERNDALE, FRIENDSHIP, LAKE MACQUARIE, ST ANDREWS, ST JAMES, THISTLE KILWENING, WARATAH, WYONG, RISING SUN. These were t o be soon j o i n e d by MORNING STAR and MORISSET. 1943

Fi^oin t h a t y e a r , some D i s t r i c t s were n o t numbered b u t were d e s i g n a t e d by l e t t e r s . [See 'The New South Wales Mason', 2 August 1943, p238, c o l . l : COMBINED MEETINGS. Lodges i n '0' D i s t r i c t ; and p242, c o l . 2 : mention o f 'N' D i s t r i c t Lodges, which were the C i t y and Suburban Lodges.]

1948

I n 1948 t h e d i s t r i c t s were d i v i d e d i n t o t h r e e c a t e g o r i e s : C i t y , A t o E; Suburban, F t o V; and C o u n t r y , Nos. 1 t o 47.

1950

I n t h e 1950s, membership i n c r e a s e d w i t h t h e r e s u l t t h a t many new Lodges were formed and d e d i c a t e d , l e a d i n g t o an i n c r e a s e i n the w o r k l o a d o f t h e D i s t r i c t I n s p e c t o r s . Masonic D i s t r i c t boundaries then had t o be redrawn t o a l l e v i a t e t h e t a s k s o f Inspectors.

1956

The r e s u l t o f t h e r e v i s i o n was s u b m i t t e d t o t h e a p p r o v a l o f Grand Lodge i n March 1956. A t o t a l was drawn o f 108 d i s t r i c t s , of which 66 were c o u n t r y d i s t r i c t s . Ours was No. 59. At the head were a G.I.W. and an A s s i s t a n t G.I.W.*

1962

I n 1962, D i s t r i c t No. 59 began t o take shape as we know i t today. There was o n l y one G.I.W. f o r D i s t r i c t 59. In v i e w o f t h e r i s i n g number o f lodges i n t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n of New South Wales, a motion was proposed, and d u l y c a r r i e d , t h a t t h e S t a t e be d i v i d e d i n t o two s e c t i o n s , w i t h a G.I. o f W. r e s p o n s i b l e f o r each, t o be known as S e c t i o n "A" and S e c t i o n "B", each s e c t i o n d i v i d e d i n t o D i s t r i c t s w i t h a D.G.I.W. i n charge o f each f o r a term o f two y e a r s . The n o r t h e r n lodges t h a t had been p a r t o f t h e d i s t r i c t f o r over f o r t y y e a r s , and w i t h which s t r o n g bonds had developed through r e c i p r o c a l v i s i t i n g were s e p a r a t e d from t h e i r s o u t h e r n b r e t h r e n . *

M. H. KELLERMAN, 'From Diamond Jubilee to Centenary'. IV, p52.

100

1963

I n 1963 the D i s t r i c t s were arranged i n t h r e e broad c a t e g o r i e s : (a) C i t y ; (b) Suburban; and ( c ) Country. W. Bro. Maury H e r b e r t S c o t t , f o u n d a t i o n Master of Lodge SARATOGA was a p p o i n t e d G.I.W. He had e i g h t lodges t o v i s i t : Gosford 3; Wyong 2; Woy Woy; Long J e t t y ; and M o r i s s e t . I t may have been f e l t t h a t Lodge MORISSET s h o u l d be p a r t o f the n o r t h e r n District. The next D.I.W. was W. B r o . James Eames K i r k n e s s , by which time Lodge MORISSET was n o t i n o u r D i s t r i c t as i t had been a t t a c h e d t o D i s t r i c t No. 55, w i t h D.I.W. A.C. C a r p e n t e r . The Grand Master a t t h e time was M.W. B r o . E.L. Beers. The membership o f t h e lodges forming D i s t r i c t No. 59 b e f o r e t h e r e l o c a t i o n o f o u r M o r i s s e t b r e t h r e n was: RISING SUN, 211 members; MORISSET, 171; WYONG, 169; GOSFORD, 167; MORNING STAR, 148; TUGGERAH LAKES, 119; TOUKLEY, 79; and SARATOGA, 59.

1964

I n December 1964, a second D.G.I.W. was c r e a t e d r e p l a c i n g t h a t o f A.G.I.W. The J u r i s d i c t i o n was d i v i d e d i n t o two h a l v e s each w i t h i t s G.I.W.-' The D i s t r i c t No. 59 was p l a c e d i n s e c t i o n "A", s u b - s e c t i o n " c " , f o r Country. A f t e r September 1964, Lodge MORISSET, a f t e r a l o n g a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t h e s o u t h e r n l o d g e s , was removed from D i s t r i c t No. 59, t o be i n c l u d e d i n D i s t r i c t No. 55. The number of lodges v i s i t e d by D i s t r i c t 59 D.G.I.W. was reduced t o seven lodges.

1981

I n 1981, i t was s u b m i t t e d t h a t Masonic D i s t r i c t s be re-numbered a g a i n . Country D i s t r i c t s were t o be numbered 50 t o 109, w i t h a recommendation t h a t , when p o s s i b l e . D i s t r i c t s r e t a i n their p r e s e n t number. D i s t r i c t 59 was n o t a f f e c t e d . I n v i e w o f t h e number o f lodges p r e s e n t l y i n t h e D i s t r i c t , b e i n g n i n e , w i t h two Lodges o f I n s t r u c t i o n and a p o t e n t i a l Lodge o f R e s e a r c h , i t i s u n l i k e l y t h a t i n t h e near f u t u r e D i s t r i c t 59 w i l l be m o d i f i e d . Due to t h e long a s s o c i a t i o n and t h e g e o g r a p h i c a l u n i t y o f t h e area i t i s d i f f i c u l t t o see how any lodge c o u l d be e x c i s e d . The s o u t h e r n p a r t o f t h e D i s t r i c t now comprises five between Woy Woy and G o s f o r d . The n o r t h e r n p a r t has f o u r meeting i n Wyong and Long J e t t y . D i s t r i c t 59 has about t h e maximum D.G.I.W. can v i s i t e f f e c t i v e l y . *

number

o f lodges

M. H. KELLERMAN, 'From Diamond Jubilee to Centenary', IV, p98.

lodges lodges

that

101

D i s t r i c t No. 59 now i s made o f t h e f o l l o w i n g l o d g e s : Name of Lodge.

No,

Date of Foundation.

WYONG 757 RISING SUN 247 MORNING STAR 410 GOSFORD 742 TUGGERAH LAKES 757 TOUKLEY 933 SARATOGA 937 PELICAN 982 JAMES KIBBLE 985 G o s f o r d C i t y Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n Wyong D i s t r i c t Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n ALBERT BADGER (a t e n t a t i v e lodge

1906 29. 9.1917 4. 2.1922 12. 6.1948 10. 9.1948 23. 5.1959 24.10.1959

Place of Meeting.

Date of Meeting.

Installation night

Wyong Gosford Woy Woy Gosford Long J e t t y Wyong Gosford Wyong Gosford

3rd 2nd 4th 4th 2nd 1st 1st 1st 2nd

3/Sep. 2/Oct. 3/Mar. 4/Jul. 2/Sep. 3/May. 1/Nov. 1/Aug. 4/Nov.

Gosford

1st Tue.

Thu. Wed. Mon. Wed. Mon. Wed. Thu. Tue. Mon.

- Saturdays.

Wyong 4th Tue. Long J e t t y of Research and H i s t o r y . )

TERRITORIAL ORGANISATION. A CENTURY OF FREEMASONRY IN THE CENTRAL COAST. 1892 - 1992.

The c r a f t lodges o f our a r e a were p a r t o f a d i s t r i c t under an I n s p e c t o r of Workings. As e x p l a i n e d i n our i n t r o d u c t i o n t h e e x t e n t o f t h e area and t h e number o f lodges i n c l u d e d i n t h a t d i s t r i c t v a r i e d widely through the years. We have c o m p i l e d a c h r o n o l o g i c a l t a b l e a u o f t h e d i s t r i c t s - w i t h t h e names o f t h e I n s p e c t o r s - showing t h e m o d i f i c a t i o n s which o c c u r r e d s i n c e the f o r m a t i o n o f Lodge WYONG i n 1906. D i s t r i c t 2. I n 1906 t h e S t a t e o f New South Wales on which The Grand Lodge had a u t h o r i t y was d i v i d e d i n 24 D i s t r i c t s . Lodge Wyong became p a r t o f D i s t r i c t No. 2. 1906-10 1910-12 1912-16

John D. BEESTON, o f Church s t r e e t , N e w c a s t l e . Robert HEWITT, o f P a r n e l l P l a c e , Newcastle E a s t . T.A. BRAYE, o f B o l t o n S t r e e t , N e w c a s t l e .

The d i s t r i c t had become t o o l a r g e and was s p l i t i n two: Nos. 2A and 2B. Lodges WYONG and t h e newly formed RISING were p l a c e d i n 2A.

SUN

102

District

2A.

1916-18 1918-20 1920-22

E. TINGLE, of C a r r i n g t o n Chambers, Watt S t . , Newcastle John ESTELL, M.L.A., of P l a t t s b u r g S. F. DWYER, of G o s f o r d Lodge No. 311*

Steven Dwyer was S t a t i o n Master i n G o s f o r d , Senior Warden and second W o r s h i p f u l Master o f RISING SUN i n 1918-19. There were 34 d i s t r i c t s i n NSW by t h e n ; District 2A comprised the f o l l o w i n g lodges; 45, 158, 198, 243, 311, 400, 441, 493, 516. 1922-24

E. J . THOMAS, of E l d e r S t r e e t , Lambton

District

14.

In the y e a r 1924, W. H. HELING b e i n g Grand I n s p e c t o r , a change was made t o t h e numbering of the D i s t r i c t s from 2A t o 14, and we became No. 14 D i s t r i c t . 1924-26

H. ROXBY, of 1 Eddy S t r e e t , H a m i l t o n .

1926-28

G. H. BARDEN, of " M e r r i d o n g " , Regent S t r e e t , H a m i l t o n .

D i s t r i c t 3. The d i s t r i c t s ' d e s i g n a t i o n s were a g a i n m o d i f i e d i n the year 1928. They were d i v i d e d i n t o CITY, b e a r i n g l e t t e r s A t o R, and COUNTRY, b e a r i n g numbers 1 t o 44. Our d i s t r i c t became D i s t r i c t No. 3. 1928-30 1930-32 1932-34 1934-36 1936-38 1938-40 1940-42 1942-44 1944-46

A. L. Elias Thos. F. A. James C, L. W. G. N. T. E. M.

DUMBRELL of T e r a l b a Road, West M a i t l a n d . TRUSCOTT, o f N e l s o n S t r e e t , W a l l s e n d . WYLIE, o f C a r r i n g t o n S t r e e t , West W a l l s e n d . MORRISON, o f Speer's P o i n t . MURRAY, of B e l f o r d S t r e e t , E a s t M a i t l a n d . FIRKIN, of 143 N e l s o n S t r e e t , W a l l s e n d . HANSON, A l b e r t S t r e e t , Speer's P o i n t . McGOWAN, P.O. Box 14, Wyong. Lodge No. 247* LOVETT, Main Road, B o o l a r o o .

A t o V and Then the S t a t e was d i v i d e d i n t o C i t y D i s t r i c t s No. 5 (247, Country 1 t o 48. Our d i s t r i c t became D i s t r i c t 311, 410, 4 4 1 ) . A l l subsequent I.W. a r e P.M. of l o c a l Lodges i n the C e n t r a l Coast. District

1946-48 A. C. MURDOCH In 1948-50 t h e d e s i g n a t i o n s F t o W, and Country 1 t o 48. 1948-50

changed t o C i t y

E. R. QUAYLE, Hargraves S t r e e t , Wyong

t o E, Suburban

Lodge No.247*

* T h i s marks D.G.I.W. from a lodge i n D i s t r i c t 59.

103

District

56.

The numbering r e v e r t e d t o s t r a i g h t numbers: Suburban 11 t o 32 and Country 51 t o 101. We became D i s t r i c t No. 56, I n s p e c t o r s

C i t y 1 t o 6,

of Working b e i n g :

1950-52 1952-54 1954-56

Joseph LOWER, of Panonia Road, Wyong. Lodge No. 441. W.J. McASH, of Cedar C r e s c e n t , Orange Grove. Lodge No. 410. George CARNEY, o f Hargrave S t r e e t , Wyong. Lodge No. 247.

District

59.

We then became 59 D i s t r i c t , a numbering t h a t has not been a l t e r e d since. I t seems t h a t the d i s t r i c t has reached a s t a b l e state. 1956-58 1958-60 1960-62 1962-64

H.P. WALKER, 4 W i l h e l m i n a S t r e e t , G o s f o r d . E.A. BLAKE, Wyong Creek Road, Wyong. W.H. MATTHEWS, Anzac Avenue, Tuggerah. Maury H e r b e r t SCOTT, 12 White S t , East Gosford.

Lodge Lodge Lodge Lodge

No. No. No. No.

311. 247. 247. 937.

Lodge MORISSET i s then t r a n s f e r r e d from 59 t o 55 d i s t r i c t s e v e r i n g some 40 y e a r s of a s s o c i a t i o n and f r i e n d s h i p w i t h s o u t h e r n b r o t h e r s . 1964-66 1966-68 1968-70 1970-72 1972-74 1974-74 1976-78 1978-80 1980-82 1982-84 1984-86 1986-88 1988-90 1990-92

J.E. KIRKNESS, o f 41 E r i n a S t r e e t , G o s f o r d . Lodge C P . TIMMINS, 12 Melbourne S t r e e t , G o s f o r d . R.F. HUNTINGTON, 3 P r i e s t m a n Ave, Umina Beach.Lodge R.K. RAY, 5 F r a z e r Road, Long J e t t y . Lodge R.B. SMITH, 16 K e n d a l l S t r e e t , G o s f o r d . Lodge G.E. HUMPHREYS, 57 Moss Avenue, T o u k l e y . Lodge W.H. RICHARDS, 231 T r a f a l g a r Ave, Umina Beach. Lodge R.T. JONES, 23 James S t r e e t , T o u k l e y . Lodge A.D. ROSS, 28 Deane S t r e e t , N a r a r a . Lodge D.B. DEAN, 2 The C u t , Mannering P a r k . Lodge E.K. LEGGETT, 44 P r a t l e y S t r e e t , Woy Woy. Lodge N.J. MAUNDER, Lot 44 \^ong Road, B e r k e l e y V a l e . Lodge K.B. WHITE, 4 K o o l i n d a Ave, P o i n t C l a r e . Lodge L. MANTLE, 68 Cunningham Rd, K i l l a r n e y V a l e . Lodge

No. 742. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

410. 757. 742. 933. 410. 933. 742. 247. 311. 757. 742. 757.

At one stage, in the s h u f f l i n g of lodges between D i s t r i c t s , the lodges of the Central Coast were separated and allocated to two D i s t r i c t s , In 1938, MORNING STAR TEMPERANCE and RISING SUN were made part of City (North Shore) D D i s t r i c t , in company with HORNSBY No, 262, CHATSWOOD No, 285, LINDFIELD No. 362, and many others. The D.G.I.W. at that time was V.W. Bro. H. d'Arcy O'REILLY of Gordon. The two other s i s t e r lodges, WYONG and MORISSET, became part of No. 3 District (Country). This may

regarded

s i s t e r lodges who and

hopefully w i l l not

in 1963

unfortunate

decision

as a group shared many t r a d i t i o n s . be renewed.

The

brought some sadness, since i t was

removal

the This was

B.G.P., separating repelled

Lodge MORISSET from the

part of our

the

subsequently family

history for so many years.

104

PLACES OF MEETING FOR

THE MASONS IN THE

CENTRAL COAST.

In the e a r l y y e a r s , t h a t i s from 1717 onwards, E n g l i s h masons met i n t a v e r n s and i n n s . A room was f i t t e d u p s t a i r s t o be used f o r b a n q u e t s and h o l d i n g m e e t i n g s i n p r i v a c y , w h i c h s u i t e d masons requirements. Later, i n their pursuit f o r the highest order of social r e s p e c t a b i l i t y t h e y w o u l d r a t h e r meet i n a l a r g e room made a v a i l a b l e for t h e i r meeting i n the c o u n t r y mansions of the more affluent of t h e i r b r e t h r e n . L a t e r a g a i n , due t o i n c r e a s e o f m e m b e r s h i p and development i n t h e C e r e m o n i e s , t h e y b u i l t t h e i r own buildings to t h e i r special requirements. I t i s p r o b a b l y due t o the fact t h a t they originally met i n u p s t a i r s rooms o f t a v e r n s and i n n s t h a t the custom to use u p s t a i r s f l o o r s f o r t h e l o d g e rooms and meet " i n t h e s o u t h " on t h e g r o u n d f l o o r s became e s t a b l i s h e d . The f i r s t l o d g e i n G o s f o r d met i n t h e C o u n c i l Chamber w h i c h was a b a s e m e n t room i n t h e S c h o o l o f A r t s b u i l d i n g . They a d j o u r n e d for refreshment to the f i r s t f l o o r of the Fern Tree H o t e l , thus r e v e r s i n g the u s u a l p r a c t i c e . The f i r s t M a s o n i c T e m p l e i n o u r a r e a was b u i l t a t Wyong. The f i r s t m e e t i n g o f l o d g e WYONG was h e l d i n S e p t e m b e r 1906. They h a d no p l a c e o f t h e i r own u n t i l J a n u a r y 1915 when t h e y met for t h e f i r s t t i m e i n t h e i r own b u i l d i n g . Lodge R I S I N G SUN was more f o r t u n a t e . c o t t a g e i n 1917 f o r the purpose of w e r e h e l d on t h e g r o u n d floor in a The s o u t h was h e l d i n a s m a l l e r c o t t a g e

James K i b b l e b u i l t lodge meetings. building w i t h no next door.

a large Meetings windows.

MORNING STAR has no t e m p l e . They s t i l l meet i n t h e M a s o n i c Hall b u i l t by t h e C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e R o y a l A r c h o f Woy Woy in 1923. T h i s temple i s t y p i c a l of the e a r l y masonic s t r u c t u r e s : Lodge room u p s t a i r s , h a l l on t h e g r o u n d f l o o r . L o d g e MORISSET b u i l t c l o s e to the r a i l w a y

i t s own t e m p l e station.

land

given

Bro.

Mullard,

In 1927, Lodge RISING SUN, w i t h a much i n c r e a s e d membership, h a d t o move t o l a r g e r p r e m i s e s . A new t e m p l e was b u i l t i n t h e c e n t r e o f G o s f o r d on l a n d t h e y h a d a c q u i r e d and p a r t l y e x c h a n g e d w i t h Bro. Margin to r e - o r i e n t the land to face East-West. The a d j u n c t i o n of shops at v a r i o u s times resulted i n the original b u i l d i n g b e i n g now completely hidden behind commercial fronts. The b r e t h r e n a t B r o o k l y n met as HAWKESBURY RIVER D I S T R I C T COMBINED MASONIC ASSOCIATION i n t h e F i r e B r i g a d e H a l l . They l a t e r b o u g h t the Memorial H a l l , a t y p i c a l e a r l y r u r a l weatherboard hall.

105

The h a l l a t L o n g J e t t y , t h e l a t e s t - b u i l t i n 1 9 5 3 , i s a cottage t y p e s t r u c t u r e on an u r b a n a l l o t m e n t i n a s u b u r b a n environment. I t i s a s i n g l e s t o r y s t r u c t u r e w i t h the lodge room b e h i n d the main h a l l . I t i s worth n o t i n g the i n f l u e n c e which the railway exerted in t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t o w n s h i p s and t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e l o d g e s . The early Masonic Temples were spaced along the railway l i n e - and q u i t e c l o s e t o the s t a t i o n : M o r i s s e t , Wyong, G o s f o r d , Woy Woy and B r o o k l y n . This arrangement facilitated access to v i s i t o r s from the d i s t r i c t as w e l l as f r o m Sydney and N e w c a s t l e . Cars were not e x t e n s i v e l y u s e d , t h e roads b e i n g bad, narrow and w i n d i n g . The l o d g e s were l i n k e d t o g e t h e r by the railway. When t h e h a l l a t L o n g J e t t y was b u i l t , away and distant from t h e l i n e , c a r s w e r e t h e n u s e d commonly. It i s quite possible t h a t , i n y e a r s t o come, w i t h t r a f f i c c o n g e s t i o n , c o s t of fuel, p a r k i n g p r o b l e m s , o u r a g e i n g b r e t h r e n may take again to t r a v e l l i n g by t r a i n . T r a i n s h a v e become f a s t and c o m f o r t a b l e and concessions a v a i l a b l e t o t h o s e o v e r 60. We may g i v e now a thought, looking back, to our ancient b r e t h r e n l i v i n g a t t h e t i m e o f h o r s e s a n d b u g g i e s , and t h e d i f f i c u l t i e s t h e y had t o f a c e t o a t t e n d l o d g e . They had t o l e a v e e a r l y a f t e r f i r s t h a v i n g t o search f o r , c a t c h and h a r n e s s t h e i r h o r s e s . They t r a v e l l e d s l o w l y , perhaps t e n m i l e s i n an h o u r i n g o o d c o n d i t i o n s . On a r r i v a l t h e y h a d t o s e c u r e t h e i r horse, tying them to a r a i l o r a p o s t where t h e y were t o w a i t f o r h o u r s . They p r o b a b l y g a v e them a n o s e bag o f o a t s o r a n a r m f u l o f h a y o r o a t e n straw t o k e e p them o c c u p i e d and q u i e t f o r a w h i l e . Their travelling r i g t o o k a g r e a t d e a l o f s p a c e , more t h a n t h a t o f a m o d e r n c a r . They h a d t o l e a v e t h e l o d g e room d u r i n g t h e e v e n i n g w o r k s when a t a n g l e o c c u r r e d t o s o r t i t out or t o p a c i f y a r e s t l e s s horse. The O u t e r G u a r d o r T y l e r p r o b a b l y k e p t a w a t c h f u l eye on the horses t i e d a l l over the ground r a t h e r than l o o k i n g f o r the e l u s i v e i n t r u d e r o r cowan.

The O r d e r o f t h e E a s t e r S t a r i s a n o t h e r O r d e r having halls of t h e i r own. When t h e O.E.S. b e g a n i n Gosford, the ladies looked for a m e e t i n g p l a c e . They s o u g h t t o meet i n t h e h a l l o f t h e Masonic Building, w h i c h was l e a s e d t o many local o r g a n i s a t i o n s , even f o r a b i r d show, b u t t h e y w e r e refused. The Hall Management C o m m i t t e e was under s t r i c t i n s t r u c t i o n s not to l e t the O.E.S. i n , i n s p i t e o f t h e f a c t t h a t e a c h o f them was r e l a t e d t o a mason, e v e n t h o u g h many b r e t h r e n w e r e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e o r d e r . The r e a s o n was t h a t Grand Lodge w i s h e d t o distance i t s e l f from an a s s o c i a t i o n w h i c h c o u l d be r e g a r d e d as a s o r t o f c o - m a s o n i c o r d e r , a c o n c e p t w h i c h i s anathema t o c r a f t masonry. The l a d i e s t h e r e f o r e b u i l t t h e i r own h a l l .

106

T h i s a t t i t u d e was n o t e n c o u n t e r e d a t Woy Woy, w h e r e t h e y meet to t h i s day w i t h o u t problems i n the Masonic Hall, as this h a l l d o e s n o t come u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e NSW G r a n d L o d g e . The O.E.S. h a l l a t L o n g J e t t y i s t h e f o r m e r C h u r c h o f E n g l a n d h a l l f o r t h e P a r i s h o f The E n t r a n c e . When a new A L L SAINTS' c h u r c h was b u i l t , a new h a l l was b u i l t a l o n g s i d e . The O.E.S. bought t h e o l d h a l l . I t i s a b r i c k fronted weatherboard b u i l d i n g i n which a memorial plaque i s s e t . M o r e a b o u t t h e m e e t i n g p l a c e s o f O.E.S. i n t h e pages d e a l i n g w i t h t h a t C h a p t e r .

Chapter

Many o t h e r o r d e r s h a v e no h a l l o f t h e i r own. They P u b l i c and P r o g r e s s H a l l s , High School Auditoriums, Church h a l l s and a F i r e B r i g a d e h a l l .

found

meet i n Catholic

The c o s t o f a c q u i r i n g o r b u i l d i n g a h a l l i s h i g h . Then r a t e s , upkeep, r e p a i r s and maintenance a r e c o s t l y r e c u r r i n g expenses. Many ' r e a d y - m a d e ' h a l l s a r e r a r e l y w h o l l y s u i t a b l e ; ceremonial o f t e n makes demand f o r s p e c i a l f e a t u r e s a n d p r o v i s i o n i s r e q u i r e d f o r s t o r a g e o f r e g a l i a and f u r n i t u r e . Rent a l s o i s a r e c u r r i n g f i n a n c i a l burden.

107

. BASED.

• C O S T • AS-

O K - S-OUGH • ?£KIC1L

P£t

ESTIMATE'

GOSFORD MASONIC TEMPLE: Built i n 1927 f o r L o d g e R I S I N G SUN 311 b y B r o . W. A. BUSCOMBE o n l a n d b o u g h t i n 1923 i n W i l l i a m S t r e e t , G o s f o r d .

SCwOOi

NOTE Lots m'uis cd RED .iaÂŤe been

m^infr^^

soid.

po ITD nrPmMnm

A B O V E : The proposed site for a Masonic H a l l is shown here on a subdivision map of the 1920s. O n the corner of Blackwall and Victoria Roads, W o y W o y , opposite the Catholic Church, the words "Projected Masonic H a l l " are shown on a block adjacent to the subdivision.

L E F T : A modem photo of Woy Woy Masonic H a l l , which was built in Railway Street, W o y W o y .

109

MASONIC TEMPLES or CENTRES i n 59 DISTRICT.

MORISSET (049) 705-223

5 Yambo S t r e e t . near the R a i l w a y S t a t i o n .

WYONG (043) 531-712

Howarth S t r e e t . East of the r a i l w a y

LONG JETTY (043) 320-366

Toowoon Bay Road. o f f The E n t r a n c e Road, o p p o s i t e E r a s e r Road.

GOSFORD (043) 246-237

26 W i l l i a m S t r e e t , f a c i n g K i b b l e P a r k , next to Woolworths.

WOY WOY (043) 424-092

130 R a i l w a y S t r e e t . Opposite Railway Station and Bus T e r m i n a l .

BROOKLYN -

Memorial H a l l . 120 B r o o k l y n Road, from Railway

MEETING HALL.

O.E.S. HALL -

Pacific Street, Long J e t t y .

line.

1 km. Station.

110

MASONIC BUILDINGS OF THE

The f i r s t lodge i n G o s f o r d met from of A r t s as d e s c r i b e d i n p a r t I .

DISTRICT.

1892 t o 1901 i n the S c h o o l

1992 - PLACES OF MEETING AND

NAMES OF USERS.

Next formed was the Lodge WYONG. The b r e t h r e n met t e m p o r a r i l y i n the f i r s t s t o r e y o f a shop i n the main s t r e e t of Wyong u n t i l they had b u i l t t h e i r own premises i n Howarth S t r e e t , i n 1915. T h i s i s the p l a c e o f meeting f o r : Lodge WYONG No. 247 U.G.L. N.S.W. Lodge TOUKLEY No. 933 Lodge PELICAN No. 982 Wyong S h i r e Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n . Rose C r o i x CENTRAL COAST CHAPTER No. 249. R o y a l A r c h ERINA CHAPTER No. 91. S e c r e t M o n i t o r s CENTRAL COAST CONCLAVE No. 25. THE LAKES S o v e r e i g n C o u n c i l No. 57 (from February 1992) The Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 was c o n s t i t u t e d i n 1917. The b r e t h r e n had p r o v i d e d f o r a b u i l d i n g o f t h e i r own, b u i l t by Bro. K i b b l e , on the c o r n e r of Mann and Beane S t r e e t s o p p o s i t e the R a i l w a y Goods Y a r d . They met t h e r e u n t i l 1927, by which time they had b u i l t a Masonic Temple i n W i l l i a m S t r e e t , i n the c e n t r e of G o s f o r d . They s t i l l meet t h e r e now, the b u i l d i n g h a v i n g undergone a number o f f a c e l i f t s and enlargements. Meeting i n the G o s f o r d Masonic Centre a r e : Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 Lodge GOSFORD No. 742 Lodge SARATOGA No. 937 Lodge JAMES KIBBLE No. 985 G o s f o r d C i t y Area Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n . Rose + C r o i x AEDIS CHRISTI SOV. CHAP. No. 49. Holy R o y a l Arch GOSFORD CHAPTER No. 173. Lodge MORNING STAR o f Woy Woy was c o n s e c r a t e d i n 1922, but a Royal Arch Chapter had been formed b e f o r e them and had b u i l t t h e i r own Masonic Temple on l a n d donated by Mrs Couche. This Temple was completed i n 1926. The b r e t h r e n from the C r a f t were welcome t o use i t , and have done so ever s i n c e . Meeting there a r e :

Ill

Lodge MORNING STAR No. 410 R o y a l A r c h ALBERT JOSEPHSON CHAPTER No. 119 Red Cross of C o n s t a n t i n e . GOSFORD CONCLAVE No. 58. Rose + C r o i x BRISBANE WATER No. 21 SOV. CHAP. S.C. WOY WOY SOVEREIGN COUNCIL. 30째 No. 42. S.C.

S.C.

Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES No. 757 was c o n s e c r a t e d i n 1948. They met at f i r s t i n the Wyong Temple, and d i l i g e n t l y i n v e s t i g a t e d means of b u i l d i n g t h e i r own meeting p l a c e . Their object was reached c l 9 5 3 , and additions followed later. Now meeting at Long J e t t y a r e : Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES No. 757 KARAGI - THE ENTRANCE Mark & R o y a l A r c h Chapter No. 174 K n i g h t Templars PRECEPTORY & PRIORY of SAINT LUKE No. 153 Research Lodge ALBERT BADGER Lodge MORISSET No. 441 was completed i n 1937. No. 59 D i s t r i c t i n 1964.

formed i n 1923, and T h i s Lodge ceased to

The Hawkesbury R i v e r D i s t r i c t Masonic t h e i r own Memorial H a l l at B r o o k l y n .

S.C.

their building be i n c l u d e d i n

Association

meet

Most b r e t h r e n nowadays are unaware of the problems t h a t c o n f r o n t ed our b r e t h r e n i n the e a r l y days of t h i s c e n t u r y w i t h a t t e n d i n g t h e i r lodges' meetings at n i g h t . T r a v e l , i n many cases over long d i s t a n c e s , was by horse-drawn v e h i c l e . A l t h o u g h the d r i v e r s r e l i e d h e a v i l y on t h e i r horses' to move at speed i n the dark, the d r i v e r s a l s o had t h e i r way as w e l l .

ability to see

A few n i g h t s i n each month ( p r o v i d i n g the sky was c l e a r ) was more p r o p i t i o u s f o r the n i g h t t r a v e l l e r . These were the n i g h t s when the moon was f u l l . The dates of meetings were t h e r e f o r e determined by the phases of the moon. A p a r t i c u l a r day of the week was chosen, but the week depended on the moon's p l e a s u r e to show h e r s e l f t o advantage. Every lodge i n d i c a t e d i t s meeting n i g h t i n r e l a t i o n to the a v a i l a b i l i t y of a f u l l moon. The f i r s t pages of e a r l y Masonic Guides d i s p l a y e d the y e a r ' s t a b l e of the moon's phases w i t h the time the moon r o s e , as w e l l as a c a l e n d a r showing the days. As l a t e of 1938,

s u r p r i s i n g number of

lodges

still

indicated

112

t h e i r meeting n i g h t s i n r e l a t i o n

t o t h e f u l l moon.

From t h e Masonic Guide f o r 1925, when t h e motor c a r was s t i l l a fancy c o n t r a p t i o n and e l e c t r i c l i g h t i n g a remarkable r a r i t y : D i s t r i c t No. 14 Lodges WYONG No. 247, RISING SUN No. 311, MORNING STAR TEMPERANCE No. 410, MORISSET No. 441 A b b r e v i a t i o n s used t o F u l l Moon: B.F.M. N.F.M. A.F.M. 0.0.B.F.M. 0.0.N.F.M. 0.0.A.F.M.

t o i n d i c a t e date

o f meetings

B e f o r e F u l l Moon Nearest F u l l Moon A f t e r F u l l Moon On o r B e f o r e F u l l Moon On o r Nearest F u l l Moon On o r A f t e r F u l l Moon

WYONG, Thursday 0.0.B.F.M. RISING SUN, Tuesday 0.0.B.F.M. MORNING STAR TEMPERANCE, Monday 0.0.B.F.M. MORISSET, Wednesday A.F.M.

relation

113

The United Grand Lodge of N.S.W.

OF ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

KINDLY ADVISE SECRETARY OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS

115

Lodge WYONG. 247. U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f New South Wales.

DEDICATED:

4 September 1906

PLACE OF MEETING:

U p s t a i r s above J.H. KAY's Barber Shop. Main S t r e e t then Lodge was d e s t r o y e d by f i r e i n February 1914 then R o y a l H o t e l f o r 11 months then from 28 January 1915 15 Howarth S t r e e t Wyong 2259 Telephone (043) 53-1712

DATE OF MEETING:

Thursday n i g h t on o r b e f o r e the f u l l moon of each month. Later 3rd Thursday monthly.

INSTALLATION:

3rd Saturday i n September.

116

L i s t o f P a s t Masters o f Lodge WYONG No. 247. Name of the Master. F . J . FULLER J.H. KAY E.A. WOOD R. GASCOIGNE T. SLEEMAN C. WATERS A. TURNER S.A. McKIMM S.A. McKIMM * A.W. HAWTHORN F.G. BAKER R.W. MARSH J.S. ANDERSON C.N. WALTERS T. ANDERSON G.H. DODD D'Arcy ROSE F.D. BURNS J.T. PENFOLD S.A. McKIMM ** * F.G. BAKER H.G. WRIGHT V.L. JONES M.G. WILL C.H. WILSON C D . BATEMAN E.H. FERGUSON E.H. FERGUSON * C P . JAMES N.T. McGOWAN R.W. BROWNLEE E.R. QUAYLE J . C KEMPTON M.B. SMITH C R . BATEMAN R.E. PIPER E.H. BARTIER T.D. McMULLEN J . HUDDART * J.W. SEARGENT J . HUDDART W.C CHAPMAN H.R. FOLEY

Year of Office. 1906-07 1907-08 1908-09 1909-10 1910-11 1911-12 1912-13 1913-14 1914-15 1915-16 1916-17 1917-18 1918-19 1919-20 1920-21 1921-22 1922-23 1923-24 1924-25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28 1928-29 1929-30 1930-31 1931-32 1932-33 1933-34 1934-35 1935-36 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-41 1941-42 1942-43 1943-44 1944-45 1945-46 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49

Name of the Master.

J . I . PLUMB B.H. MAWSON N.R. ANGEL C P . DAVIES R.E. HOLLAND W.H. MATHEWS R.A. MORRIS L.T. McKIMM N.H.S. REEVES R.C MACKENZIE R.R. WILSHIRE F.G. VAUGHAN J.H. TAYLOR A.J. BISHOP N.E. TYNAN J.L. GRIFFITHS G.H. ELLEM C F . DRAKE W.K. MORRIS S.O. CLAYTON N. JURD R.T. JONES L.P. BRIDGE C L . DAVIES L.H. MORTON CW. DENT W.B. ROBERTSON A.K.. SHAKESPEARE K.R. McLEAN A.A. GILLIVER D.B. DEAN R.L. SAINSBURY W.J. BILLINGTON R.M. LEWIS I.G.F. VAUGHAN P.R.C LEEDER D.J. DEAN I.S. MACMILLAN R.L. CARTER H. STEWART R.D. TAYLOR K.J. HITCHCOCK J.K. HARRIS * 2nd year o f O f f i c e • ** 3 r d year o f O f f i c e

Year of Offi 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92

117

MEMORIES OF VISITS TO LODGE WYONG When Lodge RISING SUN No. 206, G o s f o r d , d e c i d e d t o cease Masonic a c t i v i t i e s i n 1900, t h e D i s t r i c t was l e f t w i t h o u t an a l t e r n a t i v e . All o r g a n i s e d Masonic a c t i v i t i e s ended and p r a c t i c a l l y a l l b r e t h r e n were l e f t w i t h o u t a c h o i c e . The c l o s e s t Lodges were s i t u a t e d i n Newcastle i n t h e n o r t h o r Sydney i n t h e south (Hornsby d i d n o t have a Lodge u n t i l w e l l a f t e r Wyong - No. 262). With t h e s t a t e o f communications a t t h e t i m e , i t i s improbable t h a t any Mason c o u l d a t t e n d meetings regularly at e i t h e r o f the two a l t e r n a t e l o c a t i o n s . The need f o r a Lodge b e i n g e s t a b l i s h e d i n t h e D i s t r i c t was v e r y g r e a t indeed and t h e f i r s t s t e p i n t h a t d i r e c t i o n was the f o u n d a t i o n o f a Lodge a t Wyong (Lodge WYONG, No. 247) i n 1906. We w i l l n o t d e l v e i n t o who was r e s p o n s i b l e f o r i t and any d e t a i l s on t h e s u b j e c t , which b e l o n g t o t h e h i s t o r y o f Lodge WYONG. However, t h e r e was a r e a l need f o r a new Lodge and Wyong took t h e n e c e s s a r y steps t o f u l f i l i t . We know t h a t the b r e t h r e n from G o s f o r d and Woy Woy used t o go t o Wyong, a journey which took some time and e f f o r t t o a c c o m p l i s h ! For over t e n y e a r s , t h i s arrangement, a l t h o u g h not v e r y s a t i s f a c t o r y , endured u n t i l RISING SUN r o s e a g a i n i n 1917. I t would have been a g r e a t r e l i e f f o r t h e b r e t h r e n from G o s f o r d and Woy Woy, a l t h o u g h they must have missed v e r y much t h e g e n i a l welcome o f t h e i r neighbour Lodge a t Wyong.

118

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION, 12 September 1906.

NEW LODGES.

P e t i t i o n s were r e c e i v e d p r a y i n g f o r t h e i s s u e o f Warrants new lodges a t Wyong, New Lambton and Raymond T e r r a c e . The recommended t h e G.M. t o grant t h e p r a y e r o f t h e p e t i t i o n Wyong and Raymond T e r r a c e , b u t i n t h e case o f New Lambton, Board recommended the G.M. not t o accede t o t h e r e q u e s t . . . GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS.

for Board for the

12 December 1906. p.40.

No. 2 d i s t r i c t . Lodges LAKE MACQUARIE No. 243. Lodge WYONG No. 247. &c. V.W. B r o . John D. Beetson D.G.I.W. v i s i t e d Lodge WYONG No. 247 on i t s f i r s t meeting since i t s inception. They proceeded to i n i t i a t e three candidates. The w o r k i n g , t a k i n g e v e r y t h i n g i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n was s a t i s f a c t o r y . Judging from the enthusiasm d i s p l a y e d by t h e o f f i c e r s , and t h e i r eagerness to e x c e l l , expect on h i s next v i s i t t o f i n d them w e l l up towards the s t a n d a r d o f e f f i c i e n c y . B.G.L. June 1892 t o June 1893. 14 Sep. Dobie, D.G.I, o f D. No. 1. page 7.

1892

V.W. B r o . Dugald

V.W. B r o . E. T i n g l e was D.G.I.W. On September l O t h 1917 he went to v i s i t Lodge WYONG t o w i t n e s s t h e f i r s t degree. However due to a g e n e r a l s t r i k e - w h i l e t h e c o u n t r y was a t war! - owing t o the t r a i n b e i n g two hours l a t e , he a r r i v e d a t t h e Lodge room as the degree was f i n i s h i n g . He t h e n , a t t h e i n v i t a t i o n o f t h e W.M. , h e l d a Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n , g o i n g through t h e f l o o r work of t h e t h r e e degrees, and s e t t l i n g v a r i o u s p o i n t s r a i s e d . The brethren expressed t h e i r a p p r e c i a t i o n of the " d r i l l i n g " although he kept them a t work u n t i l 10.30p.m. The mother lodge o f lodge WYONG i s s t i l l a mystery; o f t h e p u t a t i v e l o d g e s , t h e name o f LAKE MACQUARIE No. 243 has been proposed. The H i s t o r y o f LODGE LAKE MACQUARIE No. 243, page 11 s t a t e s : "In June, 1924, t h e p e t i t i o n f o r t h e f o r m a t i o n o f a new lodge a t Speers P o i n t was s i g n e d i n open Lodge, t h i s b e i n g the f i r s t daughter Lodge o f Lodge LAKE MACQUARIE." Lodge LAKE MACQUARIE, o f T o r o n t o , has been d e d i c a t e d i n December 1906, and was much t o o r e c e n t t o have been a b l e t o f o s t e r a new lodge the p r e c e d i n g September, a l t h o u g h i t s number i s lower than WYONG's!

119

BIRTH OF A LODGE. When a number o f b r e t h r e n wish t o form a new lodge they canvas p r o s p e c t i v e members - u n a t t a c h e d masons o r members belonging to a lodge t h a t meets f a r away - who would b e n e f i t from, and welcome t h e c r e a t i o n o f a lodge i n t h e i r v i c i n i t y , which would be c o n v e n i e n t t o a t t e n d . Next they convene the c r e a t i o n o f a enough members t o lodge i n t h e area

a meeting o f i n t e r e s t e d b r e t h r e n t o d i s c u s s new lodge. The main problems a r e t o g a t h e r form a l o d g e , and s i n c e t h e r e i s u s u a l l y no they must f i n d a s u i t a b l e p l a c e o f meeting.

When they have overcome a l l t h e problems, a p e t i t i o n i s drawn 'asking the Grand M a s t e r , - through the Board o f G e n e r a l Purposes, - t o g r a n t them a C h a r t e r t o enable them t o meet as a lodge f o r the b e n e f i t o f Free Masonry'. They a l s o approach an e s t a b l i s h e d lodge t o a c t as sponsor, i n t h e form o f a f o r m a l r e q u e s t , s i g n e d by the Master and the two Wardens o f a lodge a c t i n g as sponsors. These documents a r e p l a c e d i n a f i l e kept i n the archives of the Grand Lodge. A l l lodges, - with the exception of the very e a r l y ones - have such f i l e s , sometimes v e r y s l i m f i l e s , c o n t a i n i n g o n l y the p e t i t i o n and s p o n s o r i n g documents. The masonic h i s t o r i a n , through t h a t e a r l y f i l e , i s a b l e t o probe i n t o t h e p r o c e s s e s of the f o r m a t i o n o f a lodge. In the case o f Lodge WYONG, t h e r e i s no such documentary evidence in the f i l e . We f i n d correspondence about t h e s u i t a b i l i t y o f the b u i l d i n g t o be used as a temple, a l s o arrangements f o r G.L. to a t t e n d and proceed t o t h e c o n s e c r a t i o n , b u t no p e t i t i o n o r s p o n s o r i n g document. S i n c e a p e t i t i o n must have been drawn w i t h t h e l e t t e r from t h e Master and Wardens o f t h e s p o n s o r i n g lodge, we c a n o n l y conclude t h a t t h e documents have been m i s p l a c e d . One day perhaps they w i l l be found i n a f i l e w i t h another number and, a t l a s t , we w i l l know who a r e t h e f o u n d a t i o n members who s i g n e d t h e p e t i t i o n and what lodge i s the mother lodge o f lodge 247. For

the present

t h e daughter

has l o s t

contact

with

h e r mother.

CONCISE HISTORY OF LODGE WYONG. E x c e r p t s from P a r t I o f t h e h i s t o r y c o m p i l e d by V. Wor. B r o . N.T. McGowan, on the o c c a s i o n o f the J u b i l e e Meeting o f t h e Lodge, May 1957. Many r e c o r d s w h i c h were s t o r e d i n cupboards i n t h e anteroom were d e s t r o y e d by w h i t e a n t s . Not o n l y were t h e c o n t e n t s destroyed but the cupboards as w e l l . The C h a r t e r g r a n t e d by the U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f New South was s i g n e d by t h e l a t e M.W. Bro. S i r Harry Rawson, Grand

Wales, Master

120

and Governor of New South Wales, and the l a t e V. Wor. Bro. A r t h u r P. Bray, Grand S e c r e t a r y , and i s dated 9 August 1906. Lodge WYONG was d e d i c a t e d on Tuesday, 4 September 1906 when 15 b r e t h r e n s i g n e d the presence book, as members, and five, i n a d d i t i o n to V. Wor. Bro. Bray, s i g n e d as v i s i t o r s , making a t o t a l of 21 b r e t h r e n . A c c o r d i n g t o the members' r e g i s t e r , however, t h e r e were 17 f o u n d a t i o n members. Wor. Bro. John Kay, who passed to the Grand Lodge above on 7 A p r i l 1946, was the l a s t surviving foundation member. The f i r s t W o r s h i p f u l Master of the Lodge was Wor. J . F u l l e r , s t o r e k e e p e r , of Wyong, and the f i r s t Wor, Bro. John F i l s h i e , s c h o o l t e a c h e r , of Wyong.

Bro. F r a n c i s secretary was

P r i o r to the f o u n d a t i o n of the Lodge t h e r e were no b u i l d i n g s c o n s i d e r e d s u i t a b l e f o r a lodge room. I t seems t h a t the late Wor. Bro. John Kay had e r e c t e d a weatherboard b u i l d i n g i n the main s t r e e t a t Wyong, w i t h a shop at ground l e v e l and a room u p s t a i r s , which amongst o t h e r purposes, c o u l d be used as a lodge room. Access t o t h i s u p s t a i r s room was g a i n e d by a s t a i r w a y on the o u t s i d e of the b u i l d i n g l e a d i n g i n t o a s m a l l anteroom. The main room was a l s o used once a month as a c o u r t room, which n e c e s s i t a t e d the r o l l i n g up of the t e s s e l a t e d pavement, and the removal of the C h a r t e r and any o t h e r obvious p i e c e s of Lodge f u r n i t u r e and j e w e l s . I t was customary i n those days f o r the b r e t h r e n t o be called from l a b o u r t o r e f r e s h m e n t s a f t e r the b u s i n e s s of the Lodge had been completed, and t h i s was known as "HIGH TIME". Sandwiches were o b t a i n e d from the refreshment room down s t a i r s and these, t o g e t h e r w i t h a few b o t t l e s of beer, were p a r t a k e n o f , s t a n d i n g i n the anteroom. The b r e t h r e n were then c a l l e d t o l a b o u r when the degree work was proceeded w i t h . I t was not a t a l l uncommon t o a l l o w two hours to t r a v e l nine m i l e , roads s c a r c e l y e x i s t e d f i f t y y e a r s ago and much of those s o - c a l l e d roads were c o r d u r o y : a s u c c e s s i o n of round s a p l i n g s l a i d s i d e by s i d e t o prevent both horse and v e h i c l e becoming bogged. Today Wor. Bro. L i n d s a y McKiram can d r i v e to or from Lodge about twenty minutes. H i s f a t h e r , Wor. Bro. Sam McKimm, hard p r e s s e d t o do i t w i t h horse and s u l k y i n two h o u r s .

in was

To make t r a v e l l i n g a l i t t l e l e s s arduous, the Lodge then met on the Thursday n i g h t on, or b e f o r e , the f u l 1 moon of each month w i t h the consequence t h a t 13 r e g u l a r meetings were he Id i n the year on s e v e r a l o c c a s i o n s due t o the l u n a r p r o v i s i o n , t h e r e b e i n g 53 l u n a r weeks i n a y e a r . During the f i r s t two y e a r s of the Lodge's e x i s t e n c e the average attendance was 15 members and on some o c c a s i o n s i t would have been d i f f i c u l t t o f i l l the r e s p e c t i v e o f f i c e s . However, the Lodge appears to have p r o s p e r e d r e a s o n a b l y we 11 u n t i l early in

121

1914, when some time i n t h e month o f F e b r u a r y , t h e b u i l d i n g used as t h e Lodge room was d e s t r o y e d by f i r e and t h e Lodge was l e f t w i t h o u t a s u i t a b l e meeting p l a c e . A break i n meetings 28 January 1915.

i s found

extending

from

5 February

1914

Wor. B r o . S.A. McKimm had been i n s t a l l e d as Wor. Master on 11 September 1913, t h e f i r e came o n l y a few months a f t e r . As master of t h e Lodge he was f a c e d w i t h n o t o n l y f i n d i n g somewhere e l s e to meet, b u t a l s o t h e d i f f i c u l t t a s k o f h o l d i n g t h e members, at t h a t time numbering j u s t on 40, t o g e t h e r . D u r i n g t h e p e r i o d o f some 11 months when i t was i m p o s s i b l e t o h o l d r e g u l a r meetings members met i n a room i n t h e Royal H o t e l , which was g e n e r o u s l y l e n t by t h e l a t e Wor. B r o . Robert Gascoigne. Soon a f t e r t h e f i r e i t was d e c i d e d t o endeavour t o r a i s e money f o r t h e purpose o f r e - b u i l d i n g . S u f f i c i e n t money was o b t a i n e d to purchase t h e p r e s e n t s i t e , t h e purchase was made from a l a d y by t h e name o f Nurse Haymes, f o r £70. A statement o f r e c e i p t s and e x p e n d i t u r e f o r t h e year ending August 1915, show a d e b i t b a l a n c e o f £282.15.9 which was owing t o t h e bank. During 1914 t h e p r e s e n t s o u t h , except f o r t h e r e c e n t e x t e n s i o n s , was b u i l t by t h e l a t e Fred D'Arcy f o r t h e sum o f £273.4.0. The Grand A r c h i t e c t i n s i s t e d t h a t t h e w a l l s o f t h e b u i l d i n g be packed w i t h sawdust, f o r s o u n d p r o o f i n g , but t h i s u n f o r t u n a t e l y proved a happy h u n t i n g ground f o r w h i t e a n t s , which over a p e r i o d o f y e a r s d i d c o n s i d e r a b l e damage t o t h e b u i l d i n g , and t o o u r Lodge r e c o r d s .

r/ie opening, Lodge. WUDNQ No. 2U7 QoAfjond TimeA o^ the 7 SeptembeA. 1906.

LUOA

yiepo/ited locaJAy, in

the

MASONIC. OPENING OF LODGE WYONG No. 247, U.G.L., N.S.W. Tuesday evening l a s t was t h e o c c a s i o n o f a h i g h l y i n t e r e s t i n g and i m p r e s s i v e ceremony, b e i n g d e d i c a t i o n o f t h e newly e r e c t e d Masonic H a l l and i n s t a l l a t i o n o f t h e o f f i c e r s o f t h e Lodge j u s t established. R.W. B r o . A.H. Bray, Grand S e c r e t a r y , a c t e d as i n s t a l l i n g M a s t e r , and Wor. B r o . Dr Edwards c a r r i e d o u t t h e d u t i e s o f D i r e c t o r o f Ceremonies. There was a f a i r attendance o f members o f t h e c r a f t and a f t e r the d e d i c a t i o n ceremony t h e v a r i o u s o f f i c e r s were i n s t a l l ed, v i z : - V. Wor. B r o . F . J . F u l l e r , W.M. : Wor. B r o . T. Deasey, I.P.M.; B r o . J.H. Kay, S.W.; Bro.T.W. S t u d l e y , J.W.; B r o . J.H. Newman, T r e a s u r e r ; Wor. B r o . J . F i l s h i e , S e c r e t a r y ; B r o . A.T.

122

M o r r i s , S.D.; Bro. E.A. Wood, J.D.; B r o s . John and George Stewards; Bro. A.C. F u l l e r , I.G.; and Bro. W.A. B u r t o n , O.G.

Smith,

A f t e r the ceremony the company, a t the i n v i t a t i o n of the W.M. adjourned t o the Royal H o t e l where an e x c e l l e n t banquet was served by h o s t Gascoigne and h i s good l a d y . A f t e r doing justice to the good t h i n g s the u s u a l Masonic t o a s t s were proposed and d u l y honored. S e v e r a l songs were c o n t r i b u t e d , Wor. Bros. Edwards and Frank F u l l e r , of Sydney, a c t i n g as accompanists. Judging by the enthusiasm to be a s u c c e s s .

already

evinced

Lodge

The f i r s t meeting was h e l d i n t h a t b u i l d i n g on 28 when the membership appears t o have been about 40.

Wyong

promises

January

1915,

At and up u n t i l t h i s time i t had been customary f o r the b r e t h r e n to have supper s t a n d i n g up and a f t e r commencing i n the new b u i l d i n g , which of c o u r s e , had not been c o n s e c r a t e d , the custom c o n t i n u e d , but soon a f t e r the i n s t a l l a t i o n of the l a t e Wor. Bro. Gershom Baker i n 1916 he had t h i s a l t e r e d . The T e s s e l a t e d Pavement was r o l l e d up and t a b l e s were brought i n and the b r e t h r e n were seated f o r the South. Soon a f t e r s e r v i n g h i s o f f i c e as I.P.M. the l a t e Wor. Bro. Baker took over the p r e p a r a t i o n of the South and continued with the work u n t i l h i s death i n 1947. Lodge WYONG once a g a i n p r o s p e r e d and i t was not v e r y many y e a r s b e f o r e a l a r g e r lodge room was needed, so t h a t the then p r e s e n t lodge room c o u l d be used as a s o u t h . T h i s was kept i n mind when the f i b r o b u i l d i n g had been b u i l t . ( i t was b u i l t c l o s e to the n o r t h e r n boundary l i n e , to a l l o w room f o r the f u t u r e b u i l d i n g . ) The f i r s t move was made on 1 December 1921, when c o n s i d e r a t i o n was g i v e n t o a n o t i c e of motion by the l a t e Wor. Bro. Gershom Baker and Wor. Bro. Rose, who was a t t h a t time S e n i o r Warden. Some d e l a y took p l a c e , but e v e n t u a l l y a c o n t r a c t f o r the e r e c t i o n of our p r e s e n t lodge room was l e t t o the l a t e Bro. G i l b e r t Dixon, and t h i s b u i l d i n g was d e d i c a t e d on 20 December 1923, when 50 members of t h i s lodge and 38 v i s i t o r s s i g n e d the presence book. Most Wor. Bro. John G o u l s t o n , Grand M a s t e r , was accompanied by s i x Grand Lodge o f f i c e r s , who a s s i s t e d him i n the c o n s e c r a t i o n ceremony. To meet the c o s t of t h i s from the Commercial Bank i n 1942.

b u i l d i n g a l o a n of ÂŁ1200 was obtained of A u s t r a l i a and was finally repaid

I t was found somewhere i n the mid 1930's t h a t the south was f a r too s m a l l on many o c c a s i o n s , the l a t e Wor. Bro. Gershom Baker gave n o t i c e t h a t c o n s i d e r a t i o n be g i v e n t o p u t t i n g a suitable f r o n t on the b r i c k b u i l d i n g , and at the same time adding a f i r s t

123

f l o o r t o t h i s p r e s e n t b r i c k b u i l d i n g and making i t an u p s t a i r s lodge room, he o b t a i n e d a f i r m e s t i m a t e o f £1500 f o r t h e j o b . The lodge d e c i d e d a g a i n s t t h e p r o j e c t on the s c o r e o f h i g h c o s t s . When t e n d e r s were c a l l e d f o r something o f a s i m i l a r n a t u r e i n 1955 i t was found t h a t p r i c e s r a n g i n g between £6,000 and £7,000 were c o n s i d e r e d e x c e s s i v e and beyong the Lodge's a b i l i t y t o meet. The i n i t i a t i o n f e e was s e t down i n t h e o r i g i n a l by-laws o f 1906 at £10.10.0 and t h e dues payable were 4/- p e r month f o r what were termed r e s i d e n t members and 3/- p e r month f o r n o n - r e s i d e n t members, t h a t i s t o s a y , members r e s i d i n g beyond s i x m i l e s o f the p l a c e o f meeting. I n the f i r s t month o f each q u a r t e r an a d d i t i o n a l s h i l l i n g was added t o a l l members dues, which was a p p l i e d t o the upkeep o f Masonic S c h o o l s . By comparison o f money v a l u e s , membership was much more c o s t l y i n 1906 than i t i s today. Members were v e r y generous o f h e a r t many years ago, f o r i n t h e y e a r s 1916-1919 t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t h e F.B.I, ranged between £30 and £40 p e r annum, and t h i s from a membership o f much l e s s than h a l f o f t h e p r e s e n t s t r e n g t h . In 1957, a t o t a l o f 558 b r e t h r e n had j o i n e d t h e l o d g e , either by i n i t i a t i o n o r a f f i l i a t i o n . The o l d e s t member o f t h e lodge i n 1955 was Wor. B r o . S.A. McKimm, f a t h e r of t h e master, he was the f i r s t member o f t h i s lodge t o r e c e i v e Grand Lodge rank, when i n 1936 t h e rank o f P.G.S.B. was c o n f e r r e d by Grand Lodge. Since t h a t date t h r e e o t h e r members have r e c e i v e d Grand Lodge rank by appointment as D i s t r i c t Grand I n s p e c t o r o f Workings, these b e i n g Wor. B r o . N.T. McGowan, i n 1942, Wor. B r o . E.R. Quayle, i n 1948, and Wor. B r o . George Carney i n 1954.

E x c e r p t s from P a r t I I o f the h i s t o r y c o m p i l e d by V. Wor. B r o . J.H. T a y l o r and Wor. B r o . L.A. T u r t o n , on the o c c a s i o n o f the 75th A n n i v e r s a r y Meeting h e l d on Saturday 19 September 1981. In t h e e a r l y y e a r s Lodge I n s t a l l a t i o n Banquets and Masonic B a l l s had t o be h e l d i n the School o f A r t s H a l l (now t h e premises o f Van Eden Shoes) i n A l i s o n Road. T h i s was a g a i n brought s h a r p l y i n t o f o c u s , by the need t o conduct our F i f t y Year C e l e b r a t i o n South i n the Wyong Youth H a l l i n Hely S t r e e t , which has s i n c e been demolished t o make way f o r a c a r p a r k i n g a r e a . The p l a y i n g of a lone p i p e r c a l l e d the b r e t h r e n from l a b o u r t o r e f r e s h m e n t . A f t e r the s k i r l of p i p e s had faded t h e Lodge s e t t l e d down t o c o n t i n u e t o a d m i n i s t e r t h e R i t e s and Ceremonies of Freemasonry. S i n c e then 204 members have been accepted i n t o t h e Lodge. Among those who a f f i l i a t e d , some were t o r e c e i v e Grand Lodge Rank by c a r r y i n g out a term as D i s t r i c t Grand I n s p e c t o r o f Workings. V. Wor. B r o . E.A. B l a k e , V. Wor. B r o . G. Carney, V. Wor. B r o . W.H. Mathews and V. Wor. B r o . R.T. Jones thus s e r v e d . V. Wor.

124

Bro. George Carney l a t e r c o l l a p s e d and d i e d i s t e r i n g an o b l i g a t i o n t o a c a n d i d a t e a t i n August 1967.

i n Lodge, w h i l e a P a s t Masters

adminNight

The need f o r improved accomodation c o n t i n u e d t o occupy the b r e t h ren's a t t e n t i o n , and i n 1955 f u r t h e r quotes to b u i l d were c o n s i d e r e d beyond the Lodge's means. A l t e r n a t e i d e a s and p l a n s were sought. I n 1957 we c r e a t e d a B u i l d i n g Fund. One shilling per member per month, p l u s a surcharge on o t h e r f e e s , and this principle was i n c o r p o r a t e d and m a i n t a i n e d f o r many y e a r s . In 1960 plans were accepted and c o n t r a c t e d t o b u i l d the p r e s e n t South f o r £4,350. B r e t h r e n s u b s c r i b e d t o Debentures at 5% i n t e r e s t , two members wrote cheques f o r £1,000 and some o t h e r s f o r £200. Other b r e t h r e n made s t r a i g h t out g i f t s towards the v e n t u r e , and the balance was covered by bank o v e r d r a f t . One e a r l y member s t r o n g l y advocated - i t was not adopted.

the Lodge become a "Dry

Charter"

Wor. Bro. A l b y Walker, the c o n t r a c t o r , s t a r t e d work l a t e i n 1960 and e v e r y t h i n g was completed i n good time w i t h minimum i n c o n venience . I n 1963 a 1% l o a n from the Masonic B u i l d i n g Fund was sought was g r a n t e d , the r e c e i p t of which r e l i e v e d I n t e r e s t c o s t s .

and

Lodge WYONG, the o l d e s t c o n t i n u o u s Lodge i n the d i s t r i c t upheld t r a d i t i o n and f o s t e r e d masonry when i t sponsored i t s f o u r t h daughter Lodge, Lodge TOUKLEY No. 933 i n 1959. I n e a r l i e r times M o r i s s e t and Tuggerah Lakes were a i d e d i n t o e x i s t e n c e by t h i s Lodge a l t h o u g h i t i s r e c o r d e d t h a t on 3 May 1917 Lodge Wyong p e t i t i o n e d f o r the e s t a b l i s h m e n t of Lodge RISING SUN. The petition, signed by Wor. Bro. Gershom Baker was accepted on 31 May 1917 by the Grand M a s t e r , Most Wor. Bro. W i l l i a m Thompson. I n 1919 c a r b i d e lamps and c a n d l e s were s t i l l i n use, and i t was the custom f o r the J u n i o r Warden t o s t r i k e the match t o light the a c e t y l e n e lamp a t the a p p r o p r i a t e t i m e . I n former times the D i s t r i c t was much l a r g e r than a t present and many of the D i s t r i c t Lodges then c o u l d o n l y be reached over rough roads or by r a i l . Woy Woy, C a r d i f f and Adamstown, among o t h e r lodges r e q u i r e d major o r g a n i s a t i o n and o f t e n long w a i t i n g times a w a i t i n g t r a i n d e p a r t u r e s . I n t h i s day of comfortable and f a s t t r a v e l we can o n l y marvel a t the e f f o r t s of some members t o a t t e n d t h e i r lodge. One such n o t a b l e b r o t h e r , Bro. E.P. (Ted) B r a i t h w a i t e rode a horse 13 m i l e s each way t o m a i n t a i n a t t e n d a n c e , and the r e c o r d s show he r a r e l y missed a meeting. Most t r a v e l l e d i n those days by s u l k y .

125

BUILDING THE MASONIC TEMPLE AT WYONG

The ceremony o f l a y i n g t h e f o u n d a t i o n stone o f the new Temple f o r Lodge Wyong, No. 247 U.G.L., was performed l a s t Saturday a f t e r n o o n by Very Wor. B r o . E. T i n g l e , Past D i s t r i c t Grand I n s p e c t o r o f Workings, i n the presence of a goodly number of b r e t h r e n and l o c a l r e s i d e n t s . Wyong Masonic Lodge has so i n c r e a s e d i n membership t h a t the e x i s t i n g accommodation i s not n e a r l y s u f f i c i e n t , and i t was d e c i d e d t o e r e c t a new Temple. T h i s w i l l c o s t about ÂŁ1000, and i s b e i n g b u i l t o f bricks. B r o . G i l b e r t DIXON i s the c o n t r a c t o r . Wor. B r o . TINGLE, who was p r e s e n t e d w i t h a s i l v e r t r o w e l , was a s s i s t e d i n t h e ceremony by Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s Very Wor. B r o s . Dugald DOBIE, ESTELL and SHORT, an apology h a v i n g been r e c e i v e d from Very Wor. B r o . PRYOR. The f o u n d a t i o n stone bore the i n s c r i p tion:'This stone was l a i d by V. Wor. Bro. E. TINGLE, PDGIW, on 25th August, 1923. B r o . G i l b e r t DIXON, B u i l d e r . D'Arcy ROSE, W.M.'

126

LATOMI INCOGNITI

Was t h e r e another Lodge meeting so, what s o r t o f Lodge was i t ?

i n Wyong

i n 1922;

and

i f

In the e a r l y 1920s, meetings were h e l d i n Wyong, o p p o s i t e the P o l i c e S t a t i o n , between t h e o f f i c e o f t h e Advocate and the house o f Gregory. The l o c a l boys (Tom Goff was one o f them) had been c a u t i o n e d not t o go near t h e b u i l d i n g where t h e Masons were meeting. The b u i l d i n g was b u r n t down, t h e boys d e b r i s , and they found a s k u l l ! !

went

foraging

the

Subsequently, Tom has had a d i s t i n g u i s h e d Masonic career, b e i n g P a s t Master o f MORNING STAR and a GRAND LODGE O f f i c e r . Perhaps a r e p o r t o f t h e f i r e appeared i n t h e l o c a l paper and may p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e m y s t e r i o u s meetings of the unknown Lodge. A n o t i c e found i n a l o c a l paper, 'The M i r r o r Sun', c o v e r i n g the areas o f N e w c a s t l e , H a m i l t o n , M o r i s s e t , Wyong and Ourimbah, and dated 4 November 1931, announced:P.A.F.S. WYONG. O f f i c e r s and members o f WYONG LODGE e n t e r t a i n e d GOSFORD LODGE a t a game o f euchre a t l a s t meeting. WYONG w i n n i n g by 38 t o 33. A t h o r o u g h l y e n j o y a b l e e v e n i n g was spent. F o l l o w i n g O f f i c e r s were e l e c t e d a t t h e 58th Grand S e s s i o n t o GRAND LODGE:G.M. B r o . L.H. P u r n e l l , D.G.M. B r o . W.J. C a r p e n t e r , Grand T r e a s u r e r , B r o . F.C. P e t r i e ; Grand C h a p l a i n , B r o . F. Lock, Grand Sec. Hon. R.R. S p r i n g a l l . Any c o n n e c t i o n w i t h Masons.

t h e above?

They

certainly

were n o t C r a f t

127

The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales OF

ANCIENT,

FREE

AND

A C C E P T E D MASCNr!

Siui No. 311

Bri>thion,

pleaso notify

Secretary

changre

address

129

The only photo we have of the original M A S O N I C H A L L built by Kibble at the corner of M a n n and Beane Streets, Gosford. The Lodge was dedicated by the R . W . Deputy Grand Master R.W. B r o . W. T, W E A R N E on Saturday, 29th September 1917 at the occasion of the Installation of W . M . F . A . S T A Y N E R . At the end of the proceedings, in the South, Bro. J . A . S T A F F O R D proposed the toast to " O u r Brethren at the Front."

The photograph shows the original Gosford Citrus Grower's Packing Shed in the foreground. The building immediately behind the Packing Shed (with the four small windows) was Rising Sun's Lodge Room, used from 1917 to 1927.

130

131

Lodge RISING SUN. U n i t e d Grand Lodge of New

311 South Wales

FOUNDED:

29 September

1917

PLACE OF MEETING;

Mann S t r e e t , c o r n e r Beane S t r e e t Gosford u n t i l 1927; then 26 W i l l i a m S t r e e t GOSFORD 2250

DATE OF MEETING:

2nd Wednesday - Monthly

INSTALLATION:

2nd Saturday i n October

The Masonic Centre, William Street, Gosford, facing Kibble Park, was r e m o d e l l e d f o u r times. First, shop fronts were b u i l t to b r i n g an income. These shops are s t i l l used. Later the o l d Temple at the back was r e m o d e l l e d i n t o a t h r e e - s t o r e y building with a l i f t . The lodge room was on the f i r s t floor w i t h a south and k i t c h e n a t the back, and shops were a l o n g the f r o n t f a c i n g K i b b l e P a r k . The lodge room was then moved the south on the f i r s t f l o o r . room.

to the top s t o r e y , s t i l l O f f i c e s o c c u p i e d the o l d

using lodge

L a t e l y a new South was b u i l t on the second floor above the shops o v e r l o o k i n g K i b b l e P a r k , thus b r i n g i n g a l l Masonic activit i e s to the top f l o o r . The f i r s t f l o o r i s used f o r commercial purposes o n l y , to b r i n g an income f o r the b e n e f i t of the maintenance of the b u i l d i n g , and to pay the r a t e s which are c o n s i d e r a b l e . R e - d e d i c a t i o n of the Lodge Room, f i r s t f l o o r , was performed by M.W. B r o . V.C.N. B l i g h t , C.B.E. G.M. U.G.L. - N.S.W. and I n s t a l l a t i o n by W. B r o . Gerard van Drempt, S.W. Master E l e c t , on 12 October 1974. G.M. Ron Johnston o f f i c i a l l y opened the e x t e n s i o n to the (the new e x t e n s i o n on the 2nd f l o o r ) of the G o s f o r d Centre on 2 February 1991 at 7 o ' c l o c k .

'South' Masonic

132

List of Past Masters of Lodge RISING SUN No. 311. Name of the Master. F.A. STAYNER

S. EWYER A.M. DAVTKS + J.M. STAFFORD D. JENKINS H.C. WOOD A.G. HOBBS H.G. WHITE

C. HILLS G.A. WALPOLE G.A. STEPHENS C.F. HOWARD B. TOPPLE

S.G. COX D.A. PRENTICE J . LAWN

A.N. BASSAN R.c,

KM;-KEMP

J.A. WILBCW S. LIDDEN A.B. JARVIS + A.O. HOGG A.E. LILLICRAPP

A.P. BAIT,FY

A.H. RUSSELL E.G. HELY

A.R. McINNES A. BAKER

H.P. WALKER + R.G. JENNER E.L. KENGSLAND S.L. BINNS

J.B. EIMN J . QOLDING

R.W. BENNLTl D.J. WALKER E. ROSENFEIDER A.G. FROST

Year of Office. 1917-1.8 1918-19 1919-20 1920-21 1921-22 1922-23 1923-24 1924-25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28 192&-29 1929-30 1930-31 1931-32 1932-33 1933-34 1934-35 1935-36 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1939-to 1940-41 1941-42 1942-43 1943-44 1944-^5 1945-46 1946-47 1947-48 1948-A9 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55

Name of the Master. MITCHELL W.C. FOOT A.S. COCKE S.W. GIBSON L.G. CCNVARY A.R. BURKE J.H. HARRIS H.C. MacPHERSCN J . COPPIN R.L. MARTIN K.A. RUBIE H.J. SCOTT D.J. WALKER * V.W. LYNCH L.E. PAITERSCN E.L. THCMPSON W.J.

G. van DEEMPT

S.W. GIBSCN * A.E. FREEMANTLE G. van DEEMPT *

C.A. PARTRIDGE C.H. a i F K U D.P. BEANN V.W. LYNCH K.C. MacPHERSCN * P.C.W. JAYASINHA D.R. JAMISON E.K. LEGGETT J.R. MURPHY J.R.

