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

HISTORICAL RECORDS

GOSFORD CITY LIBRARY

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 in Australia by

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

© Philippe Ed. Tabuteau, KOPA, BACC(DLI Syd), JP, and

Joan Fenton, AssDipLAH, JP, 1993

A l l rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

ISBN Series No. 0 7316 0651 5 Centenary Medal Set ISBN This Volume No. 0 7316 0640 X No.: gzrzrzi:

This book is part of the series t i t l e d -Historical Records of the Central Coast of New South Wales

Printed in Australia Gosford City Printing 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.

1

AN INTRODUCTION TO CRAFT FREEMASONRY OR "BLUE LODGES'

IN OUR DISTRICT

Attempt to discuss the HISTORY AND NATURE OF MASONRY

Extent and composition of our MASONIC DISTRICT

LOCAL ORGANISATION: C r a f t Lodges and other 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 Master's Christmas Message M.W. Bro. Ronald L. H. JOHNSON

"The Waratah L i n k " , December 1991

2

THE STATE OF CRAFT MASONRY IN OUR DISTRICT FROM THE EARLIEST YEARS

Various Masonic orders appeared i n the colony from the e a r l y years. They represented d i f f e r e n t c o n s t i t u t i o n s and owed a l l e g iance to a number of Grand bodies overseas.

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 Port Jackson. On t h i s occasion a Chapter Rose Cro i x met and perfected some l o c a l Masons. A c e r t i f i c a t e , i n French, on behalf of the French Grand Orient was issued to Captain Anthony Fenn Kemp. This c e r t i f i c a t e , undoubtedly a u t h e n t i c , i s now deposited i n the 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 formerly of rank and i n f l u e n c e who had been deported to the colony, sought permission to hold a Free Masons' Lodge. The Governor refused permission. However, Hayes, i n contempt of the i n j u n c t i o n , was found w i t h s e v e r a l others assembled as Free Masons. He was sentenced, w i t h hard labour, to be deported to Van Diemen's Land. The Sydney Gazette of 22 May, 1803 warned th a t :

"Any s i m i l a r meetings without the express approbation of the Governor, w i l l be punished to the utmost r i g o r of the law."

C r a f t Masonry was f i r s t p r a c t i s e d i n A u s t r a l i a before 1817 by Lodges attached to B r i t i s h Regiments working under I r i s h warrants.

In August 1820, a Lodge was duly 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 . This was the 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 received warrants from Grand Lodges of England or Scotland. Therefore the three main c o n s t i t u t i o n s were represented working side by side u n t i l i t was throught f i t and proper to 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 of Union were drawn, a step which led to the c r e a t i o n of the UNITED GRAND LODGE of New South Wales, of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.

The Agreement was signed on 1 June 1888. Consequently a l l other c o n s t i t u t i o n s of C r a f t Masonry became e x t i n c t i n the State of 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 not dedicated u n t i l 1892, four years a f t e r the Compact of Union. Therefore, a l l

3

l o c a l C r a f t Lodges created t h e r e a f t e r belonged to the only c o n s t i t u t i o n ; there i s no instance of r i v a l r y due to competition of c o n s t i t u t i o n s , or d i v i d e d a l l e g i a n c e which i s such a feature of other Masonic orders.

SUMMARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Cramp and Mackaness, A H i s t o r y of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of N.S.W. 1888-1938, Sydney, 1938.

Cramp, K. R., From J u b i l e e to Diamond J u b i l e e , 1938-1948, Sydney, 1949.

Kellerman, H. H., From Diamond J u b i l e e to Centenary, 1948-1988, 2 volumes, Sydney, 1990.

Henley, W. , H i s t o r y of Lodge A u s t r a l i a n S o c i a l Mother, No. 1, 1820-1920, Sydney, 1920.

C o n s t i t u t i o n s of the Ancient F r a t e r n i t y of Free and Accepted Masons, U.G.L. of N.S.W., 1926.

4

OUR FIRST LODGES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CRAFT AFTER 1888

The f i r s t l o d g e e s t a b l i s h e d i n t h e d i s t r i c t i n 1892 l a s t e d o n l y n i n e y e a r s . I t s t o p p e d m e e t i n g i n 1900 and s u r r e n d e r e d 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 RISING SUN LODGE NO. 206 was a v i c t i m o f an a d v e r s e economic c l i m a t e . T h i s was the g e n e r a l t r e n d w h i c h was r e f l e c t e d i n t h e d e c l i n i n g membership of t h e Grand Lodge a t t h e t i m e .

When th e U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f New South Wales was formed th e number o f a f f i l i a t e d C r a f t Lodges was 176. That number grew 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 a t t h e end o f 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 end of 1901, when th 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 had d e c r e a s e d . By t h e n , t w e n t y - f i v e new l o d g e s had appeared but twenty-two had d i s a p p e a r e d and s i x had merged, w h i c h r e s u l t e d i n a n e t l o s s o f t h r e e . The t o t a l number of 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 were c r e a t e d i n the e u p h o r i a f o l l o w i n g t h e U n i o n of 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 enough t o o f f e r the l o d g e s a chance o f r e p l a c i n g wastages w h i c h n o r m a l l y o c c u r . However, i n t i m e s of r e c e s s i o n , l o d g e s t r a d i t i o n a l l y s u f f e r a membership l o s s w i t h o u t means of t r a n s f u s i n g new b l o o d .

I m m e d i a t e l y f o l l o w i n g t h a t y e a r , between 1902 and 1912, f o r t y -t h r e e new l o d g e s were c r e a t e d and seven were r e v i v e d . There were o n l y two s u r r e n d e r s o f w a r r a n t s and no amalgamations - a p o s i t i v e g a i n of f i f t y - t h r e e l o d g e s i n t e n y e a r s .

THE RISING SUN LODGE was b o r n w i t h g r e a t hopes i n 1892 w i t h n i n e members. I t grew 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. D u r i n g 1895, no l e s s t h a n e l e v e n b r e t h r e n r e s i g n e d . The membership f e l l t o s e v e n t e e n by 1900.

I t w ould seem t h a t i f members had been w i l l i n g t o s t i c k i t out a l i t t l e l o n g e r , c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t the o r g a n i s a t i o n 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 expense 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 , the lodge c o u l d have weathered t h e few bad y e a r s , 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 happened w i t h a number o f o t h e r l o d g e s 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 t h e n have had a gap o f f i v e y e a r s . O b v i o u s l y t h e b r e t h r e n had d i s b a n d e d w i t h t h e thought of t h i s b e i n g a f i n a l d e c i s i o n .

Lodge 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 of much s m a l l e r p o p u l a t i o n and 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 l o o k e d back. The economic c l i m a t e had by t h e n improved.

5

Masonry r e a p p e a r e d i n G o s f o r d i n 1917 w i t h Lodge RISING SUN. I t was a t a p r o p i t i o u s t i m e when Masonry was i n a mode o f f u l l e x p a n s i o n . T h i s was r e f l e c t e d i n the growth o f membership and the i n c r e a s e i n new l o d g e s :

1918 - 10 new l o d g e s 1919 - 13 " 1920 - 29 " " 1921 - 39 " 1922 - 31 " 1923 - 49 " " 1924 - 47 " "

I t was a p e r i o d of e x c e p t i o n a l growth f o r the C r a f t i n New South Wales.

D u r i n g t h e s e y e a r s , MORNING STAR and MORISSET saw the l i g h t : 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 Masonry.

EXPRESSIONS OF HOSTILITY TOWARD THE CRAFT: ANIMOSITY AGAINST MASONRY

'The r e l a t i o n s h i p between Freemasonry and R e l i g i o n had been a p e r e n n i a l vexed q u e s t i o n f o r a g r e a t many y e a r s , even b e f o r e the f i r s t E n g l i s h Grand Lodge.•

Soon a f t e r 1717 ( t h e y e a r t h a t a l a r g e l y 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 ) , l o d g e s began t o appear i n many p l a c e s and c o u n t r i e s . Under t h e F r e e mason Grand Lodge of London, Masonry s p r e a d i n t h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r s . I t became f a s h i o n a b l e t o become a Freemason. As a r e s u l t , h o s t i l i t y soon began t o be e x p r e s s e d toward t h i s somewhat m y s t e r i o u s and s u c c e s s f u l a s s o c i a t i o n , and a n t a g o n i s m began t o be shown by b o d i e s whose o p p o s i t i o n was i n c r e a s e d i n p r o p o r t 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 hurch was t h e most v o c a l and d e t e r m i n e d . G o v e r n ments were a l s o wary of 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 of i t s members. S t a t e P o l i c e r e g u l a r l y s e n t s p i e s t o meetings t o r e p o r t on t h e p r o c e e d i n g s . I n f a c t we know much about e a r l y m e e t i n g s t h r o u g h p o l i c e r e p o r t s .

[1] Kellerman, M. H. From Diamond J u b i l e e to Centenary, 1990, U.G.L. of N.S.W.,

Sydney: Volume IV, p229.

6

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 o r two decades, c r i t i c i s m has a l s o been d i r e c t e d a t Masonry by some Churchmen o f v a r i o u s P r o t e s t a n t p e r s u a s i o n 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 F r e e masonry from i n d i v i d u a l s and some members of Churches a r e not new .... a t t e m p t s have been made t o 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 where Masonry was denounced by a M i n i s t e r o f r e l i g i o n .

To i n v e s t i g a t e t h i s p r o b l e m t h o r o u g h l y , v a r i o u s Committees were s e t up t o i s s u e r e p o r t s as t o the a t t i t u d e t o be adopted o r how c r i t i c i s m s h o u l d be answered.

On more t h a n one o c c a s i o n t h e Grand M a s t e r 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 c o n t i n u e d 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 e v i n c e d by t h e G.M.'s e x h o r t a t i o n a t the Communication o f March 1 9 8 7 , a n t a g o n i s m t o Freemasonry, p a r t i c u l a r l y from Church g r o u p s , i n t e n s i f i e d . [ 3 ]

The C r a f t met the c h a l l e n g e by p u b l i c i s i n g t h e m a g n i f i c e n t 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 o f t h e I n s t i t u t i o n .

M.W.Bro. P r o f e s s o r Roy A. Woodman a t t e n d e d s p e c i a l m e e t i n g s w i t h o p p o s i n g f a c t i o n s , d e l i v e r e d a d d r e s s e s and wr o t e a r t i c l e s . [4]

A number o f r e p o r t s were made by v a r i o u s Churches t h a t we have s e c u r e d and s t u d i e d . The Board o f G e n e r a l P u r p o s e s t o o k a number of d e c i s i o n s t o m o d i f y some o f t h e ca 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 and n u l l i f y t he main o b j e c t i o n s , Grand Lodge d e c i d e d t o remove t h e main 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 a l t e r e d

[2] Kellerman, M. H. o p . c i t . . Volume V, p491.

[3] Kellerman, M. H. o p . c i t . . Volume IV, p231.


7

by removing t h e p e n a l t i e s o f t h e o b l i g a t i o n s from t h e w o r d i n g of the o a t h on the Volume o f t h e S a c r e d Law, c o n s i d e r e d t o be blasphemous.

S t i l l c r i t i c s were not s a t i s f i e d : Masonry 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 i n s t a n c e d 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 l o c a l Masonry, was t o d e l e t e the word 'Temple' from everywhere p o s s i b l e ; from the M asonic v o c a b u l a r y as w e l l as from i t s b u i l d i n g s .

REMOVAL OF THE WORD 'TEMPLE' AS DESIGNATING THE MEETING PLAGE OF A LODGE

'Masons have always u n d e r s t o o d t h e term M a s o n i c Temple t o mean th e p l a c e where M a s o n i c m e e t i n g s a r e h e l d , and t o them t h e word Temple i n t h i s sense was synonymous w i t h H a l l , C e n t r e o r Lodge Room, I t conveyed no c h u r c h or r e l i g i o u s meaning t o them, but to some non-Masons, "Temple" 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 caused c o n c e r n t o the Board 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 or 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 i l l - f o u n d e d a l l e g a t i o n . A c i r c u l a r was s e n t t o a l l Lodge S e c r e t a r i e s t o be r e a d a t lodge m e e t i n g s :

'THE UNITED GRAND LODGE of New South Wales of A n c i e n t , F r e e and A c c e p t e d Masons

2 5 t h March, 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 D i s c o n t i n u a t i o n 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 M a s o n i c 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 and t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c t h a t Freemasonry i s not a r e l i g i o n , the B o a rd o f G e n e r a l P u r p o s e s has g i v e n much thought and c o n s i d e r a t i o n


8

t o the d e s i r a b i l i t y o f d i s c o n t i n u i n g t h e use o f t h e word "Temple".

' where p r a c t i c a b l e , the word "Temple" be h e n c e f o r t h r e p l a c e d i n the Book o f C o n s t i t u t i o n s and o t h e r M a s o n i c p u b l i c a t i o n s w i t h the words "Lodge Room", "Masonic H a l l " o r "Masonic C e n t r e " as a p p r o p r i a t e , but t h a t no change be made i n t h e R i t u a l . '

F o r many, t h e word 'Temple' does not n e c e s s a r i l y convey a r e l i g i o u s c o n c e p t . F o r example, i t i s e x t e n s i v e l y used i n r e g a r d t o C o u r t s o f J u s t i c e : 'Inner Temple', 'Temple B a r ' , e t c . A r e not C o u r t s o f J u s t i c e Temples of t h e Law; U n i v e r s i t i e s , Temples of L e a r n i n g ; A r t G a l l e r i e s o r L i b r a r i e s , t h e Temples o f C u l t u r e ; and War M e m o r i a l s , Temples t o t h e Memory of a N a t i o n ' s Heroes?

'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 has been used t o d e s c r i b e t h e 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 Lodge 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 terms w h i c h had no r e l i g i o u s c o n n o t a t i o n s were t o be use d .

The p r o h i b i t i o n put on the good o l d t e r m 'Temple' d i s t r e s s e d many. T h i s was a d e p a r t u r e from t r a d i t i o n , and any i n n o v a t i o n i s bound 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 removing a 'landmark' w h i c h we a r e t o l d i s immovable.

F o r o t h e r s , i t appeared t o g i v e 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 from a body w h i c h , as i n d i v i d u a l s . Masons r e s p e c t e d and t o w h i c h t h e y b e l o n g e d .

I n s h o r t , t h e y were r a t h e r r u f f l e d by what was seen as 'a measure 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 even use 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 word b e l o n g s t o anybody!'

I n e s s e n c e , t h e word i t s e l f 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 b u t k e p t i n t h e p r i v a c y of our c e r e m o n i a l .

New s t u d i e s have been o r d e r e d by v a r i o u s c h u r c h e s i n r e c e n t 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 , o f 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 pr o d u c e d i n E n g l a n d . F o l l o w i n g i t s l e a d , two r e p o r t s were c o m p i l e d i n A u s t r a l i a by a t l e a s t two d i f f e r e n t d e n o m i n a t i o n s . 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 from becoming Masons. However, the r e s o l u t i o n s t o p s s h o r t of a p r o h i b i t i o n on j o i n i n g .

9

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 debate i n a c h u r c h 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 m i n i s t e r had p r e s e n t e d some u n f a v o u r a b l e comments on Masonry t o a group o f p a r i s h i o n e r s , not a f u l l a s s e m b l y , but r a t h e r a s m a l l group o f keen e l d e r s . I n t h a t s e l e c t c i r c l e o f p a r i s h i o n e r s were the w i v e s of some Masons, They took s t r o n g e x c e p t i o n t o the Reverend gentleman's comments.

Four of us were i n v i t e d t o a debate on the q u e s t i o n a t the n e x t m e e t i n g c a l l e d by t h e Reverend. I t was an e m b a r r a s s i n g s i t u a t i o n ; i t was d i f f i c u l t t o escape from a t t e n d i n g 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 q u e s t i o n s c a n d i d l y 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 gentlemen t a k i n g p a r t on b o t h s i d e s of the debate were always 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 , but such e n c o u n t e r s a r e not v e r y u s e f u l , no-one w i s h i n g t o be swayed 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 c o n c e s s i o n .

R e p o r t s and a r t i c l e s on the r e l a t i o n s h i p between Freemasonry and R e l i g i o n ;

Sydney M o r n i n g H e r a l d , 20 December 1983, p7.

S m i t h , Dr. G e o f f r e y E., P e n t h o u s e , May 1987, pp32-39 and p l 4 4 .

'The Menace of t h e Mason', The B u l l e t i n , 11 A p r i l 1989, pp52-58.

'Freemasonry and C h r i s t i a n i t y ' , G e n e r a l Synod of t h e Church of E n g l a n d , London, F e b r u a r y 1985, 56 pages.

R e p o r t , P r e s b y t e r i a n C h urch of Q u e e n s l a n d , M i n u t e s 1986, p p l 0 6 - 1 1 2 .

R e p o r t of S t a n d i n g Committee, Church of E n g l a n d , Sydney, O c t o b e r 1988, 50 pages.

FROM OPERATIVE TO SPECULATIVE MASONS

I t i s not our purpose i n t h i s volume t o d e l v e i n - d e p t h i n t o t h e n a t u r e and o r g a n i s a t i o n of the v a r i o u s M a s o n i c i n s t i t u t i o n s t h a t have been o r a r e now r e p r e s e n t e d i n our d i s t r i c t ; the s u b j e c t i s t o o v a s t and i s e x t r e m e l y complex.

However, some knowledge i s n e c e s s a r y t o u n d e r s t a n d and a p p r e c i a t e

10

t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p w h i c h e x i s t s between t h e s e v a r i o u s M a s o n i c o r d e r s and t h e p l a c e t h e y occupy i n t h e s o c i a l o r d e r .

We have, t h e r e f o r e , s i m p l y m a r s h a l l e d i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t i s f r e e l y and r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e , such as i n f o r m a t i o n r e c o r d e d 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 d e t a i l s o f a p e r s o n a l n a t u r e w h i c h any a s s o c i a t i o n p r e f e r s t o keep p r i v a t e .

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 h e l o c a l M a s o n i c i n s t i t u 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 l i f e f o r t h e l a s t hundred y e a r s .

Each of 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 c o m p i l i n g comprehensive h i s t o r i e s of t h e i r own, u s i n g M i n u t e s books, b u s i n e s s p a p e r s , and 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 have a l r e a d y done so , t o v a r y i n g d e g r e e s , and l e t us hope t h a t t h i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t p r o j e c t w i l l be t a k e n up by competent and d e d i c a t e d b r e t h r e n , 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 Masonry, as we know i t t o d a y , seems t o i s s u e from a n c i e n t o p e r a t i v e Masonry w h i c h f l o u r i s h e d i n t h e l a t e M i d d l e Ages. Fr e e Mason was t h e name g i v e n t o c r a f t s m e n 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 w h i c h began t o appear a f t e r t h e y e a r 1,000 when 'the g r e a t f r i g h t ' was d i s s i p a t e d . C h r i s t endom began 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 , b r i d g e s , c a s t l e s and above a l l , t h e c a t h e d r a l s - monuments w h i c h t o d a y s t i l l e l i c i t our a d m i r a t i o n and wonder.

These c r a f t s m e n were nominated as F r e e Masons s i n c e t h e y had no r e s t r i c t i o n s imposed 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 tradesmen whose movements were r e s t r i c t e d . F r e e Masons c o u l d t r a v e l t o any p l a c e i n w h i c h t h e i r s k i l l was i n demand. They sometimes assembled i n l a r g e numbers, w i t h 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 of t i m e . The b u i l d i n g 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 hundred y e a r s !

They e l e c t e d a M a s t e r Mason who was p l a c e d o v e r them t o d i r e c t t h e p r o g r e s s of the b u i l d i n g and t o r e p r e s e n t them. Under him were o v e r s e e r s , c a l l e d Wardens.

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 t h e y c a l l e d a Lodge, i n w h i c h were k e p t t h e i r p l a n s and d r a w i n g s , i n s t r u c t 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. They a l s o met t h e r e t o d i s c u s s and s o l v e problems as t h e y a r o s e and t o t r a n s a c t a l l the b u s i n e s s o f t h e i r t r a d e .

They met i n the s e c l u s i o n o f t h e i r l o d g e , away from t h e p r y i n g eyes and e a r s of the Cowans o r Common L o c a l Masons.

11

The r e l a t i o n s h i p o f members w i t h the o r d e r was t e s t e d o r a l l y and a s c e r t a i n e d by q u e s t i o n s and answers and Pass Words. One of t h e b r o t h e r h o o d was armed and p l a c e d a t t h e door t o p r o t e c t t h e p r o c e e d i n g s from b e i n g d i s t u r b e d by unwanted c a l l e r s .

A number of a p p r e n t i c e s were t a k e n i n t o t h e membership o f F r e e Masons; u s u a l l y from t h e age of 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 f i r s t i n t r o d u c e d t o the b r e t h r e n when t h e y were e n r o l l e d , o r e n t e r e d , on the r o l l b ooks.

T h i s was t h e o c c a s i o n i n t h e Lodge f o r a s h o r t ceremony c o n d u c t e d f o l l o w i n g a r i t u a l . They were i n t e r r o g a t e d by t h e M a s t e r t o 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 t h e c r a f t , t h e n t h e y were paraded around t h e room t o be acknowledged by t h e b r e t h r e n and t h e y were f o r m a l l y p r e s e n t e d t o t h e Wardens. They were t h e n g i v e n pass words and s i g n s t o p e r m i t them t o i d e n t i f y t h e m s e l v e s t o t h e b r o t h e r h o o d . Those passwords, s i g n s and t o k e n s were t h e i r o r a l 'Union T i c k e t s ' and t h e i r ' P a s s p o r t s ' t o e n a b l e them t o t r a v e l f r e e l y from one j o b s i t e t o t h e ne 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 upon them t o 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 the a r t . They u s u a l l y s t a y e d seven y e a r s b e f o r e b e i n g q u a l i f i e d t o 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 Mason 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 mark 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 work on t h e s t o n e he c u t o r the drawings 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 q u a l i f i e d Masons, one of t h e i r number was chosen t o become t h e M a s t e r o f t h e Lodge. He was e l e c t e d by h i s b r e t h r e n ; he r e p r e s e n t e d them, g u i d e d them, managed t h e i r i n t e r e s t s , and r u l e d them.

There were t h e n o n l y two d e g r e e s : t h a t o f a p p r e n t i c e s and t h a t o f f u l l y q u a l i f i e d f e l l o w c r a f t who used a d i s t i n c t i v e mark t o i d e n t i f y t h e i r work.

A n o t h e r s e t o f s i g n s and pass words was communicated t o t h e f e l l o w c r a f t s , a l s o t o t h e 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 i n f e r i o r degree p a s s i n g h i m s e l f o r 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 not 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 of a Lodge d u r i n g t h e i r l i f e t i m e and i t became customary t o advance t h e m e r i t o r i o u s - t h a t 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 - t o t h e r a n k o f M a s t e r 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. T h i s b e i n g t h e c a s e , a M a s t e r Mason chosen 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 and r i t u a l by o t h e r M a s t e r Masons who had s e r v e d i n t h a t c a p a c i t y .

12

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 t h e a d o p t i o n of t h e t h r e e 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 i n s t a l l e d M a s t e r i s not a M a s o n i c 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 of t h e f i r s t t h r e e and o n l y degrees i n F r e e Masonry.

The q u a l i t y of I n s t a l l e d M a s t e r i s not a degree as such i n the s c a l e o f Masonry C r a f t - o r B l u e Masonry - w h i c h i s t h e o n l y 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 h i s t o r i c a l l i n k 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 .

14

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16

The Lodges RISING SUN i n Gosford

Our d i s t r i c t , visited in 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 rise in 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 accessibility was only available by small sailing 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 in 1888. The transport of goods and products was greatly improved, and the travelling conditions for people became 'fast and commodious' ( i t took only four hours, and the carriages were provided with wooden benches). The district then began to expand and the l i t t l e village began to s t i r .

The establishment of the f i r s t Masonic Lodge in the di s t r i c t may have been determined, and certainly was facilitated by, the completion of the north-south Newcastle-Gosford-Sydney continuous r a i l link.

The completion and opening on 1 May 1889 of the railway bridge over the Hawkesbury River made travelling to Gosford from either Sydney or Newcastle a relatively easy undertaking. Until 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 shirts.

In 1892 i t was decided that the di s t r i c t was ready for Masonry. A petition was drawn up and signed by eleven brethren from Sydney and Newcastle. The Lodge 'STELLA D'ITALIA, No. 200' sponsored the petition, 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 in a ceremony held in the School of Arts at the corner of Mann Street and Georgiana Terrace, Gosford.

The population in the area at the time was sma 11, only three local Masons were members of the newly founded Lodge. For years to come, THE RISING SUN LODGE would depend on visitors from Sydney and Newcastle to f i l l most of the offices unti 1 new local Masons joined the ranks and took office.

17

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 raised, six had taken the f i r s t steps up the ladder and one had been a f f i l i a t e d . 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 officers of the Lodge were local brethren and the Lodge was well established.

THE RISING SUN LODGE could now stand on its own feet.

The brethren met in the School of Arts. 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 street, for some light refreshment and convivial fellowship.

The names of some members are s t i l l alive in our memories: John PARR, Gosford Post Master, was one of the three local foundation members; John SMITH, who built 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 practitioner.

Of the local Masons, Alexander RAE, John F, PARR, William McINTYRE, Thomas DEASEY, Charles PECK, Chris. Ed. KOHLHOFF and James KIBBLE became Masters in succession.

At the time, the School of Arts was the only suitable building in which to meet. A room in the basement was used for the meetings of the Gosford Borough Council, the f i r s t elections for which were held in February 1887. The LOYAL GOSFORD STAR Lodge of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows also met in the Committee Room of the old School of Arts as probably did other Committees of local associations. The original 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 LODGE struck the problems of diminishing membership. Recruits were becoming scarce and a number of members defected. Lack of interest from some made i t d i f f i c u l t to conduct meetings. The economic conditions were also deteriorating but this was not a local condition. The last years of the century saw a period of

18

general decline for the Craft, 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 five men make a Lodge, then THE RISING SUN LODGE was well off with seventeen members, but i t seems that some lost faith in their fate. 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 felt 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 1900 lapsed. An emergent meeting called under Dispensation f o r Election of Officers also lapsed.

On 7 September 1900, THE RISING SUN LODGE had submitted an application for permission to go into recess until 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, until July, 1901. The Board acceded to this request.'

The next meeting was held the fol lowing year on 21 September 1901 under the chairmanship of Wor. Bro. James KIBBLE. The number of brethren present is 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 its dissolution.

The Charter was returned together with dues s t i l l owed of 8/- and a contribution to Benevolence of 14/-. Total paid, £1/2/-.

The Board of General Purposes reports on 11 December 1901, p27:

'WARRANT SURRENDERED

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

The last brethren to receive their clearance were: Neil 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 is no Attendance Book. Three original registers have thus been preserved, which is 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 interesting. They have been wholly transcribed and typed.

A copy of the transript is available for Masters or any interested brother to study. Some Masters have decided that henceforth, at the end of the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, they would read the corresponding minutes of a century ago. This is a commendable proposition which w i l l perhaps infuse the brethren with a sense of their history.

Many influential men had joined the early lodge which seems to have been at that time one of the few social or cultural associations for menfolk. There was no Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Apex or Lions Club, no radio, cinemas or television. The local School of Arts was the focus for community meetings.

The Municipal Council of the Borough had been formed in 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: Petition for the formation of a Masonic Lodge in Gosford with eleven signatories, 'to meet on the f i r s t Saturday in 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 installation, being the f i r s t Saturday in the month.

1 October: Monthly meeting, f i r s t i n i t i a t i o n s , numbering five.

5 November: Monthly meeting, f i r s t passings.

3 December: Monthly meeting, raising of the f i r s t five

candidates, late night!

20

LIST OF OFFICERS

1892 - 1893

V. Wor. Bro. H. Passmore, D.G.I.W. WO/L. Ma^te/i

" " Dugald Dobie, D.G.I.W. 7. Pa^t Ma^teyi

Bro. A. Rae " J . F. Parr " H. C. Wheeler " R. H. W o r r a l l

W. H. Jones, P.M. " W. Mclntyre " D. T a l a r i c o " J . D. Cooper " J . Smith " C. Cain " Hy. Denney

^urvLoJi Wajiden

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Sen-Loyi D&acoa

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ABOVE: Gosford School of Arts , where Lodge R I S I N G S U N No . 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 Arts , and is still standing in 1992. Note the wording still visible on the stone wall: C O U N [ C I L ] [ C ] H A [ M B E R S ] .

N E X T PAGE: Master Mason's Certificate 1893 (Henry Charles W H E E L E R ) .

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23

i

1. T . N . 0 . T , G . A . 0 . T. U .

ixhipful Mofifpvs Aihh\>^s J s f^H^\ Jlont^r^

. LODGE "RISING SUN," ' . " OF i'RHK AND ACCKl 'TKn MASONS.

' ' \ *• . No. 206. . i * UNITED GRAND LODGE OF N E W SOUTH W A L E S .

8

, ' /V/y U'onhipful Bro. Havr;/ J'angi/wre, D.G.I.11'., H'om/ujiftil Miififfr.

't; / , ' ' V '

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

J, 1802, at 5 pau., in the School of A r t s , Muim-Mreet , UoJstorcl, at

I which your jmuctuul uttemhiiice is fntlornally i'cr|uestet1.

H o n .

JBro.......

24

n u s I K K s s : I, O o u H r m a i i o n of M i n u t e s .

TK T O b a l l o t f o iya i id i f uc«i^pt';d a n d p resent , iniii"ir« '

M r . { 'har los C a i n , Iioi«»lk<'tîH ;r , ( l o s f o r d , a.^'* yeai.-'. pro)>o.S( ti n y liro. AL\\ahd«'i' l i a r . S. V\ ., b C c u n d t M l l>y l im, J o h n F« P a r r , J . W .

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, tvê 1*0 ynnvi^^-propobi '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 *ro . J u n i i

P a n , . l ! \ V .

M r . W i l l i a m ] M c l n t v r e , !nana;:ôr Comniei<nal B a n k , Otxs fo id , nge 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 .

.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 , ai;e •lU years . p u » p u s r d 1»\. A u ' X . i i i J e i i t a c , S . W . j seconded i / j

• B r o . J o l a i F . Patr, J AW

M r . J o h n 8 n i i t h , Initehrw C»ns['ord, a<^H 41 yoars . proposed 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 lec t ion 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 on i

25

Members of THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206

Gosford.

1892 - 1900

In c h r o n o l o g i c a l order: Year

Name of B i r t h

Occupation

1 PASSMORE Harry Custom O f f i c e r 2 DOBIE Dugald B u i l d e r Contractor 3 JONES W i l l i a m Howard 4 RAE Alexander Farmer 5 PARR John F i l l i n g h a m Postmaster 6 BATH John Henry 7 TALARICO Davide Farmer 8 COOPER John 9 DENNEY Henry Farmer

10 BENSON Henry George Gentleman 11 WHEELER Henry Charles 1862 Member of Parliament 12 WORRALL Rochfort Henry 1862 Bank Manager 13 McINTYRE W i l l i a m 1862 Bank Manager (C.B.A.) 14 SMITH John 1851 Butcher 15 CAIN Charles 1857 Hotel Keeper 16 MULLARD John James 1851 Timber Merchant 17 WARD Manasseh 1852 Landowner Gentleman 18 FALLON Thomas 1873 P o l i c e Constable 19 LAWSON (Dr.) George Langrig L. 1857 P h y s i c i a n 20 DEASEY Thomas 1857 Overseer, Estate Agent 21 FOUNTAIN A l f r e d Ernest 1870 Bank C l e r k 22 PECK Charles 1852 School Master 23 COULTER Robert 1848 Carpenter 24 ROBLEY John George 1844 Hotel Keeper 25 FITZ-NEADS Arthur C. 1868 Road Department Engineer 26 ANDERSON N e i l 1853 Gentleman 27 THORNTHWAITE Fr a n c i s F r e d e r i c k 1860 Custom O f f i c e r 28 TUCK David 1839 Farmer 29 THOMPSON W i l l i a m Robert S. 1864 School Master 30 KOHLHOFF C h r i s t i a n Edward 1846 School Master 31 BARKER Stanley G. 1870 Draper 32 BEVERIDGE Henry Sydney 1870 Cl e r k Petty Sessions 33 STEAD George W i l l i a m S t a t i o n Master 34 DENING E l i e z e r Walter 1865 Farmer 35 McFARLANE G 36 FRIEDMAN Godfrey 1867 S t a t i o n Master 37 NICHOLLS W i l l i a m H. 1856 Road Engineer 38 KIBBLE James 1858 Blacksmith 39 HOLDWORTH P h i l i p Joseph 1871 Cadet ( F o r e s t r y ) 40 FIELDER (Dr. ) Sidney 1859 P h y s i c i a n

hlAyit ten. above cute I- oundation membeM.yi of. the. todg.e.