MURPHY *

D.R. JAMIS(»I * K.J. ANDREWS B.B. LOXTO^ K.J. ANDREWS * E.K. LEGGETT * R. FRAZER K.J. ANDREWS *

* 2nd Year of Office. + P.D.G.I.W.

Year of Office. 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979^ 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 198S-86 1986-87 1987-S8 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992

133

LIST OF OFFICERS, 1917-18

W.M. I.P.M. Senior Warden Junior Warden Chaplain Treasurer Secretary Senior Deacon Junior Deacon Director of Ceremonies Inner Guard Stewards Tyler

Wor. Bro. F. A . S T A Y N E R Wor. Bro. J. K I B B L E Bro. S. F. D W Y E R Bro. A . M . D A V I E S Bro. D. S P R O U L E Bro. Arthur LEWIS Wor. Bro. S. Y . C O B B E T T Bro. J. A . S T A F F O R D Bro. David JENKINS Wor. Bro. S. J O Y C E Bro. A . J. HOBBS Bro. H . C. WOOD Bro. A . M A C I N A N T E Bro. Neil A N D E R S O N

In 1917-18, the meeting place was the hall built by Kibble, cnr. Mann and Beane Streets.

134

TO LODGE RISING SUN In the dim past when a short journey was long. The Craftsman of Gosford had to go to Wyong... Lodge Wyong decided that they'd start a Daughter Lodge! Right in Gosford town for Brothers so l o y a l . . . Rising Sun was the name for the Lodge they were t o l d . . . It i s time f o r refreshment for the labour i s done. And l e t us drink a toast to Lodge Rising Sun. With compliments, Bert BERGS. Lodge LACHLAN 46.

Lodge RISING SUN. 311. The Warrant of THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206 had been surrendered i n 1901 by James K i b b l e the l a s t Master of t h a t Lodge. Masonry had been r e - e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1906.

i n our d i s t r i c t

by LODGE WYONG

Gosford township had grown i n the f i r s t decade of the new c e n t u r y , and many Masons journeyed to Wyong t o a t t e n d Lodge. However, the road was bad and the t r i p took some t i m e . The B r e t h r e n i n Gosford were t h i n k i n g of r e - f o r m i n g a l o c a l Lodge. There had been no Masonic Lodge i n Gosford f o r over 15 and the memory of THE RISING SUN LODGE was f a d i n g away. e a r l y b r e t h r e n had l e f t the d i s t r i c t or passed away.

years Many

The d i s t r i c t and the town of G o s f o r d had grown to such an extent t h a t i t was o n l y a matter of i n i t i a t i v e f o r the Lodge to be r e - b o r n . On 20 October 1911, The Gosford Times a d v e r t i s e d t h a t a meeting to form a Masonic Lodge a t Gosford would be h e l d i n the O d d f e l lows H a l l , Donnison S t r e e t , on Tuesday n i g h t , the 24th a t 8 pm: 'A meeting of those interested i n the f o r m a t i o n of a Masonic Lodge a t G o s f o r d w i l l be h e l d a t the O d d f e l l o w s ' H a l l Tuesday n e x t . ' T h i s advertisement was p l a c e d by P. McPherson, S e c , p r o . tem.

135

Peter McPherson was a l o c a l and s e c r e t a r y of the School a l s o a board member.

s o l i c i t o r , active i n social o f A r t s , of which J . K i b b l e

life was

Of the o l d Masons, we know t h a t Nei 1 Anderson and J . Aggett were s t i l l around and would have been i n t e r e s t e d i n the v e n t u r e . It was a l i t t l e premature however, and n o t h i n g eventuated at that t i m e . It

was l e f t

f o r newcomers to the d i s t r i c t

to r e l i g h t the f l a m e .

About 1911, a group of d e l i n q u e n t boys under the l e a d e r s h i p of p i o n e e r educators came t o s e t t l e on the K a r i o n g plateau. They were to i n i t i a t e a new concept i n r e h a b i l i t a t i o n . They came from the o l d s h i p ' SOBRAON' , a r e f o r m a t o r y s h i p moored i n the Parramatta R i v e r . The boys and t h e i r monitors camped at f i r s t , p i o n e e r i n g the ' Farm Home f o r Boys' . A f t e r a few y e a r s , they s e t t l e d down i n the b u i l d i n g s they had b u i l t t o g e t h e r . * A number of the original officers were remarkable men and worthy Masons. They met w i t h other l i k e s o u l s t o r e p l a n t the Masonic seed i n the d i s t r i c t . Their l e a d e r was F r e d Stayner; Herbert Wood was t h e i r P r o b a t i o n O f f i c e r ; George Walpole was a Teacher and P h y s i c a l E d u c a t i o n I n s t r u c t o r ; B a s i l Topple was a monitor and Walter G l a s s was the cook and homekeeper. They were a l s o Masons. The names o f Stayner and Wood open a l i s t of Masons p e t i t i o n i n g Grand Lodge f o r the b e n e f i t of a Lodge a t G o s f o r d . There were seventeen f o u n d a t i o n members, which i n c l u d e d James K i b b l e and N e i l Anderson, both o f whom had been members o f the p r e c e d i n g Lodge No. 206. Having made the d e c i s i o n t o p e t i t i o n f o r a lodge s e c r a t e d i n G o s f o r d , much p l a n n i n g and o r g a n i s i n g undertaken.

t o be conhad t o be

They managed t o secure a p l a c e of t h e i r own f o r t h e i r meetings thanks t o the f o u n d a t i o n Immediate Past M a s t e r , who was none other than the l a s t Master of the p r e c e d i n g Lodge, W.B. James Kibble. In 1889, he had a c q u i r e d the two a l l o t m e n t s Nos. 1 and 4 of S e c t i o n 31 i n the h e a r t of the v i l l a g e of G o s f o r d , b e t t e r known nowadays as K i b b l e P a r k . In May 1913, he bought that p a r t of a l l o t m e n t 3 o f S e c t i o n 29 from K a t h l e e n Barry that had o r i g i n a l l y been granted to W i l l i a m Warns l e y , which runs along Beane S t r e e t from the c o r n e r of Mann S t r e e t f a c i n g what i s now the Packing House s i t e and o p p o s i t e the r a i l w a y Goods Yard.

See

' ROSES

IN DECEMBER' by George Anderson WALPOLE.

136

There i s now a b u i l d i n g used on the s i t e .

firm

Engineering

consultants

When steps were made to found the new lodge W.B. Kibble offered to b u i l d on h i s land on the c o r n e r of Beane and Mann Streets, a s t r u c t u r e to be used as a masonic temple. Kibble's policy was to a c q u i r e land i n the township and build cheap cottages for r e n t a l . He t h e r e f o r e b u i l t a weatherboard s t r u c t u r e on t h a t c o r n e r , of rather large size, the internal partitions were o m i t t e d , the windows, p r o v i d e d i n the frame, were boarded over and the c a v i t y between studs was filled by sawdust to insulate the building and a l s o make i t soundproof. On the adjacent a l l o t m e n t , a small c o t t a g e was a l s o b u i l t to be used as a p l a c e to meet a f t e r w a r d s for some c o n v i v i a l i t y . The room was about 12 f e e t wide, which served as an overcrowded supper room, w i t h a blue c u r t a i n drawn a c r o s s to d i v i d e the south from the k i t c h e n and i t s f u e l s t o v e . Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 was c o n s e c r a t e d on September 29, 1917 by R t . Wor. B r o . W.T. Wearne, Deputy Grand M a s t e r . The whole of the f u r n i t u r e , C o l l a r s , e t c . , were donated by the brethren. The f o u n d a t i o n Master was Wor. Bro. of the Boys' Home at Mount Penang.

F.A.

Stayner,

B r o s . S t a y n e r , Wood, Walpole and Topple were in team of O f f i c e r s of the Lodge, as was B r o . Walter o r g a n i s t f o r a number of y e a r s .

Superintendent

the original Glass, lodge

The f i r s t ten years of the lodge was spent t h e r e u n t i l the growth i n membership made i t an over cramped p l a c e , most u n c o m f o r t a b l e . T h i s was, as an o l d mason s t a t e d , and i n summer as hot as h e l l . "

" i n winter

cold

charity

Of the e a r l y members whose names are still remembered are Dr. J.H. PAUL, son-in-law of Sidney FIELDER, A.C. HOBBS, the t a i l o r , J.W. STERLAND, plumber, Aldo GHERSI, AGGETT the livery stable p r o p r i e t o r , Henry G r i f f i t h PARRY of the d r i v e fame, the BUSCOMBEs, the r e s t of the STERLANDs, the BURRONE B r o s . and George MARGIN, George Anderson WALPOLE p h y s i c a l e d u c a t i o n teacher at the Farm f o r Boys (Mount Penang) e t c . . . This time the membership kept growing f o r y e a r s . They were 28 i n December 1917, 54 by the end of 1918, 73 i n 1919, near a hundred the f o l l o w i n g year and the t a l l y kept mounting at that p a c e . The lodge never looked back from then on.

137

As lodge membership grew i t became e v i d e n t that b e t t e r and l a r g e r premises were n e c e s s a r y , the o r i g i n a l b u i l d i n g had become exceedingl y too s m a l l . Steps had to be t a k e n . I t happened t h a t i n 1901 a new s u b d i v i s i o n had been made i n the c e n t r e of the township: "Clark's Paddock" on the other side of W i l l i a m S t r e e t f a c i n g " A l i s o n ' s Paddock" now K i b b l e P a r k . T h i s g i v e s us an idea of the town i n the e a r l y 1920's. Small shops l i n e d both s i d e s of Mann S t r e e t which were a l s o used as d w e l l i n g s , t h e r e were large empty spaces where Stocklands and Woolworth's Supermarket now stand. When a l l o t m e n t s 2 and 3 of S e c t i o n 31 - " C l a r k ' s Paddock", which had been used f o r a c r i c k e t f i e l d - was being subdivided and put up f o r s a l e , f a r s i g h t e d pioneers of the lodge purchased a b l o c k of land i n W i l l i a m S t r e e t f o r £ 3 0 0 i n 1923. They were Cobbett of Woy Woy, Fred Stayner and Dr James P a u l . About the same time B r o . George Margin bought the a d j o i n i n g l o t 8 to e s t a b l i s h his soft drink f a c t o r y . They were long l e v e l b l o c k s w i t h a narrow f r o n t a g e on William S t r e e t , they were o r i e n t e d n o r t h - s o u t h . I d e a l l y a temple should extend from east to west. A f t e r an arrangement w i t h t h e i r neighbour, B r o . Margin agreed to exchange the front portion of his b l o c k f o r the back p o r t i o n of the lodge b l o c k of l a n d . He intended to b u i l d a s o f t d r i n k f a c t o r y and was not concerned i f the land was f r o n t a g e or back p o r t i o n . He was a l s o g i v e n a r i g h t of way access on the s i d e . The

temple c o u l d then be b u i l t

The problem of a s u i t a b l e b u i l d on the l a n d .

east-west!

site

was

resolved,

the

was

Estimates were o b t a i n e d of the costs of a suitable building, i t was £ 3 , 3 0 0 . There was o n l y £ 3 0 0 i n the bank and a b l o c k of land. The bank s i g n i f i e d i t s w i l l i n g n e s s to a s s i s t , providing the lodge c o u l d r a i s e another £ 5 0 0 i n c a s h . A f t e r meetings to d i s c u s s the matter a f i n a l d e c i s i o n to r a i s e £ 5 0 0 by a debenture system was agreed t o , n o n - i n t e r e s t b e a r i n g and to be repayable i f and when the bank o v e r d r a f t was l i q u i d a t e d or upon the death of the h o l d e r . Wor. B r o . Walpole and o t h e r s canvassed the members and w i t h i n t h r e e weeks came to the lodge meeting s a y i n g the necessary money had been r a i s e d . The b u i l d i n g had to be a two storey structure.

138

The membership was large and the building work commenced. The b u i l d e r , Buscombe, was a Mason.* One year afterwards, the brethren marched proudly up Mann Street from the old wooden structure to the new Masonic Temple i n the heart of Gosford where i t has stood ever since. A v i s i t to Lodge RISING SUN 311. V. Wor. Bro. E. Tingle was D.G.I.W. i n 1917. He reported that on September 29th he v i s i t e d Gosford and had the honour of assisting at the dedication of Lodge RISING SUN, acting as G. Chaplain. ' The D.G.M. conducted this ceremony and a f t e r wards i n s t a l led Wor. Bro. F. A. Stayner as the f i r s t W.M. in the presence of 77 brethren. The v i s i t o r s were splendidly entertained i n the South, and also enjoyed a launch t r i p on the f o l lowing day. The new lodge had an excel lent start. Its business papers f o r the f i r s t two months show 16 b a l l o t s , so they should not lack material, and under the experienced guidance of Wor. Bro. Stayner and Wor. Bro. Cobbett (secretary) w i l l I think f u l l y j u s t i f y the granting of the charter. For the information of the D i s t r i c t I wish i t known that the lodge meet on the Tuesday on or before F.M. ( F u l l Moon).'

George Walpole was the Master of the Lodge when i t moved into i t s new Temple. This was quite appropriate as he had taken such an active role i n arranging finance f o r the bulIding of the new Temple. The outstanding debts were paid i n good time, and from then on the fate of Lodge RISING SUN for years to come was safely assured. In 1947, the membership was so large that when the o f f i c e r s were nominated, seven names were i n the ballot f o r the o f f i c e of outer guard, the f i r s t step to Mastership. It was time for the creation of a new Lodge. After much soulsearching , Lodge RISING SUN proceeded to sponsor a p e t i t i o n for the creation of a new Lodge to be ca 1 led Lodge GOSFORD. Many Foundation Members were also members of RISING SUN, as were most Foundation O f f i c e r s . *

The G o s f o r d

Times, Thursday,

May 5,

1927:

'The tender of Mr. W. A. Buscombe has been accepted f o r the erection of the new Masonic Temple at Gosford. The Temple, which w i l l be a handsome and subs t a n t i a l buiIding, wi 11 occupy a s i t e in William Street.' [Walter Albert SUN.]

BUSCOMBE, b u i l d e r , born

1886,

was

a member

of Lodge

RISING

139

It was a propitious time when candidates knocked i n droves at the door of the Temple to be admitted. The Masonic Ball was the social event of the year. The l i s t of members of the Lodge was the 'Who's Who' of the d i s t r i c t . The times have changed. Many associations vie for the interest of candidates. Rising Sun i s going through a period of membership reduction. Unlike other brethren i n 1899, we must be convinced that we must forge ahead and keep up the s p i r i t : Lodge RISING SUN i s not to surrender i t s charter.

The Masters of the Lodge for i t s f i r s t ten years were:-

1917

James KIBBLE Fred STAYNER

1918

Stephen DWYER

1919 1920 1921

A. M. DAVIS M. STAFFORD David JENKINS

1922

Herbert WOOD

1923 1924

A. C. HOBBS * H. G. WHITE

1925 1926

Charley HILLS George A. WALPOLE

Immediate Past Master. Blacksmith and Lodge Landlord. Foundation Master. Superintendent of Farm for Boys (Kariong, Mt Penang), Station Master, Gosford. Teacher, Woodport. Dentist, Gosford. Superintendent, V i t i c u l t u r e Nursery, Narara. Probation O f f i c e r , Farm for Boys, Kariong. T a i l o r , Gosford. Superintendent, V i t i c u l t u r e Nursery, Narara. Bank Manager, Gosford. Teacher, Woodport.

Alfred Cecil HOBBS, from the f i r s t group of i n i t i a t e s , was the f i r s t to

be admitted to the Lodge Room f o r i n i t i a t i o n . was already i n s i d e .

A. J . HOBBS, foundation member,

141

Let all Freemasons unite and meet the challenge of the future

Lodge Morning Star No. 410, U.G.L, of N.S.W. Wor. Bro. P. F. B g C K 8 Pemwerth Close, Wyoming 2250 Phone: 23-4162 Bro. A. F. GILROY 2 Azalea Avenue, Woy Woy 2256 Phone: 42-3660 Bro. P. MURPHY 8 Range Road, North Gosford 2250 Phone: 25-1279 Bro Dear Sir and Brother, You are requested to attend the REGULAR MEETING of the Lodge, to be held in the Masonic Hall, Woy Woy on MONDAY, 27th JULY, 1992 at 7.00 p.m.

NOTE CHANGE OF TIME P.O. Box 99, Woy Woy, 2256 Phone: 41-9492

Wor. Bro. L. DOUGHTY Secretary 00

Dues for Dues in Arrears

' PAY THIS AMOUNT

Dues in Advance

Credit now Is

'^JJJJJJAAAAAAAAAAAAkkkkkKkk.

143

Lodge MORNING STAR - TEMPERANCE

No. 410

FOUNDED:

4 F e b r u a r y 1922

PLACE OF MEETING:

Railway Street Woy Woy 2256 O p p o s i t e bus t e r m i n a l

DATE OF MEETING:

4th

Monday - M o n t h l y

INSTALLATION:

3rd

Saturday

RISING

i n March

SUN and MORNING STAR

The Names o f o u r E a r l y

Lodges

The S u n a n d t h e S t a r s a r e v e r y important i n their Masonic symbolic meanings. Symbolically the Rising Sun r e p r e s e n t s the Master o f t h e Lodge; as t h e Sun i s r i s i n g i t opens and governs t h e d a y , so t h e M a s t e r i s t a u g h t t o open and g o v e r n h i s l o d g e w i t h t h e same r e g u l a r i t y a n d p r e c i s i o n . The R i s i n g S u n a n d t h e M o r n i n g S t a r h a d s p e c i a l m e a n i n g s w i t h r e s p e c t t o a n c i e n t myths, and t h e i r import has been t r a n s m i t t e d to us t h r o u g h t h e i n i t i a t i c s c h o o l s o f t h e a n c i e n t s . Their s y m b o l i c meanings have been f u l l y s t u d i e d and d e v e l o p e d elsew h e r e , b u t new e x p l a n a t i o n s a l w a y s a r e o f f e r e d . I n t h e case of two a n c i e n t l o d g e s o f t h e G o s f o r d District, I am h a p p y t o r e p o r t a n i n g e n i o u s t a l e t h a t was o f f e r e d t o me b y a n o l d M a s t e r o f o u r l o d g e one e v e n i n g a t a f r a t e r n a l v i s i t , w h i l s t w a i t i n g i n t h e a n t e r o o m t o be i n v i t e d t o p a s s t h e p o r t a l . Lodge WYONG was f o u n d e d i n 1906 a n d f o r a g o o d t e n y e a r s was the o n l y lodge i n t h e d i s t r i c t . The b r e t h r e n o f G o s f o r d a n d Woy Woy, l e f t w i t h o u t a l o d g e s i n c e t h e s u r r e n d e r o f t h e f i r s t lodge's w a r r a n t i n 1900, had t o t r a v e l t o o u r n o r t h e r l y sisterlodge t o a t t e n d Masonic meetings and p a r t i c i p a t e i n r i t u a l i s t i c ceremonies. T r a v e l l i n g was t h e n b y h o r s e a n d c a r t o r b y b u g g i e s . The m e e t i n g c o n c l u d e d , t h e b r o t h e r l y a g a p e s o v e r , after many t a l e s a n d many y a r n s , t h e y f o u n d i t h a r d t o l e a v e a n d f a c e a n o t h e r l o n g a n d t e d i o u s r e t u r n j o u r n e y home. Many u s e d t o postpone t h e time o f d e p a r t u r e f o r as l o n g as p o s s i b l e .

144

The members o f L o d g e MORNING STAR d e c i d e d t h a t t h e l o d g e s h o u l d buy t h e i r own b l o c k o f l a n d on w h i c h t o b u i l d a p r o p e r T e m p l e . C o i n c i d e n t a l l y , BRISBANE WATER R o y a l A r c h C h a p t e r - a l s o m e e t i n g i n Woy Woy - h a d t h e same i d e a . The l o d g e p u r s u e d t h e i r p r o j e c t . In July 1922, a suitable a l l o t m e n t was f o u n d i n Blackwall Road, a deposit was paid i n F e b r u a r y 1 9 2 3 , a n d i n May i t was p r o p o s e d to investigate the means t o b u i l d o n t h a t l a n d . A c o m m i t t e e was s e t up i n J u l y 1925 t o d i s c u s s t h e b u i l d i n g p r o b l e m a n d how t o p r o c e e d to i m p l e m e n t t h e r e s o l u t i o n o f b u i I d i n g t h e i r own t e m p l e . In t h e meantime, their b r e t h r e n of Chapter BRISBANE WATER, who h a d b e n e f i t e d f i n a n c i a l l y f r o m t h e d o n a t i o n o f l a n d , h a d been a b l e t o b u i l d t h e i r own p r e m i s e s which they completed i n March 1926. In L o d g e MORNING STAR a m o t i o n was p a s s e d i n F e b r u a r y 1926 t h a t i n v i e w o f t h e annoyance o f s e t t i n g up, d i s m a n t l i n g and s t o r i n g f u r n i t u r e monthly i n a h a l l , a more suitable place to meet s h o u l d be f o u n d . They o b v i o u s l y h a d t h e C h a p t e r T e m p l e , j u s t c o m p l e t e d i n R a i I w a y S t r e e t , Woy Woy, i n m i n d . Arrangements were a g r e e d upon between t h e Lodge and t h e C h a p t e r , a n d L o d g e MORNING STAR met t h e r e f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e i n a p r o p e r Masonic b u i l d i n g f o r t h e i r m e e t i n g I n September 1926. However, t h e y s t i l l h a d t o d e c i d e w h a t t o do w i t h t h e a l l o t m e n t they had bought i n B l a c k w a l l Road. A new c o m m i t t e e was f o r m e d i n J u n e 1927 t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f b u i l d i n g a t e m p l e a n d t o make recommendations on t h e m a t t e r . The r e p o r t , i n J u l y 1 9 3 4 , recommended that the l a n d be s o l d . The a r r a n g e m e n t of meeting i n the Chapter room was h i g h l y s a t i s f a c t o r y . On 27 A u g u s t 1934 a m o t i o n was c a r r i e d t h a t L o t 6 8 , D.P. 6774 be o f f e r e d f o r s a l e . The l a n d was s t i l l on t h e m a r k e t one y e a r l a t e r , when t h e l o d g e was i n v i t e d t o pay a proportion of t h e c o s t o f k e r b l n g and g u t t e r i n g t h e f r o n t a g e , w h i c h had b e e n c o m p l e t e d , t h e c o s t b e i n g £4.13.4. In 1940 t h e l a n d was v a l u e d a t £96. I n December p r i c e o f £125 was p u t o n t h e l a n d , w h i c h was s o l d l a t e r f o r £125 t o M i s s R e a r d o n . L o d g e MORNING since.

STAR

has

been

meeting

i n that

a reserve s i x months

building

ever

145

The Woy Woy b r e t h r e n , h a v i n g t o t r a v e l f u r t h e r , u s u a l l y left first. A f t e r a long and weary drive they u s u a l l y managed t o r e a c h t h e i r homes i n t h e l a s t h o u r s o f t h e n i g h t when t h e Morning Star could still be seen twinkling brightly before t h e f i r s t f a i n t l i g h t o f dawn made i t p a l e a n d d i s a p p e a r . Their Gosford brethren, having a l i t t l e l e s s distance t o t r a v e l , o r h a v i n g more t a l l t a l e s t o t e l l o r g o s s i p t o r e p o r t , c o n f i d e n t o f t h e i r a b i l i t y t o make g o o d b y s p e e d t h e time they were u s i n g i n s t o r i e s , o f t e n l e f t t o o l a t e , and o n l y reached their g o a l a s t h e s u n was r i s i n g . H e n c e t h e names c h o s e n when t h e t i m e came t o name t h e i r

lodges!

It i s o b v i o u s t h a t t h e e x p l a n a t i o n o f how t h e t i t l e s o f o u r l o d g e s came a b o u t a n d w e r e c h o s e n was a p o c r y p h a l , b u t a s i n the matter o f symbols, coincidences are usually fortunate relations between disconnected events that appear full of m e a n i n g i f one l o o k s a f t e r them w i t h some i n g e n u i t y .

[ F r o m W. M. B r o . J i m C o p p i n ]

LODGE MORNING STAR:

LOOKING FOR PREMISES

F i n d i n g a s u i t a b l e and permanent p l a c e o f meeting i s always a d i f f i c u l t problem f o r any a s s o c i a t i o n . I t i s a particularly hard problem t o solve f o r Masonic a s s o c i a t i o n s : here i t i s more t h a n p r o v i d i n g s u f f i c i e n t s e a t i n g a c c o m m o d a t i o n a s L o d g e s and C h a p t e r s h a v e s p e c i a l i s e d n e e d s , v i z : - s e c l u s i o n f o r t h e l o d g e room w h i c h i s u s u a l l y p l a c e d on a second floor with h i g h windows f o r p r i v a c y , and sound p r o o f i n g . They n e e d l a r g e anterooms where v i s i t o r s c a n w a i t i n c o m f o r t until they a r e admitted. The l o d g e s a n d c h a p t e r s a l s o need ample storage f o r t h e i r r e g a l i a s , a n d t h e l o d g e room i s u s u a l l y s e t up p e r m a n e n t l y w i t h t h e i r f u r n i t u r e , l i g h t s and d r a p e r i e s . Meeting i n a h a l l i m p l i e s t h e need to bring paraphernalia, setting up a n d d i s m a n t l i n g , removing and s t o r i n g e v e r y t h i n g monthly - a daunting undertaking. M e e t i n g s o f L o d g e MORNING STAR w e r e held i n a church a t Woy Woy: f i r s t l y at the Presbyterian Mission Hall, l a t e r i n t h e Church o f England h a l l .

hall then

146

Members o f L o d g e MORNING STAR TEMPERANCE p r e s e n t w. B r o . w. B r o . w. B r o . Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro.

J.A. STAFFORD W. PERKINS J.W. STONE D.K. STEWART E.S. COLLEY W. M I L L E R F.R. A U S T I N C . J . STAPLES A. McCALLUM

Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro.

A.C. BERRY A.S. WILSON T.E. WARBURTON W.J. CARPENTER J . S . STEVENSON H. GLOVER F.C. WARMOLL M. THOMPSON W.H. BROOKER

The f o l l o w i n g v i s i t o r s w e r e p r e s e n t : [/ke number, of. thoAJi lodg.e. IA 4hown la (311)

N.E. HARRIS T . J . AGGETT G.H. WALPOLE B. TOPPLE F. JACKSON W. WILKINSON G. STEPHENS C . J . FENTON A.C. HOBBS V.A. VASEY H.G. WHITE D.E. MOBBS C.F. HOWARD J . STAFF H.G. PARRY T. HUDSON R. G R I F F I T H S ( 1 8 5 ) J . SHAKESPEARE ( 8 2 ) G.M. WILLIAMS ( 4 9 ) T.W. GEORGE ( 1 1 4 ) S.S. MORRIS ( 9 6 ) N. HAYWARD ( 2 6 9 ) H.M. ALCHIN ( 2 3 5 ) J.D. A S K I N ( 7 1 ) G.G. BEVEL

[eyoUacted

MlAto/ilcal

fjiom

'Re.coA.d

(183) (310) (251) (78) (169) (247)

(262) (10) (284) (168) (266) (136) (399) (182)

(21) (75) (71)

Lodg.a

immNQ

of 50 y,e.aA.4.

were:

b/Lacke±4. ]

P. FINCHER F.H. THRIFT G.W. GREEN W.V. BOARDMAN W.M. STEINBECK A.E. WOODFORD J.H. BRYANT G . J . DODD W.S. MORGAN F.S. AUSTIN W. CLARK T. ERASER J . CHILD R. HAISLETT J . CARRINGTON POPE W. YATES P.W.M. GROOM A.T. JONES H. NICHOLSON W.E. FREEMANTLE A.M. CUNNINGHAM C.E. RETFORD R.M. DUNBAN T.S, JONES A.W. HELSTROM W. MORRIS

ST AH,

No.

U10

1922 - 1972. ]

U.Q.L

N.S.W.

147

EXTRACTS FROM THE

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF NEW

SOUTH WALES.

R e p o r t o f t h e d e d i c a t i o n o f L o d g e MORNING STAR a n d t h e I n s t a l l a t i o n of i t s f i r s t Master appeared i n t h e P r o c e e d i n g s o f Grand Lodge on t h e 8 M a r c h 1 9 2 2 , d a t e d 11 F e b r u a r y , u n d e r t h e name o f S.F. DWYER D.G.I.W. o f 2A D i s t r i c t . S t e p h e n F. Dwyer, S t a t i o n M a s t e r o f G o s f o r d , was F o u n d a t i o n W a r d e n o f R I S I N G SUN i n 1917 a n d i t s s e c o n d Wor. M a s t e r .

Senior

G o s f o r d , 1 1 t h F e b r u a r y , 1922 The

M.W.

t h e Grand

Master.

D e a r S i r a n d M o s t Wor. B r o . , I d e s i r e t o r e p o r t i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h y o u r command I v i s i t e d Woy Woy o n 4 t h i n s t a n t , a n d d e d i c a t e d L o d g e M o r n i n g S t a r , No. 4 1 0 , a n d i n s t a l l e d Wor. B r o . J . A l e x . S t a f f o r d a s f i r s t Master. I had t h e v a l u e d a s s i s t a n c e o f t h e P a s t M a s t e r s o f Lodge R i s i n g Sun - Wor. B r o . A.M. D a v i e s a s S.W., Wor. B r o . D. J e n k i n s a s J.W., Wor. B r o . F.A. S t a y n e r a s C h a p l a i n , Wor. B r o . A . S . J o s e p h s o n a s D.C., Wor. B r o . W. W i l k i n s o n a s S.D., Wor. B r o . H.H. M u i r as J . D . , Wor. B r o . S.W. Cobbett a s S e c r e t a r y , Wor. B r o . H.G. S t o y l e s a s I.G., B r o . W.G. G l a s s a s O r g a n i s t . The O f f i c e r s a r e p r o v i n g t o be most enthusiastic, of t h e i r h a n d i w o r k a r e n o t i c e a b l e i n t h e Temple.

and

A b o u t 70 B r e t h r e n w e r e p r e s e n t and were at t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e Ceremony.

entertained

handsomely

traces

The Wor. M a s t e r d e s i r e d me t o c o n v e y t h e t h a n k s o f t h e B r e t h r e n i n b e i n g g r a n t e d a C h a r t e r , and expressed t h e i r l o y a l t y t o y o u r s e l f and G r a n d L o d g e . I a p p r e c i a t e t h e h o n o u r c o n f e r r e d On me p l e a s i n g and important f u n c t i o n . I

as your

am f r a t e r n a l l y S.F.

Deputy

yours.

DWYER, D.G.I.W.,

2A D i s t .

this

148

FROM LOCAL NEWSPAPER The G o s f o r d T i m e s .

The I n s t a l l a t i o n s o f l o c a l l o d g e s were u s u a l l y reported l o c a l papers: t h i s i s t h e announcement which appeared o c c a s i o n o f L o d g e MORNING S T A R ' S second- I n s t a l l a t i o n .

i n the at the

1 F e b r u a r y 1923. MASONIC

INSTALLATION.

The annual Installation of Officers i n connection with Lodge M o r n i n g S t a r , No. 4 1 0 , t o o k p l a c e o n Monday e v e n i n g last, Wor. Bro. S t a f f o r d a c t i n g as I n s t a l l i n g Master. The office-bearers f o r 1923-1924 a r e : Wor. M a s t e r , Wor. B r o . S. M c S m i t h ; I.P.M., Wor. B r o . J . A . S t a f f o r d ; S e n i o r W a r d e n , B r o . E. C o l l e y ; Junior W a r d e n , B r o . W. M i l l e r ; C h a p l a i n , B r o . W.H. Bassan; T r e a s u r e r , Bro. A. M c C a l l u m ; Secretary, B r o . E.L. Aubrey; Senior Deacon, Bro. A.S. W i l s o n ; J u n i o r D e a c o n , B r o . J.D. S t e v e n s o n ; Organist, Bro. H. G l o v e r ; I n n e r G u a r d , B r o . T. W a r b u r t o n ; Senior Steward, B r o . H.C. M a r g i n ; S t e w a r d s , B r o . G. B e a t t i e , B r o . C. Swinbourne, B r o . H. B r o o k e r , B r o . G. H e w e t t ; T y l e r , B r o . G. M a l c o l m ; Auditors, B r o . F.C. W a r m o l l , M r . Max T h o m p s o n .

LIST Wor. B r o . Wor. B r o . Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro.

OF FOUNDATION MEMBERS.

J.A. STAFFORD W. PERKINS D.K. STEWART C . J . STAPLES A.C. BERRY F.R. A U S T I N H. GLOVER W.J. CARPENTER W.S. BROOKER F.C. WARMOLL

Wor. B r o . Wor. B r o . Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro.

S. MacSMITH J.W. STONE E.S. COLLEY A. McCALLUM W. M I L L E R A.W. WILSON J.D. STEVENSON T.E. WARBURTON C . J . ALCHIN Max THOMSON

I ttLA IA p/iobably a AuJjtab'ie. place to yiecon.d the nameA of. thoAe wko aJ±en.ded the DedicatLoa Cejiemony of Lodg.e hORNONC, STAR TEJ^fOlANCL, No. k10, on the liegA^teJi of the U.Q.L of N.S.W. /^embeyi^ of Lodg,e lUSSNQ SUN coMjiying, out the Dedtoatl-orL: V.W. B r o . S.F. DWYER, D.G.I.W., D i s t r i c t 2A, a s s i s t e d b y W. B r o . A.M. DAVIES W. B r o . A.N. MUIR W. B r o . D. J E N K I N S W. B r o . S.G. COBBETT W. B r o . F.A. STAYNER W. B r o . H.G. STOYLES W. B r o . A.S. JOSEPHSON B r o . W.G. GLASS W. B r o . W. WILKINSON

149

GEORGE WALPOLE REMEMBERS THE

V I S I T S TO

MORNING STAR.

MORNING STAR i s a d a u g h t e r L o d g e f r o m R I S I N G SUN. This was a d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e r e s o l v e we h a d t o establish Masonry in the d e v e l o p i n g c e n t r e s around G o s f o r d . When I was an officer in R.S. we w e n t o v e r q u i t e a number o f t i m e s t o a s s i s t t h e m i n t h e i r w o r k s , a n d e x c h a n g e v i s i t s o f c o u r s e , a n d i t was d u r i n g one of our v i s i t s the Incident occurred of the chap having a swim. T h e r e was no way o f g e t t i n g a r o u n d by r o a d , y o u h a d to go by launch. When i t was a warm n i g h t w i t h a moon I t was a lovely t r i p o u t , a n d t h e y u s e d t o come up h e r e . T h e r e was a man l i v i n g t h e r e , an e n g i n e e r who had a v e r y special type of boat w i t h a c o n t r a p t i o n at the back like a propeller o r a t u r b i n e t h a t moved i t . I t was a v e r y s p e c i a l t y p e o f l a u n c h . Anyhow, t h a t man was a very keen Royal Arch man and he built a T e m p l e , o r made f u n d s a v a i l a b l e f o r t h e building of a R.A. Temple. I t h i n k he r e c e i v e d i n t e r e s t on h i s money a n d when he d i e d he l e f t i t i n h i s w i l l t o t h e L o d g e , so t h e y g a i n e d their Hall. T h e y w e r e a n i c e c r o w d a n d we t h o r o u g h l y enjoyed our t r i p down there to t h e i r meetings. When we t a l k o f m i l e s i n t h o s e days p e o p l e do n o t u n d e r s t a n d - i t meant t o d r i v e a p a i r of ponies a l o n g a t , s a y , f o u r m i l e s an h o u r w h i c h i s a f a i r l y good bat! T h a t means a b o u t t e n h o u r s on t h e r o a d w h i c h i s a b i t o f a strain f o r a man t o come w i t h a p a i r o f p o n i e s . You a r e a s k i n g us t o u n l o c k o u r b a c k m e m o r i e s and things long f o r g o t t e n , not r e a l l y f o r g o t t e n but s t o r e d up here somewhere. T h i n g s seem t o jump o v e r a n d t h e y g e t a b i t m i x e d up. In 1922 t h e b r e t h r e n , - t h o s e c o m i n g f r o m t h e Woy Woy a n y r a t e , - t h o u g h t , w i s e l y , t h a t i t was time a g a i n to a t Woy Woy w h a t h a d b e e n p e r f o r m e d a t G o s f o r d i n 1917.

area at duplicate

The n e c e s s a r y s t e p s w e r e t a k e n , w h i c h b e l o n g t o t h e History t h e New L o d g e , t o c r e a t e a new m a s o n i c n u c l e u s a t Woy Woy.

Ot IA, J think, suitable, to /lemind the. /lead&n. that the acceA/i /Load between. QoAfonjd and Woy, Woy UIOA by way of. KoAMoirg, and the mountain, /itJJJ. a tong. tjiLp by ho/i^e and bug.g.y. AJMxough the mo to A cxjui ujoA faijity common in thoAc day^ tt UIOA not a g.enen.aJ. meanA of tM.an4pon.tati.on and mo4t, - eApecixLLiy in the otden. g.eneM.atlon, - kept /Lelying. on the old bug.g.y and faithful ho/LAe AyAtem ujhlch waA much mo/Le sellable than the enjiati-c and expenAlve new fangled mechanical contyiaptlon. AIAO the /toad LUOA not only difficult: but hardly mo/LC than a buAh tjiack. Moto/iing, ivaA not Aafe eJitheA. a t night tvlth the lantern on. the canblde lampA with which mo At modelA wejie equipped at the tAme. [ The coaAt no ad thnough folnt Clane and Koolewong WOA not built until 1927. ]

150

Woy Woy b r e t h r e n w e r e f u l l y justified i n desiring Home L o d g e a n d w i l l i n g t o do t h e i r own t h i n g !

start

I do n o t know what j o y t h e f e e l i n g a t t h e p r o s p e c t o f s p l i t t i n g t h e new L o d g e c a u s e d b u t I t h i n k t h a t t h e y must h a v e b e e n g o o d . T h e r e was a l l r e a s o n s t o t a k e t h e s t e p a n d we do n o t h a v e a n y echo o f t h e p a s t t o s a y t h a t any d i s a g r e e m e n t s a r o s e . Lodge. mCfRNWg STM TEmfCMNCE LUOA fomiad and coruiecjiaÂąad on k h eb/iuany, 1922. Tke. CeA.emony. took place In the f/ie-<ibyj:ejii.an Chiuich. Tkeyie weM.& 20 foundation membeAA on the official HAI. F/iom. thoAe wonthy. b/iethnen no leAA than nine nameA aze of membeyiA fjiom WSONCj SUN, OA fan. OA J can aAcejitaln fjiom the UAIA in my poAAeAAlon. The foundation ZâAteA. 1A ôkn Alexander. STAFFCMD, dentlAt fytom QoAfo/id. A foundation membcn No. 3 of îHSJNQ SUN and MaAtejL of tkat Lodge fo/i the yeojiA 1920-1921. Me muAt have been a veA.y buAy man. and that. IA ex.actly what Aome of hlA contompo/LOTLleA, who /lemembcA. him well, have Atated. He waA IntejieAted in evejiyJhljvg cl.vlc and political and had a tendency to neglect hlA p/iactlce a little. From t h e n o n MORNING STAR was o n i t s own, t h e new L o d g e h a d a g o o d s t a r t , a l b e i t w i t h o u g h a T e m p l e o f i t s own y e t . Relations h a v e a l w a y s b e e n v e r y g o o d b e t w e e n them a n d R I S I N G SUN 3 1 1 , a t l e a s t a r e v e r y g o o d now a n d t h e r e i s no r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e t h a t they have n o t always been so i n t h e p a s t . We a r e n o t a w a r e o f any i n s t a n c e o f r i v a l r y o r c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n them. E a c h was c a t e r i n g f o r a w e l l determined g e o g r a p h i c a l area and there c o u l d n o t be any c o n f l i c t o r a r g u m e n t a b o u t who s h o u l d j o i n w h i c h a n d w h e r e . Many b r e t h r e n f r o m G o s f o r d w e r e f r e e t o j o i n t h e L o d g e a t Woy Woy a n d many d i d s o , o r v i c e v e r s a . THE NIGHT THE GRAND LODGE WENT FOR A SWIM. A V i s i t t o L o d g e MORNING STAR. Did for

I tell a swim?

you the story

about

the night

that

Grand

I do n o t remember t h e p r e c i s e d a t e b u t y o u c a n w o r k yourself. I t was s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e Woy Woy L o d g e was and we went b y l a u n c h f r o m G o s f o r d t o w o r k o u t some them, t h a t n i g h t was n o t a n i g h t o n o r n e a r e s t t h e

Lodge

went

i tout f o r established degrees f o r full moon.

I t was d a r k , h o t a n d s u l t r y , t h e r e was no e l e c t r i c s t r e e t lamps then. Some k e r o s e n e l i g h t s a t a f e w c o r n e r s t r e e t s , t h a t ' s a l l ! A f t e r t h e m e e t i n g was o v e r we p r o c e e d e d t o w a r d t h e w h a r f , w i t h us was a G r a n d L o d g e c h a p , who l i v e d a t G r e e n P o i n t . Now, t h i n k of i t , I t h i n k i t was C o b b e t t o f G r e e n P o i n t , y e s h e was V e r y Worshipful Brother Cobbett.

151

I n t h e d a r k n e s s t h e w a t e r was l i k e a deep p o o l of black i n k , t h e r e was no r e f l e c t i o n o n t h e s u r f a c e . T h e a i r was s t i l l , one c o u l d n o t s e e a t h i n g a h e a d . . . s o much s o t h a t , w i t h a splash, t h e G r a n d L o d g e , who was s t r u t t i n g i n f r o n t , w e n t o v e r w i t h h i s bag a d a l l . . . The man find over

t i d e was l o w , t h e f a l l was a b o u t a n e i g h t f e e t drop, that completely disappeared. C o u l d h e swim? We h a d no t i m e t o out! A p o l i c e m a n was t h e r e , n o t f r o m o u r g r o u p , h e jumped t o s e e i f he c o u l d h e l p .

I w e n t down o n my k n e e s t o e x t e n d t h e r i g h t h a n d o f f e l l o w s h i p . I remember t h e w a t e r was l i k e p h o s p h o r e s c e n t , i t was e e r i e t o make o u t t h o s e t w o c h a p s s l o s h i n g a n d g u r g l i n g down b e l o w . I am o n t h e t a l l s i d e , b u t s t i l l t w o f e e t t o o s h o r t . W i t h us were two b r o t h e r s , o n e B i l l , a b o u t s i x f e e t four, nearly as broad, and s t r o n g . . . w i t h arms a n d l e g s l i k e o a k l i m b s ! He a s k e d me: " G e o r g e c a n y o u r e a c h t h e m ? " - "A c o u p l e o f f e e t s h o r t ! " - "Hang on h e s a i d . " He g r a b b e d me b y my a n k l e s a n d c h u c k e d me o v e r . The the

chaps were h a u l e d back on t o t h e wharf i n t h i s r e a l M.M.'s g r i p , a n d t h e y d i d n o t s l i p e i t h e r !

manner,

with

I n c a s e y o u i n d u l g e y o u r m i n d i n some u n k i n d thoughts about t h e circumstances and causes o f t h a t i n c i d e n t , w h i c h happened e x a c t l y as I r e p o r t i t , may I r e m i n d y o u t h a t t h e t i t l e o f t h e Lodge was "MORNING STAR TEMPERANCE" a n d i t f u l l y j u s t i f i e d i t . Ori W.M. B/io.

Q.A.

WalpoZe'A

own wo/icU.

MORNING STAR BRETHREN GOING BY FERRY TO R I S I N G SUN I N S T A L L A T I O N . Qouig. of- a

to Lodge meetxrig^ on the fejuiy. at ntght ha^wid aA Jiecalled by, AuAtln HutchinAon

He waA a netivuted AoldleA., and a oveA. tke feAM-y plying, then inside othejt Aide of the /laltway bnldge.

could be something, In hlA own wondA.

rnechanlc by tjiade. Woy Woy Bay, that

He on

took the

I w e n t down t o S y d n e y t o s i t f o r t h e e x a m i n a t i o n s . As f a r as t h e e n g i n e e r i n g was c o n c e r n e d I was a l r i g h t . But t o get the Coxswain L i c e n s e , you a r e supposed t o have t h r e e y e a r s experience. C a p t a i n P a g e s a i d t o me "What e x p e r i e n c e do y o u h a v e ? " - "The o n l y e x p e r i e n c e I have o f a b o a t ? " - I s a i d - " W e l l , I went t o E n g l a n d a n d b a c k o n a t r o o p - s h i p ! " - "Oh," - he s a i d - " y o u t o o k a t r o o p - s h i p t o England and back." A n d he g a v e me my ticket. O n l y t w i c e d i d I go t o G o s f o r d a t n i g h t ! One, t h a t was t h e f i r s t t i m e I e v e r went t o G o s f o r d , I had never driven that boat t o Gosford a t a l l , I d i d n ' t know t h e c h a n n e l s o r a n y damn thing.

152

I h a d t h o s e f e r r i e s o n l y a b o u t t h r e e m o n t h s when a man came t o t h e j e t t y one a f t e r n o o n a n d s a i d : "Look, c o u l d you t a k e a p a r t y to G o s f o r d on S a t u r d a y n i g h t , t o t h e Masonic Lodge?" - " I don't know" I s a i d , a n d h e a s k e d me "How much i s t h a t worth?" and I thought: J e e z , I d o n ' t e v e n know t h e c h a n n e l s ! - I forgot what I t o l d him, b u t he s a i d "That w i l l d o ! " T h e y w e r e e i t h e r 20 o r 25,* y o u s e e , g o i n g u p . Well, I picked them up a t a b o u t h a l f p a s t s i x a t n i g h t , i t was w i n t e r t i m e a n d p i t c h b l a c k , dark as h e l l . My f r i e n d was up f r o m S y d n e y , T e d d y Mills. We a l l g o t o n t h e f e r r y . I h a d a s p o t l i g h t , t h a t was l i k e a s e a r c h l i g h t , y o u c o u l d t u r n i t a n y way. I got a l lthe f e l l o w s o n b o a r d a n d away we w e n t . I g o t t o t h e b r i d g e a l r i g h t a n d T e d p i c k e d up a m a r k e r pole. I was d r i v i n g g o i n g t o G o s f o r d . I am l o o k i n g b e h i n d me a l l t h e time, t a k i n g b e a r i n g on t h e h i l l s . I w a n t e d t o f i n d my way c o m i n g back a g a i n , so I took t h e b e a r i n g s on t h e h i l l s a l l t h e way u p . W e l l , we g e t t o G o s f o r d a l r i g h t . I dump them, a n d T e d d y a n d I , we went t o t h e p i c t u r e s . [Solng. towoMjdA C/o/sfLowd. thejie. on the way bach to Woy Woy. ]

wejie.

Light-4

gitide.

them

but

none

When i t i s o v e r we p i c k them u p , a b o u t e l e v e n o ' c l o c k a t n i g h t , t o b r i n g them home. When c o m i n g home I l o o k e d o u t a l l t h e way t h r o u g h t h e w i n d o w a n d p i c k e d up a l l t h e l a n d m a r k s a l l t h e t i m e on t h e h i l l s . We g o t down u n d e r t h e b r i d g e a n d b a c k t o t h e j e t t y . The c h a p who e n g a g e d me t o go s a i d : " W e l l , b y g e e , y o u must know t h e c h a n n e l s t o G o s f o r d . That's the first time ever I go t o G o s f o r d b y n i g h t a n d b a c k a n d t h e b o a t d i d n ' t g e t s t u c k on a s a n d b a n k . " I t o l d h i m , " I have n e v e r been t o Gosford b e f o r e i n my l i f e ! " A n d h e s a i d "What!" And he n e a r l y fell off t h e j e t t y from shock. I t seems I m i s s e d a l l t h e s a n d banks.

Buti that

OA AuAtun Aoid, he kept to the tand mankA'. tf you keep to the Land MankA you cannjot matenlatty

Whtch AhowA ejut!

* One of them, I may remember his name, he was Stewart, he opened two grocery shops in Woy Woy, i f my memory i s right - he went with us. [Bro, D.K. Stewart - Foundation Member. MORNING STAR.]

153

70TH ANNIVERSARY

OF LODGE MORNING STAR

The year o f t h e Centenary o f Masonry i n our d i s t r i c t , 1992, i s a l s o t h e 7 0 t h A n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e f o u n d a t i o n o f Lodge MORNING STAR i n Woy Woy. J o h n v a n Dam, M a s t e r o f t h e L o d g e o n t h a t occasion, thought i t p r o p e r t o mark t h e o c c a s i o n b y c o m p l e t i n g a c o m m u n i t y p r o j e c t . I t was d e c i d e d t o p l a n t a row o f n a t i v e t r e e s . Accordingly, a f t e r c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e Parks and Gardens Department o f t h e C o u n c i l , a number o f B o t t l e Brushes were s u p p l i e d and s e v e n t y o f them w e r e p l a n t e d . The o c c a s i o n o f p l a n t i n g t h e l a s t o n e s was m a r k e d b y a c e r e m o n y which took place on S a t u r d a y , 29 F e b r u a r y 1992, a f t e r t h e Lodge m e e t i n g , t h e d a t e o f w h i c h was a l t e r e d f o r t h e o c c a s i o n . The l a s t t r e e was p l a n t e d by J o h n v a n Dam w i t h t h e a s s i s t a n c e o f R t . Wor. B r o . B i l l R i c h a r d s , P.G.J.W. , r e p r e s e n t i n g Grand Lodge, and D i r k O'Connor, Deputy Mayor. A v e r y c l o s e l o o k o u t must be k e p t o n t h e y o u n g p l a n t s , as v a n d a l s have u n f o r t u n a t e l y been p u l l i n g o u t o r o t h e r w i s e m u t i l a t i n g t h e t r e e s . Some h a v e h a d t o be r e p l a n t e d o r r e p l a c e d . I n a f e w y e a r s , when t h e r o w o f b o t t l e b l o o m , t h e p i c t u r e w i l l be a r r e s t i n g .

brushes

are

i n

full

LODGE MORNING STAR No. Past

1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956

410

Masters

Wor.Bro. S t a f f o r d Wor.Bro. McSmith Wor.Bro. C o l l e y Wor.Bro. J.E. Roxby Wor.Bro. W.S. Brooker Wor.Bro. J . Stevenson Wor.Bro. W. Bassan Wor.Bro. J.C. Clegg Wor.Bro. H. Schweinberg Wor.Bro. J . F r a n c i s Wor.Bro. C.E. A l l e n Wor.Bro. M.R. H a r r i s Wor.Bro. C.R. Tbew Wor.Bro. E.D. Smith Wor.Bro. W.T. Groves Wor.Bro. H.C. Margin Wor.Bro. R. F r a z e r Wor.Bro. W.J. B u l l i o n Wor.Bro. C.H. W i l l e s Wor.Bro. S.H. Pope Wor.Bro. J . Nunn Wor.Bro. E.G. H i c k s Wor.Bro. G.H. Gibson Wor.Bro. R.A. B r i t t l i f f Wor.Bro. B.L. P h i l l i p s Wor.Bro. M.A.T. J u r a t o w i t c h Wor.Bro. R.B. Wallwork Wor.Bro. J.H. Parks Wor.Bro, A.W. I r w i n Wor.Bro. L.N. Howell Wor.Bro. C.W. Power Wor.Bro. F.W. Paddison Wor.Bro, C.W. Burgess Wor.Bro. T.S. Thorsby Wor.Bro. A. Banks

1957 Wor.Bro. J.W. Walker 1958 Wor.Bro. M.H. Bond 1959 Wor.Bro. S.W. Dewbery 1960 Wor.Bro. D.F. S h i p l e y 1961 Wor.Bro. R.F. H u n t i n g t o n 1962 Wor.Bro. G.H. F l e m i n g 1963 Wor.Bro. H.G. Adams 1964 Wor.Bro. A . J . Manning 1965 Wor.Bro. J.S. Robinson 1966 Wor.Bro. J.S. Warrant 1967 Wor.Bro. J.S. Warrant 1968 Wor.Bro. W.H. R i c h a r d s 1969 Wor.Bro. R.T. Keane 1970 Wor.Bro. W.B. S t i l l 1971 Wor.Bro. W.H. R i c h a r d s 1972 Wor.Bro. E.W. Burgess 1973 Wor.Bro. R. R a n d a l l 1974 Wor.Bro, D.N. McCumstie 1975 Wor.Bro. W. S i l v e s t e r 1976 Wor.Bro. E.R. Holmes 1977 Wor.Bro. M.H. E l l i s 1978 Wor.Bro. J.E. Westbrook 1979 Wor.Bro. J.R. K n i g h t 1980 Wor.Bro. W.C, R i c h a r d s 1981 Wor.Bro. L.G. Doughty 1982 Wor.Bro. G.P. E l l i s 1983 Wor.Bro. J.A. S u t t l e 1984 Wor.Bro. J.C. M a r t i n 1985 Wor.Bro, K,L. R i c h a r d s 1986 Wor.Bro. T.E. B a i l e y 1987 Wor.Bro. P.G. Jansen 1988 Wor.Bro. J.W. Makepeace 1989 Wor.Bro. J.P. Dwyer 1990 Wor.Bro. B.V. A u s t i n 1991 Wor.Bro. J . van Dam

AFFILIATED PAST MASTERS Active V.Wor.Bro. T.T, G o f f , P.D.G.D.C. Wor.Bro. D.E. L e g g e t t , A.M. Wor.Bro. R.A. K i l p a t r i c k Wor.Bro. L.G. H i g g i n s (Snr.) Wor.Bro. Y.G. Turbayne

Wor.Bro, G.S.D. Roache Rt.Wor.Bro. T.H.J. Edwards Wor.Bro. G.E. O'Brien Wor.Bro. R.E. Facey

MEMBERS OF LODGE MORNING STAR No. 410 at

2 8 t h F e b r u a r y 1992

A u s t i n , B.V.

B a i l e y , T.E. B a n k s , A. B a n k s , L. B a r r o w , G.G. B e n t o n , R.W. B e r r y , B. B o n d , K.R. B u c k , P.F. B u c k l e y , A.F. B u r g e s s , E.W. B u t c h e r , S.F.

H a n k s , B. Hayhurst, J . Herman, G . J . H i g g i n s , L.G. H o l m e s , E.R. H u g h e s , D.M. H u n t i n g t o n , R.F. Huntington, R.I. Jansen,

P.G.

K i l p a t r i c k , R.H. K i n g s t o n , J.W.B. C a n e , G.A.D. Chapman, I . S . C o l l i n s , K.G. C o l l i n s , W.H. Cottle, S.J.

D a r k e , G.L. D a v i e s , R.L. D o n a l d , R. D o u g h t y , L.G. Dwyer, J . P .

Edwards, T.H.J. E l l i s , G.P. E l l i s , M.H.

L e g g e t t , D.E. L i n a k e r , A.H. L u c r e , A.S.C. M c C u m s t i e , D.N. M a k e p e a c e , J.W. M a n n i n g , B.H. M a r t i n , J.C. M o o r e , N.M. M u r p h y , P. Nelson, F . J . Newby, J.W. Newby, W.H. N e w t o n , R.L. O a d e s , S. O ' B r i e n , G.E.

F a c e y , R.E. F l e m i n g , G.H. F r a z e r , A.W.A. F r a z e r , J.W. G i l r o y , A.F. G i r v a n , D.L. G o f f , T.T. Goodchild, B.J. G w i n n , A.

Parks, K.J. P e r r y , J.W. P i p e r , W.H. P o w e l l , R.W.

R a d f o r d , E.R. R a n d a l l , R. R i c h a r d s , K.L.

R i c h a r d s , W.C. R i c h a r d s , W.H. R i l e y , W.R. R o a c h e , G.S.D. Robinson, J.S. R o s s , A.R. Shaw, T.E. S h i p l e y , D.F. S i l v e s t e r , W. S l o a n , M.G. S m i t h , P.G.C. S p e n c e , T. Spooner, J.E. S t e e n , M.R. Stennett, P.J. S t e p h e n s o n , C.R S u t t l e , J.A. Thompson, C.G. T u r b a y n e , V.G, Twynam-Perkins, v a n Dam, J . Warrant, J.S. Westbrook, J.E. W h e e l e r , H.E. W i l l i a m s , G.L. W i l l i a m s , H.J. W i l s o n , B.H. Winch, N.J. Withenshaw, J .

155

The United Grand Lodge of N.S.W.

LODGE MORISSET No. 441 OF ANCIENT, F B E E AND A C C E P T E D

MASONS

W.M. Wor. Bro. P. F. Gray 73 3498

Secretary Wor. Bro. E. A. Jayne 59 2488

KINDLY ADVISE CHANGE OF ADDRESS P.O. Box 92, Morisset 2264. Treasurer Masonic Hall - 70 5223 Wor. Bro. R. J. Hawke 58 4019

157

Lodge MORISSET.

441.

U n i t e d G r a n d Lodge o f New S o u t h W a l e s .

DEDICATED:

J u l y 1923

PLACE OF MEETING:

Masonic Temple ( b u i l t 5 Yambo S t r e e t Morisset.

DATE OF MEETING:

4th Saturday M o n t h l y except December - 3 r d .

INSTALLATION:

4th

1937)

Saturday i n September

July 1, 1937, page 307, column 2: Changes of Place of Meetings. Letter was received from the following Lodge, asking for permission, in terms of Regulation No. 133 of the Book of Constitutions, to remove to new meeting place . . . Lodge Morisset, No. 441, to remove from the Church Hall to the new Temple, Morisset. It was resolved to grant the permission asked for. [Report, Board of General Purposes]

158

List

of Past Masters o f

Lodge MORISSET

Name of the Master H. J. F.A. J. W.A. S.A. O.E. S.G. T.R. P. A.E. J.J. S.V. F.A.L. F. A.L. R.L. S.M. J. F. H.R.V. A.R. F.L. A. A. H.L. G. M.T. S.R. G.C. G.C. J. N. W.J. G.H.

OUGHTON DYET WOODGER WOOD TINDALL LEAN SMITH MURRELL ROWE CLACK MONNOX TAIT CLEMENTS SMITH HICK HUBBARD BROWNE BROWNE LOWER AUSTON SCOTT MONNOX WILLIAMS CAIRNEY CAIRNEY MORGAN SPENCE LEAN LEACH DAVIS DUNLOP WALKER-SMITH WILKS GLOVER LANE

Year of Office. 1923-24 1924-25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28 1928-29 1929-30 1930-31 1931-32 1932-33 1933-34 1934-35 1935-36 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-41 1941-42 1942-43 1943-44 1944-45 1945-46 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58

No. 441.

Name of the Master. G.S. S.V. R.H. K.C. J.S. W.A. C.V. F. R.E. G.S. W.G. J.C. T.C. W L K.R. S.J. D.J. W.C. J.D. J. K.L. G.S. F. F.B. R.J. S.H. J.S. W.L. E.A. D.J. W.H.C. P.F. A.J. D.J.

MITCHELL HORN BROOKER MULLARD BLADES BLACK CROOK HARRISON NEWHAM MITCHELL PARKINSON CONSTABLE ELLIS ADDISON PICKLES SANDERSON AUSTON AUSTON RAE HENNESSY AUSTON RANDLE HARRISON BERCLI HAWKE MORGAN MORRIS MEIJER JAYNE AUSTON PIDDINGTON GRAY STEWART HENDRIE

Year of Of 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-*90 1990-91 1991-92 1992

159

LODGE MORISSET.

No. 4 4 1 .

I t was i n 1921 t h a t f i r s t thoughts were g i v e n t o e s t a b l i s h i n g a Freemasons' Lodge i n M o r i s s e t . T h i s i s an o l d s e t t l e m e n t and many Masons, o r a t l e a s t enough Masons, l i v e d a t a r e a s o n a b l e d i s t a n c e t o a t t e n d Lodge i f one was formed. A committee was formed and under t h e guidance o f t h e D i s t r i c t Grand I n s p e c t o r of Workings, Very Wor. Bro. E. J . THOMAS, a Lodge finally eventuated. The D i s t r i c t then was No. 10, which i n c l u d e d WYONG, RISING SUN and MORNING STAR. Lodge WYONG, t h e e l d e s t in the d i s t r i c t , founded i n 1906, became t h e Mother Lodge and a c c o r d i n g l y drew up a p e t i t i o n t o Grand Lodge t o a s k f o r the b e n e f i t o f Masonry i n w a r r a n t i n g a Lodge t o meet a t M o r i s s e t . The No. 10 d i s t r i c t a t t h e time covered a much w i d e r area than now. I t extended from M a y f i e l d i n t h e n o r t h , t o W a l l s e n d , Weston, Toronto and t o the south t o the Hawkesbury R i v e r . A meeting p l a c e had t o be found. The M e t h o d i s t Church agreed g e n e r o u s l y t o l e t t h e b r e t h r e n meet i n t h e Church f o r the ensuing y e a r s , rent f r e e . The Lodge l i n e d t h e b u i l d i n g and b u i l t an anteroom. S h u t t e r s were a l s o p r o v i d e d t o c l o s e t h e windows o v e r . No a l c o h o l i c d r i n k was a l l o w e d . Methodists are very strict about t h a t , as B r o t h e r J . K i b b l e c o u l d have t e s t i f i e d . Most lodges a t t h e time were d r y . MORNING STAR TEMPERANCE and RISING SUN were d r y and perhaps WYONG t o o ! A d r y lodge i n our time would be a s o c i a l c u r i o s i t y , b u t a t t h e time i t was expected t h a t Masons would r e f r a i n from i n t r o d u c i n g liquor to the temple. The g r e a t day a r r i v e d into being.

on 21 J u l y

1923 and Lodge MORISSET came

The ceremony was a t t e n d e d by s i x t y - s e v e n b r e t h r e n the attendance book on t h a t day.

who

signed

Dues were s e t a t t h r e e s h i l l i n g s a month, a s i z a b l e portion from t h e weekly wages o f a l a b o u r e r . Members l i v i n g over f i f t e e n m i l e s away took n e a r l y two hours t o t r a v e l each way, so t h e i r dues were reduced t o two s h i l l i n g s . T h i s gave them a bonus o f t h r e e pence an hour f o r t h e e x e r t i o n s o f t h e i r s e l v e s and t h e i r h o r s e s . Freemasonry a t t r a c t e d a f a i r p r o p o r t i o n o f new members, f o r at t h e end o f t h e f i r s t year t h e membership had doubled. I t was n e c e s s a r y t o t h i n k o f a means o f f i n d i n g s u i t a b l e l a r g e r accommodation.

160 Bro. H. B. MULLARD donated two b l o c k s o f l a n d f o r t h e purpose of b u i l d i n g a Temple. He a l s o s o l d a t h i r d b l o c k f o r ÂŁ20, h a l f o f which was g i v e n back t o t h e b u i l d i n g fund - a v e r y generous g e s t u r e i n d e e d . I t was d e c i d e d i n i t i a l l y t o name the lodge 'MULLARD' , but i t was a f t e r w a r d s d e c i d e d t o c a l l i t 'MORISSET' t o i n d i c a t e t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e Lodge. Some may r e g r e t t o f i n d t h a t no more l o c a l lodges had chosen s y m b o l i c names such as RISING SUN and MORNING STAR. I n J u l y 1925 Lodge M o r i s s e t ' s Wor. Master was i n s t a l l e d i n the c h a i r by The Most Wor. Grand M a s t e r , M.W. B r o . John GOULSTON. T h i s n o t a b l e event took p l a c e i n t h e Temple a t Wyong i n t h e presence o f s i x t y b r e t h r e n . The lodge went through a v a r i e d and i n t e r e s t i n g l i f e , j u d g i n g from t h e brochure w r i t t e n f o r i t s 60 Years o f Masonry. A l o a n was t a k e n t o b u i l d a new temple i n 1936 and t h e f i r s t meeting i n the new temple was i n March, 1937. The m u l t i p l i c a t i o n s o f t h e lodges brought about changes i n the d i s t r i c t s - and i n t h e b o u n d a r i e s . Lodge MORISSET, t h e northernmost lodge i n t h e d i s t r i c t o f which we a r e a p a r t , was a f f e c t e d by t h e change made i n 1963 when i t j o i n e d t h e 55 D i s t r i c t . [BELOW:

John

James MULLARD (1852-1911), No. 16 in the l i s t

THE RISING SUN Lodge No. 206, where a short biography appears.]

of members of

161

(jodg.e. MCMJSSET koA the. p/iLvlle.g.e. of. having, a vejiy, exten-<itve and compl&te -det of A.e.con.dA piotn the. date of LtA cjonAecn.atl.on in ^uty. 1923. We have extyiacted Aome info-nmation f/iom the ecuily. Minute Book: OPENING INSTALLATION OF LODGE MORISSET 441 U.G.L. of N.S.W. i n t h e M e t h o d i s t Church, M o r i s s e t - 21 J u l y 1923 Deputy Grand M a s t e r Pro Tempore Very W o r s h i p f u l B r o . E. J . Thomas D.G.I.W. " " " D. Dobie P.D.G.S.H. w i t h many Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s performed t h e opening o f the O c c a s i o n a l Lodge which was d e d i c a t e d t o Masonry i n t h e M o r i s s e t M e t h o d i s t c h u r c h . Wor. B r o . H. OUGHTON* was i n s t a l l e d as W.M. o f t h e new Lodge. H i s o f f i c e r s were:

s.w. J.W. Chaplain Treasurer Secretary S. Deacon J.D. I . Guard Stewards Tyler The H. A. W. J. F. F. S. J.

J . DYET F. A. WOODGER (Reverend) SPEERS (Absent) F. DRANSFIELD H. T. WIGHT J . WOOD G. TILLITZKI W. CROFT S. H. LEAN J . BLACK

C h a r t e r e d members were:OUGHTON C. C. LEAN F. COLLIER WOOD DRANSFIELD A. WOODGER A. LEAN E. SPEERS

H. T. WIGHT W. CROFT J . DYET J . BLACK E. J . PRICE A. 0. BROWNE T. LAIRD H. B. MULLARD G. H. TILLITZKI

The By-Laws were adopted a f t e r a l t e r a t i o n r e d u c i n g of a f f i l i a t i o n from two guineas t o h a l f a g u i n e a . Two p r o p o s i t i o n s f o r i n i t i a t i o n were made: J . Dyet and A. 0. Browne; John Evan NICHOL and G. H. T i l l i t z k i . Affiliation: W. C. K. MACKENZIE 1 by F. D r a n s f i e l d and J . Dyet.

from

the cost

J . H. HARDER by by F. A. Woodger

Lodge

ANTIQUITY No.

A banquet was h e l d a f t e r w a r d s i n the S c h o o l of A r t s .

162

The f o l l o w i n g meeting was h e l d on Saturday 25 August a t 7.15 p .m. J.H. Harder and J.E. Harder were then i n i t i a t e d . B r o . A.C.C. Lean was i n v e s t e d t r e a s u r e r by t h e W.M. and W.B. Dodds p r e s e n t e d Bro. J . B l a c k w i t h h i s Grand Lodge C e r t i f i c a t e on b e h a l f o f Lodge PROSPERITY No.278. Bros J . Dyet and Woodger proposed Wednesday a f t e r f u l l moon, which be n o t i f i e d .

t o a l t e r day of meeting t o was adopted. Grand Lodge t o

Bro. F.M. McDonald was proposed f o r a f f i l i a t i o n from Lodge ST.JAMES No.45 by Bros H. Oughton and J . Dyet, a l s o W.B. W.A. Tindall of Lodge PENINSULA No.221 by t h e same. On 26 September W.Bro. T i n d a l l a c t e d as S e n i o r Warden. Bros Harder and N i c h o l l were passed t o t h e second degree and they became Craftsmen. Bro. Woodger was a p p o i n t e d F.B.I. C o l l e c t o r . Two p r o p o s a l s f o r i n i t i a t i o n o f John Laban COOPER, 31 f a r m e r , Martinsville and John McKAY, 60 o v e r s e e r , Olney S t a t e F o r e s t and another two f o r a f f i l i a t i o n : S.A. SHEPHERD, 68 r e t i r e d o f Dora Creek, Lodge THISTLE KILWINNING, Minmi and S. TAAFFE, 44 b u t c h e r , Dora Creek, Lodge SINCERITY No.233. On 31 October t h e f o l l o w i n g were a f f i l i a t e d a f t e r b a l l o t : w.c.K. M C K E N Z I E , M C D O N A L D , T I N D A L L , T A A F F E , S H E P H E R D , W.B. T I N D A L L w h i l e a v i s i t o r had a c t e d as S.W. i n September. T h i s was an i n i t i a t i o n m e e t i n g , t h e D.G.I.W., E . J . THOMAS was p r e s e n t , a l s o some visitors. Two more c a n d i d a t e s were proposed: E.T. JONES, 65 sawyer o f Dora S t r e e t 44 a t t e n d a n t of M o r i s s e t .

Morisset

and W.E.L. LILLEY,

November t h e work was a second degree where Bros McKAY and E. COPPER were passed. A p r o p o s i t i o n o f a f f i l i a t i o n f o r F. SINCLAIR, 24 a t t e n d a n t , Cooranbong Road, M o r i s s e t l a t e from Lodge ST.ANDREW No.198, West W a l l s e n d . December 23, F i r s t tices .

degree: JONES and LILLEY became E n t e r e d

Appren-

One i n i t i a t i o n : A r c h i b a l d FOSTER, 30 Goods P o r t e r and two a f f i l i a t i o n p r o p o s a l s were r e c e i v e d , F.A. CURRAN, Lodge CORRIE No.324(?) and W.C. BEATTON Lodge HUNTERS HILL No.139.

163

October, a water j u g , t i n d i s h , t e a t o w e l s . November 2, E.A. & 2 F.C. aprons and 4 w h i t e pyjamas. December, t a b l e cloths, k n i f e f o r the stewards. The Lodge c l o s e d by exchanging the Compliments of the Season. The f i r s t meeting i n the New Year took p l a c e at the M e t h o d i s t Church as u s u a l . The work was the T h i r d Degree. Bros Nicholl, Cooper and McKay who were r a i s e d r e s p e c t i v e l y by the Wor.Master by W.B. Baker and by W.B. T i n d a l l . In F e b r u a r y Bro. Woodger was e l e c t e d R e p r e s e n t a t i v e t o the School Committee. A r c h i e H i l l i s F o s t e r became and E.A.F.M.

Masonic

In March an u n u s u a l case i s shown: A Mr C h r i s t i a n s e n , (DUNN No.328, B e x l e y ) f o l l o w i n g f a v o u r a b l e r e p o r t by I n v e s t i g a t i o n Committee a f t e r a c l e a r b a l l o t was I n due form made a mason i n the E.A. Degree. The W.M. and h i s o f f i c e r s i n t e n d e d t o v i s i t Lodge WYONG f o r t h e i r May meeting. Three p r o p o s i t i o n s f o r a f f i l i a t i o n were p r e s e n t e d : Messrs R. WEPPLER, 48 S t o r e k e e p e r , Dora Creek, John Richard PARKINSON, 49 O r c h a r d i s t of Dora Creek and W.H. FOULDS, 26 P o s t a l O f f i c i a l of Speers P o i n t . And one a f f i l i a t i o n : W.B. DENCENEY, 43 A t t e n d a n t , M o r i s s e t of Lodge FIDELITY No.163. April.DENCENEY and PARKINSON The B r e t h r e n a shop k i n d l y evening b e i n g

was b a l l o t t e d and a d m i t t e d . W.H. FOULDS, R. WEPPLER were i n i t i a t e d . e n t e r t a i n e d the v i s i t o r s to l i g h t refreshments i n l e n t by Bro. H.B. MULLARD, a p l e a s a n t and e n j o y a b l e the r e s u l t .

An Emergent M e e t i n g was h e l d on 7 May t o e x p e d i t e some b a c k l o g i n the degree work. The Lodge was opened i n the f i r s t degree, B r e t h r e n L i 1ley, Jones and C h r i s t i a n s e n were examined as t o t h e i r p r o f i c i e n c y and b e i n g found s a t i s f a c t o r y were p r e p a r e d f o r the next degree of a F.C. The Lodge b e i n g r a i s e d t o the second degree the t h r e e b r e t h r e n were passed. On 21 May, monthly m e e t i n g , V.W. Bro. E . J . THOMAS b e i n g i n a t t e n d a n ce , a second b a t c h of E.A., FOULDS, WEPPLER and PARKINSON were examined then passed. That brought t o s i x the number of F e l l o w c r a f t w a i t i n g t o be r a i s e d t o the sublime degree! Another Emergent M e e t i n g was s t a g e d on 7 June, opened a t 7.20 p.m., v i s i t o r s i n a t t e n d a n c e . Four b r e t h r e n were ready t o be r a i s e d t o the t h i r d degree: LILLEY, JONES, FOSTER and CHRISTIANSEN. T h e i r e f f i c i e n c y b e i n g t e s t e d and found s a t i s f a c t o r y they were r a i s e d i n t u r n - JONES and CHRISTIANSEN by the W.M. , LILLEY and FOSTER by W.B. TINDALL.

164

L i g h t r e f r e s h m e n t s were s e r v e d and a p l e a s a n t evening b e i n g spent i n t h e lodge anteroom. We do n o t know a t what time t h e doors c l o s e d , i t must have been a l a t e e v e n i n g . In June, t h e lodge b e i n g i n t h e 1 s t degree. B r e t h r e n FOULDS, WEPPLER and PARKINSON b e i n g examined they r e t i r e d t o be p r e p a r e d d u r i n g t h e time t h e lodge proceeded t o e l e c t t h e o f f i c e r s f o r the ensuing y e a r , e l e c t e d were: J . DYET, Wor.Master, WOODGER, Sen.Warden, WOOD, J.W., (after b a l l o t ) . Treasurer DENCENEY, S e c r e t a r y DRANSFIELD, Sen.Deacon TILLITZKI ( a f t e r b a l l o t ) , Jun.Deacon LEAN ( a f t e r b a l l o t ) . D i r e c t o r of Ceremonies, W.B. TINDALL, O r g a n i s t BLACK, Inner Guard MACDONALD (after ballot). Stewards COOPER, LILLEY, NICHOLLS, T y l e r A.O. BROWNE, A u d i t o r s CURRAN and NICHOLL. Candidates were then a d m i t t e d i n due

form.

Bro. FOULDS was r a i s e d by W.Bro. OUGHTON, WEPPLER by W.B. TINDALL, Bro. PARKINSON by W.B. OUGHTON. The day o f I n s t a l l a t i o n a p p r o a c h i n g a Banquet Committee was formed by Bros WOODGER, WOOD, TINDALL and S e c r e t a r y . B r o . A.O. BROWNE k i n d l y p l a c e d h i s s t o r e b u i l d i n g a t the d i s p o s a l o f the Lodge. Two more p r o p o s a l s f o r i n i t i a t i o n were r e c e i v e d : V i c t o r Thomas ROACH, 39 A t t e n d a n t , M o r i s s e t ; Oscar 32 A t t e n d a n t , M o r i s s e t , l a t e Lodge COOLAMON No.263. I t was d e c i d e d t o buy a j e w e l f o r t h e r e t i r i n g s e l e c t e d and purchased t o the c o s t o f ÂŁ7.0.0.

Edward

Master,

SMITH,

t o be

Saturday J u l y 19, 1924 b e i n g the f i r s t a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e c o n s e c r a t i o n of the lodge was i t s I n s t a l l a t i o n Day. E i g h t y v i s i t o r s were a d m i t t e d , r e p r e s e n t i n g 40 Lodges, V.Wor.Bro. E . J . THOMAS was p r e s e n t ; G.D.I.W. B r o . J . DYET was p r e s e n t e d by Bros TINDALL and BAKER. A f t e r the customary r i t u a l the W.M. i n v e s t e d his officers. A name was proposed for initiation; N i l s Conrad BERGREEN, 49 C a r p e n t e r o f Dora Creek. A f t e r which t h e s o u t h was h e l d i n a building kindly l e n t by Bro. BROWNE, a l t h o u g h a l l t h e b r e t h r e n c o u l d n o t g e t s e a t e d a happy time was spent.

167

10 No. 742 U.G.L. of N.S.W. WORSHIPFUL MASTER W O R . B R O . R. S. D I C K S 36 Boronia A v e n u e Woy Woy, N.S.W. 2 2 5 0 Phone: 4 2 - 1 4 7 2

Senior Warden: BRO. G. T. MORGAN 29 Woy Woy Road Kariong, 2250 Phone: 40-1040

Junior Warden: BRO. N. W. RAE 4 Greenfield Road Empire Bay, 2257 Phone: 69-2854

Dear Sir and Brother, You are requested to attend the REGULAR MEETING of this Lodge, to be held in the Masonic Centre, 26 William Street, Gosford Phone: 24-6237. 29 Henry Kendall Street West Gosford, 2250 Phone: 25-7162

Yours fraternally Wor. Bro. Frank Chalk

Paid:

Arrears/Credit:

Dues:

Balance:

Bro: REGULAR MEETINGS: 4th Wednesday every month, except July. INSTALLATION MEETINGS: 4th Saturday In July.

169

Lodge GOSFORD No. 742 U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f New South Wales

CONSECRATED:

12 June 1948

PLACE OF MEETING:

Masonic Centre 26 W i l l i a m S t r e e t Gosford 2250 Telephone (043) 24-6237

DATE OF MEETING:

4th Wednesday - Monthly

INSTALLATION:

4th Saturday i n J u l y

[Below:

V.W.Bro. George F. Stewart, Foundation Master of Lodge Gosford]

GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS: "I was privileged to consecrate Lodge GOSFORD, No. 742, at Gosford on the 12th June 1948 and Install Wor. Bro. George Frederick Stewart. Foundation Master." The W.M. the G.M., M.W. Bro. Frank McDowell, from: Proceedings of the U.G.L. of N.S.W. for year ended June 1949 Quarterly Communication dated 8th September 1948, pl8.

170

L i s t of Past Masters of Lodge GOSFORD No. 742.

Name of the Master G.F. STEWART + A.E. BRAWN R.F. KEMBLE C.W.P. PARSONS B.C. LANSDOWNE R.A. MORTIMER L . J . HARBISON T. TINCKNELL N.Ew PENMAN R.C. POTTS N.B. WALSH J.E. KIRKNESS + W.B. ALDRICK A. HENMAN E.A. BROWNE *J • W«A. •ELMS L. WALLACE A.R. CULLEN A.S. DOUGLAS R.B. SMITH S.J.C. SHERAR E.C. LINDSAY

Year of Office. 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70

Name of the Master C.G.A. B.B. M.R. M.R. M.T. R.S. H.L. M.P.N. N.R. G.R. R.D. L.A. M.E. K.B. T.M. L.T. 3.R. R.S. L.T. L.T. T.M. T.M. R.S.

WITHEY HIBBARD COMPTON COMPTON* HUNTER TOFT PATT0N HUNTER FINLAY YOUNG CAMPBELL DAINES PERRY WHITE CAMPBELL JAMES ROGERS DICKS JAMES JAMES* CAMPBELL CAMPBELL* DICKS *

* 2nd Year o f O f f i c e . + P.D.G.I.W.

Year of Office. 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992

171

HISTORY OF LODGE GOSFORD NO. 742. U.G.L. o f N.S.W.

I t a l l happened one n i g h t e a r l y i n 1946 w h i l e Wor. B r o . Stewart was r e t u r n i n g t o T e r r i g a l from a meeting of Lodge RISING SUN w i t h t h r e e prominent r e s i d e n t s o f T e r r i g a l , a l l Past Masters, and a l l members o f Lodge RISING SUN: Wor. B r o . E.G. STOYLES, a r e t i r e d Headmaster o f G o s f o r d High S c h o o l , Wor. B r o . M. ROBSON, Headmaster o f T e r r i g a l S c h o o l , and Wor. B r o . A. HOGG, Headmaster of Avoca Beach S c h o o l . Wor. Bro. STEWART was a t t h i s time Postmaster a t T e r r i g a l . The second w o r l d war had o n l y j u s t concluded a few months p r e v i o u s l y , and a d i s c u s s i o n came up about t h e boys r e t u r n i n g from t h e war who would be s e e k i n g a knowledge o f Masonry, and t h e r e l a t i v e s i z e of t h e membership o f Lodge RISING SUN. Wor. B r o . ROBSON s a i d , " W e l l , what about commencing another Lodge, and l e t us c a l l i t Lodge T e r r i g a l . " Wor. B r o s . STOYLES and HOGG weren't v e r y e n t h u s i a s t i c about t h e p r o p o s a l , t h i n k i n g t h e time was n o t yat opportune. However Wor. Bro. STEWART was f i r e d w i t h enthusiasm f o r t h e p r o j e c t , and d e c i d e d t o g i v e i t a l o t o f thought. Still n o t h i n g e v e n t u a t e d from t h e p r o p o s a l as everyone seemed t o o busy w i t h t h e immediate problems o f t h e post war p e r i o d . Wor. B r o . STEWART was a t t h i s time P r e s i d e n t o f t h e T e r r i g a l sub-branch o f t h e R.S.L., and a l s o P r e s i d e n t o f t h e towns Welcome Home Committee. I t was one o f i t s f u n c t i o n s t o o r g a n i z e and arrange a s u i t a b l e welcome home t o each o f our servicemen r e t u r n i n g to c i v i l l i f e . He was imbued w i t h t h e thought that i f there was a Masonic Lodge i n T e r r i g a l some o f them, w i t h a d e s i r e t o seek Masonic knowledge would have t h e o p p o r t u n i t y o f j o i n i n g a Lodge i n t h e town, which would have a s t e a d y i n g i n f l u e n c e on their rehabilitation. N o t h i n g f u r t h e r was done i n t h e m a t t e r , as he f a i l e d t o g a i n any enthusiasm from v a r i o u s members he c o n t a c t ed. In J u l y 1947 Wor. B r o . STEWART was t r a n s f e r r e d t o G o s f o r d Post O f f i c e from T e r r i g a l , and became a r e g u l a r a t t e n d e r o f Lodge RISING SUN w i t h which he had a f f i l i a t e d i n J u l y 1945, from Lodge MORNING STAR a t Woy Woy. He once a g a i n sounded out a few members of Lodge RISING SUN on t h e f e a s i b i l i t y o f forming a new Lodge. He r e c e i v e d encouraging support from some o f t h e younger members who were keen t o take up o f f i c e , b u t saw l i t t l e hope o f a t t a i n i n g t h e i r a m b i t i o n i n t h e f a c e o f t h e keen c o m p e t i t i o n t h a t was t a k i n g p l a c e among t h e many r e t u r n e d s e r v i c e b r e t h r e n . So by p e r m i s s i o n of Lodge RISING SUN he d e c i d e d t o c a l l a meeting t o sound out the p r o s p e c t s o f commencing a new lodge.

* By. W.B. Stewojit, tourukutLon l^a^te/i of. Lodg.& QOStORD.

172

Consequently a p r e l i m i n a r y meeting was held i n the lower h a l l of the Masonic Temple, W i l l i a m S t r e e t , G o s f o r d , on 24 September 1947, under the p a t r o n a g e , and i n the presence o f V. Wor. Bro. W.A.C. MURDOCH, who was a t t h a t time manager o f the Commercial Bank of A u s t r a l i a at Woy Woy, and had been a p p o i n t e d D.G.I.W. of No. 5 D i s t r i c t which had been r e c e n t l y formed. I t was a t t e n d e d by t h e Wor. M a s t e r o f Lodge RISING SUN, W. B r o . R.G. JENNER, and n i n e P a s t M a s t e r s o f the same Lodge i n the persons o f : G.F. STEWART, M. ROBSON, S. LIDDEN, J . LAWN, A.O. CLARK, D.A. PRENTICE, J.A. WILBOW, T.E. DENNISON and A.N. BASSAN, t e n M a s t e r Masons from the same lodge i n the p e r s o n s o f : R.F. KEMBLE, J.H. PARKES, E. ROSENFELDER, G.G. NEWMAN, A.E. BRAWN, R.W. WALLENT, A.K. MARGIN, E.D. WILBOW, C P . PARSONS and H.G. PARRY. A l s o p r e s e n t were Wor. B r o . J . STINSON, Lodge EASTERN No. 423, B r o . L . J . HARBISON, Lodge HOPE NO. 30 and B r o . B.C. LANSDOWNE, Lodge BULLI No. 319. V. Wor. Bro. MURDOCH was e l e c t e d chairman of the W. B r o . G.F. STEWART was e l e c t e d s e c r e t a r y pro-tem.

meeting,

For purposes of d i s c u s s i o n a m o t i o n was moved by W. B r o . sec. by W. B r o . ROBSON t h a t a new lodge be formed under the d i c t i o n o f the U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f New South Wales.

and

LIDDEN juris-

Much d i s c u s s i o n ensued regarding the p r o p o s a l , w h i c h was most vehemently opposed by the Wor. M a s t e r of Lodge RISING SUN Wor. Bro. JENNER, Wor. B r o . DENNISON and Bro. PARRY. Among those s p e a k i n g i n f a v o u r were Bro. PARKES, Bro. PARSONS, Wor. Bro. CLARK and Wor. Bro. STEWART. Many motions were moved and r e s c i n d e d , amendments and f u r t h e r amendments were c a r r i e d and rescinded. The meeting f i n a l l y c o n c l u d e d w i t h o u t h a v i n g made any f i r m d e c i s i o n s . * Knowing the f e e l i n g o f t h o s e who w i s h e d t o form a new lodge, Wor. B r o . STEWART gave n o t i c e of m o t i o n at the October meeting of Lodge RISING SUN t h a t he i n t e n d e d t o p e t i t i o n Grand Lodge to form a new lodge w i t h RISING SUN as the sponsor l o d g e . He asked t h e i r b l e s s i n g , and i n f o r m e d the members t h a t he would have the p e t i t i o n a v a i l a b l e i n the South f o r any members who c a r e d t o s i g n the same. At a subsequent meeting twenty three b r e t h r e n s i g n e d the p e t i t i o n , n i n e t e e n b e i n g members of Lodge RISING SUN and f o u r f i n a n c i a l members of o t h e r Lodges.

* Some ojL the. membe/M of. Lodg.e KJSSNQ SUN ob^eated AtA.erLUOuAJ.y. to the fjonmntAjon of a new lodg.e In Qo/ifo/id. Howeveji, afteJi muck ayigximent, meetings and vehement addneAAeA to the bn.etJvten a mntLon woA of

put and coA/tLed by a new todg,e in Qo^fo/id

ve/iy. n.aAA.oui m.a/igJM..

g.ot the

g.o ahead.

The

foundation,

173

Wor. B r o . STEWART then c a l l e d a meeting o f t h e s i g n a t o r i e s f o r Wednesday 5 November 1947 a t t h e Masonic Temple, W i l l i a m S t r e e t , G o s f o r d , f o r t h e purpose o f forming t h e lodge, and p r e s e n t i n g the p e t i t i o n t o Lodge RISING SUN. Sixteen brethren attended the meeting which was c h a i r e d by W. B r o . M. ROBSON. I t was proposed by B r o . MORTIMER t h a t t h e p e t i t i o n be c l o s e d w i t h t h e s i g n a t u r e s of t h e 23 b r e t h r e n , and t h a t t h e b r e t h r e n p r e s e n t take steps to form a lodge under t h e U.G.L. o f N.S.W. and sponsored by Lodge RISING SUN. A p r o p o s a l by W. B r o . STEWART t h a t t h e new Lodge be named "TERRIGAL" was d e f e a t e d , and a p r o p o s a l by W. B r o . LIDDEN t h a t t h e Lodge bs named "GOSFORD" was c a r r i e d , i t b e i n g f e l t t h a t t h e name o f our town s h o u l d be p e r p e t u a t e d i n Masonry by naming t h e Lodge a f t e r i t . A p r o p o s a l t h a t t h e Lodge meet on t h e 3 r d Saturday of t h e month was d e f e a t e d , and a p r o p o s a l by B r o . HUDSON t h a t the Lodge meet on t h e 4 t h Wednesday o f each month was c a r r i e d . Tne i n s t a l l a t i o n was t o be h e l d on t h e f o u r t h Saturday i n J u l y . A f o u n d a t i o n f e e o f Three Guineas p e r member was proposed by Bro. LANSDOWNE and c a r r i e d . The e l e c t i o n o f f o u n d a t i o n o f f i c e r s was then c a r r i e d o u t , i t i s i n t e r e s t i n g t o note t h a t n o t one p o s i t i o n was b a l l o t e d f o r . Every c a n d i d a t e f o r o f f i c e was v o t e d unanimously t o h i s r e s p e c t i v e p o s i t i o n , i n some cases where more than one name was proposed f o r an o f f i c e c e r t a i n b r e t h r e n d e c l i n e d t o o b v i a t e t h e n e c e s s i t y for a b a l l o t . OFFICE BEARERS OF THE PROPOSED LODGE GOSFORD. 1947 - 1948. Wor. Master I.P.M. Sen. Warden Jun. Warden Chaplain Treasurer Secretary D. o f C. San. Deacon Jun Deacon Organist D. o f Music Inner Guard Stewards

Tyler

G.F. STEWART W. Bro. M. ROBSON W. Bro. Bro. A.E. BRAWN Bro. C.W.P. PARSONS Bro. A.G. ASHWELL Bro. J . J . DICKENSON w. Bro. S. LIDDEN J.A. WILBOW w. Bro. R.F. KEMBLE Bro. "Bro. E.D. WILBOW v . w . Bro. F.E. HILL G.C. NEWMAN Bro. Bro. R.A. MORTIMER D.F. HUDSON Bro. B.C. LANSDOWNE Bro. Bro. N.E. PENMAN Bro. J . WITHERALL Bro. D. SWASBRICK Bro. T. TINCKNELL Bro. L . J . HARBISON

Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 II

II II

II GRIFFITH 675 Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 II

Lodge BULLI No. 319 Lodge RISING SUN. No. 311 II

Lodge COOLAMON No. 263 Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 Lodge HOPE No. 30

174

Together w i t h f o u n d a t i o n

members,

Bro, E.R. DAVIS Bro. J.H. PARKS V.W.Bro. W.A.C. MURDOCK

Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 Lodge MORNING STAR No. 410 D.G.I.W. No. 5 D i s t r i c t .

To s t a r t t h e Lodge o f f on a good f i n a n c i a l f o o t i n g B r o . LIDDEN o f f e r e d t h e l o a n o f £50 f r e e o f i n t e r e s t , and B r o . PARSONS donated a s e t o f t h r e e g a v e l s which he o b t a i n e d while serving i n the M i d d l e East d u r i n g t h e war. Wor. B r o . STEWART d u l y p r e s e n t e d t h e p e t i t i o n t o Lodge RISING SUN f o r t h e i r c o n s i d e r a t i o n a t t h e December m e e t i n g , however i t was n o t u n t i l t h e F e b r u a r y 1948 meeting t h a t i t was brought b e f o r e t h e Lodge. A f t e r much d i s c u s s i o n i t was f i n a l l y approved and forwarded t o Grand Lodge, where i t r e c e i v e d t h e s e a l o f a p p r o v a l at t h e q u a r t e r l y communication h e l d i n March 1948. Steps were taken t o b r i n g t h e Lodge i n t o b e i n g , and a meeting t o t h i s end was c a l l e d f o r t h e 5 A p r i l 1948, a t t h e Masonic Temple i n G o s f o r d , k i n d l y l e n t by Lodge RISING SUN. Wor. B r o . STEWART o c c u p i e d the c h a i r , and among m a t t e r s r a i s e d was the f o r m a t i o n o f a committee to approach Lodge RISING SUN r e such m a t t e r s as r e n t of Temple, use o f c r o c k e r y , r e g a l i a e t c . I t was r e s o l v e d t h a t each b r o t h e r o c c u p y i n g o f f i c e c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e c o s t o f h i s own c o l l a r and j e w e l . B r o s . DAVIS and NEWMAN each donated t h e c o s t o f one p a i r of g a u n t l e t s . Wor. B r o . STEWART p l a c e d a l o a n o f £50 a t t h e d i s p o s a l o f t h e Lodge f r e e of i n t e r e s t , and a l s o o f f e r e d t o d e f r a y the c o s t o f t h e c h a r t e r , and have i t s u i t a b l y framed by h i s son C o l i n STEWART. F o u n d a t i o n fees t o t h e amount o f £63 were p a i d i n , and every i n d i c a t i o n was g i v e n t h a t t h e baby Lodge was o f f to a good s t a r t . W.B. George STEWART wrote a good h i s t o r y o f the f i r s t y e a r s o f h i s Lodge which he kept u p d a t i n g t o t h e time o f h i s death. There i s a l s o , w i t h t h e Lodge h i s t o r y , q u i t e a l o t o f b i o g r a p h i c a l information. George r e c e i v e d Grand Lodge h o n o r s , he was V. Wor. Bro. George F r e d e r i c k STEWART P a s t Deputy Grand D i r e c t o r o f Ceremonies.

175

FOUNDATION MASTER OF LODGE GOSFORD No. 742 V. WOR. BRO. GEORGE FREDERICK STEWART.

P.D.G.D.C.

V. Wor. B r o . G. F. STEWART, P.D.G.D.C. o f Lodge GOSFORD, No. 742, spent t h e whole o f h i s 67 y e a r s membership i n c o n s t a n t s e r v i c e t o Masonry from h i s i n i t i a t i o n i n Lodge UNION No. 250, D u n f e r m l i n e , F i f e s h i r e , S c o t l a n d on 16 A p r i l 1921. He r e c e i v e d h i s Mark Degree on h i s b i r t h d a y , 17 June 1921, s h o r t l y b e f o r e e m i g r a t i n g t o A u s t r a l i a on J u l y 4 o f t h a t y e a r . Soon a f t e r h i s a r r i v a l i n t h i s c o u n t r y , coming from a c o a l m i n i n g area i n S c o t l a n d , he went t o K u r r i K u r r i and a f f i l i a t e d w i t h KURRI ST GEORGE No. 594. T a k i n g o f f i c e f i r s t as C h a p l a i n , he p r o g r e s s e d through t h e v a r i o u s o f f i c e s o f Steward, Tyler, e t c . , and was I n s t a l l e d i n t h e c h a i r o f t h a t Lodge 1935-1936. On t a k i n g up an appointment as E l e c t r i c a l E n g i n e e r a t Gunnedah C o l l i e r y , he was a s s o c i a t e d w i t h Lodge ZION f o r some t i m e , a l t h o u g h not a f f i l i a t e d . E n t e r i n g b u s i n e s s a t Wagstaff P o i n t s h o r t l y b e f o r e World War I I he a f f i l i a t e d w i t h Lodge MORNING STAR No. 410, and a l t h o u g h h a v i n g t o row a boat t o E t t a l o n g , thence by c a r t o Woy Woy, he was a p p o i n t e d D. o f C. i n t h a t Lodge i n 1941, and never once missed a p r a c t i c e o r meeting d u r i n g h i s term o f o f f i c e . On moving t o G o s f o r d i n 1947 he a f f i l i a t e d w i t h Lodge RISING SUN No. 311, and took an a c t i v e p a r t as s e c r e t a r y p r o tem i n the f o r m a t i o n o f Lodge GOSFORD No. 742, o f which he became f o u n d a t i o n Master i n 1948, and i n which from t h e f o r m a t i o n of t h e Lodge u n t i l t h e time o f h i s d e a t h , was never o u t o f o f f i c e . Upon r e l i n q u i s h i n g t h e I.P.M.'s o f f i c e he was immedia t e l y e l e c t e d t o t h e o f f i c e o f s e c r e t a r y i n which he s e r v e d f o r a p e r i o d o f t h i r t e e n y e a r s , and on r e l i n q u i s h i n g that o f f i c e was e l e c t e d C h a p l a i n o f t h e Lodge i n which capacity he c o n t i n u e d t o a c t from then on. Almost s i n c e i t s i n c e p t i o n , V. Wor. Bro. STEWART (an e x - s e r v i c e man from t h e F i r s t World War i n which he s e r v e d w i t h t h e Gordon H i g h l a n d e r s ) c a r r i e d o u t t h e annual Anzac ceremony a t t h e A p r i l meeting o f t h e Lodge, and taken p a r t i n t h e march h e l d by t h e R.S.L. i n G o s f o r d c a r r y i n g t h e Lodge's wreath t o be p l a c e d on t h e Cenotaph. I n 1961 t h e o f f i c e o f P.D.G.D.C. was c o n f e r r e d on V. Wor. Bro. STEWART by t h e then Grand M a s t e r , Most Wor. B r o . H a r r y MAAS i n r e c o g n i t i o n o f h i s s e r v i c e s t o t h e C r a f t . He was a l s o made an honorary member o f Lodge GOSFORD No. 742 which he had h e l p e d found i n 1948. George STEWART d i e d i n June 1988. June 1988 c a r r i e d an o b i t u a r y .

The 'Gosford S t a r '

o f 28

177

THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF NEW SOUTH WALES

c^^o. 7 5 7

OF ANCIENT, FREE A N D A C C E P T E D MASONS

KINDLY ADVISE S E C R E T A R Y O F C H A N G E O F A D D R E S S

179

Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES.

757.

U n i t e d Grand Lodge of New South Wales

CONSECRATED:

10 S e p t e m b e r 1948

TEMPLE DEDICATED:

5 September 1953

PLACE OF MEETING:

17 Toowoon B a y Road Long J e t t y 2263 T e l e p h o n e ( 0 4 3 ) 32-0366

DATE OF MEETING:

2nd Monday - M o n t h l y

INSTALLATION:

1st S a t u r d a y i n September Changed i n 1984 t o 2nd S a t u r d a y i n S e p t e m b e r

M.W. B r o . F r a n k S. McDOWELL THE GRAND MASTER Performed t h e

CONSECRATION o f t h e Lodge a n d t h e INSTALLATION o f W. B r o . Thomas D o n a l d McMULLEN at t h e MASONIC TEMPLE, WYONG FRIDAY, l O t h SEPTEMBER, 1 9 4 8 .

FOUNDATION MEMBERS. L.A. 0. W.G. H.J. O.C. Gio. A.C. G. F.R. L.H. G.N. W.J. S.M.

ENGLISCH DENNISS P.M. STOCK MAIN MARKS P.M. BURRONE LEWIS ABEL DANN WORLEY COLLEAS CLARK LAWS

G. R.S. H.J. A.G. C.A. Gia. E. A.J. T.D. CD. L.T. M.

HUXLEY BENJAMIN NEWMAN FROST COMBER P.M. BURRONE SCANLON SAMSON P.M. McMULLEN P.M. BATEMAN P.M. SCORGIE ROSE

A.T. CLIFFORD, J n r . H . J . PROSS F.W. LEWIS T. SHORE T. ANDERSON P.M. H.W. CHALMERS P.M. Edw. STOKES P.M. W.R. DEAN M.A. THOMPSON J.W. SERGEANT P.M. R . J . LEA F.T.G. VAUGHAN P.M B. CLARKE

180

A concise klAto/iy, hxiA been. lunJutten. of that Lodg.e.

fjiom.

the. eaA.Xy, y.ean.4 ecuiti^ peji/sortat

ThlA IA veA.y, irLtejieAtlng,, the fJyi^t ten y.eaAA of the

Lodg.e TUQQCMH LAKES /iecottecJJ^onA of.. membeAA

although, -iho/it, lodge'exL.6tence:

ays It enoompoAyieA 19^8 to 1958.

only,

Thejie OLne now no AunvLving witjxeAAeA of that epoch and copteA of that book-Let aA.e OIAO veJiy. /Lone. We theA.efon.e lep/ioduce much of ItA eight. pagcA wiMi the kind pemaiAAion of the Won.. MoAt&n. of TUGQSnAH LAKES, W. B/LO. lion Fn.en.ch. We acknowledg.e it. with pLeoAUJie. The hiysto/iy. LUOA begun b^ W.B. Mcuik-o* and corvtempoyicuig conmentA Lux. fAQft) in a lectune to mcuik the

I^OAAOW, continued by. V.B. OAAIQ weA.e added by Ji.W. Bn.o. W.H. fljiAt 40 yecuiA of the lodge.

The Aeation 0U7( OWN HOf^E, IA found in 1953 fon. the ceA.emony of the Setting The meeting

nights,

o/vLglnaily

in the byiochiuLe of the Foundation

weM.e held

on the

fin.At

publlAked Stone.

ff\ondayA.

The lodge hxiA oAwayA had an aative Aoclal life. Annual BOLLA wejte held, the pjioflt. fjiom thcAe AucceAAful fjun.ctl.onA werut to the building fund. Social functions had VCULLOUA venues The Memo/iial Hal.1, the Bowling Club, the ^.S.L. Club. Ladies' NightA' South and ChAMAtmoyi paLn.il.eA foA the chll.dA.en CULC populoji. On 1976 the pjiofil fjiom. the Annmil Ball went to the C.C. TieUjiemenl. Vil.lag.e. Dunlng. the k-0 yea^A thlA lodge hoA Aeen foun. of itA to the poAition of OiAt/iict JnApectoA.: V.W. B/Lo. W.H. haÂąhewA in I960, V.W. BAO. Hoy nay in 1970, V.W. Bn.o. Noel l^aundeJL in 1986 and V.W. B/Lo. LeA Mantle in 1991.

inembeA.A

elevaled

The laAt AubACJiibuig foundation membeAA have paAAed away the FoundalMon MoAten. W. B/io. ThomoA Donald McfiJullen on 5 DecembeJi 198k, the foundation AecM.etaA.y V.W. BJIO. OAAIC McuikA on 2 Mcuich 1986 and W. BAO. Andy LewiA on 13 Novembeyi 1988. *Oswald on

Charles

MARKS, was i n i t i a t e d

14.6.1922, passed

12.7.1922

i n Lodge

and r a i s e d

became W o r s h i p f u l Master o f h i s lodge i n 1942-43. of Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES from 1948 t o 1972. as

i n Lodge GOSFORD

LAKES

i n 1973.

i n 1972.

THE ENTRANCE No. 124. NSW d i e d i n March 1986.

He a l s o

He r e c e i v e d belonged

Constitution,

(Certificate

a 50 Years

he was F i r s t

Honorary

Membership Arch,

Principal

Secretary

t o Grand Lodge

He was made

t o Holy Royal

N.S.W.

No. 69452).

He was t h e Foundation

He was e l e v a t e d

P.D.G.D.C. i n 1966 and P.D.G.I.W. i n 1971.

of Lodge TUGGERAH

GUILDFORD No. 321 U.G.L.

9.8.1922

Honour Member

Certificate

Chapter

KARAGI-

i n 1966-67.

181

HISTORY OF LODGE TUGGERAH LAKES No. 757. 1948

- 1958.

A l t h o u g h t h i s i s a b r i e f h i s t o r y o f L o d g e TUGGERAH L A K E S , No. 757, d u r i n g t h e f i r s t d e c a d e of i t sexistence, i t s b i r t h may be t r a c e d b a c k t o one May m o r n i n g i n 1 9 4 0 when, s e a t e d i n h i s " d e n " g a z i n g a l o n g t h e c o a s t l i n e t o w a r d N o r a h H e a d , W. B r o . S t o k e s p o n d e r e d o n t h e q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r t h e r e w e r e s u f f i c i e n t masons l i v i n g a t The E n t r a n c e t o j u s t i f y a n a t t e m p t t o f o r m them into a Lodge. After discussion with h i s o l dpals, the was made a n d t h e names o f 3 0 b r e t h r e n t h i s t i m e we w e r e a t w a r , t h e c l o u d s o f o m i n o u s a n d i t was c o n s i d e r e d t h a t t h e t o f o u n d a new L o d g e .

Bro' s Burrone, a canvass obtained. However, a t w h i c h were becoming more t i m e was n o t a p p r o p r i a t e

No f u r t h e r s t e p s w e r e t a k e n t h e r e f o r e , u n t i l a f t e r t h e c e s s a t i o n o f h o s t i l i t i e s when c o n d i t i o n s w e r e more s e t t l e d a n d t h e o u t l o o k brighter. W. B r o . S t o k e s a g a i n c a n v a s s e d t h e d i s t r i c t a n d now o b t a i n e d t h e names o f 46 b r e t h r e n . P r o c u r i n g , o r t a k i n g d e s c r i p t i o n s and dimensions o f a l l a v a i l a b l e h a l l s , he w r o t e t o t h e U.G.L. o f N.S.W., i n q u i r i n g whether any o f s u c h b u i l d i n g s w o u l d be s u i t a b l e f o r h o l d i n g Lodge meetings i n t h e e v e n t o f a C h a r t e r b e i n g g r a n t e d f o r a new L o d g e t o meet a t The E n t r a n c e . At a m e e t i n g h e l d i n the S u r f C l u b b u i l d i n g on Tuesday, 19 A u g u s t 1947, a n d a t t e n d e d b y 49 m a s o n s , B r o . E. S t o k e s was e l e c t e d Chairman. A f t e r he h a d o u t l i n e d w h a t h a d b e e n done i n r e g a r d t o f o r m i n g a L o d g e a t The E n t r a n c e , i t was u n a n i m o u s l y d e c i d e d : "That a l l M a s t e r Masons h e r e a s s e m b l e d , h a v i n g t h e p r o s p e r i t y o f t h e C r a f t at heart, a r e anxious t o exert our best endeavours t o promote and d i f f u s e t h e g e n u i n e p r i n c i p l e s o f t h e A r t a n d f o r c o n v e n i e n c e h a v i n g r e g a r d t o o u r own r e s p e c t i v e dwellings and o t h e r good r e a s o n s , we a r e d e s i r o u s o f f o r m i n g a new L o d g e i n t h i s locality." A deputation of three, i n t h e persons o f W. B r o . G. B a t e m a n , B r o . H.W. C h a l m e r s a n d B r o . E. S t o k e s , was a p p o i n t e d t o i n t e r v i e w the Grand S e c r e t a r y and t h e Grand A r c h i t e c t respecting a place of meeting. The d e p u t a t i o n h a v i n g i n t e r v i e w e d t h e Grand Architect, f i n a l l y p e r s u a d e d h i m t o come t o T h e E n t r a n c e a n d i n s p e c t several b u i l d i n g s , namely t h e S u r f Club building, the Methodist Church and t h e M e m o r i a l H a l l . These a l l were c o n s i d e r e d u n s a t i s f a c t o r y and t h e G r a n d S e c r e t a r y t h e n w r o t e , s u g g e s t i n g t h a t , a s no s u i t a b l e b u i l d i n g was a v a i l a b l e f o r a L o d g e m e e t i n g p l a c e , we s h o u l d c o n s i d e r m e e t i n g i n e i t h e r G o s f p r d o r Wyong u n t i l s u c h t i m e a s a p r o p e r T e m p l e c o u l d b e e r e c t e d a t The E n t r a n c e . T h i s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n was a d o p t e d a t a m e e t i n g h e l d i n t h e M e m o r i a l H a l l on 30 M a r c h 1948, o f w h i c h B r o . S t o k e s a n d B r o . S. Laws were e l e c t e d Chairman a n d S e c r e t a r y , r e s p e c t i v e l y . A committee, c o n s i s t i n g o f B r o ' s . E. S t o k e s ( C h a i r m a n ) , 0. D e n n i s s (Secretary),

182

L. E n g l i s c h , W.R. D e a n , J.W. R o b e r t s , L.R. B u r k l n s h a w , T.D. M c M u l l e n , A. W a t k i n s a n d A . E . H a n s e n was a p p o i n t e d t o t a k e n e c e s s a r y steps t o s e c u r e f r o m t h e U.G.L., a C h a r t e r , o r W a r r a n t o f C o n s t i t u t i o n f o r a C r a f t L o d g e t o meet ( p r o Tem) a t G o s f o r d o r Wyong. A t a f u r t h e r m e e t i n g h e l d o n 27 May 1 9 4 8 , a f t e r much d i s c u s s i o n c o n c e r n i n g a s u i t a b l e name f o r t h e L o d g e , t h e c h o i c e was n a r r o w e d down t o " L o d g e T u g g e r a h L a k e s " a n d " L o d g e Toowoon". By v o t e o f t h e b r e t h r e n p r e s e n t i t was d e c i d e d t o c a l l t h e new Lodge, "Lodge Tuggerah L a k e s " . After further discussion as t o w h e t h e r t h e m e e t i n g p l a c e s h o u l d be a t G o s f o r d o r Wyong, i t was d e c i d e d t h a t t h e L o d g e s h o u l d be a t Wyong. Foundation officers were then e l e c t e d . Upon a p p l i c a t i o n t h e n b e i n g made t o G r a n d Lodge f o r a Charter for a new L o d g e , t h e G r a n d S e c r e t a r y a d v i s e d B r o . 0. Denniss on 2 J u l y 1 9 4 8 , by l e t t e r , t h a t on t h e recommendation of the B o a r d o f G e n e r a l P u r p o s e s , t h e M.W., t h e Grand Master had g r a n t e d t h e P r a y e r o f t h e P e t i t i o n e r s t o i s s u e a C h a r t e r t o t h e new L o d g e t o be known a s " L o d g e TUGGERAH L A K E S " , a n d t h a t t h e number a l l o t e d i n t h e G r a n d L o d g e r e g i s t e r was 7 5 7 . The L o d g e was t o meet i n the Masonic T e m p l e , Wyong, o n t h e f i r s t Monday i n each month. As a m a t t e r o f i n t e r e s t , i t may b e n o t e d t h a t B r o . S t o k e s , who i s a P.D.G.M., o f t h e M a n c h e s t e r U n i t y Order o f O d d f e l l o w s , had j u s t p r e v i o u s l y f o r m e d a l o d g e o f t h a t j u r i s d i c t i o n a t The E n t r a n c e , w h i c h l o d g e was c a l l e d " T u g g e r a h Lakes" and which was o n t h e r e g i s t e r o f t h e M.U.I.0.0.F., numbered 757. By t h i s c o i n c i d e n c e , t h e r e w e r e now o f c o u r s e , two l o d g e s ( o f d i f f e r e n t jurisdiction) a t The E n t r a n c e c a l l e d " L o d g e T u g g e r a h L a k e s , N o . 7 5 7 " . So f a r as c a n be a s c e r t a i n e d , t h i s i s t h e o n l y p l a c e w h e r e t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s have e x i s t e d . A t a m e e t i n g h e l d on 5 J u l y 1948, a r r a n g e m e n t s were made f o r the d e d i c a t i o n o f the Lodge, and s u i t a b l e dates were indicated t o G r a n d L o d g e w i t h a r e q u e s t t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g names be e n g r o s s e d on t h e C h a r t e r , n a m e l y : Wor. B r o . T.D. M c M u l l e n , B r o . E. S t o k e s , B r o . H.W. C h a l m e r s , B r o . 0. D e n n i s s , Wor. B r o . T. A n d e r s o n , Wor. B r o . A. D a v i s o n a n d B r o . L. E n g l i s c h . On 12 J u l y 1 9 4 8 , t h e G r a n d Secretary advised B r o . Denniss by l e t t e r , t h a t t h e G.M. h a d a g r e e d u p o n F r i d a y , 10 S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 8 , as t h e d a t e f o r t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n o f t h e new Lodge a n d t h e i n s t a l l a t i o n o f t h e W.M. On t h a t d a t e , " L o d g e TUGGERAH L A K E S , No. 7 5 7 " was c o n s e c r a t e d b y M o s t W o r s h i p f u l B r o . F r a n k S. M c D o w e l l , G.M. , who i n s t a l l e d Wor. B r o . T.D. M c M u l l e n a s F o u n d a t i o n M a s t e r . The G.M. was a s s i s t e d b y t h e f o l l o w i n g s p o n s o r s , n a m e l y : Bro. H.W. Edwards, G.D.O.C, V.W. B r o . R.G. H a m i l t o n , G.D. o f C , Wor. B r o . C. W i l l i a m s , H e r a l d .

V.W. Deputy

183

A d d r e s s t o Wor. M a s t e r R. Wor. B r o . E.H.D. M l n n e t t e , S.G.W. A d d r e s s t o W a r d e n s : R t . Wor. B r o . F r a n k H o o k e , P.S.G.W. A d d r e s s t o B r e t h r e n : M o s t Wor. B r o . F r a n k M c D o w e l l , G.M.

FOUNDATION OFFICERS. W.M.: Wor. B r o . T.D. M c M u l l e n . I.P.M.: Wor. B r o . T. A n d e r s o n . S.W.: B r o . E. S t o k e s J.W.: B r o . H.W. C h a l m e r s . Chaplain: Wor. B r o . W.H. Y o u n g . Treasurer: B r o . L. E n g l i s c h . Secretary: Wor. B r o . O.C. M a r k s . D i r . o f Ceremonies: V.W. B r o . A.N.W. D a v i s o n . S.D.: B r o . 0. D e n n i s s . J.D.: B r o . S.M. L a w s . Organist: B r o . H.R. F o l e y . Inner Guards: B r o . T. S h o r e . Stewards; B r o s . A . E . M e r c e r , A. P e a r c e , M. R o s e , G. A b e l a n d F. L e w i s . Tyler: B r o . A.G. F r o s t .

A.E. C l i f f o r d ,

PETITIONERS. L . A . E n g l i s c h , 0 . D e n n i s s , W.G. S t o c k , H . J . M a i n , O.C. M a r k s , G. B u r r o n e , A.C. L e w i s , G. A b e l , F.R. Dann, L.H. W o r l e y , G.N. C o l l i s s , T. B a r r a s s , A. Smee, A . E . M e r c e r , W.J. C l a r k e , S.M. L a w s , G. H u x l e y , R.S. B e n j a m i n , E. G r i f f i t h s , A.E. Hansen, H.G. Newman, A.G. F r o s t , C.A. Comber, G.A. B u r r o n e , E. S c a n l o n , A . J . Samson, T.D. M c M u l l e n , C D . B a t e m a n , L . S c o r g i e , D.P. R a e , R.A. B o y l e , H.R. F o l e y , A. P e a r c e , M. R o s e , B. C l a r k , A.T. C l i f f o r d , H . J . Cross, F. L e w i s , A . E . B l a k e y , A.N. D a v i s o n , L.R. B u r k i n s h a w , W.H. Y o u n g , T. S h o r e , A.C. W a t k i n s , T. A n d e r s o n , H.W. Chalmers, E. S t o k e s , W.R. D e a n , H . J . S e a r g e n t , R . J . L e a , F.T.G. V a u g h a n .

The f i r s t m e e t i n g o f t h e new L o d g e was o c c u p i e d i n d i s c u s s i o n o f By-Laws e t c . The n e x t , h o w e v e r , was e x t r e m e l y b u s y , there b e i n g on t h e agenda a N o t i c e o f M o t i o n , t e n a f f i l i a t i o n s and three b a l l o t s f o r I n i t i a t i o n . At the following meeting seven a f f i l i a t e s w e r e a d m i t t e d a n d t h e F i r s t D e g r e e w o r k was p e r f o r m e d when M r . C. M c C a l l u m became the f i r s t initiate o f t h e Lodge.

OUR OWN HOME. F o l l o w i n g t h e d e d i c a t i o n o f L o d g e TUGGERAH LAKES o n 10 S e p t e m b e r 1948, o n e o f t h e f i r s t resolutions p l a c e d on t h e m i n u t e book was t h a t a n amount o f ÂŁ 3 / 3 / - be a p p r o p r i a t e d f r o m a l l i n i t i a t i o n a n d a f f i l i a t i o n f e e s a n d c r e d i t e d t o a s p e c i a l f u n d t o b e known

184

as t h e of f i v e £500.

Lodge Tuggerah Lakes B u i l d i n g Fund. Within a period y e a r s t h e B u i l d i n g F u n d , a i d e d by d o n a t i o n s , e x c e e d e d

Bro. W. W e s t b u r y g e n e r o u s l y d o n a t e d t h e a r e a o f l a n d on w h i c h the T e m p l e has s i n c e b e e n c o n s t r u c t e d t o t h e L o d g e , and Wor. Bro. C. D. B a t e m a n a s s i s t e d t h e B u i l d i n g F u n d t o a g r e a t e x t e n t by d o n a t i n g a £ 1 0 0 War Bond. A number o f M a s o n s ' w i v e s raised w e l l o v e r £100 f o r t h e Fund and a l s o d o n a t e d a considerable amount o f c r o c k e r y . In October 1952, immediately f o l l o w i n g the I n s t a l l a t i o n Meeting, t h e Wor. M a s t e r , W. B r o . T. A n d e r s o n , c o n v e n e d a s p e c i a l m e e t i n g for the purpose of d i s c u s s i n g a building programme f o r the Lodge. The m e e t i n g , w h i c h was v e r y w e l l a t t e n d e d , t o o k p l a c e at B r o . L e w i s ' "Tea G a r d e n s , " on 27 October 1952, with W. Bro. Anderson p r e s i d i n g . A t t h e m e e t i n g , i t was decided to i m m e d i a t e l y commence t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e T e m p l e , a n d that £10 d e b e n t u r e s be i s s u e d t o augment the Building Fund. A B u i l d i n g C o m m i t t e e was f o r m e d w i t h W. B r o . G. M o r r o w as C h a i r m a n , Bro. W. G. S t o c k , Hon. S e c r e t a r y and B r o . A. L e w i s , T r e a s u r e r . The task of collecting the debenture monies was entrusted t o B r o . S t o c k a n d i t was due m a i n l y t o h i s u n t i r i n g efforts t h a t s u f f i c i e n t f i n a n c e was r a i s e d t o e n a b l e t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e b u i l d i n g t o be commenced. He was a l s o a p p o i n t e d o v e r s e e r of t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k w i t h B r o . J . S a v i l l e as h i s d e p u t y . P l a n s a n d s p e c i f i c a t i o n s d r a w n up by B r o . S t o c k w e r e adopted by t h e B u i l d i n g C o m m i t t e e and t h e p r o j e c t was commenced. D u r i n g t h e t h i r d week i n F e b r u a r y 1 9 5 3 , t h e l a n d was cleared and t h e f o u n d a t i o n l a i d . W i t h i n the s h o r t space of s i x months, Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES p o s s e s s e d a b u i l d i n g o f q u a l i t y a n d subs t a n c e o f w h i c h a l l Masons ( e s p e c i a l l y o u r own members) can f e e l j u s t l y proud. It is particularly pleasing t o be able t o r e c o r d t h a t most o f t h e w o r k was done i n an e n t i r e l y v o l u n t a r y capacity. The only e x c e p t i o n s were the brick foundations, the f i x i n g o f t h e r o o f and t h e d r a i n a g e s y s t e m . The s i n c e r e g r a t i t u d e o f t h e L o d g e i s due t o a l l d o n o r s and d e b e n t u r e h o l d e r s as w e l l as t o t h e v o l u n t a r y workers whose m a g n i f i c e n t e f f o r t s c u l m i n a t e d i n the d e d i c a t i o n of t h i s very f i n e Temple. After several years i n t h e new Temple, i t became apparent that f o r our Installation Banquet, o r , on the o c c a s i o n of a v i s i t from the Grand M a s t e r , the accommodation i n the South was b e c o m i n g too small. I n 1963 a move was suggested that s o m e t h i n g be done a b o u t i m p r o v i n g t h e p o s i t i o n . I t was not u n t i l 1971 t h a t a move was made t o o b t a i n a l o a n f o r t h e s e w e r a g e c o n n e c t i o n s and a l t e r a t i o n s t o t h e S o u t h . The l o a n f o r the job i s f r o m t h e G r a n d Lodge T e m p l e F u n d and i s f o r 21 y e a r s a t 17o i n t e r e s t . I n the meantime, f o r the I n s t a l l a t i o n Banquet or Grand M a s t e r ' s visit, the Community Hall at Long Jetty was r e n t e d .

185

As t h e y e a r 1 9 6 8 was t o be t h e y e a r t o t e r m i n a t e t h e d e b e n t u r e i s s u e i t was a r r a n g e d w i t h t h e G r a n d S e c . f o r t h e G r a n d Master t o be i n a t t e n d a n c e a t t h e I n s t a l l a t i o n Ceremony. R.W. B r o . E.A. P r i m r o s e t h a t n i g h t h a n d e d o v e r t h e t i t l e d e e d s o f o u r p r o p e r t y to o u r W o r s h i p f u l M a s t e r .

MEETING NIGHTS. You w i l l r e c a l l t h a t t h e o r i g i n a l C h a r t e r s t a t e d t h a t t h e m e e t i n g n i g h t s w o u l d be t h e f i r s t Monday o f e a c h m o n t h . There were u n s u c c e s s f u l a t t e m p t s t o change t h e meetings n i g h t - however i n J u n e 1 9 5 5 i t was c h a n g e d t o t h e f o u r t h T h u r s d a y . This only lasted u n t i l 1957 f o r i n J u n e o f t h a t y e a r i t became t h e s e c o n d Monday. The o n l y v a r i a t i o n September.

Other

activities

i s f o rInstallation

i n which

t h e Lodge h a s been

t h e 2nd

Saturday

i n

involved:

MASONIC EDUCATION. I n F e b r u a r y 1 9 6 9 Wor. B r o . W.H. Mathews became a n O f f i c i a l L e c t u r e r and became v e r y a c t i v e i n t h e L o d g e i n t h a t p o s i t i o n . I t was at t h i s t i m e t h a t t h e L o d g e became a s u b s c r i b i n g member o f t h e Sydney Lodge o f R e s e a r c h . V.W. B r o . A l b i e Walker must surely h o l d t h e r e c o r d f o r t h e number o f t i m e s he h a s e x p l a i n e d t h e F i r s t B o a r d - s i x o n h i s own a n d t w i c e a s s i s t i n g a n o t h e r B r o t h e r . R.W. B r o . L u x became a n O f f i c i a l L e c t u r e r i n 1 9 8 6 h a v i n g been t h e D i s t r i c t E d u c a t i o n O f f i c e r some y e a r s p r e v i o u s l y . I n 1982 he was o f f i c i a l l y a p p o i n t e d a s t h e L o d g e E d u c a t i o n O f f i c e r . Lodges of Instruction were established i n Gosford a n d Wyong. On 12 O c t o b e r 1982 t h i s L o d g e k i n d l y provided the use of t h e L o d g e t o t h e "Wyong S h i r e A r e a L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n " r e n t f r e e . A f u r t h e r g r o u p e n t i t l e d "The B e r t Badger Research now b e e n f o r m e d a n d i s a t t e m p t i n g t o e s t a b l i s h i t s e l f .

Group"

The i d e a o f f o r m i n g a D a y l i g h t L o d g e emanated from when W. B r o . N o e l Walsh conducted an u n s u c c e s s f u l 8 June 1981.

this Lodge meeting on

MASONIC later.

WIDOWS ASSOCIATION:

owes

much

to this

lodge

has

reported

186

LODGE TUGGERAH U.G.L.

N.S.W.

L A K E S No. 757

(Founded

OFFICIAL

1343)

OPENING OF

EXTENSIONS TO

Temple

Building

S U N D A Y , 8 T H J U N E , 1980 2.30

P.M.

187

THE

STORY BEHIND THE TRACING BOARDS OF LODGE TUGGERAH LAKES.

The s t o r y was t o l d b y D a v i d W a l k e r , a P a s t - M a s t e r o f R I S I N G SUN, w h i c h I r e p o r t f r o m h i s own w o r d s . He was a t f i r s t reluctant a b o u t me t a p i n g t h e s t o r y l e s t he w o u l d b e s e e n as c a s t i n g a s l u r o n someone's r e p u t a t i o n . H o w e v e r he r e l e n t e d a s I p o i n t e d o u t t o h i m t h a t i t was a p o i n t o f h i s t o r i c a l i n t e r e s t . I knew them b o t h w e l l , t h e y a r e now b o t h d e a d . T h i s i s an amusing e p i s o d e i n human r e l a t i o n s w h i c h shows that t h e best bargains are n o t a l w a y s s t r u c k by d e a l i n g w i t h o t h e r masons. Unfortunately, t h i s w o u l d be t o o e a s y . " L o d g e TUGGERAH LAKES No. 7 5 7 , was f o r m e d i n S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 8 , but p l a n s were afoot long before that t o that purpose. A list was made s u g g e s t i n g equipment and f u r n i t u r e that t h e l o d g e s from t h e d i s t r i c t were welcome t o o f f e r t o the new l o d g e . The l i s t p a s s e d amongst t h e v a r i o u s l o d g e s a n d when Lodge R I S I N G SUN r e c e i v e d i t a l l i t e m s w e r e p l e d g e d , except the two most e x p e n s i v e : t h e o r g a n a n d t h e T r a c i n g B o a r d s . T h i s was t o w a r d t h e e n d o f my M a s t e r s h i p , my f i r s t passage t h r o u g h K.S. C h a i r . T h e L o d g e was n u m e r o u s and then i n a good f i n a n c i a l position, a n d i t was r e s o l v e d t o o f f e r t h e T.B. I n f o r m a t i o n was s o u g h t from Grand lodge as t o t h e c o s t o f a T.B. s e t . The d i s m a l r e p l y was £ 7 5 . That was some money a n d i t was r e s o l v e d t o s e e i f b o a r d s of a comparable q u a l i t y c o u l d be o b t a i n e d a t l e s s c o s t . I t was t o w a r d t h e e n d o f my t e n u r e i n 1 9 5 3 . I knew a p a i n t e r a n d s i g n w r i t e r , who was a mason. He was B i l l E...., a n u n - a f f i l iated and un-attached brother, but a mason nevertheless and a g o o d s i g n w r i t e r . " David Walker c o n t a c t e d h i m and put t h e case t o him. B i l l asked t o s e e t h e R.S. B o a r d s a s a m o d e l a n d one was t a k e n t o h i s p l a c e ( I may s a y t h a t h e l i v e d a t t h e c o r n e r o f Mann a n d E t n a Streets, w h e r e h e h a d two w e l l built brick c o t t a g e s , now d e m o l i s h e d ) . He s a i d h e c o u l d e a s i l y t a k e t h e j o b o n . He a s k e d about t h e q u o t e , he was n o n - c o m m i t t a l . D a v i d t o l d h i m t h a t he c o u l d b u y them i n S y d n e y f o r £75 a n d he x^as e x p e c t i n g a much l o w e r q u o t e . B i l l a s s u r e d h i m t h a t he c o u l d make t h e j o b f o r l e s s t h a n t h a t and h e f o r m a l l y s a i d no more t h a n £ 5 0 . No w r i t t e n submission was made. One member o f t h e l o d g e , Doug B e r r y , s i n c e d e p a r t e d , shop a n d o f f e r e d t o make t h e b o a r d s . D a v i d does

had a j o i n e r y not r e c a l l i f

188

he g a v e t h e b o a r d s o r i f t h e y w e r e p a i d was a b o u t £8 a n d B i l l was p u t i n c h a r g e .

f o r , but

their

value

D a v i d met w i t h a n a s t y a c c i d e n t when m u s t e r i n g c a t t l e , a h o r s e c r u s h e d him a g a i n s t a t r e e and afterwards kicked him. D a v i d was r u s h e d t o t h e l o c a l h o s p i t a l , f r o m t h e r e t o S y d n e y by a m b u l a n c e , placed i n intensive care with oxygen, and was away f o r many w e e k s . When a t l a s t he r e t u r n e d he l e a r n t t h a t t h e l o d g e h a d received B i l l E....'s i n v o i c e and p a s s e d i t f o r p a y m e n t . The price was £74! As B i l l h a d s a i d , h i s d o c k e t was under the cost f i r s t g i v e n , b u t n o t much u n d e r , a n d much o v e r the maximum of £50 f i r s t q u o t e d v e r b a l l y . D a v i d was choked but as he s a i d , "Nobody a s k e d me a n y t h i n g , no c h a l l e n g e was given to the amount o f t h e b i l l w h i c h i n any c a s e has b e e n p a i d . " David s t i l l f e l t t e r r i b l e about the whole i n c i d e n t ; perhaps he d i s l i k e d t h e f a c t t h a t B i l l h a d t a k e n a d v a n t a g e o f D a v i d ' s temporary absence. E m i l R o s e n f e l d e r , who succeeded him, did n o t know a b o u t t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s . B i l l E.... h a d a s k e d i f he w o u l d o b j e c t t o t h e board s i g n e d , and h a d b e e n t o l d t h a t i t was a l l right, he a M a s o n , as l o n g as h i s name was n o t t o o c o n s p i c u o u s . name s h o u l d be f o u n d on one o r a l l o f t h e p a i n t i n g s .

being being Bill's

Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES i s one o f t h e v e r y few that can boast of h a v i n g a h a n d - p a i n t e d T r a c i n g B o a r d , a n d as s u c h this is a v a l u a b l e p i e c e of f u r n i t u r e . Up t o now, v e r y few knew t h e s t o r y , t o l d here f o r the f i r s t time.

CHOIR. Recently established under the leadership of Ron French this Lodge now b o a s t s a c h o i r , whose r e p u t a t i o n i s s p r e a d i n g . Music b o t h i n t h e L o d g e Room a n d h e r e i n t h e S o u t h has s u c h a b e n e f i c i a l i n f l u e n c e - i t s w o r t h c a n n e v e r be f u l l y e s t i m a t e d . I t i s p l e a s i n g to n o t e t h a t t h e l a d i e s are enthusiastic participators i n the choir.

189

L i s t of Past Masters o f Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES No. 757.

NariE o f tfaster^

Year of O f f i c e .

T.D. McMULLEN E. STOKES H.W. CHALMERS 0. DENNISS T. ANDERSON A.L. BOHRINGER F.N. FARRELL A.C. LEWIS K.* R • G • DOWNES R.G. GOUGH PDGIW H.W. WHITBRED J . J . McKENZIE N. MULLEN A.G. WALKER PDGDC R.K. RAY PDGIW E.B. HARVEY J.R. L I L B U R N R.R. GOSNELL D.A. SMALL E.G. HARTGE N . J . HALDEN K.L. McKAY

Name of Master. H.F.T. I. D.F. W. F.H. L.W. G.H. N.B. L.A. K.D. B.G.M. H.A. L.A. N.J. W.A, F.S.G. J.H» J. E.G. P.L. P.D. R.S.

1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70

WHETTON JUGO CAMPTON LIDDEN SIMDNSON LITTLEFIELD FORBES WALSH DONALDSON CHATER HENDERSON HOWARD MANTLE MAUNDER PDGIW EAIRHALL LUTTON PDGDC HOKIN RICHARDSON NUNN CHAIN TURNER FRENCH

The Past Masters' Board bears the i n s c r i p t i o n : FOUNDED 1 0 t h S e p t e m b e r 1948 P r e s e n t e d by L o d g e BRIGHTON No. 357

Year of O f f i c e . 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92

191

OF A N C I E N T , F R E E A N D A C C E P T E D W.M

MASONS

W o r . Bro. Norm Barrett ( 9 2 1 3 5 3 )

S.W

j.VV I.P.M W y o n g M a s o n i c Centre

B,'o.

Ted

Euvui,

(32

2T:8;

Wor.Bro. Ron Jeffery ( 9 2 5 1 7 5 1 W o r . B r o . Dudley Dhu ( 9 6 4 0 2 1 1 (53 1712)

Bro. Dear Sir and Brother, The W o r s h i p f u l M a s t e r desires to c o n v e y his fraternal greetings and expresses the hope that y o u will be present at the Regular Meeting of the Lodge, to be held in the Lodge R o o m , M a s o n i c T e m p l e , W y o n g , at 7.30 p.m. on W E D N E S D A Y , 7th J U N E , 1 9 8 9 . Dues to this meeting (including any arrears)

Dues to 3 0 t h A p r i l , 1 9 9 0 (optional) (If paid by J u l y meeting)

Yours faithfully and fraternally R E G . D O U G L A S S , P.J.G.W., Secretary P.O. Box 1 2 5 , Ourimbah, 2 2 5 8 Phone [ 0 4 3 ] 6 2 1 8 7 5 KINDLY A D V I S E S E C R E T A R Y OF A N Y C H A N G E OF A D D R E S S

193

Lodge TOUKLEY.

933.

U n i t e d Grand Lodge of New South Wales

DEDICATED:

23 May 1955

PLACE OF MEETING:

15 Howarth S t r e e t Wyong 2259 Telephone

(043) 51-1712

DATE OF MEETING: 1st Wednesday - Monthly INSTALLATION: 3rd

Saturday i n May.

L i s t of Past Masters o f Lodge TOUKLEY No. 933.

Name of the Master. W.J.

SKY

L.S.

HOPE

L.S.

HOPE

J.A.

TOMKINS

J.R.

STEPHENS

G.E.

HUMPHREYS

G.E.

HUMPHREYS

K. 0 ' C O N N E L L A.H,

GIBSON

J.W. C O O K I.R.

BALES

H.R. E V A N S J.W. B A T E S L.F.

JEANS

T.S.

MILNER

MASSEY

J.W. B A T E S

Year of Office.

1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1976-76

Naire of the Master. BATES McCORMlC R. HUBBARD W. BROWN

L.T.

R.A.

E.J.

DEWHURST

D.P.

GORDON

J.M.

MCGREGOR

W.A.

SCOUGAL

DUMPMANIS

FORD

D.F.

LEONARD

W.J.

ROBERTS

D.E.

DHU

N.P.

BARRETT

A.E.

EAVES

D.E.

DHU

* 2nd year of O f f i c e .

JENKINS

Year of Office. 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992

194

Lodge TOUKLEY. 933. Foundation O f f i c e r s . Wor. M a s t e r I.P.M. S e n i o r Warden J u n i o r Warden Chaplain Treasurer Secretary D i r e c t o r o f Ceremonies S e n i o r Deacon J u n i o r Deacon Organist D i r e c t o r o f Music Inner Guard Steward Steward Steward Steward Steward Steward Tyler

W. B r o . W. B r o . Bro. Bro. Bro, Bro. Bro. w. B r o . Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro.

W.J. SKY A.H. SAMSON L.S. HOPE J.A. TOMKINS G.T.H. SKINNER J.W. IRESON A.L. BLANCHARD L. WIDDOWSON K.D. B A I L E Y J . STEPHENS F. BRETT A.W. TOMKINS A . J . ANGEL A. JONES W.T.H. GEARSIDE G. CARPENTER T.I. LEE N. SENIOR BUCKLEY R.G. BUCHANAN oOo

Foundation Members.

A r t h u r F . J . ANGEL K e n n e t h D. B A I L E Y James R. BRAY (P.M.) R o b e r t C. BUCHANAN C l a u d e S. BUCK A l b e r t E. EDMONDS W a l t e r T.H. GEARSIDE E r n e s t H. GORDON H e n r y J . HARMAN W i l l i a m J . HILL L e o n a r d S. HOPE J o h n W. IRESON

Thomas J . L E E H e r b e r t McLEAN H a r o l d W. MOORE K e n n e t h PULLING A r n o l d J . SAMSON (P.M.) G e o r g e T.H. SKINNER J a c k R. STEPHENS A r t h u r W. TOMKINS J o h n A. TOMKINS F r e d e r i c k J . WHERRITT L e o n a r d WIDDOWSON (P.M.)

195

Lodge TOUKLEY.

933.

T o u k l e y i s s i t u a t e d o n t h e C e n t r a l C o a s t a b o u t h a l f way b e t w e e n G o s f o r d and N e w c a s t l e , i n the Shire o f Wyong. A district of the c o a s t a l l a k e s , Toukley i s on t h e n a r r o w t o n g u e o f l a n d w h i c h s e p a r a t e s Tuggerah Lake i n t h e south from Budgewoi Lake in the north. This i s a p e r f e c t holiday area: The E n t r a n c e , on t h e s o u t h o f T u g g e r a h L a k e ; G o r o k a n , N o r a v i l l e and Budgewoi a few m i l e s d i s t a n t . The o c e a n o n one s i d e , t h e l a k e s on the o t h e r ; t h e a r e a h a s much t o o f f e r a s a p e a c e f u l a n d r e s t f u l holiday resort. The a r e a a s a w h o l e was s t i l l very undeveloped a t t h e end o f W o r l d War I I . B u i l d i n g h a d b e e n h a m p e r e d d u r i n g t h e War due t o r e s t r i c t i o n s o n b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l a n d l a c k o f i n t e r e s t i n w h a t was r e g a r d e d as a p l a c e r e l a t i v e l y d i s t a n t from t h e centres of population. G o s f o r d was s t i l l more a l a r g e v i l l a g e t h a n a s m a l l town. U n d e v e l o p e d a l l o t m e n t s were s t i l l t o be found i n t h e c e n t r e o f t h e town. The e n d o f t h e 1940s a n d b e g i n n i n g o f t h e 1950s saw a r a p i d i n c r e a s e i n p o p u l a t i o n . Much l a n d was a v a i l a b l e a n d f e w r e s t r i c tions applied to subdivisions. T h e r e w e r e no t o w n planners o r p l a n n i n g schemes i n p l a c e . Many e s t a t e a g e n t s i n C o u n c i l favoured e x t e n s i v e s u b d i v i s i o n s which took place without provision f o r water, e l e c t r i c i t y or s a n i t a r y s e r v i c e s . Every owner c o u l d be h i s own b u i l d e r a n d do h i s own p l u m b i n g f o r h i s w a t e r tanks. Toilets were out-buildings at least 15 y a r d s from t h e h o u s e , w h i c h was o n e l e v a t e d piers, at least one foot six inches from the ground. The o n l y b r i c k s u s e d were f o r the p i e r s . W a l l s w e r e o f s t u d s , one f o o t s i x i n c h e s apart, and c l a d w i t h f i b r o s h e e t s . The r o o f s were of corrugated galvanised iron. H o u s e s w e r e i n e x p e n s i v e a n d l a n d was cheap - ÂŁ50 t o ÂŁ75 i n t h e ' 5 0 s ; t h e r e f o r e , s e t t l i n g i n the region was q u i t e a t t r a c t i v e o n t h e c o n d i t i o n t h a t one was n o t a w o r k e r as t h e r e was l i t t l e l o c a l employment. Toukley and a r e a was a t t r a c t i v e t o r e t i r e d p e o p l e who w i s h e d t o f i s h a n d r e s t a n d have a boat and a g a r d e n i n p e a c e f u l s u r r o u n d i n g s . Due t o i m m i g r a t i o n , the population was steadily increasing. I t was e a s y t o s e l l a h o u s e i n t h e m e t r o p o l i t a n a r e a t o r e i n v e s t i n the Toukley-Budgewoi areas. Many d i d just that, and s t i l l d o . Many o f t h e r e t i r e d p e o p l e h a d much l e i s u r e t i m e . Many h a d a l s o b e e n Masons i n t h e c i t y , a n d t h e y m i s s e d t h e i r t o w n L o d g e s . They l o n g e d t o k e e p i n w i t h t h e C r a f t a n d t o a f f i l i a t e with a L o d g e . Wyong was t h e n e a r e s t , and. many d i d a f f i l i a t e . Still, the prospect o n e ' s own L o d g e , was

of having a attractive.

Craft

Lodge

handy,

form

196

Masons now wear t i n y badges t o a d v e r t i s e t h a t was n o t done t h i r t y y e a r s ago!

their

quality,

but

H o w e v e r , M a s o n s h a v e t h e a b i l i t y t o d e t e c t a n o t h e r Mason a m o n g s t t h e anonymous c r o w d . I t t h e r e f o r e h a p p e n e d t h a t i n many p l a c e s , likely souls came into contact, exchanged r e c o l l e c t i o n s of t h e i r M a s o n i c e x p e r i e n c e s o f o l d d a y s i n t h e Lodge and sometimes discussed doing something that would bring their desires to fruition. I t i s q u i t e p r o b a b l e t h a t the m a j o r i t y of the T o u k l e y , Budgewoi, Gorokan and N o r a v i l l e Masonic population had lived in the d i s t r i c t less than f i v e years. They w e r e newcomers who had no previous ties with their present environment: joining a L o d g e was a way t o b u i l d common b o n d s w i t h n e i g h b o u r s and w i t h the a r e a . The f o r m a t i o n o f a M a s o n i c A s s o c i a t i o n was a means o f p r o v i d i n g a s o c i a l s e t t i n g t o w a r d s t h a t end. The brethren living in the v i c i n i t y o f the Lakes began t o contact each other with a view to forming a l i t t l e group. They met socially, and a f t e r a w h i l e d e c i d e d t o make i t f o r m a l by s e t t i n g up a M a s o n i c Association. One had t o be t h e l e a d e r and i t seems t h a t B r o . H. C. Davey was s u c h a man. On 5 J u n e 1954, B r o . H. G. D a v e y held an i n f o r m a l meeting at his home i n Holmes Avenue at Toukley. Present were: G. T. H. S k i n n e r , E r i c W. S k i n n e r , H. McLean, H. D a v e y , A. H e n n e s s e y , N. P i k e , A r n o l d J . Samson, C. Linden, E. G. G o r d o n , A. H a r r i s , F. P e t e r s o n , C. E. H a r v e y , W. Gearside, and R. B. W r i g h t , F i f t e e n u p r i g h t and t r u e men, enough to fill a l l t h e o f f i c e s i n a L o d g e w i t h a few o v e r to sit on the benches. A f t e r a thorough d i s c u s s i o n at the meeting, a l l thought that c i r c u m s t a n c e s were f a v o u r a b l e f o r f o r m i n g a Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n w i t h the u l t e r i o r o b j e c t of f o r m i n g a C r a f t Lodge. A formal i n a u g u r a l m e e t i n g was h e l d on 12 J u n e i n t h e r e c r e a t i o n room o f Mr Weekes' h o l i d a y camp, " P a c i f i c P a r a d i s e " , a t N o r a v i l l e . B r o . H. D a v e y i n t h e c h a i r welcomed the representatives of C M . A . , F. P a r k e s , S. C a s s i d y , J. Halesgrove and H. Byers. They a d d r e s s e d t h e b r e t h r e n on t h e a i m s and services performed by CM.A. I t was decided the a s s o c i a t i o n would like to be known as M . I . T . A . I . D . : Masons i n T o u k l e y and I m m e d i a t e Districts. O f f i c e bearers were n o m i n a t e d : President, H. Davey; Hon. S e c r e t a r y , A. H e n n e s s e y ; Vice-President, H. Samson; Asst. Hon. S e c r e t a r y , E r i c W. Skinner; Hon. Treasurer, J. Ireson; D. o f C , R. Weeks; C o m m i t t e e , S, A c l a n d , W, S k y , G. T. Skinner, A. H a r r i s , F. P e t e r s o n , C. E. H a r v e y and W. Gearside. Tyler, R. B. W r i g h t ; Hon. A u d i t o r s , G. E. B r a g g and C. T. S p e n c e r .