26

Year Name of

B i r t h Occupation

41 LOVE Henry 1867 Cl e r k 42 COX Henry R. 1862 43 BARLOW Lloyd 1847 Hotel Keeper 44 ATKINS W i l l i a m 1838 Contractor 45 MENZIES Andrew 1860 Railway O f f i c e r 46 STATHAM Hugh Worthington 1869 Engineer 47 SMITH John 1851 Contractor 48 HARRIS A l b e r t E. 49 SMITH John 1851 50 BEAHAN Augustus Mo r r i s 1861 Farmer 51 PARRY Joseph John 1861 Cook 52 SMITH George 1853 Farmer

* McFARLANE, G. paid £1.1.0 i n i t i a t i o n fee - August 1893 only entry.

Note-

These candidates l o s t b a l l o t and were not accepted:

JACQUES A.S. Timber Merchant CLARK J.W. WHITE Robert J . CLEMENTS Edward T a i l o r

27

Members of THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206

Gosford. 1892 - 1900

ANDERSON N e i l Gosford ATKINS W i l l i a m Mangrove BARKER Stanley Gosford BARLOW Lloyd Gosford BATH John Henry BEHAN Augustus Green Point BENSON Henry George Gosford BEVERIDGE Henry Sydney Gosford CAIN Charles Gosford COOPER John Rose H i l l , Mangrove COULTER Robert Gosford COX Henry R. B l a c k w a l l , Woy Woy DEASEY Thomas Gosford DENING E l i e z e r Walter E r i n a DENNEY Henry J . Si n g l e t o n DOBIE Dugald Newcastle, P e r k i n Street FALLON Thomas Gosford FIELDER Sidney Gosford FITZ-NEADS Arthur C. Gosford FOUNTAIN A l f r e d Ernest Gosford FRIEDMAN Geoffrey Gosford HARRIS A l b e r t Gosford HOLDWORTH P h i l i p Joseph JONES W i l l i a m Howard Sydney, Custom House KIBBLE James Gosford KOHLHOFF C h r i s t i a n Edward Kincumber LAWSON George Langrig L. East Gosford & Redfern LOVE Henry Gosford McINTYRE W i l l i a m Gosford MENZIES Andrew Ourirabah MULLARD John James Gosford NICHOLLS W i l l i a m H. Gosford PARR John F i l l i n g h a m Gosford, Post O f f i c e PARRY Joseph John Er i n a PASSMORE Harry Sydney, Custom House PECK Charles Gosford RAE Alexander E r i n a ROBLEY John George Wyong l a t e r Ourimbah SMITH George SMITH John Gosford SMITH John Wyong STATHAM Hugh Gosford STEAD George Morisset TALARICO Davide E r i n a THOMPSON W i l l i a m Robert Narara THORNTHWAITE Fr a n c i s F r e d e r i c Five Dock TUCK David Kincumber WARD Manasseh Gosford l a t e r Drummoyne WHEELER Henry Charles Gosford WORRALL Rochfort Henry Gosford

28

BY-LAWS of

LODGE RISING SUN No. 206

U.G.L. N.S.W.

2. Place and Time of Meeting. The Monthly Meeting of the Lodge s h a l l be held at the School of A r t s , Gosford, on the f i r s t Saturday i n every month, the business to commence at 5 p.m., the same to be duly announced i n the 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 Brother desirous of proposing a Candidate must do so at a Regular Monthly Meeting, and at the same time d e l i v e r to the Secretary i n w r i t i n g the name, age and place of abode, together w i t h p r o f e s s i o n or trade of such Candidate, and deposit the sum of One Guinea. At the next Regular Monthly Lodge Meeting the Candidate s h a l l be b a l l o t e d f o r , when, unless three negatives appear, he s h a l l be declared duly e l e c t e d , and may be i n i t i a t e d the same evening or any other meeting of the Lodge w i t h i n s i x months upon payment of f u l l fees; but i n the event of non-attendance w i t h i n that p e r i o d , the deposit s h a l l be f o r f e i t e d . I f the Candidate be r e j e c t e d , the deposit s h a l l be returned.

7. Fees and Dues. The f o l l o w i n g s h a l l be the fees and dues of the Lodge. I n i t i a t i o n , Passing and R a i s i n g . . . £6 6 0 A f f i l i a t i o n . . . 1 1 0 Emergency Meeting ( i f at request of a

Candidate, except f o r i n i t i a t i o n . ) . . . 1 1 0 Conferring Second or 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 . Correct Masonic costume, or at l e a s t dark c l o t h i n g , must be worn i n accordance with the Book of C o n s t i t u t i o n .

17. Refreshments. No refreshments s h a l l be ordered f o r the Lodge except those authorised by the W.M.

Submitted to and approved of by the Board of General Purposes.

Feb. 22, 1893

ARTHUR H. BRAY, Grand Secretary.

29

' ^ J^-Jr.Mi J)^i^^^ f^r^^c^ ^ws ;^ ..§y^ ^.

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24 September 1892: OPENING PAGE of the Minutes of the Inaugurat i o n , D e dication and Consecration of THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206, at the School of A r t s , Gosford.

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33

L i s t of Members of THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206

i n order of j o i n i n g as shown by the b i - y e a r l y Membership Returns to the Grand Lodge.

The names of Past Master of the lodge are un d e r l i n e d , t h e i r date of I n s t a l l a t i o n i s noted.

1892 1892 Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

PASSMORE DOBIE RAE PARR

BATH TALARICO COOPER BENSON DENNEY JONES

CAIN WHEELER McINTYRE WORRALL SMITH MULLARD WARD FALLON

LAWSON DEASEY

FOUNTAIN PECK

Harry W.M. Dugald I.P.M. Alexander S.W. John F. J.W.

Secretary J.W. Davide John Henry G. Henry Wm, Howard

Secretary Charles Henry C. W i l l i a m Rochfort H. John John James Manasseh Thomas

Secretary Dr. George L. Thomas

Secretary A l f r e d E. Charles

Secretary

1892 1892 1893 1894 1897

1892

1895

1896

1896 1899

1897 1893

Dec BATH J.W.

34

1893 Jan

Feb

Apr

J u l

Aug Nov

COULTER ROBLEY FITZ-NEADS ANDERSON THORNTHWAITE KOHLHOFF BEVERIDGE BARKER THOMPSON STEAD

TUCK DENING

Robert John Geo. Arthur C. N e i l F r a n c i s F. C h r i s t i a n E, Henry S. Stanley G. W i l l i a m R. George W.

David E l i e z e r W.

1897

1894 Jan FRIEDMAN Godfrey Apr NICHOLLS W i l l i a m H. May KIBBLE James Aug HOLDWORTH P h i l i p J . Dec FIELDER Sidney

1893

J u l COOPER WORRALL

John Rochfort H.

1894

1895

1899

Dec HOLDWORTH P h i l i p J . DENNEY Henry FITZ-NEADS Arthur C. THORNTHWAITE F r a n c i s F, JONES W i l l i a m H.

1895 May

Aug Oct

LOVE COX BARLOW ATKINS MENZIES

Henry Henry R. Lloyd W i l l i a m Andrew

J u l COULTER Robert

35

1895

1896 Jun

Nov

STATHAM

SMITH

1897 Mar HARRIS

SMITH *

1898

Feb May

BEAHAN PARRY

Hugh W.

John

A l b e r t E. John

Augustus M. Joseph J .

1895 Dec WHEELER Henry C.

LAWSON George L. ROBLEY John G. BEVERIDGE Henry S. BARKER Stanley G. STEAD George W. DENING E l i e z e r W.

1896 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

Dec RAE Alexander BENSON Henry G. LOVE Henry FRIEDMAN Godfrey

189-1

Jun FALLON Thomas

189 3 Jan STRATHAM Hugh W. Feb TALARICO Davide

36

1898 1898

189? )

Aug Oct Dec

189

HARRIS A l b e r t E. SMITH John COX Henry R.

?

Nov SMITH George Oct KOHLHOFF C h r i s t i a n E.

* 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 before June 1896, he r e - a f f i l i a t e d i n March 1897.

Tot a l membership at time of surrendering of warrant - 16 on 21st of September, 1901.

The f o l l o w i n g were s t i l l members of the lodge at the time of c l o s u r e ; Clearance was granted on 21 September 1901.

John F. PARR W i l l i a m McINTYRE Thomas DEASEY Charles 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 at the end of June each year from returns to Grand Lodge,

YEAR NO of

to OL U J

3-;:

Q U J h-<e t—«

Q U J

o

u. L I . O

O UJ _1 _ J «£ o

o U J »—« Q

U . U . o

tx: 1-

NUMBER OF MEMBERS

1892 19 2 30 1893 30 2 3 5 30 1894 30 4 2 2 34 1895 34 2 1 11 26 1896 26 2 3 9 22 1897 22 1 2 3 1 21 1898 21 2 3 20 1899 20 3 17 1900 17 1 1 17 1901 17

33 13 37 1

Warrant surrendered December 1901.

38

THE RISING SUN LODGE No. 206

By

Balance Sheet f o r the year 1893

INCOME

Nomination Fees I n i t i a t i o n do A f f i l i a t i o n do Dues. Oct 16. 0

M Nov 2. 0. 0 It Dec 2.12. 0 f l Jan 3. 4. 0 " Feb 3.16. 0 II Mar 4. 4. 0 II Apl 3. 4. 0 II May 4. 8. 0 II June 4. 2. 0 11 J u l y 5. 0. 0 II Aug 4.12. 0

Balance to Bank

24. 3. 0 105. 0. 0

3. 3. 0

37.18. 0 170. 4. 0

6. 7

AudLt&d and f.ound co/uie.c±. 170.10. 7

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

EXPENDITURE Grand Lodge

Charter Fee 10.10. 0 Dues 6. 6. 0

do. 14.14. 0 21. 0. 0 Fu r n i t u r e 50. 0. 0 Removing do. Carriage 1. 8. 0 A l t e r a t i o n s School of Ar t s 6.14. 0 M a t e r i a l f o r D i t t o 2.11. 8 Cheque Book 4. 2 Regalia 16. 7. 6 Lodge Stamp 15. 0 Refreshments Bro Cain 6. 2. 1

do. 10. 0. 0 do. 10. 0. 0 26. 2. 1

Oysters 2. 5. 0 Pa i n t i n g Higgs 17. 6 Rent School of Ar t s 5.12. 6 P r i n t i n g Bone 19. 2. 0 Sta t i o n e r y Postage & Sec Expenses 11.18. 2 In t e r e s t on ov e r d r a f t 2. 0 Advertisement 1. 1. 0

170.10. 7

39

Lodge THE RISING SUN No. 206. Gosford. 1892 - 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 P.H. CERTIFICATE DISPENSE BENEVOLENCE TOTAL

1893 0/ 7/0 5/ 5/0 0/14/0 ( 6/ 6/0)

1894 2/17/0 16/16/0 1/11/6 0/10/6 6/ 0/0 (27/15/0)

1895 3/ 6/0 3/13/6 0/10/6 0/ 5/0 0/10/6 7/ 0/0 15/ 5/6

1896 2/17/0 3/ 3/0 0/10/6 6/ 2/0 12/12/6

1897 2/ 0/0 1/ 1/0 4/ 2/0 7/ 3/0

1898 2/ 1/0 4/ 2/0 6/ 3/0

1899 1/16/6 2/ 2/0 1/ 1/0 3/16/0 8/15/6

1900 1/15/0 1/ 1/0 3/10/0 6/ 6/0

1901 0/17/0 1/14/0 2/11/0

1902 0/ 8/0 WARRANT RETURNED 0/14/0 1/ 2/0

L i s t of the Masters of Lodge RISING SUN No. 206. wit h the name of t h e i r Secretary.

24 Sept. 1892 Harry PASSMORE W.H. Jones 2 Sept, 1893 Alexander RAE Charles Peck 1 Sept. 1894 John F i l l i n g h a m PARR -7 Sept. 1895 W i l l i a m McINTYRE -4 Sept. 1896 Thomas DEASEY Thomas F a l l o n

18 Sept. 1897 Charles PECK John F. Parr 17 Sept. 1898 C h r i s t i a n E. KOHLHOFF 16 Sept. 1899 James KIBBLE Thos. Deafeey

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

The l a s t meeting was held on 21 September 1901.

4 0

Minute* .

CorreBpondence.

To ballot for, and, if accepted and present, to initiate, the fo l lowing—

J Maine. Age. I'roft'ssion. Address. Proposed liy Seconded by

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2nd Degree.

3rd Degree.

Genera!.

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41

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42

1. PASSMORE, H a r r y .

The involvement o f Harry Passmore i n the f o r m a t i o n of our

f i r s t lodge was i m p o r t a n t , and f o r t h a t r e a s o n we w i l l d e l v e

more f u l l y i n t o h i s c a r e e r .

Born i n 1854, he was f i r s t a p p o i n t e d a Customs O f f i c e r i n

Sydney i n 1877. He was p o s t e d at the Queensland b o r d e r i n

1880, and r e c e i v e d a s a l a r y of £ 2 5 0 p l u s £ 5 0 expenses. He

became S e n i o r I n s p e c t o r o f D i s t i l l e r i e s and E x c i s e i n 1899,

was promoted i n 1901 and made S e n i o r I n s p e c t o r i n 1913.

Har r y Passmore had an important Masonic c a r e e r . He was i n s t a l l e d

as W o r s h i p f u l Master of Lodge WENTWORTH No. 89 a t the June

meeting of 1889.

On 3 September 1889, he r e c e i v e d the new C h a r t e r , w i t h 'annexure'

a c c o r d i n g t o a r t i c l e s of u n i o n i s s u e d t o the Lodge by the

U n i t e d Grand Lodge o f New South Wales. Lodge WENTWORTH i n i t i a l l y

f o l l o w e d the l i n e s o f the E n g l i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n .

Passmore seems to have had a f a m i l y c o n n e c t i o n w i t h Lodge

WENTWORTH, as i n 1890 i t s J.W. was F. Passmore and a W.B.T.

Passmore h e l d the p o s i t i o n of T r e a s u r e r i n 1890 and 1891.

Harry appears on the r o l l as I n s t a l l i n g Master f o r f o u r s u c c e s

s i v e y e a r s : 1891, 1892, 1893 and 1894.

In June 1890 Wor. B r o . Ha r r y Passmore was i n s t a l l e d f o r a

second term. At the meeting h e l d on 7 J u l y 1891, Wor. B r o .

Har r y Passmore i n f o r m e d the Lodge t h a t he had r e c e i v e d r e p

r e s e n t a t i o n from a number of I t a l i a n B r e t h r e n , a s k i n g him

to take the p o s i t i o n of C h a r t e r Master of a new Lodge, and

r e q u e s t e d the W o r s h i p f u l Master and Wardens t o recommend the

p r a y e r of the p e t i t i o n of the s a i d B r e t h r e n f o r the f o r m a t i o n

of the Lodge t o be c a l l e d 'LA STELLA D'ITALIA', which r e q u e s t

was unanimously agreed t o . T h i s s u c c e s s f u l Lodge now bears

the t i t l e of STAR OF AUSTRALIA, No. 200.

Ap a r t from b e i n g F o u n d a t i o n Master of Lodge 'LA STELLA D'ITALIA',

where he s e r v e d a second term i n 1892-93, he a l s o became a

C h a r t e r Member and F o u n d a t i o n Master o f Lodge RISING SUN No.

206 i n 1892.

He was honoured w i t h e l e c t i o n to o f f i c e i n the U n i t e d Grand

Lodge of N.S.W. The B r e t h r e n of the RISING SUN Lodge 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 the Lodge

i n F e b r u a r y 1893. They a l s o nominated him f o r p o s i t i o n s on

the Board o f G e n e r a l Purposes and on the Board of B e n e v o l e n c e .

[Minutes, 8 April 1893]

Dugald DOBIE (c. 1845-1930)

45

He became V.W.B. Harry Passmore i n 1893.

He was s t i l l a member of Lodge 206 i n 1900, one o f the t h r e e

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

In 1903 the C r a f t and Harry Passmore p a r t e d ways.

Information extracted from:

'Quarterly Communications of United Grand Lodge

of New South Wales.'

Notes kindly provided by Brian Murphy, History Contact

Officer, Australian Customs Service.

Brochure, 'Jubilee History of Lodge WENTWORTH

No. 89.'

2. DOBIE, D u g a l d .

Dugald DOBIE was the f o u n d a t i o n Immediate Past Master of Lodge

206 i n 1893. At t h a t time he was the D i s t r i c t Grand I n s p e c t o r

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 e n e r g e t i c and t r u e

Mason. A P r e s b y t e r i a n , he was born i n D u n f e r m l i n e , S c o t l a n d ,

the son of R i c h a r d DOBIE and H e l l e n (SMART), and came t o A u s t r a

l i a i n 1854 aged 9.

Dobie devoted most of h i s time t o the C r a f t . He spent a l l

of h i s l i f e i n the d i s t r i c t of N e w c a s t l e . He was f i r s t i n i t i a t e d

i n t o the C r a f t on 30 January 1872 i n Lodge UNITY No. 547 E.C.

West M a i t l a n d .

B e f o r e 1888, t h r e e 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 s i d e by

s i d e i n New South Wales. His Mother Lodge i s now UNITY, U.G.L.

N.S.W. West M a i t l a n d No. 4, which 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. Dugald Dobie went thr o u g h a l l degrees i n the C r a f t ;

he a f f i l i a t e d w i t h a number o f l o c a l l o d g e s , and o c c u p i e d

the c h a i r of Lodge HARMONY No. 381 S.C. at Newcastle i n 1874.

He was a p p o i n t e d D.G.I.W. o f the D i s t r i c t Grand Lodge of S c o t l a n d

i n 1881, l a t e r G.I.W., which t i t l e was c o n f i r m e d i n 1888.

He was D.G.I.W. i n 1891-92 and 1896.

46

He was one of t h e e l e v e n s i g n a t o r i e s on the p e t i t i o n t o form a lodge i n G o s f o r d . He remained w i t h the lod g e u n t i l i t s l a s t m e e t i n g . He l i v e d i n P e r k i n S t r e e t , N e w c a s t l e u n t i l 1896 and 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 keen i n t e r e s t i n Mark Masonry and 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 l i f e member of F . B . I , and was member of the B. of G.P.

He was a f o u n d e r of 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 and encouraged the s t u d y o f Masonic H i s t o r y , and gave h i s own l i b r a r y t o the M. & W. A s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t h e p r o v i s o t h a t t h e y p r o v i d e s u i t a b l e 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 and h e l p e d a g r e a t 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 P a s t M a s t e r s , who became f o u n d a t i o n M a s t e r o f Lodge GOSFORD No. 742, knew him w e l l . The l a t e George STEWART met Dugald Dobie f i r s t when he r e p r e s e n t e d the G.M. a t Lodge KURRI ST GEORGE, w h i c h B r o . S t e w a r t had j o i n e d :

'When I was i n t h e C h a i r a t KURRI ST GEORGE, Duga l d Dobie v i s i t e d us q u i t e a b i t because when t h e Lodge was formed i n O c t o b e r 1926, he had been t h e Grand M a s t e r ' s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e a t t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n . He k e p t h i s i n t e r e s t up w i t h t h a t Lodge and a l t h o u g h he was g e t t i n g on i n y e a r s a t t h a t t i m e 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 from N e w c a s t l e t o K u r r i K u r r i . A l s o , when h i s lodge was formed i n N e w c a s t l e he went t h e r e t o pay a f r a t e r n a l v i s i t on q u i t e a number of o c c a s i o n s a t Lodge DUGALD DOBIE, and as he was always t h e r e t h a t i s how 1 came t o know him 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 from S c o t l a n d o r i g i n a l l y and 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 b e f o r e t h e Amalgamation.

' He was a l i t t l e man, v e r y dumpy, as 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 s t e r n 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 and T r a d i t i o n s and good company t o o . There i s a p a i n t i n g o f him i n h i s Lodge', George s a i d .

Lodge DUGALD DOBIE No. 563, formed i n 1925 and m e e t i n g a t H a m i l t o n , was named f o r him.

R.W. B r o . Dobie d i e d a t ' A l l o a ' , S t a n l e y S t r e e t , H a m i l t o n , a t the age of 85 y e a r s . He was b u r i e d a t Sandgate i n the P r e s b y t e r i a n s e c t i o n o f t h e cemetery. He was not m a r r i e d .

47

He was involved to such an extent in a l l aspects of local Masonry that i t has been written: 'there was scarcely a Lodge that could write its early history without recording his name for services rendered'. Clearly, our f i r s t lodge is one of them.

An obituary which appeared in the New South Wales F r e e Mason No. 12, December 1930, reports more fully 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.'

Articles in 'The Free Mason'. Secretary of Lodge DUGALD DOBIE. Recollections from W. Bro. George F. Stewart.

Registrar General's Department: Death Certificate.

3. JONES, William Howard.

William Howard JONES was the sixth signatory to the petition to G.L. 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 in a neat copperplate script. It seems that he was the one who wrote the original petition to Grand Lodge for the formation of the new lodge. Charles P E C K became secretary in September 1893 and William JONES resigned from the lodge in 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 local identity.

Information extracted f r o m : 'Petition for the Formation of a Lodge.

48

4. RAE, A l e x a n d e r .

We have not been a b l e t o f i n d out much about t h e f o u n d a t i o n S e n i o r Warden and second M a s t e r o f t h e l o d g e . The f i r s t name on the p e t i t i o n , A l e x a n d e r RAE was a member of LA STELLA D' ITALIA. He i s e n t e r e d as a farmer of 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 Sydney l o d g e . He may have l e f t the d i s t r i c t i n A p r i l 1895 as he c e a s e d t o pay h i s dues - 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 amounted 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 s h i l l i n g s p e r month. On subsequent l i s t s h i s a d d r e s s i s l e f t b l a n k . The amount due had r u n t o 69/-by November 1896, and he was s u b s e q u e n t l y e x p e l l e d from 6 November 1896. He had p r o b a b l y l e f t t h e d i s t r i c t , as h i s a d d r e s s was unknown and he c o u l d not be c o n t a c t e d .

A l e x a n d e r RAE's w i f e d i e d on 2 March 1895. Perhaps he went to l i v e w i t h a son or d a u g h t e r , l o s i n g a l l c o n t a c t w i t h the Lodge.

5. PARR, John F i l l i n g h a m .

A l t h o u g h a member of Lodge LA STELLA D'ITALIA o f Sydney, he was t h e l o c a l P o s t m a s t e r when he s i g n e d the p e t i t i o n and became a C h a r t e r member i n 1892.

He had been a p p o i n t e d to G o s f o r d T e l e g r a p h O f f i c e i n 1878 and t o the P o s t M a s t e r ' s O f f i c e from September 1879. He came from Queanbeyan t o t a k e on t h e f u l l 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 Donnison S t r e e t s , now t h e l o c a t i o n of the Commonwealth Bank. I n March 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 South P o s t O f f i c e ) .

John F. PARR was s t i l l P o s t M a s t e r a t G o s f o r d i n 1911, h a v i n g been i n charge f o r n e a r l y 34 y e a r s . He was the f a t h e r of Guy PARR, r a t h e r w e l l - k n o w n h i m s e l f t o o l d e r r e s i d e n t s of the a r e a .

John F i l l i n g h a m PARR was w i d e l y known, t a k i n g an i n t e r e s t 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 f o u n d a t i o n J u n i o r Warden i n 1892, becoming t h e t h i r d

49

Master of the lodge i n 1894 and serving as Secretary in 1897.

Ha was, together with Dugald DOBIE and Henry PASSMORE, one of the l a s t three o r i g i n a l charter members of the lodge, who were s t i l l members when the Warrant was surrendered i n 1901.

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 Christ Church, East Gosford on 25 September 1879. The bride was s i s t e r to the a r t i s t Sid 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 Rural Bank, Gosford, and was a member of RISING SUN No. 311.

PARR owned the cottage 'Neringla V i n York Street, East Gosford before the turn of the century, as well as other l o c a l land.

J. F. PARR died at A r n c l i f f e i n Sydney i n August 1930 and was buried at Rookwood Cemetery. An obituary stated that he was a native of Nottingham, England.

A r t i c l e s have been written about PARR and the Gosford Post Off i c e at various times, including the Woy Woy Herald of 3 October 1930, and an a r t i c l e by George Fletcher in the Gosford Times i n 1928.

An illuminated address presented to John P a r r on his retirement i n December 1913 i s i n the Brisbane Water H i s t o r i c a l Society's Museum at West Gosford.


Various recollections.

Ooituary.

6. BATH, John Henry.

A member of Lodge EARL CARNARVON No. 180, John Bath signed the p e t i t i o n and became a foundation member i n September 1892, but resigned i n December.


'Petition for the Formation of a Lodge.'

50

7. TALARICO, D a v i d e .

Davide TALARICO was a member of Lodge STELLA D'ITALIA, i n Sydney. He became a f o u n d a t i o n Member of Lodge RISING SUN No. 206 i n 1892 a t w h i c h time 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 , and he r e s i g n e d i n F e b r u a r y 1898.

Davide T a l a r i c o was b o r n i n L u c e r n e , S w i t z e r l a n d . One o f a f a m i l y of t h i r t e e n c h i l d r e n , h i s mother was Swedish.

He came t o A u s t r a l i a i n 1869, aged about 24. He was w e l l 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. H i s b r o t h e r l a t e r came out from S w i t z e r l a n d and t h e y began g r o w i n g and s e l l i n g palms. I m p o r t i n g palm seeds from t h e 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 the 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 t h e a t r e s , e t c . , 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 s i t u a t e d a t Maroubra.

He m a r r i e d a B r i t i s h g i r l , much younger t h a n h i m s e l f , from th e i n f l u e n t i a l Vaughan f a m i l y of Wales.

They were good f r i e n d s of t h e WUNDERLICH b r o t h e r s , A l f r e d and E r n e s t , who came from Germany. The W u n d e r l i c h b r o t h e r s were b u i l d e r s ' s u p p l i e r s , w e l l remembered f o r t h e i r p r e s s e d s t e e l o r n a m e n t a l s h e e t i n g .

Davide was caught i n the bank 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 and e s t a b l i s h e d an o r c h a r d . He commenced a v i n e y a r d , the f i r s t and o n l y i n G o s f o r d , making w i n e , but b i r d s r u i n e d the grapes so he d i s c o n t i n u e d t h i s v e n t u r e . H i s wine was q u i t e good. I n a r e p o r t on the G o s f o r d Show i n The G o s f o r d Times i n 1902, T a l a r i c o ' s name appeared i n t h e l i s t o f p r i z e w i n n e r s i n t h e f r u i t s e c t i o n . A l a t e r i s s u e r e f e r s t o him as a ' f r u i t grower'.

He b u i l t a house a t E r i n a , n ear H o l g a t e , w h i c h he c a l l e d 'Como', the name of the p l a c e from w h i c h h i s f a m i l y had o r i g i n a t e d i n I t a l y . 'Como' was b u i l t i n 1906 w i t h the h e l p of a n e i g h b o u r , German-born J a c k STRAUB. The c e i l i n g s of the house were 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 .

D a v ide T a l a r i c o d i e d about 1936 a t N o r t h Sydney, aged 91. He had s o l d h i s farm t o D a v i d JENKINS, manager of the 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 a t N a r a r a . J e n k i n s l a t e r became a member and M a s t e r of Lodge RISING SUN 311.

Abbreviated from information supplied

i n 1981 by Herbert W i l l i am T a l a r i c o ,

( r e t i r e d ) of Bateau Bay, son of Davide

T a l a r i c o .

51

8. COOPER, John.

A signatory of the petition, and member of Lodge PYTHAGORAS No. 68. His address was Rose H i l l , Mangrove. He resigned in July 1893, and this is a l l we know about him.

9. PENNEY, Henry.

Henry Denney was a local storekeeper who had taken up post office 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 petition. 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 office section was moved a short distance from his shop to the railway station, the reason being that the station master could look after the two jobs. [See No. 45: MENZIES, Andrew.]

Denney was born in the Hawkesbury dis t r i c t in 1851. Later on he lived at Lake Macquarie, commencing business in 1882 as a merchant. He belonged to an old colonial family and is looked upon as one of the pioneer storekeepers of the Gosford d i s t r i c t .

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 left the di 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 sister. In 1904 H. J . Denney and his wife were conducting the Premier Hotel at Broadmeadow, Newcastle.


ALDINE, Centennial History, 1888.

Local newspapers.

52

10. BENSON, Henry George.

A signatory of the p e t i t i o n to form a lodge i n Gosford, he belonged to Lodge FIDELITY No. 101. He resigned on 8 October 1896.

A wealthy man at the turn of the century, he was born cl868 and l i v e d at Rockdale. He married h i s wife E l l e n i n 1887. On the deeds of land purchased at Point F r e d e r i c k i n 1891, he i s described as a gentleman. He b u i l t an imposing house on Lots 4 and 5 of the T y r r e l l E s t a t e , used as a boarding house known as the 'Somatic'.

Henry Benson was a magician and actor who performed on stage and consequently was very w e l l known l o c a l l y . He had guest houses, or boarding houses as they were c a l l e d , and i n 1898 he had moved to h i s boarding house at Woy Woy (Murphy's).

In November 1901 he s o l d 'Somatic' to R. J . WHITE. The family seems to have moved from Sydney to Gosford and back.

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

His c h i l d r e n s e t t l e d permanently i n Gosford, where t h e i r f a m i l i e s s t i l l l i v e .

Information from:

R e c o l l e c t i o n s of 'Perong' i n The Gosford

Times.

Mrs P h i l i p s and Doris Benson, grand

daughters.

11. WHEELER, Henry Charles.

Storekeeper, Gosford. Age 30 years.

Henry Charles WHEELER was i n i t i a t e d i n the f i r s t i ntake i n October 1892. His c e r t i f i c a t e i s preserved i n our a r c h i v e s .

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

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at St Alban's on the Macdonald River. During this period, in 1860, he married Eliza 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 until about 1885, as he was employed elsewhere in the retailing business.

At f i r s t Henry C. WHEELER was managing the Mann Street South store of his Aunt Lucy, widow of John WORLEY. Later he bought a substantial general store of his own in Mann Street, one with living premises upstairs. This later became the property of his auctioneer brother Frederick WHEELER when Harry moved on to other fields of interest. Harry had a shop in Campbell's building.

H. C. WHEELER served as an Alderman of the f i r s t Gosford Borough Council in 1887 and was the second Mayor in 1888. He remained in Gosford until he was elected M.L.A. for Northumberland in 1895, one of the youngest members of Parliament. He resigned from the Lodge in March 1895, and from then on he lived in Sydney. He became a member of the Stock Exchange at the end of his mandate, and remained a member of the Stock Exchange until his death in 1935. He never married, and is buried at Point Frederick.