197

A f t e r r e f r e s h m e n t s were s e r v e d , and b u s i n e s s r e s u m e d a t 9.00p.m.

the v i s i t o r s

returned

Sydney

P r o p o s e d By-Laws w e r e tabled for discussion. Resolution that m e e t i n g n i g h t s be h e l d m o n t h l y o n 4 t h S a t u r d a y . F e e s t o be 5/ for j o i n i n g a n d 5/- p e r q u a r t e r . By-Laws were read, adopted and p u b l i s h e d . The f i r s t r e g u l a r m o n t h l y m e e t i n g was h e l d on t h e 4 t h i n J u l y i n t h e M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h h a l l w h i c h was rented s h i l l i n g s and t e n p e n c e . New members: accepted.

Widdowson,

Northy,

Darnley,

Saturday for ten

Burchi11

were

G u e s t s p e a k e r was B r o . B r o c k , who h a d b e e n a p r i s o n e r o f war of the Japanese. He spoke on M a s o n r y i n M a l a y a and Changi. P r e s i d e n t H. D a v e y i n t i m a t e d t h a t he h a d i n v i t e d t h e L o r d M a y o r of Newcastle to a planned Ladies N i g h t . A t t h e m e e t i n g h e l d on 15 A u g u s t i t was moved t h a t " d a y o f m e e t i n g be 1 s t S a t u r d a y . " From then on t h e A s s o c i a t i o n h e l d regular meetings with discussions, often lengthy, on various topics. F i l m s w e r e shown a n d l e c t u r e s d e l i v e r e d . Social functions were h e l d and L a d i e s N i g h t s o r g a n i s e d and Church services attended. V i s i t o r s were e n t e r t a i n e d and l o c a l c h a r i t i e s s u p p o r t e d . The d e s i r e o f a l o d g e t o own i t s own b u i l d i n g i s v e r y tempting but i t i s a l s o c o s t l y . U n l e s s l a n d a n d b u i I d i n g c a n be obtained a t low c o s t . R e n t i n g a s u i t a b l e p r e m i s e s , i n t h e c a s e o f masons, a c c e s s t o an e s t a b l i s h e d lodge room, i s an a l t e r n a t i v e w h i c h must be l o o k e d a t v e r y c l o s e l y . I f the access is reasonable i t i s a much c h e a p e r a l t e r n a t i v e . The b r e t h r e n w e r e n o t l o s i n g s i g h t of t h e i r primary purpose: that of forming a masonic lodge. Allotments o f l a n d were r a t h e r c h e a p a n d t h e p u r c h a s e o f s u i t a b l e l a n d on w h i c h t o b u i I d a t e m p l e was t h e f i r s t o b j e c t i v e o f t h e m a s o n s . I n December 1954 t h e meeting addressed "the p o s s i b i l i t y of purchasing suitable land s i t e f o r p o s s i b l e e r e c t i o n o f Temple i n t h e f u t u r e " , t h e s e c r e t a r y was a u t h o r i s e d t o i n s p e c t a n d i n v e s t i g a t e t h i s m a 1 1 e r . I n March, B r o . S e c r e t a r y a n n o u n c e d t h a t he h a d made a d e p o s i t i n a Bui Iding F u n d f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f " a c q u i r i n g A s s o c i a t i o n ' s own p r o p e r t y . " I n May 1 9 5 5 , t h e m e m b e r s h i p s t o o d a t 4 9 . I n J u n e 1955 a n a p p r o a c h was made t o t h e M e t h o d i s t a n d P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h e s w i t h a v i e w t o use t h e i r c h u r c h as a temporary M a s o n i c m e e t i n g place. At t h e same t i m e i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f p u r c h a s i n g surplus h o s p i t a l l a n d w h i c h was n o t n e e d e d .

198

The c o m m i t t e e b o u g h t a n o r g a n f o r £10. R a i s i n g f u n d s was g o i n g on a l l t h e t i m e . E s t i m a t e s were computed: c o s t of m a t e r i a l f o r a t e m p l e - £450. C o s t o f l a n d - £136 ( w h i c h was a t t h e time t h e p r i c e o f a new f r i g ! ) The f u n d was s t a n d i n g a t £130.5.0 f o r l a n d i n Hammond R o a d , on w h i c h t h e y h a d s e c u r e d a n o p t i o n - n e x t t o a b l o c k t h a t c o s t £200. I n December 1955 t h e y c o n s i d e r e d t h r e e b l o c k s o f f e r e d f o r a t o t a l £240 i n F r a v e n t S t r e e t , T o u k l e y . The B u i l d i n g F u n d was s t a n d i n g a t £98.13.7; a n d i n May '56 a t £153.18.8. In July '56 more b l o c k s o f l a n d were i n v e s t i g a t e d , and i n A u g u s t t h e d e c i s i o n t h a t land was t o be p u r c h a s e d was moved a n d c a r r i e d . The n e x t b u s i n e s s , i n O c t o b e r , moved a step f o r m a t i o n o f a l o d g e , t o meet i n Wyong M a s o n i c v o t e t o be t a k e n on t h a t m o t i o n .

closer toward the Temple. A secret

I n J a n u a r y 1957 t h e v e n u e the Toukley P r o g r e s s H a l l .

Methodist

shifted

from

the

Hall

I n M a r c h 1957 two b l o c k s o f l a n d i n E v a n s Road w e r e p u r c h a s e d . The d e e d s w e r e d e p o s i t e d w i t h Mr B r o w n , s o l i c i t o r , a t Wyong f o r s a f e keeping. Dances were a l s o organised regularly, admission f o r which was 6/- ( A u g u s t 1 9 5 7 ) , r a f f l e s w e r e o r g a n i s e d a n d d r a w n on t h e o c c a s i o n o f b a l l s , w h i c h showed p r o f i t s f r o m £1.6.0 t o £5,17.0. Dance p r o f i t s c o u l d r e a c h £14.13.0, w i t h a n a t t e n d a n c e o f 21 masons. The b e s t e f f o r t t h e n i n S e p t e m b e r 1 9 5 7 . The t i m e came t o e s t i m a t e t h e c o s t o f f o r m i n g a lodge meeting a t Wyong T e m p l e , t o i n v e s t i g a t e the p r i c e of r e g a l i a . Lodge JAMES SIDNEY M I L L E R h a d o f f e r e d a set of r e g a l i a with jewels w o r t h £96.0.0. I t was t h e n d e c i d e d t o w r i t e t o G r a n d L o d g e t o apply f o r a Charter. That n i g h t t e r m i n a t e d on a dismal note h o w e v e r a s t h e b r o t h e r who was i n c h a r g e forgot to bring the l i q u i d refreshments!!! I t was d e c i d e d i n November 1957 t o f o r m a lodge called Lodge TOUKLEY. A s p e c i a l m e e t i n g was t o be called before the next February, A c o m m i t t e e o f t h e f o l l o w i n g members: B r o s . W. Weeks, A. Samson, J . B r a y , K. P u l l e y , L. W i d d o w s o n , A. T o n k i n a n d H o w e l l was f o r m e d . The s p e c i a l m e e t i n g c a l l e d f o r t h e f o r m a t i o n o f L o d g e TOUKLEY was h e l d o n 28 J a n u a r y 1958 i n t h e M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h . Among t h e s u b j e c t s under d i s c u s s i o n were: ( F o u n d a t i o n f e e f o r members s u g g e s t e d £5.5.0 o r £3.3.0 [ u n d e c i d e d ] l a t e d d e c i d e d t o be £2.2.0.) I t was recommended t h a t F o u n d a t i o n A f f i l i a t e f e e be £5.5.0.

199

M o n t h l y f e e t o be 1 0 / - . A f f i l i a t i o n f e e t o be £4.0.0. Initiation f e e £12.12.0 ( l a t e r f i x e d a t £15.15.0.) M e e t i n g on 2nd F r i d a y o f e a c h month ( f o r t h e b e n e f i t o f b r e t h r e n c a l l i n g on t h e w e e k - e n d s o n l y . ) The m e m b e r s h i p o f The T o u k l e y M a s o n i c Past Masters: D a v i s , W. Weeks, A. Samson, C. S p e n c e r , L. W i d d o w s o n , J . B r a y a n d W. H o w e l l .

Association Rositer,

included Sky,

ten

Bullock,

A p e t i t i o n f o r a new l o d g e was s u b m i t t e d t o t h e B o a r d o f G e n e r a l Purposes and a l e t t e r sent t o s o l i c i t L o d g e WYONG f o r recommendations . A s e t o f g a v e l s was B r o . L. Hope.

donated

B r o . Buck

and W o r k i n g

Tools

The m a n a g e r o f t h e C o m m e r c i a l Bank a t Wyong n o t i f i e d t h a t £1,000 was a t t h e i r d i s p o s a l f o r t h e b u i l d i n g o f a T e m p l e . A building c o m m i t t e e was f o r m e d o f B r o s . Edmonds, B a i l e y , S k y , Hope, Buck , I r e s o n and Bray. A t t h e r e g u l a r m e e t i n g o f May t h e members w e r e advised that a m o t i o n w o u l d be p u t t o t h e n e x t m e e t i n g w i t h a v i e w t o d i s b a n d t h e a s s o c i a t i o n : " t h a t i n v i e w o f L o d g e TOUKLEY No. 933 now b e i n g f o r m e d , t h e A s s o c i a t i o n w i n d up i t s a f f a i r s . " The m o t i o n was c a r r i e d a t t h e n e x t , and l a s t meeting of the Association held on 13 J u l y 1 9 5 9 . V o t e s o f t h a n k s were r e c o r d e d t o t h e P r e s i d e n t and

Committee.

F r o m 5 J u n e 1954 t o 10 A u g u s t 1959 - F i v e y e a r s , two m o n t h s a n d f i v e d a y s - t h e M a s o n i c A s s o c i a t i o n h a d b r o u g h t f o r t h L o d g e TOUKLEY No. 9 3 3 . H.C. D a v e y h a d b e e n i t s f i r s t p r e s i d e n t t o J u n e 1955, t h e n W. S k y up t o t h e d i s b a n d i n g o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n . D a v e y was n o t a f o u n d a t i o n member o f t h e l o d g e he c o n t r i b u t e d t o f o r m . The members h a d met f i r s t i n t h e M e t h o d i s t H a l l o r i n t h e C h u r c h u n t i l April 1957, t h e n i n t h e T o u k l e y P r o g r e s s H a l l u n t i l t h e f i n a l meeting. The s t o r y o f t h e T o u k l e y M a s o n i c A s s o c i a t i o n i s i n t e r e s t i n g as i t shows how a d e d i c a t e d g r o u p o f masons s e t a b o u t t o e s t a b l i s h t h e i r v e r y own l o d g e . L o d g e TOUKLEY No. 933 was c o n s e c r a t e d a n d t h e f i r s t Installation was p e r f o r m e d o n S a t u r d a y 23 May 1959, i n t h e Wyong Masonic T e m p l e b y M. Wor. B r o . T.L. W a r r e n , Grand Master. The first m a s t e r o f t h e l o d g e was Wor. B r o . W i l l i a m J o h n S k y .

200

By 1959 T o u k l e y b r i d g e h a d b e e n b u i l t , g i v i n g a much better a c c e s s t o Wyong f o r t h e b r e t h r e n o n t h e e a s t e r n s h o r e o f t h e lakes. Roads had improved a l o n g w i t h t h e i n c r e a s e i n p o p u l a t i o n , m a k i n g i t more l i k e l y t o d r i v e t o t h e m e e t i n g s with a near neighbour. The more e c o n o m i c a l s o l u t i o n t o the problem of m e e t i n g f o r L o d g e TOUKLEY was t o meet a t t h e c l o s e s t M a s o n i c H a l l a v a i l a b l e , e i t h e r Wyong o r L o n g J e t t y . The c h o i c e was Wyong. We a r e u n a w a r e o f t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s w h i c h determined the c h o i c e , b u t t h e road from Toukley t o Wyong i s shorter t h a n t h a t t o Long J e t t y .

201

The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales

203

SARATOGA MASONIC ASSOCIATION.

FOUNDED:

1956

PLACE OF MEETING:

Bro. FERN s Workshop. Saratoga

DATE OF MEETING:

3 r d Saturday - M o n t h l y .

Lodge SARATOGA. 937. U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f New South Wales. CONSECRATED:

24 October 1959

PLACE OF MEETING:

26 W i l l i a m S t r e e t G o s f o r d 2250 Telephone (043) 24-6237

DATE OF MEETING:

1st Friday Changed t o 1 s t Thursday monthly i n 1980 from 6 June.

INSTALLATION:

1 s t Saturday i n November.

ow:

Bob Fern,

Foundation Master Maurie Scott, Dave B r i t t l i f f . ] (Photo:

Bro. B r i t t l i f f )

204

GRAND MASTER CONSECRATES FIRST NEW LODGE IN HIS TERM OF OFFICE The p r o g r e s s of Freemasonry i n the Gosford D i s t r i c t made a f u r t h e r step forward w i t h the C o n s e c r a t i o n of Lodge S a r a t o g a , No. 937, by the Most Grand Master on Saturday, 24th O c t o b e r , 1959. This was the f i r s t new Lodge c o n s e c r a t e d by M. W. Bro. H. R. Maas s i n c e h i s e l e v a t i o n i n J u l y l a s t to Grand Master of the U n i t e d Grand Lodge of N.S.W., and the G o s f o r d Masonic Temple was f i l l e d t o c a p a c i t y by n e a r l y 250 B r e t h r e n f o r the occasion. The O c c a s i o n a l Lodge was s t a f f e d from the Retinue of 36 Grand O f f i c e r s who accompanied the Grand M a s t e r . The B r e t h r e n p r i v i l e g e d to be p r e s e n t at t h i s v e r y important event i n the Masonic l i f e of the D i s t r i c t watched w i t h rapt a t t e n t i o n the ceremony o f C o n s e c r a t i o n faultlessly presented by the M. W, Grand Master and h i s Grand O f f i c e r s . When handing over c o n t r o l o f the Lodge t o the F o u n d a t i o n M a s t e r , W o r s h i p f u l Bro. Maurice Herbert S c o t t , the M. W. Grand Master s a i d t h a t i t had been a d i s t i n c t p l e a s u r e f o r him and his team of Grand O f f i c e r s t o have had the p r i v i l e g e of b r i n g i n g the Lodge i n t o e x i s t e n c e and to have seen the c a l i b r e of men who had been e n t r u s t e d w i t h i t s g u a r d i a n s h i p and w i t h i t s administration. The Grand Master wished W. Bro. S c o t t every success d u r i n g h i s term of o f f i c e and expressed the hope t h a t the Lodge would p r o s p e r i n i t s purpose of p r o m u l g a t i n g the genuine p r i n c i p l e s and t e n e t s of t h e Order. The proceedings at the F e s t i v e Board m a i n t a i n e d the same h i g h s t a n d a r d and the v a r i o u s t o a s t s and responses were g r e a t l y a p p r e c i a t e d by the B r e t h r e n . In r e p l y i n g to the t o a s t proposed by W. Bro. S c o t t to h i s honour, the M. W. Grand Master r e f e r r e d t o the l a r g e number of Masons throughout the s t a t e of New South Wales and s t r e s s e d the p o i n t t h a t t h e r e was no l i m i t to the good which the F r a t e r n i t y c o u l d do i f o n l y Masons would set t h e i r minds to i t , and at a c o s t of o n l y a few pence per week t o the i n d i v i d u a l . The Grand Master then p a i d t r i b u t e to the l a r g e amount of work which had b e e n done by those responsible for bringing the Lodge i n t o e x i s t e n c e and added t h a t he fully realised t h a t they must have done much more than appeared on the s u r f a c e . He was g l a d to know t h a t by t h e i r e f f o r t s q u i t e a number of B r e t h r e n who had "gone i n t o Masonic r e t i r e m e n t " would again

205

be t a k i n g an a c t i v e i n t e r e s t i n t h e a f f a i r s o f Freemasonry and he f e l t t h a t , i f f o r n o t h i n g e l s e , t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e Lodge was w o r t h w h i l e f o r t h a t purpose a l o n e . The Grand Master s a i d how much he had enjoyed v i s i t i n g G o s f o r d and o f h a v i n g the o p p o r t u n i t y o f meeting so many l o c a l Masons. "Nothing p l e a s e s me more", s a i d t h e Grand M a s t e r , "than f o r a member of the C r a f t t o come up t o me and s a y ' H u l l o B r o t h e r ' for a l t h o u g h d i s t i n c t i o n s i n rank a r e n e c e s s a r y t o p r e s e r v e due o r d e r and a u t h o r i t y , I can assure y o u , my B r e t h r e n , t h a t I s h a l l always be proud i f you w i l l make y o u r s e l v e s known by g r e e t i n g me i n t h i s way". The M. W. Grand Master concluded by l e a v i n g t h i s thought w i t h the B r e t h r e n : "The i m p o r t a n t t h i n g i s t h a t I can walk into a group o f men such as t h i s who have been c a r e f u l l y screened and t r i e d and proved b e f o r e they have been accepted and a l t h o u g h I would n o t know most o f them p e r s o n a l l y I c o u l d , because they a r e Masons, c o n f i d e i n them my innermost s e c r e t s . "

From:

[BEIOW:

THE NEW SOUTH WALES FREEMASON 1 December 1959, p540

Saratoga Masonic Association - some of the ladies.] (Photo: Bro. B r i t t l i f f )

206

L i s t o f P a s t Masters o f Lodge SARATOGA No. 937. Name of the Master M.H. R.R.J. J.C. K. D. A.E. C.B. D.W. A.C. A.F. G.L. L.F. B. R.K. T.K. J.E. P.J.

SCOTT FERN WASSELL CAVERSWALL HAMMER SAUNDERS JACQUES NOBLE THOMPSON KEARIN BARKER KOCH SMITH HILL CASLEY FRANKS THOMAS

Year of Office. 1959-60 1960-61 1961 62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76

Name of the Master. D.J. D.J. A.J. I.H. D.J. G.V. T.J. R.H. W.J. B.R.A. J.F. J.P. T.B. A. D.R. B.R.A.

TYE URQUHART BUERCKNER GRIFFITH URQUHART WEBB PICKETT DILLON KERR TURTON BOETTIGER DAVIDSON FULLER AAS0

WESTAWAY TURTON "

Year of Office. 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992

* 2nd Year o f O f f i c e .

THE BEGINNINGS. The g e n e s i s o f Lodge SARATOGA: on Saturday 21 October 1959.

leading

to the b i r t h

o f t h e lodge

In t r a c i n g t h e h i s t o r y o f Lodge SARATOGA, one must mention t h e development and t h e changes which o c c u r r e d a t Saratoga after the end of the Second World War. At t h i s p e r i o d t h e d i s t r i c t began t o grow and many new r e s i d e n t s came t o t h e a r e a . I n many i n s t a n c e s l a n d was bought and a garage or week-end h o l i d a y home was b u i l t . Saratoga became a s m a l l and f r i e n d l y community i n which most r e s i d e n t s became known t o each o t h e r and over t h e y e a r s t h e p o p u l a t i o n c o n t i n u e d t o i n c r e a s e . A P r o g r e s s A s s o c i a t i o n was formed and met from time t o time a t the v a r i o u s homes o f t h e members. D u r i n g 1953 B r o . Bob F e r n , a c i t y b u s i n e s s man and a member o f Lodge KELSO-CAMPSIE, r e t i r e d and took up r e s i d e n c e a t S a r a t o g a . He was q u i c k t o d i s c o v e r

207

a f t e r h i s a r r i v a l i n t h e d i s t r i c t t h a t t h e r e were many Freemasons l i v i n g i n the area. Many were members o f d i s t a n t Lodges and many were u n a t t a c h e d . Bro. Fern, with others discussed the prospect of f o r m i n g a Lodge a t S a r a t o g a , b u t , because o f the l a c k o f a s u i t a b l e meeting p l a c e the i d e a was abandoned. The P r o g r e s s A s s o c i a t i o n was v e r y a c t i v e and was s u c c e s s f u l i n o b t a i n i n g a b l o c k o f l a n d from t h e G o s f o r d S h i r e C o u n c i l on which to e r e c t a P r o g r e s s A s s o c i a t i o n H a l l . P a r t o f t h e d e a l was t h a t i f the h a l l was not b u i l t w i t h i n a c e r t a i n t i m e , and m a i n t a i n e d i n a s a t i s f a c t o r y c o n d i t i o n , then t h e l a n d and t h e h a l l would r e v e r t t o t h e C o u n c i l . Funds were r a i s e d and t h e h a l l was b u i l t by l o c a l b u i l d e r s , Bruce Ives and Wood. I t was completed i n 1957. I t was not o r i g i n a l l y i n t e n d e d t h a t Lodge i t s meetings a t the G o s f o r d Masonic Temple.

SARATOGA

would

hold

In 1956, w i t h t h e v i s i o n of a h a l l t o be b u i l t a t S a r a t o g a , t h e i d e a of a Masonic Lodge f o r Saratoga was a g a i n r e v i v e d . BrO. F e r n c l e a r e d h i s garage and workshop and an i n f o r m a l meeting of masons was c a l l e d . A t t h a t meeting i t was r e s o l v e d t h a t a Masonic Club be formed and t h a t one o f the o b j e c t s o f the c l u b would be the e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a l o c a l Masonic Lodge. The q u a l i f i c a t i o n f o r membership o f t h e c l u b was t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f e i t h e r a Grand Lodge C e r t i f i c a t e o r a c u r r e n t N o t i c e Paper. Meetings were h e l d on t h e 3 r d Saturday evening o f each month, u s u a l l y i n t h e premises o f Bro. F e r n . Upon c o m p l e t i o n o f t h e P r o g r e s s H a l l i n 1957 i t was f e l t that the time had a r r i v e d t o p e t i t i o n Grand Lodge f o r the i s s u e o f a C h a r t e r f o r a Lodge t o meet a t t h e P r o g r e s s H a l l . However, even b e f o r e t h e p e t i t i o n was p r e s e n t e d , they were i n f o r m e d that the h a l l would not be approved as a s u i t a b l e venue f o r Masonic Lodge meetings. T h i s d e c i s i o n was t o be the cause o f much a n i m o s i t y w i t h i n t h e C l u b , f h e m a j o r i t y o f members, not w i s h i n g t o t r a v e l t o G o s f o r d f o r meetings, d e c i d e d t o remain as a Masonic Club and t o have t h e i r meetings and s o c i a l f u n c t i o n s a t the new h a l l and not t o p r e s s on w i t h the i d e a o f s t a r t i n g a Masonic Lodge. At t h i s stage I had no knowledge o f these v a r i o u s e v e n t s , b e i n g myself a member o f Lodge Wyong. A p p a r e n t l y t h e r e were about 50 members o f t h i s Masonic Club but t h e r e were o n l y about t e n or twelve who d e s i r e d t o c o n t i n u e t o meet a t the premises of Bro. F e r n w i t h the o b j e c t o f f o r m i n g a Masonic Lodge. The c l u b c o n t i n u e d t o be a c t i v e f o r many y e a r s , but a t t h e time when i t became known t h a t a C h a r t e r had been approved t h e r e were many who then a f f i l i a t e d w i t h t h e G o s f o r d Lodges, and many t r a n s f e r r e d t o Lodge SARATOGA a f t e r the C o n s e c r a t i o n . There were q u i t e a few who then were members o f both the Club and t h e Lodge.

208

The p r e s e n t Indoor B o w l i n g group c o n s i d e r e d t o be a c o n t i n u a t i o n which f u n c t i o n e d a t t h a t time.

a t t h e Saratoga H a l l c o u l d be o f t h e Saratoga Masonic Club

R e t u r n i n g our thoughts t o those who d e s i r e d t o form a Lodge, I t became i m m e d i a t e l y apparent t o Bro. Fern and h i s masonic s u p p o r t ers t h a t t h e r e was a shortage o f P a s t M a s t e r s w i t h i n t h e i r r a n k s , t h e r e b e i n g o n l y Wor. Bro. A r t h u r Hesslewood and Wor. B r o . George Baines. I t was a t t h i s stage t h a t B r o . F e r n r e q u e s t e d t h e a s s i s t a n c e of two f r i e n d s , Wor. B r o . George Stewart and Wor. B r o . M a u r i c e S c o t t , b o t h members o f Lodge GOSFORD. These b r e t h r e n c o n t a c t e d t h e D.G.I.W., Very Wor. B r o . Ted B l a k e , who, a t t h a t t i m e , was t h e Postmaster a t Dooralong. I t was d e c i d e d t o r e c r u i t a few o t h e r members o f No. 59 D i s t r i c t to make up t h e numbers and t o then p e t i t i o n f o r a C h a r t e r . I t was a t t h i s stage t h a t a few o f us had the o p p o r t u n i t y o f j o i n i n g w i t h the p r o j e c t . F i n a l l y , w i t h t h e t e n o r t w e l v e o t h e r masons who were w i l l i n g to a s s i s t , r e g u l a r meetings were a r r a n g e d a t the garage and workshop, Wor. Bro. George Stewart becoming t h e F o r m a t i o n S e c r e t a r y , h a n d l i n g a l l correspondence i n a most e f f i c i e n t manner. Innumerable meetings were h e l d over a l e n g t h y p e r i o d , usually attending.

t h e D.G.I.W.

On many an o c c a s i o n t h e road t o Saratoga was c o v e r e d by a f o o t or more o f water d u r i n g t h e t o r r e n t i a l r a i n s o f t h a t t i m e . At l o n g l a s t , a P e t i t i o n w i t h the names o f t h e proposed F o u n d a t i o n O f f i c e r s was s u b m i t t e d t o Grand Lodge. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e P e t i t i o n was r e j e c t e d , as t h e Grand Lodge d i d n o t approve of t h e O f f i c e of S e n i o r Warden b e i n g f i l l e d by a P.M. We were a d v i s e d t o have another b a l l o t and t o r e - s u b m i t . T h i s was c o m p l i e d w i t h , t h e s a i d P.M. a g r e e i n g t o f i l l another o f f i c e which was not a P r o g r e s s ive Office. Wor. Bro. Stewart was a b l e t o a d v i s e i n due c o u r s e t h a t t h e P r a y e r of t h e P e t i t i o n had been approved, Wor. B r o . M.H. S c o t t b e i n g F o u n d a t i o n M a s t e r , w i t h a t o t a l o f 23 F o u n d a t i o n Members. From then onwards t h e enthusiasm of the p e t i t i o n e r s became even g r e a t e r . Meetings and fund r a i s i n g f u n c t i o n s became weekly e v e n t s . However, t h e r e were some d i f f e r e n c e s o f o p i n i o n on v a r i o u s a s p e c t s and one o r two o f the p e t i t i o n e r s named on t h e C h a r t e r were n o t f i n a l l y f o u n d a t i o n members.

A B O V E : A n early photo of the R . A . Chapter taken in W o y W o y . [Photo: Bro. Brittnff[

A B O V E : W e believe this photo was taken at the dedication or one of the early meetings of Gosford Chapter, about 1954. Those shown i n the photo are not all foundation members â&#x20AC;&#x201D; some were visitors from other Chapters, and to the best of our knowledge, are: Back Row (left to right): T. Swan, S. Dickinson, A . Holmes, R. L . Smithers, E . Lorimer, N . Walsh, D . Brittliff, Smith, G . Carey. Centre Row: J . C . Stinson, E . Hughes, E . A. Browne, L . Chapman, R . Dean. Front Row: A . Irvin, E . Foots, A If F o r d , F. Miller, P. Bonnington, F. B kick more. W . A . Bailey, C . Smith. [Photo: Bro. Brittliff]

210

A B O V E : Saratoga Masonic Association 1956-1959. The Ladies' Night. [Photo: Bro. Britthff]

BELOW: Saratoga H a l ! prepared for Masonic Association's Ladies' Night. [Photo: Bro. Brittliff]

Appeals were made throughout t h e d i s t r i c t , Lodges and i n d i v i d u a l members b e i n g most generous. As examples, Lodge RISING SUN and a M e t h o d i s t m i n i s t e r o f a Sydney C i r c u i t each donated a V.S.L., Lodge GOSFORD a s e t o f O f f i c e C o l l a r s , Lodge MORNING STAR a D. o f C. baton, p r i v a t e members donated a l l manner o f masonic necessities, s l i p p e r s . Candidates c l o t h i n g e t c . Each F o u n d a t i o n O f f i c e r donated 5 pounds ($10.00) and p a i d f o r h i s Jewel o f O f f i c e . Our l a d i e s , a l s o , were o f tremendous a s s i s t a n c e and gave g r e a t encouragement to the p r o j e c t . Having d e l a y e d t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n f o r some months to a v o i d t h e c o l d weather and t h e c o n s t a n t f l o o d r a i n s o f t h a t y e a r , t h e c l i m a x took p l a c e on S a t u r d a y , 24 October 1959 when, w i t h the G o s f o r d Temple packed t o utmost c a p a c i t y , t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n Ceremony was conducted by Most Wor. Bro. H a r r y Maas, G.M. At the c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e ceremony a m a g n i f i c e n t r e p a s t , p r o v i d e d from t h e funds o f t h e Lodge (and t h e pocket o f t h e F o u n d a t i o n M a s t e r ) , and p r e p a r e d by the l a d i e s o f t h e members, then completed t h i s memorable and h i s t o r i c o c c a s i o n . Jack W a s s e l l . F o u n d a t i o n S e n i o r Deacon.

The above i s from

a lecture

delivered

by W.M.

Jack

Wassel at a meeting

of Lodge

RISING SUN.

[a^.B.

W(L<i4eJJ, koA

on. the. ecuily, of. which he. hi4 foneAtght of the Lodge

wJiLtton. a veA.y, inteyieAtlng. hlAto/iy,, mostly, f^eoAA of. hlA Lodg,e, 3n. ten pag.eA he gJjveA inf-o/mattoa WOA a witne^-d, which would have been to4t wtthout to put in wnAÂąing, what he knew about the fo/mation and thoAe who wo/iked towaA.d that end.

The meeting night WOA changed fjiom. l4t F/itday. to l4t Thu/iAdojy. when F/iLday, tote night chopping WOA introduced and CA.eated pcuiking. probtemA in the centyte of town. ]

Jack Wassel l a t e r , as a s e q u e l t o h i s h i s t o r y o f t h e e a r l y y e a r s of Lodge SARATOGA extended f u r t h e r i t s h i s t o r y c o v e r i n g t h e p e r i o d from November 1971 t o November 1982. We have e x t r a c t e d some h i g h l i g h t s which are l i k e l y t o i n t e r e s t b r e t h r e n g e n e r a l l y . V. Wor. Bro. C P . Timmins, P.D.G.I.W. a v e r y regarded b r o . passed away i n J u l y 1972. A d d i t i o n s were made t o t h e l i b r a r y B i l l White.

through

well

known and h i g h l y

a donation

from

Bro.

R.R.J. F e r n was made P.D.G.D.C. he was one o f t h e b e n e f a c t o r s of t h e lodge by welcoming t h e meeting o f t h e o r i g i n a l CM.A. i n h i s workshop i n 1956.

212

V. Wor.

Bro. J.T A r t h u r s o n P.D.G.I.W. d i e d i n August

1974.

The appeal from G.M. f o r r e l i e f o f the Darwin d i s a s t e r was supported i n January 1975. A p r e s e n t a t i o n o f a s i l v e r t r a y was made t o Wor. Bro. R.A. Dunn t o mark t h e 50th a n n i v e r s a r y o f h i s i n s t a l l a t i o n i n the chair w i t h c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s from the b r e t h r e n . In A p r i l 1977, S e c r e t a r y o f t h i s l o d g e , W. Bro. J.H. McLean away suddenly. He was a c c o r d e d a masonic f u n e r a l s e r v i c e . V. Wor.

Bro. R.R.J. F e r n passed away on 25 May 1978.

Lodge SARATOGA pledged $4.00 f o r each the Masonic Centre Opening Committee. Wor.

passed

o f i t s 111 members

Bro. W a s s e l l became s e c r e t a r y i n November 1978.

toward

[He. /Lemalned

Auch fon. the next thUiteen. y.ecuiA. ] R t . Wor. Bro. Maury S c o t t , P.J.G.W., f o u n d a t i o n M a s t e r Honorary Membership.

was g r a n t e d

I n June 1979 a s p e c i a l j e w e l , t o be worn by s u c c e s s i v e M a s t e r s was p r e s e n t e d by t h e Sydney Masonic Centre Opening Committee i n a p p r e c i a t i o n o f support extended by the lodge. Maury S c o t t passed t o t h e Grand Lodge above. Jack W a s s e l l gave an e u l o g i c address on the o c c a s i o n o f h i s masonic f u n e r a l s e r v i c e . More books were donated t o t h e l i b r a r y by Mrs Audrey S c o t t , h i s widow. The r e l a t i o n s h i p between t h e H a l l Committee and i t s t e n a n t s has never been f r i e n d l y due t o t h e obvious r e a c t i o n o f t e n a n t s t o a l a n d l o r d l a c k i n g i n d i p l o m a t i c t a c t . Too o f t e n the H a l l Committee was seen as a n t a g o n i s t i c i n i t s d e c i s i o n toward u s i n g the a m e n i t i e s . T h i s f e e l i n g went so f a r t h a t , o t h e r than v e r b a l a l l u s i o n , we f i n d t h a t the lodges SARATOGA and GOSFORD i n February 1975 e x p r e s s e d t h e i r d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n i n a l e t t e r t o t h e H a l l Committee w i t h t h e r e s u l t t h a t a d e l e g a t i o n was i n v i t e d t o v o i c e t h e i r o b j e c t i o n s i n March, on the c o n d i t i o n s t h a t were imposed "the c o n f e r e n c e y i e l d e d n o t h i n g t o improve the s i t u a t i o n . . the door ( o f t h e k i t c h e n ) b e i n g l o c k e d t o us. After s e v e r a l months t h e door was l e f t u n l o c k e d and t h i s lodge [SARATOGA and lodge GOSFORD] have had access to and use o f the k i t c h e n from t h a t t i m e . " Much a n i m o s i t y had been e v i n c e d through the y e a r s on many o c c a s i o n s toward t h e l a n d l o r d ' s a u t o c r a t i c a t t i t u d e , so much so t h a t i n

213

A p r i l 1975

the two lodges "commenced e f f o r t s t o p r o c u r e l a n d t o h o l d as a s i t e f o r a f u t u r e b u i l d i n g programme. However t h e i r e f f o r t s d i d n o t meet w i t h s u c c e s s , although arrangements f o r f i n a n c i n g had been s o l v e d . "

I n f a c t they have been w e l l on t h e road t o a c h i e v i n g o n l y f o r one o r two who f a l t e r e d on the way. In March 1980 t h e n i g h t o f meeting taken t o the f i r s t Thursday.

was changed

their

by a

goal,

ballot

In May 1981 t h e lodge was i n e f f e r v e s c e n c e , t h e Master accused one o f h i s o f f i c e r s ; t h e o f f i c e r r e p l i e d t o t h e c h a r g e , a s e c r e t b a l l o t was conducted, he was e x o n e r a t e d by 44 a g a i n s t 2, and three i n f o r m a l . The Wor. M a s t e r d e c l a r e d t h a t he wished t o r e s i g n from t h e lodge b u t was i n f o r m e d t h a t he was n o t a t l i b e r t y t o r e s i g n u n t i l "a s u c c e s s o r had been i n s t a l l e d i n h i s s t e a d " when the term o f h i s o f f i c e e x p i r e d . I n June 1982, Wor. Bro. J.C. ( J a c k ) W a s s e l l , s e c r e t a r y o f the lodge, was t h e r e c i p i e n t o f G.L. honour, he was c o n f e r r e d t h e t i t l e o f Past Deputy Grand D i r e c t o r o f Ceremonies. I t was a l s o p r o v i d e d i n t h e By Law f o r reduced payment o f dues by aged and i n f i r m members, a compassionate and comendable proposition.

Lodge SAMTOQA, founded In OctobeA. 1959, -U to achieve UA 33nd y,ean, of exxAtence in the y,ean. of the centeniat hiving achieved one thuid of a centiiny,.

215

WORSHIPFUL MASTER Wor Bro R. T u r n b u l l (043) 92.7183 SENIOR WARDEN Bro G. T. H a r r i s (043) 97.1378

JUNIOR WARDEN Wor Bro M.J. M c L e l l a n (043) 96.6765

SECRETARY Wor Bro W.R. Murton (043) 96.5413

A Daylip.ht Lodge meeting on t h e 1st Tuesday o f t h e month. Installation,

Dear

1 s t S a t u r d a y i n August.

Bro

The W o r s h i p f u l Master extends h i s f r a t e r n a l g r e e t i n g s and r e q u e s t s your attendance a t t h e next r e g u l a r meeting o f t h e Lodge, d e t a i l s o f which a r e p r i n t e d i n s i d e h e r e o f . Lodge w i l l be t y l e d a t 10.00 A.M. DUES. Annual dues i n advance Dues - monthly Arrears/Credit

$70.00 $ 6.00

$ TOTAL

O f f i c i a l d r e s s f o r D a y l i g h t Lodge meetings i s a dark lounge s u i t , l o n g s l e e v e d white s h i r t , dark k n o t t e d t i e , b l a c k shoe and s o c k s .

217

DAYLIGHT LODGES. D u r i n g t h e t e r m o f t h e G r a n d M a s t e r M.W. Bro. Professor a s i g n i f i c a n t a c h i e v e m e n t was t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n of sixteen Lodges.

Woodman, Daylight

I n D i s t r i c t 5 9 , two s u c h D a y l i g h t L o d g e s w e r e c o n s e c r a t e d . Lodge P E L I C A N No. 9 8 2 , m e e t i n g i n Wyong, w i t h an i n i t i a l membership o f 96 a n d L o d g e JAMES K I B B L E No. 9 8 5 , m e e t i n g i n G o s f o r d , initial m e m b e r s h i p , J u n e 1988 o f 6 2 .

T h i s was a n i n n o v a t i o n f o r o u r m a s o n i c tradition whereby Lodge m e e t i n g s w e r e c o n d u c t e d on e v e n i n g s w i t h a f o r m a l i s m i n dress, r i t u a l i s m , t o a s t s and c e r e m o n i a l q u i t e unknown i n some overseas c o n s t i t u t i o n s and i m p r e s s i n g visitors who have not experienced o u r c e r e m o n i a l way o f p r a c t i s i n g m a s o n r y . I n many c o u n t r i e s b r e t h r e n go f r o m t h e p l a c e o f w o r k , office or shop, - t o t h e lodgeroom; a t t h e c o n c l u s i o n of the meeting t h e y go home t o s p e n d t h e r e s t o f t h e e v e n i n g i n t h e f a m i l y c i r c l e .

218

Lodse PELICAN. 982. ( D a y l i g h t Lodge.) U n i t e d Grand Lodge of New

South Wales

CONSECRATED:

2 November

PLACE OF

15 H o w a r t h S t r e e t

MEETING:

Wyong DATE OF

1985

2259

MEETING: 1st

Tuesday - monthly.

1st

Saturday

INSTALLATION: i n August.

oOo

OUR

DAYLIGHT LODGES.

Our two l o c a l d a y l i g h t l o d g e s w e r e s e t up d u r i n g t h e i n s p e c t o r s h i p o f R.W. B r o . E r i c LEGGETT. The f i r s t l o d g e t o be consecrated, i n November 1985, t h r e e months ahead of the southern daylight l o d g e was L o d g e P E L I C A N No. 982. A m e e t i n g h a d b e e n c a l l e d f o r 30 November 1984 at Long Jetty, to a s c e r t a i n i n t e r e s t i n the p r o p o s a l of a d a y l i g h t l o d g e . This b e i n g q u i t e a n o v e l t y i n o u r d i s t r i c t i t was necessary to evaluate response t o s u c h a p r o p o s i t i o n and a s c e r t a i n t h a t a sufficient number o f p r o s p e c t i v e members w e r e a v a i l a b l e l o c a l l y . Thirteen t u r n e d up f o r t h e m e e t i n g , a number o f g o o d omen. A f o l l o w up m e e t i n g was h e l d on 22 January when, 43 attended and e i g h t a p o l o g i s e d : t h e w o r d h a d e v i d e n t l y b e e n a r o u n d ; interest was e v i n c e d p o s i t i v e l y and t h e c o n v e n o r s w e r e g r e a t l y e n c o u r a g e d . The D.G.I.W. E r i c LEGGETT o p e n e d t h e m e e t i n g a t 10 a.m. Grand L o d g e O f f i c e r s , V.W. B r o . F r e d FOX and R.W. B r o B i l l LUX, both members o f t h e B. o f G.P., attended to introduce and explain t h e scheme. B i l l i s a l o c a l mason and D i s t r i c t 59 M a s o n i c E d u c a t i o n Officer. V.W. B r o . F r e d FOX addressed behind d a y l i g h t lodges, g i v i n g and c o n d u c t .

the meeting, o u t l i n i n g the concept the g u i d e l i n e s f o r t h e i r formation

219

The o u t c o m e o f a motion proposed by Kurt BUTTON, seconded by G e o r g e HUMPHREY " t h a t a foundation committee be formed to work towards t h e c o n s e c r a t i o n o f a D a y l i g h t Lodge i n t h i s area," was t h e f o r m a t i o n o f a c o m m i t t e e : c h a i r m a n D.G.I.W.

The members w e r e J o c k SCOUGAL, N o e l MAUNDER, G e o r g e L e s HUGHES, B i l l LUX, K u r t BUTTON a n d B r u c e HARRISON. was t o a c t a s s e c r e t a r y . The was

p r o b l e m o f a p l a c e o f m e e t i n g had been t o g a t h e r a s u f f i c i e n t m e m b e r s h i p t o make

I t was r e s o l v e d 12 m o n t h s h e n c e . 1984.

THE

HUMPHREYS, Bill LUX

resolved, the next the p r o j e c t v i a b l e .

t o meet n e x t a t L o n g J e t t y on 4 A m e e t i n g had been h e l d a t G o s f o r d

December 1984, on 3 December

WYONG SHIRE AREA DAYLIGHT LODGE

Committee

met

and r e s o l v e d t o :

Advise Grand Secretary of intention, interested brethren to s i g n a p e t i t i o n . Indicate an interest i n securing second hand regalia i f avallable. E l e c t G. HUMPHREYS d e p u t y c h a i r m a n o f t h e c o m m i t t e e . E l e c t B. LUX t h e p u b l i c i t y o f f i c e r . D i s c u s s i o n s f o l l o w e d on be i n c u r r e d , s u c h a s :

the

extent

the

likely

expenses

Grand Lodge duesTemple Fund dues. Cost of Charter. Rent o f the h a l l . C a t e r i n g expenses. Regalia purchase. F u r n i t u r e and j e w e l s . P r i n t i n g , costs of notices, v i s i t o r s c a r d s , c o n s e c r a t i o n c a r d s , By-Laws e t c . Expenses relating to C o n s e c r a t i o n . Installation. A l s o on t h e l i s t

of expenses

were:

O r g a n i s t , T y l e r , P.M's jewel, Stationary, t i t u t i o n s and Degree C a r d s .

book

Advertising. Attendance Book. Minute Book. second degree aprons. Cupboard, c u t l e r y , c r o c k e r y . All

items of expenditure

were i n v e s t i g a t e d and d i s c u s s e d

A C o m m i t t e e m e e t i n g was m o o t e d f o r t h e f o r t h e 2 2 n d , b o t h a t 10 a.m.

15th

and

Cons-

First

and

length.

General

Meeting

On t h e 1 5 t h - i t was reported that L o d g e GUILDFORD i n d i c a t e d t h e i r w i l l i n g n e s s t o g i v e s p a r e r e g a l i a and j e w e l s , a v e r y generous offer.

220

The b u d g e t was t h o r o u g h l y d i s c u s s e d . expenses and r e c u r r e n t c o s t s .

I t comprised

non

recurrent

Some i t e m s f r o m t h e f i r s t c a t e g o r y w e r e : C h a r t e r $100, P r i n t i n g By-Laws $ 2 0 0 . Four rubber stamps $50. A t t e n d a n c e Book $60. V o l u m e o f t h e S a c r e d Law (Bible) $50. A p r o n s , two - e a c h $84. The g r a n d t o t a l b e i n g $ 9 9 3 . The r e c u r r e n t e x p e n s e s c a l c u l a t e d f o r a p e r i o d of three years were i n t e r a l i a : H a l l r e n t , $30 m o n t h l y , = $ 1 0 8 0 . G r a n d L o d g e d u e s $14 p e r annum f o r e x p e c t e d 60 members = $ 2 5 2 0 . Printing notices, 36 m o n t h s @ $40 p e r m o n t h = $1440. Past Master's jewel 3 @ $60 = $180. &c. Grand t o t a l $6,637. Making On to

r u n n i n g c o s t s p e r annum o f $ 2 , 2 1 2 .

the e x p e c t a t i o n $42 p e r h e a d .

members

the

running

I t was recommended t h a t t h e j o i n i n g d o n a t i o n o f 60 members = $1800 a n d t h a t a n n u a l dues month.

costs

be be

$30 $42

would

on or

amount

the basts $3.50 p e r

A g e n e r a l m e e t i n g f o l l o w e d w i t h 43 b r e t h r e n p r e s e n t . The budget f i g u r e s were p r e s e n t e d . The m e e t i n g p l a c e was c h o s e n as Wyong H a l l a t 9.30 on t h e f i r s t T u e s d a y m o n t h l y . The f o u n d a t i o n members w o u l d g i v e $30; and d u e s t o be $3.50 m o n t h l y . The C h a r t e r was t o be a n " o p e n " one. L o d g e WYONG t o be a s k e d t o a c t a s s p o n s o r . Naming o f t h e L o d g e : Many names w e r e p r o p o s e d , a v o t e was p r o c e e d e d w i t h on t h e t h r e e r e t a i n e d w i t h t h e r e s u l t : P E L I C A N 15, Triple L a k e s 12 and S.A. McKimm 7. PELICAN t h e n i t had

t o be!

N e x t a c o n s e c r a t i o n d a t e was c h o s e n , t h e S a t u r d a y 5 O c t o b e r 1985 was f a v o u r e d . The d a t e s o f t h e n e x t committee meeting to be 15 F e b r u a r y a n d t h e n e x t g e n e r a l m e e t i n g on 7 May, both to be h e l d i n Wyong. The m e e t i n g c l o s e d a t 12.15p.m! A t t h e c o m m i t t e e m e e t i n g p r o g r e s s was r e p o r t e d a n d i t was resolved t o e n g a g e i n p u b l i c i t y i n t h e Wyong & R.S.L. Munmorah, Tacoma, T o u k l e y & R.S.L. Wyong & D o y a l s o n , O u r i m b a h R.S.L. A s c h e d u l e o f By-Laws Bro. Harold Walker.

was

released

and

Bible

was

donated

A t t h e G e n e r a l M e e t i n g o f 7 May a r e v i s e d b u d g e t was prepared. The M a s t e r s & W a r d e n s A s s o c i a t i o n g a v e $100 t o w a r d t h e cost of Charter. F o u n d a t i o n d o n a t i o n s a m o u n t e d t o $610.

221

B y - l a w s w e r e c o n s i d e r e d c l a u s e by c l a u s e and p r o p o s e d and a c c e p t e d .

some

minor

ammendments

O f f i c e r s w e r e e l e c t e d , t h e y w e r e t o b e : I.P.M. L e s HUGHES. Found a t i o n M a s t e r G e o r g e HUMPHREYS, S.W. D. PAULEY, J.W. H. BEARING, C h a p l a i n I . GARNON, T r e a s u r e r L. COULTER, S e c r e t a r y D. MAYGER, D. o f C. W. LUX, S.D. J . HOUGHTON, J.D. A. McKAY, I.G. F. HANDFORD, T y l e r E. L a C L A I R E , D. o f M u s i c C. MACKIE, Organist J , KITCHENER ( u n a t t a c h e d ) . Stewards: W. CRICHTON, A. POILE, K. ROWE, W. GAIREY, A. WALKER, R. JACKSON. A

l o g o was

s u b m i t t e d by B r o . G r e e n

A s p e c i a l g e n e r a l m e e t i n g was

and

adopted.

h e l d on 4

June.

T w e n t y s e v e n members w e r e p r e s e n t . The m o n t h l y d u e s was increased t o $4. An A l t a r V . S . L . was d o n a t e d by J o e K i t c h e n e r , t h e c h a p l a i n V.S.L. by A . I . & M a v i s W a l k e r . The f i n a l p r e p a r a t o r y g e n e r a l m e e t i n g was a t t e n d e d by 64 members - who h a d s i g n e d t h e p e t i t i o n - on T h u r s d a y 3 S e p t e m b e r . The m e e t i n g was c h a i r e d by the Master D e s i g n a t e o f Lodge PELICAN R t . Wor. Bro. George Humphreys who welcomed t h e b r e t h r e n and their ladies. The amount o f m o n t h l y d u e s h a d t o be i n c r e a s e d t o $5 on a d v i c e of Grand Lodge. The d a t e o f C o n s e c r a t i o n was c o n f i r m e d as 2 November. The n e x t m e e t i n g a f t e r w h i c h w o u l d be Christmas and ladies night. The b i g day dawned, s l i g h t l y l e s s t h a n a y e a r after the first e x p l o r a t o r y m e e t i n g . L o d g e P E L I C A N No. 982 was Consecrated by t h e G r a n d M a s t e r , M. Wor. B r o . P r o f e s s o r Roy Woodman a t Wyong. He was l e a d i n g a d e l e g a t i o n o f 66 G r a n d O f f i c e r s . A dedication b o o k l e t had been p r o d u c e d f o r t h e o c c a s i o n w h i c h contains much relevant information. In the course of t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n and Installation Wor. Bro. W.E. C h i l d s o f t h a t l o d g e was p r e s e n t e d w i t h a certificate of 60 y e a r s i n F r e e m a s o n r y . A number o f p e t i t i o n s f o r s i x a f f i l i a t i o n s and f o r f o u r i n i t i a t i o n s w e r e r e c e i v e d on t h a t o c c a s i o n . R.W. B i l l Lux, F o r m a t i o n Committee T r e a s u r e r , gave a t h a t a c r e d i t b a l a n c e o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y $1,500.0.0

report stating was on hand.

F r o m t h e n on t h e m i n u t e s a r e k e p t i n a most p l e a s a n t manner b e i n g t y p e d and w e l l s e t o u t , the best looking minutes that anyone would w i s h to study. I t w i l l be v e r y e a s y f o r whomever w r i t e the h i s t o r y of the lodge t o well kept.

will undertake the task compile i t from minutes

to so

222

L o d g e P E L I C A N a p p e a r s t o be l i v e l y a n d a c t i v e w i t h a g o o d a v e r a g e attendance, a f a i r i n t a k e o f a f f i l i a t i o n s and even initiations. At t h e time o f i t s s i x t h b i r t h d a y i t s membership h a d grown t o one h u n d r e d a n d t e n . A c h a r a c t e r o f t h i s - a s most d a y l i g h t l o d g e s - i s t h a t t h e m a j o r i t y of b r e t h r e n a r e past masters which obviously i s helpful when o f f i c e posts a r e t o f i l l e d o r charges d e l i v e r e d .

List

of Past

Masters

: Lodge

PELICAN

1986

V.W.M.

G. E . HUMPHRYS

1987

W.M.

D. A. V. PAULEY

1988

W.M.

H, F. DEARING

1989

W.M.

J . E. HOUGHTON

1990

V.W.M.

1991

W.M.

H. A. L a C L A I R E

1992

W.M.

R. TURNBULL

1993

W.M.

R. TURNBULL

R. W. WATLING

223

L i s t o f Past M a s t e r s o f Lodge JAMES KIBBLE No. 985 Name o f t h e M a s t e r

W. H. RICHARDS M. R. V. McKENZIE B. I . BUTLER A. TAYLOR

Year o f O f f i c e

1986 1986- 87 1987- 88 1988- 89

Name o f t h e Master

A. G. J. J.

H. J. W. W.

HAEUSLER ENGEL CHAPMAN CHAPMAN

Year o f O f f i c e

1989- 90 1990- 91 1991- 92 1992- 93

W.M

Wor. Bro. J. W. C H A P M A N 69-3652

S.W

Wor. Bro. J. STEVENS 41 -5477

J.W

Bro. B. SULLIVAN 68-1400

Bro Dear Sir and Brother. You are requested to attend the next R E G U L A R M E E T I N G of this Lodge, to be held in the Masonic Centre. 2 6 William Street, Gosford (Phone: 24-6237) at the time and date notified inside.

Yours faithfully and fraternally,

69 146S KINDLY A D V I S E SECRETARY O F A N Y C H A N G E O F A D D R E S S

224

TUBAL-CAIN

T h i s s t a t u e o f the f i r s t a r t i f i c e r i s s i t u a t e d i n t h e Masonic

1n metal

Centre

i n C a s t l e r e a g h S t r e e t Sydney and can be f r e e l y i n s p e c t e d on t h e t h i r d

James K i b b l e , being a b l a c k s m i t h , was a l s o an a r t i f i c e r

i n metal.

floor.

225

ondecration Of

cjCodg^e Ranted

^^iLLie

No. 985 By THE GRAND MASTER Of THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF NEW SOUTH WALES MOST WOR. BRO. PROFESSOR ROY ALLAN W O O D M A N , LLM. At GOSFORD MASONIC TEMPLE SATURDAY, 1st FEBRUARY, 1986 At 2 p.m. • • • • • • • • • • 4

226

Lodge JAMES KIBBLE. 985. ( D a y l i g h t Lodge.) U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f New South Wales DEDICATED:

1 F e b r u a r y 1986

PLACE OF MEETING:

Masonic Centre 26 W i l l i a m S t r e e t Gosford 2250 Telephone 043 24-6237

DATE OF MEETING:

2nd Monday - Monthly

INSTALLATION:

4th Saturday i n November.

FOUNDATION MEMBERS. V.Wor. Bro1 . B.R. Bro. Rev. A. V.Wor.Bro. A.E. W.J. Wor.Bro. Wor.Bro. T.A. T.B. Bro. Bro. R.T. N.F. Wor.Bro. Wor.Bro. M.J. Bro. B.I. Bro. J.G. Bro. J.T. Bro. I.G. Bro. A.T.D. R.N. Bro. V.Wor.Bro. H.L. Wor.Bro. W.F.N. Bro. G.R. Bro. T.G. A.H. Bro. Wor.Bro. R.A. Bro. R.J. D.E. Bro.

ALDRIDGE PDGDC BAKER BAKER PDGDC BARRETT BEAGROFT BILBOW BLAKEY BROWN BURRELL BUTLER DAVIE DAVIE DELANDRE DENNY EMANUEL FLYNN PDGDC GATELY GROAT GOUGH HAEUSLER HEARD HULL JAMES

Bro. W.R.G. Wor.Bro. N. Wor.Bro. D.E. V.Wor.Bro,. E.K. P. Bro. G. Wor.Bro. Wor.Bro. W.J. Wor.Bro. M.R.V. V.Wor.Bro.. K.C. Bro. D. Wor.Bro. L.D. Wor.Bro. F.R. Wor.Bro. L.C. Bro. A.S. R,Wor.Bro,. W.H. Bro. E.R. V.Wor.Bro,. A.D. Wor.Bro. A.J. Wor.Bro. W.L.S. Bro. P.E. Bro. A. Bro. J.F. Bro.R.J.C.

JOHNSTON KABLE LEGGETT LEGGETT DGIW LEITCH LOWE LYONS McKENZIE MacPHERSON MILLER MOSS PHILLIPS PINKS POLLOCK RICHARDS PJGW ROSEN ROSS PDGIW SHELDON SWEENEY TABUTEAU TAYLOR TOOMBY WHEELER

227

Lodge JAMES KIBBLE.

No. 985.

Lodge JAMES KIBBLE, the second of t h e d a y l i g h t lodges i n our d i s t r i c t , c a t e r s f o r t h e s o u t h e r n p a r t of D i s t r i c t 59. Both Lodge PELICAN and Lodge JAMES KIBBLE a r e v e r y successful. I t i s e v i d e n t t h a t they answer a need f o r those who prefer meeting d u r i n g t h e day f o r p e r s o n a l c o n v e n i e n c e . Being a r a t h e r young l o d g e , i t s Minute Book i s s t i l l slim but w i l l no doubt grow f a t w i t h t h e p a s s i n g of the y e a r s . The h i s t o r y of the lodge i s w e l l documented and t h e minutes w e l l k e p t . An H i s t o r i a n and P u b l i c i t y O f f i c e r have been a p p o i n t ed from the b e g i n n i n g . T h i s i s a v e r y commendable but u n f o r t u n a t e l y r a r e l y taken d e c i s i o n . The appointment of Wor. B r o . W. L. S. Sweeney w i l l ensure t h a t h i s t o r y w i l l be p r o g r e s s i v e l y documented and p r e s e r v e d . We may expect t h a t a f i r s t i n s t a l l m e n t of the h i s t o r y of t h e Lodge may see t h e l i g h t of day f o r the l O t h a n n i v e r s a r y . JAMES KIBBLE w i l l have completed i t s f i r s t decade i n 1996. We o f f e r here some i n t e r e s t i n g s n i p p e t s of i n f o r m a t i o n e x t r a c t e d from m i n u t e s , o r a l r e c o l l e c t i o n s from tape and pages by Sweeney, l e a v i n g t o o t h e r s t h e t a s k of c o m p i l i n g a comprehensive h i s t o r y .

E x t r a c t s from t h e e a r l y minutes o f t h e F o r m a t i o n Committee and from Lodge Minutes At the f i r s t meeting t o e x p l o r e avenues of f o r m i n g a d a y l i g h t l o d g e , the o l d narrow v i e w was e x h i b i t e d t h a t a new lodge would be d e t r i m e n t a l t o the e s t a b l i s h e d ones, thus r e p e a t i n g the arguments t h a t had s p l i t l o c a l Masonry i n 1947 when prominent Masons opposed the p r o j e c t t o form a second lodge i n G o s f o r d . They o b v i o u s l y f a v o u r e d the concept t h a t c o m p e t i t i o n i s bad and s h o u l d be suppressed. Tom Speed, t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of h i s l o d g e , an l i k e a b l e and s i n c e r e Mason, r e q u e s t e d t o have the motion ( t o form a d a y l i g h t l o d g e ) r e c o r d e d , t h a t h i s lodge would be b a d l y d i s a d v a n t a g e d was formed'. [31 December 1984]

otherwise gentle, h i s vote against 'as he c o n s i d e r e d i f such a Lodge

T h i s a p p r e h e n s i o n was found t o be t o t a l l y w i t h o u t f o u n d a t i o n s i n c e the members of a day lodge a r e m o s t l y b r e t h r e n who do not a t t e n d e v e n i n g m e e t i n g s .

228

A Formation Committee was a p p o i n t e d whose members met regularly. T h e i r meetings were of a t e c h n i c a l n a t u r e , a n t i c i p a t i n g and d e a l i n g w i t h problems l i k e f i n a n c e s , a d m i n i s t r a t i o n and p r a c t i c a l decisions. I t was d e c i d e d t o ask Lodge MORNING STAR t o a c t as a sponsor (Mother Lodge) s i n c e the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of RISING SUN had t a k e n a p o s i t i o n a g a i n s t the f o r m a t i o n of a d a y l i g h t lodge. I t was d e c i d e d to p l a c e be f o l l o w e d by a g e n e r a l 21 January, 1985.

publicity i n l o c a l newspapers, meeting of i n t e r e s t e d b r e t h r e n

to on

A name was adopted a t t h a t g e n e r a l meeting and annual dues were f i x e d a t $48. A t h r e e year budget was drawn up, i n c l u d i n g as f a r as p o s s i b l e a l l the expenses which would be i n c u r r e d i n the r u n n i n g of the lodge i n the coming t r i e n n i u m . I t amounted t o $6,280. By-laws were adopted from a model, w i t h v e r y l i t t l e m o d i f i c a t i o n . Clause 15, r e l a t i n g t o T r u s t e e s of the b u i l d i n g , was deleted as not a p p l i c a b l e .

RECOLLECTIONS The f o l l o w i n g are my own r e c o l l e c t i o n s and naming of Lodge JAMES KIBBLE: MASONS BY

regarding

the

formation

DAY

In November 1984, a s m a l l a d v e r t i s e m e n t appeared i n 'The G o s f o r d S t a r ' , b e g i n n i n g The f o l l o w i n g i n f o r m a t i o n was o f f e r e d :

of j u s t twelve w i t h the above

DAYLIGHT Masonic Lodges are a new concept may be i n t r o d u c e d on the C e n t r a l Coast.

lines title.

which

They c a t e r f o r aged, r e t i r e d or d i s a b l e d Masons, s h i f t w o r k e r s , some p r o f e s s i o n a l s and others unable t o a t t e n d n i g h t meetings. Masons who are s t i l l members of t h e i r lodge and u n a t t a c h e d Masons may have the o p p o r t u n i t y to take p a r t i n Masonic a c t i v i t y , i f Grand Lodge endorsed the f o r m a t i o n of a lodge or lodges i n the d i s t r i c t . Mr. E. K. L e g g e t t , of Woy Woy (phone 42 3464), i s c a l l i n g meetings to establish whether Masons on the C e n t r a l Coast are keen to form a d a y l i g h t l o d g e .

229

Two meetings are p l a n n e d , a t the Long J e t t y Temple, Toowoon Bay Road, Long J e t t y , November 30, a t 10am, and a t the G o s f o r d Masonic Centre, William Street, G o s f o r d , on Monday, December 3, at 10am. T h i s was an unusual p i e c e of i n f o r m a t i o n and would be i n t e r e s t i n g t o observe i t s development.

thought

E r i c L e g g e t t o b v i o u s l y was then the D i s t r i c t I n s p e c t o r of Workings. At t h a t time I had an o f f i c e i n G o s f o r d C i t y C o u n c i l ' s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n b u i l d i n g and i t was no t r o u b l e a t a l l t o walk down Mann S t r e e t f o r a c o u p l e of b l o c k s t o go t o t h a t f i r s t meeting. I t was a t t e n d e d by a dozen Masons, h e l d i n the o l d south on the f i r s t f l o o r , and I s i g n e d the a t t e n d a n c e book provided. We m o s t l y l i s t e n e d t o E r i c L e g g e t t ' s p r o p o s i t i o n s . o n l y a dim r e c o l l e c t i o n of t h a t p a r t i c u l a r meeting. A f u r t h e r meeting was c a l l e d on no knowledge. I t was convened Association.

have

3 December of which I had by the Masters and Wardens

The C h r i s t m a s f e s t i v i t i e s came and 18 January we had a communication, Coast E x p r e s s ' t h i s t i m e :

the o l d courtesy

y e a r went. On of the 'Central

DAYLIGHT LODGES D a y l i g h t Masonic Lodges are at G o s f o r d and Long J e t t y .

about

t o be

established

There f o l l o w e d a more s u b s t a n t i a l p i e c e of i n f o r m a t i o n of 32 l i n e s , a m p l i f y i n g what had p r e v i o u s l y been d i s c l o s e d and f i x i n g the date f o r the next meeting on the 21 J a n u a r y . I was c u r i o u s t o on the m a t t e r .

find

out

what

decisions

would

was

agreed

THE NAMING OF THE LODGE The agenda f o r the meeting on the 21 January F i v e m a t t e r s were l i s t e d f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n : (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

F i n a n c i a l D e t a i l s ( J o i n i n g Fees and Monthly Dues) S p o n s o r i n g the Lodge The name of the Lodge Meeting places Day of the Month and time of M e e t i n g .

specific.

230

I t would be i n t e r e s t i n g on m a t t e r No. 3.

see

what

decisions

would

taken

A l o n g time was spent on f i n a n c i a l d e t a i l s and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e p o i n t s , and then debate addressed the q u e s t i o n of a name f o r the lodge. I thought t h a t a name had a l r e a d y been chosen at the meeting on December 3, but i t seemed no-one had g i v e n any thought t o the m a t t e r . A f t e r a pregnant s i l e n c e and some p r o b i n g , B e r t Ross came up w i t h a name: 'T. A. SCOTT', I thought 'Great S c o t t , why him?' Then another p r o p o s a l was 'Henry K e n d a l l ' . I thought t h a t b o t h names were i n a p p r o p r i a t e and I s a i d so. I said t h a t n e i t h e r had e v e r been connected w i t h the C r a f t and f u r t h e r more they were not i n my o p i n i o n persons a Mason c o u l d l o o k upon. No-one took up the o p p o r t u n i t y t o argue the p o i n t . Someone proposed 'Senior Masons'; another, u n i n s p i r a t i o n a l l y o f f e r e d ' B r i s b a n e Water'. K e i t h McPherson o f f e r e d the name of an a n c i e n t member of our l o d g e , 'George M a r g i n ' . No-one r e a c t e d w i t h any enthusiasm. K e i t h l o o k at me and asked, â&#x20AC;˘What do you t h i n k ? ' T h i s was a c h a l l e n g e ; K e i t h had g i v e n me a l e a d . I thought q u i c k l y f o r the name of a r e a l a n c i e n t and s p e c i a l Mason. What about S t e y n e r , W a l p o l e , P a r r y and many o t h e r o l d and d e d i c a t e d Masons? They were as good a name as t h a t of George M a r g i n . Then i n my mind I worked back i n t i m e , p a s t S t e y n e r toward the o l d l o d g e . I s t o o d up. 'What about James K i b b l e ? ' S u r p r i s e , s i l e n c e . . . . , and then 'Why James K i b b l e ? ' I took my time t o c o l l e c t my thoughts time - 'Because James K i b b l e was an e a r l y a Worshipful Master. The l a s t Master of 1900, he became the Immediate P a s t Master re-formed i n G o s f o r d i n 1917. He h e l p e d t o i n the d i s t r i c t by b u i l d i n g the f i r s t lodge l o o k s over K i b b l e Park!'

and i t took me some Mason. He was even the f i r s t lodge i n of the f i r s t lodge r e - e s t a b l i s h Masonry room and our temple

I s a t back, no comments. A f u r t h e r meeting was h e l d i n March and I r e c e i v e d a summons from the pro-temp. s e c r e t a r y , Anthony Baker, a d v i s i n g that an i m p o r t a n t meeting was t o be h e l d on 20 May, t o which meeting I s a u n t e r e d t o down Mann S t r e e t . Very i m p o r t a n t m a t t e r s were d i s c u s s e d such as s e a t i n g arrangements. At the end of the meeting Tony Baker asked me i f I had an i d e a f o r an emblem f o r the l o d g e , I asked him what he meant and what was the name chosen f o r the l o d g e . 'James K i b b l e ! ' W e l l , I never knew!

231

I s a i d I would t h i n k o f i t . A few days l a t e r I sent a drawing of an a n v i l w i t h a strike-hammer f a l l i n g upon a horse-shoe; James K i b b l e was a b l a c k s m i t h . On another o c c a s i o n I was asked c a s u a l l y and v e r b a l l y i f I could t h i n k of a s u i t a b l e logo. I s a i d t h a t a logo was n o t s u i t a b l e , but a motto would be q u i t e i n o r d e r . I gave i t more thought and came up w i t h t h e L a t i n words RENOVABIT IGNE, meaning 'he made new w i t h f i r e ' o r 'Using f i r e he mended', which i s q u i t e a p p r o p r i a t e f o r a b l a c k s m i t h . I sent a drawing w i t h t h e motto. The o r i g i n a l suggested w o r d i n g , however, was changed t o IGNIS RENOVABIT, which s t i l l makes sense but a d i f f e r e n t one s i n c e i t means ' F i r e had mended', and f o r t u n a t e l y my s k e t c h was straightened out. At the c o n s e c r a t i o n t h e s e n i o r deacon was away, and I was t o l d t o occupy h i s s e a t , which I d i d t h r o u g h the l o n g ceremony. At the f i r s t meeting t h e W.M. t o l d me t h a t I had t o wear a dark s u i t w i t h a dark t i e , w h i t e s h i r t and b l a c k shoes; a b u s i n e s s s u i t was n o t good enough.* The work was an e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n o f a degree, w i t h another f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g meeting and so f o r t h I presumed. Being busy and n o t v e r y e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n s , I tendered

interested i n witnessing my r e s i g n a t i o n i n May.

unending

Since t h e n , Lodge JAMES KIBBLE ( i g n i s r e n o v a b i t ) has been a s u c c e s s f u l i n s t i t u t i o n , c a t e r i n g f o r t h e aged and r e t i r e d , d i s a b l e d Masons, s h i f t w o r k e r s , some p r o f e s s i o n a l s and o t h e r s unable t o a t t e n d n i g h t m e e t i n g s . I deeply a p p r e c i a t e the honour Lodge JAMES KIBBLE has bestowed on me by a p p o i n t e d me Honorary H i s t o r i a n , thereby r e c o g n i s i n g the d i s t r i c t ' s h i s t o r y ; and f o r Honorary Membership of t h e Lodge.