A drinking fountain was erected in Gosford Memorial Park in 1977 by his nephew, Fred WHEELER, to commemorate H. C. WHEELER's early civic achievements in Gosford. Fred Wheeler also planted a liquidambar tree in this park to replace the brush box put there by H. C. Wheeler in 1888 while he was Mayor, and which had since died.

Information from:

Various articles in The Gosford Times.

Recollections from H. C. WHEELER's nephew, Fred.

M. WHEELER.

12. WORRALL, Rochfort Henry.

Manager, A.J.S. Bank, Gosford. Age 30 years.

Nothing more is known about Rochfort WORRALL.

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13. McINTYRE, W i l l i a m .

Manager, Commercial Bank, Gosford. Age 30 years.

The M e r c a n t i l e 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 taken over by the Commercial Bank of A u s t r a l i a Ltd e a r l y i n 1891. W i l l i a m 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 surrender of the Warrant.

The C.B.A. bank was s i t u a t e d i n a cottage on the high bank of the eastern side of Mann S t r e e t , now part of the Gosford Council s i t e next to the o l d Court House.

McINTYRE a r r i v e d i n Gosford about the time he j o i n e d the lodge, and l i v e d i n the bank premises. He l e f t the d i s t r i c t i n 1904, being t r a n s f e r r e d to 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 Gosford, 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 to the A g r i c u l t u r a l A s s o c i a t i o n , being the s e c r e t a r y of the Gosford Show i n 1902, and winning p r i z e s f o r himself i n the H o r t i c u l t u r a l S e c t i o n . He was c a p t a i n of the l o c a l R i f l e 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 popular i n the community. The Mayor opened a s u b s c r i p t i o n l i s t to provide 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 send-off was a l s o given to him at Wyong i n A p r i l , 1904. A dance was held i n the Gosford School of A r t s i n honour of him and h i s f a m i l y , and w i t h the p a r t i c i p a t i o n of the Mason's Family Orchestra, everyone j o i n e d hands to sing 'Auld Lang Syne'. A send-off was a l s o given to him by the A. and H. A s s o c i a t i o n . W i l l i a m BURNS s o l d by auction h i s f u r n i t u r e , boat, buggy, p o u l t r y , e t c . i n A p r i l 1904,

His successor at the bank was J . E. LORD. W. E. KIRKNESS succeeded McINTYRE as Honorary Secretary 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 replaced him as t r e a s u r e r on the School 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 paid to him, the Mayor of Brisbane being present.


The Gosford Times, various a r t i c l e s .

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 (1857-1941) surrounded by his family.

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14. SMITH, J o h n .

B u t c h e r , G o s f o r d . Age 41 y e a r s .

John SMITH was a b u t c h e r i n G o s f o r d , t h e town t h e n b e i n g s i t u a t e d m a i n l y where 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 ston e house w h i c h 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 the edge of 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 st o n e f o r t h e house was q u a r r i e d under t h e h i l l , down-stream on t he 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 o y s t e r l e a s e b e i n g n e a r b y ) . The stone was bro u g h t by punt t o t he s i t e where i t was c u t and s e t .

John and 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 o f W i l l i a m N i c h o l a s CAIN and M a r i a COBDEN and s i s t e r o f C h a r l e s CAIN) l i v e d the r e w i t h t h e i r f a m i l y of e l e v e n c h i l d r e n : J o s e p h , John, M i r i a m , M a r g a r e t , S t e l l a , Henry, N i c h o l a s , D a v i d , C h a r l e s and S i d n e y . A l l t he boys l e a r n e d t h e b u t c h e r i n g t r a d e 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.

A l l t h e f a m i l y was m u s i c a l l y minded. B r o t h e r s and s i s t e r s formed a band w h i c h used t o p l a y a t v a r i o u s venues. C h a r l e s SMITH remembers t h a t t h e y p l a y e d a t the orphanage a t Kincumber, f o r i n s t a n c e .

John SMITH was a good c r i c k e t e r , a good batsman.

He had h i s s l a u g h t e r house c l o s e by h i s house, t h e n s i t u a t e d 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 , e x t e n d i n g toward S p r i n g f i e l d . I t was a b i g paddock, e n c l o s e d by a f e n c e f o u r f e e t h i g h , made of s l i p p o s t s and t h r e e rows o f r a i l s . I t had t o keep the sheep as w e l l as t h e b u l l o c k s i n s i d e ! The s l a u g h t e r house was s i t u a t e d a p p r o x i m a t e l y i n t h e same p l a c e as the E l a n o r a H o t e l s t a n d s now.

The l a t e 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 had a shop i n town, as f a r as can be a s c e r t a i n e d , between 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 T e r r a c e ) and where Joe ERASER had h i s b u t c h e r ' s shop. Waltons [now F r o g y ' s R o l l e r S k a t i n g r i n k ] would be about t h e s p o t . A r e a l o l d l o o k i n g b u t c h e r shop a d j o i n i n g what i s now the B.W.C.C. [Sydney County C o u n c i l ] . On t h e top was a n o t h e r b u t c h e r shop, t h a t o f o l d B i l l WHITE.'

Ma r g a r e t SMITH d i e d on 6 J u l y 1901 and i s b u r i e d a t Pt F r e d e r i c k . On 15 Oc t o b e r 1902, John SMITH m a r r i e d h i s second w i f e , L o u i s a H i l l a s (nee DRINKWATER) SPEARS, widow 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 .

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John SMITH d i e d on 26 F e b r u a r y 1908, when he was 58. He was b u r i e d i n the o l d Brady's G u l l y Cemetery where h i s marble headstone was c a r v e d w i t h M asonic 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 a t P o i n t C l a r e Cemetery, and o t h e r s of the 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 of our Lodge, now dec e a s e d , p r e s e n t e d us w i t h an o l d framed Masonic 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 by the U n i t e d Grand Lodge of N.S.W. That 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 Henry WHEELER wh i c h was donated t o me by h i s nephew F r e d WHEELER of G o s f o r d (a d e s c r i p t i o n of w h i c h has been g i v e n a l r e a d y ) . John SMITH's c e r t i f i c a t e b e a r s the number 7697. He was r e c e i v e d on 1 Oc 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 Degree on 3 December of t h e same y e a r i n Lodge RISING SUN No. 206, G o s f o r d .

Information e x t r a c t e d from:

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

Newspapers and Records.

15. CAIN, C h a r l e s .

H o t e l K e e p e r , G o s f o r d . Age 35 y e a r s .

W i l l i a m N i c h o l a s CAIN, who d i e d on 18 J u l y 1893 aged 62, 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 E a s t G o s f o r d , a f a c t r e c o r d e d i n the G o s f o r d C o u r t House Day Book (1861-1881), and h i s o c c u p a t i o n was r e c o r d e d as ' s h e l l g a t h e r e r ' . W i l l i a m was the f a t h e r of C h a r l e s , whose mother M a r i a CAIN d i e d on 22 August 1916 aged 82 y e a r s , and who was a l s o b u r i e d a t P o i n t F r e d e r i c k . 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 a t G o s f o r d when he d i e d , and between 1873 and 1876 he kep t the M i n e r ' s I n n a t E a s t G o s f o r d .

A c h i l d was b o r n ( t h e name o f the c h i l d has 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 Kincumber, 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 were C a t h o l i c s , and the b a p t i s m was p e r f o r m e d by F a t h e r D. O'REILLY.

C h a r l e s CAIN m a r r i e d Sarah DENNEY. A son, W i l l i a m J o h n , was

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born on 16 February 1887 at Gosford. He was baptised on 13 A p r i l that year by Wm. P. Madden. The God-mother was Mirriam CAIN.

Sarah CAIN, wife of Charles, formerly of Gosford, died at Newcastle H o s p i t a l on 2 January 1902. An 'In 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, her brother and s i s t e r - i n - l a w .

The Fern Tree Hotel was a popular h o t e l , w e l l s i t u a t e d on the east side of Mann Street i n the township of Gosford, near the Donnison Street corner. The Licencee was Charles CAIN from A p r i l 1889 to A p r i l 1899. He was popular and l i k e d to j o i n groups of people. He was already a member of the Order of the Oddfellows whose members met i n the Fern Tree Hotel i n 1887.

When the Masonic Lodge was formed at Gosford i n September 1892, meetings were held at the School of A r t s . Although a C a t h o l i c , Charles CAIN j o i n e d . The minute book states that 'the Lodge closed i n due form at 7 p.m. The brethren were i n v i t e d to a banquet which was held at Mr. CAIN's H o t e l ' . At the October meeting, Charles CAIN, Hotel Keeper, aged 35, jo i n e d , one of the very f i r s t members, and from then on the Minutes read 'Bro. J u n i o r Warden i n v i t e d a l l to Bro. CAIN's f o r refreshments', or 'supper'. Charles CAIN held o f f i c e of Second Steward from 1892, becoming Treasurer i n September 1898 and 1899.

In 1899 when he l e f t Gosford, h i s numerous f r i e n d s gave him a send-off: ' C h a r l i e CAIN's send-off on the 27th i n s t . promises to be the biggest a f f a i r of i t s k i n d held i n Gosford f o r a long time past.' The occasion went very w e l l . ' C h a r l i e ' f e l t he had to acknowledge the event and, as a l a s t p u b l i c r e l a t i o n s e x e r c i s e , he had the f o l l o w i n g i n s e r t e d i n the l o c a l newspaper:

RETURN THANKS Mr. & Mrs. CHAS. CAIN d e s i r e to express t h e i r deep g r a t i f i c a t i o n . . . .

Although the Lodge d i d not go i n t o recess u n t i l 1900, there i s no evidence that Charles CAIN resigned.

A good photograph of Charles CAIN's h o t e l i s reproduced i n Gwen DUNDON's 'More Old Gosford & 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. In Mrs DUNDON's 'Old Gosford & D i s t r i c t i n P i c t u r e s ' (volume I ) , page 21, there i s a photograph taken i n 1895 i n the time of Charles CAIN, w i t h Masons on the balcony p r i o r to the pa r t a k i n g of refreshments and supper. We have reproduced t h i s photo i n t h i s present volume. [See No. 30: C. E. KOHLHOFF.]


Family research; newspaper a r t i c l e s ;

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

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16. MULLARD, John James.

Timber Merchant, Gosford. Age 41 years.

John MULLARD was initiated in November 1892, in the second

series of intake.

Born in Gosford, Brisbane Water, in 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 in 1857 and they settled on a grant of 140 acres at Kincumber.

John James MULLARD was declared insolvent in 1884 (Government Gazette, p3174). He proceeded to rebuild his financial position successfully, and married in 1887. In 1891, J . J . MULLARD was advertising locally as a timber merchant and ironmonger, was selling paints, and was manufacturing steam aerated water and cordial. He was a man of many interests. 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 in the early 1930s.

John had a steam launch, the DAISY, which he made available for fishing excursions and picnic parties. The DAISY was described as 'a really comfortable l i t t l e steamer'. He also had six or eight good boats for hire, which visitors 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 in 1887. In 1893 he was elected Mayor of the Municipal Council.

He sold his store-keeping business in September 1898, which was situated in George WATT's old store.

John J . MULLARD resigned from the Lodge on 24 April 1900.

In 1902 he contracted to build the local public baths. In 1905 he advertised:

' To let or for s a l e : — six 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 site where George MARGIN, a cordial maker from Muswellbrook, began his operations. MARGIN was later to become Master of RISING SUN No. 311.

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J . J . MULLARD was the grandfather of Ern BAILEY, of Chickadee Chicken, Lisarow, whose father was also a Past Master of that same lodge in 1940-41.

Later, J . J . MULLARD left the dist r i c t for the Yarramalong Valley where he managed a saw mi l l ; M i l l House, Wattagan Mountains via Morlsset.

He died in Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, leaving four

children. His wife died much later, in 1953, aged 88.


Family records.

Newspaper arti c l e s .

17. WARD, Manasseh.

Gentleman, Gosford. Age 40 years. Initiated 5 November 1892.

Manasseh WARD was born on 23 August 1851 at Ward's Bay, an area which later became known as Killcare Extension. He was the seventh child and second son of William WARD, who died aged 83 on 16 February 1876, and Catherine (nee MITCHELL) whose death occurred at Balmain in 1898. William WARD, according to his death ce r t i f i c a t e , was a Londoner who had been in the Colony for about 50 years. William acquired land at Killcare by deeds dated 1836. He was a mariner who owned various vessels such as the cutter TRAVELLER'S BRIDE and the ketch MIDSHIPMAN, both built 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 Hall.

We find Manasseh WARD's name, circa 1879, as Warden and member of the Parochial Council of the Church of England in Gosford in company with J . PARR and H. C. WHEELER.

In 1886 he went to Balmain for a year. W. G. HUMPHREY, who knew Manasseh WARD, stated in 1950 that WARD was a friend and business colleague of John BOOTH, formerly of Kincumber, who had a steam saw mill and timber yard at Balmain.

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He r e t u r n e d t o G o s f o r d i n 1887, p u r c h a s e d l a n d and e r e c t e d h i s r e s i d e n c e .

He and M a d e l i n e had t h r e e sons and two d a u g h t e r s by 1888. I n a p r o f i l e p u b l i s h e d i n 1888, Manasseh WARD s t a t e d t h a t he had f o l l o w e d t h e o c c u p a t i o n s of f a r m i n g and f r u i t g r o w i n g f o r many y e a r s and t h a t he was a l s o l a r g e l y engaged i n t h e t i m b e r t r a d e a t Kincumber. He was known as a superb bushman.

He was T r e a s u r e r of the S c h o o l of A r t s i n 1888, a l s o o f t h e J o c k e y C l u b .

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. Manasseh was not i n v o l v e d , but i n 1888 he was e l e c t e d an Alderman, and became Mayor i n 1890. 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 the G o s f o r d M u n i c i p a l C o u n c i l , t h i s b e i n g r e p l a c e d by the a l l -embracing 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 eetings were h e l d i n t h e S c h o o l o f A r t s where Manasseh would have made c o n t a c t w i t h many of the b r e t h r e n , p r o b a b l y i n c l u d i n g C h a r l e s WHEELER, John 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; John ROBLEY, e l e c t e d 1889; John James MULLARD, 1890; and N e i l ANDERSON, 1893.

I n 1892 Manasseh l i v e d a t 'Myee', G e r t r u d e S t r e e t , G o s f o r d . He i s mentioned i n The G o s f o r d Times of 30 J u l y 1893 as Mayor. The same p a p e r , i n r e f e r r i n g t o the r e c e n t wreck of the p a d d l e steamer ' M a i t l a n d ' , w r o t e :

' F i r s t t o a r r i v e on the scene of the wreck on Horseback was Mr Ward, Mayor of G o s f o r d . Mr Ward p i l o t e d about 15 horsemen o v e r the mountain h e a d l a n d s t o Boat Harbour Beach [now M a i t l a n d Bay i n Bouddi N a t i o n a l P a r k ] a f e a t w h i c h the d a i l y p apers c o n s i d e r e d an a b s o l u t e i m p o s s i b i l i t y . '

On 3 J u l y 1902, the townspeople of G o s f o r d p r e s e n t e d the Wards w i t h a s i l v e r t e a s e r v i c e and 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 a n n i v e r s a r y . A s p e c i a l i s s u e o f The G o s f o r d Times 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 of '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 as Mayor i n J u l y 1903 owing t o h i s temporary absence from the d i s t r i c t , and Alderman J . J . MASON was e l e c t e d i n h i s s t e a d .

He r e p r e s e n t e d Woy Woy from 1906 t o 1908 - the term of the e x i s t e n c e o f the G o s f o r d M u n i c i p a l C o u n c i l , o f w h i c h he was Mayor i n 1907.

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I n 1908, Woy Woy became the 'D' R i d i n g of E r i n a S h i r e and was r e p r e s e n t e d by Manasseh WARD u n t i l 1913. He became P r e s i d e n t of t he S h i r e C o u n c i l , from 1909 t o 1912, meetings o f whi c h were h e l d i n the G o s f o r d C o u r t House.

P r e s i d e n t ' s H i l l i s s a i d t o have been named f o r him b e f o r e the t u r n of the c e n t u r y .

He was a v e r y a c t i v e worker i n many ways f o r a d v a n c i n g t he p r o g r e s s of the d i s t r i c t p o l i t i c a l l y , c u l t u r a l l y 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 , s a i l i n g , h o r s e - r a c i n g (owning h o r s e s ) , swimming and r i f l e marksmanship.

W i t h h i s b r e t h r e n o f the Lodge, James KIBBLE and C h a r l e s CAIN, Manasseh WARD was one of the o r i g i n a l promotors o f the l o c a l C o t t a g e 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 the lodge we see t h a t h i s a d d r e s s , f i r s t b e i n g G o s f o r d , was c r o s s e d o ut a f t e r 31 December 1893 f o r 470 D a r l i n g S t r e e t , B a l m a i n , and i n about June 1894, ' S e a f o r t h ' , P l u n k e t S t r e e t , Drummoyne, Sydney, 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 J a n u a r y 1896.

Manasseh d i e d i n G o s f o r d on 10 May 1923, aged 71, a gentleman of independent means, from m i t r a l d i s e a s e and a n g i n a p e c t o r i s , 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 by h i s widow, a s t e p - d a u g h t e r , and t e n a d u l t c h i l d r e n of the m a r r i a g e , t h r e e o t h e r s h a v i n g p r e d e c e a s e d him. He was b u r i e d i n St P a u l ' s A n g l i c a n Cemetery a t Kincumber. M a d e l i n e d i e d i n 1934, aged 79, and was b u r i e d i n V e t e r a n H a l l Cemetery.

George 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 and o b s e r v a n t w i t n e s s o f men and e v e n t s , w r o t e i n The G o s f o r d Times o f 10 September 1931:

'Manasseh WARD: ( t h e g r e a t e s t of them a l l , by common c o n s e n t ) h i s ph o t o g r a p h adorns t h e Board Room of 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 f i e l d o r anywhere, Manasseh (as everybody c a l l e d him) was one of t h e f i n e s t and most l o v a b l e men the w r i t e r e v e r met i n h i s v a r i e d c a r e e r . Even

64

t o d a y , and, we hope f o r y e a r s t o come - i t i s t h e w r i t e r ' s d e l i g h t t o t e n d t h a t photo w i t h r e v e r e n c e . '

Who knows what happened t o t h a t photo? Where i s i t now?


Family H i s t o r y - J . T a y l o r .

Aldine Centennial H i s t o r y , 1888. 'Perong' a r t i c l e s .

Newspaper a r t i c l e s and records.

18. FALLON, Thomas.

P o l i c e C o n s t a b l e , G o s f o r d .

Thomas FALLON was i n i t i a t e d i n i n J u l y 1897.

Age 29 y e a r s .

November 1892, and he r e s i g n e d

19. LAWSON, George L a n g r i g g L e a t h e s .

D o c t o r , G o s f o r d . Age 34 y e a r s .

Dr LAWS ON was the f i r s t Mason t o a f f i l i a t e w i t h the new l o c a l l o d g e . He was a l e g a l l y q u a l i f i e d m e d i c a l p r a c t i t i o n e r . Mrs Hawkins, g r a n d - d a u g h t e r of C h a r l e s PECK (whose name was p r o p o s e d f o r i n i t i a t i o n a t the same mee t i n g ) remembers him:

' I always u n d e r s t o o d t h a t he was a Guy's H o s p i t a l man and I a l s o u n d e r s t o o d t h a t he was v e r y h i g h i n h i s p r o f e s s i o n o v e r t h e r e . I t h i n k he s e r v e d i n the 14-18 war. ' [He would have been 56 y e a r s o l d . ]


1. Government Gazette, 1884. V o l . I , p305: No 2010. LAWSON George Langrigg Leathes.

L i e . Royal College of P h y s i c i a n s , Edinburgh,

1881. Mem. Royal College of Surgeons, England, 1882.

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.

65

20. DEASEY, Thomas.

Overseer, Gosford. Age 35 years.

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

Thomas DEASEY was the ninth candidate to be initiated in THE RISING SUN LODGE on 3 December 1892, passed then raised on 7 January and 4 March 1893.

He took only three years to attain the high office of Master of the Lodge, in 1896. He stayed with the Lodge until the last meeting and served as Secretary in Decemaber 1899.

He originally came from Ireland with his family. His father, Hugh DEASEY, was married in December 1854 at Leisle, Co. Cork, to Margaret LATHAM and they had fifteen children. Thomas was their third child and was born at Schull, Co. Cork, on 23 February 1857.

Thomas married in Sydney on 29 September 1884, his wife being an Irish g i r l , Annie TEAPE, who had made the trip over with some of her family.

We do not know when the Deaseys arrived in this d i s t r i c t , but their f i r s t c hild, Margaret, was born at Fountain Dale, Ourimbah, where they had settled f i r s t in 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 else. He later established himself as an agent and lived at Wyoming.

His office was situated in front of the house and hostel for

girls 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 in 1886. During his term of off 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 retired from municipal off i c e , together with another Mason-Alderman, Dr FIELDER, in 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

66

were born in 1889, 1891 and 1892. One of these children died at birth and a report in 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 infantile residents of the Gosford D i s t r i c t , and in some cases serious consequences and even death has resulted. Mr. Thos. Deasey has been exceptionally unfortunate in 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 illness was only a day or two in each case. Much sympathy is felt for the unfortunate parents and family in their bereavement.'

That very same month Thomas DEASEY, the father of the two

children just buried, had been initiated into the RISING SUN

Lodge.

In 1894 and 1898, the last children were born, two girls 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 Kitty DEASEY, finished her days as a resident of Avoca House Nursing Home.

Thomas acquired quite a lot of land on the Pacific 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 on the l i s t of members of the Lodge at its closure in 1900.

He died in Gosford on 6 August 1941 and was buried in Brady' s

Gully Cemetery on 7 August.


Grandson's recollections.

Family records.

Newspaper ar t i c l e s .

67

21. FOUNTAIN, A l f r e d Ernest.

Bank C l e r k , Gosford. Age 22 years.

I n i t i a t e d 3 December 1892. Passed 7 January 1893 and Raised 4 March.

A l f r e d Ernest was born at Narara on 28 May 1870, the son of John FOUNTAIN, who s e t t l e d there i n 1865. He l e f t school i n 1886 and took a job w i t h the Gosford Branch of the M e r c a n t i l e Bank of Sydney, which l a t e r amalgamated with the Commercial Bank of A u s t r a l i a .

He was proposed by W. McINTYRE and seconded by R. Henry WORRALL, Managers of the two banks then represented i n Gosford. R.H. WORRALL was Manager of the A u s t r a l i a n J o i n t Stock Bank (Ltd) which opened a branch i n Gosford i n mid-1890.

A l f r e d FOUNTAIN resigned from the Lodge i n June 1897. He worked v a r i o u s l y i n the Head O f f i c e at Sydney, then i n Melbourne, Perth and Melbourne again, where he was when he r e t i r e d .

He states i n h i s r e c o l l e c t i o n s that there were pl e n t y of opport u n i t i e s f o r a young man to enjoy himself i n Gosford i n the daytime by way of s p o r t s , but the evenings, apart from an occa s i o n a l concert or dramatic show, were extremely d u l l . Sometimes there was a game of b i l l i a r d s at one of the ho t e l s to occupy an evening.

He could have added that the Lodge's meetings o f f e r e d a chance of a s o c i a l evening.

His f a t h e r , John FOUNTAIN, was an honorary Magistrate who acted i n the absence of the P o l i c e M a g i s t r a t e . Fountain Road at Narara was named f o r him and not f o r a c l e a r water spring there! FOUNTAIN Sr died at Leichhardt, Sydney, i n 1904 aged 81, one of the State's o l d e s t J u s t i c e s of the Peace. He had served not only on the Gosford Bench, but on the Brisbane Water L i c e n s i n g Board and the l o c a l Land Board.

A l f r e d FOUNTAIN returned to Perth to enjoy h i s retirement at the end of h i s working l i f e .


ALDINE, Centennial History, 1888.

68

22. PECK, Charles.

Public School Teacher, Gosford. Age 40 years.

Charles PECK was initiated in December 1892, took office and

became Secretary in 1893 until 1896, became Master of the

Lodge in 1897 and remained with the Lodge until i t s end.

He was born in England, to James and Amelia PECK in Old Bucken-

ham, Norfolk, in Apri1 1851.

At an unknown date after 1853 , the PECK family came to Australia

and settled at Attleborough, later moving to Katoomba, but

the lure of gold attracted his father to the other side of

the Blue Mountains. Charles' father became a miner in 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 track,

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 in many small places, married his wife Jane, and

came to Gosford. They had six children, and sadly, his wife

died giving birth to the last 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 in 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, ruling over and educating two generations of citizens. He had 173 pupils and two assistants when he l e f t in 1910.

Charles PECK was himself very s t r i c t and even harsh as a teacher. He was called 'Grizz Peck' behind his back and even his family was in awe of him, but he was a very good teacher and thought nothing of staying back after school for hours on end to help his pupils. He was popular with the parents because he could keep the boys in control. As a former pupil, 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 in 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.

69

We do not know i f he joined any other lodge subsequently,

but when he retired at Pyrable, mostly reading and pondering,

he lived close to a divinity college and used to have long

and lively sessions of discussions with his neighbours.

Charles PECK's wife Jane Ann had died on 2 August 1894, aged

37. She was buried in Brady's Gully Cemetery and on the head

stone is also engraved: 'Charles PECK. 10th March, 1930,

aged 79', although he was cremated in Sydney.

One of Charles PECK's great friends in 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 in Gosford. We have an early photo of Charles PECK in Gosford and one of him when retired. His face is stern and his eyes piercing.


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.

Initiated 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', arriving at Port Jackson on 17 August 1840.

Irvine was a native of Enniskillen, 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 write, while his wife was a housekeeper.

Despite the listed occupations of the husband, he was appointed

teacher of the National School at Hexham, Newcastle.

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In 1856 I r v i n e COULTER was granted land at Point F r e d e r i c k , Gosford, and he and h i s wife and s i x c h i l d r e n came to l i v e i n t h i s 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 Pa t t e r s o n , ROBERT, Frances (Fanny) and Samuel James.

I r v i n e acquired other land at Point 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 butchering business with a shop and slaughterhouse, the l a t t e r being s i t u a t e d on the western side near the present Harrison S t r e e t . Robert and h i s older brother 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 covering twenty-five miles t h r i c e weekly. They would c a l l at Glenrock, Koolewong - home of Fred 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 Rip to Booker Bay, Davistown and Kincumber. This was before the advent of the railway l i n e i n the 1880s.

When Robert COULTER was 18, he helped to convey the mails on horseback from Gosford to Kincumber and d i s t r i c t . His father (who was Gosford Postmaster from 1862 to 1868) and l a t e r h i s brother W i l l i a m , had horseback mail 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 yard at T e r r i g a l , l i v i n g then at Scotch Creek, E r i n a i n the v i c i n i t y of the present 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 married Jane SMYTHE at o l d C h r i s t Church, East Gosford, and they had one son and two daughters: Robert I r v i n g Lucas ( B e r t ) , S t e l l a (died aged 8) and Annette (Mrs Aubrey BEST). His w i f e , Mrs Jane COULTER, taught at E r i n a school, now E r i n a Heights, from 1873 to her death i n 1909.

At the age of 30 Robert COULTER entered the b u i l d i n g trade. He l a t e r b u i l t f o r himself the house ' N e t t a v i l l e ' , s t i l l standing at the bottom of 'Coulter's H i l l ' i n York S t r e e t , where he l i v e d f o r the r e s t of h i s l i f e .

In 1879 Robert and h i s brother Samuel became co-owners of a 33 ton, 59.4ft long ketch named 'Sun-beam' which was b u i l t f o r them at Brisbane Water, and which Robert skippered between Gosford and Sydney. His cargoes to the c i t y included bakers' firewood 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' al s o brought i n fodder f o r horses working along 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 Bridge - across 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 oarsman 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 i n the

71

memories of d i s t r i c t pioneers. He played a good game of c r i c k e t , was a champion step-dancer and could 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 trade i n 1914 and died on 27 J u l y , 1928, s h o r t l y before h i s 81st bi r t h d a y . He was buried i n the o l d Point F r e d e r i c k Cemetery, now Pioneer 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 was published i n The Gosford Times issue of 2 August 1928.


Newspaper a r t i c l e s .

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

ALDINE, Centennial H i s t o r y , 1888.

24. ROBLEY, John George.

Contractor, Wyong - Gosford. Age 49 years. I n i t i a t e d 7 January 1893. Passed 11 February and Raised 9 May 1898.

John George ROBLEY was born at Kelso, 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 there. Kelso, near Bathurst on the Macquarie R i v e r , i s s i t u a t e d south of Tumbarumba and the NSW gold f i e l d s .

In 1855 he s e t t l e d i n the Brisbane Water d i s t r i c t and worked the f i r s t timber m i l l erected at Brisbane Water. He next went back to the gold f i e l d s at Tumbarumba, a d i s t r i c t he knew w e l l , and he stayed there f o r some ten years. In 1864 he married the daughter of Mr RAMSDEN of Stockport.

He returned to the Brisbane Water D i s t r i c t i n 1873. In 1885, he became Licensee of the Union Hotel which was newly b u i l t .

He went to Wyong i n 1888 and b u i l t the f i r s t Royal Hotel there i n 1889.

He was e l e c t e d to the newly-created M u n i c i p a l Council of the Borough of Gosford, succeeding George WATT. He served u n t i l the end of January 1890.

72

In 1892 he b u i l t the Commercial Hotel on the s i t e of an o l d shanty, and stayed there f o r a short 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 , being l i s t e d at the time as a Contractor of Ourimbah. He was se l e c t e d to f i l l the o f f i c e of Road Trustee, one of the e a r l y ones at the northern end of the d i s t r i c t . He was secretary of the Gosford C r i c k e t Club.

At the time of the bank crash i n 1895 ( i t i s thought that he l o s t h e a v i l y i n i t ) , he resigned from h i s Lodge i n A p r i l and received a clearance.

He then went to the Yarramalong area to farm at a place c a l l e d Ravensdale where he remained f o r approximately seven years.

ROBLEY returned to Wyong i n 1901, and he b u i l t a seventeen-room s t r u c t u r e that he intended to c a l l the Oxford H o t e l , on the north-east corner of Church S t r e e t . However, he could not secure a l i c e n c e and turned i t i n t o a boarding house, 'The Coffee Palace' .

The Coffee Palace was so l d to A. H. WARNER i n 1904 and burned down i n the same year, as d i d three other b u i l d i n g s i n 1913.

The ROBLEYs l o s t s everal c h i l d r e n i n infancy, but one daughter survived.

John ROBLEY was widely 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 trade.' He had been a c r i c k e t e r and played a prominent r o l e i n i n t r o d u c i n g the game and or g a n i s i n g l o c a l challenge competitions.

John ROBLEY i s probably best remembered f o r c o n s t r u c t i n g three 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 to make way f o r the present Royal Hotel b u i l t i n 1919. He b u i l t the Commercial Hotel at Wyong i n 1892 on the s i t e of the present Grand Hotel which was erected i n 1912 and has since been considerably a l t e r e d and extended. The o l d Commercial Hotel was removed from i t s o r i g i n a l s i t e i n 1912 to Hely S t r e e t , where i t stands today - the two-storey b u i l d i n g next to the Scout Cabin - one of the town's oldest b u i l d i n g s .

John ROBLEY died i n November 1931, aged 88. Wor. Bro. BATEMAN read the Masonic Service over h i s l a t e r brother Mason. He was buried i n Lisarow Cemetery and a large number of brethren 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 to say of him:

73

'John Robley of the wonderful memory and the g e n i a l d i s p o s i t i o n , loved and respected by a l l ... now the grand o l d man of Wyong.'