* See GUIDING NOTES ON POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR THE FORMATION OF A 'DAYLIGHT' LODGE. DRESS - Day m e e t i n g s . The c o r r e c t d r e s s i s a dark lounge o r b u s i n e s s s u i t , w h i t e s h i r t and c o l l a r , dark k n o t t e d t i e , b l a c k shoes and s o c k s .

232

233

234

HOW

TO SET UP A DAYLIGHT LODGE.

E x t r a c t s from Sweeney, o f f i c i a l r e c o r d i n g of the l o d g e . Sweeney was the f i r s t a p p o i n t e d H i s t o r i a n of the Lodge. Lodge JAMES KIBBLE No. 985 U n i t e d Grand Lodge had i t s b e g i n n i n g w i t h the h o l d i n g of an i n t e r e s t meeting at G o s f o r d Masonic Centre on December the 3 r d 1984 which was a t t e n d e d by s i x t e e n b r e t h r e n w i t h V. Wor. Bro. E r i c L e g g e t t , R. Wor. Bro. W. Lux the D i s t r i c t E d u c a t i o n O f f i c e r who then gave an address r e l a t i n g to the f o r m a t i o n of d a y l i g h t l o d g e s . V. Wor. that

Bro. W.

R i c h a r d s proposed and V. Wor.

"A f o r m a t i o n committee be s e t up t o of a d a y l i g h t lodge i n the a r e a . "

Bro. A.D.

Lux

i n v e s t i g a t e the

seconded

formation

The meeting proceeded to a p p o i n t a s t e e r i n g committee c o n s i s t i n g of V. Wor. Bro. E. L e g g e t t as chairman, A. Baker as s e c r e t a r y and made up of V. Wor. Bro. A.D. Ross, Wor. Bro. W. Barrett, Bro. R. Emanuel and V. Wor. Bro. W. Richards. The committee was t o meet a g a i n on the 10 December 1984. The meeting of the s t e e r i n g committee took p l a c e as arranged w i t h V. Wor. Bro. E. Leggett as chairman. The Grand Lodge r e p r e s e n t a t i v e a d v i s e d the meeting of p r o g r e s s made i n c o u n t r y lodges i n N.S.W and V i c t o r i a which r e l a t e d t o a s i m i l a r p r o j e c t t o the one on hand. I t was proposed t h a t a g e n e r a l meeting be h e l d w i t h i n the G o s f o r d d i s t r i c t to r e p o r t on p r o g r e s s made by the committee and at which Lodge MORNING STAR was asked t o a c t as our sponsor lodge. At the same meeting the t r e a s u r e r and s e c r e t a r y were a u t h o r i s e d t o operate the bank account w i t h any two t o s i g n . The s e c r e t a r y was asked to a d v i s e Grand Lodge and at the same time e n q u i r e i n r e l a t i o n to a v a i l a b i l i t y of r e g a l i a and f u r n i t u r e r e l a t i v e t o the f o r m a t i o n of a d a y l i g h t lodge. The next meeting of the committee would be h e l d on the 14 January 1985 and a t t h i s meeting i t was a d v i s e d t h a t a d v e r t i s e m e n t s had been p l a c e d i n the CenttcU. CooAt Sicp/LOAyi and the fejvinALdjaA. TimeA a d v i s i n g of the f o r m a t i o n of the new lodge w i t h a f u r t h e r meeting t o be h e l d w i t h a l l i n t e r e s t e d b r e t h r e n to a t t e n d on the 21 January 1985. The new d a y l i g h t lodge JAMES KIBBLE was formed w i t h a f o u n d a t i o n fee of $30.00 per member w i t h the f i r s t meeting t o be h e l d on the 1 February 1986 s u b j e c t to Grand Lodge a p p r o v a l . A lodge which was going i n t o v o l u n t a r y r e t i r e m e n t due to l a c k of membership c o n f i r m e d a g i f t of r e g a l i a to us. T h i s was Lodge MINIMBAH-CARINYA No. 785. A s u i t a b l e date f o r the d e d i c a t i o n of Lodge JAMES KIBBLE was suggested and r e p o r t e d t o Grand Lodge w i t h t h r e e alternative dates s h o u l d our f i r s t c h o i c e not prove s u i t a b l e . I t was decided

235

t h a t the i n s t a l l a t i o n banquet would be h e l d a t Club owing t o l a c k of accomodation i n the temple.

Gosford

I t was r e s o l v e d t h a t a t a date s u i t a b l e our l a d i e s would t o a luncheon at the G o s f o r d R.S.L. C l u b .

R.S.L.

invited

The f i n a l p r e - d e d i c a t i o n meeting was h e l d on Monday 4 November 1985. At t h i s meeting Grand Lodge a d v i s e d t h a t a fee of $14.00 per v i s i t o r and $10.00 per member be c h a r g e d . The C o n s e c r a t i o n date was February 1986 at 2.00 pm.

finally

confirmed

Saturday

1st

The C o n s e c r a t i o n of Lodge JAMES KIBBLE No. 985 was carried out by the Grand Master of the U n i t e d Grand Lodge of N.S.W. Most Wor. Bro. P r o f e s s o r Roy A l l a n Woodman L.L.M. a t G o s f o r d Masonic Temple. The o c c a s i o n a l lodge was t y l e d a t 2.00 o c c u p y i n g the C h a i r of K i n g Solomon. Opening.

Consecratiion.

Installation.

pm.

w i t h the

Grand

The lodge was opened i n the f i r s t degree. The p e t i t i o n and the w a r r a n t were r e a d by Secretary. The Grand Master addressed the b r e t h r e n .

the

Master

Grand

The Grand Chap l a i n a s s i s t e d by the Deputy Grand Master the A s s i s t a n t Grand Master the S e n i o r Grand Warden and the J u n i o r Grand Warden then C o n s e c r a t e d the lodge. The Grand M a s t e r then d e d i c a t e d the l o d g e . The.

0riystoLiatLon.

WOA

c.ajvtLe.d out

the g.eneM.at

fxiAtiLon.

The Wor, M a s t e r D e s i g n a t e R i g h t Wor. Bro. W.H. R i c h a r d s was p r e s e n t e d t o the Grand M a s t e r by h i s sponsors...Very Wor. Bro. W.H. R i c h a r d s was installed i n t o the C h a i r of K i n g Solomon. The lodge resumed i n the t h i r d degree. At

the.

end

of- ujhLck -

The Grand M a s t e r then p r e s e n t e d Wor, the warrant and Book of C o n s t i t u t i o n ,

Master

with

The Wor. Master thanked a l l b r e t h r e n f o r t h e i r support and p a r t i c u l a r l y the Wor. Master of Lodge CLOVELLY f o r generous donations of r e g a l i a . The J u n i o r Warden i n v i t e d the b r e t h r e n t o the C o n s e c r a t i o n Banquet.

237

59 DISTRICT

I^i^^l^",!

P.G.I.W.

Please address all Correspondence to: HON.SECRETARY:

Sun.25th Lodge

Rising

Dear

Sun

yor,Master

60s ford and

Oct.

1387

City. Brethren,

i^t the last Masters and hardens filssaciatipn room a motion it'as carried by the brethren the formation of a Masonic Research Group be done in conjunction with our DISTRICT V.Uor.Bro. N.J.Maunder, by Rt.Wor.Bro.Bi11

meeting , held Gosford Lodge present that ue would sponser in this District, This would GRfiND INSPECTOR of WORKINGS , Lux.

The

follows;

objects

this

group

would

1. To. provide a local centre for Masonic Students and recreation and instruction by means of Masonic Research the Brethren, 2. To gather and present, especial 3.

To publish

form

record particulars ly psTTStntng

transactions a Masonic

5. To avoid expense objects stated, It be

was suggested placed with

Rt,Uor.Bro.Bill in research directly to

put the

the

Library not

that a notice

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239

THE

MASTERS & WARDENS ASSOCIATION

T r y i n g t o t r a c e back the h i s t o r y o f t h i s association, which i s r e p u t e d t o h a v e b e e n f o u n d e d b y o u r f i r s t I.P.M., we must r e f e r t o a n a r t i c l e w h i c h a p p e a r e d i n 'The F r e e m a s o n ' titled: ' E x t r a c t s f r o m "75 YEARS I N MASONRY'". We h a v e i n t u r n e x t r a c t e d the f o l l o w i n g : 'This year, i n 1 9 7 1 , we p r o u d l y celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Masters a n d Wardens Association of Newcastle D i s t r i c t s . L o g i c a l l y , one w o u l d e x p e c t that the authors of t h i s History would have been a b l e t o have f a l l e n back on p r e v i o u s histories written to celebrate the 25th o r the 50th Anniversaries. Why was t h i s n o t s o i n o u r c a s e ? The p l a i n facts a r e t h a t u n t i l q u i t e r e c e n t l y , no one knew a c c u r a t e l y when we w e r e f o r m e d . ' The o l d e s t r e c o r d f o u n d , w h i c h was i n a c h e s t o f o l d p a p e r s , i s an i n v i t a t i o n i s s u e d t o t h e M a s t e r s a n d Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n ( N e w c a s t l e A r e a ) t o a t t e n d a C h a r i t y B a l l t o be h e l d a t t h e M a s o n i c H a l l , N e w c a s t l e , o n t h e 23 A u g u s t 1895 t o r a i s e f u n d s for t h e Freemasons Benevolent I n s t i t u t i o n . The o l d e s t extant m i n u t e book goes back t o 1896. A meeting of t h e Masters and Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n was h e l d i n t h e ante-room o f Lodge ST GEORGE o n 6 J u l y 1 8 9 5 . 'We a r e n o t p r o u d t o t h i n k t h a t i n common w i t h many o t h e r o r g a n i s a t i o n s , we t o o w e r e g u i l t y o f n o t m a k i n g c e r t a i n t h a t a l l o u r minute books and o t h e r important h i s t o r i c p a p e r s were r e g u l a r l y p a s s e d on t o s u c c e e d i n g secretaries. ' The e a r l i e s t documents u n c o v e r e d relate to the organisation of t h a t f i r s t b a l l h e l d i n 1895. One i m p o r t a n t document i s the D i s p e n s a t i o n g r a n t e d by t h e t h e n Grand M a s t e r o f t h e day. M o s t . Wor. B r o . J . P. A b b o t t , f o r b r e t h r e n t o wear regalia a t t h e 1895 B a l l . An i n t e r e s t i n g f e a t u r e of these records is the matchless copperplate w r i t i n g by t h e t h e n secretary, R t . Wor. B r o . A r t h u r B r a y , who was t h e G r a n d L o d g e Secretary f o r a g r e a t number o f y e a r s . 'The e a r l y r e c o r d s i n o u r p o s s e s s i o n clearly indicate t h a t V. Wor. B r o . D u g a l d D o b i e , s u b s e q u e n t l y elevated to t h e rank o f Past Grand M a s t e r , was t h e f o u n d e r of o u r A s s o c i a t i o n . I t was he who c o n v e n e d a m e e t i n g o f M a s t e r s a n d W a r d e n s w h i c h was h e l d i n t h e a n t e room o f L o d g e ST. GEORGE o n 6 J u l y 1895 t o d i s c u s s the h o l d i n g o f t h e f i r s t C h a r i t y B a l l . '

240

' Our first b a l l was a magnificent success hundred people being present and dancing u n t i l almost three o ' c l o c k i n the morning.' The

Masonic

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Ball

reported

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New

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some f o u r continued

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great

Herald.'

From t h e n on The M a s t e r s & W a r d e n s A s s o c i a t i o n g r e w w i t h v a r i e d fortune. It was responsible for a number of innovations, s u c h as a M a s o n i c Study Circle which, after being a lodge of Research, e v o l v e d to give rise to Lodges of Instruction a s we know them. These Lodges o f I n s t r u c t i o n were independent bodies acting in their own i n d e p e n d e n t w a y s , as we will see later, f o r t h e s t u d y and r e n d e r i n g o f the ritual under the d i r e c t i o n of a p r e c e p t o r . The M a s t e r s a n d W a r d e n s A s s o c i a t i o n p r o v e d t o be a v e r y useful and s u c c e s s f u l organisation. I t was only a matter of time b e f o r e s u c h an a s s o c i a t i o n was started in District 59. It is surprising that such a step was not taken before 1969. I n t h a t y e a r , t h e D i s t r i c t I n s p e c t o r o f W o r k i n g s , R. F. H u n t i n g ton, a Past Master of Lodge MORNING STAR (1961) , took the i n i t i a t i v e and c o n v e n e d a m e e t i n g f o r t h a t p u r p o s e . From t h e b e g i n n i n g , t h e s e m e e t i n g s w e r e w e l l a t t e n d e d . Twenty one a t t e n d e d t h e i n a u g u r a l m e e t i n g a t a t i m e when t h e r e were only seven lodges i n the district. The average attendance was n i n e t e e n , r i s i n g o c c a s i o n a l l y t o t w e n t y - s e v e n . The meetings were h e l d i n each Masonic Hall in turn according to which L o d g e was t h e h o s t . Initially, as i t s t i t l e Implies, t h e m e m b e r s h i p was logically restricted t o t h e M a s t e r s and Wardens, under the chairmanship of the I n s p e c t o r of Workings. The A s s o c i a t i o n h a d a l r e a d y shown t h e l i b e r a l o u t l o o k of i t s members, I n O c t o b e r 1971, i n a small but significant move, Maury S c o t t , f o u n d a t i o n M a s t e r o f L o d g e SARATOGA, moved that all Masonic titles for the meetings of the Association be d i s c a r d e d a n d e v e r y member r e f e r r e d to as Bro. so and so. The m o t i o n was c a r r i e d a n d became e f f e c t i v e from the following meeting. From t h e By-Laws adopted in April 1986 the eligibility of m e m b e r s h i p was: 'W.M., S.W., J.W. a n d D.O.C. o f a l l l o d g e s ' and ' a l l o r any P a s t M a s t e r ' were w e l c o m e . The c h a i r m a n o u t l i n e d the o b j e c t s of the A s s o c i a t i o n 'plus the benefit of having any new or a l t e r e d p o i n t of r i t u a l b r o u g h t t o n o t i c e and explained . '

241

An i n t e r e s t i n g a n d v e r y l i b e r a l d e c i s i o n was t a k e n i n O c t o b e r 1989. Under t h e chairmanship o f V. Wor. B r o . K e n W h i t e i t was d e c i d e d t o o p e n t h e M. & W. A. t o M a s t e r Mason members o f L o d g e s i n No. 59 D i s t r i c t . T h i s was a d e c i s i o n i n line with efforts t o lessen the unnecessary restrictive nature o f some M a s o n i c i n s t i t u t i o n s b y a l l o w i n g a l l members t o a t t e n d , g i v i n g them a w i d e r k n o w l e d g e a n d a d e e p e r s e n s e o f b e l o n g i n g to t h e i r Order. I n O c t o b e r 1989 a ' N o t i c e o f M o t i o n ' was p u t b y t h e s e c r e t a r y t h a t By-Law 4 C o n s t i t u t i o n s h a l l be a l t e r e d b y d e l e t i n g 'Wardens and P a s t M a s t e r s ' t o r e a d 'The A s s o c i a t i o n s h a l l consist of Members o f L o d g e s i n 59 D i s t r i c t ' . T h i s opened t h e A s s o c i a t i o n t o a l l Freemasons belonging to the lodges forming t h e D i s t r i c t . The o n l y r e s t r i c t i o n was that ' a l l o f f i c e r s of the Association shall be a n o f f i c e r or past o f f i c e r o f a lodge', and ' I n t h e c h a i r w i l l be t h e D.G.I.W.' By t h i s w i s e move, t h e A s s o c i a t i o n was o p e n t o a l l M a s o n s g i v i n g them a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o meet t h e I.W. o n a more p e r s o n a l b a s i s , a n d t o p a r t i c i p a t e more f u l l y i nthe l i f e o f t h e lodges as a whole. The m o t i o n 1990.

was p u t , d i s c u s s e d a n d c a r r i e d u n a n i m o u s l y

i n January

I t seems t h a t v e r y f e w o f t h e b r e t h r e n a r e a w a r e that they are free t o attend such meetings as o b s e r v e r s without the r i g h t t o v o t e on t h e i s s u e s d i s c u s s e d . F o r many, t h i s should increase their interest i n the Craft, being privy, i f they wish, t o d e c i s i o n s and problems which affect them through t h e i r lodge. The A s s o c i a t i o n became v e r y much i n v o l v e d i n many p r o j e c t s of g e n e r a l i n t e r e s t : Lodges o f I n s t r u c t i o n , M a s o n i c V i l l a g e s and M a s o n i c W i d o w s , w h i c h we w i l l d i s c u s s i n t h e a p p r o p r i a t e places.

EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTE BOOK Masters & Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n U.G.L. o f N.S.W. Inaugural Meeting

D i s t r i c t 59 16 A p r i l 1 9 6 9

A t t h e i n v i t a t i o n o f V. W. B r o . R. F. H u n t i n g t o n , D.G.I.W. 59 D i s t r i c t f o r t h e U.G.L. o f N.S.W. a n d b y c o u r t e s y o f t h e H a l l Management C o m m i t t e e o f L o d g e R I S I N G SUN, a l a r g e number o f M a s t e r s a n d Wardens f r o m the Various lodges met a t t h e Masonic H a l l , Gosford.

242

V. W. B r o . H u n t i n g t o n d e c l a r e d t h e m e e t i n g o p e n a n d w e l c o m e d a l l Brethren. R. W. B r o . C. C a r p e n t e r a d d r e s s e d t h e m e e t i n g p o i n t i n g o u t t h e a d v a n t a g e s o f a M. & W's. A s s n . The a i m s and p u r p o s e s o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n were then discussed and i t was decided unanimously that the appointed D.G.I.W. would be t h e C h a i r m a n f o r h i s p e r i o d o f O f f i c e . V. W. B r o . James K i r k n e s s P.D.G.I.W. was e l e c t e d V i c e - C h a i r m a n . Wor. B r o . K. A. R u b l e o f Lodge R I S I N G SUN was e l e c t e d Treasurer.

Secretary-

I t was d e c i d e d the meetings would be h e l d Quarterly until f u r t h e r n o t i c e a n d t h e n e x t t h r e e m e e t i n g s t o be h e l d a t Wyong on 15 J u l y 1969 a t 8pm; Woy Woy, 15 O c t o b e r 1 9 6 9 ; a n d T u g g e r a h L a k e s on 21 J a n u a r y 1 9 7 0 . Several

m a t t e r s were d i s c u s s e d

and l e f t

over t o f u t u r e

meetings.

Masters of D i s t r i c t Lodges were requested t o submit year's i t i n e r a r y a t the next meeting. Meeting then i n harmony a t 9.30pm. R. F. H u n t i n g t o n .

their closed

16.7.1969

REGALIA The problem of the Regalias was a s u b j e c t which was often discussed s i n c e one o f t h e o b j e c t s o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n was t o e n s u r e t h a t no s u i t a b l e ; c a n d i d a t e h a d t o d e c l i n e n o m i n a t i o n t o t h e o f f i c e by r e a s o n o f h i s f i n a n c i a l i n a b i l i t y t o a f f o r d the h i g h c o s t o f t h e Grand Lodge r e g a l i a p l u s t h a t o f p u r c h a s i n g a t a i l coat s u i t . 1975. A p r i l 16 - p 4 6 : A d e t a i l e d d i s c u s s i o n t o o k p l a c e regarding a r e g a l i a fund. I t was moved t h a t a s p e c i a l f u n d be s e t up f o r t h e p u r c h a s e o f t h e D.G.I.W. r e g a l i a a n d t h a t each l o d g e b e r e q u e s t e d t o make a c o n t r i b u t i o n b y s e v e n e q u a l s h a r e s and t h e i n i t i a l payment o f $15.00 be c o n t r i b u t e d t o s e t up the fund. Carried. 1975. J u l y 16 - p 4 8 : The L o d g e s a g r e e d a n d s e n t c o n t r i b u t i o n s , a d i s c u s s i o n took p l a c e about the desirability of r e c y c l i n g Grand Lodge Regalia of deceased Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s , the c o s t o f a r e g a l i a t h e n b e i n g $350. 1980. J u l y 16 - p 7 5 : The L o d g e s w e r e approached i n July 1980 t o i n c r e a s e t h e i r a n n u a l s u b s c r i p t i o n t o D.G.I.W. r e g a l i a f r o m $25 t o $35 o w i n g t o a n i n c r e a s e i n c o s t . 1982. price

A p r i l 21 - p 8 8 : Inquiry i n A p r i l revealed that the f o r a g o o d q u a l i t y r e g a l i a was $ 5 0 0 . The i n c o m i n g I n s p e c -

243

t o r h a d t o c h o o s e h i s own c a s e , b r i n g i n g t h e t o t a l cost to a p p r o x i m a t e l y $625. With a s h o r t f a l l of $91, t h e a s s o c i a t i o n s e c r e t a r y was i n s t r u c t e d t o a d v i s e a l l l o d g e s e c r e t a r i e s t h a t t h e i r 1982 d o n a t i o n w o u l d be $48 e a c h . 1990. J u l y 18 - p l 5 6 : I n J u l y 1 9 9 0 a m o t i o n was p r e s e n t e d t h a t e a c h d i s t r i c t l o d g e be r e q u e s t e d t o donate t h e sum o f $50 t o w a r d s t h e c o s t o f D.G.I.W. r e g a l i a . The c o s t i n 1990 was approximately $1,150. The l o d g e s ' c o n t r i b u t i o n s o f $50 w o u l d b r i n g $ 5 0 0 , l e a v i n g a s h o r t f a l l o f $650 t h a t t h e M a s t e r s and W a r d e n s A s s o c i a t i o n w e r e e x p e c t e d to raise. We do n o t know i f t h e i n s p e c t o r c o n t r i b u t e d p a r t of the r e g a l i a , but o f c o u r s e he h a d t o p u r c h a s e a t a i l c o a t , w a i s t c o a t , white gloves, etc.

BY-LAWS, MEETING NIGHT, & c . 1986. A p r i l 16 - p l l 5 : E l i g i b i l i t y o f membership. The C h a i r m a n s t a t e d t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g b r e t h r e n w o u l d be members: W.M., J.W. , S.W, a n d D.O.C. o f a l l l o d g e s s h o u l d be f i n a n c i a l members and a l l o r a n y P.M. a r e w e l c o m e . The C h a i r m a n o u t l i n e d t h e objects of the Association plus t h e b e n e f i t s o f having any new o r a l t e r e d p o i n t s o f r i t u a l b r o u g h t t o n o t i c e a n d e x p l a i n e d . 1988.

January

1989. that:

October

20 - p l 3 0 : -

pl48:

A proposal 'Notice

f o r By-Laws was a d o p t e d .

o f Motion'

p u t by

Secretary

By-Law, Item 4 Constitution shall be changed by deleting 'Wardens a n d P a s t M a s t e r s ' t o read:'The A s s o c i a t i o n s h a l l c o n s i s t o f members o f L o d g e s i n 59 D i s t r i c t . '

T h a t By-Law, I t e m 7 O f f i c e r s be a l t e r e d a s f o l l o w s : a ) d e l e t e comma a f t e r ' S o c i a l S e c r e t a r y ' and i n s e r t 'and a n ' b) a d d new sentence after 'organising Committee o f t h r e e members' w h i c h s a y s : ' A l l Officers shall be O f f i c e r s o r P a s t O f f i c e r s o f a l o d g e ' , so t h a t I t e m 7 s h a l l now r e a d : 'The officers of the Association w i l l consist of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Secretary and an Organising Committee of t h r e e members. A l l Officers shall be o f f i c e r s o r p a s t O f f i c e r s o f a Lodge. The C h a i r m a n w i l l be t h e D.G.I.W.â&#x20AC;˘

This 'Notice of Motion' i s t o be s e n t t o a l l Lodges D i s t r i c t t o be d i s c u s s e d a n d a t t h e n e x t Masters & M e e t i n g , be d i s c u s s e d a n d v o t e d o n .

i n the Wardens

244

1990. J a n u a r y 17 - p l 5 0 : and c a r r i e d u n a n i m o u s l y .

The

motion

was

put, discussed,

RESEARCH GROUP 1987. O c t o b e r 21 - p p l 2 7 / 8 : L e t t e r from B i l l Lux r e forming a M a s o n i c R e s e a r c h Group i n t h i s d i s t r i c t , expounded a t t h i s meeting. L e t t e r read and d i s c u s s e d . M. & W. A s s n . support t h e f o r m i n g , a l e t t e r t o be s e n t t o a l l l o d g e s t o i n f o r m a n d a s k i n t e r e s t e d b r e t h r e n t o come f o r w a r d . 1987. December 22 - p l 3 3 : The M a s o n i c R e s e a r c h G r o u p first m e e t i n g a t L o n g J e t t y M a s o n i c H a l l t o be known a s 'The B e r t Badger R e s e a r c h Group'. Meetings t o be h e l d fourth Friday e a c h m o n t h , 7.30pm, Long J e t t y . N e x t m e e t i n g t o be h e l d F r i d a y 25 M a r c d h 1 9 8 8 . 1988. A p r i l 20 - p l 3 6 : The G r o u p t o 'meet i n t h e 5 t h week o f t h e month selected a t previous meeting'. Next meeting t o be h e l d o n t h e T u e s d a y o f 3 1 s t May, 1 9 8 8 .

MASONIC WIDOWS 1986. J u l y 16 - p l l 7 : Report on t h e newly formed Widows A s s o c i a t i o n m e e t i n g s . Wyong Shire now b o a s t s members; t h e m e e t i n g s a r e h e l d a t 0. E. S. H a l 1 o n 2nd of each month.

Masonic thirty Tuesday

- pl44: M e n t i o n t h a t M a s o n i c Widows a t both ends o f t h e d i s t r i c t h a d no r e a l p l a c e o f m e e t i n g ; as they do n o t p a y d u e s t h e y h a v e no r e s o u r c e s t o p a y r e n t a l . Moved to w r i t e t o C e n t r a l Coast Masonic Club w i t h a view t o a d o n a t i o n to pay a r e n t a l .

M e e t i n g o f 20 J a n u a r y 1988 V. Wor. B r o . N. M a u n d e r i n t h e C h a i r The

By-laws

as accepted a r e as f o l l o w s :

1. T i t l e of the Association w i l l TION 59 D I S T R I C T .

be MASTERS

& WARDENS

ASSOCIA-

2. MEETINGS. M e e t i n g s w i l l be h e l d on t h e 3 r d Wednesday o f t h e m o n t h s J a n u a r y , A p r i l , J u l y a n d O c t o b e r a t 7.30 o' c l o c k p.m. i n t h e Lodge rooms 59 D i s t r i c t a s d e s i g n a t e d by t h e c h a i r m a n . The A n n u a l G e n e r a l M e e t i n g w i l l be h e l d 3 r d W e d n e s d a y O c t o b e r e a c h y e a r .

245

3. OBJECTS A. To p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n d i s s e m i n a t e d b y t h e UNITED GRAND LODGE OF N.S.W. t h r o u g h t h e D I S T R I C T GRAND INSPECTOR o f WORKINGS. B. To d i s c u s s c e r e m o n i a l p r o c e d u r e a n d r i t u a l . C. To r a i s e money t o p u r c h a s e D.G.I.W. R e g a l i a and M a s t e r s p e w t e r s ( c o s t t o be b o r n e b y t h e r e s p e c t i v e M e m b e r s ) . 4. CONSTITUTION The A s s o c i a t i o n s h a l l c o n s i s t o f members o f L o d g e s i n 59 D i s t r i c t (Wardens a n d P a s t M a s t e r s ) . 5. DUES The d u e s f o r members w i l l annual general meeting.

$2.00

annually,

determined

7. OFFICERS The o f f i c e r s o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n w i l l c o n s i s t of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Social S e c r e t a r y and Organising Committee o f t h r e e members. The C h a i r m a n will be t h e D.G.I.W. 12. BUSINESS The b u s i n e s s o f e a c h r e g u l a r m e e t i n g w i l l A. B. C. D. E.

consist of:-

Reading and c o n f i r m a t i o n o f t h e m i n u t e s . Correspondence. Accounts and f i n a n c i a l statement. D.G.I.W.'s q u a r t e r l y r e p o r t . General business.

13. ALTERATIONS t o t h e BY-LAWS For a l t e r a t i o n t o t h e By-Laws i t i s n e c e s s a r y for a notice of m o t i o n t o be p r e s e n t e d t o t h e m e e t i n g . This 'Notice of M o t i o n ' w i l l be c o n v e y e d b y l e t t e r t o t h e L o d g e s i n 59 D i s t r i c t . The a l t e r a t i o n w i l l be d i s c u s s e d a n d a d e c i s i o n o f i t s a c c e p t a n c e o r r e j e c t i o n w i l l be made a t t h a t m e e t i n g . 14. QUORUM The quorum s h a l l

consist of five

(5) f i n a n c i a l

members.

Current Chairman V. Wor. B r o . N. M a u n d e r Deputy Chairman V. Wor. B r o . E. L e g g e t t Treasurer Wor. B r o . L. D o u g h t y Secretary V. Wor. B r o . D. B. Dean Social Secretary R t . Wor. B r o . A. D. R o s s C o m m i t t e e members t o be s e l e c t e d G o s f o r d and Tuggerah Lakes.

from

Lodges

Morning

Star,

246

BOARD OF MASTERS & WARDENS ASSOCIATION From i t s i n c e p t i o n .

CHAIRMAN V.W.

SECRETARY/TREASURER

B r o . R. F. HUNTINGTON 1968-70 D.G.I.W. 59 D i s t .

W.B.

K. A.

RUBIE

Lodge R I S I N G

SUN

V.W.

B r o . R.

RAY

1970-72

V.W.

B r o . R.

SMITH

1972-74

V.W.

B r o . G. HUMPHRIES

1974-76

V.W.

B r o . W.

RICHARDS

1976-78

V.W.

B r o . R.

JONES

1978-80

W.B.

A. D. ROSS 20/4/77

V.W.

B r o . A. D. ROSS

1980-82

W.B.

P. DAVIES

V.W,

Bro. Denis

1982-84

B. DEAN

B r o . G e r r y WEBB

Jan

V.W.

Bro. E r i c

LEGGETT

1984-86

V.W.

B r o . N o e l MAUNDER

1986-88

V.W.

B r o . K e n WHITE

1988-90

V.W.

B r o . L e s MANTLE

1990-92

1983

" Resigned

20/4/77

15/10/80

Official

Grand Lodge

V.W.B. H. FLYNN

W.B.

Lecturer L. DOUGHTY "

Rt.W.

D. DEAN

V.W.B. E. LEGGETT

B r o . Ron FRENCH

247

District

LODGES OF lAISTRUCTIOAl WYOMG DISTRICT JCODGE OF IJVSTRUCTIOAI GOSFORD

CITY

LODGE OF I M S T R U C T I O M

249

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION

INTRODUCTION Masonry b e i n g e s s e n t i a l l y r i t u a l i s t i c by n a t u r e , i t i s o f t h e utmost importance t h a t i t s ceremonies be c o n d u c t e d w i t h strict a t t e n t i o n to the proper i n s t r u c t i o n s . As i n s i m i l a r associations w h i c h have a c e r e m o n i a l t r a d i t i o n , t h e performance o f t h a t c e r e m o n i a l r i t u a l must be a d h e r e d t o r i g i d l y ; d e p a r t u r e f r o m t h e t r a d i t i o n a l ways o f e x p r e s s i o n i s r e g a r d e d w i t h d i s m a y . I n s p i t e o f b e i n g t h e M a s t e r , t h i s h i g h p l a c e d M a s o n h a s no s c o p e for indulging i n o r i g i n a l i t y . He a n d h i s o f f i c e r s ' performance i n Lodge i s s p e l t o u t i n g r e a t d e t a i l i n t h e R i t u a l ; M a s t e r and O f f i c e r s a r e e x p e c t e d t o s t u d y t h e r i g h t p r o c e d u r e and t o deport t h e m s e l v e s a s d i r e c t e d i n t h e many c e r e m o n i e s c a l l e d f o r . There i s a D i r e c t o r o f Ceremonies whose function i s t o guide and c o n t r o l t h e p e r f o r m a n c e of the Officers i n their various roles. H o w e v e r , D. o f G. may e r r o r be u n s u r e o n some o c c a s i o n s . The o f f i c e r s l e a r n b y h e a r t t h e i r p a r t i n t h e r i t u a l a n d p r a c t i c e once a month, p r a c t i c e m e e t i n g b e i n g h e l d b e f o r e t h e Lodge m e e t i n g . The D. o f C. i s a l w a y s o n t h e a l e r t t o d i r e c t , c o r r e c t a n d t o prompt. P r a c t i c e meetings a r e n o t always sufficient to bring the cast to a degree o f p r o f i c i e n c y , p r e c i s i o n , t i m i n g and e x a c t n e s s i n r e g a r d t o t h e s t a n d a r d t h a t i s e x p e c t e d f o r a "good n i g h t ' s work". Brethren learn m o s t l y by b e i n g o b s e r v a n t and o t h e r Lodges t h a t t h e y v i s i t , r e g u l a r l y .

and

attending

their

Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n have been s e t up t o a s s i s t the Brethren who w i s h t o p e r f e c t t h e i r k n o w l e d g e and p e r f o r m a n c e s . They a r e under t h e v i g i l a n c e o f a P r e c e p t o r and an A s s i s t a n t Preceptor u n d e r whose g u i d a n c e v a r i o u s c e r e m o n i e s a r e r e h e a r s e d b y B r e t h r e n f r o m a n y l o c a l L o d g e s who w a n t t o p o l i s h t h e i r k n o w l e d g e . The meeting p e r f o r m - under t h e P r e c e p t o r ' s guidance - a f u l l r e h e a r s a l , or e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n , o f a degree. This i sa very useful institution c o n t r i b u t i n g t o a b e t t e r r e n d i t i o n o f t h e r i t u a l i n t h e masonic ceremonies. T h e y a r e no s u b s t i t u t e f o r lodge rehearsals which u n i t e t o g e t h e r t h e O f f i c e r s who a r e t o w o r k t o g e t h e r f o r a p a r t i c u l a r e v e n i n g . The p u r p o s e o f t h e L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n i s t o o f f e r means f o r r e h e a r s a l t o members o f a l l l o d g e s i n t h e a r e a under t h e s u p e r v i s i o n o f a P r e c e p t o r a n d a S u b - p r e c e p t o r who a r e h i g h l y q u a l i f i e d - t o p r a c t i c e t h e work o f an e v e n i n g in a thorough manner f r o m b e g i n n i n g t o e n d . They a r o s e f r o m t h e e f f o r t s initiated b y V. Wor. B r o . D u g a l d Dobie i n N e w c a s t l e , t o encourage t h e study o f Masonic history. He was h i m s e l f a g r e a t r i t u a l i s t .

250

SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF LOCAL LODGES OF INSTRUCTION From t h e M a s t e r a n d Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n - m i n u t e s . The d e s i r a b i l i t y o f f o r m i n g L o d g e s o f I n s t r u c t i o n a n d t h e p r o b l e m o f e s t a b l i s h i n g them h a d b e e n b r o u g h t t o t h e M. & W.A. a t v a r i o u s times. H o w e v e r , t h e A s s o c i a t i o n h a d n o t b e e n a b l e t o t a k e up the p r o b l e m and s o l v e i t . As e a r l y a s J a n u a r y 1 9 7 0 , t h e f o u n d a t i o n c h a i r m a n o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n V.W. B r o . H u n t i n g t o n s p o k e o f t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y o f a Lodge o f Instruction. A general discussion followed from which i t was moved t h a t Wor. B r o . S m i t h , t h e D i r e c t o r o f Ceremony o f Lodge R I S I N G SUN be i n v i t e d t o a t t e n d the next meeting and address the B r e t h r e n r e g a r d i n g t h e p r o c e d u r e n e c e s s a r y t o f o l l o w t o f o r m a Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n . B i l l Smith had been i n charge o f such to i n f o r m t h e B r e t h r e n .

a Lodge

a n d was w e l l

placed

" A t t h e A s s o c i a t i o n ' s i n v i t a t i o n Wor. B r o . D.C. o f LODGE R I S I N G SUN a d d r e s s e d t h e m e e t i n g r e g a r d i n g a L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n . Much v a l u a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n was o f f e r e d a n d a f u l l discussion f o l l o w e d b y t h e members." I t was t h e n moved t h a t Wor. B r o . S m i t h be t h a n k e d f o e n i n g a d d r e s s a n d t h e m a t t e r be f u r t h e r discussed m e e t i n g , w h i c h t o o k p l a c e o n 15 A p r i 1 1 9 7 0 . Then d i s c u s s i o n o f t h e L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n was r a i s e d a n d d i s c u s s i o n i t was moved t h a t f u r t h e r t h o u g h t o f a s t r u c t i o n be a b a n d o n e d . Carried.

r h i s enlighta t the next the deferred after further Lodge o f I n -

The s u b j e c t was b r o u g h t up a g a i n i n 1 9 7 7 . A t t h e a n n u a l m e e t i n g o f g e n e r a l b u s i n e s s a p r o j e c t o f a L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n was d i s c u s s ed. The m e e t i n g was a d d r e s s e d b y B r o . H a r r y F l y n n "who g a v e a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g t a l k on L . I . . I t was left i n t h e h a n d s o f t h e D.G.I.W. t o a s c e r t a i n i f a t r i a l period c o u l d be p e r m i t t e d b y t h e G.L. I t was s u g g e s t e d t h a t G o s f o r d t e m p l e w o u l d be a n i d e a l v e n u e f o r s u c h a m e e t i n g . " V. Wor. B r o . B i l l R i c h a r d s was t h e D.G.I.W. a t t h e t i m e . In A p r i l the position of a formation of L . I . i n the d i s t r i c t was again discussed a t length. I t was f e l t t h a t , a l t h o u g h t h i s was an e x c e l l e n t i d e a , t h e M. & W. A s s o c i a t i o n t h o u g h t i t w o u l d b e b e t t e r t o abandon t h e i d e a t e m p o r a r i l y . The n i n e l o d g e s t h a t f o r m 59 D i s t r i c t w e r e n o t e n j o y i n g t h e f a c i l i t y of an i n s t r u c t i o n Lodge. I n 1981 t h e p r o j e c t was t a k e n up a g a i n ; g o o d i d e a s c a n n o t be p u t away i n d e f i n i t e l y .

251

A t a m e e t i n g on 15 A p r i l t h e C h a i r m a n , who t h e n was W. B r o . R o s s , i n v i t e d R t . B r o . B i l l Lux t o address t h e meeting on b e h a l f o f GRAND LODGE. He s p o k e o n t h e a d v a n t a g e o f a L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n to b r i n g u n i f o r m i t y t o Masonic Ceremonies and a deeper interest o f t h e same t o i n t e n d i n g O f f i c e r s a n d O f f i c e r s i n t h e d i s t r i c t . V. Wor. B r o . R o s s i n t r o d u c e d R.W. Bro. Frank H o d g s o n who h a d experience as a Preceptor.

Extract

f r o m t h e m i n u t e s o f Wyong S h i r e A r e a

Lodge

Instruction:-

An i n a u g u r a l m e e t i n g o f a l l L o d g e s f o r m i n g D i s t r i c t 59 was held i n the Masonic Temple, Gosford, on A u g u s t 1 3 , 1981 to d i s c u s s t h e forming o f Lodges o f I n s t r u c t i o n . This meeting was p r e s i d e d b y V. Wor. B r o . A.D. R o s s D.G.I.W. , assistant o r g a n i s e r R.W. B r o . W.H. L u x P.A.G.M. The g u e s t speaker was R.W. Bro. Profâ&#x20AC;˘ R. Woodman, A s s i s t a n t G r a n d Master. He s p o k e v e r y a b l y o n t h e s u b j e c t a n d t h e v a l u e o f L o d g e s of I n s t r u c t i o n . He s t r e s s e d t h e e d u c a t i o n a l v a l u e a n d s p o k e i n a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g f a s h i o n on t h e s u b j e c t : the opportunity of g e n e r a l d i s c u s s i o n s on t h e R i t u a l and i t s a p p l i c a t i o n , and t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o l e a r n s o much i n L o d g e s o f I n s t r u c t i o n . At t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f the meeting a hearty vote of thanks was v o t e d t o R.W. Woodman f o r h i s e x c e l l e n t a d d r e s s followed by a s u p p e r .

P l a n s were t h e n drawn t o b r i n g t h i s of Lodges of I n s t r u c t i o n .

t o a c o n c l u s i o n by t h e f o r m a t i o n

I t was d e c i d e d t o e s t a b l i s h two L o d g e s of Instruction i n the d i s t r i c t : one i n t h e n o r t h e r n p a r t , a t L o n g J e t t y , c a t e r i n g f o r t h e B r e t h r e n o f L o d g e s WYONG, TUGGERAH L A K E S , TOUKLEY a n d P E L I C A N . The o t h e r b a s e d a t G o s f o r d f o r t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e B r e t h r e n o f L o d g e s R I S I N G SUN, MORNING STAR, GOSFORD, SARATOGA a n d JAMES K I B B L E . !iy t h a t u s e f u l move t h e p r o f i c i e n c y of the Brethren i n Lodge and t h e i m p r o v e m e n t o f t h e r e n d e r i n g o f R i t u a l was t h e r e s u l t . The P r e c e p t o r s w e r e c h o s e n f o r t h e i r e x t e n s i v e a n d r e l i a b l e knowledge o f t h e r i t u a l t o ensure t h a t bad p r a c t i c e s d i d n o t develop and t o e r a d i c a t e f a u l t y o r u n d e s i r a b l e h a b i t s . Subsequently one L o d g e of Instruction was e s t a b l i s h e d t o meet in Gosford. I t s O f f i c e r s w e r e : R.W. B r o . F r a n k H o d g s o n , D e p u t y Preceptor W. B r o . H.H. Dodd, S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r T. Campbell. The o t h e r L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n was t o meet a t L o n g J e t t y i n t h e Tuggerah Lakes M a s o n i c C e n t r e , 4 t h Thursday i n t h e month, with the f o l l o w i n g O f f i c e r s : Preceptor R.W. B r o . W.H. Lux, Deputy P r e c e p t o r W. B r o . L.A. H u g h e s , S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r B r o . A.R. Smith.

252

GOSFORD CITY AREA LODGE OF INSTRUCTION No. 59 D i s t r i c t U.G.L. o f N.S.W.

1 S e p t e m b e r 1981

FOUNDED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

Gosford Masonic William Street G o s f o r d 2250. 1st Tuesday 7.30 pm.

Centre

Monthly.

The f i r s t m e e t i n g was h e l d i n G o s f o r d M a s o n i c Centre, Tuesday, 1 S e p t e m b e r 1 9 8 1 , V, Wor. B r o . F r a n k H o d g s o n a t L o d g e GOSFORD, P r e c e p t o r , J a c k Dodds, S u b - p r e c e p t o r , t h e v i s i t o r s were welcomed. A d i s c u s s i o n on t h e o b j e c t s o f a L. o f I . w i t h questions and t h e P r e c e p t o r ' s a n s w e r s was e n t e r e d i n b y a l l p r e s e n t . The o p e n i n g o f t h e L o d g e i n t h e 1 s t d e g r e e was p e r f o r m e d a n d t h e M.0.P. a l s o e x e m p l i f i e d . T h e L o d g e c l o s e d a t 9.45 pm. The s e c o n d m e e t i n g was h e l d i n G o s f o r d M a s o n i c C e n t r e o n T u e s d a y 6 October 1981. V. Wor. B r o , F r a n k Hodgson o f Lodge GOSFORD b e i n g t h e P r e c e p t o r . The S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r was Thomas M. C a m p b e l l o f L o d g e GOSFORD. A c o p y o f t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n was h a n d e d o u t , a c a l l f o r i n c r e a s e d m e m b e r s h i p was made a n d some discussion ensued. The work o f the e v e n i n g was o p e n i n g t h e L o d g e i n t h e F i r s t degree by t h e members p r e s e n t a n d t h e c l o s i n g . On t h e 3 November, t h e w o r d h a d p a s s e d around, t h e attendance was f o u r t e e n f r o m f o u r L o d g e s , a m i n o r adjustment t o t h e cons t i t u t i o n was a d o p t e d , a b o u t t h e d r e s s : s h o u l d r e a d a s f o l l o w s : "All members attending Lodge M e e t i n g s shall be suitably a t t i r e d i n d r e s s b e f i t t i n g a m e e t i n g o f Masons (Informal). R e g a l i a s h a l 1 be worn. From:

Minutes Book 1.

Gosford City Area Lodge of Instruction.

August 1981 - July 1988.

253

A f i n a l m o t i o n was p r o p o s e d a n d s e c o n d e d t h a t e a c h member p r e s e n t c o n t r i b u t e $2 t o w a r d t h e c o s t o f e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e two new Lodges. The sum o f $57 was r e c e i v e d f r o m the 34 Brethren present and d i v i d e d e q u a l l y b e t w e e n L o d g e GOSFORD a n d L o d g e TUGGERAH LAKES.

ORDER o f t h e STEPS TAKEN t o e s t a b l i s h t h e LODGES OF INSTRUCTION f r o m t h e M i n u t e Book o f t h e M. & W. A s s o c i a t i o n . 1970 J a n u a r y 21 - p.5 V. Wor. B r o . H u n t i n g t o n spoke on the desirability of a Lodge of Instruction, a general discussion followed from which was moved t h a t Wor. B r o . S m i t h , t h e D.C. of Lodge RISING SUN, be i n v i t e d t o a t t e n d our n e x t m e e t i n g and a d d r e s s t h e B r e t h r e n r e g a r d ing the procedure of a L . I . 1970 A p r i l 15 - p.11 The d e f e r r e d d i s c u s s i o n o f t h e L . I . was r a i s e d and a f t e r d i s c u s s i o n s i t was moved t h a t f u r t h e r t h o u g h t s o f f o r m i n g a L . I . be a b a n d o n e d . Carried. 1977 J a n u a r y 19 - p.59 In general business a lodge of instruction was discussed and t h e m e e t i n g was a d d r e s s e d b y B r o . H a r r y F l y n n who gave a very i n t e r e s t i n g t a l k on L . I . I t was l e f t i n t h e h a n d s o f t h e D.G.I.W. t o a s c e r t a i n i f a t r i a l p e r i o d c o u l d be p e r m i t t e d by the G.L. I t was s u g g e s t e d t h a t G o s f o r d Temple would be an ideal venue f o r such a meeting. 1977 A p r i l 20 - p.61 The p o s i t i o n o f a f o r m a t i o n o f L . I . i n t h e D i s t r i c t was again discussed at length. I t was felt that, although this was an e x c e l l e n t i d e a , t h e M. & W. A s s o c . t h o u g h t i t w o u l d be better t o abandon t h e i d e a t e m p o r a r i l y . 1981 J a n u a r y 21 - p.78 Chairman r e q u e s t e d R t . B r o . Lux t o a d d r e s s the m e e t i n g o f G.L., he s p o k e on t h e a d v a n t a g e s o f a L . I . i n b r i n g i n g t o M a s o n i c Ceremonies and a d e e p e s t u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t o i n t e n d i n g o f f i c e r s and o f f i c e r s i n t h e d i s t r i c t .

on b e h a l f uniformity the same,

The l e c t u r e was received and i n the discussion that followed i t was d e c i d e d t h a t a s t h e r e w e r e some W. M a s t e r s who w e r e n o t p r e s e n t a t t h e m e e t i n g t h a t t h e l o d g e s o f t h e d i s t r i c t be i n f o r m e d so t h a t i n t e r e s t e d b r e t h r e n , a s w e l l a s some M a s t e r s a n d W a r d e n s , c o u l d a t t e n d and d i s c u s s and d e c i d e t h e i s s u e . 1981 A p r i l 15 - p.79 G e n e r a l b u s i n e s s was suspended t o a l l o w discussion on a lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n . B. R o s s i n t r o d u c e d R.W. B r o . F r a n k Hodgson and R.W. B r o . B i l l L u x , t h e f o r m e r who h a d h a d e x p e r i e n c e a s a P r e c e p t o r

254

in another D i s t r i c t , our p r e v i o u s m e e t i n g . committee formed.

s u p p o r t e d what B i l l L u x h a d The m a t t e r was d i s c u s s e d f u l l y

spoken of at and a s t e e r i n g

1981 O c t o b e r 14 - p.83 I t was r e p o r t e d t h a t a r i s i n g f r o m t h e m e e t i n g held at Gosford T e m p l e o n A u g u s t 13 t h a t a f t e r a n a d d r e s s b y t h e A.G.M. Prof. Woodman o n t h e m e r i t o f a L . I . a n d d i s c u s s i o n among t h o s e p r e s e n t , two L o d g e s o f I n s t r u c t i o n w e r e f o r m e d a s f o l l o w s ; District Grand I n s p e c t o r of Workings: Assistant Preceptor to both lodges. C e n t r a l C o a s t Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n : P r e c e p t o r V.W. Frank HODGSON. D e p u t y P r e c e p t o r J a c k DODD. S e c / T r e a s u r e r B r o . Tom CAMPBELL. M e e t i n g a t G o s f o r d Temple, f i r s t Tuesday each month, (except January). Wyong S h i r e A r e a L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n : P r e c e p t o r R.W. B i l l LUX. D e p u t y P r e c e p t o r W.B. L e s HUGHES. S e c / T r e a s u r e r B r o . S t a n SMITH. M e e t i n g a t Long J e t t y Temple, f o u r t h Tuesday each month, (except January). A l l s e c r e t a r i e s o f t h e L o d g e s o f 59 D i s t r i c t r e q u e s t e d t o i n c l u d e meeting n i g h t o f t h e Lodges o f I n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e i r n o t i c e p a p e r s .

255

WYONG DISTRICT LODGE OF INSTRUCTION No. 59 D i s t r i c t U.G.L. of N.S.W.

FOUNDED:

24 S e p t e m b e r 1981

PLACE OF MEETING:

Long J e t t y Masonic Toowoon B a y R o a d .

DATE OF MEETING:

4th Tuesday 7.30 pm.

Hall.

Monthly.

The f i r s t m e e t i n g o f L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n , Wyong S h i r e A r e a was h e l d o n 2 4 S e p t e m b e r 1 9 8 1 , t h e b u s i n e s s o f t h e e v e n i n g was m o s t l y discussions. A t t h e f o l l o w i n g m e e t i n g o n 27 O c t o b e r t h e b u s i n e s s of t h e e v e n i n g was a 2 n d d e g r e e , f o l l o w e d b y i n t e r e s t i n g comments of t h e work o f t h e e v e n i n g by t h e P r e c e p t o r , d i s c u s s i o n being most i n f o r m a t i v e a n d w o r t h w h i l e . The Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n has t a k e n a good s t a r t . They a r e s t i l l g o i n g t e n y e a r s l a t e r a n d h a v e p r o b a b l y c o n t r i b u t e d to l i f t t h e p e r f o r m a n c e a n d t h e s t a n d a r d o f o u r M a s o n i c ceremonies.

256

BY-LAWS adopted and common t o : CENTRAL COAST LODGES OF INSTRUCTION No. 59 D i s t r i c t U.G.L. o f N.S.W. GOSFORD CITY AREA LODGE OF INSTRUCTION WYONG DISTRICT LODGE OF INSTRUCTION

TITLE This Lodge of Instruction w i l l be t i t l e d "Central L o d g e o f I n s t r u c t i o n , 59 D i s t r i c t , ( G o s f o r d C i t y A r e a . (^yong D i s t r i c t . "

Coast

MEETINGS M e e t i n g s w i 1 1 be h e l d e a c h month w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f J a n u a r y . Business t o commence a t 7.45 pm SHARP, o r a t s u c h t i m e a s t h e P r e c e p t o r may d i r e c t .

OBJECTS The o b j e c t s o f t h e L o d g e s h a l l b e t o i m p a r t g e n e r a l instructions i n the working o f t h e three degrees o f C r a f t Masonry and a n y o t h e r m a t t e r s o f i n t e r e s t a n d i n s t r u c t i o n i n F r e e m a s onry. Two m e e t i n g s e a c h y e a r t o b e a t t h e d i s p o s a l o f the P r e c e p t o r .

CONSTITUTION The L o d g e s h a l 1 c o n s i s t o f M a s t e r M a s o n s who a r e f i n a n c i a l members o f a r e g u l a r L o d g e . The L o d g e s h a l l f u n c t i o n b y t h e a u t h o r i t y o f a l i c e n c e g r a n t e d by The M o s t W o r s h i p f u l G r a n d M a s t e r .

DUES The f e e p a y a b l e s h a l 1 b e $ 2 . 0 0 p e r annum t o b e p a i d o n Annua 1 M e e t i n g n i g h t .

payable

i n advance,

OFFICERS The O f f i c e r s o f t h e L o d g e s h a l l c o n s i s t o f P r e c e p t o r , Deputy P r e c e p t o r , A s s i s t a n t P r e c e p t o r ( A l l o f whom s h a l l b e I n s t a l l e d M a s t e r s ) and a S e c r e t a r y / T r e a s u r e r .

14.

DRESS A l l members a t t e n d i n g L o d g e M e e t i n g s s h a l 1 b e s u i t a b l y i n dress b e f i t t i n g a meeting o f a Masonic Lodge. s h a l 1 be w o r n .

attired Regalia

257

CENTRAL COAST MASONIC GRAND OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

FOUNDED:

1989

PLACE OF MEETING:

Gosford Golf Club. R a c e c o u r s e Road Gosford 2250

DATE OF MEETING:

4th Friday q u a r t e r l y January, A p r i l , J u l y & O c t o b e r a t 10 a.m.

AnrLounc&nejit given by. the

eAtabiiAhment of, a Q/Lond Of-fLceJiA Lodg,e. WOA pape/i, The QoAfo/id Sta/i dated 15 NovembeJi 1988.

of- the,

local

FREEMASONS' NEW LODGE IN GOSFORD. High ranking Freemasons from Sydney and t h e Central Coast met i n G o s f o r d last week t o formally l a ythe foundations of the Central Coast Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s A s s o c i a t i o n . It aims t o support local c h a r i t i e s and be r e p r e s e n t e d i n c i v i c a n d community a f f a i r s . Gosford City was t h e f i r s t provincial city to form a Grand Lodge , O f f i c e r s Association outside a c a p i t a l c i t y of A u s t r a l i a . The G r a n d L o d g e Association began 100 y e a r s a g o s o i t i s a g r e a t f o r G o s f o r d t o f i n a 1 l y be a member.

i n N.S.W. celebration

The first meeting was h e l d last week a n d was followed by a luncheon where Dexter, the world famous magician, displayed his s k i l l s w h i c h h a v e won h i m w o r l d w i d e acclaim.

258

Tit. WoA. B/io. Ha/uiy. F-Lynn LA a Q/iand Lodge. Of-fJ-ceyi, now JJ,vlng. in the dlAtyviat and an af-flLioLted member, of. local lodg.eA. He had e-KpenX-ence of Q/iand Lx)dg.e OfflcejiA AAAoclatlon In St^dney. and thought that DlAtyvict 59 cotUd benefit fjiom the o/ig.aniAtion which glveA Q/iand Lodg,e OfftceAA oppo/Ltunity. to meet in a venae to dlAcuAA and meet leAA fomaally, than at 0nAtaJJxitl.onA, the only, oppo/itunity fo/i Q. L. 0. to meet CLA Auch. He theA.efon.e p/Loceeded to act and Aent the following, lette/L to pJioApectlve membeA.A of Auch an o/igani^Aotion 1988.

CJJICUICUL

H.L. FLYNN P.O. BOX 175 GOSFORD. N.S.W. 2250 Dear S i r & B r o t h e r : In Sydney t h e y have a " P a s t & P r e s e n t Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s A s s o c i a t i o n " , w h i c h meets monthly for a luncheon meeting. Guest speakers are invited a n d many i n t e r e s t i n g t o p i c s a r e p r e s e n t e d . W i t h i n t h e n i n e l o d g e s o f t h e 59 D i s t r i c t there are 86 G r a n d Lodge O f f i c e r s , p l u s many o t h e r s who s e t t l e d on t h e C e n t r a l C o a s t , b u t a s y e t h a v e n o t a f f i l i a t e d . . . . perhaps never even v i s i t e d a lodge i n this district. T h e r e i s a f e e l i n g amongst a number o f o u r G r a n d L o d g e b r e t h r e n t h a t a s i m i l a r a s s o c i a t i o n t o t h e one i n Sydney c o u l d be o f i n t e r e s t i f s t a r t e d here on t h e C e n t r a l Coast. T h e i d e a o f g e t t i n g t o g e t h e r once a m o n t h d i s c u s s i n g m a s o n i c m a t t e r s t h e n h a v i n g a s p e a k e r o f some i n t e r e s t a f t e r o u r l u n c h e o n , seems t o h a v e some a p p e a l . The p r o j e c t i s e n v i s a g e d a s b e i n g a n a n n u a l m e m b e r s h i p f e e w i t h t h e l u c h e o n b e i n g a t a minimum c o s t a t a l o c a l v e n u e o n c e a month i n o r n e a r G o s f o r d . Fees, luncheon c o s t s c o u l d be p l a n n e d a t t h e i n a u g u r a l m e e t i n g . To e n a b l e t o c o m p i l e y o u r v i e w s o n t h i s p r o p o s e d associ a t i o n i t i s necessary t o c i r c u l a t e a l e t t e r such as t h i s t o n o t e y o u r v i e w s , i d e a s a n d comments, t h e r e f o r e your a t t e n t i o n i s drawn t o t h e e n c l o s e d q u e s t i o n n a i r e f o r y o u t o c o m p l e t e a n d mark a c c o r d i n g l y w h e t h e r y o u a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n b e c o m i n g a f o u n d a t i o n member o r d e c l i n ing. I f d e c l i n i n g would you please offer advice re your a c t i o n .

Apriil

259

Should t h e a s s o c i a t i o n progress t o a stage where i t becomes a f i n a n c i a l s u c c e s s , t h e members c o u l d decide i n t h e i r w i s d o m t o make a d o n a t i o n t o a M a s o n i c charity or perhaps t o a l o c a l w e l l d e s e r v i n g c h a r i t y . Please give thought to this project there seems t o be a n e e d f o r a p l a c e t o g e t t o g e t h e r i n a h a p p y i n f o r m a t i v e atmosphere; and p o s s i b l y use t h e meetings as a p u b l i c r e l a t i o n s p r o j e c t t o i m p r o v e t h e F r e e m a s o n r y image o n t h e C e n t r a l C o a s t . Yours

Fraternally

H.L. F l y n n . Convenor.

Ike. p/iopoAed "Qjtand Lodg,e OffLceyiA by C,/iand Lodg,e on 19 Apnll 1989.

AA4ocl.cuti.on"

IVOA

app/ioved

261

yf]a6onlc ion

9 George Street, BROOKLYN 19 DEAR B R O T H E R , You are requested to attend the next meeting of the Association, to be held in the Brooklyn War Memorial Hall on FRIDAY,

, at 8 p.m. Yours fraternally,

R. R. S M I T H , Hon. Sec. Phone 455 1360 BUSINESS 1. MINUTES 2. CORRESPONDENCE 3. TREASURER'S R E P O R T 4. G E N E R A L BUSINESS 5. GUEST SPEAKER {lY ANY)

Dues Per Annum

$10-00

Arrears to date

% Total

It is desired that dues be paid annually in advance.

263

COMBINED MASONIC

ASSOCIATIONS.

The H a w k e s b u r y R i v e r D i s t r i c t Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n .

FOUNDED:

27 June 1950

PLACE OF MEETING:

Bush F i r e Brigade 25 J u l y 1950.

Hall.

Now (1992) BROOKLYN WAR MEMORIAL HALL. 120 B r o o k l y n Road, Brooklyn, (bought i n 1977). DATE OF MEETINGS:

Monthly

- 4th Tuesday.

Now (1992) Monthly - 4th F r i d a y , at 8 p . m .

264

MASONIC ORGANISATIONS :

COMBINED MASONIC

ASSOCIATION

An i n s t i t u t i o n w h i c h i s u n o f f i c i a l l y c o n n e c t e d w i t h F r e e m a s o n r y , b u t i s no p a r t o f i t s c o n s t i t u t i o n a l o r g a n i s m , sprang into existence i n t h e 1940s u n d e r t h e name o f 'Combined Masonic Associations'. I t , i n t u r n , was c o m p o s e d o f v a r i o u s Masonic 'Reunions', ' A s s o c i a t i o n s ' , ' F i d e l i t y Clubs' or 'Social Clubs' which e x i s t e d w i t h s i m i l a r informal connection with orthodox Freemasonry. Some o f t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l A s s o c i a t i o n s h a d e x i s t e d f o r t h i r t y y e a r s o r more b e f o r e any attempt a t c o - o r d i n a t i o n was made. They s e r v e d , h o w e v e r , t o b r i n g i n t o more i n t i m a t e r e l a t i o n s h i p t h e Masons o f v a r i o u s Lodges w i t h i n a district or o f c l o s e p r o f e s s i o n a l o r o c c u p a t i o n a l affinities." They a l s o a n s w e r e d t h e n e e d o f M a s o n s t o meet i n a formal f a s h i o n , as opposed t o casual meetings on t h e g o l f course or i nthe bowling c l u b s . The C M . A . w e r e a f o r m a l arrangement t o meet a t f i x e d d a t e s i n a f i x e d p l a c e f o r w h a t e v e r p u r p o s e . U n a t t a c h e d M a s o n s l i v i n g i n a n a r e a w h e r e no L o d g e was e s t a b l i s h e d o f t e n met a s C M . A . T h i s c o u l d be j u s t a s o c i a l club o f s o r t s o r c o u l d be f o r m e d f o r a d e f i n i t e p u r p o s e .

CM.A. e s t a b l i s h e d as a step F.M. L o d g e .

t o funding

a local

regular

Some C M . A . w e r e s e t up l o c a l l y f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f g a t h e r i n g Masons w i t h a v i e w t o f o u n d i n g a new L o d g e . One C M . A. was f o r m e d a t S a r a t o g a t o b r i n g t o g e t h e r Masons w i s h i n g to establish a L o d g e t o meet t h e r e . I t sstory i s t o l d i n the story of Lodge SARATOGA, a s i t i s p a r t o f t h e h i s t o r y o f t h a t L o d g e . However, n o t e v e r y CM.A. c o n s t i t u t e d w i t h t h e v i e w a Lodge h a s been s u c c e s s f u l i n i t s p u r p o s e .

t o founding

F o u n d i n g a L o d g e n e c e s s i t a t e s r e s o l v i n g a number o f p r o b l e m s , s u c h a s a m e e t i n g p l a c e w i t h v e r y s p e c i a l f e a t u r e s t o be a g r e e d to by t h e Board of General Purpose as being satisfactory. I t a l s o r e q u i r e s t h e r a i s i n g o f f u n d s w h i c h amount t o a l a r g e sum. L a s t l y , i t n e e d s t o be a b l e t o d r a w u p o n a p o o l o f M a s o n s and s u i t a b l e candidates r e s i d i n g i n the general area. A l l t h o s e c o n d i t i o n s a r e t h e most important, and t h e f i r s t one i s t h e most d i f f i c u l t t o f u l f i l .

S e e 'FROM

JUBILEE

p p 2 3 6 - 2 4 1 , f o r a more

DIAMOND

JUBILEE',

comprehensive

a r t i c l e on

Cramp, CM.A.

1949,

265

It Is often insuperable. I n t h e case o f Saratoga, a s we h a v e a l r e a d y s e e n , t h e b r e t h r e n have abandoned t h e p r o j e c t o f b u i l d i n g t h e i r own t e m p l e . However, Tuggerah Lakes and M o r i s s e t have b e e n a b l e t o b u i l d t h e i r own. The H a w k e s b u r y R i v e r District a f t e r some f o r t y y e a r s , m e e t i n g tion. The e a r l y h i s t o r y o f i n t h e m i n u t e book begun i n June

Masonic Association i s s t i l l , as a Combined M a s o n i c A s s o c i a that organisation i s recorded 1950.

On 8 J u n e 1 9 5 0 , a g r o u p o f M a s o n s m a i n l y employed a t Peat and M i l s o n I s l a n d s Mental Hospital held a meeting at Bro. T. A n s t e e ' s r e s i d e n c e a t Mooney Mooney w i t h the object of f o r m i n g a b r a n c h o f t h e Combined M a s o n i c A s s o c i a t i o n o f New South Wales:

MINUTE BOOK;

8 J u n e 1950 t o 28 M a r c h 1958

M i n u t e s o f t h e f i r s t m e e t i n g o f M a s o n s a t Mooney Mooney w i t h t h e o b j e c t o f f o r m i n g a b r a n c h o f t h e Combined M a s o n i c A s s o c i a tion. M e e t i n g was h e l d a t B r o . A n s t e e ' s r e s i d e n c e . Present were: B r o s . W. J . S i n c l a i r - L o d g e COSMOPOLITAN 5 5 4 , H.T.M. W i l l i a m s - R I S I N G SUN 3 1 1 , N. K. V. S t a p l e s - R I S I N G SUN 3 1 1 , F. B l u n d e l l - Lodge UNIVERSAL 4 7 5 , A. L. C o l e - L o d g e R I S I N G SUN 3 1 1 , T. E. A n s t e e - L o d g e ROCKDALE 5 7 4 . N o m i n a t i o n s were c a l l e d f o r p r o v i s i o n a l P r e s i d e n t and p r o v i s i o n a l Secretary. B r o s . B l u n d e l l and Anstee r e s p e c t i v e l y . Moved B r o . S i n c l a i r t h a t ' t h i s b r a n c h be known a s "The H a w k e s b u r y R i v e r D i s t r i c t Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n ' " , seconded by B r o . C o l e and c a r r i e d . A d r a f t o f By-Laws was p r e s e n t e d forms f o r membership adopted.

and accepted,

The f i r s t g e n e r a l m e e t i n g t o be h e l d o n 27 B r o . S t a p l e s ' r e s i d e n c e a t Mooney Mooney. Bro. C o l e t o c a l l on S e c r e t a r y CM.A., Speaker. M e e t i n g c l o s e d a t 10.15pm.

and a p p l i c a t i o n

June

Sydney,

for a

8pm

Guest

1950 F i r s t G e n e r a l M e e t i n g , 27 J u n e , o f THE HAWKESBURY RIVER D I S T R I C T MASONIC ASSOCIATION - h e l d a t P o i n t R o a d , Mooney Mooney a t 8.40pm. Bro. Blundell, provisional President i n the chair. T w e n t y - t h r e e members a n d t h r e e v i s i t o r s w e r e p r e s e n t and s i g n e d the a t t e n d a n c e book. . .

266

P r e s i d e n t e x p l a i n e d t h e o b j e c t s o f t h e a s s o c i a t i o n and w e l c o m e d t h e S e c r e t a r y o f t h e CM.A. of N.S.W. , B r o . E. Holesgrove; t h e V i c e - P r e s i d e e n t , W. G. F o r d ; and Hon. Treasurer, Bro. S. S. Cassidy. Bro. Holesgrove outlined activities, gave h i s t o r y and p u r p o s e o f CM.A. Membership forms were completed a t o t a l of t w e n t y - t h r e e F o u n d a t i o n

by members Members:

present,

making

T. E. ANSTEE, F. BLUNDELL, W. G. S I N C L A I R , W. H. DAVIDSON, H. GASCOIGNE, A, C. SCHUMACHER, F. M. BOON, G. ROBERTSON, H. W I L L I A M S , D. L. GRAY, C S. FOSTER, N. K. V. STAPLES, A., L. COLE, C SMITH, L. H. MIDDLETON, A. N. SHADIE, N. E. JOHNSON, J . F. STANLEY, M. C MCCARTHY, G. L. W I L L I A M S , MAXWELL, J . McBEATH, S. B. LUCAS. M i n u t e s were adopted.

read,

By-Laws

d i s c u s s e d , drawn

up,

amended,

and

O f f i c e r s were t h e n e l e c t e d : Hon. P r e s i d e n t - A. L. Cole; V i c e - P r e s i d e n t s - G. F. S t a n l e y and L. H. Middleton; Hon. S e c r e t a r y - T. E. A n s t e e ; Hon. T r e a s u r e r - A. W. Shadie; plus f o u r members as officers and Management Committee N. K. V. S t a p l e s , W. G. S i n c l a i r , C M c B e a t h and A. C. Schumacher; and two a u d i t o r s - G. L. W i l l i a m s and H. T. M. W i l l i a m s . A p p l i c a t i o n f o r B r a n c h m e m b e r s h i p o f t h e CM.A. made, signed and h a n d e d o v e r t o B r o . H o l e s g r o v e . The b r e t h r e n w e r e i n f o r m e d t h a t t h e i r A s s o c i a t i o n w o u l d h a v e t h e number 91 on t h e register of the Combined Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n s . A d a t e and t i m e was s e l e c t e d t o be 8pm on t h e 4th Tuesday, n e x t m e e t i n g b e i n g 25 J u l y . P l a c e of meeting: L. M i d d l e t o n t o a p p r o a c h Mr. A. E. B e n n i n g t o n o f B r o o k l y n f o r u s e o f the F i r e Brigade H a l l . C a t e r i n g a r r a n g e m e n t s t o be l e f t i n t h e h a n d s o f t h e Management Committee. Two p o u n d s t o be a d v a n c e d t o Hon. Secretary as P e t t y Cash. Bro. M i d d l e t o n extended a vote of thanks to Bro. Holesgrove, t h e g u e s t s p e a k e r , and a c c o m p a n y i n g o f f i c e r s who had travelled t h r o u g h the r a i n t h a t had been f a l l i n g f o r days, and their h o s t Norm S t a p l e s . The m e e t i n g c l o s e d a t 10,55pm. t h e l a d i e s , who w e r e t h a n k e d .