[The Gosford Times, 23 J u l y 1931]

ROBLEY's wife I s a b e l l a r e s t s beside him. She died on 5 August 1944, some t h i r t e e n years l a t e r , when she was 100 years o l d .


'Pictorial History of Wyong Shire',

Volumes I to IV, Edward STINSON, passim.

Newspaper articles.

25. FITZ-NEADS, Arthur C.

Roads Department, Gosford.

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

The p r o v i s i o n of se r v i c e and maintenance of roads i n the Shire was conducted by tru s t e e s a d j u d i c a t i n g works to c o n t r a c t o r s . The system was ev e n t u a l l y abandoned f o r that of a Government Department. The Road Superintendent 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 he joi n e d the f i r s t f o o t b a l l club formed i n Gosford i n 1892. He was al s o a prominent l o c a l c r i c k e t e r i n the 1890s.

He withdrew from the lodge i n October 1894.


'Perong' articles.

74

26. ANDERSON, Neil.

Gentleman, Gosford. Age 40 years.

Neil ANDERSON was born in 1847 at Skudenes, near Stavanger in Norway. He was born Knud or Canute ANDRIESEN (his Naturalisation Certificate is s t i l l extant). He arrived in Australia in 1876, aged 29, and married at Woolloomooloo the following year.

He was initiated in February 1894 and remained a member of the lodge until his death. He had the distinction of being one of the two Masons of the old lodge, with Bro. James KIBBLE, to join Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 at the time of its constitution in 1917. He was a foundation member and acted as Tyler at its consecration in 1917. He obtained his clearance in 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 in 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 (later the site of the Regal Theatre and now the Commonwealth Bank). In 1893 he was styled a gentleman, in 1899 a sawmill proprietor and in 1917 an orchardist.

He was elected a Councillor of the Municipal Council in February 1893. In 1902 he was returned unopposed to represent West Ward in the local Borough Council.

In his old days he 1ived at Narara by the creek, in Old Mait land Road (Showground Road), but later buiIt on the other side of the creek and raiIway line , at Wyoming. He called the house 'Norge'. Both houses are s t i l l standing. He left family living in the district when he died at ' Norge' , Wyoming, in May 1922.


Fred Hi 11 (grandson), recollections.

Family documents.

Local newspaper ar t i c l e s .

75

RIGHT: Charles P E C K (1851-1930). 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.

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27. THORNTHWAITE, Fr 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 years.

THORNTHWAITE was sponsored by W i l l i a m H. JONES, a foundation member of LA STELLA D'ITALIA, and probably a Customs O f f i c e r too.

His name disappears from the r e g i s t e r i n August 1894.

28. TUCK, David.

Farmer, Green P o i n t . Age 50 years.

I n i t i a t e d i n August 1893, David TUCK was Tyler i n 1895 and resigned i n A p r i l 1896, with no other d e t a i l s apart from he was of Eagle Hurst, Kincumber.

David's wife was Emma Maud TUCK, and t h e i r c h i l d r e n included: Percy F., born 1888; Constance A., born 1889; Florence S., born 1890; Margaret E., born 1892; and David E., born 1894.

29. THOMPSON, W i l l i a m Robert Strahan.

P u b l i c School Teacher, Narara. Age 29 years.

W i l l i a m THOMPSON married a l o c a l g i r l , a daughter of W i l l i a m COOK, a b u l l o c k team d r i v e r . He was i n i t i a t e d on 5 A p r i l 1893 and he resigned i n June 1893.

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30. KOHLHOFF, C h r i s t i a n Edward.

P u b l i c S c h o o l T e a c h e r , Kincumber. Age 47 y e a r s .

C h r i s KOHLHOFF was born a t E r u n g a l o r e , South I n d i a i n 1846, where h i s f a t h e r was a M i s s i o n a r y . At t h e age of 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 Greek. He d e c i d e d l a t e r 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 .

At one s t a g e he t a u g h t a t St A l b a n s , where he r e c o l l e c t e d c r o s s i n g the Hawkesbury i n Wiseman's r o w i n g b o a t , t o w i n g h i s h o r s e b e h i n d him.

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 W i n d s o r , t o A l i c e CHRISTIE, of Lower P o r t l a n d , on 27 June 1870.

I n 1874 he was s e n t t o t e a c h i n a d e n o m i n a t i o n a l s c h o o l a t 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 of h i s p u p i l s ' p a r e n t s and when he l e f t i n 1879, the S o f a l a P u b l i c S c h o o l 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 t o Newbridge n e a r B a t h u r s t and from t h e r e was sent t o Kincumber.

He t a u g h t f o r t w e l v e y e a r s a t Kincumber, from 1886 t o 1898. T h i s was c a l l e d the 'Kohlhof f E r a ' by Owen and John JAMES i n t h e i r b o o k l e t w r i t t e n f o r t h e C e n t e n a r y of Kincumber P u b l i c S c h o o l i n 1970.

Bro. KOHLHOFF was i n i t i a t e d i n A p r i l 1893. He t o o k o f f i c e i n 1894 and acceded t o the M a s t e r s h i p of t h e Lodge i n September 1897. H i s y e a r i n t h e c h a i r was not a p r o p i t i o u s one f o r the l o d g e . I t s u f f e r e d from the exodus of f i v e members c a l l i n g o f f a g a i n s t an i n t a k e of 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 t h e s t r e n g t h of t h e lodge t o o n l y s e v e n t e e n .

I n a d d i t i o n t o h i s o t h e r commitments, C h r i s t i a n KOHLHOFF a l s o t o o k the time t o conduct s e r v i c e s i n the Church of E n g l a n d , 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 o c c a s i o n a l l y p l a y e d the o r g a n .

H i s w i f e was p r o b a b l y t h e s i s t e r o f E l l e n CHRISTIE, the w i f e of a James GOSPER, who i s b e l i e v e d t o be the same W. Bro. GOSPER, W.M. Lodge ST. LEONARDS No. 98 who v i s i t e d our l o c a l l o d g e . ( M i n u t e Book, 4 November 1893.)

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 Kincumber was remote

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from G o s f o r d because o f the roads b e i n g i n a v e r y bad s t a t e of r e p a i r , he had the d i s t i n c t i o n o f d r i v i n g a f o u r - w h e e l e d buggy.

R e f e r e n c e has a l r e a d y been made t o a photo o f the F e r n t r e e 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 group of Masons on the 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 the c o u r t y a r d . I t i s b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e man th 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 grey b o w l e r h a t . H i s grandson 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 f a m i l y c o n s i s t e d o f two boys and two g i r l s . One of the sons became a t e a c h e r .

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 Woodstock i n 1899, he c a l l e d o f f from the Lodge. H i s c l e a r a n c e was d a t e d 21 Oct o b e r 1899.

The e v e n i n g p r i o r t o the KOHLHOFFs l e a v i n g Kincumber 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 t o o k p l a c e a t 'Palmyra', the 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 r e s p e c t i v e homes a t daybreak. (The G o s f o r d Times, 20 J a n u a r y 1899.)

C h r i s t i a n Edward KOHLHOFF d i e d a t W i l l o u g h b y i n 1931, aged 85, a t h i s da u g h t e r ' s home. He had been b l i n d f o r the l a s t seven y e a r s o f h i s l i f e .

Information e x t r a c t e d from:

Grandson's r e c o n e c t i o n s .

Department of Education, f i l e s .

Kincumber P u b l i c School Centenary booklet.

Other r e c o l l e c t i o n s and a r t i c l e s .

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

31. BARKER, S t a n l e y George.

S t o r e k e e p e r , G o s f o r d .

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 1893. When he r e s i g n e d i n August 1895, h i s a d d r e s s was 8 Boyce S t r e e t , G l e b e . H i s dues were p a i d up t o June 1894, w h i c h p r o b a b l y i n d i c a t e s the time he l e f t t h e d i s t r i c t f o r Sydney.

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32. BEVERIDGE, Henry Sydney.

Clerk of Petty Sessions, Gosford.

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 clearance. He was the seventeenth candidate i n THE RISING SUN Lodge.

BEVERIDGE came to Gosford cl891 when he was about 21 years of age. I t i s reported i n h i s f a m i l y that he was a C l e r k of Petty Sessions (C.P.S.) at the age of 18, the youngest i n the State.

His f a t h e r was a Scot, 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 decided to stay. Henry Sydney was born i n Sydney i n a house beside the church known as Scots K i r k . His f a t h e r became a P o l i c e Magistrate and Henry spent h i s e a r l y l i f e i n the country, at Beechworth i n V i c t o r i a and i n Bega, where h i s f a t h e r i s b u r i e d .

At f i r s t he went to school i n Beechworth, and when the family moved to M a i t l a n d , he attended Sauchie House i n M a i t l a n d , a famous school run i n the most r i g i d S c o t t i s h t r a d i t i o n s . I t was a p r i v a t e school 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 that school while he was there. I t may even be s t i l l standing i n M a i t l a n d .

Coming to Sydney at the age of 17, Henry was assigned to the Water P o l i c e Court and l i v e d i n the Argyle Cut, an infamous and dangerous place then, when one took one's l i f e i n one's hands when walking about at n i g h t .

As an 18-year-old bachelor, Henry was posted to Richmond, and then to Gosford. 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 there were many p u b l i c houses. At times, he reckoned, he would have been the only sober man i n town. (Perhaps he was a l i t t l e b o a s t f u l , since we know that there 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 , that he would not touch any a l c o h o l u n t i l he was 21.

While i n Gosford and s t i l l unmarried, he seems to have been very much involved with c i v i c endeavours. He played i n the f i r s t C r i c k e t Club team formed i n 1892 together w i t h other y o u t h f u l members of the Lodge: FITZ-NEADS, WHEELER, FRIEDMAN, FOUNTAIN and BAKER. In 1889, he was a l s o Secretary of the Gosford 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 held t h e i r second Show on the northern corner of Mann and Donnison S t r e e t s . In a copy of The Gosford Times dated 16

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December 1892 he signed as Hon. Secretary of that A s s o c i a t i o n i n an advertisement to announce a S p e c i a l General Meeting i n the School of A r t s f o r 3 January 1892.

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 recent b u i l d i n g which was already p l a y i n g a very important part 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 staging performances i n that h a l l .

Being r a t h e r handsome (see photo), young, and with good prospects he was q u i t e popular, and enjoyed the l o c a l dances. His w i f e , however, was not to 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 doctor, and 'Love at f i r s t 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 union. They were married 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 long engagement.

Henry brought h i s young wife to Gosford, where they spent the f i r s t years of married l i f e i n Albany S t r e e t . Their f i r s t son was born there but the second l i v i n g one was born i n Sydney eighteen months l a t e r . They must have moved soon afterwards. In a l l , they had three sons and a daughter. The couple's e l d e s t son was brought i n t o the world 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 plus o l d dresses. I t was a very high p r i c e and they were expecting her to drop her pretensions to 3/-. A J u n i o r C l e r k of Petty Sessions was g e t t i n g no more than £2/10/- per week.

Henry stayed f o r about seven years i n Gosford, u n t i l 1898, but at some time the f a m i l y l i v e d at Kiama. He was appointed C.P.S. and l a t e r Chamber Magistrate at Burwood. He a l s o attended Court at A s h f i e l d and Canterbury. He had a busy time and used to go by hansom cab. A s h f i e l d being about three miles from Burwood and Canterbury, he was d r i v e n there, h e l d the court once a week i n each p l a c e , and then the cab would b r i n g him back at n i g h t .

He remained there 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 very k i n d to people. Very much a home and f a m i l y man, he d i d not take a b i g part i n c i v i c l i f e .

He died 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 having predeceased him. He had very happy memories of h i s time i n Gosford, of the p i c n i c s and outings and dances of which h i s w i f e didn't approve, she having had a very s t r i c t upbringing.

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Henry had been a great sportsman; he loved p l a y i n g tennis and was a good runner. In h i s l a t e r years he spent much of h i s time with h i s f a m i l y , and enjoying, h i s garden.


Recollections from his daughter.

Newspaper articles.

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

Railway S t a t i o n Master, M o r i s s e t . Age 30 years.

Of Lodge MURRUMBIDGEE HAY No. 37, he a f f i l i a t e d i n J u l y 1893, and resigned i n March 1895. Clearance granted.

34. DENING, E l i e z e r Walter (sometimes Ebenezer).

, Farmer, E r i n a . Age 28 years.

Later moved to Wamberal. He was al s o c a l l e d ' E l i ' DENING by George FLETCHER, who had t h i s to say of him:

'...we are de a l i n g with events leading up to the establishment of Gosford Municipal Council...and the Trustees period...Trustees who can be authenti c a l l y placed are ( i n Gosford-Wamberal d i v i s i o n ) . . . E l i Dening, Orchardist and outstanding v i o l i n i s t 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 to appear. He resigned i n March 1895 with dues amounting to 52/-. Clearance was not granted.

E l i e z e r DENING was one of four brothers, market gardeners, who came to the d i s t r i c t from F i v e Dock, Sydney, i n the 1880s.

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35. McFARLANE, G.

Paid one guinea i n August 1893, but d i d not proceed w i t h h i s i n i t i a t i o n .

36. FRIEDMAN, Godfrey.

N i g h t - O f f i c e r , Railway S t a t i o n , Gosford. Age 27 years.

In January 1894 a b a l l o t was taken, which proved to be a f f i r m a t i v e , on candidate Mr FRIEDMAN, and he was i n i t i a t e d that n i g h t . He resigned i n August 1896.

In the e a r l y 1900s a FRIEDMAN'S residence i s recorded next to Jack AGGETT's house and l i v e r y s t a b l e s (between the Union Hotel and E r i n a S t r e e t , i n Mann S t r e e t ) on land at the back of the r a i l w a y s t a t i o n and that of W. SPEARS, which was next to the Union H o t e l .

Godfrey FRIEDMAN joi n e d the f i r s t f o o t b a l l club at Gosford i n 1892. He was S t a t i o n Master at Wyong f o r ten years, r e s i g n i n g i n November 1919. He died during a t r i p abroad i n 1922.

37. NICHOLLS, W i l l i a m H.

Road Superintendent, Gosford. Age 38 years.

Late of Lodge FELICITY No. 58, E.G. and Past Senior Warden, Lodge ST ANDREW S.C. No. 615, Queanbeyan.

NICHOLLS was a candidate f o r a f f i l i a t i o n i n A p r i l 1894.

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38. KIBBLE, James.

Blacksmith, Gosford. Age 36 years.

Son of E n g l i s h emigrants, James KIBBLE was born i n V i c t o r i a i n January 1858.

As a young man, he became indentured to a blacksmith i n Albury. He j o i n e d the Good Templars at Albury, t a k i n g t h e i r pledge of t o t a l abstinence from a l c o h o l . His apprenticeship completed, he went to Mount Hope, a copper mining town, where the s e r v i c e s of a blacksmith were i n demand.

He married E l i z a b e t h ARCHER at Mount Hope. When the mining petered out, he then d i r e c t e d h i s steps towards Gosford, i n 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 buying PALMER'S b l a c k smith's shop which was on the corner of Donnison and Mann S t r e e t s . This i s the corner where the Commercial Bank of A u s t r a l i a ' s second b u i l d i n g l a t e r stood (1985) and where a modern shop and o f f i c e block i s now l o c a t e d .

In 1893, KIBBLE was e l e c t e d to the M u n i c i p a l Council ( e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1887) and i n May 1894 he became a Mason.

He s t a r t e d buying land i n the township on which to b u i l d c o t tages. He became Master of the Lodge i n August 1899. Due to d i f f i c u l t times candidates were scarce and, s t i l l worse, many members l e f t . The membership f e l l to such an extent that a f t e r one year i n recess, James KIBBLE surrendered the warrant i n 1901.

KIBBLE l e f t Gosford f o r Asquith i n 1924, where he died i n 1944.

James KIBBLE was a Methodist of strong 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 .

His name was given to Gosford's K i b b l e Park, the land having been purchased by Gosford Shire Council f o r h i s E s t a t e .

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39. HOLDSWORTH, P h i l i p Joseph.

Cadet, State Forest Nursery, Gosford. Age 23 years.

P h i l i p HOLDSWORTH was i n i t i a t e d i n August 1894 and he resigned the f o l l o w i n g October. An emergent meeting had been held on 7 September 'for the purpose of completing the work p e r t a i n i n g to the F i r s t Degree and to confer 2nd Degree on Bro. P. J . Holdsworth, the same being rendered necessary on account of Bro. Holdsworth's approaching departure f o r 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. Nothing 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 years.

An o l d inn owned and run by Edward WAMSLEY stood on the s i t e where Dr FIELDER 'S residence was l a t e r b u i l t , i n Mann Street South.

Dr FIELDER came from England. He was reported to be a good doctor, a 'Harley Street 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 very racey so r t of chap; l i v e d h a l f way up Coulter's H i l l at one time, where Hector 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 horses and ponies and traps there and they owned much land. 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 married h i s only daughter.'

I t i s of i n t e r e s t that Dr J . H. and Mrs (Esther) PAUL 'S sons Adrian and A l i s t e r , Dr FIELDER 'S grandsons, a l s o p r a c t i s e d as medicos i n Gosford.

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, Woollahra. He t h e r e f o r e a f f i l i a t e d as an Entered Apprentice and had to be passed and r a i s e d , which occurred i n December 1894 and i n the f o l l o w i n g January. He was Chaplain i n October 1895 and he stayed w i t h the lodge to the l a s t day.

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Dr FIELDER died i n February 1924, aged 64 ( h i s w i f e had died one year p r e v i o u s l y ) . Both are buried i n Pt Clare Cemetery and a s t a i n e d g l a s s memorial window perpetuates 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 residence.

41. LOVE, Henry.

C l e r k , Gosford. Age 28 years.

Henry LOVE was i n i t i a t e d i n May 1895. He resigned i n December 1896. There i s nothing more known about him.

42. COX, Henry Robert.

Gentleman, Woy Woy. Age 34 years.

From Lodge EMPRESS OF INDIA No. 57, H. R. COX was a f f i l i a t e d i n June 1895.

Henry Robert COX was born i n 1862, the son of Henry Robert and E l i z a COX. Henry Robert (Senior) and h i s brother, James Paul Gee COX, had come to the Colony as c h i l d r e n w i t h t h e i r parents, Robert and C a r o l i n e COX on the 'LANG'. This v e s s e l a r r i v e d at Port Jackson i n 1829.

Robert and C a r o l i n e COX owned the large area of land '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, to today's Lisarow, j u s t north of Gosford. The COX f a m i l y was to a l s o have cl o s e connections with the Woy Woy d i s t r i c t .

Henry Robert COX ( J u n i o r ) married E t h e l McDOWELL, and a f t e r a lengthy honeymoon, s e t t l e d i n a cottage not f a r from the B r i c k Wharf at Woy Woy. The cottage was known as ' K e r e i ' . E a r l y i n 1891 a Gosford correspondent to the 'Sydney M a i l ' newspaper reported that COX was a new r e s i d e n t of the p l a c e ,

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and had a number of Japanese employed. They were engaged i n growing the vegetables of Japan which were 'very u n l i k e those grown by Europeans.' 'Kerei' was vacated by the Cox couple when t h e i r impressive home 'Ettalong H a l l ' was completed, overlooking The Rip. The Japanese gardeners e v i d e n t l y moved with them, f o r they had noted gardens. 'Kerei' became 'St Elmo' Boarding House.

In The Town & Country Journal on 16 J u l y 1892 ("Gosford Notes') mention i s made of the Gosford and Brisbane 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 the 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.

In the same r e p o r t , i t was noted that J . W. LLOYD and W. B. WHITEWAY had resigned as t r u s t e e s of the School of A r t s , and H. R. COX and J . KIBBLE were duly e l e c t e d i n t h e i r place.

COX had an 18ft s a i l i n g s k i f f and a steam yacht, 'CANARSIE'. He was a J u s t i c e of the Peace, a member of the Gosford L i c e n s i n g Board and Chairman of the Annual Flower Show.

Contemporary accounts of the wreck of the 'MAITLAND' on the night of 5/6 May 1898, c r e d i t H. R. COX, along w i t h Rock DAVIS, Arthur DAVIS, J . MURRAY and P. MURRAY as deserving the highest commendation f o r t h e i r a s s i s t a n c e at the wreck i n supplying s u r v i v o r s with food and c l o t h i n g .

H. R. COX resigned from the Lodge i n June 1899.

Tragedy struck i n 1909. Mr and Mrs COX went to Sydney and booked i n t o the Arcadia Hotel f o r a short stay. Some time during that 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 tak i n g a drink from a gl a s s v e s s e l on the washstand i n the dark, immediately became i l l . With some a s s i s t a n c e , Mrs COX got her husband back to bed and asleep. Bad oysters eaten the previous evening i n an oyster saloon were blamed. In the morning, Mrs COX found her husband was dead. Henry Robert COX died on 3 September 1909, aged 48 years. He and h i s wife had no c h i l d r e n .

P o l i c e l a t e r found that an o p t i c i a n who had p r e v i o u s l y occupied the room had been experimenting with s i l v e r - p l a t i n g and had l e f t a mixture which included cyanide i n the decanter, t h i n k i n g i t would be thrown out by a maid!

Mrs COX l i v e d on at 'Ettalong H a l l ' f o r many years a f t e r her husband's death. The o l d home was demolished when preparatory work began f o r the b u i l d i n g of the present Rip Bridge, opened i n 1974.

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43. BARLOW, Ll o y d .

Hotel Keeper, Gosford. Age 48 years.

Lloyd BARLOW was b a l l o t e d and i n i t i a t e d i n August 1895. He resigned i n A p r i l 1896.

44. ATKINS. W i l l i a m .

Farmer, Mangrove. Age 56 years.

ATKINS was als o at one time a road c o n t r a c t o r f o r the area.

45. MENZIES, Andrew.

Railway O f f i c e r , Ourimbah. Age 35 years.

Andrew MENZIES was a member of Lodge FRIENDSHIP No. 158 of 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 at Ourimbah from A p r i l 1890 u n t i l March 1908.

Henry DENNEY (see No. 9) had been Postmaster and Storekeeper at Ourimbah i n 1886.

The Post O f f i c e was moved to the Railway S t a t i o n so that the S t a t i o n Master could look a f t e r both s e r v i c e s . He not only looked a f t e r the p o s t a l arrangements, but als o the t e l e g r a p h i c f a c i l i t i e s that the p u b l i c were authorised to use. The t r a i n s dropped and picked up the p o s t a l bags at the s t a t i o n .

As the S t a t i o n Master, MENZIES was req u i r e d to handle h i s d u t i e s , s i g n a l work, shunting of t r a i n s , e t c . , as w e l l as the duties attached to the Post O f f i c e , such as the i s s u i n g of money orders, and attending to the savings bank and telephone. When t r a i n s were being attended t o , p o s t a l business was suspended.

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Ourimbah was also the place where locomotives r e f i l l e d their tanks with water, so he was kept busy supervising.

Andrew MENZIES was on the Committee of the Ourimbah School

of Arts in 1904.


'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 in June 1896. FLETCHER mentioned him, saying:

'....he was a Shire Engineer, popular and well thought of, before Braithwaite maybe.'

In fact, STATHAM was the Shire Engineer after A. ADAM and before J . J . MUIR.

Hugh STATHAM resigned in January 1898. He had been, after FITZ-NEADS and NICHOLLS, the third Road Engineer to join the Craft.


Newspaper a r t i c l e .

47. SMITH, John.

Contractor, Tuggerah-Wyong Creek. Age 45 years.

John SMITH was initiated on 6 November, 1896, passed on 8

January 1897, and raised on 20 March 1897.

SMITH was a farmer and a road contractor. Born at Wilberforce

in 1851, he was a son of Michael SMITH, a farmer, and Elizabeth

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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 is s t i l l standing at a place called 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, culverts, etc., at a time when the Municipality called for tenders to form and repair the roads.

He later went into partnership with a timber merchant, William Bernard WOODBURY, son of the Inn Keeper of Woodbury's Inn. He remained in the timber trade for about twenty years, trading as 'Smith & Woodbury'. Their office was located next to the Wyong Court House.

SMITH belonged to the Spiritualist Church. He retired to 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 Sir Herbert Maitland on 22nd September.'

He was buried on 16 October 1917 in the cemetery at J i l l i b y .

He left eight children, four sons and four daughters: Hannah E. (MACGUIRE); Cyrus H. ; Florence A. (LARKEN); Oliver; Leonard; Ruby (McNEIL); Robin R.; and Persia.


'A Pictorial History of Wyong Shire', Vols. I -

IV, E. H. Stinson, passim.

Wyong Advocate, 18 October 1917.

48. HARRIS, Albert Ernest.

Refreshment Room Manager, Gosford. Age 28 years.

From Lodge ST GEORGE No. 78, Newcastle, Albert HARRIS a f f i l i a t e d

in February 1897. He called off in August 1898.

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49. SMITH, John.

Butcher, East Gosford. Age 45 years.

Lodge of Lodge RISING SUN. He r e - j o i n e d h i s o l d lodge by a f f i l i a t i o n . 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 years.

He was i n i t i a t e d i n February 1898 and r a i s e d i n May 1898.

51. PARRY, Joseph John.

E r i n a . Age 35 years.

J . J . PARRY was i n i t i a t e d to the f i r s t degree i n May 1898 and was r a i s e d i n August of that year.

52. SMITH, George.

Farmer, J i l l i b y . Age 46 years.

George SMITH was born at Ebenezer i n 1859. He came to the d i s t r i c t with 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 possessions - house, shed, crops and most of t h e i r c a t t l e , and the fa m i l y decided to leave f o r a f r e s h s t a r t . Crossing the r i v e r at Wiseman's Ferry, they swam across what

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c a t t l e they had l e f t and s e t t l e d on the spot where the Tuggerah Railway S t a t i o n was l a t e r to be b u i l t .

George SMITH d i d ploughing and general farm work with N e i l ANDERSON f o r W i l l i a m ALISON, cl880. He l a t e r worked i n the timber trade on the c o n s t r u c t i o n of the r a i l w a y l i n e , and then had a farm at J i l l i b y .

He was a s s i s t e d i n buying h i s farm by a g i f t of £10 from W i l l i a m ALISON as a reward f o r the part SMITH played i n h e l p i n g to rescue the ALISON fa m i l y when a boat they were i n capsized. SMITH s e l e c t e d an area from the Old Ma i t l a n d Road to CAMPBELL'S house.

In 1900 he b u i l t a h o t e l at 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 to E t t a l o n g . The h o t e l was, as many were, transformed i n t o a boarding house.

George SMITH l e f t the d i s t r i c t f o r Bomaderry on the south coast, where, as f a r as we know, some of h i s descendants are s t i l l r e s i d i n g .

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

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

94

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

95

CRAFT FREEMASONRY

T e r r i t o r i a l Organisation of the Masonic Lodges

Under the United 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 Central Coast: 1892-1992

96

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 the State of New South Wales, i n c o r p o r a t i n g Lodges of 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 United Grand Lodge of New South Wales. A per i o d of growth f o l l o w e d , and i n 1892 the United Grand Lodge comprised over 200 Lodges. The State was subdivided i n t o Masonic D i s t r i c t s and an Inspector of Working was appointed i n each D i s t r i c t . He was chosen from the Past Masters of a lodge from the area, and elevated to the rank of G.L. O f f i c e r . His duty was to v i s i t as many lodges i n h i s d i s t r i c t as he could, f o r the purpose of ensuring that they d i d not depart from the Masonic r e g u l a r i t y i n the p r a c t i c e of the r i t u a l , observed the customs, and that i n general they conformed to the precepts set out by the Grand Lodge of New South Wales.

Many brethren had p r a c t i s e d other r i t u a l s : S c o t t i s h , E n g l i s h 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 to some lodges. The in f l u e n c e of the Inspector of Working, which i s s t i l l very great a f t e r one hundred years of p r a c t i c e of the r i t u a l , was e s s e n t i a l i n the f i r s t decade f o l l o w i n g the union of 1888.

The Inspector, as rep r e s e n t a t i v e of the Grand Master i n h i s 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 the works of the lodges, keeping them on the path of orthodoxy

1892 At the time THE RISING SUN Lodge No. 206 was consecrated and began i t s Masonic a c t i v i t y , the d i s t r i c t to which i t was attached was D i s t r i c t No. 2, which comprised t h i r t e e n Lodges, to which Lodge No. 206 was added on 24 September 1892.

The D i s t r i c t Grand Inspector of Workings i n that year was Very Worshipful Brother Dugald Dobie, a b u i l d e r , and a prominent Mason of Newcastle.

When V.W. Bro. Dugald Dobie was i n charge of D i s t r i c t No. 2, i t was already a very large D i s t r i c t .

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

* [See 'The New South Wales Freemason', status and duties of D.I.W. in regard

to uniformity of practices as defined by G.L.: December 1937, and Letters,

1 April 1938, p205.]

97

Lodge No. 4 15 45 54 78

112 115 125 149

UNITY 'c HARMONY ST JAMES THISTLE KILWENING ST GEORGE UNITY of BALLINA ST JOHN THE SEDGWICK LORD CARRINGTON Warrant surrendered 1895

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

at Maitland 95 111 40 51 73 41 69 68 60

Members Newcastle Newcastle Minml Newcastle B a l l l n a Newcastle Wickham

158 160 163 170 189 198

Newcastle Waratah Adamstown West Wallsend

Lambton Hamilton

43 57 55 33 40 22

(This l i s t has been compiled from various fragmentary reports from the Inspectors through the years, and may be s l i g h t l y i n c o r r e c t . )

In the August 1893 issue of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge, the Report of the Board of General Purpose, page 4, state d s u c c i n c t l y t h a t :

'A p e t i t i o n was received praying f o r the issue of a Warrant f o r a new lodge at Gosford, to be c a l l e d "THE RISING SUN LODGE".'

The Board decided to recommend that the prayer of the p e t i t i o n be granted.

A Report of the Grand Inspector of Workings says l a t e r : 'I a l s o attended w i t h Grand Lodge at the ceremony of consecrating and d e d i c a t i n g the new lodge "RISING SUN" No. 206 at Gosford.'

In studying the many reports we n o t i c e that the G.I.W. v i s i t e d more o f t e n the lodges he could reach by r a i l . A v i s i t to the others, t r a v e l l i n g by horse and sulky , was a f u l l e x p e d i t i o n .

In the case of Gosford, i t was only a matter of t r a v e l l i n g some three hours i n the great comfort, at the time, of unheated rail w a y c a r r i a g e s . Trains had been running between Newcastle and Gosford f o r a f u l l f i v e years.

1898 In August 1898, Lodges 213 and 215, HIRAM of Dungog and ORIENT of East M a i t l a n d , had been added to the other 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 Inspector then was W. Bro. Dr. J . L. Beeston, of Newcastle. He had s i x t e e n Lodges to look a f t e r as f o l l o w s :

98

Newcastle 4, Hamilton, Lambton, Minmi, Wallsend, Wickham, Waratah, Adamstown, Maitland 2, Gosford, Dungog and Stockton.

1906 In December 1906, more Lodges had been added. Of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t to us was Lodge WYONG. Some, such as LORD CARRINGTON and THE RISING SUN LODGE, had disappeared. 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 Macquarie, Wyong and Stockton.

The new ones were: 213 HIRAM, Dungog 221 PENINSULA 233 SINCERITY, Adamstown

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

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 Hamilton.

V.W. Bro. E. Tingle v i s i t e d our D i s t r i c t (2B), which comprised the f o l l o w i n g :

THISTLE KILWENING 54, Minmi; ST JAMES 45, Wallsend; LAKE MACQUARIE 243, Toronto; FRIENDSHIP 158, Lambton; ST ANDREW'S 198, West Wallsend; WYONG 247, Wyong; to which RISING SUN 311, Gosford, was added on 29 September 1917.