Refreshments

were

The e n t h u s i a s m and k e e n i n t e r e s t shown by members t o many i n t e r e s t i n g n i g h t s and h a p p y m e e t i n g s . The m e e t i n g s t h a t f o l l o w e d w e r e h e l d i n t h e B u s h H a l l under the chairmanship of P r e s i d e n t C o l e .

served

Fire

guide

Brigade

267

T w e n t y - t h r e e members w e r e p r e s e n t o n 25 J u l y . Bro. Galium a v i s i t o r f r o m L o d g e TUGGERAH LAKES 757 a l s o a t t e n d e d . Five new members w e r e w e l c o m e d : R. RANKIN, E. KASSOMATIS, A. BROAD, and C h r i s . GRESHAM S e n i o r a n d J u n i o r . I t was d e c i d e d t h a t m e e t i n g s be h e l d m o n t h l y o n 4 t h T u e s d a y , a l s o t h a t t h e A s s o c i a t i o n donate 30/- annually t o t h e Bush F i r e Brigade f o r the use of t h e i r H a l l . B r o s . C o l e and A n s t e e were elected t o be d e l e g a t e s at the Annual M e e t i n g of t h e CM.A. held on 11 A u g u s t i n Masonic H a l l , 269 C a s t l e r e a g h S t r e e t , S y d n e y . Q u a r t e r l y dues t o S e p t e m b e r a m o u n t e d t o 15/6 t o be p a i d . Expenses were: P e t t y Cash t o S e c r e t a r y , 1 9 / - a n d p r i n t i n g , £3/7/6. B r o . D a v i d PRENTICE ( L o d g e R I S I N G SUN 3 1 1 ) t o be invited as guest s p e a k e r , i f p o s s i b l e on H i g h e r Masonry i n o t h e r countries. A social ment .

committee of three

G. WILLIAMS r e a d [Meetings twenty.

and

Memoirs o f h i s mother

wejid tieJA

pXiuA

members t o be

/le-gjuXcui-Lg, wiik

VIAAJLO/LA.

LecJiuneA

th.eA.e iveJie. AOCIJOA. events

and

formed

for entertain-

Lodge. •layig.& attendanceA

iveyte. given

entertainment.

of.

gu&At

aA.ound

Ape.akejiA,

A Moon L i g h t E x c u r s i o n as a L a d i e s N i g h t , on b o a r d t h e 'Sackv i l l e ' was h e l d o n 21 November. A s u b s c r i p t i o n was opened for the benefit o f a member, W a l t e r Henry DAVIDSON, Lodge FELLOWSHIP 623 o f R e d f e r n , i n b a d h e a l t h . Within a short t i m e £10/10/- was c o l l e c t e d , t o r e a c h £27 u l t i m a t e l y . M e m b e r s h i p t o t a l l e d 30 i n O c t o b e r , bringing the quarterly subscription t o H.Q. t o 1 6 / 3 , b e i n g 6%d. p e r member. A m e e t i n g was c a l l e d a Lodge a t B r o o k l y n .

discuss

the

possibility

forming

A p r o f i t o f £7/3/3 was t h e r e s u l t o f a s u c c e s s f u l Moon L i g h t Excursion. D e c i s i o n t o b u y 36 t i c k e t s i n t h e R e d C r o s s A r t Union, one p e r member f o r Christmas Greetings, cost 18/-. B a d g e s h a d b e e n p r o d u c e d a t a c o s t o f 2/- e a c h . The

y e a r ended v e r y

successfully.

1951 The m e e t i n g o n 24 A p r i l was c o n d u c t e d B r o . BOWDITCH o n D a n g a r I s l a n d .

the

residence

268

R e p o r t f r o m d e l e g a t e t o a n n u a l m e e t i n g o f C M . A . h e l d i n Town H a l l , Sydney: Concert and speeches l a c k e d i n t e r e s t ; dinner supplied was v e r y p o o r ; many members w e r e still hungry. S e c r e t a r y i n s t r u c t e d t o w r i t e ' g i v i n g o u r v i e w on t h e s u b j e c t ' . B r o . BOWDITCH was t h a n k e d f o r a n e x c e l l e n t n i c e s u p p e r f o r 27 members a n d one v i s i t o r . I n May,

t h e m e e t i n g was h e l d

i nthePublic

evening

and a

very

School, Brooklyn.

A W i n t e r R e v e l h e l d o n 22 May showed a p r o f i t o f £ 7 / 4 / 4 , t h e K e n t u c k y f o r t h e C i n e m a a t B r o o k l y n r e a l i s e d £7/6/3. I n J u l y a l e t t e r o f c h e e r was s e n t t o W a l DAVIDSON made a n H o n o r a r y L i f e Member o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n . A sum o f £1/10/- was d o n a t e d

t o t h e Bush F i r e B r i g a d e .

A l e c t u r e was g i v e n emblems a n d s y m b o l s .

B r o . N. GRAHAM

b y W.

on v a r i o u s

who

was

Masonic

September. Two members w e r e f i n e d 2/- f o r n o t w e a r i n g t h e i r identification disc. I n O c t o b e r , 5/- was c o l l e c t e d i n b a d g e fines. A s u c c e s s f u l Moon L i g h t E x c u r s i o n was h e l d

i n November.

I t was d e c i d e d t o h o l d a New Y e a r ' s E v e R e v e l . A s o c i a l meeting was h e l d a t B r o . L. MIDDLETON's home. A f t e r the meeting i n O c t o b e r t h e members a d j o u r n e d f o r a game o f E u c h r e . I t was d e c i d e d t o b o o k t h e M e c h a n i c ' s I n s t i t u t e f o r 27 a n d 28 D e c e m b e r , l a d i e s n i g h t , c a t e r i n g b y t h e L a d i e s Auxiliary. B r o . W. HOWARD o f f e r e d t o p l a y t h e drums a n d M r s H o w a r d t o play the piano. I n N o v e m b e r , D. BLACK g a v e a l e c t u r e , with s l i d e s , on x - r a y s . 1952 Ladies night, a t a loss B u s h F i r e B r i g a d e £3/3/-.

£13/1/6.

Donation

to Brooklyn

B r o . Don BLACK was a g u e s t s p e a k e r [ n o i n d i c a t i o n o f s u b j e c t ] . Wor. B r o . A. D. AUSTIN g a v e a very interesting l e c t u r e on the e v o l u t i o n o f t h e apron. A l a d i e s n i g h t was t o be h e l d i n May a t B r o o k l y n H a l l . T i c k e t s £1/1/-. M u s i c was p r o v i d e d by B r o . a n d M r s . HOWARD. New o f f i c e r s were e l e c t e d i n June. The I n s t i t u t e H a l l had b e e n b o o k e d f o r t h e New Y e a r ' s E v e P a r t y . L e c t u r e on t h e I n i t i a t i o n Ceremony o f t h e A u s t r a l i a n Aboriginal b y B r o . C. MORTIMER.

269

An a p p e a l t o h e l p e d u c a t e i n a d o n a t i o n o f £1/-/-.

a boy

from

Penrith

H.S.

resulted

The b r e t h r e n w e r e a s k e d t o s t o c k b o t t l e d beer f o r t h e New Year's Eve P a r t y . M o t i o n t h a t 1/- c o r k a g e f e e s be charged to each d r i n k i n g b r o t h e r toward cost. 3/- t a k e n i n badge f i n e s and 17/- f o r c o r k a g e . O c t o b e r was t h e m o n t h s i x t e e n t o t w e n t y members o f t h e H.R.D.M.A. visited t h e Hornsby and K u r i n g a i Masonic Association, then adjourned t o School f o r screening of films loaned by B r o . BLACK. E n d o f y e a r , t h e A s s o c i a t i o n b o u g h t 43 R e d C r o s s A r t U n i o n t i c k e t s , one f o r e a c h member. 1953 N e t p r o f i t f o r New Y e a r ' s E v e R e v e l was £11/10/4. J a c k MIDDLETON, s o n o f t h e P r e s i d e n t , was t o be i n i t i a t e d Lodge UNIVERSAL. Members t o a t t e n d t h e c e r e m o n y . March. G e n e r a l d i s c u s s i o n o n f o r m i n g a new l o c a l c r a f t lodge. Study o f advantages and drawbacks i n meeting i n either Woy Woy o r H o r n s b y . R e s o l u t i o n 'that we c o n t i n u e a s a CM.A. and f o r m a B u i l d i n g F u n d t o b u i l d a T e m p l e i n B r o o k l y n ' , a l s o ' t h a t t h e B u i l d i n g F u n d be a s e p a r a t e account t o be known a s t h e H.R.D.CM.A.B. F u n d ' . The b r e t h r e n c o n t r i b u t e d £10/12/5 immediately t o s t a r t t h e fund o f f . More donations arrived, £2/-/-. Motion carried 'that this meeting be r e c o r d e d a s one o f t h e b e s t e v e r h e l d b y t h e H.R.D.C.M.A. ' ; meeting closed a t 11.45pm. B r o . A. SHADIE a c c e p t e d t h e n o m i n a t i o n a s t h e c a n d i d a t e f o r 'The U g l y Man C o m p e t i t i o n & W i n t e r R e v e l ' t o be h e l d i n s u p p o r t o f o u r U g l y Man C a n d i d a t e . B r o . GOODMAN g a v e a l e c t u r e a n d p r a c t i c a l d e m o n s t r a t i o n on a u t o m a t i c s t r e e t s i g n a l s a t i n t e r sections . J u l y m e e t i n g c l o s e d a t 8.30pm t o a l l o w members t o a t t e n d H o u s i e N i g h t t o f o r w a r d B r o . SHADIE's efforts i n U.M. Competition. B r o . N. SHARPE o f f e r e d t o e n t e r t a i n a t a P i c t u r e n i g h t a f t e r meeting i n School H a l l . I n v i t a t i o n f r o m H.A.K.C.M.A. t o t h e i r Campsie CM.A. t o t h e i r a n n u a l m e e t i n g .

ladies

night,

also

from

B r o . DAVIDSON p a s s e d away, £10 t o be s e n t t o Mrs Davidson and s u b s c r i p t i o n l i s t o p e n e d f o r h e r b e n e f i t . B r o . GRESHAM r e p o r t e d i l l i n h o s p i t a l , s e c r e t a r y t o send a cheer-up letter, brethren requested t o v i s i t him. B r o . SHAKESPEARE g u e s t talk not stated.]

speaker.

.[Unfortunately, subject

270

1954 The C h r i s t m a s L a d i e s N i g h t b r o u g h t be c r e d i t e d t o t h e b u i l d i n g f u n d . [The. I^lnute

Book

becomes

theJie.f-o/ie "J have, had to

a profit

dLffMCuZt

4ki.p

o f £11/1/11, t o

/Lead

thLi

point,

Aome. paAAag.eA. ]

1955 Annual Annual

General Meeting. subscription raised

Twenty-two t o 30/-.

members,

103

visitors.

A most i n t e r e s t i n g l e c t u r e f r o m B r o . Sec. about S o i l C o n s e r v a t i o n and I r r i g a t i o n , f o l l o w e d by a v i o l i n solo. Visitors were from C.M.A.-H.Q., OORANA, ORANA, N o r t h District H.A.G.M.A., L o d g e s U N I V E R S A L , R I S I N G SUN a n d WYONG. Finally, B r o . CLAY gave a v e r y interesting display o f magic. Meeting closed a t 11.45pm. Interesting

talk

on f i r s t

Appeal f o r c o n t r i b u t i o n s o f new o n e .

a i d b y B r o . W. HOWARD. f o r repairs

t o piano

or to

purchase

Visit t o Northern District C.M.A., an e x c e l l e n t evening. Report from S o c i a l Committee on W i n t e r B a l l on June 24. Fourth A n n u a l B a l l showed p r o f i t o f £14/16/2, a n e x c e l l e n t l y conducted funct ion. Next C h r i s t m a s R e v e l t o be h e l d i n Mechanics Institute. D o n a t i o n t o Bush F i r e b r i g a d e r a i s e d t o £3/-/-. {Me.etingA we/ie. /legjuXajily, opened between. 8.30 Lngjjy, thejy cXo/sed at 11pm.. ]

to 8.U5pm..

A v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g t a l k b y B r o . R a y ROBERT p r i n c i p l e o f B u n n e r o n g Power P l a n t .

AccoJtd-

on t h e l a y o u t a n d

C.M.A. H.Q. i n v i t e d t o attend general meeting and p r e s e n t B r o . SCHUMACHER w i t h h i s L i f e m e m b e r s h i p t o F. W h i d d o n M e m o r i a l Homes. A c c e p t i n v i t a t i o n f r o m 0.R.A.N.A., t o be a d v i s e d t o e x p e c t v i s i t f r o m t e n members. B r o . Don BLACK g a v e another plates ofvarious diseases.

talk

x-rays,

showing

x-ray

The C h r i s t m a s R e v e l t h i s y e a r was h e l d i n t h e R.S.L. Hall. A s o c i a l m e e t i n g was h e l d a t P r e s i d e n t GASCOIGNE's home, a n o t h e r p r o p o s e d n e x t month. C a t e r i n g was done o n a r o s t e r s y s t e m , b y b r e t h r e n . Inconvenience was e x p e r i e n c e d when t h o s e r e s p o n s i b l e d i d n o t t u r n u p . Please be more r e l i a b l e .

271

HAKMA, ORANA a n d L o d g e UNIVERSAL w e r e v i s i t e d . Excellent e v e n i n g s on each o c c a s i o n . The C h r i s t m a s R e v e l was r e p o r t e d to have been an e x c e l l e n t e v e n i n g , thanks t o t h e l a d i e s f o r catering. Profit £4/12/6. Entertainment p r o v i d e d by Bill SCHUMACHER a n d K e n SHADIE ( d r u m s ) p l u s n i c e i t e m s b y members. 1956 A new l o d g e b e i n g f o r m e d a t Hornsby, would the association be i n t e r e s t e d i n j o i n i n g ? Invitation b y B r o . WOODWARD t o A p r i l meeting f o r e n l i g h t e n i n g on t h e p r o s p e c t . Very i n t e r e s t i n g t a l k b y B r o . HORTON: Work S t u d y a n d Mass P r o d u c t i o n i n I n d u s t r y . Annual

S u b s c r i p t i o n - 21/- payable

i n advance.

A n n u a l M e e t i n g - T w e n t y - t w o members, 100 v i s i t o r s , f r o m C.M.A. HAKMA, N o r t h District, ORANA, OORANA, L o d g e s UNIVERSAL a n d WERONA. Winter B a l l

proposed

f o r 29 J u n e .

B r o . Hugh WILSON l e c t u r e o n H o r t i c u l t u r e , ' h o l d i n g t h e u n d i v i d e d a t t e n t i o n of the Brethren f o r 1 hour'. A dozen a z a l e a s were g i v e n b y B r o . WILSON t o t h e S o c i a l C o m m i t t e e t o be d i s p o s e d of a t t h e B a l l . The W i n t e r B a l l b r o u g h t a p r o f i t o f £7/16/1. V i s i t t o L o d g e SPHINX. B r o . WELAN i n v i t e d members a n d w i v e s to inspection of City Council Nursery. Bro. Noel JOHNSON gave a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g t a l k on O y s t e r c u l t u r e and development. W. B r o . B i l l MATHEW o f L o d g e TUGGERAH LAKES i n v i t e d t o d e l i v e r a lecture: The V o l u m e o f t h e S a c r e d Law. A visit

to Milson's Island

'was a m o s t e x c e l l e n t

event'.

A v i s i t from Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES a n d one t o ORANA Club. A l s o t o L o d g e WYONG b y i n v i t a t i o n . S e r g e a n t BAY o f H o r n s b y t o g i v e a l e c t u r e w i t h f i l m s on c r o c o d i l e h u n t e r s . 1957 September. t o be h e l d discussed.

Annual Ball, profit £48/12/-. Christmas Revel a t War M e m o r i a l , B r o o k l y n . L a d i e s n i g h t was a l s o

W. B r o . LIVERMORE d e l i v e r e d a most interesting lecture on his e x p e r i e n c e i n B a n g k o k , a n d B r o . P. CHUCK o n same w h i l e abroad. B u s i n e s s a d j o u r n e d a t 12 m i d n i g h t . Proposed trip to M a i t l a n d . M o o n l i g h t E x c u r s i o n i n New Y e a r .

272

1958 Annual Meeting. Visitors: HAKMA 3 , OORANA 2 0 , ORANA 1 6 , N t h . D i s t . 3 0 , L o d g e s WERONA 1 0 , TUGGERAH LAKES 2, ASQUITH 10, R I S I N G SUN 4. D o n a t i o n f r o m N o r t h A s s . f o r ÂŁ10/-/-. The l a s t m e e t i n g r e c o r d e d i n t h e f i r s t M i n u t e Book c l o s e d a t 11.45pm, a g o o d t i m e h a v i n g been had by e v e r y o n e .

Oa the. 1960A QeoA.g.e. Unwin, a PoJude. Seyig.eant of Bn.ook-Lyn who had joined the. AAAoaLatton, became Secyieta/iy foA. a couple of y.e.aAA, then waA elected f/ieAident, wheJie he /Lematned fon. ftve to A-Lx. y,eajiA. He WOA very, active untit he moved to the Tweed HeadA oAca upon JietiA.em.ent. He OIAO founded the Mooney. Wo/ike/LA' Club, which met in a D.M.'k. building.. He went on to found the local folice AAAoci.ati.on at Tweed HeadA. On 1977 the AAAociatton fjiom the B/Looklyn K.S.L.

bought

the

local

WOM. Memo-ntat Hall

The fyicAident of the AAAociation fon. 20 yeauiA IA Noel QOHNSON, who IA a Life Memben.. The AAAociation meetA on the fourth F/iiday monthly at 8pm in theiM. own Hall. Ot IA OIAO made available to the local community of Mooney and B/iooklyn. The membeAAhip

IA leAtAi-cted

to MaAten. MoAonA.

The fiJiAt Minute Book WOA handed foA pcAUAol by the SecAeta/iy, Woyi. B^io. neg. SMOTH of 9 Qeo/ige Street, Bn.ooklyn, 2083, to whom 0, and the /leadejiA, extend OUA. appn.eci-ati.on foA a fnlendty geAtuAe. fieg hoA been SecAetaAy fon. twenty-two yeoAA and T/LeoAUAen. fo/t twenty, yeoAA.

273

CENTRAL COAST MASONIC WIDOWS Long J e t t y Masonic Centre Toowoon Bay Road, Long J e t t y , 2262 Meets 2nd TUESDAY each month at 10am

BRISBANE WATERS MASONIC WIDOWS ASSOCIATION h o l d t h e i r meeting every 1st TUESDAY o f every month, 10am a t MASONIC HALL WOY WOY

274

CENTRAL COAST MASONIC WIDOWS ASSOCIATION BRISBANE WATERS MASONIC WIDOWS ASSOCIATION

R e f e r r i n g t o Volume I V o f t h e s t o r y o f t h e Grand Lodge o f N.S.W., page 1 5 9 , H a r r y K e l l e r m a n i n f o r m s u s t h a t t h e S t G e o r g e M a s o n i c Widows w e r e m e n t i o n e d i n a p a p e r i n 1 9 8 8 , b u t h e does not expand o n t h e n a t u r e o r h i s t o r y o f t h e a s s o c i a t i o n . This f o l l o w e d t h e trend which h a d begun about two decades a g o , a n d w h i c h b r o u g h t w i v e s more i n t o u c h w i t h Freemasonry. At t h a t t i m e l a d i e s were i n v i t e d t o s i t a t t h e f e s t i v e board, when t h e M a s t e r a t C h r i s t m a s opened t h e door o f t h e lodge room f o r o u r w i v e s t o s e e o u r ' S a n c t u m S a n c t o r u m ' , w h i c h h a d u n t i l then been a f o r b i d d e n s i g h t . Some l a d i e s h a d a l w a y s b e e n c l o s e l y i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e o r d e r , h e l p i n g t h e i r husbands i n their Masonic duties, working i n the k i t c h e n and o r g a n i s i n g t h e c a t e r i n g . They accompanied them t o s o c i a l events, attended Ladies' nights, and helped t o make a s u c c e s s o f many M a s o n i c e v e n t s . When t h e i r husbands died, many s e v e r e d social connections with the craft. Perhaps f r i e n d s o f t h e i r departed took time t o v i s i t o r t o h e l p , b u t t h i s was o n a p e r s o n a l b a s i s , a s f r i e n d o r lodge d e l e g a t e . I f a Masonic Widows Association was c r e a t e d i n t h e d i s t r i c t , t h e n t h e y w o u l d h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y of m a i n t a i n i n g r e g u l a r ties they had t o t h e Craft through t h e i r l a t e husbands. The o r d e r c o u l d o n l y b e n e f i t from lettering o u r wives, i f t h e y w i s h e d , p a r t i c i p a t e a l i t t l e more i n o u r M a s o n i c life. The b r e t h r e n l o o k e d a t t h e p r o j e c t w i t h g r e a t sympathy, a n d f r o m t h e b e g i n n i n g i t was a p p a r e n t t h a t t h i s was t o b e a s u c c e s s . The l a d i e s responded w e l l a n d t h e p r o j e c t o b v i o u s l y responded t o t h e w i s h e s o f many.

I ?iecoJJ,e.ctlon): 0 /lemembeA. vejiy, tveJA. the. fAjiAt time 0 he.aA.d about a pfiopoAoJ. to f.oym a Masonic Wldvw^ Association. J did not even know at the. time, that such associations existed. One night, when visiting. Lodg.e MORNHNQ STAR, the l^oAteA in the i.odg.e /loom said that a bAothen. wished to make a communication. Qohn Dwy.eA. stood up and in axMA.essing. us spoke with (-eeiing. about a b/ianch of. the Masonic Widows Association that some Masons wished to establish in the district.

275

CENTRAL COAST MASONIC WIDOWS' ASSOCIATION

The p r o j e c t o f f o r m i n g a M a s o n i c Widows' Association was i n the air. One s u c h a s s o c i a t i o n h a d b e e n f o r m e d i n Newcastle a f e w y e a r s p r e v i o u s l y , w h i c h was a p r e c e d e n t . The D i s t r i c t I n s p e c t o r was l o o k i n g i n t o t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of founding such an a s s o c i a t i o n i n t h e s o u t h o f h i s d i s t r i c t . Fred Lutton 'jumped t h e g u n ' a n d t o o k i t u p o n h i m s e l f t o t a k e t h e f i r s t steps towards that o b j e c t i v e . He h a d a v e r y g o o d response, and the rest followed with official and f o r m a l approval. The s t o r y o f t h i s s u c c e s s f u l g r o u p i s t o l d i n t h e M i n u t e Book w h i c h h a s b e e n made a v a i l a b l e f o r p e r u s a l b y S e c r e t a r y , J o s e n a Niven.

An a r t i c l e w h i c h a p p e a r e d i n o u r l o c a l paper, the Guardian, on 12 May 1 9 8 6 , i s p r a c t i c a l l y t h e w h o l e o f t h e m i n u t e s o f the f i r s t m e e t i n g h e l d t o f o r m a M a s o n i c Widows' Association in the northern part of our d i s t r i c t . A P a t r o n was a l s o e l e c t e d : Walter Sweeney. the ' i n s t i g a t o r ' , was l a t e r a l s o e l e c t e d P a t r o n .

Fred

Lutton,

E r i c L e g g e t t , who was a t t h e t i m e D.G.I.W., g a v e $ 2 0 t o c o v e r the i n i t i a l expenses of correspondence, and o t h e r d o n a t i o n s w e r e made. B i l l L u x s a i d he w o u l d t a k e s o c i a l C o m m i t t e e was f o r m e d .

care

of the Constitution

and

The n e x t m e e t i n g , o n 10 J u n e , 1986 was c h a i r e d b y B e t t y C o l e , who h a d b e e n e l e c t e d P r e s i d e n t . Donations by t h e n amounted to $82. The C o n s t i t u t i o n a d o p t e d was s i m i l a r t o t h a t o f t h e Hunter V a l l e y Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n . A circular was p r e p a r e d to be s e n t t o a l l l o d g e s ; expenses were $11.40. Two P a t r o n s were added: E r i c L e g g e t t and B i l l L u x , t o g e t h e r w i t h a P a t r o n ess, M r s Edna L a c k e n b y . A vote of thanks was d i r e c t e d t o B i l l l u x a n d i t was d e c i d e d t h a t t h e n e x t m e e t i n g would be h e l d i n t h e O.E.S. H a l l , L o n g J e t t y . A l i s t of s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s was o r g a n i s e d . One o f t h e f i r s t o f s u c h , a t Margaret Dunn's home, raised $61, a w o n d e r f u l r e s u l t . I t was f o l l o w e d b y a t r i p t o K u l n u r a Gardens f o r a p i c n i c d a y , t h e n S h e r r i n g t o n G a r d e n s , Lane Cove; a b o a t t r i p o n L a k e M a c q u a r i e , a n d l u n c h a n d games a t G o r o k a n Masonic Club.

276

A c u s t o m i n i t i a t e d by B e t t y C o l e was t h a t of having a nice h o t soup r e a d y f o r e a c h member a t t h e b e g i n n i n g of a meeting in c o l d weather. I t was so much a p p r e c i a t e d t h a t some w o u l d say i n j e s t ' I come t o t h e meetings mostly for the soup!' A n d many r e f e r r e d to 'the l o v e l y warming soup we received as we a r r i v e d ' .

The m e m b e r s h i p i n c r e a s e d s t e a d i l y . I n v i t a t i o n s were exchanged w i t h o t h e r s i m i l a r o r g a n i s a t i o n s c r e a t i n g a web of f r i e n d s h i p (Central Coast, Northern D i s t r i c t s , Newcastle, Brisbane Waters, Cumberland, 26th D i s t r i c t , St George, E a s t e r n Suburbs, W o l l o n gong. Manly Warringah Balgowlah). Luncheons were held at v a r i o u s members' p l a c e s w h i c h r a i s e d a r o u n d $50 e v e r y t i m e . I n N o v e m b e r , D a y l i g h t Lodge P E L I C A N i n v i t e d t h e M a s o n i c Widows to t h e i r Christmas l a d i e s ' night. T w e n t y - t w o members attended and r e c e i v e d a d o n a t i o n o f $60 from the Lodge, a very nice gesture. The y e a r e n d e d on a n o t e o f h a p p i n e s s and f r i e n d s h i p . The l a s t meeting of the first year of the association was h e l d i n t h e O.E.S. H a l l w i t h 16 members p r e s e n t . The Treasurer r e p o r t e d a sum o f $ 4 6 6 . 4 1 i n t h e b a n k . The f i r s t m e e t i n g o f t h e new y e a r was i n February. A number o f e v e n t s had b e e n l i n e d up: a g i f t p a r t y i n March, a lace party i n A p r i l , chocolate demonstration i n May, Association f i r s t b i r t h d a y i n J u n e , and a number o f s o c i a l v i s i t s t o similar associations. A d o n a t i o n o f $20 v o t e d f o r t h e O.E.S. as thanks f o r t h e use of t h e i r h a l l . I n May, P r o f . Woodman, t h e G r a n d M a s t e r , was i n the district. The M a s o n i c Widows had a m o r n i n g t e a with Rosemary Woodman, and f o u n d t h e i r g u e s t 'a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g l a d y , h e l d o u r attention for quite a while'. I n J u l y 1987, Mr and Mrs Rae and Mrs Ellen Bradley Woy v i s i t e d . They w e r e i n t e r e s t e d i n f o r m i n g a Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n a t Woy Woy.

of Woy Widows'

The c o n t i n u o u s s u p p o r t o f L o d g e s TUGGERAH LAKES and PELICAN, and t h e u s e o f t h e O.E.S. H a l l was e m p h a s i z e d by t h e President, Betty Cole. The s e c r e t a r y p r e s e n t e d a r e p o r t o f t h e activities of the A s s o c i a t i o n f o r the completed year. Election followed. An invitation was received by the Brisbane Waters Masonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n , Woy Woy, to t h e i r inaugural meeting held on 1 S e p t e m b e r 1987. Ten members a t t e n d e d . In 1988 Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES o f f e r e d t h e u s e of the Masonic Building for t h e A s s o c i a t i o n m e e t i n g s , b u t t h e . members o p t e d to stay in t h e O.E.S. H a l l f o r t h e t i m e b e i n g . T h a t day a t t e n d a n c e was n o t e d as 27 w i t h 10 a p o l o g i e s .

277

The

following

the

secretary's

report

for

the

second

year:-

SECRETARY'S REPORT ANNUAL MEETING J U L Y 12, 1988 We h a v e h a d a b u s y and r e w a r d i n g y e a r . We a t t e n d e d the Brisbane Waters Masonic Widows' Association on 1st September, 1987. We h e l d a g i f t p a r t y and i t was successful. The hostess gift made a g o o d c o m p e t i t i o n p r i z e . I t was w i t h r e g r e t t h a t we had t o a c c e p t E d n a L a c k e n b y ' s r e s i g n a t i o n , o w i n g t o h e r and h u s b a n d m o v i n g t o F o r s t e r . Also Pearl B u r g e s s moved t o Q u e e n s l a n d . We have h e l d a c o u p l e of theatre p a r t i e s and an ' A l f i e ' day. We a l s o went t o S u t h e r l a n d ' s 26th Division Masonic Widows' f o r a m e e t i n g and luncheon. They had a Royal Doulton d i s p l a y and we e n j o y e d i t v e r y much. We also attended Northern Dist r i c t s ' C h r i s t m a s p a r t y h e l d a t W i l l o u g h b y and the Guildford M a s o n i c Widows' C h r i s t m a s p a r t y , f i v e members a t t e n d i n g . L o d g e PELICAN'S C h r i s t m a s l u n c h e o n w i t h s e v e n t e e n o f o u r members a t t e n d i n g was a g r e a t s u c c e s s , a n d we w e r e made v e r y w e l c o m e . We w e r e p r e s e n t e d w i t h a s m a l l C h r i s t m a s s t o c k i n g w i t h a 'hanky' tucked i n . A very thoughtful g i f t . A l e t t e r of owing to her

r e g r e t was i l l health.

sent

Ada

Haigh

her

resignation

Ten members a t t e n d e d the St George District Masonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n , at t h e i r k i n d i n v i t a t i o n , for an afternoon and a l e c t u r e on t h e A u s t r a l i a n f l a g . We learned a lot about our F l a g , even s e e i n g the o r i g i n a l f l a g t h a t had been h o i s t e d on o u r s h o r e s 200 y e a r s a g o , and t h e f l a g made f r o m t h e w e d d i n g d r e s s o f one of the l a d i e s from the Colony. We also learnt t h a t t h e r e had been three previous A u s t r a l i a n designs over t h e y e a r s , b e f o r e e n d i n g w i t h t h e c u r r e n t one t o d a y . We went to Northern Districts Masonic Widows' Association Easter Bonnet Parade. Seventeen of our members attended. J . N i v e n won t h e most o r i g i n a l b o n n e t , and quite a few of o u r members won l u c k y d o o r p r i z e s a n d c o m p e t i t i o n p r i z e s . We w e r e v e r y s a d t o l o s e o u r P a t r o n e s s O l i v e Duncan, a v e r y d e a r l a d y and one we a l l h e l d d e a r t o o u r h e a r t s . We also y e a r and In t h i s looking

l o s t Grace Fowler and Olga Simpson t h e i r p a s s i n g s a d d e n e d us a l s o . r e p o r t I would l i k e to thank a f t e r us w i t h o u r ' c u p p a ' and

earlier

Margaret Dunn her p i k e l e t s ,

who

was

the

for her and Anne

278

K i n g f o r h e r d e l i c i o u s d a t e s c o n e s , and a l l those who c o n t r i b u t e d a n y t h i n g t o make o u r m o r n i n g t e a so p l e a s a n t .

have

Congratulations t o P r e s i d e n t B e t t y who w o r k s so h a r d t o o u r B i r t h d a y and C h r i s t m a s l u n c h e o n s so e n j o y a b l e . God you a l l .

make bless

Josena

Niven.

The President and secretary attended GRAND LODGE Centenary C e l e b r a t i o n s a t Sydney Town H a l l and were impressed: ' i t was i n d e e d a n i n s p i r i n g o c c a s i o n ' 'The F a n f a r e was somet h i n g we w i l l a l w a y s remember..... The C h o i r s a n g b e a u t i f u l l y . ' The O.E.S. i n c r e a s e d t h e r e n t f o r t h e h a l l t o $20 in 1989, w h i c h t h e A s s o c i a t i o n was u n a b l e t o p a y . TUGGERAH LAKES L o d g e o f f e r e d them t h e use o f their building, which was accepted with gratitude. They u s e d i t f o r the first time in April 1989. The p a s s i n g away o f F r e d L u t t o n r e p o r t e d a t t h e May meeting, was f e l t by a l l members. He was the main i n s t i g a t o r of the A s s o c i a t i o n and t o o k a v e r y p e r s o n a l and large part in its running. He was a t t h e t i m e one of the A s s o c i a t i o n ' s three Patrons. The

f e e s were i n c r e a s e d

t o $4

from J u l y

The are

secretary has w r i t t e n annual found i n the minute books.

1990.

reports

each

year,

which

The A s s o c i a t i o n has a name badge w h i c h d e p i c t s a b r o k e n c o l u m n , c o s t i n g $6. The bank b a l a n c e s t o o d o v e r $1,000 f o r t h e first time i n October 1990. T h e r e was a bus t r i p t o N e l s o n s Bay i n S e p t e m b e r and a g r o u p visit to the Masonic Centre, Sydney. T h e r e was a Friendship Day at Sutherland i n O c t o b e r , w i t h an e x h i b i t i o n o f folklore dances. I n December t h e r e was much a c t i v i t y with TUGGERAH LAKES L o d g e Christmas night. Lodge PELICAN'S Ladies' Day, C h r i s t m a s L u n c h e o n , and t h e W i l l o u g h b y C h r i s t m a s L u n c h e o n . The A s s o c i a t i o n was o f f e r i n g i t s members i n t e r e s t i n g p r o g r a m m e s , with f r i e n d s h i p and a 'cheery' atmosphere, which is often mentioned. Fifth

Birthday Celebratory

Luncheon

The C e n t r a l C o a s t M a s o n i c Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n c e l e b r a t e d their f i f t h b i r t h d a y w i t h a l u n c h e o n o f s i x t y - f o u r members and v i s i t i n g

279

a s s o c i a t i o n s a t t e n d i n g . T h i s was r e p o r t e d i n a l o c a l n e w s p a p e r at the time. I t was a v e r y nice lunch, and entertainment was by t h e G a i t y P l a y e r s . Betty Cole, t h e P r e s i d e n t , had made t h e c a k e , i c e d by P o p p y B r o w n . The B i r t h d a y Luncheon was h e l d o n 25 J u n e 1 9 9 1 . The A s s o c i a t i o n i s s t i l l very active under President Betty C o l e , t h e F o u n d a t i o n P r e s i d e n t , who h a s made a g r e a t c o n t r i b u t i o n to t h e A s s o c i a t i o n h e l p e d by t h e d e d i c a t i o n o f t h e S e c r e t a r y , T r e a s u r e r a n d o t h e r c o m m i t t e e members, a n d w i t h the help of the Patrons through the y e a r s : Fred Lutton, B i l l Lux, E r i c Leggett, Fred H a r r i s , Len Love, B i l l Anderson, Walter Sweeney; Patronesses Joyce Harris, Evelyn Lutton; Secretary Josena N i v e n and Joyce E r a s e r ; Treasurer K i t Walker. The demand on t h e P r e s i d e n t i s h e a v y a s o n l y a small group can h e l p v e r y a c t i v e l y . Many l a d i e s a r e h a n d i c a p p e d through the t o l l of t h e i r y e a r s . Transport i s a problem f o r many, so much s o t h a t a p r o p o s a l t o s e e t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f f o r m i n g a branch a t Toukley f o r t h e members residing too f a r from attending e a s i l y or r e g u l a r l y i s c u r r e n t l y being i n v e s t i g a t e d . I t has t u r n e d o u t t h a t successful Association.

the A s s o c i a t i o n i s a

very

worthy

and

In c o n c l u s i o n , may I h e r e a p o l o g i s e a n d a s k J o s e n a Niven to f o r g i v e me f o r k e e p i n g t h e m i n u t e b o o k l o n g e r t h a n anticipated, t h u s d e p r i v i n g h e r o f t h e u s u a l means o f r e a d i n g t h e m i n u t e s of t h e next meeting. When p r e p a r i n g t h i s b o o k , I made a r u l e of n e v e r s e n d i n g any r e c o r d s t h r o u g h t h e m a i l , b u t r e t u r n i n g them b y h a n d . I n t h i s case, the opportunity to return the m i n u t e s d i d n o t a r r i v e f o r some t i m e , a n d I am s o r r y f o r t h i s tardiness.

280

The but

following I

notice

had heard

appeared

i n the Gosford

the proposal

being

Star

announced

i n May 1 9 8 6 ,

i n Lodge

then:

GOSFORD STAR Wednesday, 14 May 1986

MASON WIDOWS Many w i d o w s o f M a s o n s l i v i n g on t h e C e n t r a l Coast find their association with the organisation suddenly terminated with the death o f t h e i r husbands. These women v e r y o f t e n

miss

the fellowship

g a t h e r i n g s t h a t were a p a r t o f t h e i r former

and s o c i a l lifestyles.

R e c o g n i s i n g t h i s problem, members o f Lodge Tuggerah Lakes who meet a t Long J e t t y have begun a p r o j e c t to b r i n g t h e Masonic widows t o g e t h e r and s h a r e t h e i r common bond. E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r t h e y e n t e r t a i n e d widows o f former members o f t h e lodge a t a supper f o l l o w i n g their meeting. There

was a

proposed on

good

response

t o organise

the Central

and

i t was c o n s e q u e n t l y

a r e u n i o n o f a l l masonic

Coast w i t h

the intention

widows

o f forming

a branch o f t h e Masonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n . The meeting w i l l t a k e p l a c e a t t h e Long J e t t y Masonic Temple, Toowoon Bay Road, Long J e t t y on Monday w i t h a morning t e a a t 10.15 f o l l o w e d by a meeting and luncheon. Members o f t h e Newcastle association

will

and Hunter

be p r e s e n t ,

as w i l l

branch be

of the

some

wives

of Masons i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e p r o j e c t . A l l widows and Masons as w e l l as i n t e r e s t e d and t h e i r wives a r e i n v i t e d t o a t t e n d .

brethren

Those women who would l i k e t o a t t e n d and need

transport

should Mr or

Fred

phone t h e master Lutton,

o f t h e Lodge

32 4701, Mr E r i c

any mason i n t h e d i s t r i c t .

a t Long

Legget

Jetty, 42

3464

before

281

THE HISTORY OF THE BRISBANE WATERS MASONIC WIDOWS' ASSOCIATION

The I n a u g u r a l M e e t i n g was h e l d on 1 September 1987 i n t h e Woy Woy M a s o n i c H a l l . R t . Wor. B r o . E r i c Leggett, Acting D.G.I.W., o c c u p i e d t h e C h a i r . T h i r t y - e i g h t persons attended, i n c l u d i n g V. Wor. B r o . H a r r y Flynn, P.D.G.D.C., V. Wor. B r o . A l e x Pomroy, P.D.G.D.C., W. B r o . T. B a i l e y , I.P.M., L o d g e MORNING STAR, B r o . M. M e l v i l l e , and t w e l v e l a d i e s who w e r e e i t h e r w i v e s o f t h e a b o v e b r e t h r e n , o r members o f t h e C e n t r a l C o a s t M a s o n i c Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n . The A s s o c i a t i o n was c a l l e d t h e B r i s b a n e W a t e r s M a s o n i c Association and t h e F o u n d a t i o n office-bearers were as f o l l o w s : -

Widows' elected

M r s J . D a v i s ( P r e s i d e n t ) , M r s R. H o z a c k ( S e c r e t a r y ) and Mrs M. M a n n i n g ( T r e a s u r e r ) . T h e F o u n d a t i o n P a t r o n s w e r e R t . Wor. B r o . E r i c L e g g e t t , V. Wor. B r o . N o e l M a u n d e r , V. Wor. B r o . H a r r y F l y n n a n d B r o . Norm R a e . L e n Doughty was a p p o i n t e d Honorary A u d i t o r . P r e s e n t a t i o n s w e r e made o f a B e l l b y t h e C e n t r a l C o a s t Masonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n , a M i n u t e Book b y B r o . T. B a i l e y o n b e h a l f o f L o d g e MORNING STAR, a n d s e v e r a l c a s h d o n a t i o n s w e r e made to e s t a b l i s h an opening account. The Lakemba b r a n c h of the O r d e r o f t h e EASTERN STAR l a t e r d o n a t e d a m i c r o p h o n e a n d s p e a k e r s to the A s s o c i a t i o n . A C o n s t i t u t i o n was a d o p t e d a p p r o v e d b y GRAND LODGE. Seventeen

ladies

enrolled

outlined

as Foundation

B r o . N.

members.

Rae and

They

were:-

Mesdames A u s t i n , Bayly, Burtinshaw, Cain, Davis, Fishwick, F l o w e r s , G a r n e t t , G r i n d r o d , Hozack, K i n n e a r , Lovenfosse, Manning, M e l v i l l e , O'Grady, Seddon a n d W o o l f . Our m e m b e r s h i p i s now t w e n t y - e i g h t w i t h a n a v e r a g e attendance at meetings o f twenty-four ladies. The m e e t i n g s are held on t h e f i r s t T u e s d a y o f e a c h m o n t h a t 10am i n t h e M a s o n i c H a l l , Woy Woy, f r o m F e b r u a r y t o D e c e m b e r . A meeting includes a speaker o r d i s c u s s i o n and morning t e a . A u s t r a l i a Day, E a s t e r and Mothers' Day a r e c e l e b r a t e d with special arrangements. A p a r t y i s h e l d f o r t h e a n n i v e r s a r y i n September and f o r C h r i s t mas . The v a r i e t y o f i n t e r e s t s b y members c a n b e g a u g e d b y o u r p a s t speakers: Mesdames B u r t i n s h a w , on South Africa; Fortune, the s i n k i n g o f a R u s s i a n c r u i s e s h i p ; F r y - Henry Kendall

282

Cottage; Harper - entertainment; Parry-Jones - A u s t r a l i a n Wildlife; P o r t e r - H e a l t h and E x e r c i s e ; Trounce - Husqvarna S e w i n g M a c h i n e Co. ; Strom - H i s t o r y o f G o s f o r d a n d Wyong; Woolf - N o r t h Head Q u a r a n t i n e S t a t i o n ; Messrs Booth - Laycock Street Theatre; Doyle - Pensioners' Insurance; Jeffries - Freemasons' B e n e v o l e n t S o c i e t y ; V. R v . D r J o n e s - R e l i g i o u s topic; Dr Manzie - C h i n a ; Moroney - B r i s b a n e Expo; Palmer - Entertainment; S i v i a n i - Gosford Health Services. The l a d i e s h a v e made F r a t e r n a l v i s i t s t o B o n d i , C e n t r a l C o a s t , Cumberland, Dubbo-Wel1ington, Eastern Suburbs, Hunter Valley, l l l a w a r r a , K e l r a v i l l e , N o r t h e r n D i s t r i c t s , St George, W i l l o u g h b y a n d W o l l o n g o n g M a s o n i c Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n s , w h e r e h a p p y f r i e n d ship i s always extended t o u s . I n a d d i t i o n , t h i s s m a l l a n d a c t i v e group have u n d e r t a k e n day tours t o l o c a l beaches, Mangrove M o u n t a i n , Fragrant Garden, the Masonic Retirement U n i t s a t Gorokan, Laycock Theatre t o s e e 'Gypsy' a n d 'Came l o t ' , a n d a BBQ a t t h e home o f M r s P . N o b b s . V i s i t s elsewhere i n c l u d e d t h e Masonic Centre f o r an i n s p e c t i o n a n d l u n c h ( t w i c e ) , t h e ' E g y p t i a n ' Room a t P e t e r s h a m , t h e S y d n e y Town H a l l f o r a n i n s p e c t i o n and lunch, Centre Point Tower f o r a n i n s p e c t i o n a n d l u n c h , t h e R a y M a r t i n Show, S y d n e y Botani c a l G a r d e n s , a n d b o a t t r i p s f r o m C i r c u l a r Quay t o Meadowbank, P a t o n g a t o P a l m Beach a n d P a t o n g a t o B o b b i n Head. A n n u a l h o l i d a y s have been s p e n t a t B r i s b a n e ' s Expo a n d t o u r i n g , 1988, C a n b e r r a 1 9 8 9 , B a r r i n g t o n Tops 1990, F o r s t e r 1991 a n d G e r r i n g o n g 1992. S i n c e o u r i n c e p t i o n we h a v e h a d t h r e e d e a t h s : M r s Pam R a e , t h e w i f e o f B r o . Norm R a e , M r s I d a O g i l v i e a n d M r s J o a n T u r n e r . A l 1 were i n t e r e s t e d a n d a c t i v e p a r t i c i p a n t s i n o u r A s s o c i a t i o n . Our a i m i s t o p r o m o t e t h e w e l f a r e o f M a s o n i c w i d o w s , t o show c o n c e r n f o r one a n o t h e r a n d t o e n j o y o u r o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o fraternise with other Masonic widows. A l t h o u g h s m a l l , we a r e a happy a n d a c t i v e group o f widows. We w o u l d ask the s e c r e t a r i e s o f L o d g e s t o n o t i f y o u r S e c r e t a r y , M r s N. A u s t i n , 4 1 - 6 9 7 1 , o f a n y M a s o n i c w i d o w s t o whom we c a n e x t e n d t h e h a n d of f r i e n d s h i p and l o v e , and encourage t o j o i n o u r group. We l o o k forward t o our future friendship and c o - o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e Lodges i n t h e G o s f o r d D i s t r i c t . We t h a n k t h e m f o r t h e i n t e r e s t shown i n o u r A s s o c i a t i o n , t h e f i n a n c i a l assistance g i v e n and t h e i n v i t a t i o n s t o s o c i a l f u n c t i o n s . Our congratulations on t h e 100th A n n i v e r s a y o f Masonry i n t h i s d i s t r i c t - a wonderful achievement. Our v e r y b e s t w i s h e s to you a l l f o r t h e f u t u r e o f Masonry i n t h e G o s f o r d d i s t r i c t .

JOYCE DAVIS

(foAt-fjiQs.

B.W.M.W. AAAocuaU^on. )

283

The Royal Freemasons' Benevolent Institution of New South Wales -

The RFBI Story Established 1880 • Has today's

paid over $10 Million money values)

(in

to several

thousand people in times of crisis

• Has

established

Regional

centres throughout NSW si nee 1972 • Has groups

jointly

with

community

established a further

retirement complexes • Has

theri'by provified

facilitiesformore

. Will

caring

than 1,700 retirees

increase

its

carinir

programme by 50 % over the next 5 years. 3 r d F l o o r , Masonic Chambers 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, 2 0 0 0 or P O B o x E 5 6 , St James, N S W , 2 0 0 0 . Telephone: (02) 2 6 4 5 9 8 6

284

MASONIC CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS

INTRODUCTION.

Many C h a r i t a b l e O r g a n i s a t i o n s h a v e b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d a n d a r e o p e r a t e d by t h e m a s o n i c movement. M o s t h a v e t h e i r H e a d q u a r t e r i n t h e G r a n d Lodge b u i l d i n g o r have t h e i r o f f i c e i n Sydney. Each have a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e i n t h e lodges t o conduct t h e annual appeal and c o l l e c t donations. They a r e : FREEMASONS' BENEVOLENT I N S T I T U T I O N WILLIAM THOMPSON MASONIC SCHOOL AND HOSTEL THE NEW SOUTH WALES MASONIC YOUTH WELFARE FUND THE FRANK WHIDDON MASONIC HOMES o f w h i c h we w i l l

now g i v e

a brief outline -

Some R e t i r e m e n t V i l l a g e s a r e s i t u a t e d i n o u r d i s t r i c t . They been e s t a b l i s h e d through the involvement of local masons. are: -

have They

•KARAGI COURT CENTRAL COAST RETIREMENT V I L L A G E •LAKE HAVEN MASONIC V I L L A G E

They a r e a d m i n i s t r a t e d by t h e R . F . B . I , t h r o u g h a b o a r d o f l o c a l m a s o n s . L o c a l masons t a k e a s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t i n t h o s e l o c a l instit u t i o n s t o which they c o n t r i b u t e more p e r s o n a l l y by functions, barbecues, drives a n d more p a r t i c u l a r l y by auxiliary groups. We w i l l

describe

them more f u l l y

later.

285

THE ROLE OF THE F . B . I .

The F r e e m a s o n s ' B e n e v o l e n t I n s t i t u t i o n o f New S o u t h W a l e s ( F . B . I . ) was e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1 8 8 0 b y c o n c e r n e d F r e e m a s o n s t o h e l p b r e t h r e n a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s i n f i n a n c i a l d i s t r e s s , i n a n e r a when there w e r e no s o c i a l s e r v i c e s . S o c i e t y was n o t t h e n p r e p a r e d o r able to fund t h e type and m u l t i p l i c i t y o f pensions and support b e n e f i t s w h i c h we i n a w e s t e r n s o c i e t y now t a k e f o r g r a n t e d . T h i s a s s i s t a n c e c o n s i s t i n g o f a c a s h p a y m e n t , was c o n f i n e d t o members o f t h e masonic f r a t e r n i t y , and c o n t i n u e d u n t i l t h e l a t e 6 0 ' s . Then i n the e a r l y 70's i n response t o changing conditions, t h e F.B.I, saw t h e n e e d t o a s s i s t n o t o n l y masons a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s , b u t a l l elderly citizens i n N.S.W. b y p r o v i d i n g housing and care for them i n t h e f o r m of self-care units, hostels and n u r s i n g homes w i t h o u t r e s t r i c t i o n s a s t o m a s o n i c m e m b e r s h i p . In 1972 t h e F . B . I , b r o k e new g r o u n d by b u i l d i n g and o p e r a t i n g a h o s p i t a l e s p e c i a l l y designed t o provide g e r i a t r i c facilities. A t t h a t t i m e i t was a m o n g s t t h e most m o d e r n a n d a d v a n c e d available. S h o r t l y a f t e r , t h e HAWKINS MASONIC V I L L A G E was e s t a b l i s h e d o n 45 a c r e s o f l a n d a t E d g e w o r t h n e a r T o r o n t o , d o n a t e d b y t h e l a t e A l b e r t Hawkins. Today t h i s v i l l a g e cares f o r 253 r e s i d e n t s i n 164 s e l f - c a r e u n i t s , 30 i n a h o s t e l a n d 29 i n a n u r s i n g home. I n t h e n e x t 12 m o n t h s a n a d d i t i o n a l 4 0 - b e d h o s t e l w i l l be b u i l d maintaining the continuous expansion of t h e project year-by-year since i t s foundation. From: 1990.

Royal

Freemasons

Benevolent

Institution

o f N.S.W.

Report

Our l o c a l l o d g e s w e r e v e r y much i n v o l v e d i n d e e d w i t h t h a t b e n e v o l e n t institution. First by c o l l e c t i o n s organised every year under t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f e a c h l o d g e who n o m i n a t e d a b r o t h e r i n charge of c o l l e c t i n g d o n a t i o n s . Badges, j e w e l s and c o l l a r e t t e s were contributors.

conferred

t o generous

personal

P e n n a n t s w e r e g i v e n t o l o d g e s who h a d b e e n a b l e t o f o r w a r d l a r g e amounts a n d a y e a r l y c u p t o t h e l o d g e t h a t made t h e b e s t r e t u r n . Many p e n n a n t s a r e d i s p l a y e d i n o u r lodge rooms a n d some local l o d g e s h a d t h e p r i v i l e g e t o have t h e c u p on d i s p l a y f o r one y e a r . Our lodges a l s o have been i n v o l v e d from the beginning about two d e c a d e s a g o - w i t h t h e b u i l d i n g o f r e t i r e m e n t v i l l a g e s . T h i s i s an important development ^n t h a t i t " i n v o l v e s large amounts of c a p i t a l and b e n e f i t s t h e community as a whole since i t i s n o t r e s t r i c t e d t o masons a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s b u t members of the community w i t h o u t d i s t i n c t i o n .

286

Sometimes, under the v i g o r o u s impulse of a p a r t i c u l a r l y convincing C h a r i t y C o l l e c t o r , t h e members o f a l o d g e a r e s p u r r e d on t o make a s p e c i a l e f f o r t . S u c h was the case i n the f i n a n c i a l year 1974'75 i n L o d g e R I S I N G SUN N o . 3 3 1 . R.Wor.Bro. K e v i n R u b l e was collector f o r the Freemasons B e n e v o l e n t I n s t i t u t i o n f o r the mid 70's. H i s a i m was t h a t as many b r e t h r e n as p o s s i b l e c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e F u n d . He d e v i s e d a scheme t o increase the brethren's interest i n t h e I n s t i t u t i o n and c o l l e c t m o r e . On t h e s c a l e o f c o n t r i b u t i o n , t h e h i g h e r was t h a t o f G o v e r n o r , whose f e e was 100 pounds for which contributors receive the collarette of "Life Governor", a handsome j e w e l s u p p o r t e d by a r i b b o n a r o u n d t h e n e c k . C e r t a i n l y a p r i d e t o wear a t m e e t i n g s o v e r a w h i t e s h i r t . The c o s t b e i n g above the means of ordinary members who could n o t a f f o r d t o g i v e t h a t sum i n one instalment, Kevin designed a k i n d o f i n s t a l m e n t p l a n by w h i c h f i v e b r e t h r e n p l e d g e d t o g i v e ÂŁ20 e a c h f o r f i v e y e a r s , e a c h y e a r a name f r o m " t h e syndicate" was d r a w n up t o become t h e b e n e f i c i a r y and r e c e i v e a c o l l a r e t t e , A group of f o u r b r e t h r e n c o u l d p o o l c o s t of a L i f e Membership w h i c h b r i n g s e t t e a n d a q u i t e handsome j e w e l .

together the r i g h t

i n equal t o wear

part the a collar-

E v e r y y e a r a c o l l a r e t t e and j e w e l was drawn between the c o n t r i b u t o r s . The f o l l o w i n g y e a r t h e p r o c e s s was repeated with the new c o l l a r e t t e a t t r i b u t e d t o one of the remaining c o n t r i b u t o r s . Thus a c o l l a r e t t e and jewel could be acquired i n four instalments so t o s p e a k . The scheme was quite successful bringing to the l o d g e t h e K e l s o cup f o r t h a t y e a r , a sum o f $1,613 h a d b e e n c o l l e c ted, a remarkable r e s u l t t e s t i f i e d of Bro. Ruble's persuasiveness. The procedure was perhaps not q u i t e c o n v e n t i o n a l , but the result was very comfortable and t h e C o l l e c t o r was presented the Kelso cup w h i c h i s a l l o c a t e d t o t h e most proficient collector. Kevin o f f e r e d t h a t cup t o t h e M a s o n i c Museum t o be e s t a b l i s h e d i n t h e district. T h i s scheme w o r k e d w e l l ; no one w i t h d r e w f r o m t h e scheme by o r o t h e r w i s e and a f t e r a s p a n o f f i v e y e a r s Lodge R I S I N G SUN p r o u d o f an u n u s u a l l y h i g h number o f c o l l a r e t t e b e a r e r s . 9th J u l y , 1975. Dear Brother, I am pleased to inform you that your Lodge has been declared winner of both awards f o r the F.B.I, i n N.S.W. and i s to receive the KELSO KING CUP (presented to the Lodge r a i s i n g the highest t o t a l c o n t r i b u t i o n f o r the year) and the COLES CUP, ( f o r the highest r a t i o per head of membership).

death was

287

A magnificent e f f o r t from our members, $1,613.CX) gross, average $10.70 per menber. As Wor .Master I would l i k e to express, along w i t h the Lodge O f f i c e r s , rny sincere appreciation f o r the generous response and the high esteem i n ixiiich Lodge R i s i n g Sun has been placed as a r e s u l t of t h i s e x c e l l e n t e f f o r t . Our regular J u l y meeting has been set aside f o r the purpose of having the trophies presented to the Lodge by M.W.Bro. E.L. Beers, C.B.E. Past Grand Master, President of the Freemason' Benevolent I n s t i t u t i o n of N.S.W., acconpanied by R.W.Bro. C. Tregear, P.J.G.W., Secretary F.B.I., representing the M.W.G.M. officially.

In that p a r t i c u l a r year, 1975, the F.B.I, was cottmitted t o siq)port: The The The

HUNTER V A L L E Y MASONIC HOSPITAL HAWKINS MASONIC V I L L A G E CANBERRA MASONIC HOUSES ,

as w e l l as h a v i n g i n t h e i r r e g i s t e r n e a r l y 300 p e r s o n s r e c e i v i n g r e g u l a r monthly cheques t o supplement t h e i r s o c i a l s e r v i c e p e n s i o n i n r e a s o n o f " s p e c i a l n e e d " , f o r i n s t a n c e t o e n a b l e them t o c o n t i n u e to l i v e i n t h e i r p l a c e without being s h i f t e d t o a strange environm e n t . The c o s t t o m a i n t a i n t h e s e a n n u i t i e s was o v e r $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 . S i n c e t h e n t h e c o m m i t m e n t s o f t h e R . F . B . I , has g r o w n e:nDrmously. The l o c a l masons, t a k i n g a d v a n t a g e of the subsidies offered by the government f o r the establishment of w e l f a r e institutions, s u c h as n u r s i n g homes, r e t i r e m e n t v i l l a g e s , have undertaken two p r o j e c t s . One b r o u g h t t o c o n c l u s i o n , t h e o t h e r c a r r i e d i n s u c c e s s i v e s t a g e s . A summary o f t h e i r h i s t o r y h a s b e e n c o m p i l e d and appears l a t e r i n t h i s c h a p t e r . They a r e : KARAGI COURT and

THE

LAKE HAVEN.

W I L L I A M THOMPSON MASONIC SCHOOL AND

HOSTEL.

T h i s was o p e n e d on 11 N o v e m b e r , 1922 and i n a d i f f e r e n t f o r m a t t h a n 70 y e a r s ago.

still

operation

It operates t o d a y as a F a m i l y G r o u p and F a m i l y Support Scheme. The F a m i l y G r o u p p r o v i d e s t h e o n l y r e a l f a m i l y l i f e some c h i l d r e n may e v e r know. T h e y l i v e w i t h H o u s e p a r e n t s , a t t e n d l o c a l schools and a r e i n v o l v e d i n l o c a l community activities. There are two g r o u p s , "BORONIA" and "WYBALENA". The

Family

Support

Scheme

assists

over

pre-school

and

primary

288

aged c h i l d r e n i n t h e i r s u p p o r t t h e i r d e n t a l and Appeals officer

own homes, by way o p t i c a l needs.

weekly

are a l s o conducted regularly i n lodges by o r a d e s i g n a t e d o f f i c e r ; t h e money i s s e n t t o : -

The E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r , The W i l l i a m Thompson M a s o n i c S c h o o l Box A 2 5 9 , P.O., SYDNEY. SOUTH. 2000 Up to 24 c h i l d r e n c a n

cared

and

the

subsidy,

caring

Hostel,

f o r i n 3 F a m i l y G r o u p Homes.

I n a d d i t i o n 50 c h i l d r e n a r e a s s i s t e d i n t h e i r own homes by way o f w e e k l y s u b s i d i e s , r e i m b u r s e m e n t f o r g e n e r a l and s c h o o l c l o t h i n g j m e d i c a l , d e n t a l and o p t i c a l n e e d s . N o n - M a s o n i c as w e l l as M a s o n i c c a s e s ance w i t h b o t h programmes.

THE

may

considered

for

assist-

FRANK WHIDDON MASONIC HOMES.

The f i r s t m a s o n i c homes w e r e o r i g i n a l l y s e t up b y F r a n k W h i d d o n o v e r 30 y e a r s ago t o c a r e f o r e l d e r l y and d i s a b l e d p e o p l e . The i n s t i t u t i o n was extremely s u c c e s s f u l and after many extensions more homes w e r e e s t a b l i s h e d i n many p a r t s o f t h e s t a t e . PRIMROSE COURT, H o r n s b y - 60 g u e s t s , TOWRADGI PARK, T o w r a d g i - 20; DAISY STREET LODGE, Narooma - 5; KYOGLE COURT, K y o g l e - 3 2 ; GREENSTONE LODGE, Temora - 86; WINGHAM COURT, Wingham - 9 1 ; MASONIC TOWERS, H o r n s b y - 59; MACLEAN COURT, M a c L e a n - 40; EASTON PARK, G l e n f i e l d , a c c o m m o d a t e d 239 g u e s t s . I n M a r c h 1979, t h e f o u n d a t i o n s t o n e was laid for extension p r o v i d e f o r an e x t r a 267 r e s i d e n t s i n EASTON PARK, G l e n f i e l d .

S i n c e t h a t d a t e many e x t e n s i v e M a s o n i c V i l l a g e s h a v e b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d by l o c a l masons t o s e r v i c e t h e i r i m m e d i a t e d i s t r i c t , preventing t h e n e c e s s i t y o f t r a n s f e r r i n g o l d and f r a i l i n d i v i d u a l s t o strange new surroundings.

NEW

SOUTH WALES MASONIC YOUTH (CHILDREN's)WELFARE FUND.

I t s m o t t o "My Brother's Keeper", created i s an o r g a n i s a t i o n c r e a t e d t o s u p p l y t h e o f d e c e a s e d and i n c a p a c i t a t e d M a s o n s . It

has

over

the

years

continued

this

over needs

service

fifty years ago of the children

with

its

objects

289

and i n t e r e s t s needy y o u t h .

the extent

that

may a f f o r d

relief

to a l l

Every c h i l d a s s i s t e d Is i n necessitous circumstances. The Fund g i v e s t h e h e l p , g u i d a n c e and s e c u r i t y so e s s e n t i a l for the w e l f a r e of growing and d e v e l o p i n g boys and g i r l s , by m e e t i n g t h e needs n o r m a l l y s u p p l i e d by a f a t h e r ; f u r t h e r i n g a p t i t u d e s and a b i l i t i e s by a p p r o p r i a t e e d u c a t i o n al training, helping to solve problems, a s s i s t i n g t o become a d e q u a t e l y t r a i n e d and w e l l adjusted citizens. Brethren are regularly i n v i t e d to provide f i n a n c i a l the Welfare R e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e i r l o d g e .

help

through

N.S.W. Masonic Youth W e l f a r e Fund, W.E.A. House, 70 B a t h u r s t S t r e e t , S y d n e y , 2 0 0 0 . G . P . O . Box 3012, Sydney, 2 0 0 1 . The F u n d h e l p e d 29 T e r t i a r y s t u d e n t s a n d 84 S e c o n d a r y students in 1991. Some local brethren have a distinguished record in that respect. F r o m t h e 1991 B o a r d

Report:

For over t h i r t y years, four N.S.W. lodges have maintained a continuous record of s u b s t a n t i a l donations to the Masonic Youth Welfare Fund. This i s an unparalleled l e v e l of achievement. One of the four lodges v i i i c h have 1960 i s LODGE GOSFORD, No. 742.

maintained

that

record

since

I n 59 D i s t r i c t the V . Wor. Bro. Harry FLYNN Trophy f o r the D i s t r i c t ' s most improved Donor Lodge: the r e c i p i e n t f o r 1991 was LODGE SARATOGA, No. 937, aiose representative was V . Wor. Bro. J . WASSELL,* P.D.G.D.C. A l i s t of the Top Ten Fund-Raising i s conpiled every year: 1990-1991 Overall Donation: IJDDGE WYONG, No. 247, w i t h $1,832.00, per Capita $15.02.

Jack WASSELL has been t h e C h a r i t y C o l l e c t i o n R e p r e s e n t a t i v e f o r Lodge SARATOGA f o r 28 y e a r s i n November 1992.

291

Official Opening OF

"KARAGI COURT" 1 Pheassnt Awanus Bateau Bay

THE FIRST STAGE OF OUR PROJECT ON

SUNDAY. 20TH AUGUST. 1978 at 2 P.M.

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CENTRAL COAST RETIREMENT VILLAGE "KARAGI COURT" Bateau Bay, 2160. O f f i c i a l l y opened 20 August, 1978.

***** I An IrttyioducJu^on by. the. ChdumanJ HISTORY OF KARAGI COURT. "KARAGI" Meaning: "Land between two Waters".

The o r i g i n a l i d e a o f a C e n t r a l Coast Retirement V i l l a g e was c o n c e i v ed by t h e h e l p and c o - o p e r a t i o n o f the l o c a l Masonic F r a t e r n i t y and was e s t a b l i s h e d by K e v i n Ruble who i n t u r n sought the h e l p of B i l l R i c h a r d s t o a c t as a l i a i s o n o f f i c e r t o t h e p r o p e r a u t h o r i ties . Both K e v i n and B i l l a r e s t i l l v e r y a c t i v e t o t h i s day as KARAGI COURT Board Members. B i l l Richards still r e t a i n s the p o s i t i o n of S e c r e t a r y / T r e a s u r e r of KARAGI COURT and K e v i n Ruble still has t h e f u t u r e o f KARAGI COURT v e r y much t o t h e f o r e f r o n t o f h i s dreams. KARAGI COURT'S b e g i n n i n g o c c u r r e d a t a meeting o f t h e Masters and Wardens of D i s t r i c t 59 on 2 1 s t J u l y , 1971 when i t was suggested t h a t a meeting o f i n t e r e s t e d B r e t h r e n be h e l d on 1 s t September, 1971. At t h i s meeting i t was d e c i d e d t o e r e c t a Retirement Village and a Committee was formed c o m p r i s i n g : President

Roy Ray

Vice Presidents

Bill

Richards

A r t h u r Henman Secretary/Treasurer

K e v i n Ruble

A s s i s t e d by

Bruce H i b b a r d Bob Jones E r i c Thompson Gerard van Drempt Ivan Jugo Of t h e s e , B i l l R i c h a r d s , A r t h u r Henman and K e v i n members o f t h e Board of KARAGI COURT L t d .

Ruble

are

still

The o r i g i n a l name d e c i d e d on was C e n t r a l Coast Retirement Village and t h e a s s o c i a t i o n was r e g i s t e r e d as a P u b l i c C h a r i t y , and o b t a i n e d

294

a t a x exemption. Stage One was t o comprise of t e n s e l f - c o n t a i n e d u n i t s and G e o f f r e y T w i b i l l & A s s o c i a t e s were a p p o i n t e d as A r c h i t e c t s on 29th J a n u a r y , 1975. They were i n s t r u c t e d t o proceed w i t h the development a p p l i c a t i o n w i t h Wyong S h i r e C o u n c i l and make submissi o n s t o the Department of S o c i a l S e c u r i t y f o r a g r a n t on 23rd J u l y , 1975. A g r a n t of $108,000 was approved by the Department on 19th May, 1977. The b u l l d o z e r s moved i n t o l e v e l the s i t e f o r Stage One on 29th J u l y , 1977. The f i r s t c o n c r e t e pour began i n mid September 1977 and the f i r s t u n i t was o c c u p i e d on 22nd December, 1977. A l l u n i t s were o c c u p i e d by F e b r u a r y 1978. The name of KARAGI COURT was d e c i d e d on 3 0 t h A p r i l , 1978 and t h i s Stage was officially opened on 20th August, 1978. The t h e n Grand M a s t e r , Most W o r s h i p f u l Bro. N o e l Warren u n v e i l e d the plaque and named the V i l l a g e , and C o u n c i l l o r F.N. F a r r e l l , Wyong's S h i r e P r e s i d e n t , opened the Village. At the annual G e n e r a l M e e t i n g on 29th March, 1979 i t was d e c i d e d to i n v i t e G e o f f r e y T w i b i l l & A s s o c i a t e s t o p r e p a r e p l a n s and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s and a model f o r Stage Two t o comprise of a f u r t h e r 58 u n i t s . R e t i r e m e n t L i v i n g S e r v i c e s P t y . L t d . were engaged t o p r e p a r e a m a r k e t i n g programme f o r Stage Two and the U n i t i n g Church i n A u s t r a l i a was approached t o guarantee a l o a n of one million d o l l a r s . These p l a n s were passed by Wyong S h i r e C o u n c i l d u r i n g September 1980. At a S p e c i a l G e n e r a l M e e t i n g on 10th October, 1980 i t was d e c i d e d to form a P u b l i c Company and the t i t l e KARAGI COURT LTD. was d e c i d e d upon. The Memorandum and A r t i c l e s of A s s o c i a t i o n were approved on 4 t h November and the company r e g i s t e r e d on 18th December 1980. The U n i t i n g Church gave a l e t t e r of guarantee f o r our one m i l l i o n d o l l a r l o a n and i t was agreed t h a t we would make a d o n a t i o n of $160,000 towards t h e i r proposed n u r s i n g home. C l e a r i n g of the s i t e commenced d u r i n g January 1981 and the c o s t was settled at $2,074,680. U n i t s 42 and 49 were handed over by the b u i l d e r . C i v i c C o n s t r u c t i o n s P t y . L t d . d u r i n g January 1982. The f i n a l u n i t s and r e c r e a t i o n c e n t r e were completed i n June 1982, and the l a s t of our l o a n r e p a i d on 19th December, 1983. At the p r e s e n t t i m e , the m a j o r i t y of Stage One u n i t s a r e r e n t e d and the f i r s t of Stage Two u n i t s were purchased f o r r e n t i n g d u r i n g J u l y 1989 and f i n a l l y i t i s our i n t e n t i o n t o a c q u i r e the lease of f u r t h e r u n i t s as f i n a n c e becomes a v a i l a b l e , and t o r e n t them to d e s e r v i n g people who cannot a f f o r d t o purchase a r e t i r e m e n t u n i t of t h e i r own! I would l i k e t o r e i t e r a t e the remarks I made e a r l i e r that i f i t wasn't f o r the v i s i o n and f o r e s i g h t of KEVIN RUBIE w i t h the a s s i s t a n c e of the o r i g i n a l committee a t the s t a r t of the p r o j e c t , p l u s the u n i t i n g e f f o r t s throughout the y e a r s from our S e c r e t a r y / T r e a s u r e r BILL RICHARDS, KARAGI COURT would s t i l l o n l y be a dream.

295

I t would be r e m i s s o f me n o t t o mention t h a t t h e r e s i d e n t s o f KARAGI COURT a r e e x t r e m e l y happy and proud t o c a l l "KARAGI COURT" t h e i r home, as I m y s e l f and I am sure a l l t h e board members o f KARAGI COURT would agree, t h a t we a r e proud as board members t o be a s s o c i a t e d w i t h such a b e a u t i f u l l y e s t a b l i s h e d retirement v i l l a g e , b u i l t by t h e hands o f masons here on t h e C e n t r a l C o a s t .

Chairman NEIL FINLAY Jan. 1991.