1922 In 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. Bro. E. J . Thomas, of Elder S t r e e t , Lambton. Under h i s s u p e r v i s i o n were placed:

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

99

MAYFIELD 493 NEW LAMBTON 516 SPEER'S POINT 538 A t o t a l of 14 Lodges.

Roads were very bad and cars were r a r e . I t was d i f f i c u l t to make re g u l a r v i s i t s to each Lodge i n the two year term.

The Report of the Board of G.P. of 13 September 1922 stat e s that the burden of the D.I.W. was to 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 to comprise the 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 to be soon j o i n e d by MORNING STAR and MORISSET.

1943 Fi^oin that year, some D i s t r i c t s were not numbered but were designated 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 of 'N' D i s t r i c t Lodges, which were the C i t y and Suburban Lodges.]

1948 In 1948 the d i s t r i c t s were d i v i d e d i n t o three c a t e g o r i e s : C i t y , A to E; Suburban, F to V; and Country, Nos. 1 to 47.

1950 In the 1950s, membership increased w i t h the r e s u l t that many new Lodges were formed and dedicated, leading to an increase i n the workload of the D i s t r i c t I nspectors. Masonic D i s t r i c t boundaries then had to be redrawn to a l l e v i a t e the tasks of Inspectors.

1956 The r e s u l t of the r e v i s i o n was submitted to the approval of Grand Lodge i n March 1956. A t o t a l was drawn of 108 d i s t r i c t s , of which 66 were country 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 In 1962, D i s t r i c t No. 59 began to take shape as we know i t today. There was only one G.I.W. f o r D i s t r i c t 59.

In view of the r i s i n g number of lodges i n the j u r i s d i c t i o n of New South Wales, a motion was proposed, and duly c a r r i e d , that the State 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. of W. responsible f o r each, to be known as Section "A" and Section "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 with a D.G.I.W. i n charge of each f o r a term of two years. The northern lodges that had been part of the d i s t r i c t f o r over f o r t y years, and with which strong bonds had developed through r e c i p r o c a l v i s i t i n g were separated from t h e i r southern brethren.

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

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1963 In 1963 the D i s t r i c t s were arranged i n three broad c a t e g o r i e s : (a) C i t y ; (b) Suburban; and (c) Country.

W. Bro. Maury Herbert S c o t t , foundation Master of Lodge SARATOGA was appointed G.I.W. He had eight lodges to v i s i t : Gosford 3; Wyong 2; Woy Woy; Long J e t t y ; and Mori s s e t . I t may have been f e l t that Lodge MORISSET should be part of the northern D i s t r i c t . The next D.I.W. was W. Bro. James Eames K i r k n e s s , by which time Lodge MORISSET was not i n our D i s t r i c t as i t had been attached to D i s t r i c t No. 55, with D.I.W. A.C. Carpenter.

The Grand Master at the time was M.W. Bro. E.L. Beers. The membership of the lodges forming D i s t r i c t No. 59 before the r e l o c a t i o n of our Morisset brethren was: RISING SUN, 211 members; MORISSET, 171; WYONG, 169; GOSFORD, 167; MORNING STAR, 148; TUGGERAH LAKES, 119; TOUKLEY, 79; and SARATOGA, 59.

1964 In December 1964, a second D.G.I.W. was created r e p l a c i n g that of A.G.I.W. The J u r i s d i c t i o n was di v i d e d i n t o two halves each w i t h i t s G.I.W.-'

The D i s t r i c t No. 59 was placed i n s e c t i o n "A", sub-section "c", f o r Country. A f t e r September 1964, Lodge MORISSET, a f t e r a long a s s o c i a t i o n with the southern lodges, was removed from D i s t r i c t No. 59, to be included 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 to seven lodges.

1981 In 1981, i t was submitted that Masonic D i s t r i c t s be re-numbered again. Country D i s t r i c t s were to be numbered 50 to 109, with 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 t h e i r present number.

D i s t r i c t 59 was not a f f e c t e d . In view of the number of lodges p r e s e n t l y i n the D i s t r i c t , being nine, with two Lodges of I n s t r u c t i o n and a p o t e n t i a l Lodge of Research, i t i s u n l i k e l y that i n the near future D i s t r i c t 59 w i l l be modified. Due to the long a s s o c i a t i o n and the geographical u n i t y of the area i t i s d i f f i c u l t to see how any lodge could be excised.

The southern part of the D i s t r i c t now comprises f i v e lodges between Woy Woy and Gosford. The northern part has four lodges meeting i n Wyong and Long J e t t y .

D i s t r i c t 59 has about the maximum number of lodges that a D.G.I.W. can v i s i t e f f e c t i v e l y .

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

101

D i s t r i c t No. 59 now i s made of the f o l l o w i n g lodges:

Name of Lodge. No, Date of Place of Date of Installation night

Foundation. Meeting. Meeting. - Saturdays.

WYONG 757 1906 Wyong 3rd Thu. 3/Sep. RISING SUN 247 29. 9.1917 Gosford 2nd Wed. 2/Oct. MORNING STAR 410 4. 2.1922 Woy Woy 4th Mon. 3/Mar. GOSFORD 742 12. 6.1948 Gosford 4th Wed. 4 / J u l . TUGGERAH LAKES 757 10. 9.1948 Long J e t t y 2nd Mon. 2/Sep. TOUKLEY 933 23. 5.1959 Wyong 1st Wed. 3/May. SARATOGA 937 24.10.1959 Gosford 1st Thu. 1/Nov. PELICAN 982 Wyong 1st Tue. 1/Aug. JAMES KIBBLE 985 Gosford 2nd Mon. 4/Nov. Gosford C i t y Lodge

of I n s t r u c t i o n Gosford 1st Tue. Wyong D i s t r i c t Lodge

of I n s t r u c t i o n Wyong 4th Tue. ALBERT BADGER Long J e t t y

(a t e n t a t i v e lodge 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 of our area were part of a d i s t r i c t under an Inspector of Workings. As explained i n our i n t r o d u c t i o n the extent of the area and the number of lodges included i n that d i s t r i c t v a r i e d widely through the years. We have compiled a ch r o n o l o g i c a l tableau of the d i s t r i c t s - w i t h the names of the Inspectors - showing the m o d i f i c a t i o n s which occurred since the formation of Lodge WYONG i n 1906.

D i s t r i c t 2.

In 1906 the State of 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 part of D i s t r i c t No. 2.

1906-10 John D. BEESTON, of Church s t r e e t , Newcastle. 1910-12 Robert HEWITT, of P a r n e l l P l a c e , Newcastle East. 1912-16 T.A. BRAYE, of Bolton S t r e e t , Newcastle.

The d i s t r i c t had become too large and was s p l i t i n two: Nos. 2A and 2B. Lodges WYONG and the newly formed RISING SUN were placed i n 2A.

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D i s t r i c t 2A.

1916-18 E. TINGLE, of Carrington Chambers, Watt S t . , Newcastle 1918-20 John ESTELL, M.L.A., of P l a t t s b u r g 1920-22 S. F. DWYER, of Gosford Lodge No. 311*

Steven Dwyer was S t a t i o n Master i n Gosford, Senior Warden and second Worshipful Master of RISING SUN i n 1918-19. There were 34 d i s t r i c t s i n NSW by then; D i s t r i c t 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 Elder S t r e e t , Lambton

D i s t r i c t 14.

In the year 1924, W. H. HELING being Grand Inspector, a change was made to the numbering of the D i s t r i c t s from 2A to 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 , Hamilton.

1926-28 G. H. BARDEN, of "Merridong", Regent S t r e e t , Hamilton.

D i s t r i c t 3. The d i s t r i c t s ' designations were again modified i n the year 1928. They were d i v i d e d i n t o CITY, bearing l e t t e r s A to R, and COUNTRY, bearing numbers 1 to 44. Our d i s t r i c t became D i s t r i c t No. 3.

1928-30 A. L. DUMBRELL of Teralba Road, West Ma i t l a n d . 1930-32 E l i a s TRUSCOTT, of Nelson S t r e e t , Wallsend. 1932-34 Thos. WYLIE, of Carrington S t r e e t , West Wallsend. 1934-36 F. A. MORRISON, of Speer's P o i n t . 1936-38 James MURRAY, of B e l f o r d S t r e e t , East M a i t l a n d . 1938-40 C, L. FIRKIN, of 143 Nelson S t r e e t , Wallsend. 1940-42 W. G. HANSON, A l b e r t S t r e e t , Speer's P o i n t . 1942-44 N. T. McGOWAN, P.O. Box 14, Wyong. Lodge No. 247* 1944-46 E. M. LOVETT, Main Road, Boolaroo.

Then the State was d i v i d e d i n t o Country 1 to 48. Our d i s t r i c t 311, 410, 441). A l l subsequent I.W. are P.M. of Coast.

C i t y D i s t r i c t s A to V and became D i s t r i c t No. 5 (247,

l o c a l Lodges i n the C e n t r a l

D i s t r i c t 5.

1946-48 A. C. MURDOCH In 1948-50 the designations changed to C i t y A to E, Suburban F to W, and Country 1 to 48.

1948-50 E. R. QUAYLE, Hargraves S t r e e t , Wyong Lodge No.247*

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

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D i s t r i c t 56.

The numbering reverted to s t r a i g h t numbers: C i t y 1 to 6, Suburban 11 to 32 and Country 51 to 101.

We became D i s t r i c t No. 56, Inspectors of Working being:

1950-52 Joseph LOWER, of Panonia Road, Wyong. Lodge No. 441. 1952-54 W.J. McASH, of Cedar Crescent, Orange Grove. Lodge No. 410. 1954-56 George CARNEY, of Hargrave S t r e e t , Wyong. Lodge No. 247.

D i s t r i c t 59.

We then became 59 D i s t r i c t , a numbering that has not been a l t e r e d s i n c e . I t seems that the d i s t r i c t has reached a s t a b l e s t a t e .

1956-58 H.P. WALKER, 4 Wilhelmina S t r e e t , Gosford. Lodge No. 311. 1958-60 E.A. BLAKE, Wyong Creek Road, Wyong. Lodge No. 247. 1960-62 W.H. MATTHEWS, Anzac Avenue, Tuggerah. Lodge No. 247. 1962-64 Maury Herbert SCOTT, 12 White St , East Gosford. Lodge No. 937.

Lodge MORISSET i s then t r a n s f e r r e d from 59 to 55 d i s t r i c t severing some 40 years of a s s o c i a t i o n and f r i e n d s h i p with southern brothers.

1964-66 J.E. KIRKNESS, of 41 E r i n a S t r e e t , Gosford. Lodge No. 742. 1966-68 C P . TIMMINS, 12 Melbourne S t r e e t , Gosford. 1968-70 R.F. HUNTINGTON, 3 Priestman Ave, Umina Beach.Lodge No. 410. 1970-72 R.K. RAY, 5 Frazer Road, Long J e t t y . Lodge No. 757. 1972-74 R.B. SMITH, 16 Kendall S t r e e t , Gosford. Lodge No. 742. 1974-74 G.E. HUMPHREYS, 57 Moss Avenue, Toukley. Lodge No. 933. 1976-78 W.H. RICHARDS, 231 T r a f a l g a r Ave, Umina Beach. Lodge No. 410. 1978-80 R.T. JONES, 23 James S t r e e t , Toukley. Lodge No. 933. 1980-82 A.D. ROSS, 28 Deane S t r e e t , Narara. Lodge No. 742. 1982-84 D.B. DEAN, 2 The Cut, Mannering Park. Lodge No. 247. 1984-86 E.K. LEGGETT, 44 P r a t l e y S t r e e t , Woy Woy. Lodge No. 311. 1986-88 N.J. MAUNDER, Lot 44 \^ong Road, Berkeley Vale. Lodge No. 757. 1988-90 K.B. WHITE, 4 Koolinda Ave, Point C l a r e . Lodge No. 742. 1990-92 L. MANTLE, 68 Cunningham Rd, K i l l a r n e y Vale. Lodge No. 757.

At one stage, in the shuffling of lodges between Dist 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 sister lodges, WYONG and MORISSET, became part of No. 3 District

(Country).

This may be regarded as an unfortunate decision by the B.G.P., separating the

sister lodges who as a group shared many traditions. This was repelled subsequently

and hopefully will not be renewed. The removal of Lodge MORISSET from the family

in 1963 brought some sadness, since i t was part of our history for so many years.

104

PLACES OF MEETING FOR THE MASONS IN THE CENTRAL COAST.

I n 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 banquets and h o l d i n g meetings i n p r i v a c y , w h i c h s u i t e d masons r e q u i r e m e n t s .

L a t e r , i n t h e i r p u r s u i t f o r the h i g h e s t o r d e r of s o c i a l r e s p e c t a b i l i t y t h e y would 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 f o r t h e i r m e e t i n g i n the c o u n t r y mansions of t h e more a f f l u e n t o f 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 of membership and development i n the Ceremonies, they b u i l t t h e i r own b u i l d i n g s t o t h e i r s p e c i a l r e q u i r e m e n t s .

I t i s p r o b a b l y due t o the f a c t t h a t t h e y o r i g i n a l l y met i n u p s t a i r s rooms of t a v e r n s and i n n s t h a t the custom t o 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 the s o u t h " on the ground 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 basement room i n t h e S c h o o l of A r t s b u i l d i n g . They a d j o u r n e d f o r r e f r e s h m e n t t o the f i r s t f l o o r o f the F e r n 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 Temple i n our 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 of lodge WYONG was h e l d i n September 1906. They had no p l a c e of t h e i r own u n t i l J a n u a r y 1915 when th e y met f o r the 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 RISING SUN was more f o r t u n a t e . James K i b b l e b u i l t a l a r g e c o t t a g e i n 1917 f o r t h e purpose of lodge m e e t i n g s . M e e t i n g s were h e l d on the ground f l o o r i n a b u i l d i n g w i t h no windows. 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 n e x t door. MORNING STAR has no t e m p l e . They s t i l l meet i n t h e Masonic H a l l b u i l t by the Companions of t h e R o y a l A r c h of Woy Woy i n 1923. T h i s temple i s t y p i c a l o f 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 ground f l o o r . Lodge MORISSET b u i l t i t s own temple on l a n d g i v e n by B r o . M u l l a r d , c l o s e t o the r a i l w a y s t a t i o n . I n 1927, Lodge RISING SUN, w i t h a much i n c r e a s e d membership, had t o move t o l a r g e r p r e m i s e s . A new temple was b u i l t i n the c e n t r e of G o s f o r d on l a n d t h e y had a c q u i r e d and p a r t l y exchanged w i t h Bro. M a r g i n t o r e - o r i e n t t h e l a n d t o f a c e East-West. The a d j u n c t i o n of shops a t v a r i o u s t i m e s r e s u l t e d i n the o r i g i n a l b u i l d i n g b e i n g now c o m p l e t e l y h i d d e n b e h i n d c o m m e r c i a l f r o n t s . The b r e t h r e n a t B r o o k l y n met as HAWKESBURY RIVER DISTRICT COMBINED MASONIC ASSOCIATION i n the F i r e B r i g a d e H a l l . They l a t e r bought the M e m o r i a l H a l l , a t y p i c a l e a r l y r u r a l w e a t h e r b o a r d h a l l .

105

The h a l l a t Long J e t t y , the l a t e s t - b u i l t i n 1953, i s a c o t t a g e 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 suburban e n v i r o n m e n t . 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 t h e lodge room b e h i n d the main h a l l . I t i s w o r t h n o t i n g the i n f l u e n c e w h i c h t h e r a i l w a y e x e r t e d i n t h e development of t o w n s h i p s and the l o c a t i o n of t h e l o d g e s .

The e a r l y M a s o n i c Temples were spaced a l o n g t h e r a i l w a y l i n e - and q u i t e c l o s e t o t h e 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 .

T h i s arrangement f a c i l i t a t e d a c c e s s t o v i s i t o r s from the d i s t r i c t as w e l l as from 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 r a i l w a y . When the h a l l a t Long J e t t y was b u i l t , away and d i s t a n t from t h e l i n e , c a r s were t h e n used commonly. I t i s q u i t e p o s s i b l e 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 f u e l , p a r k i n g p r o b l e m s , our a g e i n g b r e t h r e n may t a k e a g a i n t o t r a v e l l i n g by t r a i n . T r a i n s have become f a s t and c o m f o r t a b l e and c o n c e s s i o n s 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 t h o u g h t , l o o k i n g back, t o our a n c i e n t b r e t h r e n l i v i n g a t the t i m e of h o r s e s and b u g g i e s , and the 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 s e a r c h 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 hour i n good c o n d i t i o n s .

On a r r i v a l t h e y had t o s e c u r e t h e i r h o r s e , t y i n g them t o 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 gave them a nose bag o f o a t s o r an a r m f u l of hay o r o a t e n s t r a w t o keep them o c c u p i e d and q u i e t f o r a w h i l e . T h e i r t r a v e l l i n g 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 of a modern c a r . They had t o l e a v e the l o d g e room d u r i n g the e v e n i n g works 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 o r t o p a c i f y a r e s t l e s s h o r s e . The O u t e r Guard 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 t h e h o r s e s t i e d a l l o v e r t h e ground r a t h e r t h a n 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 Order of t h e E a s t e r S t a r i s a n o t h e r Order h a v i n g h a l l s o f t h e i r own.

When the O.E.S. began i n G o s f o r d , the l a d i e s l o o k e d f o r a m e e t i n g p l a c e . They sought t o meet i n t h e h a l l of the M a s o n i c B u i l d i n g , w h i c h was l e a s e d t o many l o c a l o r g a n i s a t i o n s , even f o r a b i r d show, but t h e y were r e f u s e d . The H a l l Management Committee was under s t r i c t i n s t r u c t i o n s n o t t o l e t t h e O.E.S. i n , i n s p i t e of t h e f a c t t h a t each of them was r e l a t e d t o a mason, even though many b r e t h r e n were 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 d i s t a n c e 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 of co-masonic 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, where t h e y meet to t h i s day w i t h o u t problems i n t h e Masonic H a l l , as t h i s h a l l does not come under t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e NSW Grand Lodge.

The O.E.S. h a l l a t Long J e t t y i s t h e former Church of E n g l a n d h a l l f o r the P a r i s h of The E n t r a n c e . When a new ALL 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 f r o n t e d w e a t h e r b o a r d b u i l d i n g i n w h i c h a memorial p l a q u e i s s e t .

More about the m e e t i n g p l a c e s o f O.E.S. C h a p t e r 86 i s found i n the pages d e a l i n g w i t h t h a t C h a p t e r .

Many o t h e r o r d e r s have no h a l l o f t h e i r own. They meet i n P u b l i c and P r o g r e s s H a l l s , H i g h S c h o o l A u d i t o r i u m s , C a t h o l i c Church h a l l s and a F i r e B r i g a d e h a l l .

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 e x penses. Many 'ready-made' 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 ; c e r e m o n i a l 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 and 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 b u r d e n .

107

. B A S E D . OK- S-OUGH • ?£KIC1L

• C O S T • AS- P £ t ESTIMATE' Of

GOSFORD MASONIC TEMPLE: B u i l t i n 1927 f o r Lodge RISING SUN 311 by Bro. W. A. BUSCOMBE on l a n d bought 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 .

V

NOTE Lots m'uis cd RED .ia«e been soid.

SCwOOi

m^infr^^ po ITD nrPmMnm

ABOVE: 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, Woy Woy, opposite the Catholic Church, the words "Projected Masonic H a l l " are shown on a block adjacent to the subdivision.

LEFT: A modem photo of Woy Woy Masonic H a l l , which was built in Railway Street, Woy Woy.

109

MASONIC TEMPLES or CENTRES i n 59 DISTRICT.

MORISSET -(049) 705-223

5 Yambo S t r e e t . near the Railway S t a t i o n .

WYONG -(043) 531-712

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

LONG JETTY -(043) 320-366

Toowoon Bay Road. o f f The Entrance Road, opposite Eraser 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 Park, next to Woolworths.

WOY WOY -(043) 424-092

130 Railway S t r e e t . Opposite Railway S t a t i o n and Bus Terminal.

BROOKLYN - Memorial H a l l . 120 Brooklyn Road, 1 km. from Railway S t a t i o n .

MEETING HALL.

O.E.S. HALL - P a c i f i c S t r e e t , Long J e t t y .

110

MASONIC BUILDINGS OF THE DISTRICT.

The f i r s t lodge i n Gosford met from 1892 to 1901 i n the School of A r t s as described i n part I .

1992 - PLACES OF MEETING AND NAMES OF USERS.

Next formed was the Lodge WYONG. The brethren met temporarily i n the f i r s t storey of 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.

This i s the place of meeting f o r :

Lodge WYONG No. 247 U.G.L. N.S.W. Lodge TOUKLEY No. 933 Lodge PELICAN No. 982 Wyong Shire Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n . Rose C r o i x CENTRAL COAST CHAPTER No. 249. Royal Arch ERINA CHAPTER No. 91. Secret Monitors CENTRAL COAST CONCLAVE No. 25. THE LAKES Sovereign Council 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 brethren had provided f o r a b u i l d i n g of t h e i r own, b u i l t by Bro. K i b b l e , on the corner of Mann and Beane Streets opposite the Railway Goods Yard.

They met there 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 centre of Gosford. They s t i l l meet there now, the b u i l d i n g having undergone a number of f a c e l i f t s and enlargements. Meeting i n the Gosford Masonic Centre are:

Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 Lodge GOSFORD No. 742 Lodge SARATOGA No. 937 Lodge JAMES KIBBLE No. 985 Gosford 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 Royal Arch GOSFORD CHAPTER No. 173.

Lodge MORNING STAR of Woy Woy was consecrated i n 1922, but a Royal Arch Chapter had been formed before them and had b u i l t t h e i r own Masonic Temple on land donated by Mrs Couche. This Temple was completed i n 1926. The brethren from the C r a f t were welcome to use i t , and have done so ever s i n c e . Meeting there are:

I l l

Lodge MORNING STAR No. 410 Royal Arch ALBERT JOSEPHSON CHAPTER No. 119 Red Cross of Constantine. GOSFORD CONCLAVE No. 58. S.C. Rose + C r o i x BRISBANE WATER No. 21 SOV. CHAP. S.C. WOY WOY SOVEREIGN COUNCIL. 30° No. 42. S.C.

Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES No. 757 was consecrated 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 place. Their object was reached cl9 5 3 , and a d d i t i o n s followed l a t e r . Now meeting at Long J e t t y are:

Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES No. 757 KARAGI - THE ENTRANCE Mark & Royal Arch Chapter No. 174 Knight Templars PRECEPTORY & PRIORY of SAINT LUKE No. 153 S.C. Research Lodge ALBERT BADGER

Lodge MORISSET No. 441 formed i n 1923, and t h e i r b u i l d i n g was completed i n 1937. This Lodge ceased to be included i n No. 59 D i s t r i c t i n 1964.

The Hawkesbury River D i s t r i c t Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n meet i n t h e i r own Memorial H a l l at Brooklyn.

Most brethren nowadays are unaware of the problems that confronted our brethren i n the e a r l y days of t h i s century w i t h attending 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 .

Although 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' a b i l i t y to move at speed i n the dark, the d r i v e r s a l s o had to see t h e i r way as w e l l .

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 night t r a v e l l e r . These were the nights when the moon was f u l l . The dates of meetings were therefore 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 pleasure to show h e r s e l f to advantage.

Every lodge i n d i c a t e d i t s meeting night 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 year's t a b l e of the moon's phases with the time the moon rose, as w e l l as a calendar showing the days.

As l a t e of 1938, a s u r p r i s i n g number of lodges s t i l l i n d i c a t e d

112

t h e i r meeting nights i n r e l a t i o n to the f u l l moon.

From the Masonic Guide f o r 1925, when the motor car 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

Abbreviations used to i n d i c a t e date of meetings i n r e l a t i o n to F u l l Moon:

B.F.M. Before F u l l Moon N.F.M. Nearest F u l l Moon A.F.M. A f t e r F u l l Moon 0.0.B.F.M. On or Before F u l l Moon 0.0.N.F.M. On or Nearest F u l l Moon 0.0.A.F.M. On or 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.

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. United Grand Lodge of 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 Street -then Lodge was destroyed by f i r e i n February 1914 -then Royal Hotel f o r 11 months then from 28 January 1915 15 Howarth Street Wyong 2259 Telephone (043) 53-1712

DATE OF MEETING: Thursday night on or before the f u l l moon of each month. Later 3rd Thursday monthly.

INSTALLATION: 3rd Saturday i n September.

116

L i s t of Past Masters of Lodge WYONG No. 247.

Name of the Master. Year of Office. Name of the Master. Year of Offi

F.J. FULLER 1906-07 J . I . PLUMB 1949-50 J.H. KAY 1907-08 B.H. MAWSON 1950-51 E.A. WOOD 1908-09 N.R. ANGEL 1951-52 R. GASCOIGNE 1909-10 C P . DAVIES 1952-53 T. SLEEMAN 1910-11 R.E. HOLLAND 1953-54 C. WATERS 1911-12 W.H. MATHEWS 1954-55 A. TURNER 1912-13 R.A. MORRIS 1955-56

S.A. McKIMM 1913-14 L.T. McKIMM 1956-57 S.A. McKIMM * 1914-15 N.H.S. REEVES 1957-58 A.W. HAWTHORN 1915-16 R.C MACKENZIE 1958-59 F.G. BAKER 1916-17 R.R. WILSHIRE 1959-60 R.W. MARSH 1917-18 F.G. VAUGHAN 1960-61 J.S. ANDERSON 1918-19 J.H. TAYLOR 1961-62 C.N. WALTERS 1919-20 A.J. BISHOP 1962-63 T. ANDERSON 1920-21 N.E. TYNAN 1963-64

G.H. DODD 1921-22 J.L. GRIFFITHS 1964-65 D'Arcy ROSE 1922-23 G.H. ELLEM 1965-66 F.D. BURNS 1923-24 C F . DRAKE 1966-67 J.T. PENFOLD 1924-25 W.K. MORRIS 1967-68 S.A. McKIMM ** 1925-26 S.O. CLAYTON 1968-69 F.G. BAKER * 1926-27 N. JURD 1969-70 H.G. WRIGHT 1927-28 R.T. JONES 1970-71 V.L. JONES 1928-29 L.P. BRIDGE 1971-72 M.G. WILL 1929-30 C L . DAVIES 1972-73 C.H. WILSON 1930-31 L.H. MORTON 1973-74 CD. BATEMAN 1931-32 CW. DENT 1974-75 E.H. FERGUSON 1932-33 W.B. ROBERTSON 1975-76 E.H. FERGUSON * 1933-34 A.K.. SHAKESPEARE 1976-77 C P . JAMES 1934-35 K.R. McLEAN 1977-78 N.T. McGOWAN 1935-36 A.A. GILLIVER 1978-79 R.W. BROWNLEE 1936-37 D.B. DEAN 1979-80 E.R. QUAYLE 1937-38 R.L. SAINSBURY 1980-81 J.C KEMPTON 1938-39 W.J. BILLINGTON 1981-82 M.B. SMITH 1939-40 R.M. LEWIS 1982-83 CR. BATEMAN 1940-41 I.G.F. VAUGHAN 1983-84 R.E. PIPER 1941-42 P.R.C LEEDER 1984-85 E.H. BARTIER 1942-43 D.J. DEAN 1985-86 T.D. McMULLEN 1943-44 I.S. MACMILLAN 1986-87

J . HUDDART * 1944-45 R.L. CARTER 1987-88 J.W. SEARGENT 1945-46 H. STEWART 1988-89

J . HUDDART 1946-47 R.D. TAYLOR 1989-90 W.C CHAPMAN 1947-48 K.J. HITCHCOCK 1990-91 H.R. FOLEY 1948-49 J.K. HARRIS 1991-92

* 2nd year of O f f i c e • ** 3rd year of O f f i c e

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MEMORIES OF VISITS TO LODGE WYONG

When Lodge RISING SUN No. 206, Gosford, decided to cease Masonic a c t i v i t i e s i n 1900, the D i s t r i c t was l e f t without an a l t e r n a t i v e . A l l organised 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 brethren were l e f t without a choice. The c l o s e s t Lodges were s i t u a t e d i n Newcastle i n the north or Sydney i n the south (Hornsby d i d not have a Lodge u n t i l w e l l a f t e r Wyong - No. 262). With the stat e of communications at the time, i t i s improbable that any Mason could attend meetings r e g u l a r l y at e i t h e r of 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 being e s t a b l i s h e d i n the D i s t r i c t was very great indeed and the f i r s t step i n that d i r e c t i o n was the foundation of a Lodge at Wyong (Lodge WYONG, No. 247) i n 1906.

We w i l l not delve i n t o who was responsible f o r i t and any d e t a i l s on the sub j e c t , which belong to the h i s t o r y of Lodge WYONG. However, there was a r e a l need f o r a new Lodge and Wyong took the necessary steps to f u l f i l i t . We know that the brethren from Gosford and Woy Woy used to go to Wyong, a journey which took some time and e f f o r t to accomplish!

For over ten years, t h i s arrangement, although not very s a t i s f a c t o r y , endured u n t i l RISING SUN rose again i n 1917. I t would have been a great r e l i e f f o r the brethren from Gosford and Woy Woy, although they must have missed very much the g e n i a l welcome of t h e i r neighbour Lodge at Wyong.

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QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION, 12 September 1906. NEW LODGES.

P e t i t i o n s were received praying f o r the issue of Warrants f o r new lodges at Wyong, New Lambton and Raymond Terrace. The Board recommended the G.M. to grant the prayer of the p e t i t i o n f o r Wyong and Raymond Terrace, but i n the case of New Lambton, the Board recommended the G.M. not to accede to the request...

GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS. 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. Bro. 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 i n c e p t i o n . They proceeded to i n i t i a t e three candidates. The working, t a k i n g everything 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 the 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 to f i n d them w e l l up towards the standard of e f f i c i e n c y . B.G.L. June 1892 to June 1893. 14 Sep. 1892 V.W. Bro. Dugald Dobie, D.G.I, of D. No. 1. page 7.

V.W. Bro. E. Tin g l e was D.G.I.W. On September lOth 1917 he went to v i s i t Lodge WYONG to witness the f i r s t degree. However due to a general s t r i k e - while the country was at war! - owing to the t r a i n being two hours l a t e , he a r r i v e d at the Lodge room as the degree was f i n i s h i n g . He then, at the i n v i t a t i o n of the W.M. , held a Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n , going through the f l o o r work of the three degrees, and s e t t l i n g v a r i o u s points 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 at work u n t i l 10.30p.m.

The mother lodge of lodge WYONG i s s t i l l a mystery; of the p u t a t i v e lodges, the name of LAKE MACQUARIE No. 243 has been proposed. The H i s t o r y of LODGE LAKE MACQUARIE No. 243, page 11 s t a t e s :

"In June, 1924, the p e t i t i o n f o r the formation of a new lodge at Speers Point was signed i n open Lodge, t h i s being the f i r s t daughter Lodge of Lodge LAKE MACQUARIE."

Lodge LAKE MACQUARIE, of Toronto, has been dedicated i n December 1906, and was much too recent to have been able to f o s t e r a new lodge the preceding September, although i t s number i s lower than WYONG's!

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BIRTH OF A LODGE. When a number of brethren wish to form a new lodge they canvas prospective members - unattached masons or members belonging to a lodge that meets f a r away - who would b e n e f i t from, and welcome the c r e a t i o n of a lodge i n t h e i r v i c i n i t y , which would be convenient to attend. Next they convene a meeting of i n t e r e s t e d brethren to discuss the c r e a t i o n of a new lodge. The main problems are to gather enough members to form a lodge, and since there i s u s u a l l y no lodge i n the area they must f i n d a s u i t a b l e place of meeting. When they have overcome a l l the problems, a p e t i t i o n i s drawn 'asking the Grand Master, - through the Board of General Purposes, - to grant them a Charter to enable them to meet as a lodge f o r the b e n e f i t of Free Masonry'. They a l s o approach an e s t a b l i s h e d lodge to act as sponsor, i n the form of a formal request, signed by the Master and the two Wardens of a lodge a c t i n g as sponsors. These documents are placed 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 very s l i m f i l e s , c o n t a i n i n g only the p e t i t i o n and sponsoring documents. The masonic h i s t o r i a n , through that e a r l y f i l e , i s able to probe i n t o the processes of the formation of a lodge. In the case of Lodge WYONG, there i s no such documentary evidence i n the f i l e . We f i n d correspondence about the s u i t a b i l i t y of the b u i l d i n g to be used as a temple, a l s o arrangements f o r G.L. to attend and proceed to the con s e c r a t i o n , but no p e t i t i o n or sponsoring document. Since a p e t i t i o n must have been drawn w i t h the l e t t e r from the Master and Wardens of the sponsoring lodge, we can only conclude that the documents have been misplaced. One day perhaps they w i l l be found i n a f i l e w i t h another number and, at l a s t , we w i l l know who are the foundation members who signed the p e t i t i o n and what lodge i s the mother lodge of lodge 247. For the present the daughter has l o s t contact w i t h her mother.

CONCISE HISTORY OF LODGE WYONG. Excerpts from Part I of the h i s t o r y compiled by V. Wor. Bro. N.T. McGowan, on the occasion of the J u b i l e e Meeting of the Lodge, May 1957.

Many records which were stored i n cupboards i n the anteroom were destroyed by white ants. Not only were the contents destroyed but the cupboards as w e l l . The Charter granted by the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales, was signed by the l a t e M.W. Bro. S i r Harry Rawson, Grand Master

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and Governor of New South Wales, and the l a t e V. Wor. Bro. Arthur P. Bray, Grand Secretary, and i s dated 9 August 1906. Lodge WYONG was dedicated on Tuesday, 4 September 1906 when 15 brethren signed the presence book, as members, and f i v e , i n a d d i t i o n to V. Wor. Bro. Bray, signed as v i s i t o r s , making a t o t a l of 21 brethren. According to the members' r e g i s t e r , however, there were 17 foundation 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 s u r v i v i n g foundation member. The f i r s t Worshipful Master of the Lodge was Wor. Bro. F r a n c i s J . F u l l e r , storekeeper, of Wyong, and the f i r s t s e c r e t a r y was Wor, Bro. John F i l s h i e , schoolteacher, of Wyong. P r i o r to the foundation of the Lodge there were no b u i l d i n g s considered s u i t a b l e f o r a lodge room. I t seems that the l a t e Wor. Bro. John Kay had erected a weatherboard b u i l d i n g i n the main s t r e e t at Wyong, with a shop at ground l e v e l and a room u p s t a i r s , which amongst other purposes, could be used as a lodge room. Access to t h i s u p s t a i r s room was gained by a stairway on the outside of the b u i l d i n g leading i n t o a small anteroom. The main room was a l s o used once a month as a court 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 Charter and any other obvious pieces of Lodge f u r n i t u r e and jewels. I t was customary i n those days f o r the brethren to be c a l l e d from labour to refreshments a f t e r the business of the Lodge had been completed, and t h i s was known as "HIGH TIME". Sandwiches were obtained from the refreshment room down s t a i r s and these, together w i t h a few b o t t l e s of beer, were partaken of, standing i n the anteroom. The brethren were then c a l l e d to labour when the degree work was proceeded w i t h . I t was not at a l l uncommon to allow 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 years ago and much of those s o - c a l l e d roads were corduroy: a succession of round saplings l a i d side by side to prevent both horse and v e h i c l e becoming bogged. Today Wor. Bro. Lindsay McKiram can d r i v e to or from Lodge i n about twenty minutes. His f a t h e r , Wor. Bro. Sam McKimm, was hard pressed to do i t w i t h horse and sulky i n two hours. 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 night on, or before, the f u l 1 moon of each month wi t h the consequence that 13 r e g u l a r meetings were he Id i n the year on s e v e r a l occasions due to the lunar p r o v i s i o n , there being 53 lunar weeks i n a year. During the f i r s t two years of the Lodge's existence the average attendance was 15 members and on some occasions i t would have been d i f f i c u l t to 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 prospered reasonably we 11 u n t i l e a r l y i n

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1914, when some time i n the month of February, the b u i l d i n g used as the Lodge room was destroyed by f i r e and the Lodge was l e f t without a s u i t a b l e meeting p l a c e . A break i n meetings i s found extending from 5 February 1914 to 28 January 1915. Wor. Bro. S.A. McKimm had been i n s t a l l e d as Wor. Master on 11 September 1913, the f i r e came only a few months a f t e r . As master of the Lodge he was faced w i t h not only f i n d i n g somewhere e l s e to meet, but a l s o the d i f f i c u l t task of holding the members, at that time numbering j u s t on 40, together. During the per i o d of some 11 months when i t was impossible to hold r e g u l a r meetings members met i n a room i n the Royal H o t e l , which was generously le n t by the l a t e Wor. Bro. Robert Gascoigne. Soon a f t e r the f i r e i t was decided to endeavour to r a i s e money f o r the purpose of r e - b u i l d i n g . S u f f i c i e n t money was obtained to purchase the present s i t e , the purchase was made from a lady by the name of Nurse Haymes, f o r £70. A statement of r e c e i p t s and expenditure f o r the year ending August 1915, show a debit balance of £282.15.9 which was owing to the bank. During 1914 the present south, except f o r the recent extensions, was b u i l t by the l a t e Fred D'Arcy f o r the sum of £273.4.0. The Grand A r c h i t e c t i n s i s t e d that the w a l l s of the b u i l d i n g be packed w i t h sawdust, f o r soundproofing, but t h i s u n f o r t u n a t e l y proved a happy hunting ground f o r white ants, which over a per i o d of years d i d considerable damage to the b u i l d i n g , and to our Lodge records.

r/ie opening, Lodge. WUDNQ No. 2U7 LUOA yiepo/ited locaJAy, in the QoAfjond TimeA o^ the 7 SeptembeA. 1906.

MASONIC. OPENING OF LODGE WYONG No. 247, U.G.L., N.S.W.

Tuesday evening l a s t was the occasion of a h i g h l y i n t e r e s t i n g and impressive ceremony, being d e d i c a t i o n of the newly erected Masonic H a l l and i n s t a l l a t i o n of the o f f i c e r s of the Lodge j u s t e s t a b l i s h e d . R.W. Bro. A.H. Bray, Grand Secretary, acted as i n s t a l l i n g Master, and Wor. Bro. Dr Edwards c a r r i e d out the duties of D i r e c t o r of Ceremonies. There was a f a i r attendance of members of the c r a f t and a f t e r the d e d i c a t i o n ceremony the various o f f i c e r s were i n s t a l l ed, v i z : - V. Wor. Bro. F.J. F u l l e r , W.M. : Wor. Bro. T. Deasey, I.P.M.; Bro. J.H. Kay, S.W.; Bro.T.W. Studley, J.W.; Bro. J.H. Newman, Treasurer; Wor. Bro. J . F i l s h i e , Secretary; Bro. A.T.

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M o r r i s , S.D.; Bro. E.A. Wood, J.D.; Bros. John and George Smith, Stewards; Bro. A.C. F u l l e r , I.G.; and Bro. W.A. Burton, O.G. A f t e r the ceremony the company, at the i n v i t a t i o n of the W.M. adjourned to the Royal Hotel where an e x c e l l e n t banquet was served by host Gascoigne and h i s good lady. A f t e r doing j u s t i c e to the good things the usual Masonic t o a s t s were proposed and duly honored. Several 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 already evinced Lodge Wyong promises to be a success.

The f i r s t meeting was h e l d i n that b u i l d i n g on 28 January 1915, when the membership appears to have been about 40. At and up u n t i l t h i s time i t had been customary f o r the brethren to have supper standing up and a f t e r commencing i n the new b u i l d i n g , which of course, had not been consecrated, the custom continued, 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 Tesselated Pavement was r o l l e d up and t a b l e s were brought i n and the brethren were seated for the South. Soon a f t e r serving 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 w i t h the work u n t i l h i s death i n 1947. Lodge WYONG once again prospered and i t was not very many years before a l a r g e r lodge room was needed, so that the then present lodge room could be used as a south. This 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 northern boundary l i n e , to a l l o w room f o r the future 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 given to 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 at that time Senior Warden. Some delay took place, but e v e n t u a l l y a contract f o r the e r e c t i o n of our present lodge room was l e t to 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 dedicated on 20 December 1923, when 50 members of t h i s lodge and 38 v i s i t o r s signed the presence book. Most Wor. Bro. John Goulston, Grand Master, 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 consecration ceremony. To meet the cost of t h i s b u i l d i n g a loan of £1200 was obtained from the Commercial Bank of A u s t r a l i a and was f i n a l l y r e paid i n 1942. I t was found somewhere i n the mid 1930's that the south was f a r too small on many occasions, the l a t e Wor. Bro. Gershom Baker gave n o t i c e that c o n s i d e r a t i o n be given to p u t t i n g a s u i t a b l e 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

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f l o o r to t h i s present 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 obtained a f i r m estimate of £1500 f o r the job. The lodge decided against the p r o j e c t on the score of high c o s t s . When tenders were c a l l e d f o r something of a s i m i l a r nature i n 1955 i t was found that p r i c e s ranging between £6,000 and £7,000 were considered excessive and beyong the Lodge's a b i l i t y to meet. The i n i t i a t i o n fee was set down i n the o r i g i n a l by-laws of 1906 at £10.10.0 and the dues payable were 4/- per month f o r what were termed resident members and 3/- per month f o r non-resident members, that i s to say, members r e s i d i n g beyond s i x miles of the place of meeting. In the f i r s t month of each quarter an a d d i t i o n a l s h i l l i n g was added to a l l members dues, which was a p p l i e d to the upkeep of Masonic Schools. By comparison of money valu e s , membership was much more c o s t l y i n 1906 than i t i s today. Members were very generous of heart many years ago, f o r i n the years 1916-1919 t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n s to the F.B.I, ranged between £30 and £40 per annum, and t h i s from a membership of much le s s than h a l f of the present s t r e n g t h . In 1957, a t o t a l of 558 brethren had jo i n e d the lodge, e i t h e r by i n i t i a t i o n or a f f i l i a t i o n . The ol d e s t member of the lodge i n 1955 was Wor. Bro. S.A. McKimm, f a t h e r of the master, he was the f i r s t member of t h i s lodge to rec e i v e Grand Lodge rank, when i n 1936 the rank of P.G.S.B. was conferred by Grand Lodge. Since that date three other members have received Grand Lodge rank by appointment as D i s t r i c t Grand Inspector of Workings, these being Wor. Bro. N.T. McGowan, i n 1942, Wor. Bro. E.R. Quayle, i n 1948, and Wor. Bro. George Carney i n 1954.

Excerpts from Part I I of the h i s t o r y compiled by V. Wor. Bro. J.H. Taylor and Wor. Bro. L.A. Turton, on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary Meeting held on Saturday 19 September 1981.

In the e a r l y years Lodge I n s t a l l a t i o n Banquets and Masonic B a l l s had to be held i n the School of A r t s H a l l (now the premises of Van Eden Shoes) i n A l i s o n Road. This was again brought sharply i n t o focus, by the need to 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 since been demolished to make way f o r a car parking area. The p l a y i n g of a lone p i p e r c a l l e d the brethren from labour to refreshment. A f t e r the s k i r l of pipes had faded the Lodge s e t t l e d down to continue to administer the R i t e s and Ceremonies of Freemasonry. Since then 204 members have been accepted i n t o the Lodge. Among those who a f f i l i a t e d , some were to rec 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 Inspector of Workings. V. Wor. Bro. E.A. Blake, V. Wor. Bro. G. Carney, V. Wor. Bro. W.H. Mathews and V. Wor. Bro. R.T. Jones thus served. V. Wor.

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Bro. George Carney l a t e r c o l l a p s e d and died i n Lodge, while admini s t e r i n g an o b l i g a t i o n to a candidate at a Past Masters Night i n August 1967. The need f o r improved accomodation continued to 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 considered beyond the Lodge's means. A l t e r n a t e ideas and plans were sought. In 1957 we created a B u i l d i n g Fund. One s h i l l i n g per member per month, plus a surcharge on other fees, and t h i s p r i n c i p l e was incorporated and maintained f o r many years. In 1960 plans were accepted and contracted to b u i l d the present South f o r £4,350. Brethren subscribed to Debentures at 5% i n t e r e s t , two members wrote cheques f o r £1,000 and some others f o r £200. Other brethren made s t r a i g h t out g i f t s towards the venture, 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 the Lodge become a "Dry Charter" - i t was not adopted. Wor. Bro. Alby 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 everything was completed i n good time w i t h minimum inconvenience . In 1963 a 1% loan from the Masonic B u i l d i n g Fund was sought and was granted, 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 . Lodge WYONG, the oldest continuous 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. In e a r l i e r times Morisset and Tuggerah Lakes were aided i n t o existence by t h i s Lodge although i t i s recorded that on 3 May 1917 Lodge Wyong p e t i t i o n e d f o r the establishment of Lodge RISING SUN. The p e t i t i o n , signed by Wor. Bro. Gershom Baker was accepted on 31 May 1917 by the Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. W i l l i a m Thompson. In 1919 carbide lamps and candles 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 to s t r i k e the match to l i g h t the acetylene lamp at the appropriate time. In former times the D i s t r i c t was much l a r g e r than at present and many of the D i s t r i c t Lodges then could only be reached over rough roads or by r a i l . Woy Woy, C a r d i f f and Adamstown, among other lodges required 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 awaiting t r a i n departures. In t h i s day of comfortable and f a s t t r a v e l we can only marvel at the e f f o r t s of some members to attend t h e i r lodge. One such notable brother, Bro. E.P. (Ted) B r a i t h w a i t e rode a horse 13 miles each way to maintain attendance, and the records 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 sulky.

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BUILDING THE MASONIC TEMPLE AT WYONG

The ceremony of l a y i n g the foundation stone of the new Temple f o r Lodge Wyong, No. 247 U.G.L., was performed l a s t Saturday afternoon by Very Wor. Bro. E. T i n g l e , Past D i s t r i c t Grand Inspector of Workings, i n the presence of a goodly number of brethren and l o c a l r e s i d e n t s . Wyong Masonic Lodge has so increased i n membership that 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 decided to erect a new Temple. This w i l l cost about £1000, and i s being b u i l t of b r i c k s . Bro. G i l b e r t DIXON i s the c o n t r a c t o r . Wor. Bro. TINGLE, who was presented 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 the ceremony by Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s Very Wor. Bros. Dugald DOBIE, ESTELL and SHORT, an apology having been rec e i v e d from Very Wor. Bro. PRYOR. The foundation stone bore the i n s c r i p t i o n : - 'This stone was l a i d by V. Wor. Bro. E. TINGLE, PDGIW, on 25th August, 1923. Bro. G i l b e r t DIXON, B u i l d e r . D'Arcy ROSE, W.M.'

126

LATOMI INCOGNITI

Was there another Lodge meeting i n Wyong i n 1922; and i f so, what sort of Lodge was i t ?

In the e a r l y 1920s, meetings were held i n Wyong, opposite the P o l i c e S t a t i o n , between the o f f i c e of the Advocate and the house of Gregory.

The l o c a l boys (Tom Goff was one of them) had been cautioned not to go near the b u i l d i n g where the Masons were meeting.

The b u i l d i n g was burnt down, the boys went foraging i n the de b r i s , and they found a s k u l l ! !

Subsequently, Tom has had a d i s t i n g u i s h e d Masonic career, being Past Master of MORNING STAR and a GRAND LODGE O f f i c e r .

Perhaps a report of the f i r e appeared i n the l o c a l paper and may provide information on the mysterious 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', covering the areas of Newcastle, Hamilton, 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 of WYONG LODGE en t e r t a i n e d GOSFORD LODGE at a game of euchre at l a s t meeting. WYONG winning by 38 to 33. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent.

Following O f f i c e r s were e l e c t e d at the 58th Grand Session to GRAND LODGE:- G.M. Bro. L.H. P u r n e l l , D.G.M. Bro. W.J. Carpenter, Grand Treasurer, Bro. F.C. P e t r i e ; Grand Chaplain, Bro. F. Lock, Grand Sec. Hon. R.R. S p r i n g a l l .

Any connection with the above? They c e r t a i n l y were not Cr a f t Masons.

127

The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales O F A N C I E N T , F R E E A N D A C C E P T E D MASCNr!

No. 311

S i u i

Bri>thion, pleaso not i fy S e c r e t a r y of changre of 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 Mann and Beane Streets, Gosford.

The Lodge was dedicated by the R . W . Deputy Grand Master R.W. Bro . 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 "Our 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.

131

Lodge RISING SUN. 311

United Grand Lodge of New South Wales

FOUNDED:

PLACE OF MEETING;

DATE OF MEETING:

INSTALLATION:

29 September 1917

Mann Street, corner Beane Street

Gosford u n t i l 1927; then

26 William Street

GOSFORD 2250

2nd Wednesday - Monthly

2nd Saturday i n October

The Masonic Centre, William Street, Gosford, facing Kibble

Park, was remodelled four times. F i r s t , shop fronts were

b u i l t to bring an income. These shops are s t i l l used. Later

the old Temple at the back was remodelled into a three-storey

bui l d i n g with a l i f t . The lodge room was on the f i r s t f l o o r

with a south and kitchen at the back, and shops were along

the front facing Kibble Park.

The lodge room was then moved to the top storey, s t i l l using

the south on the f i r s t f l o o r . O f f i c e s occupied the old lodge

room.

Lately a new South was b u i l t on the second f l o o r above the

shops overlooking Kibble Park, thus bringing a l l Masonic a c t i v i

t 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 for commercial purposes only, to bring

an income for the benefit of the maintenance of the b u i l d i n g ,

and to pay the rates which are considerable.

Re-dedication of the Lodge Room, f i r s t f l o o r , was performed

by M.W. Bro. 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. Bro. 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 extension to the 'South'

(the new extension on the 2nd f l o o r ) of the Gosford Masonic

Centre on 2 February 1991 at 7 o'clock.

132

List of Past Masters of

Lodge RISING SUN No. 311.

Name of the Master. Year of Office. Name of the Master. Year of Office.

F.A. STAYNER 1917-1.8 W.J. MITCHELL 1955-56

S. EWYER 1918-19 W.C. FOOT 1956-57

A.M. DAVTKS + 1919-20 A.S. COCKE 1957-58

J.M. STAFFORD 1920-21 S.W. GIBSON 1958-59

D. JENKINS 1921-22 L.G. CCNVARY 1959-60

H.C. WOOD 1922-23 A.R. BURKE 1960-61

A.G. HOBBS 1923-24 J.H. HARRIS 1961-62

H.G. WHITE 1924-25 H.C. MacPHERSCN 1962-63

C. HILLS 1925-26 J . COPPIN 1963-64

G.A. WALPOLE 1926-27 R.L. MARTIN 1964-65

G.A. STEPHENS 1927-28 K.A. RUBIE 1965-66

C.F. HOWARD 192&-29 H.J. SCOTT 1966-67

B. TOPPLE 1929-30 D.J. WALKER * 1967-68

S.G. COX 1930-31 V.W. LYNCH 1968-69

D.A. PRENTICE 1931-32 L.E. PAITERSCN 1969-70

J . LAWN 1932-33 E.L. THCMPSON 1970-71

A.N. BASSAN 1933-34 G. van DEEMPT 1971-72

R.c, K M ; - K E M P 1934-35 S.W. GIBSCN * 1972-73

J.A. WILBCW 1935-36 A.E. FREEMANTLE 1973-74

S. LIDDEN 1936-37 G. van DEEMPT * 1974-75

A.B. JARVIS + 1937-38 C.A. PARTRIDGE 1975-76

A.O. HOGG 1938-39 C.H. aiFKU 1976-77

A.E. LILLICRAPP 1939-to D.P. BEANN 1977-78

A.P. BAIT,FY 1940-41 V.W. LYNCH 1978-79

A.H. RUSSELL 1941-42 K.C. MacPHERSCN * 1979^

E.G. HELY 1942-43 P.C.W. JAYASINHA 1980-81

A.R. McINNES 1943-44 D.R. JAMISON 1981-82

A. BAKER 1944- 5 E.K. LEGGETT 1982-83

H.P. WALKER + 1945-46 J.R. MURPHY 1983-84

R.G. JENNER 1946-47 J.R. MURPHY * 1984-85

E.L. KENGSLAND 1947-48 D.R. JAMIS(»I * 198S-86

S.L. BINNS 1948-A9 K.J. ANDREWS 1986-87

J.B. EIMN 1949-50 B.B. LOXTO 1987-S8

J . QOLDING 1950-51 K.J. ANDREWS * 1988-89 R.W. BENNLTl 1951-52 E.K. LEGGETT * 1989-90

D.J. WALKER 1952-53 R. FRAZER 1990-91

E. ROSENFEIDER 1953-54 K.J. ANDREWS * 1991-92

A.G. FROST 1954-55 1992

* 2nd Year of Office.

+ P.D.G.I.W.

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 . DAVIES Bro. D. SPROULE Bro. Arthur LEWIS Wor. Bro. S. Y . COBBETT Bro. J. A . STAFFORD 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 loyal...

Rising Sun was the name for the Lodge they were told...

It is time for refreshment for the labour is done.

And let 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 Kibble the last Master of that Lodge.

Masonry had been re-established i n our d i s t r i c t by LODGE WYONG

in 1906.

Gosford township had grown i n the f i r s t decade of the new

century, and many Masons journeyed to Wyong to attend Lodge.

However, the road was bad and the t r i p took some time. The

Brethren i n Gosford were thinking of re-forming a l o c a l Lodge.

There had been no Masonic Lodge i n Gosford for over 15 years

and the memory of THE RISING SUN LODGE was fading away. Many

early brethren had l e f t the d i s t r i c t or passed away.

The d i s t r i c t and the town of Gosford had grown to such an

extent that i t was only a matter of i n i t i a t i v e for the Lodge

to be re-born.

On 20 October 1911, The Gosford Times advertised that a meeting

to form a Masonic Lodge at Gosford would be held i n the Oddfel

lows H a l l , Donnison Street, on Tuesday nig h t , the 24th at

8 pm:

'A meeting of those interested i n the formation

of a Masonic Lodge at Gosford w i l l be held at the

Oddfellows' H a l l Tuesday next.'

This advertisement was placed by P. McPherson, Sec, pro. tem.

135

Peter McPherson was a l o c a l s o l i c i t o r , active i n s o c i a l l i f e

and secretary of the School of A r t s , of which J . Kibble was

also a board member.

Of the old Masons, we know that Nei 1 Anderson and J . Aggett

were s t i l l around and would have been interested i n the venture.

It was a l i t t l e premature however, and nothing eventuated

at that time.

It was l e f t for newcomers to the d i s t r i c t to r e l i g h t the flame.

About 1911, a group of delinquent boys under the leadership

of pioneer educators came to s e t t l e on the Kariong 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 old ship ' SOBRAON' , a reformatory ship moored

in the Parramatta River.

The boys and t h e i r monitors camped at f i r s t , pioneering the

' Farm Home for Boys' . After a few years, they s e t t l e d down

in the buildings they had b u i l t together.* A number of the

o r i g i n a l o f f i c e r s were remarkable men and worthy Masons.

They met with other l i k e souls to replant the Masonic seed

in the d i s t r i c t . Their leader was Fred Stayner; Herbert

Wood was t h e i r Probation O f f i c e r ; George Walpole was a Teacher

and Physical Education Instructor; B a s i l Topple was a monitor

and Walter Glass was the cook and homekeeper. They were also

Masons. The names of Stayner and Wood open a l i s t of Masons

p e t i t i o n i n g Grand Lodge for the benefit of a Lodge at Gosford.

There were seventeen foundation members, which included James

Kibble and Ne i l Anderson, both of whom had been members of

the preceding Lodge No. 206.

Having made the decision to p e t i t i o n for a lodge to be con

secrated i n Gosford, much p lanning and organising had to be

undertaken.

They managed to secure a place of t h e i r own for t h e i r meetings

thanks to the foundation Immediate Past Master, who was none

other than the last Master of the preceding Lodge, W.B. James

Kibble.

In 1889, he had acquired the two allotments Nos. 1 and 4 of

Section 31 i n the heart of the v i l l a g e of Gosford, better

known nowadays as Kibble Park. In May 1913, he bought that

part of allotment 3 of Section 29 from Kathleen Barry that

had o r i g i n a l l y been granted to William Warns l e y , which runs

along Beane Street from the corner of Mann Street facing what

is now the Packing House s i t e and opposite the railway Goods

Yard.

See ' ROSES IN DECEMBER' by George Anderson WALPOLE.

136

There i s now a building used by a firm of Engineering consultants

on the s i t e .

When steps were made to found the new lodge W.B. Kibble offered

to b u i l d on his land on the corner of Beane and Mann Streets,

a structure to be used as a masonic temple. Kibble's p o l i c y

was to acquire land i n the township and b u i l d cheap cottages

for r e n t a l .

He therefore b u i l t a weatherboard structure on that corner, of

rather large s i z e , the i n t e r n a l p a r t i t i o n s were omitted, the

windows, provided i n the frame, were boarded over and the cavity

between studs was f i l l e d by sawdust to insulate the bu i l d i n g

and also make i t soundproof. On the adjacent allotment, a small

cottage was also b u i l t to be used as a place to meet afterwards

for some c o n v i v i a l i t y . The room was about 12 feet wide, which

served as an overcrowded supper room, with a blue c u r t a i n drawn

across to divide the south from the kitchen and i t s f u e l stove.

Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 was consecrated on September 29, 1917

by Rt. Wor. Bro. W.T. Wearne, Deputy Grand Master. 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 foundation Master was Wor. Bro. F.A. Stayner, Superintendent

of the Boys' Home at Mount Penang.

Bros. Stayner, Wood, Walpole and Topple were in the o r i g i n a l

team of O f f i c e r s of the Lodge, as was Bro. Walter Glass, lodge

organist for a number of years.

The f i r s t ten years of the lodge was spent there u n t i l the growth

in membership made i t an over cramped place, most uncomfortable.

This was, as an old mason stated, " i n winter as cold as charity

and i n summer as hot as h e l l . "

Of the early members whose names are s t i l l 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 l i v e r y stable

p r o p r i e t o r , Henry G r i f f i t h PARRY of the drive fame, the BUSCOMBEs,

the rest of the STERLANDs, the BURRONE Bros. and George MARGIN,

George Anderson WALPOLE physical education teacher at the Farm

for Boys (Mount Penang) e t c . . . This time the membership kept

growing for years. They were 28 i n December 1917, 54 by the

end of 1918, 73 i n 1919, near a hundred the following year and

the t a l l y kept mounting at that pace. The lodge never looked

back from then on.

137

As lodge membership grew i t became evident that better and larger

premises were necessary, the o r i g i n a l building had become exceeding

ly too small. Steps had to be taken.

It happened that i n 1901 a new subdivision had been made i n the

centre of the township: "Clark's Paddock" on the other side

of William Street facing "Alison's Paddock" now Kibble Park.

This gives us an idea of the town i n the early 1920's. Small

shops li n e d both sides of Mann Street which were also used as

dwellings, there were large empty spaces where Stocklands and

Woolworth's Supermarket now stand.

When allotments 2 and 3 of Section 31 - "Clark's Paddock", which

had been used for a c r i c k e t f i e l d - was being subdivided and

put up for s a l e , far sighted pioneers of the lodge purchased

a block of land i n William Street for £ 3 0 0 i n 1923. They were

Cobbett of Woy Woy, Fred Stayner and Dr James Paul. About the

same time Bro. George Margin bought the adjoining l o t 8 to e s t a b l i s h

his soft drink factory.

They were long l e v e l blocks with a narrow frontage on William

Street, they were oriented north-south. Ideally a temple should

extend from east to west. Aft e r an arrangement with t h e i r neigh

bour, Bro. Margin agreed to exchange the front portion of his

block for the back portion of the lodge block of land. He intended

to b u i l d a soft drink factory and was not concerned i f the land

was frontage or back p o r t i o n . He was also given a right of way

access on the s i d e .

The temple could then be b u i l t east-west!

The problem of a suitable s i t e was resolved, the next was to

b u i l d on the land.

Estimates were obtained of the costs of a suitable b u i l d i n g ,

i t was £ 3 , 3 0 0 . There was only £ 3 0 0 i n the bank and a block of

land. The bank s i g n i f i e d i t s willingness to a s s i s t , providing

the lodge could raise another £ 5 0 0 i n cash. After meetings to

discuss the matter a f i n a l decision to r a i s e £ 5 0 0 by a debenture

system was agreed t o , non-interest bearing and to be repayable

i f and when the bank overdraft was l i q u i d a t e d or upon the death

of the holder. Wor. Bro. Walpole and others canvassed the members

and within three weeks came to the lodge meeting saying the necess

ary 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 builder, Buscombe, was a Mason.* One year afterwards, the brethren marched proudly up Mann Street from the old wooden structure to the new Masonic Temple in 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. in 1917. He reported that on September 29th he visited 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 afterwards instal led Wor. Bro. F. A. Stayner as the f i r s t W.M. in the presence of 77 brethren. The visitors were splendidly entertained in the South, and also enjoyed a launch trip on the fol lowing day. The new lodge had an excel lent start. Its business papers for the f i r s t two months show 16 ballots, so they should not lack material, and under the experienced guidance of Wor. Bro. Stayner and Wor. Bro. Cobbett (secretary) will I think fully justify the granting of the charter. For the information of the District I wish i t known that the lodge meet on the Tuesday on or before F.M. (Full Moon).'

George Walpole was the Master of the Lodge when i t moved into it s new Temple. This was quite appropriate as he had taken such an active role in arranging finance for the bulIding of the new Temple. The outstanding debts were paid in 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 officers were nominated, seven names were in the ballot for the office of outer guard, the f i r s t step to Mastership.

It was time for the creation of a new Lodge. After much soul-searching , Lodge RISING SUN proceeded to sponsor a petition 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 Officers.

* The Gosford Times, Thursday, May 5, 1927:

'The tender of Mr. W. A. Buscombe has been accepted for the erection of the

new Masonic Temple at Gosford. The Temple, which will be a handsome and sub

stantial buiIding, wi 11 occupy a site in William Street.'

[Walter Albert BUSCOMBE, builder, born 1886, was a member of Lodge RISING

SUN.]

139

It was a propitious time when candidates knocked in 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 is going through a period of membership reduction. Unlike other brethren in 1899, we must be convinced that we must forge ahead and keep up the s p i r i t : Lodge RISING SUN is not to surrender its 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 A. M. DAVIS

1920 M. STAFFORD

1921 David JENKINS

1922 Herbert WOOD

1923 A. C. HOBBS * 1924 H. G. WHITE

1925 Charley HILLS

1926 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, Viticulture Nursery, Narara.

Probation Officer, Farm for Boys, Kariong.

Tailor, Gosford.

Superintendent, Viticulture Nursery,

Narara.

Bank Manager, Gosford.

Teacher, Woodport.

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

be admitted to the Lodge Room for i n i t i a t i o n . A. J . HOBBS, foundation member,

was already inside.

141

Let all Freemasons unite and meet the challenge of the future

Lodge Morning Star

i

No. 410, U.G.L, of N.S.W.

Wor. Bro. P. F. BgCK 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, Wor. Bro. L. DOUGHTY Woy Woy, 2256 Secretary Phone: 41-9492

Dues for

Dues in Arrears

' PAY THIS AMOUNT $

Dues in Advance $

Credit now Is

00

'^JJJJJJAAAAAAAAAAAAkkkkkKkk.