E s t a b l i s h m e n t and Development o f t h e f i r s t Masonic Village from the Minute Book o f t h e Committee f o r t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e project. At a r e g u l a r meeting o f t h e M & W A s s o c i a t i o n on 21 J u l y , 1971, the p r o j e c t o f a R e t i r e m e n t V i l l a g e was f l o a t e d . I t was d e c i d e d t o h o l d a s p e c i a l meeting to discuss t h e p r o p o s i t i o n . I t was h e l d on 15 September and was c h a i r e d by t h e D.G.I.W.V.W. B r o . R.K. RAY. He welcomed t h e a t t e n d i n g b r e t h r e n and p u t t h e p r o j e c t t o t h e i r c o n s i d e r a t i o n . S e v e r a l a s p e c t s were d i s c u s s e d . I t was unanimously d e c i d e d t o form a committee t o accept a p p l i c a t i o n s f o r membership and form a body c a l l e d " C e n t r a l Coast Retirement V i l l a g e " t o proceed w i t h t h e p r o j e c t , whose a i m was h o u s i n g s e n i o r citizens. were e l e c t e d : A f t e r n o m i n a t i o n s t h e f o lowing l President

R.K. RAY

Sen.V.President

W. RICHARDS

Vice

A. HENMAN

President

Committee

B. HIBBARD, R. JONES, E. THOMPSON, G. van DREMPT, I . JUGO.

I t was d e c i d e d t o c a l l f o r membership. 29 September. P r e s i d e n t and 5 members. The T r e a s u r e r r e p o r t e d r e c e i p t o f $84.00. A P.O. Box was a r r a n g e d . Bros B. MCDONALD and G. BAENES were approached t o accept t h e p o s i t i o n o f A u d i t o r s , and s t e p s were taken t o r e g i s t e r name.

296

F e b r u a r y 1972. I t was d e c i d e d on a d v i c e from Bro. W. RICHARDS to approach the T a x a t i o n Dept., the C h i e f S e c r e t a r y ' s Dept. and the Land Dept. f o r a p p r o p r i a t e r e c o g n i t i o n . May. L e t t e r s were r e c e i v e d from the t h r e e above named departments. I t was moved t h a t the l o c a l members be approached t o enquire on the a v a i l a b i l i t y of "two t o one" s u b s i d i e s . Mr FITZPATRICK was thanked f o r a d o n a t i o n of a q u a n t i t y of s t a t i o n e r y . A p r o p o s a l of a p r o s p e c t u s was d i s c u s s e d and adopted i n June and sent t o p r i n t e r f o r d i s t r i b u t i o n t o every lodge member. Lengthy d i s c u s s i o n on means of r a i s i n g funds r e s u l t e d i n a r e s o l u t i o n of a booking at the C e n t r a l Coast Leagues Club f o r a s o c i a l e v e n i n g . M & W A s s o c i a t i o n was i n v i t e d t o a s s i s t w i t h arrangements. January 1973. A l e t t e r from Wyong S h i r e P r e s i d e n t inviting the committee to a conference i n the S h i r e Chambers, to be h e l d i n March. A D e l e g a t i o n was appointed. An Annual G e n e r a l Meeting was p l a n n e d on 22 F e b r u a r y at 8 pm. C i r c u l a r i n v i t a t i o n s t o a t t e n d were sent by K e v i n RUBIE Hon.Sec. P.O. Box 166, G o s f o r d South. 22 F e b r u a r y - General M e e t i n g . At t h a t f i r s t Annual M e e t i n g , 25 were p r e s e n t , w i t h i n the c h a i r . The main p o i n t s i n the f i r s t r e p o r t of the C e n t r a l Coast R e t i r e m e n t V i l l a g e were t h a t :

R.K. RAy Chairman,

A case had been p r e s e n t e d t o the c h i e f s u r v e y o r f o r Crown Lands, Mr Hicks, a favourable hearing r e c e i v e d . Area of Land have been c o n s i d e r e d , one being i n close proximity of Bateau Bay Bowling Club. Decision resting with State P l a n n i n g A u t h o r i t y and L o c a l C o u n c i l . The o r g a n i s a t i o n had been r e g i s t e r e d w i t h C h i e f Secretary and T a x a t i o n Department as a c h a r i t a b l e o r g a n i s a t i o n , and ground made a v a i l a b l e t o r e c e i v e government s u b s i d y of $2 f o r each $ r a i s e d . R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h i s o r g a n i s a t i o n were i n v i t e d t o d i s c u s s w i t h Wyong S h i r e o f f i c e r s the f u t u r e development f o r the shire. I n c o n c l u s i o n , thanks t o the committee, particularly to Secretary/Treasurer K e v i n RUBIE and Vice President Bill RICHARDS f o r a s s i s t a n c e and e x p e r i e n c e w i t h C h i e f Secretary and 'Taxation Department. Signed.

Roy

K.RAY. P r e s i d e n t .

March. L e t t e r s t o l o c a l members: B a r r y COHEN M.H.R., M.L.C., K. O'CONNELL M.L.C. s e e k i n g t h e i r s u p p o r t .

JENSEN

May. At Tuggerah for donations.

and

appeal

Lakes

r e s o l u t i o n to

send

newsletters

297

J u l y . D o n a t i o n of $150 by lodge TUGGERAH LAKES, p r o f i t from a s o c i a l f u n c t i o n , r e c e i v e d w i t h thanks. Another c i r c u l a r l e t t e r t o a l l b r e t h r e n f o r exchange of i n f o r m a t i o n . Annual G e n e r a l M e e t i n g , F e b r u a r y 1973. Chairman's r e p o r t . Little p r o g r e s s s i n c e l a s t r e p o r t . M e e t i n g s w i t h Wyong C o u n c i l l o r s f a v o u r a b l e . Land not g r a n t e d y e t , but h o p e f u l l y c l o s e t o conclusion. From n o t i c e paper: "Amended p l a n s have been sought and supplied to ( M i n i s t e r f o r l a n d s ) . . department.. A copy of the p l a n w i l l be a v a i l a b l e f o r i n s p e c t i o n at the above ( g e n e r a l ) m e e t i n g . " The j o i n t s t e e r i n g committee headed by the Wyong S h i r e P r e s i d e n t (Malcolm CHALMERS) was h o p e f u l of a f a v o u r a b l e announcement i n the e a r l y p a r t of 1974. Promotion o f f i c e r s were t o be a p p o i n t e d i n each lodge t o promote the p r o j e c t . August. I n f o r m a t i o n came t h a t l a n d at Bateau Bay would be approved subject to c e r t a i n c o n d i t i o n s . A sub-committee was formed f o r r a i s i n g fund - A. HENMAN, Chairman. W. RICHARDS, R. BROWNE, R. JONES, D. CAMPTON. A d e l e g a t i o n met the M i n i s t e r f o r Lands, Mr T. LEWIS, at Tuggerah Lakes G o l f C l u b . The p l a n , from A r c h i t e c t Mr G. TWIBILL, was displayed. Donations began t o a r r i v e from s o c i a l functions lodges (TUGGERAH LAKES) and c l u b s (Apex) e t c .

organised

A s p e c i a l meeting was h e l d at Wyong R.S.L. C l u b between Committee: Chairman R.K. RAY, S e c r e t a r y K. RUBIE, V. P r e s . H. HENMAN and J . BATES, t o meet commission a r c h i t e c t , G. TWIBILL, on the f o l l o w i n g matters:R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , d u t i e s , f e e s , s t r u c t u r e s , types and s u b s i d i e s . Agreement forms were t o be drawn and f o r w a r d e d , a t a s p e c i a l meeting at the end of J a n u a r y . 20 J a n u a r y , 1975.

$1,000 was

deposited

discussed

i n an I.B.D. a/c.

I t was moved t h a t agreement w i t h G. TWIBILL and A s s o c i a t e , a r c h i t e c t s , be c o n f i r m e d and signed. The S e c r e t a r y was instructed t o c i r c u l a r i s e "Red Lodges", the O.E.S. and the Amaranth. The B i l l s of the A u s t r a l i a n Government was read i n e n t i r e t y and discussed. Chairman Roy .K.

RAY's t h i r d r e p o r t , 26 F e b r u a r y ,

1975.

We r e c e i v e d a s s u r a n c e from the M i n i s t e r f o r Lands on 1st August t h a t the l a n d would be made a v a i l a b l e . A meeting was h e l d i n December w i t h G e o f f r e y TWIBILL on the approp r i a t e next steps t o t a k e , w i t h a d v i c e s on a s p e c t s of r e t i r e m e n t accommodation. At a f r u i t f u l meeting w i t h Wyong Council i n F e b r u a r y the S h i r e C l e r k a s s u r e d us t h a t the land was

298

s u i t a b l e f o r development, t h e development c o s t , on day p r i c e s i s $250,000. The development i s t o proceed i n stages from the n o r t h . The l a n d t i t l e t o be v e s t e d i n c o u n c i l f o r t h e time b e i n g . Approximate b u i l d i n g date 3.4.'76. An address was g i v e n by Dr BASSETT, Government Community P h y s i c i a n . N u r s i n g Home accommodation i n t h i s d i s t r i c t i s a t p r e s e n t 250 n u r s i n g beds b e i n g s h o r t by 90 u n i t type rooms. Thanks were e x p r e s s e d t o t h e whole committee and i n p a r t i c u l a r t o K e v i n RUBIE f o r u n s t i n t e d e f f o r t s . A p r i l 1975. M.H. BROOKS M.L.A. wrote t h a t the s i t e was b e i n g t r a n s f e r r e d t o Wyong C o u n c i l as T r u s t e e s , t h e M i n i s t e r agreed to r e - z o n i n g . W. HAYDEN, M i n i s t e r f o r S o c i a l S e c u r i t y agreed on a p p l i c a t i o n for subsidy. E x p r e s s i o n s o f i n t e r e s t i n t h e a l l o c a t i o n o f u n i t s were r e c e i v e d . J u l y 1975. Department o f S o c i a l S e c u r i t y acknowledged p r o g r e s s report. Monier Roof T i l e s o f f e r of s e r v i c e . Three T r u s t e e s were a p p o i n t e d w i t h wide a d m i n i s t r a t i v e powers, they were D. WILD, K. RUBIE and R. RAY. A p l a n was d i s p l a y e d and d i s c u s s e d . The a r c h i t e c t e x p l a i n e d t h e proposed complex i n a s a t i s f a c t o r y manner. I t was unanimously r e s o l v e d t o i n s t r u c t him t o proceed w i t h the Development A p p l i c a t i o n a t Wyong C o u n c i 1 , and make s u b m i s s i o n t o t h e Dept o f S o c i a l Security. November. The T r u s t e e s were d i r e c t e d t o s i g n t h e l e a s e agreement w i t h Wyong S h i r e C o u n c i l . More e n q u i r i e s on accommodation a v a i l a b i l i t y kept coming. The a r c h i t e c t was r e q u e s t e d t o p r e p a r e p l a n s and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s t o c a l l t e n d e r s i n March 1976. A d r a f t copy o f House R u l e s f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n was t o be p r e p a r e d by Bros RICHARDS and RUBIE. The E n t r a n c e O.E.S. donated the proceeds o f a b a l l . I t was d e c i d e d t o i n v i t e people s e e k i n g accommodation t o an a f t e r n o o n t e a t o show t h e model on d i s p l a y and g i v e i n f o r m a t i o n . F e b r u a r y 1976. G e n e r a l M e e t i n g . P r e s i d e n t ' s a d d r e s s . A Government s u b s i d y had been g r a n t e d , f o r e r e c t i o n o f 10 u n i t s , which w i l l be a v a i l a b l e a f t e r June 1976. P l a n s and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s were b e i n g completed, c o n s t r u c t i o n was t o commence soon. I n q u i r i e s f o r accommodation a r e i n v e s t i g a t e d for allocation. Thanks f o r numerous d o n a t i o n s . A s p e c i a l meeting was d e c i d e d o f i n t e n d i n g r e s i d e n t s , r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of Wyong C o u n c i l , local p o l i t i c a l representatt i v e s and Mr TWIBILL, a r c h i t e c t , f o r g e n e r a l d i s c u s s i o n . A s p e c i a l meeting c a l l e d t o d i s c u s s quotes. The a r c h i t e c t was asked f o r a r e p o r t and recommendations on s e l e c t i o n o f a b u i l d e r . Founders donors c o n d i t i o n s f o r accommodation were d e c i d e d as f o l l o w s : -

299

A p p l i c a n t s a d v i s e d t o purchase - s i n g l e $10,500 and double $11,600 on a d e p o s i t o f $7,000 and $8,000 o r a f u l l initial payment o f $10,000 and $11,000. Ten a p p l i c a t i o n s were a circular letter.

received

November

1976, they

received

"We w i s h t o c o n f i r m our telephone c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h you t h a t having been p l a c e d on a p r i o r i t y l i s t , you a r e i n v i t e d to a t t e n d a M e e t i n g on Sunday 26th November 1976 t o i n f o r m you o f f i n a l d e t a i l s o f t h e f i r s t U n i t s t o be c o n s t r u c t e d at Bateau Bay. PROGRAMME; Inspection of B u i l d i n g S i t e .

• ••• Personal interview during the afternoon be h e l d t o d i s c u s s t h e f i n a n c i a l a s p e c t . "

will

The Government requirement i s f o r a R e g i s t e r e d f i r m o f A c c o u n t a n t s t o c a r r y Annual A u d i t . A s o l i c i t o r was a l s o a p p o i n t e d . The Grant from government was f o r $108,000, l i k e l y t o be i n c r e a s e d by c l a u s e o f R i s e and F a l l o f c o s t s . Donors funds were t o be a p p l i e d t o p r o g r e s s payments t o B u i l d e r s . E x t r a c t s from P r e s i d e n t ' s f o u r t h r e p o r t , 24 F e b r u a r y , 1977. Progress i s nearing the f i n a l s t a g e . Tenders were c a l l e d - 7 t h J u l y was t h e c l o s i n g d a t e . L u s t e d C o n t r a c t o r s won t h e tender f o r $154,982.00 s u b j e c t t o R i s e and F a l l . T o t a l number o f a p p l i c a n t s f o r accommodation was 40; 20 a t t e n d e d meeting o f 26 November. S p e c i a l thanks t o S e c r e t a r y K e v i n RUBIE and A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y Don WILD, a l s o t o V. P r e s . W. RICHARDS and A. HENMAN. On 24 F e b r u a r y i t was t a b l e d t h a t 4 S i n g l e U n i t s had been a l l o c a t e d . D e p o s i t p a i d $40,000; 2 Double U n i t s , $22,000 and 2 S t u d i o , $11,000. Many o u t s t a n d i n g m a t t e r s had t o be d e a l t w i t h S o c i a l Service Dept. B i l l RICHARDS p r a c t i c a l l y c l e a r e d them on h i s own, which brought s p e c i a l mention o f a p p r e c i a t i o n from t h e P r e s i d e n t . October 1977. A r c h i t e c t ' s account o f $8,703.10 p a i d . B u i l d e r ' s second p r o g r e s s payment o f $21,989. Two more a p p l i c a t i o n s f o r accommodation were c o n s i d e r e d . The date f o r O f f i c i a l Opening was suggested t o be March 1978, Grand M a s t e r , B a r r y COHEN M.L".A. , Tim FARRELL, S h i r e P r e s i d e n t , S e c r e t a r y of Board o f Benevolence i n v i t e d t o p e r f o r m t h e O f f i c i a l Opening.

300

In A p r i l 1978 a l i s t o f r e p a i r s o r adjustments were brought t o the b u i l d e r ' s a t t e n t i o n . Landscaping was i n p r o g r e s s , t h e o f f i c i a l date o f opening was f i x e d f o r 16 J u l y , a t 2.30 pm. Many u n i t s were a l r e a d y o c c u p i e d . More d o n a t i o n s were sought from s e r v i c e c l u b s . The t e n a n t s r e q u e s t e d t h a t a name be chosen t o i d e n t i f y the v i l l a g e f o r p o s t a l and goods d e l i v e r y . "KARAGI COURT" was proposed by Roy RAY, a f t e r many u n s u i t a b l e s u g g e s t i o n s and was a c c e p t e d by t h e committee. I t was t h e o r i g i n a l name o f Bateau Bay - The Entrance area. In May t e n u n i t s were b u i l t o u t o f t h e 102 o r i g i n a l l y i n t e n d e d . In h i s f i f t h r e p o r t , 11 May 1978, t h e P r e s i d e n t mentions a few dates:21 Mar.1977 A r e v i s e d t e n d e r by L u s t e d f o r $159,700, accepted. 19 May - N o t i f i c a t i o n o f the g r a n t o f $108,000 approved. Mid J u l . 7 7 - F i n a l approval received. 29 J u l . B u l l d o z e r s a t work c l e a r i n g and p r e p a r i n g site. Mid Sep. F i r s t c o n c r e t e p o u r s . The p r o j e c t was under way. Through r a i n and i n d u s t r i a l disputes, the c o m p l e t i o n o f t h e p r o j e c t was extended from 24 Dec. t o 28 J a n . 22 Dec.1977 - F i r s t u n i t o c c u p i e d by c a r e t a k e r . End Feb. - A l l u n i t s were o c c u p i e d . "the c h o i c e o f tenants...seems t o be e x c e l l e n t , resulting i n a v e r y happy group, w i t h a f e e l i n g o f f r i e n d l i n e s s b e i n g extended t o a l l who happen t o v i s i t t h e U n i t s . The t e n a n t s have formed a group committee..."

WUA

to new

tke. completion

fix. and ad^wit

of. Atajg.e. one -

of. ten. unJjti

Aome va/iioLt-i mino/i defecAA

time

wa^

taken,

Atiown by. uAag.e of

buildingA.

On MoJich 1980 it: wa4 felt that i t waA time to pytoceed with 4tag.e two. Mo mnie -iubiidy. UJOA avaitabte, finance had to be found wiMxin the OJiâniAotion. Tke fn.eyiijd.ent wa^ Hoy %4y, SecJtet.aJiy/T/LeaALuieA. woA Bill 'RJCHAWS, both had been on the pn.oêct îince it4 inception. BiXi and fioy ate ^tiLL with i t , giuding. itA ptog/ie^/i. Of the oAiglnat committee m.en a/ie îtLLl, 20 yean.A lateA, AnthuA. HSNMN, Kevin mSOE and Bob gONCS.

301

L A K E HAVEN MASONIC VILLAGE

OFFICIAL OPENING Saturday, 10th August, 1991 at 2 p.m. by The Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge ofN.S. W. Most Wor Bro RONALD L. H. JOHNSON

303

2 Fe.bn.uaAy. 1991 - Addn.e.4.6 /i&ad on. tke. occasion of. the Q.M. 7(. ^oh/iAon vi^lt to open, the new South on the 2nd. fJ.oo/L of. the Ma^ontc Centre, W-ittLam Street, Qo^foyid.

THE LAKE HAVEN MASONIC RETIREMENT VILLAGE

When a s k e d t o s p e a k o n t h e H i s t o r y a n d P r o g r e s s o f THE LAKE HAVEN M a s o n i c R e t i r e m e n t V i l l a g e , I became a c u t e l y a w a r e o f t h e a b s e n c e of i n f o r m a t i o n and knowledge o f i t s e a r l i e s t times we will i n f u t u r e n e e d a n H i s t o r i a n . I t a p p e a r s t h a t t h o s e who d i d t h e most w o r k a r e r e l u c t a n t t o t a l k a b o u t t h e m s e l v e s , b u t I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t B r o s A r n o l d DUMPMANIS a n d S t a n GREGORY d i s c u s s e d a n d s t u d i e d the p o s s i b i l i t i e s . When A r n o l d DUMPMANIS r e a c h e d the Chair i n L o d g e TOUKLEY he t a l k e d a t l e n g t h w i t h the then D.G.I.W. V.W. D e n i s DEAN a n d a d d r e s s e d the Masters and Wardens Association, whose s e c r e t a r y V.W. B e r t ROSS c i r c u l a t e d t h e L o d g e s t o a s c e r t a i n i n t e r e s t a n d i d e a s . The o n l y p o s i t i v e r e a c t i o n I c a n f i n d came f r o m L o d g e TOUKLEY who a p p o i n t e d . . . a f t e r considerable debate...a c o m m i t t e e o f 5 t o t a l k t o t h e M a s t e r s a n d Wardens Association, and t h e n t h e F . B . I . President R.W. F r a n k J E F F R E E was b r o u g h t i n t o t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s a n d t h e p r o p o s i t i o n was r e g a r d e d a s v i a b l e . E a c h L o d g e i n o u r D i s t r i c t was i n v i t e d t o nominate ONE member t o r e p r e s e n t i t on a B o a r d o f Management, a n d o t h e r s w e r e appointed by t h e R . F . B . I . , a n d t h e B o a r d was f o r m e d w i t h Alex COOKE a s initial s e c r e t a r y . . . Stan GREGORY, R.W.B. D e n i s DEAN and Bert ROSS a n d A l e x COOKE a r e s t i l l B o a r d Members. A f t e r a g r e a t d e a l o f d i f f i c u l t y , overcome by g r e a t persistence, o u r p r e s e n t V i l l a g e c o m p r i s i n g 38 "homes" was b u i l t d u r i n g c o n d i t i ons o f a p p a l l i n g w e a t h e r a n d i m p e d i m e n t . A p a r t f r o m d e l a y s some t h i n g s were n o t handed o v e r a s t h e y s h o u l d have been, and a l l t h e L a n d s c a p i n g a n d t o p s o i l was w a s h e d away. We h a v e spent a l o t o f t i m e a n d c o n s i d e r a b l e money i n b r i n g i n g t h e p l a c e up t o r e a s o n a b l e s t a n d a r d . . . a n d we a r e n o t f i n i s h e d y e t . Our p r e s e n t g r e a t p r o j e c t i s t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e 40 b e d H o s t e l , which o u r Grand Master and p a r t y v i s i t e d t h i s a f t e r n o o n . I trust Sir, t h a t y o u l i k e d w h a t y o u saw t h e r e . . . w a r t s and a l l . . . i t ' s s t i l l o n l y a b u i l d i n g s i t e , b u t I can' a s s u r e y o u t h a t o u r R e s i d e n t s o f t h e V i l l a g e were d e l i g h t e d t o have y o u t h e r e . M i g h t I hope, t h a t i n t h e n o t d i s t a n t f u t u r e , t h a t y o u may b e a b l e t o come a g a i n a n d g i v e us t h e h o n o u r o p e n i n g o f f i c i a l l y o u r H o s t e l , when i t i s f i n i s h e d and ready f o r p r e s e n t a t i o n . W h i l e on t h e s u b j e c t o f t h e H o s t e l , I m i g h t m e n t i o n t h a t we a r e in theprocess of "budgeting" f o r the cost t o run the place f o r the first year... despite help and a s s i s t a n c e from others, we h a v e t o make t h e f i n a l d e c i s i o n s , a n d i t i s f r i g h t e n i n g t o r e a l i s e t h a t a n e r r o r o f a f e w c e n t s on c e r t a i n i t e m s t h r o w s o u r c a l c u l a t i o n out by l i t e r a l l y thousands of dollars... Hopefully t h e Laws o f A v e r a g e s w i l l a p p l y . . . W i s h us l u c k .

304

The p o s i t i o n o f S u p e r v i s o r , t h a t k e y j o b i n c o n d u c t i n g t h e w h o l e o p e r a t i o n h a s b e e n a d v e r t i s e d . . . ! c a n n o t s a y more a t t h e moment, b u t I c a n s a y t h a t t h e B o a r d w i l l make p r o b a b l y i t ' s most important d e c i s i o n e v e r , i n making the appointment. In the e a r l y days o f our e x i s t e n c e , our P r e s . Frank JEFFREE c a l l e d for t h e c r e a t i o n o f a L a d i e s ' A u x i l i a r y and i n v i t e d Mrs Esther DEAN t o C h a i r i t . T h e i r w o r k a n d e f f o r t s h a v e b e e n m a g n i f i c e n t . U n d e r way now are the p l a n s f o r the next s t a g e . . . Community and R e c r e a t i o n H a l l and i n t h e p l a n s i s a m p l e s p a c e allowed for a Bus...a g i f t to the v i l l a g e from the L a d i e s ' A u x i l i a r y . T h e r e i s p r e s e n t l y home b u i l d i n g i n p r o g r e s s and we hope that t h i s p h a s e c a n be j u s t i f i e d , m a i n t a i n e d and c o n t i n u e d c o n c u r r e n t l y w i t h t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e Community H a l l and t h e l a t e r envisaged N u r s i n g Home w h i c h w i l l become more n e c e s s a r y a s t i m e goes by. Maybe o t h e r f a c i l i t i e s f o r the h e a l t h and comfort of a l l our r e s i d e n t s , eg H y d r o t h e r a p y . . . I n a l l t h e r e c o u l d w e l l be i n e x c e s s o f 250 homes on t h e h i l l s i d e . Our B o a r d h a s a f u t u r e p r o b l e m i n t h e management o f s u c h a l a r g e and d i v e r s i f i e d c o m p l e x and I am a f r a i d there are areas where o u r e x p e r t i s e g e t s a l i t t l e " t h i n " . I t may s u r p r i s e some people t o know t h a t some o f o u r members a r e g e t t i n g on t o w a r d 50...also some o f us f i n d i t d e p r e s s i n g t h a t we w i l l n e v e r s e e 60 a g a i n . . . So i n c o n c l u s i o n may I appeal to the Masters, Wardens and the members o f e v e r y L o d g e i n D i s t . 5 9 . . . P l e a s e l e n d us your bright y o u n g men who can perform, t o a s s i s t us w i t h their enthusiasm, e x p e r t i s e and e n e r g y , and i n d e e d e v e n t u a l l y t a k e o v e r t h e management and i m p r o v e m e n t o f o u r w h o l e v i l l a g e d u r i n g t h e t i m e s o f b u i l d i n g a n d c o n s o l i d a t i o n d u r i n g t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h i s d e c a d e , and present to the next c e n t u r y , a c a r i n g complex f o r p l e a s a n t l i v i n g , free f r o m r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s and w o r r i e s t h a t c o n c e r n o u r o l d e r c i t i z e n s . May t h e r e be g r e a t s a t i s f a c t i o n n i n s u c h pride of achievement, to the o v e r a l l c r e d i t of Freemasonry.

305

10.8.91

LAKE HAVEN MASONIC VILLAGE The c o n c e p t f o r t h e V i l l a g e was m o o t e d i n J u n e B o a r d o f Management was e l e c t e d i n J u l y 1 9 8 6 .

1 9 8 6 . The

An i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o s u i t a b l e l a n d was u n d e r t a k e n s i t e was p u r c h a s e d f r o m t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H o u s i n g .

and t h e

Local

present

THE HOSTEL The M i n i s t e r f o r H o u s i n g & A g e d Care, The Hon. P e t e r Staples a n n o u n c e d f u n d i n g o f $ 9 2 9 , 0 4 0 i n J u n e 1988 f o r t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a 40 b e d H o s t e l a t C h a r m h a v e n . The c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e H o s t e l was commenced A p r i l 1990 a n d c o m p l e t e d J u l y 1 9 9 1 . E a c h w i n g o f t h e H o s t e l h a s 10 b e d s i t t i n g rooms w i t h e n - s u i t e s a n d a r e s i d e n t s l o u n g e room. The w i n g s a r e c o l o u r c o d e d for t h e r e s i d e n t s . E a c h room h a s a n e m e r g e n c y b u t t o n s h o u l d t h e need a r i s e . The

Hostel (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k)

facilities

also

include:

H a i r d r e s s i n g , P o d i a t r y , D o c t o r room C r a f t Room - w h i c h i s a b l e t o be d i v i d e d Guest K i t c h e n M e e t i n g Room - w h i c h i s a b l e t o be d i v i d e d Spa B a t h L i b r a r y Room - s t o c k e d w i t h d o n a t e d b o o k s laundry with drying f a c i l i t i e s 4 Residents Laundries Main Kitchen Landscaped Courtyard Gazebo and P a t i o a t t h e r e a r o f t h e b u i l d i n g

There a r e twelve persons c u r r e n t l y t h e i r p r i v a c y be o b s e r v e d .

i n residence

and

request

The e n t r y c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e H o s t e l i s $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 . l e v y i s 8 5 % o f t h e p e n s i o n and t h e r e n t a l l o w a n c e .

The

maintenance

The H o s t e l b u i l d i n g c o s t c o s t $180,000.

The

landscaping

Inspection

of the hostel

$3 m i l l i o n

after

to construct.

opening

day

will

limited

306

a p p l i c a n t s and r e l a t i v e s o f a p p l i c a n t s by a p p o i n t m e n t o n l y . c o n t a c t C a t h y F e l l on 9 3 - 1 1 6 9 t o a r r a n g e a s u i t a b l e t i m e .

Please

SELF CARE UNITS A development a p p l i c a t i o n was December 4, 1987 and c o n s e n t was

lodged granted

w i t h Wyong Shire A p r i l 12, 1988.

Council

C o n s t r u c t i o n of Stage I self care u n i t s was commenced August 1988 a n d was c o m p l e t e d November 1989. T h i s s t a g e o f t h e d e v e l o p m e n t c o m p r i s e d a m i x t u r e o f u n i t s and v i l l a s t o t a l l i n g 38 a t a cost o f $2.6 m i l l i o n . There are l a s t one.

residences

occupied

and

holding

deposit

the

S t a g e I I s e l f c a r e u n i t s w e r e c o m p l e t e d i n May 1991. There are 16 u n i t s i n t h i s p a r t of the development. Currently 10 units a r e o c c u p i e d and f o u r d e p o s i t s have been taken. The occupancy f e e s f o r the u p s t a i r s u n i t s i s $92,500, d o w n s t a i r s u n i t i s $95,500 and g a r a g e $ 5 , 0 0 0 . S t a g e I I I b u i l d i n g c o n t r a c t s w e r e s i g n e d on May 1991 f o r 12 self c a r e u n i t s , two v i l l a s and a n a c t i v i t i e s centre. Deposits have b e e n t a k e n on t h e two v i l l a s and s e v e n s e l f c a r e u n i t s . The o c c u p a n cy f e e s f o r u p s t a i r s u n i t s i s $93,500, d o w n s t a i r s units $96,500 and g a r a g e $6,000. A d e v e l o p m e n t a p p l i c a t i o n was l o d g e d w i t h t h e Wyong S h i r e C o u n c i l f o r t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e s i t e i n J u l y 1991. The application was f o r 92 s e l f c a r e u n i t s , 40 h o s t e l u n i t s and h e a t e d i n d o o r swimming pool. A l l t h e s e l f c a r e u n i t s and b u t t o n s w h i c h w i l l be l i n k e d

v i l l a s w i l l be to the H o s t e l .

fitted

with

emergency

I n s p e c t i o n o f t h e s e l f c a r e u n i t s i s by a p p o i n t m e n t o n l y by c o n t a c t i n g Reg T u r n b u l l 9 2 - 7 1 8 3 , R i c h a r d C o l l i n s 9 0 - 9 7 2 9 , o r C a t h y Fell 93-1169.

THE ROYAL FREEMASONS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION OF N.S.W.

LAKE HAVEN MASONIC CARING HOSTEL

309

CenUCoa6t

W..6onic CU J!tJ.

icia iO, anJ

Friday.

Saturday.

4tli & Silt Wau, 1984

1984

Opening.

CEREMONY

Bro. Harold George Coale.s; O.B.E.

Dinner

7.30 p.m.

Drinks

and Guest Artist. Dot Barry

Featnrinnr . . . The Unit Four Ouartetle

Cabaret Dance

Pre Dinner

Afternoon Tea

U.G.L. ofN.S.W:

The Most Worshipful Grand Master of

M.W.

Address by

W. Bro. Robert -Hubbard ~ Pre.ndent

Address of Welcoiiir

Club Auditoriinii

OPENING

4th MAY,

7.00 p.m.

4.00 p.m.

3.00 p.m.

FRIDAY,

O^^iciai

8.30 p.m.

7.30 p.m.

4.00 p.m.

1.00 p.m.

9.30 a.m.

SATURDAY,

1984

nith Guest Artist Jonathan Baker

Featuring . . . The Unit Four Quartette

Cabaret Dance

Dinner

Afternoon Tea

Return to Club for Luncheon

Bus Tour to Bu7'bank Nursery & Reptile Park

5th MAY,

J-^redident 6 '^jt)aij.

311

THE

CENTRAL COAST MASONIC CLUB LTD. 40 W a l l a r a h R o a d , G o r o k a n . Ph:043/926622

T h i s i s not a c h a r i t a b l e o r g a n i s a t i o n but a S o c i a l Institution s e t up b y l o c a l m a s o n s . I t i s o p e n t o e v e r y member o f t h e c o m m u n i t y and h a s p r o v e d very popular and p r o f i t a b l e s i n c e i t s opening n e a r l y f i f t e e n y e a r s a g o . I t h a s b e e n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h many c h a r i t a b l e p r o j e c t d r i v e s f o r f u n d s . I t i s r u n p r o f e s s i o n a l l y and has h e l p e d t h r o u g h t h e y e a r s as a venue f o r f u n c t i o n s h e l d f o r t h e b e n e f i t o f c h a r i t a b l e and o t h e r m a s o n i c p r o j e c t s . The C l u b h a s b e e n b e h i n d t h e r a i s i n g o f c e n t e n a r y on M a s o n r y on t h e C e n t r a l C o a s t r a i s i n g funds f u n c t i o n s f o r t h a t purpose.

funds t o c e l e b r a t e the by h e l p i n g t o o r g a n i s e

GOROKAN MASONIC CLUB

"Situated on a b s o l u t e L a k e f r o n t overlooking beautiful Tuggerah L a k e s " h a d v e r y m o d e s t b e g i n n i n g s . F o r m e d i n 1 9 7 8 , i t was a s m a l l l i c e n s e d S o c i a l C l u b l o c a t e d i n r e n t e d rooms a b o v e s h o p s a t G o r o k a n . I t was o p e n e d a n d was o p e r a t e d f o r a c o u p l e of years upstairs o f a b l o c k o f s h o p s on W a l l a r a h R o a d . The C l u b b o u g h t a p r o p e r t y w i t h a c a r a v a n p a r k . I t r a n t h e p a r k f o r a w h i l e u n t i l i t opened a s a C l u b f o r i t s members a n d t h e i r g u e s t s . I n 1 9 7 9 , J a n W a l l a c e s t a r t e d as a c a s u a l s e c r e t a r y . She was well e x p e r i e n c e d h a v i n g been a c l u b s e c r e t a r y f o r 24 years, 19 of w h i c h a t t h e B l a c k t o w n W o r k e r s C l u b . She became secretary/manager w i t h t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f h i r i n g and k e e p i n g h e r s t a f f , answerable o n l y t o the Board of D i r e c t o r s . R a p i d l y t h e c l u b became r e n o w n e d f o r and i t s d i s t i n c t i v e situation on p a t r o n i s e d mostly but not e x c l u s i v e l y f r i e n d s a n d a c q u a i n t a n c e s , many b e i n g

i t s f r i e n d l y q u i e t atmosphere the lake's foreshore. I t i s b y masons and t h e i r families, r e t i r e d people.

The f i r s t s t a g e was b u i l t a t a c o s t o f $1,1 million. Members h a v e shown t h e i r s u p p o r t by a t t e n d i n g w o r k i n g b e e s a n d c o n t r i b u t i n g t o t h e "Buy a B r i c k " appeal which raised $10,000, each brick c o s t i n g 50 4.. i I t c a n be d e s c r i b e d as p l u s h p r e m i s e s . The c l u b was officially o p e n e d by M . W o r . B r o . H a r o l d COATES O.B.E. G r a n d M a s t e r o f t h e U n i t e d G r a n d L o d g e o f New S o u t h W a l e s . The o p e n i n g c e r e m o n y was f o l l o w e d

312

by t h r e e d a y s o f c e l e b r a t i o n s 200 s o c i a l members.

for

the

club's

The s e t t i n g of the c l u b comprise a p i c t u r e s q u e r o s e b u s h e s and f l o w e r b e d s , s h a d e d by t a l l gum s t y l e f o u n t a i n s at the entrance.

650

ordinary

and

two hectares of t r e e s , two Greek

The g l a s s f r o n t g i v e s a s p e c t a c u l a r v i e w o f t h e l a k e and a t n i g h t , t h e d i s t a n t l i g h t s o f The E n t r a n c e p u n c t u a t e t h e f a r f o r e s h o r e . The c l u b o f f e r s the a m e n i t i e s of a "Bistro" and a a-la-carte menu i n t h e S t a r l i g h t Room R e s t a u r a n t . The Hibiscus Lounge has poker machines f o r the a d d i c t s , i t leads to the a u d i t o r i u m which provides a variety of entertainments such as dancing, movies and b a n d s . I t c a t e r s a l s o f o r w e d d i n g s and r e c e p t i o n s . The m o s t e n d e a r i n g f e a t u r e of the c l u b i s i t s c o n t r i b u t i o n s to c h a r i t i e s and s e r v i c e t o t h e c o m m u n i t y and n e e d s . I t has i n recent y e a r s , i n 1984, d o n a t e d more t h a n $200 t o t h e H e a r t Foundation, $2,500 o f i t s p r o f i t s t o l o c a l c h a r i t i e s . In 1991 i t supported the appeal to help little Jessica Irwin, t h e H o r s e f i e l d Bay g i r l s u f f e r i n g f r o m c e r e b r a l p a l s y f o r s p e c i a l i s t treatment i n Hungary. There are plans for extending the more a m e n i t i e s t o a g r o w i n g and l o y a l

club premises membership.

and

offering

The M a s o n i c C l u b p u b l i s h a p e r i o d i c a l j o u r n a l f o r members, c o n t a i n i n news and snippets of interest. President report, calendar of events and dates to remember, advertisements, members special i n t e r e s t , g r o u p s s u c h as f i s h i n g , b o w l s , d a r t s , r a f f l e s , competiti o n s , funny s t o r i e s .

313

ANCIEMT AND ACCEPTED RITE 4tk to tStIv decree

Sovtreiqn Ckafttr5

ROSE CROIX of

l^tk

RRD.n

to 30tH decree

Sovereion CoutictU

KNIGHTS KAD05H.

314

FURTHER DEGREES 4째 t o 33째

INCLUSIVE.

ANCIENT and ACCEPTED R I T E o f t h e X V I I I

Degree.

About the m i d d l e of the 18th c e n t u r y C h r i s t i a n Masonic Orders b e g a n t o emerge i n F r a n c e w h i c h c l a i m e d , t h o u g h p r o o f is still l a c k i n g , t o be d i r e c t d e s c e n d a n t o f t h e K n i g h t s T e m p l a r a n d similar a n c i e n t M i l i t a r y O r d e r s o f C h r i s t e n d o m . Many d e g r e e s w e r e d e s i g n a t e d as " f i c o s s a i s " by the F r e n c h who without regard to historical t r u t h , sought to a s c r i b e the degrees an antiquity which they d i d not possess. F i r s t amongst t h e s e C h r i s t i a n M a s o n i c O r d e r s a p p e a r e d i n France "The E m p e r o r s o f The E a s t a n d W e s t " , a r i t e c o m p r i s i n g 25 d e g r e e s . A n o t h e r was f o r m e d i n 1801 which recognised an extension from 25 t o 33 d e g r e e s u n d e r t h e t i t l e o f " A n c i e n t a n d A c c e p t e d S c o t t i s h R i t e " . ( R I T E fiCOSSAIS ANCIENT ET A C C E P T ^ ) , The 33 d e g r e e s o f t h e A n c i e n t and A c c e p t e d R i t e were a d m i n i s t e r e d and under t h e control o f a Supreme C o u n c i 1 . The f i r s t t h r e e degrees are u s u a l l y not c o n f e r r e d s i n c e t h e y had already been received by the Master Masons who seek a d m i s s i o n i n the Order. However, there i s no r e a s o n why t h e y c o u l d n o t be g i v e n ; t h e R i t e u s e d f o r t h e o c c a s i o n s w o u l d be a c c o r d i n g t o t h e A & A. R i t u a l a s p r a c t i s e d i n F r a n c e for instance. A Supreme C o u n c i l o f S c o t l a n d was f o r m e d i n 1746 t o s u p p o r t t h a t r i t e . A G r a n d C o n s t i t u t i o n h a d come i n t o b e i n g on the 1st May 1786, c o n s i s t i n g o f 18 A r t i c l e s u n d e r w h i c h a l l Supreme C o u n c i l s t h r o u g h the w o r l d have been constituted f o r the government of b o d i e s formed under t h a t C o n s t i t u t i o n . The Supreme C o u n c i l s f o r E n g l a n d a n d t h a t f o r S c o t l a n d w e r e r e p r e s e n t e d i n A u s t r a l i a , b u t no A u s t r a l i a n Supreme C o u n c i l h a d been f o r m e d u n t i l The Supreme Council for Australia of the Thirty T h i r d a n d l a s t D e g r e e o f t h e A n c i e n t and A c c e p t e d R i t e f o r A u s t r a l i a was f o r m e d on t h e 1 3 t h day o f F e b r u a r y 1964. T h i s was done by G r a n d Supreme U n i v e r s a l I n s p e c t o r s a s s e m b l e d i n Supreme Council f o r t h e government o f b o d i e s under t h e i r j u r i s d i c t i o n . I m m e d i a t e l y , and a u t o m a t i c a l l y , t h a t Grand Body, t i t l e d "Australian C o n s t i t u t i o n " was d e c l a r e d " I r r e g u l a r " by t h e E n g l i s h R + C of H.R.D.M. and by t h e S c o t t i s h R i t e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s in Australia. R e c i p r o c a l v i s i t i n g was f o r b i d d e n and m e m b e r s h i p o f t h e A u s t r a l i a n C o n s t i t u t i o n was a c a s e f o r e x c l u s i o n . T h u s , p r i o r t o 1985 the s e r i e s o f d e g r e e s d e n o m i n a t e d R + C 18 째 a n d 30 째 and o v e r w e r e represented by three constitutions, namely English, Scottish and A u s t r a l i a n .

315

The s e r i e s o f t h e main s e c t i o n s -

Ancient

and

The Sovereign Chapters degrees i n c l u s i v e The Sovereign Councils degrees i n c l u s i v e Then the

31,

The 4 t h t o 1 7 t h and s a y o n l y t h e 18, 30 a p r o p e r ceremony.

and

Accepted

that

are

Rite

include

the

include

conferred

the

divided

into

two

4th

the

18th

19th

the

30th

separately.

19 t o 29 a r e o n l y c o m m u n i c a t e d , t h a t i s t o and above are ritual 1y performed through

L o c a l l y t h e r e w e r e a number o f S o v e r e i g n Chapters of the 18th d e g r e e w o r k i n g v a r i o u s r i t u a l s , a l t h o u g h d i f f e r i n g i n some d e t a i l s t h e y w e r e g e n e r a l l y s i m i l a r . T h e r e a r e now o n l y two constitutions represented. U n t i l 1991, t h e r e was o n l y one S o v e r e i g n C o u n c i l of the Scottish C o n s t i t u t i o n , c o n f e r r i n g the degrees from 19th t o 30, the last one o n l y b e i n g r i t u a l l y conferred. The

degrees 31st

to 33rd are

conferred

only

i n Sydney or

Newcastle.

I n 1985 a p a r t i a l a m a l g a m a t i o n was e f f e c t e d between the English and S c o t t i s h R i t e s of the 18th degree into a new "States and T e r r i t o r i e s o f A u s t r a l i a and i t s D i s t r i c t s and Chapters Overseas", h o w e v e r , some S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n s C h a p t e r s ( 1 8 t h ) and Supreme Councils (30th) chose to remain in the Scottish Consituency. The S o v e r e i g n C h a p t e r and the Sovereign Council BRISBANE WATER S.C. a t Woy Woy b e i n g one o f them. T h u s t h e new b o d y f o r m e d i n 1985 c o l l e c t e d a l l the E n g l i s h and p a r t of the S c o t t i s h ; but the Scottish Constitution was still r e p r e s e n t e d , a l b e i t i n a much r e d u c e d n u m b e r , and a t h i r d body, the " i r r e g u l a r " A u s t r a l i a n Constitution was also present. They were m e e t i n g r e s p e c t i v e l y at Gosford (States & Territories of A u s t r a l i a ) , Woy Woy ( S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n ) and Wyong ( A u s t r a l i a n Constitution). I n 1991, the t h e S t a t e s and

Rose Croix, Australian Constitution, Territories Constitutions.

united

A t t h e p r e s e n t moment ( 1 9 9 2 ) t h e s e r i e s o f d e g r e e s t o 3 3 r d r e p r e s e n t e d i n o u r d i s t r i c t by two c o n s t i t u t i o n s named a b o v e . The

f o l l o w i n g S o v e r e i g n C h a p t e r s 18째

i n our

district

are:-

with

are

316

BRISBANE WATER,No.21

operating

AEDIS C H R I S T I No.49 o p e r a t i n g

a t Woy Woy at Gosford,

(Scottish Constitution) and

CENTRAL COAST N o . 2 4 9 , o p e r a t i n g a t Wyong, t h e y b o t h b e l o n g the S t a t e s and T e r r i t o r i e s o f A u s t r a l i a C o n s t i t u t i o n .

The S o v e r e i g n WOY WOY

C o u n c i l s 30째 a r e : -

S.C.No.42 a t Woy Woy, S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n

THE LAKES S.C. No.57 a t Wyong, S t a t e s Australia Constitution.

and T e r r i t o r i e s o f

AEDIS CHRISTI C H A P T E R R O S E C R O I X . N o . 433

SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE X X X I I I

DEGREE

of the A n c i e n t and A c c e p t e d R i t e f o r E n g l a n d and W a l e s , the D o m i n i o n s and D e p e n d e n c i e s o f t h e B r i t i s h Crown.

Sovereign

C h a p t e r Rose

AEDIS CHRISTI No. 433,

Croix

E.G. o f H.R.D.M.

FOUNDED:

7 A p r i l 1951

DATE OF WARRANT:

8 February 1951

PLACE OF MEETING:

26 William Street Gosford 2250

DATE OF MEETING:

2nd Saturday i n February, May, August & November.

ENTHRONEMENT:

2nd Saturday i n May

This Chapter became No. 49 from 1985

UNDER AND

T H ES U P R E M E ACCEPTED TERRITORIES

COUNCIL RITE

3 3 " O F T H E ANCIENT

F O R T H E STATES

O F AUSTRALIA

DISTRICTS

A N D

A N D C H A P T E R S

OVERSEAS

A N D ITS

AEDIS CHRIST! ROSE C R O I X C H A P T E R N o . 49

318

AEDIS CHRISTI CHAPTER ROSE CROIX OF H.R.D.M. No. 433 E.G.

1951 t o 1985.

No. 49 A.C. from 1985. Under the Supreme C o u n c i l 33째 A n c i e n t and A c c e p t e d R i t e f o r England and Wales, t h e Dominions and Dependencies of t h e B r i t i s h Crown.

LIST OF THE MOST WISE SOVEREIGNS. 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1974 1975 1976 1977

A.E. DENT C.L. HUGHES-HALLETT F. J . KINDON A.J. SAMSON H.B. MAWSON R.B. LOWRY A.L. WADDINGTON R.T. TARRANT G. W. GARY E. ROSENFELDER K.R.G. DOWNES K.C. McPHERSON J.E. KIRKNESS R.C. McKENZIE R.H. BOOKER R.B. SMITH W.J. MITCHELL J.C. CONSTABLE G. LOWE W.E. CHILDS N.E. PENMAN E.A. LINDQUIST H.L. PATTON J.T. ARTHURSON P.W. BOSGARD M.T. HUNTER W.F. CHILDS W.H. RICHARDS

1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985

L.A. STERLING T.A. BEACROFT V.W. LYNCH A. TAYLOR P, C. JAYASINHA R,A. BOYLAN E, R. ALLEN K, B. WHITE

AEDIS CHRISTI CHAPTER No. 49 R + C o f t h e R.D.M. A u s t r a l i a n Cons, under the Authority Supreme Council 33 (of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for the States and T e r r i t o r i e s of Australia and i t s d i s t r i c t s and Chapters Overseas.)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

N.J. MAUNDER F. LUTTON A.L.G. TAYLOR W.H. LUX W.H. LUX E.G. LEGGETT

319

ExjUiactA fjtom:

FORTY

YEARS

ROSE

CROIX

MASONRY

WITH

AEDIS

CHRISTI

FORMERLY

PREPARED BY :

I I I BRO W.H. Lux M.W.S.

1989/91

CHAPTER

No 433

E.G.

No 49

320

HISTORY OF

AEDIS CHRISTI CHAPTER

ROSE CROIX No.

The f i r s t r e c o r d e d h i s t o r y of the A e d i s C h r i s t i Chapter commenced on S a t u r d a y , 7 A p r i l 1951 i n the Masonic H a l l , Castlereagh S t r e e t , Sydney. There i s no doubt t h a t much thought and p l a n n i n g had preceded t h i s m e e t i n g , but w i t h the p a s s i n g of time those shared e x p e r i e n c e s have passed away w i t h our p r o g e n i t o r s . No doubt we can s a f e l y say t h a t those names a p p e a r i n g as F o u n d a t i o n O f f i c e r s must have been d e e p l y i n v o l v e d i n i t s f o r m a t i o n . An o c c a s i o n a l Lodge was opened a t 3.30pm of A e d i s C h r i s t i Chapter No. 433 E.G. by 30° - the o f f i c e s b e i n g f i l l e d as f o l l o w s : Prelate 1st G e n e r a l 2nd G e n e r a l Marshall Raphael D.G. A/D.C. Herald C a p t a i n of the Guard Organist

111. 111. 111. 111. 111. 111. 111. 111.

Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro.

under the 111. Bro.

Warrant Carrick

A. A. B i d d l e 31° G. Johnson 30° F i l s h i e 30° A. E. L. T r e b i l c o 30° H. Mearnes 30° H. V. H. Watch 32° H. G. Meek 31° T. Braban 30°

111. Bro. V. E. Watkins 30° 111. Bro. L. McM. T r i m b l e 31°

A b a l l o t as c a n d i d a t e s f o r P e r f e c t i o n was h e l d f o r : W.

Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro.

A. J. L. R. G.

J . Samson Coppin C. Judd R. Mortimer W. Carey

Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES " " RISING SUN " " GOSFORD

The b a l l o t p r o v i n g c l e a r , W. Bros. Samson and Carey and B r o s . Copp i n and Judd were p e r f e c t e d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , Bro. Mortimer was unable to a t t e n d . The meeting then adjourned u n t i l 7pm when the I n s p e c t o r G e n e r a l A u s t r a l i a , V. 111. Bro. H. B. Mathews 33° was r e c e i v e d . I n p e r f o r m i n g the C o n s e c r a t i o n and D e d i c a t i o n , he was a s s i s t e d as f o l l o w s : Grand P r i o r 1st A s s i s t i n g C o n s e c r a t i n g O f f i c e r 2nd A s s i s t i n g C o n s e c r a t i n g O f f i c e r 3rd A s s i s t i n g C o n s e c r a t i n g O f f i c e r Grand D i r e c t o r of Ceremonies

111. 111. 111. 111. 111.

Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro.

A. E. H. H. H.

A. B i d d l e 31° E. J e n n i n g s 32° Gordon Bennett 31° G. Meek 31° V. H. Watch 32°

321

The and

I n s p e c t o r General addressed t h e M e e t i n g , s t a t i n g i t s nature t h e reason why i t was h e l d i n Sydney and not i n G o s f o r d .

The Warrant from the Supreme Chapter D i r e c t o r of Ceremonies.

33°

was r e a d

by t h e Grand

The C o n s e c r a t i n g O f f i c e r s i n t u r n s c a t t e r e d the c o r n , poured the wine and s p r i n k l e d the o i l . The I n s p e c t o r G e n e r a l s c a t t e r e d r o s e s , f o l l o w i n g which he C o n s e c r a t e d and D e d i c a t e d t h e Chapter. The Most Wise S o v e r e i g n D e s i g n a t e , 111. Bro. A.E. Dent 30° was then Enthroned - the T r e a s u r e r and Outer Guard were e l e c t e d and w i t h these the f o l l o w i n g O f f i c e r s were a p p o i n t e d . Prelate 111.Bro. E.A. J e a t e r 30° 1st G e n e r a l E. & P. Bro. C. H u g h B s - H a l l e t t 18° 2nd General E. & P. B r o . M. T e r r y 18° Treasurer 111.Bro. L.H. B i d d u l p h 30° Recorder E. & P. B r o . Kindon 18° Marshall E. & P. B r o . A . J . Samson 18° Raphael E. & P. B r o . R.B. L o w r i e 18° C a p t a i n of the Guard E. & P. B r o . A.L. Waddington 18° The r e m a i n i n g f o u n d a t i o n members were: E. & P. B r o . G.W. Carey E. & P. B r o . L.C. Judd 111 .Bro. H.G. Meek 31° E. & P. B r o . A . J . Reedman. The second meeting was h e l d i n G o s f o r d i n August when W. B r o . B.H. Mawson, t h e W.M. of Lodge WYONG was b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h V. W. B r o . R.R. M o r t i m e r , who was u n a v a i l a b l e at the i n i t i a l meeting. The Chapter was a l r e a d y e s t a b l i s h i n g i t s p o p u l a r i t y f o r a t the t h i r d meeting E. & P. B r o . H.S. N a y l o r became the f i r s t j o i n i n g member w h i l e B r o s . E. R o s e n f e l d e r and L t . C o l . R.T. T a r r e n t were perfected. At t h e 4 t h Meeting t h o s e a l l i m p o r t a n t By-laws became a v a i l a b l e at 4/- each and d u r i n g t h e evening a v e r y w e l l known Wyong r e s i d e n t , the Newspaper P u b l i s h e r V. B r o . F.T.G. Vaughan was p e r f e c t e d . Another v a l u a b l e l i n k i n t h e Chapter's H i s t o r y was f o r g e d when E. & P. B r o . C l i v e L. H u g h e s - H a l l e t t was e l e c t e d as t h e M.W.S. Designate. Thus c l o s e d the f i r s t v e r y busy and p r o d u c t i v e year f o r t h e baby A e d i s C h r i s t i Chapter. I t would be w e l l t o r e c o r d t h e g i f t s which were r e c e i v e d and w h i c h a s s i s t e d i n the r u n n i n g of the Chapter.

322

A l t a r and f u r n i s h i n g s P e d e s t a l and r o s e s f o r A l t a r and Chalice Cubic Stone and Gavels M.W.S. S c e p t r e Alms D i s h Music Score

111.Bro. A.E. Dent 31 111.Bro. H.G. Meek 31° H.G. W i l s o n S t . Judes Chapter Cumberland Chapter St M a r y - l e - P e n r i t h Chapter Sydney S t . James Chapter 111.Bro. H. Mearnes 30° 111.Bro. A.A. B i d d l e 31° E s t a t e S.B. Cox P e e l Chapter E.M. Humphreys M i s s F. T e r r y

floor

Bible Candidate R e g a l i a Presence Book Seven C i r c l e s Black c l o t h • Second Year

1952/53

Meetings 5,6,7

& 8.

E. & P. Bro. C.L. H u g h e s - H a l l e t t was enthroned. B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d Bro. A.A. Monnox Bro. H.H. Matthews Bro. K.G. Bro. H.H. R u t t e r Bro. L. T u r t o n . T h i r d Year

1953/54

Meetings 9,10,11 and

E. & P. Bro. F . J . Kindon was On the o c c a s i o n of t h i s v i s i t e d the Chapter.

The

following

Pinn

12.

enthroned.

enthronement

111. Bro.

Gordon

Bennett

D u r i n g the term the f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d for perfected:Bro. K.R.G. Downes Bro. C.E. McL. Sloman Bro. J.E. K i r k n e s s (14.11.53) Bro. K.C. MacPherson (14.11.53) W. B r o . F.K. Imerson Bro. J.W. Haves

and

Membership t o t h i s time had r i s e n t o 29. F o u r t h Year

1954/55

Meetings 13, 14, 15 & 16.

E. & P. Bro. A . J . Samson was enthroned. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d W. Bro. J.R. Winning W. B r o . R.A. Mortimer (W.M. Lodge G o s f o r d . ) Bro. E. Bennett-Bremmer Bro. J.W. Roberts F i f t h Year

1955/56

E. & P. Bro. B.H.

Meetings 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21

Mawson was

enthroned.

There was one j o i n i n g member d u r i n g the E. & P. Bro. J.W. I r e s o n .

year

the

person

The f o l l o w i n g were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. H a r o l d E. J a c k s o n M.L.A. W. Bro. G.W. S c o r g i e Bro. H.B A t k i n s o n Bro. R.B. Smith (Organist Rising Sun - 12/11/55)

323

Bro. H.J. Jamieson

Bro. S.W.

Pickett

On S a t u r d a y 7 A p r i l , the 21st M e e t i n g was an emergent at which the two B r e t h r e n named above were p e r f e c t e d . I t was i n t e r e s t i n g t o note t h a t i n the August meeting was g i v e n f o r the purchase of a g r o s s of r e d c a n d l e s . S i x t h Year

1956/57

E. & P. Bro. R.B.

meeting

authorisation

Meetings 22, 23, 24 & 25.

Lowry was

enthroned.

I t i s i n t e r e s t i n g t o note t h a t names t h a t have become i n t i m a t e l y woven i n t o the Chapter h i s t o r y b e g i n t h e i r appearance. J i m K i r k n e s s begins h i s second term as h e r a l d , the l a t e K e i t h MacPherson put h i s f o o t on the bottom of the l a d d e r and a long a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h the Chapter organ began w i t h Reg Smith. I n f a c t t h i s was o n l y the second o c c a s i o n on which the O f f i c e of o r g a n i s t was filled. During t h i s year perfected:Bro. L.G. Convary

V.W.

Bro.

the

following

Brethren

were

balloted

for

and

W.Bro. F.N. F a r r e l l ( W e l l known f o r h i s e f f o r t s on the Wyong S h i r e C o u n c i l - f o r many y e a r s i t s P r e s i d e n t . ) Bro. J.C. J e f f e r y Bro. N. M u l l e n (For a number of y e a r s T r e a s u r e r of Lodge Tuggerah Lakes.)

R.C.

McKenzie

Bro. H. C a r t w r i g h t

Honorary Membership was c o n f e r r e d on:V. 111. Bro. H.G. Meek 33째 111. B r o . E.A. J e a t e r 31째 111. Bro. J.H. B i d d u l p h S i n c e the commencement of the Chapter i t s s t r e n g t h had to 42 Members. Seventh Year

1957/58

now

grown

Meetings 26, 27, 28 & 29.

E. & P. Bro. A.L. Waddington was

enthroned.

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. W.J. M a r t i n Bro. E. P e r c y Tate Bro. R.R. W i l s h i r e W. B r o . M.H. S c o t t was l i s t e d f o r b a l l o t a t the F e b r u a r y meeting, but never e v e n t u a t e d . I n s t e a d t h e r e was an e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n and a t a l k by 111. Bro. H u g h e s - H a l l e t t . T h i s was a f i r s t f o r b o t h e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n and a t a l k . E i g h t h Year

1958/59

E. & P. Bro. R.T.

Meetings 30, 31, 32 & 33.

T a r r a n t was

enthroned.

324

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. A. H. T a y l o r ( A l e x ) B r o . F. R. K e l l V.W. B r o . H. P. Walker Bro. D. H. Hammer A number o f i n t e r e s t i n g f e a t u r e s d u r i n g t h e year i n c l u d e d : (a) The r e n t was r a i s e d t o ÂŁ18 p e r y e a r . (b) The p r a c t i c e began o f p a y i n g a person t o p r e p a r e and d i s mantle t h e f u r n i s h i n g s . (c) An address was p r e s e n t e d by M.W.S. a t t h e November meeting. (d) F o r t h e b a l l o t f o r M.W.S., a b a l l o t paper was p r o v i d e d showing t h e 1 s t General and a l l past M.W.S. who c o u l d be e l i g i b l e . N i n t h Year

1959/60

Meetings

34, 35, 36 and 37.

E. & P. B r o . G. W. Garey was enthroned. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : W. B r o . R. C. P o t t s B r o . R. H. Booker D u r i n g t h i s y e a r addressed were p r e s e n t e d by 111. B r o . Meek and E. & P. B r o . M. T e r r y . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , 111. B r o . Meek passed away o n l y two months a f t e r h i s t a l k . V. 111. B r o . C. H u g h e s - H a l l e t t 33Â° becomes I.G. D e s i g n a t e .

(tmr Tenth Year

oecAoe oi th& sovmeuGN cmnen's 1960/61

exjsTSNce)

Meetings 38, 39, 40 and 41.

E. & P. B r o . E. Rosenf e l d e r o f f i c e r s were i n v e s t e d : -

was enthroned

and t h e f o l l o w i n g

Prelate 2nd General Recorder

E. & P. Bro. K. Downes E. & P. Bro. J . Kirkness E. & P. Bro. A. Taylor

1st Gen. E. & P. Bro. K. MacPherson Treas. E. & P. Bro. H. Jackson

Marshall

E. & P. Bro. W. Mitchell

D.C. Raphael

Organist

E. & P. Bro. R. Smith

C.of Gd. E. & P. Bro. D. Hammer

111. Bro. A. Waddington E. & P. Bro. H. Matthews

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. C. Lowe B r o . A. E. Saunders B r o . M. R. Eades Bro. D. McDonald B r o . W. E. C h i l d s B r o . J.C.Constable T h i s year saw t h e annual dues r a i s e d from two t o t h r e e g u i n e a s . E l e v e n t h Year

1961/62

Meetings

42, 43, 44 and 45.

E. & P. B r o . K. R. G. Downes was enthroned. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. N e v i l l e Penman B r o . E. A. B l a k e B r o . A. G. Smyth Bro. C. A. P a r t r i d g e

325

T w e l f t h Year

1962/63

M e e t i n g s 46, 47, 48 & 49.

E. & P. Bro. K.C. MacPherson was e n t h r o n e d . N o t i c e t h a t t h e Chapter i s a g a i n w i t h o u t has p l a c e d h i s f o o t on the bottom s t e p .

an o r g a n i s t

- Reg Smith

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. A.C. Thomson W. B r o . A. Burke Bro.E.H.L. R u f f Bro. H.G. B a r r e t t A j o i n i n g member i n the p e r s o n E. & P. B r o . C. H i b b e r d was a d m i t t e d . The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n passed t o t h e Grand Lodge above 111. B r o . G.W. Carey (June) E. & P. B r o . F.T.G. Vaughan (June 3) 111. B r o . R.B. Lowry (October 25) Membership had now r i s e n t o 51. T h i r t e e n t h Year

1963/64

Meetings 50, 51, 52 & 53

E. & P. B r o . J.E. K i r k n e s s was e n t h r o n e d . The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : B r o . A.A. S t r a c h a n - a n o t h e r from Kim's Camp - V. 111. B r o . HughesH a l l e t t had t o be h i s sponsor. W. B r o . S. Handcock W.Bro. R.K. Ray There were two j o i n i n g members d u r i n g the y e a r , namely E. & P. B r o . W.J. Hawke 111. B r o . F.L. James The c h a p t e r was saddened by t h e p a s s i n g o f t h e f o l l o w i n g members E. & P. B r o . A. Burke ( A p r i l 20) 111. B r o . L.H. B i d d u l p h 31째 ( A u g ^ E. & P. Bro.H.G. B a r r e t t (Nov 29) and d u r i n g h i s term as P r e l a t e E. & P. B r o . H.A. Matthews (August 9 ) . D u r i n g these y e a r s i t i s i n t e r e s t i n g r e q u e s t e d t o wear w h i t e g l o v e s . F o u r t e e n t h Year

1964/65

t o note

that

B r e t h r e n were

M e e t i n g s 54, 55, 56 & 57.

E. & P. B r o . R.C. McKenzie was enthroned as M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. A . J . R o b e r t s W. B r o . L.W. Gray B r o . H.J. S c o t t D u r i n g t h i s term E. & P. B r o s . K.C. MacPherson were e l e v a t e d t o the 30 . F i f t e e n t h Year

1965/66

and W.J. Hawke

M e e t i n g s 58, 59, 60 & 61.

E. & P. B r o . R.H. Booker was enthroned as M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. A.G. F e a r n s i d e W. B r o . G.C. Dunlop W. B r o . S.R.

Leach

326

For t h e f i r s t time i n t h e C h a p t e r , t h e August members c i t e d f o r non-payment o f dues. S i x t e e n t h Year

1966/67

meeting

had two

M e e t i n g s 62, 63, 64 & 65.

E. & P. B r o . R.B. Smith was enthroned as M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. H.L. C a s s e l l B r o . P.H. Minks W. B r o . J.W.A. Elms W. B r o . J.S. Warrant B r o . H.L. P a t t o n E. & P. B r o . E.A. L i n d q u i s t was a c c e p t e d as a J o i n i n g D u r i n g t h e year J i m K i r k n e s s was e l e v a t e d t o t h e 30 .

Member.

A new D i s t r i c t was approved t o be known as "Hunter and Hawkesbury V a l l e y s D i s t r i c t o f N.S.W." i n c l u d i n g t h e Chapters o f G o s f o r d , Cessnock, M a i t l a n d and N e w c a s t l e . On S a t u r d a y , 6 August Allan N. Kirkwood was i n s t a l l e d as t h e I n s p e c t o r G e n e r a l . Seventeenth Year

1967/68

Meetings 66, 67, 68 & 69.

E. & P. B r o . W.J. M i t c h e l l was enthroned as M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. M.T. Hunter B r o . G.I.A. G r e n f e l l V.W. B r o . P.W.

Bosgard

E. & P. B r o . J.T. A r t h u r s o n was a d m i t t e d as a J o i n i n g Member. I n August members under t h e A u s t r a l i a n C o n s t i t u t i o n (64 Body) i n d i c a t e d t h e i r i n t e n t i o n o f s t a r t i n g a Chapter i n Wyong. E i g h t e e n t h Year

1968/69

Meetings 70, 71, 72 & 73.

E. & P. B r o . J.C. C o n s t a b l e was enthroned as the M.W.S. U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e D.C. 111. B r o . E. R o s e n f e l d e r passed away and the Raphael c a l l e d o f f , f o l l o w i n g the August M e e t i n g . The f o l l o w i n g were i n v e s t e d a t the November m e e t i n g : D.C. 111. B r o . J . K i r k n e s s Raphael E. & P. B r o . J . A r t h u r s o n The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n Bro. J.H. P e t t i f o r d Bro. A. Webb Bro. W.F. C h i Ids - t h e Ill.

were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : B r o . T.S. M i l n e r B r o . E . J . Wood B r o . B. Payne son o f our 1st G e n e r a l .

B r o . A . J . Bryant 31째 was a c c e p t e d as a j o i n i n g member.

The q u a l i f y i n g p e r i o d as a M.M.

f o r perfection

was reduced

t o one y e a r

327

N i n e t e e n t h Year 1969/70 Meetings 74, 75, 76 & 77. E. & P. B r o . C. Lowe was enthroned as t h e M.W.S. Our i n t r e p i d O r g a n i s t , Reg Smith i s e l e v a t e d t o 30°. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : W. B r o . W.H. R i c h a r d s - W.M. o f Lodge Morning S t a r . Bro. A.B. I s l e s W. B r o . N.J. Halden B r o . H. Beros E. & P. B r o . L.A. S t e r l i n g was a c c e p t e d as a j o i n i n g member. I t was w i t h g r e a t r e g r e t t h a t t h i s year w i t n e s s e d t h e p a s s i n g of two o f o u r e a r l i e s t members i n t h e persons o f 111. B r o . A . J . Samson 32 who was p e r f e c t e d 7 A p r i l 1951 - the day o f C o n s e c r a t i o n and who was accepted as a F o u n d a t i o n member, and 111. B r o . B.H. Mawson 31° who was p e r f e c t e d a t t h e f i r s t meeting o f t h e Chapter held at Gosford f o l l o w i n g Consecration. T w e n t i e t h Year

1970/71

Meetings

78, 79, 80 & 81.

SECOND oecAoe. E. & P. B r o . W.E. C h i l d s was enthroned as M.W.S. and t h e f o l l o w i n g O f f i c e r s were i n v e s t e d : Prelate E. & P. B r o . N. Penman 1st Gen. E & P B r o . E. L i n d q u i s t 2nd Gen. E. & P. B r o . J . A r t h u r s o n T r e a s . 111.Bro.W. M i t c h e l l 30° Recorder 111. B r o . F. James 30° D.C. 111. Bro. K. MacPherson M a r s h a l l E. & P. B r o . M. Hunter Raphael E & P B r o . H. P a t t o n C. o f Gd. E. & P. B r o . W.F. C h i l d s O r g a n i s t 111.Bro. R. Smith For t h e f i r s t time we see a F a t h e r and Son team w o r k i n g as O f f i c e r s . The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. H.R.G. M e i t h k e

W. B r o . E.L. Thompson

Bro.L.R. Marsh

E. & P. B r o . P.R. D r u i t t was a c c e p t e d as a j o i n i n g member. K e i t h MacPherson had now been e l e v a t e d t o the 31°. D u r i n g t h e year the By-laws were changed so t h a t now i t was r e q u i r e d t h a t two b l a c k b a l l s c o u l d e x c l u d e a c a n d i d a t e i n p l a c e o f t h e p r e v i o u s n e c e s s i t y f o r a unanimous b a l l o t . I t was a l s o d e c i d e d t h a t t h e members s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o wear w h i t e g l o v e s d u r i n g meetings. Membership had now r i s e n t o 54. Twenty f i r s t Year

1971/72

Meetings

82, 83, 84 & 85.

E. & P'. B r o . N.W. Penman was enthroned as t h e M.W.S. F o l l o w i n g the Enthronement Ceremony The S o v e r e i g n Grand I n s p e c t o r G e n e r a l read a b r i e f h i s t o r y o f Rose C r o i x Masonry from t h e b e g i n n i n g o f the 18th C e n t u r y .

328

Another v e r y i m p o r t a n t n o t i c e was made t h a t 111. Bro. K. MacPherson had been e l e v a t e d t o 33 and had been made t h e new S o v e r e i g n Grand I n s p e c t o r G e n e r a l . The I n s t a l l a t i o n took p l a c e on 13 November 1971. The f o l l o w i n g B r o t h e r was b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. D.H. Montgomery. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were r e c e i v e d as J o i n i n g Members:111. Bro. K.E.D. Lennard 30° 111. Bro. L.A. Crane 30° E. & P. Bro. C M . M c C u l l o c h . Though n o t a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e Chapter t h e r e was an i n t e r e s t i n g n o t i c e s t a t i n g t h a t the then Grand Master E. & P. Bro. Bob Hammond was t o be enthroned as M.W.S. o f St Andrews Chapter. Following t h i s V. 111. Bro. S i r Frank McDowell 33° would Install V. 111. Bro. E r i c P r i m r o s e 33° as S.G.I.G. N.S.W. South East Central D i s t r i c t - T i c k e t s from 111. Bro. H a r r y Maas 32°. Twenty Second Year E. & P. Bro. E.A.