143

Lodge MORNING STAR - TEMPERANCE No. 410

FOUNDED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

INSTALLATION:

4 F e b r u a r y 1922

R a i l w a y S t r e e t Woy Woy 2256 O p p o s i t e bus t e r m i n a l

4 t h Monday - M o n t h l y

3 r d S a t u r d a y i n March

RISING SUN and MORNING STAR

The Names of our E a r l y Lodges

The Sun and the S t a r s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t i n t h e i r M a s o n i c s y m b o l i c meanings. S y m b o l i c a l l y t he R i s i n g Sun r e p r e s e n t s the M a s t e r of the Lodge; as the Sun i s r i s i n g i t opens and governs the day, so t h e M a s t e r i s t a u g h t t o open and gov e r n h i s l odge w i t h the same r e g u l a r i t y and p r e c i s i o n .

The R i s i n g Sun and t h e M o r n i n g S t a r had s p e c i a l meanings 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 i m p o r t has been t r a n s m i t t e d t o us t h r o u g h the 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 . T h e i r 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 e l s e where , but new e x p l a n a t i o n s always 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 the G o s f o r d D i s t r i c t , I am happy to r e p o r t an 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 by an o l d Mas t e r of our lodge 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 anteroom t o be i n v i t e d t o pass the p o r t a l .

Lodge WYONG was founded i n 1906 and f o r a good t e n y e a r s was the o n l y lodge i n the d i s t r i c t . The b r e t h r e n of G o s f o r d and Woy Woy, l e f t w i t h o u t a lod g e s i n c e t he s u r r e n d e r of the f i r s t l o d g e ' s w a r r a n t i n 1900, had t o t r a v e l t o our n o r t h e r l y s i s t e r -l o dge 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 c e r e m o n i e s .

T r a v e l l i n g was t h e n by h o r s e and c a r t o r by b u g g i e s .

The m e e t i n g c o n c l u d e d , the b r o t h e r l y agapes o v e r , a f t e r many t a l e s and many y a r n s , t h e y found i t h a r d t o l e a v e and f a c e a n o t h e r l o n g and t e d i o u s r e t u r n j o u r n e y home. Many used t o postpone the time of 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 of Lodge MORNING STAR d e c i d e d t h a t t h e lodge 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 Temple. 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 - had the 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 . I n J u l y 1922, a s u i t a b l e a l l o t m e n t was found i n B l a c k w a l l Road, a d e p o s i t was p a i d i n F e b r u a r y 1923, and i n May i t was pr o p o s e d t o i n v e s t i g a t e the means t o b u i l d on t h a t l a n d . A committee 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 and how t o p r o c e e d to implement the 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 tem p l e .

In t he meantime, t h e i r b r e t h r e n of C h a p t e r BRISBANE WATER, who had b e n e f i t e d f i n a n c i a l l y f rom t h e d o n a t i o n o f l a n d , had 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 w h i c h t h e y c o m p l e t e d i n March 1926.

In Lodge MORNING STAR a m o t i o n was pas 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 the 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 s u i t a b l e p l a c e to meet s h o u l d be fo u n d . They o b v i o u s l y had the Ch a p t e r Temple, j u s t c o m p l e t e d i n Ra i I w a y S t r e e t , Woy Woy, i n mind.

Arrangements were a g r e e d upon between the Lodge and the C h a p t e r , and Lodge 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, th e y s t i l l had t o d e c i d e what t o do w i t h the a l l o tment t h e y had bought i n B l a c k w a l l Road.

A new committee was formed i n June 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 temple and t o make recommendations on the m a t t e r . The r e p o r t , i n J u l y 1934, recommended t h a t the l a n d be s o l d . The arrangement o f me e t i n g i n the Ch a p t e r room was h i g h l y s a t i s f a c t o r y .

On 27 August 1934 a m o t i o n was c a r r i e d t h a t L o t 68, 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 the market one yea r l a t e r , when the lodge was i n v i t e d t o pay a p r o p o r t i o n of t he c o s t o f k e r b l n g and g u t t e r i n g t he f r o n t a g e , w h i c h had been c o m p l e t e d , the c o s t b e i n g £4.13.4.

In 1940 the l a n d was v a l u e d a t £96. I n December a r e s e r v e p r i c e o f £125 was put on the l a n d , w h i c h was s o l d s i x months l a t e r f o r £125 t o M i s s Reardon.

Lodge MORNING STAR has been m e e t i n g i n t h a t b u i l d i n g e v e r s i n c e .

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 l e f t f i r s t . A f t e r a l o n g and weary d r i v e t h e y u s u a l l y managed to r e a c h t h e i r homes i n the l a s t hours o f the n i g h t when t h e Morning S t a r c o u l d s t i l l be seen t w i n k l i n g b r i g h t l y b e f o r e 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 and d i s a p p e a r .

T h e i r G o s f o r d b r e t h r e n , h a v i n g a l i t t l e l e s s d i s t a n c e 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 of t h e i r a b i l i t y t o make good by speed the time t h e y 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 oo l a t e , and o n l y r e a c h e d t h e i r g o a l as the sun was r i s i n g .

Hence the names chosen when the time came t o name t h e i r l o d g e s !

I t i s o b v i o u s t h a t t he 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 our lod g e s came about and were chosen was a p o c r y p h a l , b u t as i n the m a t t e r o f symbols, c o i n c i d e n c e s a r e u s u a l l y f o r t u n a t e r e l a t i o n s between d i s c o n n e c t e d e v e n t s t h a t appear f u l l o f meaning 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 .

[From W. M. B r o . J i m Co 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 me e t i n g i s always a d i f f i c u l t p r o b l e m f o r any a s s o c i a t i o n . I t i s a p a r t i c u l a r l y h a r d p r o b l e m t o s o l v e f o r Masonic a s s o c i a t i o n s : here i t i s more th 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 accommodation as Lodges and C h a p t e r s have s p e c i a l i s e d needs, v i z : - s e c l u s i o n f o r the lodge room w h i c h i s u s u a l l y p l a c e d on a second f l o o r w i t h 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 need l a r g e anterooms where v i s i t o r s can w a i t i n c o m f o r t u n t i l t h e y a r e a d m i t t e d . The lo d g e s and c h a p t e r s a l s o need ample s t o r a g e f o r t h e i r r e g a l i a s , and the lodg e room i s u s u a l l y s e t up perma 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 . M e e t i n g i n a h a l l i m p l i e s t h e need t o b r i n g p a r a p h e r n a l i a , s e t t i n g up and 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 d a u n t i n g u n d e r t a k i n g .

M e e t i n g s o f Lodge MORNING STAR were h e l d i n a c h u r c h h a l l a t Woy Woy: f i r s t l y a t t h e P r e s b y t e r i a n M i s s i o n H a l l , t h e n l a t e r i n the Church o f E n g l a n d h a l l .

146

Members of Lodge MORNING STAR TEMPERANCE p r e s e n t were:

w. Bro. J.A. STAFFORD Bro . A.C. BERRY w. Bro . W. PERKINS B r o . A.S. WILSON w. Bro . J.W. STONE B r o . T.E. WARBURTON

Bro . D.K. STEWART B r o . W.J. CARPENTER Bro . E.S. COLLEY B r o . J.S. STEVENSON Bro . W. MILLER Br o . H. GLOVER Bro . F.R. AUSTIN B r o . F.C. WARMOLL Bro . C.J. STAPLES Br o . M. THOMPSON Bro . A. McCALLUM Bro . W.H. BROOKER

The f o l l o w i n g v i s i t o r s were p r e s e n t : [/ke number, of. thoAJi lodg.e. IA 4hown la b/Lacke±4. ]

(311) N.E. HARRIS (183) P. FINCHER T . J . AGGETT F.H. THRIFT G.H. WALPOLE (310) G.W. GREEN B. TOPPLE (251) W.V. BOARDMAN F. JACKSON (78) W.M. STEINBECK W. WILKINSON (169) A.E. WOODFORD G. STEPHENS (247) J.H. BRYANT C.J. FENTON G.J. DODD A.C. HOBBS W.S. MORGAN V.A. VASEY (262) F.S. AUSTIN H.G. WHITE W. CLARK D.E. MOBBS (10) T. ERASER C.F. HOWARD (284) J . CHILD J . STAFF (168) R. HAISLETT H.G. PARRY (266) J . CARRINGTON POPE T. HUDSON (136) W. YATES R. GRIFFITHS (399) P.W.M. GROOM

(185) J . SHAKESPEARE (182) A.T. JONES (82) G.M. WILLIAMS H. NICHOLSON (49) T.W. GEORGE W.E. FREEMANTLE (114) S.S. MORRIS A.M. CUNNINGHAM (96) N. HAYWARD (21) C.E. RETFORD (269) H.M. ALCHIN R.M. DUNBAN (235) J.D. ASKIN (75) T.S, JONES (71) G.G. BEVEL (71) A.W. HELSTROM

W. MORRIS

[eyoUacted fjiom Lodg.a immNQ ST AH, No. U10 U.Q.L of N.S.W. MlAto/ilcal 'Re.coA.d of 50 y,e.aA.4. 1922 - 1972. ]

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 Lodge MORNING STAR and the I n s t a l l a t i o n o f i t s f i r s t M a s t e r a p p e a r e d i n the P r o c e e d i n g s o f Grand Lodge on the 8 March 1922, d a t e d 11 F e b r u a r y , under t h e name o f S.F. DWYER D.G.I.W. of 2A D i s t r i c t .

Stephen 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 S e n i o r Warden o f RISING SUN i n 1917 and i t s second Wor. M a s t e r .

G o s f o r d , 11th F e b r u a r y , 1922

The M.W. the Grand M a s t e r .

Dear S i r and Most 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 your command I v i s i t e d

Woy Woy on 4 t h i n s t a n t , and d e d i c a t e d Lodge M o r n i n g S t a r , No. 410, and 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 as f i r s t M a s t e r .

I had the v a l u e d a s s i s t a n c e o f the 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 as S.W., Wor. B r o . D. J e n k i n s as J.W., Wor. B r o . F.A. S t a y n e r as C h a p l a i n , Wor. B r o . A.S. Jos e p h s o n as D.C., Wor. B r o . W. W i l k i n s o n as S.D., Wor. B r o . H.H. M u i r as J.D., Wor. B r o . S.W. Co b b e t t as S e c r e t a r y , Wor. B r o . H.G. S t o y l e s as I.G., B r o . W.G. G l a s s as 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 e n t h u s i a s t i c , and t r a c e s of t h e i r h andiwork a r e n o t i c e a b l e i n the Temple.

About 70 B r e t h r e n were p r e s e n t and were handsomely e n t e r t a i n e d a t t he c o n c l u s i o n of the Ceremony.

The Wor. M a s t e r d e s i r e d me t o convey t h e thanks 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 e x p r e s s e d t h e i r l o y a l t y t o y o u r s e l f and Grand Lodge.

I a p p r e c i a t e the honour c o n f e r r e d On me as y o u r Deputy i n t h i s p l e a s i n g and i m p o r t a n t f u n c t i o n .

I am f r a t e r n a l l y y o u r s .

S.F. DWYER, D.G.I.W., 2A D i s t .

148

FROM LOCAL NEWSPAPER

The Gosford Times.

The I n s t a l l a t i o n s of l o c a l l o d g e s were u s u a l l y r e p o r t e d i n t h e l o c a l p a p e r s : t h i s i s the announcement w h i c h appeared a t the o c c a s i o n of Lodge MORNING STAR 'S second- I n s t a l l a t i o n .

1 F e b r u a r y 1923.

MASONIC INSTALLATION.

The a n n u a l I n s t a l l a t i o n o f O f f i c e r s i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h Lodge M o r n i n g S t a r , No. 410, took p l a c e on Monday e v e n i n g l a s t , 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 M a s t e r . The o f f i c e - b e a r e r s f o r 1923-1924 a r e : Wor. M a s t e r , Wor. B r o . S. McSmith; I.P.M., Wor. B r o . J.A. S t a f f o r d ; S e n i o r Warden, B r o . E. C o l l e y ; J u n i o r Warden, B r o . W. M i l l e r ; C h a p l a i n , B r o . W.H. Bass a n ; T r e a s u r e r , Br o . A. McCallum; S e c r e t a r y , B r o . E.L. Aubrey; S e n i o r Deacon, Bro . A.S. W i l s o n ; J u n i o r Deacon, B r o . J.D. S t e v e n s o n ; O r g a n i s t , Bro. H. G l o v e r ; I n n e r Guard, B r o . T. Warburton; S e n i o r Steward, Br 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, Br o . H. B r o o k e r , B ro. G. Hewett; T y l e r , B r o . G. M a l c o l m ; A u d i t o r s , B r o . F.C. W a r m o l l , Mr. Max Thompson.

Wor. Wor.

LIST OF FOUNDATION MEMBERS.

B r o . J.A. STAFFORD Wor. B r o . S. MacSMITH Bro . W. PERKINS Wor. B r o . J.W. STONE Br o . D.K. STEWART Bro. E.S. COLLEY Br o . C.J. STAPLES Bro . A. McCALLUM Br o . A.C. BERRY Bro . W. MILLER Bro . F.R. AUSTIN Bro . A.W. WILSON Bro . H. GLOVER Bro . J.D. STEVENSON Br o . W.J. CARPENTER Bro. T.E. WARBURTON Bro. W.S. BROOKER Bro. C.J. ALCHIN Br o . F.C. WARMOLL Bro. 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^fOl-ANCL, 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 by W. B r o . A.M. DAVIES W. B r o . A.N. MUIR W. B r o . D. JENKINS 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 VISITS TO MORNING STAR.

MORNING STAR i s a d a u g h t e r Lodge from RISING SUN. T h i s was a development o f t h e r e s o l v e we had t o e s t a b l i s h Masonry i n 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 o f f i c e r i n R.S. we went o v e r q u i t e a number of t i m e s t o a s s i s t them i n t h e i r w orks, and exchange v i s i t s o f c o u r s e , and i t was d u r i n g one of our v i s i t s t h e I n c i d e n t o c c u r r e d o f t h e chap h a v i n g a swim. There was no way of g e t t i n g a r o u n d by r o a d , you had t o go by l a u n c h . When i t was a warm n i g h t w i t h a moon I t was a l o v e l y t r i p o u t , and t h e y used t o come up h e r e .

There 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 s p e c i a l t y p e of boat w i t h a c o n t r a p t i o n a t t h e back l i k e a p r o p e l l e r 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 of l a u n c h . Anyhow, t h a t man was a v e r y keen R o y a l A r c h man and he b u i l t a Temple, or made funds a v a i l a b l e f o r t h e b u i l d i n g 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 and 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 Lodge, so t h e y g a i n e d t h e i r H a l l .

They were a n i c e crowd and we t h o r o u g h l y e n j o y e d our t r i p down t h e r e t o t h e i r m e e t i n g s . 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 not 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 o f p o n i e s a l o n g a t , s a y , f o u r m i l e s an hour w h i c h i s a f a i r l y good b a t ! That means about t e n hours on t h e r o a d w h i c h i s a b i t o f a s t r a i n f o r a man t o come w i t h a p a i r of 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 our back memories and t h i n g s l o n g f o r g o t t e n , n o t 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. Th i n g s seem t o jump o v e r and t h e y get a b i t mixed up.

I n 1922 t h e b r e t h r e n , - t h o s e coming from the Woy Woy a r e a a t any 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 t o d u p l i c a t e a t Woy Woy what had been p e r f o r m e d a t G o s f o r d i n 1917.

The n e c e s s a r y s t e p s were t a k e n , w h i c h b e l o n g t o the H i s t o r y of the New Lodge, t o c r e a t e a new masonic 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 were f u l l y j u s t i f i e d i n d e s i r i n g t o s t a r t a Home Lodge and w i l l i n g t o do t h e i r own t h i n g !

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 Lodge caused but I t h i n k t h a t t h e y must have been good. There was a l l r e a s o n s t o t a k e t h e s t e p and we do not have any echo of the p a s t t o say 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 coruiecjia±ad 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 contomp-o/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 on MORNING STAR was on i t s own, the new Lodge had a good s t a r t , a l b e i t w i t h o u g h a Temple o f i t s own y e t . R e l a t i o n s have always been v e r y good between them and RISING SUN 311, a t l e a s t a r e v e r y good now and 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 t h e y have not always been so i n the p a s t . We a r e not aware 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 between them. Each was c a t e r i n g f o r a w e l l d e t e r m i n e d g e o g r a p h i c a l a r e a and t h e r e c o u l d n ot be any c o n f l i c t o r argument about who s h o u l d j o i n w h i c h and where. Many b r e t h r e n from G o s f o r d were f r e e t o j o i n t he Lodge a t Woy Woy and many d i d s o , or 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 Lodge MORNING STAR.

D i d I t e l l you the s t o r y about t h e n i g h t t h a t Grand Lodge went f o r a swim?

I do not remember the p r e c i s e d a t e but you can work i t out f o r y o u r s e l f . I t was s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e Woy Woy Lodge was e s t a b l i s h e d and we went by l a u n c h from G o s f o r d t o work out some degrees f o r them, t h a t n i g h t was not a n i g h t on o r n e a r e s t t he f u l l moon.

I t was d a r k , h ot and 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 t h e n . Some k e r o s e n e l i g h t s a t a few 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 he meetin g was o v e r we pr o c e e d e d toward t h e w h a r f , w i t h us was a Grand Lodge chap, who l i v e d a t Green P o i n t . Now, t h i n k o f i t , I t h i n k i t was Cob b e t t o f Green P o i n t , yes he was Ver y W o r s h i p f u l B r o t h e r C o b b e t t .

151

I n t he da 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 b l a c k i n k , t h e r e was no r e f l e c t i o n on t h e s u r f a c e . The a i r was s t i l l , one c o u l d not see a t h i n g ahead...so much so t h a t , w i t h a s p l a s h , the Grand Lodge, who was s t r u t t i n g i n f r o n t , went over w i t h h i s bag ad a l l . . .

The t i d e was low, t h e f a l l was about an e i g h t f e e t d r o p , t h a t man c o m p l e t e l y d i s a p p e a r e d . C o u l d he swim? We had no time t o f i n d o u t ! A p o l i c e m a n was t h e r e , n ot from o ur group, he jumped over t o see i f he c o u l d h e l p .

I went down on my knees t o e x t e n d t he r i g h t hand of f e l l o w s h i p . I remember t h e wat 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 out t h o s e two chaps s l o s h i n g and g u r g l i n g down below. I am on t h e t a l l s i d e , but s t i l l two 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 , one B i l l , about s i x f e e t f o u r , n e a r l y as b r o a d , and s t r o n g . . . w i t h arms and l e g s l i k e oak l i m b s ! He asked me: "George can you r e a c h them?" - "A c o u p l e o f f e e t s h o r t ! " - "Hang on he s a i d . " He grabbed me by my a n k l e s and chucked me o v e r .

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

I n c a s e you i n d u l g e y o u r mind i n some u n k i n d t h o u g h t s about t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s 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 remind you t h a t t he t i t l e o f t h e Lodge was "MORNING STAR TEMPERANCE" and 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 RISING SUN INSTALLATION.

Qouig. to Lodge meetxrig^ on the fejuiy. at ntght could be something, of- a ha^wid aA Jiecalled by, AuAtln HutchinAon In hlA own wondA.

He waA a netivuted AoldleA., and a rnechanlc by tjiade. He took oveA. tke feAM-y plying, then inside Woy Woy Bay, that IA on the othejt Aide of the /laltway bnldge.

I went down t o Sydney 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 the 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 g e t t h e 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 e x p e r i e n c e . C a p t a i n Page s a i d t o me "What e x p e r i e n c e do you have?" - "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 Eng l a n d and back on a t r o o p - s h i p ! " - "Oh," - he s a i d - "you t o o k a t r o o p - s h i p t o En g l a n d and back." And he gave me my t i c k e t .

Only 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 nev e r d r i v e n t h a t boat t o G o s f o r d 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 any damn t h i n g .

152

I had t h o s e f e r r i e s o n l y about t h r e e months when a man came t o the j e t t y one a f t e r n o o n and s a i d : "Look, c o u l d you t a k e a p a r t y t o G o s f o r d on Sa t u r d a y n i g h t , t o th e Ma s o n i c Lodge?" - " I don't know" I s a i d , and he asked me "How much i s t h a t w o r t h ? " and I t h o u g h t : J e e z , I don't even know t h e c h a n n e l s ! - I f o r g o t what I t o l d him, but he s a i d "That w i l l do!"

They were e i t h e r 20 o r 25,* you s e e , g o i n g up. W e l l , I p i c k e d them up a t about 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 and p i t c h b l a c k , d a r k as h e l l . My f r i e n d was up from Sydney, Teddy M i l l s . We a l l g ot on th e f e r r y . I had a spot 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 , you c o u l d t u r n i t any way. I got a l l t h e f e l l o w s on boa r d and away we went.

I got t o the b r i d g e a l r i g h t and Ted p i c k e d up a marker p o l e . 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 t i m e , t a k i n g b e a r i n g on the h i l l s . I wanted t o f i n d my way coming back a g a i n , so I to o k t h e b e a r i n g s on th e h i l l s a l l t h e way up. 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, and Teddy and I , we went t o the p i c t u r e s .

[Solng. towoMjdA C/o/sfLowd. thejie. wejie. Light-4 to gitide. them but none on the way bach to Woy Woy. ]

When i t i s over we p i c k them up, about 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 coming home I l o o k e d out a l l the way th r o u g h t h e window and p i c k e d up a l l the l a n d marks a l l t h e time on t h e h i l l s . We got down under the b r i d g e and back t o the j e t t y .

The chap who engaged me t o go s a i d : " W e l l , by gee, you must know the c h a n n e l s t o G o s f o r d . T h a t ' s the f i r s t t ime e v e r I go t o G o s f o r d by n i g h t and back and the boat d i d n ' t g e t s t u c k on a sand bank." I t o l d him, " I have never been t o G o s f o r d b e f o r e i n my l i f e ! " And he s a i d "What!" And he n e a r l y f e l l o f f t he j e t t y from shock. I t seems I m i s s e d a l l t h e sand banks.

Buti OA AuAtun Aoid, he kept to the tand mankA'. Whtch AhowA that tf you keep to the Land MankA you cannjot matenlatty ejut!

* One of them, I may remember his name, he was Stewart, he opened two grocery

shops in Woy Woy, i f my memory is right - he went with us.

[Bro, D.K. Stewart - Foundation Member. MORNING STAR.]

153

70TH ANNIVERSARY OF LODGE MORNING STAR

The y e a r o f t h e Ce n t e n a r y o f Masonry i n our d i s t r i c t , 1992, i s a l s o the 70th 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 of Lodge MORNING STAR i n Woy Woy.

John van Dam, M a s t e r o f t h e Lodge on t h a t o c c a s i o n , t h o u g h t i t p r o p e r t o mark the o c c a s i o n by c o m p l e t i n g a community 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 of n a t i v e t r e e s . A c c o r d i n g l y , a f t e r c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h the Pa r k s and Gardens Department of the C o u n c i l , a number of B o t t l e Brushes were s u p p l i e d and se v e n t y of them were 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 the l a s t ones was marked by a ceremony w h i c h took p l a c e on S a t u r d a y , 29 F e b r u a r y 1992, a f t e r the Lodge m e e t i n g , the date o f w h i c h was a l t e r e d f o r the 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 John van Dam w i t h the a s s i s t a n c e of 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 out must be kep t on the young 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 out o r o t h e r w i s e m u t i l a t i n g the t r e e s . Some have had 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 few y e a r s , when t h e row of b o t t l e b r u s h e s a r e i n f u l l bloom, the p i c t u r e w i l l be a r r e s t i n g .

LODGE MORNING STAR No. 410

Past Masters

1922 Wor.Bro. S t a f f o r d 1923 Wor.Bro. McSmith 1924 Wor.Bro. Co l l e y 1925 Wor.Bro. J.E. Roxby 1926 Wor.Bro. W.S. Brooker 1927 Wor.Bro. J . Stevenson 1928 Wor.Bro. W. Bassan 1929 Wor.Bro. J.C. Clegg 1930 Wor.Bro. H. Schweinberg 1931 Wor.Bro. J . Francis 1932 Wor.Bro. C.E. A l l e n 1933 Wor.Bro. M.R. H a r r i s 1934 Wor.Bro. C.R. Tbew 1935 Wor.Bro. E.D. Smith 1936 Wor.Bro. W.T. Groves 1937 Wor.Bro. H.C. Margin 1938 Wor.Bro. R. Frazer 1939 Wor.Bro. W.J. B u l l i o n 1940 Wor.Bro. C.H. W i l l e s 1941 Wor.Bro. S.H. Pope 1942 Wor.Bro. J . Nunn 1943 Wor.Bro. E.G. Hicks 1944 Wor.Bro. G.H. Gibson 1945 Wor.Bro. R.A. B r i t t l i f f 1946 Wor.Bro. B.L. P h i l l i p s 1947 Wor.Bro. M.A.T. Juratowitch 1948 Wor.Bro. R.B. Wallwork 1949 Wor.Bro. J.H. Parks 1950 Wor.Bro, A.W. Irw i n 1951 Wor.Bro. L.N. Howell 1952 Wor.Bro. C.W. Power 1953 Wor.Bro. F.W. Paddison 1954 Wor.Bro, C.W. Burgess 1955 Wor.Bro. T.S. Thorsby 1956 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. Ship l e y 1961 Wor.Bro. R.F. Huntington 1962 Wor.Bro. G.H. Fleming 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. Richards 1969 Wor.Bro. R.T. Keane 1970 Wor.Bro. W.B. S t i l l 1971 Wor.Bro. W.H. Richards 1972 Wor.Bro. E.W. Burgess 1973 Wor.Bro. R. Randall 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. Knight 1980 Wor.Bro. W.C, Richards 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. Richards 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

Act i v e

V.Wor.Bro. T.T, Goff, P.D.G.D.C. Wor.Bro. D.E. Leggett, A.M. Wor.Bro. R.A. K i l p a t r i c k Wor.Bro. L.G. Higgins (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 28th F e b r u a r y 1992

A u s t i n , B.V. 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.

B a i l e y , T.E. Hanks, B. Roache, G.S.D. Banks, A. H a y h u r s t , J . R o b i n s o n , J.S. Banks, L. Herman, G.J. Ross, A.R. Barrow, G.G. H i g g i n s , L.G. Benton, R.W. Holmes, E.R. Shaw, T.E. B e r r y , B. Hughes, D.M. S h i p l e y , D.F. Bond, K.R. H u n t i n g t o n , R.F. S i l v e s t e r , W. Buck, P.F. H u n t i n g t o n , R . I . S l o a n , M.G. B u c k l e y , A.F. S m i t h , P.G.C. B u r g e s s , E.W. Ja n s e n , P.G. Spence, T. B u t c h e r , S.F. Spooner, J.E.

K i l p a t r i c k , R.H. S t e e n , M.R. K i n g s t o n , J.W.B. S t e n n e t t , P . J .

Cane, G.A.D. Stephenson, C.R Chapman, I.S. L e g g e t t , D.E. S u t t l e , J.A. C o l l i n s , K.G. L i n a k e r , A.H. C o l l i n s , W.H. L u c r e , A.S.C. Thompson, C.G. C o t t l e , S .J. Turbayne, V.G,

McCumstie, D.N. Twynam-Perkins, Makepeace, J.W.

Darke, G.L. Manning, B.H. van Dam, J . D a v i e s , R.L. M a r t i n , J.C. Don a l d , R. Moore, N.M. Wa r r a n t , J.S. Doughty, L.G. Murphy, P. Westbrook, J.E. Dwyer, J.P. Wheeler, H.E. Dwyer, J.P.

N e l s o n , F . J . W i l l i a m s , G.L. Newby, J.W. W i l l i a m s , H.J.

Edwards, T.H.J. Newby, W.H. W i l s o n , B.H. E l l i s , G.P. Newton, R.L. Winch, N.J. E l l i s , M.H. Withenshaw, J .

Oades, S. O ' B r i e n , G.E.

Fac e y , R.E. F l e m i n g , G.H. P a r k s , K . J . F r a z e r , A.W.A. P e r r y , J.W. F r a z e r , J.W. P i p e r , W.H.

P o w e l l , R.W. G i l r o y , A.F. G i r v a n , D.L. G o f f , T.T. R a d f o r d , E.R. G o o d c h i l d , B . J . R a n d a l l , R. Gwinn, A. R i c h a r d s , K.L.

155

The United Grand Lodge of N.S.W.

LODGE MORISSET No. 441 OF ANCIENT, F B E E AND ACCEPTED MASONS

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

73 3498

KINDLY ADVISE CHANGE OF ADDRESS Secretary P.O. Box 92, Morisset 2264. Treasurer Wor. Bro. E. A. Jayne Masonic Hall - 70 5223 Wor. Bro. R. J. Hawke 59 2488 58 4019

157

Lodge MORISSET. 441.

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

DEDICATED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

INSTALLATION:

J u l y 1923

Masonic Temple ( b u i l t 1937) 5 Yambo Street M o r i s s e t .

4th Saturday Monthly -except December - 3rd.

4th Saturday i n September

TV

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

L i s t of Pa s t M a s t e r s o f

Lodge MORISSET No. 441.

Name of the Master Year of Office. Name of the Master. Year of Of

H. OUGHTON 1923-24 G.S. MITCHELL 1958-59 J . DYET 1924-25 S.V. HORN 1959-60

F.A. WOODGER 1925-26 R.H. BROOKER 1960-61 J. WOOD 1926-27 K.C. MULLARD 1961-62

W.A. TINDALL 1927-28 J.S. BLADES 1962-63 S.A. LEAN 1928-29 W.A. BLACK 1963-64 O.E. SMITH 1929-30 C.V. CROOK 1964-65 S.G. MURRELL 1930-31 F. HARRISON 1965-66 T.R. ROWE 1931-32 R.E. NEWHAM 1966-67

P. CLACK 1932-33 G.S. MITCHELL 1967-68 A.E. MONNOX 1933-34 W.G. PARKINSON 1968-69 J . J . TAIT 1934-35 J.C. CONSTABLE 1969-70 S.V. CLEMENTS 1935-36 T.C. ELLIS 1970-71

F.A.L. SMITH 1936-37 W L ADDISON 1971-72 F. HICK 1937-38 K.R. PICKLES 1972-73

A.L. HUBBARD 1938-39 S.J. SANDERSON 1973-74 R.L. BROWNE 1939-40 D.J. AUSTON 1974-75 S.M. BROWNE 1940-41 W.C. AUSTON 1975-76

J . LOWER 1941-42 J.D. RAE 1976-77 F. AUSTON 1942-43 J . HENNESSY 1977-78

H.R.V. SCOTT 1943-44 K.L. AUSTON 1978-79 A.R. MONNOX 1944-45 G.S. RANDLE 1979-80 F.L. WILLIAMS 1945-46 F. HARRISON 1980-81 A. CAIRNEY 1946-47 F.B. BERCLI 1981-82 A. CAIRNEY 1947-48 R.J. HAWKE 1982-83

H.L. MORGAN 1948-49 S.H. MORGAN 1983-84 G. SPENCE 1949-50 J.S. MORRIS 1984-85

M.T. LEAN 1950-51 W.L. MEIJER 1985-86 S.R. LEACH 1951-52 E.A. JAYNE 1986-87 G.C. DAVIS 1952-53 D.J. AUSTON 1987-88 G.C. DUNLOP 1953-54 W.H.C. PIDDINGTON 1988-89

J . WALKER-SMITH 1954-55 P.F. GRAY 1989-*90 N. WILKS 1955-56 A.J. STEWART 1990-91

W.J. GLOVER 1956-57 D.J. HENDRIE 1991-92 G.H. LANE 1957-58 1992

159

LODGE MORISSET. No. 441.