1973/74

Meetings 86, 87, 88 & 89.

L i n d q u i s t was enthroned as the M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : V.W. Bro. R.F. H u n t i n g t o n W. Bro. G. Van Drempt Bro. E.F. Tate B r o . L.H.H. F l o o d 111. Bro. D.J. Rose 30° and 111. Bro. L i e u t - C o l o n e l R.T. were r e c e i v e d as J o i n i n g Members. And

so b e g i n s

t h e second

Twenty T h i r d Year

1973/74

F a t h e r and Son team

T a r r a n t 30°

i n t h e Chapter.

Meetings 90, 91, 92 & 93.

Owing t o t h e i l l n e s s o f t h e M.W.S. e l e c t ^ t h e Enthronement was d e f e r r e d u n t i l August. I n i t s p l a c e t h e S.G.I.G. V. 111. B r o . K. McPherson d e l i v e r e d a t a l k on "The Great Pyramids o f Egypt". On d i s p e n s a t i o n E. & P. Bro. H.L. P a t t o n was enthroned as M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. Rev. A . J . P r i c e B r o . W.D. Campbell The S.G.I.G. V. I I I . B r o . K e i t h talk entitled "Charity".

McPherson

D u r i n g the y e a r 111. Bro. R. Smith stepped was r e p l a c e d by E. & P. B r o . E r i c L i n d q u i s t . The Chapter was saddened by t h e l o s s 31° and 111. Bro. K.E.D. Lennard 30°.

delivered

second

down as R e c o r d e r and

o f 111.

Bro.

K.R.G. Downes

329

Twenty F o u r t h Year

1974/75

Meetings 94, 95, 96 & 97.

E. & P. Bro. J . A r t h u r s o n was

enthroned

as the M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. A. T a y l o r Bro. R. M. G a l l a g h e r Bro. J . McRea E. & P. B r o s . L. N. O ' N e i l l , T. A. B e a c r o f t and S. J . M. Wormald were r e c e i v e d as J o i n i n g Members. The Ghapter was d e v a s t a t e d by t h e p a s s i n g d u r i n g t h e year of the M.W.S. - E. & P. Bro. John Tucker A r t h u r s o n on 15 August 1974. Twenty F i f t h Year

1975/76

M e e t i n g s 98, 99, 100 & 101.

E. & P. Bro. M. T. Hunter was Enthroned

as the M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. D.F. Campton Bro. N.S. Stephenson Bro. M.P.N. Hunter E. & P. B r o s . H. Adamson and A.W. G l u t t o n D e s p i t e t h e f a c t t h a t 111. Bro. H. P a t t o n had s u f f e r e d t h e g r e a t l o s s o f h i s W i f e and Mother-in-Law o n l y v e r y r e c e n t l y , he assumed t h e C h a i r i n t h e absence o f t h e M.W.S. f o r t h e 100th M e e t i n g . P r e s e n t on t h a t o c c a s i o n was M. 111. Bros. M y l e s - C a r r i c k 33 째, A u s t r a l i a n Branch Commander; a delegation from t h e branch C o u n c i l and R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s from t h e S c o t t i s h Constitution. During t h e evening Bro. N e i l S. Stephenson T h i s B r o t h e r was from Suva, had been r a i s e d and a s u b s c r i b i n g member o f Lodge Lautoka.

was p e r f e c t e d . i n Lodge Fiji

On t h i s o c c a s i o n , t h e f o l l o w i n g i n t e r e s t i n g o b s e r v a t i o n s were made: "AEDIS CHRISTI" (named a f t e r Gosford's Christ Church) was one o f a number o f e a r l y post-war Chapters which came under the i n f l u e n c e o f C h a r l e s Raymond TOWLE, an e c c l e s i a s t i c a l a r c h i t e c t whose i n v e n t i v e genius was much sought a f t e r f o r a c h i e v i n g something d i s t i n c t i v e when i t came t o decor. He managed somehow t o c a p t u r e t h e s p i r i t of d i f f e r e n t periods of church a r c h i t e c t u r e i n Western Europe. Bro. Towle's d e s i g n f o r t h e new C a t h e d r a l a t A u c k l a n d was judged t h e winner o f a w o r l d - w i d e c o m p e t i t i o n , and i n t h e e a r l y f i f t i e s he c r o s s e d t h e Tasman t o take up r e s i d e n c e and s u p e r v i s e the b u i l d i n g o f h i s C a t h e d r a l . His advice f o r Aedis C h r i s t i was f a i t h f u l l y f o l l o w e d , and the decor i s both s t r i k i n g and unique. I t s q u a r t e r l y meetings were soon t o be f r e q u e n t e d as a ' half-way house' f o r f r i e n d s

330

s e p a r a t e d between Newcastle and Sydney, and e a r l y memories r e c a l l b r i l l i a n t a f t e r - d i n n e r speakers o f t h e c a l i b r e o f C h a r l e s Throsby and Ebb R i c h a r d B a d g e r y - P a r k e r . Another v i s i t o r always warmly welcomed was G e n e r a l Gordon B e n n e t t , who r e c a l l e d t h a t the f i r s t young o f f i c e r e n l i s t m e n t s i n 1914 from G o s f o r d and Wyong were A r t h u r Dent and R i c h a r d T a r r a n t , t h e l a t t e r then i n h i s e i g h t i e s was s t i l l u n b e l i e v a b l y a c t i v e i n West Country Masonry i n t h e l a n d o f t h e Mother Grand Lodge o f t h e World. These v e t e r a n s were i n t e n s e l y proud o f C o l o n e l F r e d K i n d o n , 3rd S o v e r e i g n and h i s f i r s t 'chair' i n Masonry, who close on 80 y e a r s o l d , had done so much i n t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e f i e l d to s e t up t h e Chapter. Twenty S i x t h Year

1976/77

M e e t i n g s 102, 103, 104 & 105.

E. & P. Bro. W.F. CHILDS was Enthroned as t h e M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. M. Edwards Bro. V.W. Lynch There were two a d d r e s s e s d u r i n g t h e year - one by 111. B r o . K. F o r d , e n t i t l e d 'Some A s p e c t s o f t h e 1 8 ° ' , and a n o t h e r by V. 111. Bro. K. MacPherson on some o f h i s e x p e r i e n c e s i n England. Twenty Seventh Year

1977/78

M e e t i n g s 106, 107, 108 & 109.

E. & P. Bro. W.H. R i c h a r d s was Enthroned as t h e M.W.S. D u r i n g t h a t same May meeting V.111.Bro. N. E l k i n g t o n 33° was I n s t a l l e d as t h e I n s p e c t o r G e n e r a l by V . I l l . B r o . K. MacPherson 33 °. P r e s e n t was a d e l e g a t i o n from Branch C o u n c i l l e d by M . I l l . Bro. C a t t 33°, Deputy Branch Commander. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. A. Dumpmanis Bro. E.R. Holmes Bro. E.R. A l l e n Bro. P.E. Tabuteau Twenty E i g h t h Year

1978/79

Meetings 110, 111, 112 & 113.

E. & P. Bro. L. S t e r l i n g was e n t h r o n e d as t h e M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. K.B. White W.Bro. A.D. Ross T h i s was u n u s u a l i n t h a t d u r i n g t h e same y e a r .

two f u t u r e

D.G.I.W.s were

perfected

D u r i n g t h i s term i t was d e c i d e d t o p r e s e n t a c u b i c stone t o each new c h a p t e r - i t was a d v i s e d t h a t t h e 18° apron be no l o n g e r worn as p a r t o f r e g a l i a - W i l f C h i l d s and B i l l R i c h a r d s were e l e v a t e d t o 30°.

331

Twenty N i n t h Year

1979/80

M e e t i n g s 114, 115, 116, 117.

E. & P. Bro. T. A. BEACROFT was Enthroned as the M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. P.C.W.M. J a y a s i n h a [ i t i s i n t e r e s t i n g t o note t h a t was r a i s e d i n Lodge ORION No. 5130 U.G.L. o f C e y l o n ] Bro. J.R. Doust

Carl

The Chapter was honoured w i t h a t a l k by V. I l l . Bro. N. E l k i n g t o n , S.G.I.G., on 'The Symbolism of L i g h t and Darkness'. I l l . Bro. Dave Henry was g i v e n a v e r y warm welcome t o t h e Chapter a t two c o n s e c u t i v e m e e t i n g s . T h i s name w i l l appear r e g u l a r l y i n the f u t u r e .

THJW DSCADC T h i r t i e t h Year

1980/81

Meetings 118, 119, 120,

121.

E. & P. Bro. V. W. LYNCH was Enthroned as M.W.S. and t h e f o l l o w i n g O f f i c e r s were i n v e s t e d : P r e l a t e E. & P. Bro. R. A l l e n 2nd Gen. E. & P. Bro. C. J a y a s i n h a Recorder 111. Bro. H. P a t t o n 30° M a r s h a l l E. & P. Bro. P. Tabuteau Almoner E. & P. Bro. P. Tate C. o f Gd. E. & P. Bro. F. Tate

1st Gen. E. & P. B r o . A. T a y l o r T r e a s u r e r 111. Bro. N. Penman 31° D.C. 111. Bro. J . K i r k n e s s 32° Raphael 111. Bro. L. O ' N e i l l 30° Herald E. & P. Bro. K. White O r g a n i s t 111. Bro. R. Smith 31°

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. I . Ross Bro. L. A. Daines Bro. F.S.G. L u t t o n [ T h i s B r o t h e r was r e s p o n s i b l e f o r e n c o u r a g i n g a g r e a t number o f B r e t h r e n from Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES t o j o i n t h i s C h a p t e r . D u r i n g the y e a r a good number o f J o i n i n g Members were to the C h a p t e r : 111. Bro. K.H. B a s t i a n 30° 111. Bro. R.A. B o y l a n 30° 111. Bro. D.A. Henry 31° E. & P. Bro. C.E. I r e l a n d 111. Bro. J.H. Dodd 30° T h i r t y F i r s t Year

1981/82

Meetings 122, 123, 124, 125.

E. & P. Bro. A l e x TAYLOR was Enthroned the f o l l o w i n g O f f i c e r s were i n v e s t e d : Prelate 2nd Gen. Recorder Marshall Almoner C. of Gd.

E. & E. & III. E. & E. & E. &

P. Bro. P. Bro. Bro. H. P. Bro. P. Bro. P. B r o .

welcomed

R. A l l e n K. White P a t t o n 31° P. Tabuteau P. Tate F. Tate

as t h e M.W.S. , and

1st Gen. Treasurer D.C. Raphael Herald Organist

E. &P. Bro. 111. Bro. N. 111. Bro. J . 111. Bro. R. E. & P. B r o . 111. Bro. R.

C. J a y a s i n h a Penman 31° K i r k n e s s 31° B o y l a n 30° I . Ross Smith

332

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. C.W. Garske B r o . A.L. Hughes W.Bro. A.T.F. Hocking W.Bro. H.A. Howard. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were welcomed as J o i n i n g E. & P.Bro. F.A. Chalk During

t h e year

E. & P.Bro. M. B a r r y

III.Bro.

T h i r t y Second Year

Peter

1982/83

Patton

Members:-

E. & P.Bro. W.H.Lux

was e l e v a t e d

t o the

3l'

Meetings 126, 127, 128, 129.

E. & P.Bro. CARL JAY was Enthroned as M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. A.L.G. T a y l o r B r o . L.T.L. James E. & P.Bro. Noel Maunder was welcomed as a j o i n i n g member. T h i r t y T h i r d Year

1983/84

M e e t i n g s 130, 131, 132, 133.

111.Bro. TIM BOYLAN was Enthroned as M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. L.B. Denby B r o . A.B. Lee W.Bro. R.G.F. L l o y d W.Bro. E.K. L e g g e t t . The membership o f the Chapter had now r i s e n to 53. T h i r t y F o u r t h Year

1984/85

Meetings 134, 135, 136, 137.

E. & P.Bro. ROY ALLEN was Enthroned as M.W.S. Bros E.G. Adams and R.L. C a r t e r were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d . The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were welcomed as J o i n i n g Members:E. & P.Bro. K.G. Shadbolt E. & P.Bro. A . J . T o l l e y Ill.Bro.T.R. James

111.Bro. E.A. M o e l l e r .

T h i r t y F i f t h Year

1985/86

M e e t i n g s 138, 139, 140, 141.

E. & P.Bro. KEN WHITE was Enthroned as M.W.S. the f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. J.A. Osgood W.Bro. L.W. L i t t l e f i e l d W.Bro. J.R. Wainwright E. & P.Bro. A . J . S i l v e r s t o n e was welcomed as an A f f i l i a t i n g Member and 111.Bro. M.G. Jensen was welcomed as a J o i n i n g Member. D u r i n g the year V . I l l . B r o . Don Markey 33째 became I.G. o f D i s t r i c t of N.S.W. Hunter and Hawkesbury V a l l e y f o l l o w i n g t h e r e t i r e m e n t of V . I l l . B r o . N. E l k i n g t o n . 111.Bro. Harry Brown became the D i s t r i c t R e c o r d e r . M . I l l . B r o . C.L. H u g h e s - H a l l e t t was honoured by t h e Chapter w i t h the g r a n t i n g o f L i f e Membership.

333

T h i r t y S i x t h Year

1986/87

M e e t i n g s 142, 143, 144, 145.

E. & P.Bro. NOEL MAUNDER was Enthroned as the M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : W.Bro. J.R. M u r p h y W.Bro. T. Mac Campbell W.Bro. S.F.W. Haynes E. & P.Bro. F.R. P h i l l i p s was welcomed as a J o i n i n g 111.Bro. G. Lowe was welcomed as an A f f i l i a t i n g Member. At t h e F e b r u a r y the new r i t u a l .

meeting

T h i r t y Seventh Year

an e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n

1987/88

Member and

was done

employing

M e e t i n g s 146, 147, 148, 149.

E. & P.Bro. FRED LUTTON was Enthroned as M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. D. Lackenbury B r o . T.E. M o r r i s B r o . B.K. Shepherd. 111.Bro. B.P. Mudge 30째 and E. & P.Bro. L.W.H. Methven were welcomed as J o i n i n g Members and E. & P.Bro. S.R. Gregory was welcomed as an A f f i l i a t i n g Member. M.Ill.Bro. Don Markey was promoted Commander on t h e Supreme C o u n c i l . promoted t o S.G.I.G.

t o the p o s i t i o n of Regional V.I11.Bro. Gwilym John 33

The Chapter was f a v o u r e d w i t h a L e c t u r e on "The E i g h t e e n t h Degree."

by V . I l l . B r o .

N. E l k i n g t o n

Our A l t a r l i g h t s were e l e c t r i f i e d and a v o t e o f thanks was passed to R.W.Bro. J e s s e l S i l v e r s t o n e f o r h i s e f f o r t s . T h i r t y E i g h t h Year

1988/89

Meetings 150, 151, 152, 153.

111.Bro. ALF TAYLOR was Enthroned as M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : W.Bro. J.A. B a i l e y Bro. K . J . Andrews Bro. R. P a r k e r 111.Bro. A. B a l l and E. & P.Bro. J.G. M a r t i n were welcomed as J o i n i n g Members and 111.Bro. D. Duns was welcomed as an A f f i l i a t i n g Member. The Chapter was saddened by the p a s s i n g o f one o r our most h i g h l y esteemed Members i n t h e p e r s o n o f M . I l l . B r o . C.L. H u g h e s - H a l l e t t 33째 and then on t h e 4 t h October our S.G.I.G. V . I l l . B r o . Gwilym J . Johns 33 V . I l l . B r o . Noel E l k i n g t o n

again

briefly

became our S.G.I.G.

until

334

V . I l l . B r o . H a r r y Brown was i n s t a l l e d i n t o t h a t p o s i t i o n . The November meeting p r o v e d an u n u s u a l one. A f i r e commenced i n one o f t h e shops on t h e ground f l o o r c a u s i n g o u r meeting t o be abandoned and t h e Temple e v a c u a t e d . A l l who were p r e s e n t on t h a t n i g h t w i l l remember the e x p e r i e n c e - p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e s t r u g g l e down t h e smoke f i l l e d s t a i r s . The ceremony was e x e m p l i f i e d a t the F e b r u a r y M e e t i n g so t h a t the P e r f e c t i o n c o u l d be f u l l y completed T h i r t y N i n t h Year

1989/90

Meetings 154, 155, 156, 157.

111.Bro. BILL LUX was Enthroned as the M.W.S. The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. G.T. Morgan Bro. A.C. Anderson Bro. J.S. W i l s o n Bro. N.F. Rae B r o . R.C.A. P a r t r i d g e . E. & P.Bro. L.C. Judd was o b l i g a t e d and welcomed as an A f f i l i a t i n g Member. V . I l l . K e i t h MacPherson was g i v e n t h e a u t h o r i t y t o d i s p o s e of those b e a u t i f u l c a n d l e s t i c k s which had f o r so many y e a r s graced our A l t a r .

FounTH oecAoe. F o r t i e t h Year

1990/91

Meetings 158, 159, 160, 161.

111.Bro. BILL LUX was Re-enthroned O f f i c e r s were i n v e s t e d : -

as M.W.S.

P r e l a t e 111.Bro.N.Maunder 30 1st.Gen. 2nd Gen E & P B r o . J . W a i n w r i g h t T r e a s u r e r Recorder 111.Bro.D.Henry 32° D.C. Asst.D.C.111.Bro.W.Richards 30° M a r s h a l l Almoner E & P.Bro.F.Tate Herald C. o f Gd.E & P.Bro.G. Morgan Organist O.G. E & P.Bro.R.Parker

and

the following

E & P Bro.E.Leggett 111.Bro.N.Penman 31° 1 1 1 . B r o . J . K i r k n e s s 32^ E & P.Bro.B.Shepherd E & P.Bro.F.Chalk 111.Bro.R.Smith 31°

The f o l l o w i n g B r e t h r e n were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : Bro. K . J . H i t c h c o c k W.Bro. T.B. F u l l e r V.W.Bro.J.C. W a s s e l l W.Bro. W.J. K e r r W.Bro. R. E r a s e r The Chapter was saddened by t h e p a s s i n g o f a number o f w o n d e r f u l masons, some o f whom were amongst our e a r l i e s t Members. 111.Bro. W i l f C h i l d s 30° (24.11.89) 111.Bro. Fred L u t t o n 30 E.& P.Bro. A r t h u r Monnox (12.7.90) V . I l l . B r o . K e i t h MacPherson 33° (3.8.90) During the F o r t i e t h Year t h e r e were two v e r y i m p o r t a n t developments. The Supreme C o u n c i l d i v i d e d t h e D i s t r i c t o f N.S.W. C e n t r a l Coast i n t o two new D i s t r i c t s . The N o r t h e r n one t o be known as N.S.W.

335

S h o r t l a n d and whose S.G.I.G. would be V . I l l . B r o . H a r r y Brown 33째. The Southern one t o be N.S.W. Hunter. V . I l l . B r o . Norm Ward was promoted t o 33 and was i n v e s t e d as S.G.I.G. a t t h e Belmont Masonic Centre on S a t u r d a y , 22nd September, 1990. The new D i s t r i c t Recorder became 111.Bro. Les H i p w e l l . The Supreme C o u n c i l f u r t h e r a d v i s e d t h a t Chapter Members o f t h e "1964 Body" i n c l u d i n g the Chapter meeting a t Wyong were o f f i c i a l l y j o i n i n g o u r C o n s t i t u t i o n a t a s p e c i a l ceremony a t t h e Masonic C e n t r e , Sydney on Saturday 1 0 t h November, 1990. D e s p i t e t h e f a c t t h a t t h i s meeting c o i n c i d e d w i t h t h e November meeting o f A e d i s C h r i s t i Chapter the M.W.S. 111.Bro. B i l l Lux, t h e P r e l a t e 111. Bro. Noel Maunder, 111. Bro. Doug Duns and E. & P. Bro. Bill Anderson a t t e n d e d the s p e c i a l ceremony and t h e f o l l o w i n g Banquet. I t proved a most i m p r e s s i v e and g r a t i f y i n g o c c a s i o n . On Saturday 24th November, 1990 the M.W.S. l e a d a v e r y f i n e d e l e g a t i o n of Aedis C h r i s t i Chapter members t o what i s a n t i c i p a t e d to be t h e f i r s t o f many F r a t e r n a l v i s i t s t o t h e C e n t r a l Coast Chapter No.249 at Wyong. I t was c e r t a i n l y a moving o c c a s i o n schism which was a p a r t i a l d i v i s i o n area.

which ended an unnecessary o f Masonic B r e t h r e n i n t h i s

CHARITYy, No b e t t e r t o p i c c o u l d be used t o c o n c l u d e t h i s H i s t o r y than t h a t of C h a r i t y . D u r i n g the 40 y e a r s o f i t s e x i s t e n c e t h e A e d i s C h r i s t i Chapter has s u p p o r t e d many C h a r i t i e s . The F a i r h a v e n S c h o o l was the r e c i p i e n t o f Alms from a t l e a s t 72 meetings o f t h e Chapter and was thus t h e most r e g u l a r r e c i p i e n t . I n t h e e a r l y y e a r s t h e G o s f o r d S p a s t i c C e n t r e , The G o s f o r d C r i p p l e d C h i l d r e n s ' A s s o c i a t i o n and the Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes were g i v e n s t r o n g s u p p o r t . Other O r g a n i s a t i o n s f o r t h e a s s i s t a n c e o f C h i l d r e n which have been supported a r e t h e Sub-Normal C h i l d r e n s ' W e l f a r e A s s o c i a t i o n , The F i r s t Steps A p p e a l , Dalmar Homes, The B l i n d S o c i e t y , The Masonic School W e l f a r e Fund and t h e Masonic Homes E n t e r p r i s e s at H a m i l t o n . G e n e r a l ones which were s u p p o r t e d Heart F o u n d a t i o n and Red C r o s s .

f o r short

periods

were t h e

The remainder o f d o n a t i o n s were what might be c a l l e d "one o f f f o r s p e c i a l o c c a s i o n s " - t h e s e i n c l u d e d t h e Westminster Abbey R e s t o r a t i o n A p p e a l , The Centenary Committee, The C a t a r a c t Park Scout Gateway, Hobart Rose C r o i x and o f course s p e c i a l support to d i s a s t e r - the V i c t o r i a n and South A u s t r a l i a n B u s h f i r e Appeals and more r e c e n t l y support f o r those who were so b a d l y a f f e c t e d by the Nyngan F l o o d s .

336

The f i r s t 40 and p r o g r e s s .

years

have

been

years

gradual

advancement

The membership now stands a t 79. May t h e Chapter c o n t i n u e t o p r o s p e r and brand of Masonry of which we a r e so proud.

spread

that

special

111. B r o . B i l l Lux 30째 M.W.S. 1989/91

337

THE 12 November

NIGHT THE

'Re.coJJ.e.cÂąi.ort)

TEMPLE WAS

SET

FIRE

1988:

T h a t was the n i g h t of the meeting of the Sovereign Chapter AEDIS C H R I S T I , t h e n i g h t t h e P a s t M a s t e r o f L o d g e R I S I N G SUN was going through. K e v i n was a good friend, much younger than I . I had been a t him f o r a l o n g t i m e t o c o n v i n c e him t h a t i f he w a n t e d t o go on a h i g h e r p l a n e i n M a s o n r y , he would have t o j o i n the 18th. He was t o o b u s y b e i n g a M a s t e r o b v i o u s l y , b u t when h i s time was u p , when he q u i t t h e o f f i c e , he w o u l d h a v e t i m e t o j o i n . He now h a d made a p p l i c a t i o n a n d e a s i l y f o u n d a s p o n s o r . Anybody w o u l d h a v e b e e n p l e a s e d t o h a v e h i m a s a member. He was now about t o e n t e r t h e ROSE CROIX f r a t e r n i t y , but he was also a g a i n i n t h e C h a i r o f R I S I N G SUN. He d i d n o t m i n d now, he knew h i s way through! C h a p t e r AEDIS C H R I S T I was to perfect a W o r s h i p f u l M a s t e r and t h e attendance was large. It was a v e r y s p e c i a l n i g h t , a s i t was t o be i n a non-Masonic way also. I h a d come a l o n g t o be w i t h my friend t h o u g h t t h a t i t was also a l i t t l e due be p e r f e c t e d .

on t h a t evening. t o me t h a t he was

I to

I t was a v e r y warm n i g h t . T y l i n g was a t 7.30pm, b u t t h e candid a t e h a d b e e n a d v i s e d t o be e a r l y . As I was coming w i t h him, he p i c k e d me up b e f o r e 7pm. We w e r e h a l f an h o u r e a r l y . W h i l e w a i t i n g f o r the ceremony t o b e g i n , I took the o p p o r t u n i t y of renewing acquaintances w i t h a l l the friends I knew when a member o f t h i s , my M o t h e r C h a p t e r , w h e r e I h a d b e e n an officer f o r many y e a r s . When t h e t i m e came, we p r o c e e d e d i n s i d e . M e e t i n g s w e r e h e l d t h e n on t h e s e c o n d f l o o r . We had moved from t h e f i r s t f l o o r where m e e t i n g s were f o r m e r l y h e l d , perhaps a year e a r l i e r . The l i f t was v e r y h a n d y s i n c e many members and v i s i t o r s w e r e e l d e r l y , o r j u s t n o t a s n i m b l e as t h e y may have been i n f o r m e r t i m e s . The a c c e s s t o t h e l o d g e room i s not v e r y easy. One h a s t o t a k e a number o f t u r n s r i g h t and l e f t along c o r r i d o r s to get to the ante-room, but when the l i g h t i s on t h e r e i s no h a s s l e . The m e e t i n g b e g a n , t h e l o d g e r o o m was full. I t was a very happy m e e t i n g and t h e o f f i c e r s were c o m p e t e n t . My wife and f a m i l y e x p e c t e d me t o be b a c k e a r l y i n the evening, but I s o o n saw t h a t t h e m e e t i n g w o u l d l a s t l o n g e r t h a n a n t i c i p a t e d .

338

The F i r s t P o i n t had b e e n c o m p l e t e d a n d we a l l went o u t . When we r e t u r n e d I stayed behind i n the ante-room, where there i s a r e d phone. I w a n t e d t o r i n g home t o t e l l them n o t t o w a i t f o r me. I thought t h e p h o n e t o be a c o i n o p e r a t e d one and t o o k my 20 c e n t s , b u t c o u l d n o t o p e r a t e i t . I asked the O u t e r G u a r d how to operate the b l e s s e d thing. He told me t h a t one n e e d e d t h e k e y t o t u r n i t o n . Had he a k e y ? No. B u t , 'Ask K e v i n , t h e c a n d i d a t e . Being the Master of a lodge m e e t i n g w i t h i n he h a s a k e y . ' K e v i n was l o c k e d i n t h e room o f t h e V a l l e y o f t h e Shadow o f D e a t h . I waited. When R a p h a e l came t o t a k e d e l i v e r y o f t h e c a n d i d a t e I i n t e r r u p t e d t h e p r o c e e d ing t o ask him t o ask K e v i n i f he had the telephone key. K e v i n came and s a i d 'No, I don't have the key.' Is there any means t o u s e t h e phone a n o t h e r way? No, there is not! T h i s was final. I r e m o v e d my c o l l a r , w e n t down t o the street, crossed the p a r k and w e n t t o t h e p u b l i c p h o n e booth which was working. I t o l d my w i f e and f a m i l y n o t t o e x p e c t me t o o e a r l y . I went b a c k up t h e s t a i r s t o t h e l o d g e room. On entering the b u i l d i n g I d e t e c t e d a f a i n t s m e l l of b u r n i n g . I thought t h a t someone was i n c i n e r a t i n g some u s e l e s s p a p e r s o r a r c h i v e s . T h e r e was the s m e l l of paper b u r n i n g , a s o r t of a c r i d s m e l l , b u t so f a i n t . On a r r i v i n g up a g a i n , I c o u l d n o t e n t e r t h e room, so I s t a y e d behind the r e d v e i l where the Inner Guard was. The Outer G u a r d , who was i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e p r o c e e d i n g s , w h i c h w e r e g e t t i n g a l o n g n i c e l y , was a l s o t h e r e . A t one stage the O u t e r Guard went o u t . He a l s o had smelt t h e smoke. He k n o c k e d a t t h e d o o r and t o l d t h e I n n e r Guard, for t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e M o s t W i s e t h a t he could smell smoke coming from the r e a r . The Most Wise instructed the Inner Guard t o t e l l the Outer Guard to s w i t c h o f f the air-conditioning and go t o i n v e s t i g a t e . A w h i l e l a t e r he came b a c k t o r e p o r t t h a t i t seemed t h a t some l i t t e r had b e e n s e t a l i g h t at Woolworths and he could see some smoke i s s u i n g f r o m t h a t b u i l d i n g . We carried on with the r i t u a l . H o w e v e r , N o e l M a u n d e r , who was t h e O u t e r G u a r d , was n o t s a t i s f i e d and he went o u t a g a i n w i t h Ken W h i t e t o c h e c k t h a t t h e smoke was o n l y due t o a f i r e i n t h e s t r e e t . Ken r e t u r n e d s o o n a f t e r and p e n e t r a t e d i n t h e room w h e r e K e v i n A n d r e w s was getting up a f t e r h a v i n g b e e n made, c r e a t e d and constituted a Knight o f t h e P e l i c a n and E a g l e and a d d r e s s e d t h e Most Wise d i r e c t l y . I s t i l l hear the sound of h i s v o i c e : 'Most W i s e Sovereign, I j u s t r e t u r n e d from t h e s t r e e t where I went to i n v e s t i g a t e t h e c a u s e o f t h e smoke w h i c h i s now invading the building.

339

T h e r e I s no i m m e d i a t e d a n g e r , b u t I w o u l d a d v i s e v e r y s e r i o u s l y to evacuate the b u i l d i n g i m m e d i a t e l y . The s t a i r c a s e i s full o f smoke b u t do n o t u s e t h e l i f t . ' I do n o t know w h a t h a p p e n e d i n t h e room, as I was a t t h e b a c k . I i m m e d i a t e l y r e m o v e d my r e g a l i a , t o o k my bag and proceeded r a p i d l y t o t h e e x i t so as t o n o t o b s t r u c t t h e f l o w o f k n i g h t s who w o u l d no d o u b t p r e s s h u r r i e d l y b e h i n d me. I a r r i v e d a t the door l e a d i n g t o the s t a i r c a s e . There I n o t i c e d t h a t t h e l i g h t s had been s w i t c h e d o f f . I n the deepest dark I f e l t my way. A t one p o i n t t h e bannister ceased and one h a d no more g u i d e . I t i s v e r y e a s y t o be d i s o r i e n t e d i n t h e d a r k a n d t u r n t h e w r o n g way and f i n i s h i n t h e c u l - d e - s a c a d j a c e n t to the t o i l e t s . I h a d t o f e e l my way down f r o m the first t o t h e g r o u n d f l o o r , f e e l i n g t h e s t e p s w i t h my f o o t , a n d k e e p i n g to the w a l l ; o n l y h a l f way t h r o u g h t h e h a l l w a y I c o u l d d i m l y see t h e s q u a r e o p e n i n g o f t h e d o o r . The smoke was a c r i d and h e a v y a n d my e y e s w e r e s m a r t i n g when I a r r i v e d a t t h e f o o t p a t h . I was f i r s t out of the b u i l d i n g . Many p a s s i n g p e o p l e had a l r e a d y assembled o u t s i d e . Ken W h i t e , who h a d g r a b b e d an e x t i n g u i s h e r f r o m I d o n ' t know w h e r e , went t o t h e s e a t o f t h e f i r e w h i c h was b e h i n d t h e s h o p s o f t h e M a s o n i c C e n t r e . He s o o n f o u n d t h a t he c o u l d do n o t h i n g . T h e r e a r e two l a n e s , one on t h e left giving access to the s t a i r s and l i f t , and a n o t h e r l a n e on the right between the c e n t r e and W o o l w o r t h s l e a d i n g to the back of the shops. The smoke was c o m i n g f r o m t h e r e , a n d n o t f r o m W o o l w o r t h s . There i s a gate to i s o l a t e the lane at the v e r y back of the shops. T h i s g a t e h a d b e e n b r o k e n and f l a m e s w e r e i s s u i n g f r o m t h e r e . K e n d i r e c t e d t h e foam i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e f l a m e s w i t h o u t any e f f e c t w h a t s o e v e r . The j e t s o o n ceased and he smartly r e t r e a t e d from the f l a m e s . Someone h a d r u n g t h e F i r e m e n , t h e P o l i c e and A m b u l a n c e . A l l my b r e t h r e n w e r e s t i l l b e h i n d , coming out i n small groups, s n e e z i n g and c o u g h i n g . It had been impossible to r i n g from our emergency phone. F o r t u n a t e l y , someone h a d s e e n t h e f i r e a n d a c t e d . The f i r e m e n , the p o l i c e and t h e ambulance a r r i v e d i n q u i c k s u c c e s s i o n w i t h i n minutes of the c a l l . Who s h o u l d be t h e f i r s t f i r e m a n t o jump f r o m t h e t e n d e r , b u t M i c k R y a n , a member o f L o d g e GOSFORD, on duty that night. He knew t h e b u i l d i n g v e r y w e l l and moved i n s i d e . The p o l i c e p a r k e d t h e i r c a r a c r o s s t h e s t r e e t f a c i n g entrance with their headlights and spotlight

the b u i l d i n g illuminating

340

the facade. The a m b u l a n c e m e n had o x y g e n masks and a number o f b r e t h r e n , c o u g h i n g and o u t - o f - b r e a t h , t o o k t h e opportunity o f t a k i n g a few w h i f f s o f o x y g e n . Some e l d e r l y b r e t h r e n had a l s o b e e n a f f e c t e d by t h e f u m e s . We w e r e i n c o n f u s i o n . One a m b u l a n c e o f f i c e r a s k e d i f e v e r y b o d y was a c c o u n t e d f o r ? We d i d n o t e v e n know how many w e r e a t t e n d i n g the meeting: the a t t e n d a n c e book had been l e f t i n t h e ante room. E v e r y b o d y was running around in circles to find i f s o - a n d - s o was there. No-one a p p e a r e d t o be missing, but a f i r e m a n went i n t o the b u i l d i n g w i t h an ambulanceman to see i f he c o u l d f i n d a n y b o d y . F i r e m e n had smartly connected t h e i r hoses and directed them a g a i n s t t h e f i r e , w h i c h had b e e n l i t i n t h e fabric shop of Mrs Smith. She h a d b e e n c a l l e d and was there with a key. She o p e n e d t h e s h o p , t h e b a c k p a r t o f w h i c h was well alight, and t h e f i r e m e n p e n e t r a t e d t h r o u g h t h e s h o p . The b l a c k smoke was v i c i o u s , l i k e dense floating soot. It was p r o d u c e d by t h e b u r n i n g o f v i n y l fabric, which produces a very dangerous product that poisons t h e l u n g s when i n h a l e d . For the minutes i t took to reach the ground floor from the t o p f l o o r , many c o u l d n o t h e l p b u t i n h a l e a l o t o f t h a t smoke w h i c h was so t h i c k t h a t t h e l i g h t I t h o u g h t had b e e n switched o f f had a c t u a l l y n o t b e e n . I f o u n d out later that i t was e n t i r e l y o b s c u r e d by t h e smoke. Everybody escaped w i t h a t a l e to t e l l . I t could have been very serious; someone c o u l d h a v e t a k e n a w r o n g t u r n a n d been h o p e l e s s l y l o s t by e n t e r i n g an office or a cleaner's room. Some m i g h t v e r y w e l l h a v e s t u m b l e d and b r o k e n a l e g , someone c o u l d h a v e c h o k e d on t h a t v i c i o u s smoke. Somebody c o u l d h a v e d i e d f r o m t h e e f f e c t o f a number o f c a u s e s . Everybody escaped. P e r c y T a t e , 8 3 , w i t h a h e a r t c o n d i t i o n and p o o r e y e s i g h t was fortunate. He p u t a h a n d k e r c h i e f i n f r o n t of h i s mouth and breathed through i t - h i s handkerchief was j e t b l a c k , so a l s o w e r e t h e two he h a d i n t h e p o c k e t s o f h i s t r o u s e r s . He had t o buy a new d i n n e r s u i t - w h i c h he could hardly afford s i n c e h i s was t o o d i r t y t o be dry-cleaned. As a r e s u l t , I came home much n o t h a v e r u n g home a f t e r a l l !

sooner

than

expected.

need

On Monday, on my way t o t h e o f f i c e , I c a l l e d t o see t h e damage. The w a l l s w e r e b l a c k f r o m t h e d a r k smoke, b l a c k d u s t was underf o o t and t h e s m e l l was s t i l l p u n g e n t . The damage t o t h e b u i l d i n g amounted t o about $150,000. The damage t o t h e shop was extensive. E v e r y t e n a n t had t o c l e a n up the damage and stains o f t h e smoke.

341

I t was a c a s e o f a r s o n . The p o l i c e a r r e s t e d a t h e s c e n e o f t h e f i r e , a D a v i d J o h n G o l d s m i t h , 23.

man

found

On t h e n i g h t o f t h e f i r e , t h i s man h a d been drinking at a local hotel. He t h e n w e n t t o t h e b a c k o f a shop i n D o n n i s o n S t r e e t , p l a c e d a bag of rubbish against a wooden d o o r and l i t i t i n an a t t e m p t t o b u r n t h e b u i l d i n g down. Only slight damage r e s u l t e d . He t h e n went t o t h e M a s o n i c building, forced a g a t e and s e t f i r e t o t h e r e a r o f L e e ' s F a b r i c s . Death c o u l d arsonist.

easily

have

resulted

from

the

entry

actions

through

this

343

The Ancient and Accepted Rite for Australia

345

RIFT IN HIGHER DEGREES

I n t h e E a s t e r n S t a t e s o f A u s t r a l i a a breakaway movement has developed under the t i t l e of 'The A u s t r a l i a n R i t e ' . The Orders m a i n l y a f f e c t e d are the A n c i e n t and A c c e p t e d R i t e (which i n c l u d e s the Rose C r o i x , 3 0 t h , 3 1 s t , 32nd and 33rd Degrees) and t h e Red Cross of C o n s t a n t i n e . Some y e a r s ago c e r t a i n Masonic b o d i e s o f those Orders (which o p e r a t e under E n g l i s h as w e l l as S c o t t i s h c o n t r o l ) declared t h e i r independence and s e t up an o r g a n i s a t i o n o f t h e i r own. The a c t i o n was opposed by t h e E n g l i s h and S c o t t i s h a u t h o r i t i e s which have outlawed the A u s t r a l i a n b o d i e s concerned as c l a n destine . The West A u s t r a l i a n C o u n c i l s g o v e r n i n g t h e Orders have d e c i d e d to adhere t o t h e i r B r i t i s h I s l e s a f f i l i a t i o n s and t o have n o t h i n g t o do w i t h the A u s t r a l i a n R i t e . I t i s s t a t e d t h a t t h e i d e a of an A u s t r a l i a n R i t e i s not opposed and i s seen as a l o g i c a l development i n t h e f u t u r e but f o r the moment t h i s i s not opportune. I n any c a s e , when t h e time comes f o r t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f an A u s t r a l i a n R i t e , i t i s p r e f e r r e d t h a t i t be done l e g a l l y w i t h the b l e s s i n g o f the E n g l i s h and S c o t t i s h g o v e r n i n g b o d i e s , but t h e p r e s e n t move i s s i m p l y an a c t o f r e b e l l i o n r e s u l t i n g i n t h e w i t h d r a w a l o f f r a t e r n a l r e l a t i o n s between t h e b o d i e s of the s o - c a l l e d A u s t r a l i a n R i t e and those o f t h e E n g l i s h and S c o t t i s h R i t e s . Unfortunately, t h e r i f t has been h a v i n g r e p e r c u s s i o n s i n t h e E a s t e r n S t a t e s and though i t has n o t h i n g t o do w i t h Craft l o d g e s , t h e p o s i t i o n has been reviewed t o some e x t e n t by M.W. Bro. E. L. B e e r s , o f t h e U.G.L. o f New South Wales, who has addressed the f o l l o w i n g note t o h i s members:Unfortunately, from time to time, a Grand Master has a d i s t a s t e f u l job to do, and there i s a problem that has been worrying me f o r some 12 months now. The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales recognises in Free-masonry only the Mark and Royal Arch as other Degrees. I know that many of our members also belong to other Orders of Masonry, as I personally do. You may or may not be aware that quite a l o t of s t r i f e has been going on in these other Masonic Orders over the formation of new bodies, and in that particular matter I have even been asked to make certain declarations but this I have declined to do. I can make no comment on any body that i s not recognized by this Grand Lodge. What I am deeply concerned about, however, i s the lack of Masonic charity being evinced by Masons in these Orders in their actions and in talking to one another. (Extract from The West Australian Craftsman, January 1967)

346

Sovereign Chapter.

CENTRAL COAST AUS

No. 40 ("1964 Body")

FOUNDED:

25 May 1968

PLACE OF MEETING:

15 Howarth S t r e e t Wyong.

DATE OF MEETING:

4th Saturday o f F e b r u a r y , May, August and November.

ENTHRONEMENT:

4 t h S a t u r d a y i n May.

T h i s was a non r e c o g n i s e d c h a p t e r , so c a l l e d ' i r r e g u l a r ' .

On 10 November 1990, under t h e No. 249, t h i s c h a p t e r j o i n e d t h e N.S.W. Grand Chapter formed i n 1985 by t h e amalgamation of the E n g l i s h and p a r t o f t h e S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n C h a p t e r s . Meetings o f t h e C e n t r a l Coast S o v e r e i g n Chapter No. 249 a r e h e l d a t 7pm, and f o l l o w t h e meetings o f S o v e r e i g n C o u n c i l THE LAKES No. 57, which a r e h e l d on t h e same day a t 4pm.

347

CENIRAl COAST ROSE CROIX CHAPTER No. 40

Supreme Council of the Thirty-third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for Australia.

Most Illustrious Bro. H A R O L D M-. .BRAGG, 33° Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander M.

Illus. Bro. ERIC R. BROWN, 3 3 ° Sovereign Grand Inspector General Northern Division.

CoiTiSetration nnh Mthmtion OF T H E CHAPTER and

3nmiWmx of EX.

& PERF. BRO. K E V I N H . E K E R T (M.W.S. Designate) Masonic Temple, Wyong at 1 p.m. on S A T U R D A Y , 25th M A Y , 1968

348

CENTRAL COAST ROSE CROIX CHAPTER NO 249 Under The Supreme C o u n c i l 33째 Of The A n c i e n t And A c c e p t e d R i t e F o r The S t a t e s And T e r r i t o r i e s O f A u s t r a l i a A n d I t s D i s t r i c t s And C h a p t e r s O v e r s e a s Recorder: D a v i d F L e o n a r d 3( 13 W a l l i s Avenue T o u k l e y 2263 T e l : 0 4 3 96 3 3 5 3

D E D I C A T E D 25th M A Y , 1968

AMALGAMATED 1 0 t h NOV, 1990

MOST WISE SOVEREIGNS ROSE CROIX CHAPTER NO.40, 1968-1991

1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991

Ex P e r PR

K. K. R. J. A. D. L. M. P. R. R. D. D. T. F. T. W. D. T. D. A. W. R. R.

ERERT KEARNEY COX HAM MASSEY MASSEY JEANS SHEPHERD RAISEBECK BLOOMFIELD HUBBARD PEARCE PAULEY SPEED BUSH SCOUGALL SULLIVAN LEONARD HILL DHU WOOD BROOKS BRANSGROVE LEWIS

349

CENTRAL COAST ROSE CROIX CHAPTER No. 40. AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION.

ROSE + CROIX, a l s o known as t h e 1 8 t h degree i n Freemasonry, has been p r a c t i s e d i n A u s t r a l i a f o r a long time. I t appeared i n the d i s t r i c t when t h e f i r s t Chapter was d e d i c a t e d i n G o s f o r d i n A p r i l 1951. They belonged as we have seen t o E n g l i s h o r t o S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n s , t h e i r Warrants h a v i n g been i s s u e d from London o r E d i n b u r g h . A group o f 18th degree b r e t h r e n d e c i d e d t o sever t i e s w i t h e i t h e r Supreme C o u n c i l s and t o work t h e i r own r i t u a l i n independence d e c i d i n g t o form an A u s t r a l i a n Supreme C o u n c i l . T h i s was an u n i l a t e r a l d e c i s i o n and, n o t b e i n g endorsed by t h e E n g l i s h o r the S c o t t i s h Supreme C o u n c i l s , they became a u t o m a t i c a l l y "Irregular" . As such i t was f o r b i d d e n to regular C h a p t e r s ' members to v i s i t them o r f o r Chapters t o admit v i s i t o r s o f t h e " I r r e g u l a r " Chapters. Now t o c o n s i d e r t h e r e s t o f t h e ROSE CROIX s t o r y . L a t e r a " R e g u l a r " New South Wales and A u s t r a l i a n C a p i t a l T e r r i t o r y body was c r e a t e d to amalgamate t h e two o v e r s e a s c o n s t i t u t i o n s . There were t h e r e f o r e f o r a time two Independent Supreme C o u n c i l s i n A u s t r a l i a . They e v e n t u a l l y agreed t o u n i t e , removing a l l t r a c e s o f d u a l a l l e g i a n c e . There a r e now i n N.S.W. two ROSE CROIX c o n s t i t u t i o n s , t h a t o f N.S.W. & A.C.T. and t h e S c o t t i s h t o which a number o f K n i g h t s have d e c i d e d t o keep t h e i r a l l e g i a n c e . The " I r r e g u l a r " A u s t r a l i a n C o n s t i t u t i o n o f ROSE CROIX worked a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r own r i t u a l , d i f f e r i n g from those o f e i t h e r E n g l i s h o r S c o t t i s h Orders i n t h e number and naming o f t h e i r officers: They d i d n o t have a Recorder but a S e c r e t a r y . They had M a r s h a l l and Raphael l i k e t h e E.C. and a l s o a J u n i o r and a S e n i o r Warden as i n S.C. p l u s f o u r A c o l y t e s , w h i l e t h e r e a r e o n l y two i n S.C. They have an E q u e r r y , an o f f i c e unknown i n e i t h e r o f the o t h e r c o n s t i t u t i o n s . The A u s t r a l i a n C o n s t i t u t i o n ROSE CROIX Chapter l i s h e d i n our d i s t r i c t i n 1968.

No. 40 was e s t a b -

A l e t t e r w r i t t e n by John Ham, i n 1985, t o t h e S e c r e t a r y , in a s h o r t paragraph r e c a l l s some o f t h e events p r e c e d i n g t h e f i r s t Installation.

350

' I t was a t my home, then i n Main Road, Toukley, at Christmas 1967 and New Year 1968 where the i n a u g u r a l meetings were h e l d t o p l a n the opening o f t h e C e n t r a l Coast ROSE CROIX Chapter. As w e l l as K e v i n E k e r t , Ron Hare and s e v e r a l o f our members from the A u s t r a l i s R.C. Chapter, we o u t l i n e d o u r p r o p o s a l s t o some prospective foundation candidates such as R u s s e l l Cox, K e i t h 0 ' C o n n e l l and o t h e r s . The Supreme C o u n c i l f o r A u s t r a l i a was v e r y young i n those days and we had g r e a t d i f f i c u l t y i n persuading Lodge WYONG t o a l l o w us t h e use o f t h e Temple. We had t o r e p a i n t the Temple a t t h e Supreme C o u n c i l ' s expense t o h e l p swing the d e a l . ' The C o n s e c r a t i o n and D e d i c a t i o n o f t h e new Chapter and t h e I n s t a l l a t i o n o f i t s f i r s t Most Wise S o v e r e i g n took p l a c e on Saturday, 25 May 1968 i n the Masonic Temple a t Wyong. The ceremony commenced a t 1pm w i t h t h e M.W.S. o f NOVOCASTRIAN Chapter, w i t h h i s o f f i c e r s , c o n f e r r i n g the degrees o f P e r f e c t i o n on t h e F o u n d a t i o n C a n d i d a t e s , making them K n i g h t s and P r i n c e s ROSE CROIX. There were 13 c a n d i d a t e s , a l l Master Masons. L a t e r , a t 3pm, t h e C o n s e c r a t i n g O f f i c e r s proceeded t o t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n and D e d i c a t i o n of Chapter No. 40. Then t h e M.W.S. d e s i g n a t e , Ex. & P e r f . B r o . K e v i n H. E k e r t was i n s t a l l e d according t o the r i t u a l , and t h e new C h a r t e r was handed t o t h e f i r s t M.W.S. T h i s was f o l l o w e d by h i s o f f i c e r s b e i n g o b l i g a t e d and i n v e s t e d . A supper, g a t h e r i n g some o f t h e f o u n d a t i o n w i t h the v i s i t o r s and d e l e g a t e s o f the Supreme t h i s memorable e v e n i n g .

members t o g e t h e r c o u n c i l concluded

There were 44 F o u n d a t i o n Members, g i v e n i n appendix; ten were ' V. I l l . ' , e l e v e n were ' 111. ' B r o s . ; and 23 were ' E x c e l l e n t & P e r f e c t s ' o f which 13 had j u s t been p e r f e c t e d f o r the o c c a s i o n . The meetings were h e l d q u a r t e r l y - i n May ( t h e month o f i n s t a l l a t i o n ) , August, November and F e b r u a r y , on the f o u r t h Saturday. A S t a n d i n g Committee was formed t h a t met on 3 r d August t o d i s c u s s some p o i n t s o f i n t e r n a l a d m i n i s t r a t i o n such as I n s u r a n c e , A f f i l i a t i o n and P e r f e c t i o n f e e s ($4 and $30, which i n c l u d e d the f i r s t y e a r s u b s c r i p t i o n ) . Honoraria ( r e l i e f from dues), payment o f t h e Equerry ($6 p e r meeting, f o r t y l i n g , c l e a n i n g Chapter room and h a l l , washing up, p r e p a r i n g and d i s m a n t l i n g the S a n c t u a r y ) . The S t a n d i n g Committee met t h e same n i g h t and b e f o r e t h e r e h e a r s a l s , which were conducted on t h e f i r s t Friday of the same month.

At the meeting o f August 1968, 111. B r o . B r o o m f i e l d became S e c r e t a r y and he opened the Minute Book. One of the items of b u s i n e s s e n t e r e d i n t h i s Book was mention t h a t a l l recommendat i o n s from the S t a n d i n g Committee were a c c e p t e d . The v i s i t o r s were a d m i t t e d . They were f o l l o w e d by v i s i t i n g members o f the Supreme C o u n c i l l e d by M.P.G. Commander M. 111. B r o . S t a n l e y H. Dobie, 3 3 째 , a name we have had o c c a s i o n t o meet a l r e a d y . A b a l l o t was t a k e n f o r t h r e e c a n d i d a t e s . The f i r s t of many t o be p e r f e c t e d was S t a n l e y L o f t u s Cave. A number of c e r t i f i c a t e s of f o u n d a t i o n members p e r f e c t e d on the day of the Consec r a t i o n were p r e s e n t e d by M. 111. B r o . Dobie. The Chapter was c l o s e d a t 9.40p.m. Three more b a l l o t s were t a k e n c o l l e c t e d amounted t o $6.80.

successfully

i n November.

Alms

F e b r u a r y marks the end of the f i r s t y e a r of the new Chapter. Three c a n d i d a t e s were p e r f e c t e d , one of them w i t h d i s p e n s a t i o n . He was B r o . Leonard J e a n s , who was b a l l o t e d and p e r f e c t e d on the same n i g h t f o r which a d i s p e n s a t i o n f e e of $1.00 had to be p a i d t o Supreme C o u n c i l . At t h a t m e e t i n g , the names of the o f f i c e r s f o r the e n s u i n g year, 1969/1970, p r e s e n t e d by the S t a n d i n g Committee, were a c c e p t e d as recommended. John Ham became the new S e c r e t a r y . I n May 7pm.

1969,

Installation

night,

the

Chapter

opened

Accounts were p r e s e n t e d i n d e t a i l t h a t n i g h t . They may l a r g e , but they were f o r a n i g h t of I n s t a l l a t i o n : Printing Rent Sov. C o u n c i l Presentation g i f t P o s t a g e , phone c a l l s Equerry Kitchen help Catering Cake P e t t y Cash

$ 25.00 10.00 2.00 7.52 5.60 6.00 5.00 58.08 8.00 10.00

Balance a t Bank Dues Donations

appear

$ 20.31 154.50 66.50 $241.31 137.20

C r e d i t Balance

$104.11

$137.20 The r e c u r r i n g c o s t s seem t o have been: Rent, $10 p e r m e e t i n g . P r i n t i n g - $8.00, Postage/Phone - $10.00, E q u e r r y - $6.00. Equerry v a r i e d between $5.79 and $52.25!

352

Expenses were g e n e r a l l y w e l l b a l a n c e d by Dues f e e s , s a l e of r e g a l i a and d o n a t i o n s .

and

Perfection

The Alms c o l l e c t e d were d i r e c t e d t o be g i v e n t o Tuggerah Meals on Wheels. They v a r i e d between $5 and $6.

Lakes

The names of Chapters i n c o r r e s p o n d e n c e w i t h Chapter No. 40 are mentioned here and t h e r e . We n o t i c e the names NOVOCASTRIAN, AUSTRALIS, VALLEY, MUSWELLBROOK, NARRABRI, WAHRINGA, NAMBUCCA and MACKSVILLE. An i n v e n t o r y appears on page 29, w i t h an e s t i m a t e d amount of $820.00, a l l o w i n g 207. d e p r e c i a t i o n . The main a l t a r , with l i g h t s t r a n s f o r m e r , had c o s t $200. The next most e x p e n s i v e item was c u r t a i n s - $100; t h e n r e g a l i a f o r the M.W.S. - $90; c a r p e t - $70; and cupboards - $60. The r e s t was made up of a number of items of s m a l l v a l u e . From August 1970 t o May 1972, t h e minutes a r e roneoed and pasted i n the book i n a v e r y n e a t f a s h i o n , which we welcomed. At the August m e e t i n g , f o u r members were thanked f o r f i l l i n g vacant o f f i c e s a t s h o r t n o t i c e , which means t h a t f o u r o f f i c e r s d i d not t u r n up t h a t n i g h t ! An e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n was c o n d u c t e d i n November. New o f f i c e r s were e l e c t e d i n F e b r u a r y . From the names nominated, we n o t i c e as S e c r e t a r y - R u s s e l l Cox, who was a l s o 30th degree, and Sov. Grand I n s p . Gen., Len. J e a n s , t o be M a r s h a l l and Val Lynch to be o r g a n i s t . From November, presumably t o save c o s t s , the b u s i n e s s papers are not p r i n t e d but roneoed. Dues were $6.00 per meeting. In May 1972, A l l a n Massey was i n s t a l l e d , K. E k e r t became S e c r e t a r y , and the b u s i n e s s papers were p r i n t e d a g a i n i n r e d i n k , i n a s l i g h t l y d i f f e r e n t form from b e f o r e , and on one s i d e only. A f u r t h e r step i n c u t t i n g p r i n t i n g expenses i s i n evidence i n February 1973 when t h e names o f o f f i c e r s a r e o m i t t e d and the dates l e f t b l a n k , t o be f i l l e d i n by the S e c r e t a r y b e f o r e sending the summons o u t , w h i c h would have been a t e d i o u s p r o c e s s to be repeated on each b u s i n e s s paper. The I n s t a l l a t i o n i s a l s o p r i n t e d on one s i d e o f a s i n g l e sheet of paper, d o u b l i n g on the o t h e r s i d e as a b u s i n e s s p a p e r . We w i l l now s k i p t h r o u g h the r e g i s t e r of names t o form a p i c t u r e of the g e n e r a l b u s i n e s s t r a n s a c t e d and work performed w i t h o u t going i n t o d e t a i l and g i v i n g a l l t h e names. Many of the i n d i v i d u a l s approached f o r j o i n i n g d e c l i n e d f o r v a r i o u s r e a s o n s .

353

The date of the l a s t g e n e r a l meeting r e c o r d e d i n t h i s Minute Book i s November 1981 on page 113. T h i s was the 54th g e n e r a l meeting of the Chapter. Immediately f o l l o w i n g are the minutes of the S t a n d i n g Committee from 6 t h November 1987 (on page 114) t o the end of the book, where we f i n d on page 166, the minutes of the f i r s t S t a n d i n g Committee meeting h e l d on 1st November 1968. Thus the minutes f o l l o w each o t h e r i n a order.

decreasing chronological

From the s t a r t the book has been used from both ends: general meetings from the f r o n t . S t a n d i n g Committee from the back. However, the book has not been t u r n e d o v e r ; s i n c e the pages are numbered, t h i s would have r e s u l t e d i n the page numbers s i t u a t e d u p s i d e down i n the bottom c o r n e r . Thus the minutes have been e n t e r e d i n a backwards-running f a s h i o n . The study of the minutes of the S t a n d i n g Committee i s most interesting. A l l d i s c u s s i o n s took p l a c e i n t h a t Committee. Motions were c a r r i e d and d i s c u s s i o n took p l a c e i n t h a t Committee. Most motions were c a r r i e d and e v e r y d e c i s i o n emanating from t h e r e was t o be r a t i f i e d at g e n e r a l meetings, whose minutes t h e r e f o r e are b l a n d , f o r m a l and d i g n i f i e d . Few motions or d i s c u s s i o n s r u f f l e d the d i g n i f i e d u n f o l d i n g of the r i t u a l i s t i c p r o c e e d i n g s . The minutes r e c o r d o n l y the ceremonies of c o n f e r r i n g P e r f e c t i o n to s e l e c t e d c a n d i d a t e s . The f i r s t meeting of the S t a n d i n g Committee i s dated 3.8.'68. I t was composed of the f i r s t eight o f f i c e r s plus four to s i x names. I n 1973, they were: H. Coates, R. M a r s h a l l , C. Curan, H. R e d d a c l i f f e , B. Murray and D. Owens. The members of the S t a n d i n g Committee d e a l t w i t h o r d i n a r y b u s i n e s s of a d m i n i s t r a t i o n and problems which p r e s e n t e d thems e l v e s from time to t i m e , which were s u r p r i s i n g l y few. Every year the Committee recommended, i n F e b r u a r y , the l i s t of o f f i c e r s to be i n v e s t e d a t the f o l l o w i n g I n s t a l l a t i o n . The main a t t r i b u t i o n of the S t a n d i n g Committee was t h e i r a p p r o v a l of names s u b m i t t e d f o r approach and i n v i t a t i o n to j o i n the Chapter. A b a l l o t was conducted i n lodge a f t e r the a p p r o v a l of c a n d i d a t e s s u b m i t t e d . The b a l l o t was o f t e n conducted on the n i g h t of the p e r f e c t i o n , making the b a l l o t a mere f o r m a l i t y as the c a n d i d a t e was i n attendance on the a c t u a l n i g h t he was t o be b a l l o t e d f o r p e r f e c t i o n . We have e x t r a c t e d what seem to be the i n t e r e s t i n g items i n the agenda of the S.C. i l l u s t r a t i n g the r u n n i n g of the a f f a i r s of the C h a p t e r , and b r i n g i n g i t t o l i f e :

354

November 1 s t , 1968. D i s c u s s i o n on i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y t o c o v e r up to t e n persons per m e e t i n g , which would i n c l u d e any l a d i e s who a s s i s t e d i n the k i t c h e n . Such p o l i c y would c o s t $10.00 per y e a r . Three c a n d i d a t e s ' names s u b m i t t e d f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n were approved. A c c o u n t s , from J . Ham f o r $9.20 f o r p r i n t i n g of November notices. February 7 t h , 1969. Correspondence: L e t t e r from G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y r e q u e s t i n g d o n a t i o n f o r a g i f t f o r r e t i r i n g M.P.S.C.G. (no amount t o exceed $4.00). I t was moved to send $4.00. Likely candidates: one Jeans, of Lodge TOUKLEY.

name was s u b m i t t e d , t h a t Submitted and a c c e p t e d .

Len.

Installation: R e s o l v e d t h a t no c a n d i d a t e be p e r f e c t e d , t h a t the l a d i e s be i n v i t e d t o the R e f e c t o r y , t h a t p r o s p e c t i v e c a n d i dates and t h e i r wives be i n v i t e d t o I n s t a l l a t i o n banquet. May 2nd, 1969. Two s u i t a b l e to w i f e of r e t i r i n g M.W.S. August $8.00;

1 s t , 1969. Accounts: Postage, $4.10.

November 7 t h , 1969.

candidates;

Insurance,

gift

to be

$4.94;

offered

Printing,

Three names were approved.

February 6 t h , 1970. Correspondence from Supreme Council: G. S e c r e t a r y ' s r e s i g n a t i o n , B a r r y Shepherd t a k i n g over h i s d u t i e s . Two p e t i t i o n s r e c e i v e d f o r p e r f e c t i o n . L i s t of o f f i c e r s recommended f o r 1970-71. May 1 s t , 1970. Installation.

List

compiled

B r e t h r e n to

November 6 t h , 1970. A p p r o v a l f o r a proposed P e r f . Bro. K e i t h 0 ' C o n n e l l , l e t t e r a s k i n g not to o f f i c e due t o heavy p o l i t i c a l commitments.

name. to be

February 4 t h , 1971. L i s t of members recommended 71/72. A name proposed f o r a f f i l i a t i o n . May 7 t h , 1971. A name proposed; f i t and w a i t to have completed a f u l l year as M.M.

invited

Ex. & proposed

for

suitable,

August 7 t h , 1971. No b u s i n e s s to t r a n s a c t . Closed at f o l l o w i n g by r e h e a r s a l f o r ceremony of P e r f e c t i o n .

office

but

must

7.45pm,

November 5 t h , 1971. One name proposed. E l e c t i o n of O f f i c e Bearers. Nominations f o r S t a n d i n g Committee: eight first o f f i c e r s , p l u s f i v e names.

355

May 5 t h , 1972. I t was r e s o l v e d t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g be added as a note on n o t i c e of I n s t a l l a t i o n : ' I t i s regretted that we a r e unable t o p r o v i d e entertainment f o r l a d i e s at t h i s Installation'. August 3 r d , 1972. Three names s u b m i t t e d and approved. S e c r e t a r y r e p o r t e d t h a t the forms f o r t h e N o t i c e Paper been p r i n t e d f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g t w e l v e months t o abate raising costs.

The had the

November 3 r d , 1972. Two names suggested and recommended f o r approval. The o f f i c e r s f o r t h e e n s u i n g year were then d i s c u s s e d and recommended as p e r a t t a c h e d n o t i c e , year 1973/74. May 4 t h , 1973. Honorary membership t o be c o n f e r r e d upon Ex. & P e r f . Bro. Herb. H o w e l l f o r h i s u n t i r i n g e f f o r t s and d e v o t i o n to duty as E q u e r r y s i n c e the c o n s e c r a t i o n of the Chapter [ i n 1968, t h a t i s f i v e y e a r s ] but now unable t o c o n t i n u e because of i l l - h e a l t h and f a i l i n g e y e s i g h t . Resignation: a v e r y sad l e t t e r was r e c e i v e d from Ex. & P e r f . Bro. Ron Green [ o f G o s f o r d ] announcing h i s r e t i r e m e n t from a l l Masonic a c t i v i t i e s . H i s name was p l a c e d on t h e n o n - a c t i v e members' list, w i t h r e g r e t , and a v e r y sympathetic letter forwarded. August 3 r d , 1973. V. 111. B r o . Bob M a r s h a l l was recommended f o r the p o s i t i o n of P r i n c e P r e l a t e . Two r e s i g n a t i o n s were r e c e i v e d , one from John Ham. I t was suggested t h a t the f o l l o w i n g b r e t h r e n be i n v i t e d t o the next meeting w i t h the view t o a f f i l i a tion. [One was Tom Speed, who became M.W.S. of the Chapter i n 1981.] F i v e names were approved f o r approach as p o s s i b l e candidates. Two were recommended f o r p e r f e c t i o n . November 3 r d , 1973. member l i s t .

One

member

transferred

non-active

F e b r u a r y 1 s t , 1974. L i s t of works s e t f o r the meeting i n F e b r u a r y and t o a s t s i n the r e f e c t o r y . L i s t of o f f i c e r s f o r I n s t a l l a t i o n compiled. May 3 r d , 1974. A p p l i c a t i o n f o r p e r f e c t i o n from a Mason from Umina, two recommended f o r approach. New amendments t o r i t u a l s u b m i t t e d f o r comments. I n t e r e s t i n g d i s c u s s i o n and d e c i s i o n t o adopt amendments from August r e g u l a r meeting. August 2nd, 1974. One c a n d i d a t e suggested, and i s s u i t a b l e to be approached. Moved t h a t Alms c o l l e c t e d i n f u t u r e be d e p o s i t e d i n the g e n e r a l a/c f o r s i m p l i f i c a t i o n . November 1 s t , 1974. Two names recommended. Discussion commencing time f o r meetings t o be changed t o 7.45pm.

356

February 7 t h , 1975. Approach approved t o K a r l J a y , s o l i c i t o r i n G o s f o r d [he was p e r f e c t e d i n A e d i s C h r i s t i i n 1980]. Recommendations f o r f o l l o w i n g y e a r . J u l y 1 s t , 1975.

Three names d i s c u s s e d f o r approach.

November 7 t h , 1975.

Four names found s u i t a b l e f o r approach.

February 6 t h , 1976. Three names mentioned. O f f i c e r s nominated. May 6 t h , 1976. D i s c u s s i o n on c a t e r i n g for installation. [No mention of the m a t t e r under d i s c u s s i o n . ] August 5 t h , 1976. installation.

More d i s c u s s i o n

on c a t e r i n g

f o r t h e coming

The meetings of the S t a n d i n g Committee f o l l o w each o t h e r i n a r e g u l a r sequence. They a r e s h o r t and r e p e t i t i v e , the o r d e r of b u s i n e s s b e i n g t h e r e a d i n g o f t h e minutes of the p r e c e d i n g m e e t i n g , names of those p r e s e n t and a p o l o g i e s , and a p p r o v a l f o r approaches f o r p r o s p e c t i v e new members. Once a y e a r , i n F e b r u a r y , the d i s c u s s i o n and recommendations l e a d i n g t o s u b m i t t i n g t h e names of the next o f f i c e b e a r e r s took p l a c e . Years flowed r e g u l a r l y . The p e r e n n i a l q u e s t i o n of amalgamation r e t u r n e d t o t h e agenda. T h i s time i t reached a c o n c l u s i o n and u n i t y was a c h i e v e d : the A u s t r a l i a n c o n s t i t u t i o n was f u s i o n e d i n t o the N.S.W. and A.C.T. body. The Recorder of t h e C h a p t e r , D a v i d Leonard 30 째 , i s s u e d t h e l a s t Summons of CENTRAL COAST Rose C r o i x Chapter No. 40 A.C., on S a t u r d a y , 25th August 1990. The next summons of t h e same C h a p t e r , under the Number 249, was i s s u e d on 24th November 1990 w i t h t h e same M.W.S. by t h e same R e c o r d e r . I t seems t h a t i n t h e case of t h i s Chapter t h e change was made w i t h a minimum of d i s t u r b a n c e . Even the m o d i f i c a t i o n on t h e b u s i n e s s paper was m i n i m a l .

357

CENTRAL COAST ROSE CROIX CHAPTER No. 249 Under The Supreme C o u n c i l 33° Of The A n c i e n t and Accepted R i t e F o r The S t a t e s And T e r r i t o r i e s Of A u s t r a l i a And I t s D i s t r i c t s And Chapters Overseas Recorder: D a v i d F. Leonard 30° 13 W a l l i s Avenue D e d i c a t e d 25th May, 1968 Toukley 2263 AMALGAMATED 10th November, 1990 T e l : 043 96 3353 U n i f i c a t i o n Of The 1965 & 1985 Bodies H e l d I n # 2 Temple Masonic Centre Sydney Saturday l O t h November 1990. On Saturday 1 0 t h November 1990 t h e U n i f i c a t i o n o f t h e Supreme C o u n c i l Of The 33rd And L a s t Degree Of The A n c i e n t & Accepted R i t e F o r A u s t r a l i a & The Supreme C o u n c i l 33rd Degree Of The A n c i e n t & A c c e p t e d R i t e For The S t a t e s & T e r r i t o r i e s Of A u s t r a l i a And I t s D i s t r i c t s And Chapters Overseas took p l a c e i n due ceremony. T h i s Chapter was p r e s e n t e d w i t h i t s C h a r t e r which was r e c e i v e d by 111. B r o . David Leonard 3 0 ° r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e Most Wise S o v e r e i g n o f The C e n t r a l Coast S o v e r e i g n Chapter who was absent on o f f i c i a l Masonic duties. The O b l i g a t i o n under t h e R i t e was t a k e n on b e h a l f o f a l l members by Most. 111. Bro. George P o t t s 33° Most P u i s s a n t S o v e r e i g n Grand Commander. T h i s was f o l l o w e d by an E x e m p l i f i c a t i o n o f t h e Ceremony of P e r f e c t i o n & the c o l l e c t i o n of Alms. The Chapter was a d j o u r n ed and l i g h t r e f r e s h m e n t s were s e r v e d . The Chapter then resumed, the Most Wise S o v e r e i g n s were assembled & t h e new C h a r t e r s were formed and C h a r t e r s p r e s e n t e d . This Chapter i s now known as The C e n t r a l Coast S o v e r e i g n Chapter # 249 D i s t r i c t Of N.S.W. Hunter. The members o f a l l degrees were formed up & t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e degrees c o n f i r m e d . Greetings were conveyed from Supreme C o u n c i l t o a l l members and Most 111. Bro. George P o t t s 33°responded. The ceremony was f i n a l i s e d & t h e Chapter c l o s e d . Members then r e t i r e d t o t h e banquet h a l l f o r the o f f i c i a l d i n n e r . Members o f t h i s Chapter p r e s e n t were: V. 111. B r o . Len Jeans 32°, 111.Bro. David Leonard 30°, 111.Bro. A l a n Wood 30°, 111.Bro. Tom H i l l 30°, Most 111. Bro. E r i c Brown 33°, Ex. P e r . P r . G l e n Stone, Ron J e f f e r y , Bob L e w i s , Wal Thomas, 111.Bro. B i l l Brooks, B i l l Gardner. 111. Bro. D a v i d Leonard 30° Chapter R e c o r d e r . From Minute Book, 25.5.1968 to 28.11.1981, communicated by Secretary, David F. LEONARD, 12 Wallis Avenue, Toukley, 2263. (043) 96 3353