I t was i n 1921 that f i r s t thoughts were given to e s t a b l i s h i n g a Freemasons' Lodge i n Mo r i s s e t . This i s an o l d settlement and many Masons, or at l e a s t enough Masons, l i v e d at a reasonable distance to attend Lodge i f one was formed. A committee was formed and under the guidance of the D i s t r i c t Grand Inspector of Workings, Very Wor. Bro. E. J . THOMAS, a Lodge f i n a l l y eventuated. The D i s t r i c t then was No. 10, which included WYONG, RISING SUN and MORNING STAR. Lodge WYONG, the eld e s t i n the d i s t r i c t , founded i n 1906, became the 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 to Grand Lodge to ask f o r the b e n e f i t of Masonry i n warranting a Lodge to meet at Mo r i s s e t .

The No. 10 d i s t r i c t at the time covered a much wider area than now. I t extended from M a y f i e l d i n the north, to Wallsend, Weston, Toronto and to the south to the Hawkesbury R i v e r .

A meeting place had to be found. The Methodist Church agreed generously to l e t the brethren meet i n the Church f o r the ensuing years, rent f r e e . The Lodge l i n e d the b u i l d i n g and b u i l t an anteroom. Shutters were a l s o provided to cl o s e the windows over.

No a l c o h o l i c d r i n k was allowed. Methodists are very s t r i c t about t h a t , as Brother J . K i b b l e could have t e s t i f i e d . Most lodges at the time were dry. MORNING STAR TEMPERANCE and RISING SUN were dry and perhaps WYONG too! A dry lodge i n our time would be a s o c i a l c u r i o s i t y , but at the time i t was expected that Masons would r e f r a i n from i n t r o d u c i n g l i q u o r to the temple.

The great day a r r i v e d on 21 J u l y 1923 and Lodge MORISSET came i n t o being.

The ceremony was attended by sixty - s e v e n brethren who signed the attendance book on that day.

Dues were set at three s h i l l i n g s a month, a s i z a b l e p o r t i o n from the weekly wages of a labourer. Members l i v i n g over f i f t e e n miles away took nearly two hours to t r a v e l each way, so t h e i r dues were reduced to two s h i l l i n g s . This gave them a bonus of three pence an hour f o r the exer t i o n s of t h e i r selves and t h e i r horses.

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 of new members, f o r at the end of the f i r s t year the membership had doubled. I t was necessary to th i n k of a means of 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 blocks of land f o r the purpose of b u i l d i n g a Temple. He also s o l d a t h i r d block f o r £20, hal f of which was given back to the b u i l d i n g fund - a very generous gesture indeed. I t was decided i n i t i a l l y to name the lodge 'MULLARD' , but i t was afterwards decided to c a l l i t 'MORISSET' to i n d i c a t e the l o c a t i o n of the Lodge. Some may regret to f i n d that no more l o c a l lodges had chosen symbolic names such as RISING SUN and MORNING STAR.

In J u l y 1925 Lodge Morisset'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 Master, M.W. Bro. John GOULSTON. This notable event took place i n the Temple at Wyong i n the presence of s i x t y brethren.

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 , judging from the brochure w r i t t e n f o r i t s 60 Years of Masonry. A loan was taken to b u i l d a new temple i n 1936 and the 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 of the lodges brought about changes i n the d i s t r i c t s - and i n the boundaries. Lodge MORISSET, the northernmost lodge i n the d i s t r i c t of which we are a pa r t , was a f f e c t e d by the change made i n 1963 when i t jo i n e d the 55 D i s t r i c t .

[BELOW: John James MULLARD (1852-1911), No. 16 in the l i s t of members of

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

1

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 the Methodist Church, Morisset - 21 J u l y 1923

Deputy Grand Master Pro Tempore Very Worshipful Bro. E. J . Thomas D.G.I.W.

" " " D. Dobie P.D.G.S.H.

wit h many Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s performed the opening of the Occasional Lodge which was dedicated to Masonry i n the Morisset Methodist church. Wor. Bro. H. OUGHTON* was i n s t a l l e d as W.M. of the new Lodge. His o f f i c e r s were:

s.w. J . DYET J.W. F. A. WOODGER (Reverend) Chaplain SPEERS Treasurer (Absent) Secretary F. DRANSFIELD S. Deacon H. T. WIGHT J.D. J . WOOD I. Guard G. TILLITZKI Stewards W. CROFT

S. H. LEAN T y l e r J . BLACK

The Chartered members were:-

H. OUGHTON H. T. WIGHT A. C. C. LEAN W. CROFT W. F. COLLIER J . DYET J . WOOD J . BLACK F. DRANSFIELD E. J . PRICE F. A. WOODGER A. 0. BROWNE S. A. LEAN T. LAIRD J. E. SPEERS 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 reducing the cost of a f f i l i a t i o n from two guineas to h a l f a guinea.

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 . H. HARDER by J. Dyet and A. 0. Browne; John Evan NICHOL by F. A. Woodger and G. H. T i l l i t z k i .

A f f i l i a t i o n : W. C. K. MACKENZIE from Lodge ANTIQUITY No. 1 by F. D r a n s f i e l d and J . Dyet.

A banquet was held afterwards i n the School of A r t s .

162

The f o l l o w i n g meeting was held on Saturday 25 August at 7.15 p .m. J.H. Harder and J.E. Harder were then i n i t i a t e d . Bro. A.C.C. Lean was invested t r e a s u r e r by the W.M. and W.B. Dodds presented Bro. J . Black with h i s Grand Lodge C e r t i f i c a t e on behalf of Lodge PROSPERITY No.278.

Bros J . Dyet and Woodger proposed to a l t e r day of meeting to Wednesday a f t e r f u l l moon, which was adopted. Grand Lodge to be n o t i f i e d .

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. T i n d a l l of Lodge PENINSULA No.221 by the same.

On 26 September W.Bro. T i n d a l l acted as Senior Warden. Bros Harder and N i c h o l l were passed to the second degree and they became Craftsmen. Bro. Woodger was appointed F.B.I. C o l l e c t o r .

Two proposals f o r i n i t i a t i o n of John Laban COOPER, 31 farmer, M a r t i n s v i l l e and John McKAY, 60 overseer, Olney State Forest 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 of Dora Creek, Lodge THISTLE KILWINNING, Minmi and S. TAAFFE, 44 butcher, Dora Creek, Lodge SINCERITY No.233.

On 31 October the 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. MCKENZIE, MCDONALD, T I N D A L L , T A A F F E , SHEPHERD, W.B. T I N D A L L while a v i s i t o r had acted as S.W. i n September. This was an i n i t i a t i o n meeting, the D.G.I.W., E.J. THOMAS was present, a l s o some v i s i t o r s .

Two more candidates were proposed: E.T. JONES, 65 sawyer of Dora Street Morisset and W.E.L. LILLEY, 44 attendant of Mo r i s s e t .

November the 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 of a f f i l i a t i o n f o r F. SINCLAIR, 24 attendant, Cooranbong Road, Morisset l a t e from Lodge ST.ANDREW No.198, West Wallsend.

December 23, F i r s t degree: JONES and LILLEY became Entered Apprent i c e s .

One i n i t i a t i o n : A r c h i b a l d FOSTER, 30 Goods Porter and two a f f i l i a t i o n proposals 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 jug, t i n d i s h , tea towels. November 2, E.A. & 2 F.C. aprons and 4 white pyjamas. December, tab l e c l o t h s , k n i f e f o r the stewards. The Lodge closed by exchanging the Compliments of the Season.

The f i r s t meeting i n the New Year took place at the Methodist Church as u s u a l . The work was the Third Degree. Bros N i c h o l l , 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 February Bro. Woodger was e l e c t e d Representative to the Masonic School Committee. Archie H i l l i s Foster became and E.A.F.M.

In March an unusual case i s shown: A Mr C h r i s t i a n s e n , (DUNN No.328, Bexley) f o l l o w i n g favourable report 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 In 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 intended to 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 presented: Messrs R. WEPPLER, 48 Storekeeper, Dora Creek, John Richard PARKINSON, 49 Orchardist 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 Attendant, Morisset of Lodge FIDELITY No.163.

April.DENCENEY was b a l l o t t e d and admitted. W.H. FOULDS, R. WEPPLER and PARKINSON were i n i t i a t e d . The Brethren 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 a shop k i n d l y l e n t by Bro. H.B. MULLARD, a pleasant and enjoyable evening being the r e s u l t .

An Emergent Meeting was held on 7 May to expedite some backlog i n the degree work. The Lodge was opened i n the f i r s t degree, Brethren L i 1ley, Jones and C h r i s t i a n s e n were examined as to t h e i r p r o f i c i e n c y and being found s a t i s f a c t o r y were prepared f o r the next degree of a F.C. The Lodge being r a i s e d to the second degree the three brethren were passed.

On 21 May, monthly meeting, V.W. Bro. E.J. THOMAS being i n attendance , a second batch of E.A., FOULDS, WEPPLER and PARKINSON were examined then passed. That brought to s i x the number of F e l l o w c r a f t w a i t i n g to be r a i s e d to the sublime degree!

Another Emergent Meeting was staged on 7 June, opened at 7.20 p.m., v i s i t o r s i n attendance. Four brethren were ready to be r a i s e d to the t h i r d degree: LILLEY, JONES, FOSTER and CHRISTIANSEN. Their e f f i c i e n c y being 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 turn - JONES and CHRISTIANSEN by the W.M. , LILLEY and FOSTER by W.B. TINDALL.

164

Light refreshments were served and a pleasant evening being spent i n the lodge anteroom. We do not know at what time the doors cl o s e d , i t must have been a l a t e evening.

In June, the lodge being i n the 1st degree. Brethren FOULDS, WEPPLER and PARKINSON being examined they r e t i r e d to be prepared during the time the lodge proceeded to e l e c t the o f f i c e r s f o r the ensuing year, e l e c t e d were:

J . DYET, Wor.Master, WOODGER, Sen.Warden, WOOD, J.W., ( a f t e r b a l l o t ) . Treasurer DENCENEY, Secretary 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, Organist BLACK, Inner Guard MACDONALD ( a f t e r b a l l o t ) . Stewards COOPER, LILLEY, NICHOLLS, Ty l e r A.O. BROWNE, Auditors CURRAN and NICHOLL.

Candidates were then admitted 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 of I n s t a l l a t i o n approaching a Banquet Committee was formed by Bros WOODGER, WOOD, TINDALL and Secretary. Bro. A.O. BROWNE k i n d l y placed h i s store b u i l d i n g at the d i s p o s a l of the Lodge.

Two more proposals f o r i n i t i a t i o n were re c e i v e d : V i c t o r Thomas ROACH, 39 Attendant, M o r i s s e t ; Oscar Edward SMITH, 32 Attendant, M o r i s s e t , l a t e Lodge COOLAMON No.263.

I t was decided to buy a jewel f o r the r e t i r i n g Master, to be select e d and purchased to the cost of £7.0.0.

Saturday J u l y 19, 1924 being the f i r s t anniversary of the consecrat i o n of the lodge was i t s I n s t a l l a t i o n Day.

Eighty v i s i t o r s were admitted, representing 40 Lodges, V.Wor.Bro. E.J. THOMAS was present; G.D.I.W. Bro.J. DYET was presented by Bros TINDALL and BAKER. A f t e r the customary r i t u a l the W.M. invested h i s o f f i c e r s .

A name was proposed f o r i n i t i a t i o n ; N i l s Conrad BERGREEN, 49 Carpenter of Dora Creek. A f t e r which the south was held i n a b u i l d i n g k i n d l y l e n t by Bro. BROWNE, although a l l the brethren could not get seated a happy time was spent.

167

10 No. 742 U.G.L. of N.S.W. WORSHIPFUL MASTER

WOR. BRO. R. S. D ICKS 36 Boronia Avenue

Woy Woy, N.S.W. 2250 Phone: 42-1472

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 Yours fraternally Phone: 25-7162 Wor. Bro. Frank Chalk

Paid: $ :

Arrears/Credit: $ :

Dues: $

Balance: $

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

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

Bro:

169

Lodge GOSFORD No. 742


CONSECRATED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

INSTALLATION:

12 June 1948

Masonic Centre 26 W i l l i a m Street Gosford 2250 Telephone (043) 24-6237

4th Wednesday - Monthly

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 Year of Office. Name of the Master Year of Office.

G.F. STEWART + 1948-49 C.G.A. WITHEY 1970-71 A.E. BRAWN 1949-50 B.B. HIBBARD 1971-72 R.F. KEMBLE 1950-51 M.R. COMPTON 1972-73

C.W.P. PARSONS 1951-52 M.R. COMPTON* 1973-74 B.C. LANSDOWNE 1952-53 M.T. HUNTER 1974-75 R.A. MORTIMER 1953-54 R.S. TOFT 1975-76 L.J. HARBISON 1954-55 H.L. PATT0N 1976-77 T. TINCKNELL 1955-56 M.P.N. HUNTER 1977-78

N.Ew PENMAN 1956-57 N.R. FINLAY 1978-79 R.C. POTTS 1957-58 G.R. YOUNG 1979-80 N.B. WALSH 1958-59 R.D. CAMPBELL 1980-81 J.E. KIRKNESS + 1959-60 L.A. DAINES 1981-82 W.B. ALDRICK 1960-61 M.E. PERRY 1982-83

A. HENMAN 1961-62 K.B. WHITE 1983-84 E.A. BROWNE 1962-63 T.M. CAMPBELL 1984-85

*J • W«A. • ELMS 1963-64 L.T. JAMES 1985-86 L. WALLACE 1964-65 3.R. ROGERS 1986-87

A.R. CULLEN 1965-66 R.S. DICKS 1987-88 A.S. DOUGLAS 1966-67 L.T. JAMES 1988-89 R.B. SMITH 1967-68 L.T. JAMES* 1989-90

S.J.C. SHERAR 1968-69 T.M. CAMPBELL 1990-91 E.C. LINDSAY 1969-70 T.M. CAMPBELL* 1991-92

R.S. DICKS * 1992

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

171

HISTORY OF LODGE GOSFORD NO. 742.

U.G.L. of N.S.W. *

I t a l l happened one night e a r l y i n 1946 while Wor. Bro. Stewart was r e t u r n i n g to T e r r i g a l from a meeting of Lodge RISING SUN wit h three prominent r e s i d e n t s of T e r r i g a l , a l l Past Masters, and a l l members of Lodge RISING SUN: Wor. Bro. E.G. STOYLES, a r e t i r e d Headmaster of Gosford High School, Wor. Bro. M. ROBSON, Headmaster of T e r r i g a l School, and Wor. Bro. A. HOGG, Headmaster of Avoca Beach School. Wor. Bro. STEWART was at t h i s time Postmaster at T e r r i g a l .

The second world war had only j u s t concluded a few months previousl y , and a d i s c u s s i o n came up about the boys r e t u r n i n g from the war who would be seeking a knowledge of Masonry, and the r e l a t i v e s i z e of the membership of Lodge RISING SUN. Wor. Bro. ROBSON s a i d , "Well, 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. Bros. STOYLES and HOGG weren't very e n t h u s i a s t i c about the pro p o s a l , t h i n k i n g the time was not yat opportune. However Wor. Bro. STEWART was f i r e d w i t h enthusiasm for the p r o j e c t , and decided to give i t a l o t of thought. S t i l l nothing eventuated from the proposal as everyone seemed too busy with the immediate problems of the post war per i o d .

Wor. Bro. STEWART was at t h i s time President of the T e r r i g a l sub-branch of the R.S.L., and a l s o President of the towns Welcome Home Committee. I t was one of i t s functions to organize and arrange a s u i t a b l e welcome home to each of 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 the thought that i f there was a Masonic Lodge i n T e r r i g a l some of them, w i t h a d e s i r e to seek Masonic knowledge would have the opportunity of j o i n i n g a Lodge i n the town, which would have a steadying i n f l u e n c e on t h e i r r e h a b i l i t a t i o n . Nothing f u r t h e r was done i n the matter, as he f a i l e d to gain any enthusiasm from various members he contacted.

In J u l y 1947 Wor. Bro. STEWART was t r a n s f e r r e d to Gosford Post O f f i c e from T e r r i g a l , and became a regular attender of Lodge RISING SUN wi 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 at Woy Woy. He once again sounded out a few members of Lodge RISING SUN on the f e a s i b i l i t y of forming a new Lodge. He received encouraging support from some of the younger members who were keen to take up o f f i c e , but saw l i t t l e hope of a t t a i n i n g t h e i r ambition i n the face of the keen competition that was taki n g place among the many returned s e r v i c e brethren. So by permission of Lodge RISING SUN he decided to c a l l a meeting to sound out the prospects of 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 , Gosford, on 24 September 1947, under the patronage, and i n the presence of V. Wor. Bro. W.A.C. MURDOCH, who was at that time manager of the Commercial Bank of A u s t r a l i a at Woy Woy, and had been appointed 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 attended by the Wor. Master of Lodge RISING SUN, W. Bro. R.G. JENNER, and nine Past Masters of the same Lodge i n the persons of: 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, ten Master Masons from the same lodge i n the persons of: 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. Also present were Wor. Bro. J . STINSON, Lodge EASTERN No. 423, Bro. L . J . HARBISON, Lodge HOPE NO. 30 and Bro. B.C. LANSDOWNE, Lodge BULLI No. 319.

V. Wor. Bro. MURDOCH was e l e c t e d chairman of the meeting, and W. Bro. G.F. STEWART was e l e c t e d s e c r e t a r y pro-tem.

For purposes of d i s c u s s i o n a motion was moved by W. Bro. LIDDEN sec. by W. Bro. ROBSON that a new lodge be formed under the j u r i s d i c t i o n of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales.

Much d i s c u s s i o n ensued regarding the proposal, which was most vehemently opposed by the Wor. Master of Lodge RISING SUN Wor. Bro. JENNER, Wor. Bro. DENNISON and Bro. PARRY. Among those speaking i n favour were Bro. PARKES, Bro. PARSONS, Wor. Bro. CLARK and Wor. Bro. STEWART. Many motions were moved and rescinded, 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 concluded without having made any f i r m d e c i s i o n s . *

Knowing the f e e l i n g of those who wished to form a new lodge, Wor. Bro. STEWART gave n o t i c e of motion at the October meeting of Lodge RISING SUN that he intended to p e t i t i o n Grand Lodge to form a new lodge w i t h RISING SUN as the sponsor lodge. He asked t h e i r b l e s s i n g , and informed the members that 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 cared to si g n the same. At a subsequent meeting twenty three brethren signed the p e t i t i o n , nineteen being members of Lodge RISING SUN and four f i n a n c i a l members of other 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 put and coA/tLed by a ve/iy. n.aAA.oui m.a/igJM.. The foundation, of a new todg,e in Qo^fo/id g.ot the g.o ahead.

173

Wor. Bro. STEWART then c a l l e d a meeting of the s i g n a t o r i e s f o r Wednesday 5 November 1947 at the Masonic Temple, W i l l i a m S t r e e t , Gosford, f o r the purpose of forming the lodge, and presenting the p e t i t i o n to Lodge RISING SUN. Sixteen brethren attended the meeting which was ch a i r e d by W. Bro. M. ROBSON. I t was proposed by Bro. MORTIMER that the p e t i t i o n be closed w i t h the signatures of the 23 brethren, and that the brethren present take steps to form a lodge under the U.G.L. of N.S.W. and sponsored by Lodge RISING SUN.

A proposal by W. Bro. STEWART that the new Lodge be named "TERRIGAL" was defeated, and a proposal by W. Bro. LIDDEN that the Lodge bs named "GOSFORD" was c a r r i e d , i t being f e l t that the name of our town should be perpetuated i n Masonry by naming the Lodge a f t e r i t . A proposal that the Lodge meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month was defeated, and a proposal by Bro. HUDSON that the Lodge meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month was c a r r i e d . Tne i n s t a l l a t i o n was to be held on the fo u r t h Saturday i n J u l y . A foundation fee of Three Guineas per member was proposed by Bro. LANSDOWNE and c a r r i e d .

The e l e c t i o n of foundation o f f i c e r s was then c a r r i e d out, i t i s i n t e r e s t i n g to note that not one p o s i t i o n was b a l l o t e d f o r . Every candidate f o r o f f i c e was voted unanimously to 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 fo r an o f f i c e c e r t a i n brethren d e c l i n e d to obviate the n e c e s s i t y f o r a b a l l o t .

OFFICE BEARERS OF THE PROPOSED LODGE GOSFORD.

1947 - 1948.

Wor. Master W. Bro. G.F. STEWART Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 I.P.M. W. Bro. M. ROBSON II M II

Sen. Warden Bro. A.E. BRAWN 11 H II

Jun. Warden Bro. C.W.P. PARSONS II II II

Chaplain Bro. A.G. ASHWELL II II II

Treasurer Bro. J . J . DICKENSON II GRIFFITH 675 Secretary w . Bro. S. LIDDEN Lodge RISING SUN No. 311 D. of C. w . Bro. J.A. WILBOW II II

II

San. Deacon Bro. R.F. KEMBLE II II II

Jun Deacon "Bro. E.D. WILBOW 11 I! 11 Organist v . w . Bro. F.E. HILL II II II

D. of Music Bro. G.C. NEWMAN II n II

Inner Guard Bro. R.A. MORTIMER 1! II 11

Stewards Bro. D.F. HUDSON II II II

Bro. B.C. LANSDOWNE Lodge BULLI No. 319 Bro. N.E. PENMAN Lodge RISING SUN. No. 311 Bro. J . WITHERALL II II II

Bro. D. SWASBRICK Lodge COOLAMON No. 263 Bro. T. TINCKNELL Lodge RISING SUN No. 311

T y l e r Bro. L. J . HARBISON Lodge HOPE No. 30

174

Together w i t h foundation 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 the Lodge o f f on a good f i n a n c i a l f o o t i n g Bro. LIDDEN o f f e r e d the loan of £50 free of i n t e r e s t , and Bro. PARSONS donated a set of three gavels which he obtained while serving i n the Middle East during the war.

Wor. Bro. STEWART duly presented the p e t i t i o n to Lodge RISING SUN f o r t h e i r c o n s i d e r a t i o n at the December meeting, however i t was not u n t i l the February 1948 meeting that i t was brought before the 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 to Grand Lodge, where i t received the s e a l of approval at the q u a r t e r l y communication held i n March 1948. Steps were taken to b r i n g the Lodge i n t o being, and a meeting to t h i s end was c a l l e d f o r the 5 A p r i l 1948, at the Masonic Temple i n Gosford, k i n d l y l e n t by Lodge RISING SUN. Wor. Bro. STEWART occupied the c h a i r , and among matters r a i s e d was the formation of a committee to approach Lodge RISING SUN re such matters as rent of Temple, use of crockery, r e g a l i a e t c . I t was resolved that each brother occupying o f f i c e c o n t r i b u t e to the cost of h i s own c o l l a r and jewel. Bros. DAVIS and NEWMAN each donated the cost of one p a i r of g a u n t l e t s . Wor. Bro. STEWART placed a loan of £50 at the di s p o s a l of the Lodge free of i n t e r e s t , and als o o f f e r e d to defray the cost of the 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. Foundation fees to the amount of £63 were paid i n , and every i n d i c a t i o n was given that the 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 of the f i r s t years of h i s Lodge which he kept updating to the time of h i s death. There i s a l s o , w i t h the Lodge h i s t o r y , quite a l o t of b i o g r a p h i c a l information.

George received Grand Lodge honors, he was V. Wor. Bro. George F r e d e r i c k STEWART

Past Deputy Grand D i r e c t o r of Ceremonies.

175

FOUNDATION MASTER OF LODGE GOSFORD No. 742

V. WOR. BRO. GEORGE FREDERICK STEWART. P.D.G.D.C.

V. Wor. Bro. G. F. STEWART, P.D.G.D.C. of Lodge GOSFORD, No. 742, spent the whole of h i s 67 years membership i n constant s e r v i c e to Masonry from h i s i n i t i a t i o n i n Lodge UNION No. 250, Dunfermline, F i f e s h i r e , Scotland on 16 A p r i l 1921. He received 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 before emigrating to A u s t r a l i a on J u l y 4 of that year.

Soon a f t e r h i s a r r i v a l i n t h i s country, coming from a coa l mining area i n Scotland, he went to 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. Taking o f f i c e f i r s t as Chaplain, he progressed through the various o f f i c e s of Steward, T y l e r , e t c . , and was I n s t a l l e d i n the c h a i r of that Lodge 1935-1936. On t a k i n g up an appointment as E l e c t r i c a l Engineer at Gunnedah C o l l i e r y , he was ass o c i a t e d w i t h Lodge ZION f o r some time, although not a f f i l i a t e d .

E n tering business at Wagstaff Point s h o r t l y before 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 although having to row a boat to E t t a l o n g , thence by car to Woy Woy, he was appointed D. of C. i n that Lodge i n 1941, and never once missed a p r a c t i c e or meeting during h i s term of o f f i c e .

On moving to Gosford 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 part as secre t a r y pro tem i n the formation of Lodge GOSFORD No. 742, of which he became foundation Master i n 1948, and i n which from the formation of the Lodge u n t i l the time of h i s death, was never out of o f f i c e . Upon r e l i n q u i s h i n g the I.P.M.'s o f f i c e he was immedia t e l y e l e c t e d to the o f f i c e of sec r e t a r y i n which he served f o r a period of t h i r t e e n years, 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 Chaplain of the Lodge i n which c a p a c i t y he continued to act from then on.

Almost since 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 the F i r s t World War i n which he served with the Gordon Highlanders) c a r r i e d out the annual Anzac ceremony at the A p r i l meeting of the Lodge, and taken part i n the march held by the R.S.L. i n Gosford c a r r y i n g the Lodge's wreath to be placed on the Cenotaph.

In 1961 the o f f i c e of P.D.G.D.C. was conferred on V. Wor. Bro. STEWART by the then Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. Harry MAAS i n r e c o g n i t i o n of h i s s e r v i c e s to the C r a f t . He was also made an honorary member of Lodge GOSFORD No. 742 which he had helped found i n 1948.

George STEWART died i n June 1988. The 'Gosford Star' of 28 June 1988 c a r r i e d an ob i t u a r y .

177

THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF NEW SOUTH WALES

c^^o. 7 5 7

OF ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

KINDLY ADVISE SECRETARY O F C H A N G E O F ADDRESS

179

Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES. 757.


CONSECRATED:

TEMPLE DEDICATED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

INSTALLATION:

10 September 1948

5 September 1953

17 Toowoon Bay Road Long J e t t y 2263 Telephone (043) 32-0366

2nd Monday - M o n t h l y

1 s t 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 September

M.W. B r o . F r a n k S. McDOWELL THE GRAND MASTER Pe r f o r m e d t h e CONSECRATION

of the Lodge and t h e INSTALLATION

of W. B r o . Thomas Donald McMULLEN at t h e

MASONIC TEMPLE, WYONG FRIDAY, l O t h SEPTEMBER, 1948.

FOUNDATION MEMBERS.

L.A. ENGLISCH A.T. CLIFFORD, J n r . 0. DENNISS P.M. G. HUXLEY H.J. PROSS

W.G. STOCK R.S. BENJAMIN F.W. LEWIS H.J. MAIN H.J. NEWMAN T. SHORE O.C. MARKS P.M. A.G. FROST T. ANDERSON P.M. G i o . BURRONE C.A. COMBER P.M. H.W. CHALMERS P.M. A.C. LEWIS G i a . BURRONE Edw. STOKES P. M.

G. ABEL E. SCANLON W.R. DEAN F.R. DANN A . J . SAMSON P.M. M.A. THOMPSON L.H. WORLEY T.D. McMULLEN P.M. J.W. SERGEANT P.M. G.N. COLLEAS C D . BATEMAN P.M. R.J. LEA W.J. CLARK L.T. SCORGIE F.T.G. VAUGHAN P.M S.M. LAWS M. ROSE B. CLARKE

180

A concise klAto/iy, the. eaA.Xy, y.ean.4 Lodg.e TUQQCMH LAKES hxiA been. lunJutten. fjiom. ecuiti^ peji/sortat /iecottecJJônA of.. membeAA of that Lodg.e.

ThlA IA veA.y, irLtejieAtlng,, although, -iho/it, ays It enoompoAyieA only, the fJyi^t ten y.eaAA of the lodge'exL.6tence: 19^8 to 1958.

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. IÔAAOW, continued by. V.B. OAAIQ Mcuik-o* and corvtempoyicuig conmentA weA.e added by Ji.W. Bn.o. W.H. Lux. fAQft) in a lectune to mcuik the fljiAt 40 yecuiA of the lodge.

The Aeation 0U7( OWN HOfÊ, IA found in the byiochiuLe publlAked in 1953 fon. the ceA.emony of the Setting of the Foundation Stone.

The meeting nights, o/vLglnaily weM.e held on the fin.At 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 yeaÂ thlA lodge hoA Aeen foun. of itA inembeA.A elevaled to the poAition of OiAt/iict JnApectoA.: V.W. B/Lo. W.H. ha±hewA in I960, V.W. BAO. Hoy nay in 1970, V.W. Bn.o. Noel lâundeJL in 1986 and V.W. B/Lo. LeA Mantle in 1991.

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 Charles MARKS, was i n i t i a t e d i n Lodge GUILDFORD No. 321 U.G.L. N.S.W.

on 14.6.1922, passed 12.7.1922 and r a i s e d 9.8.1922 ( C e r t i f i c a t e No. 69452). He

became Worshipful Master of h i s lodge i n 1942-43. He was the Foundation Secretary

of Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES from 1948 to 1972. He was elevated to Grand Lodge Honour

as P.D.G.D.C. i n 1966 and P.D.G.I.W. i n 1971. He was made an Honorary Member

of Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES i n 1973. He received a 50 Years Membership C e r t i f i c a t e

i n Lodge GOSFORD i n 1972. He als o belonged to Holy Royal Arch, Chapter KARAGI-

THE ENTRANCE No. 124. NSW C o n s t i t u t i o n , he was F i r s t P r i n c i p a l i n 1966-67. He

died i n March 1986.

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 Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES, No. 757, d u r i n g t he f i r s t decade o f i t s e x i s t e n c e , i t s b i r t h may be t r a c e d back t o one May morning i n 1940 when, s e a t e d i n h i s "den" g a z i n g a l o n g the c o a s t l i n e toward Norah Head, W. B r o . Sto k e s pondered on t h e q u e s t i o n o f whether t h e r e were 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 an attempt t o form them i n t o a Lodge.

A f t e r d i s c u s s i o n w i t h h i s o l d p a l s , t he Bro' s B u r r o n e , a canv a s s was made and t h e names of 30 b r e t h r e n o b t a i n e d . However, a t t h i s t ime we were a t war, t h e c l o u d s o f w h i c h were becoming more ominous and i t was c o n s i d e r e d t h a t t he time was not a p p r o p r i a t e t o found a new Lodge.

No f u r t h e r s t e p s were 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 of h o s t i l i t i e s when c o n d i t i o n s were more s e t t l e d and t h e o u t l o o k b r i g h t e r . W. B r o . St o k e s a g a i n c a n v a s s e d the d i s t r i c t and now o b t a i n e d t h e names of 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 d i m e n s i o n s o f a l l a v a i l a b l e h a l l s , he wro t e t o the U.G.L. of N.S.W., i n q u i r i n g whether any of such b u i l d i n g s would be s u i t a b l e f o r h o l d i n g Lodge me e t i n g s i n the event 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 Lodge t o meet at 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 August 1947, and a t t e n d e d by 49 masons, B r o . E. Sto k e s was e l e c t e d C h a i r man. A f t e r he had o u t l i n e d what had been done i n r e g a r d t o f o r m i n g a Lodge a t The E n t r a n c e , i t was un 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 assembled, 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 a t h e a r t , a r e a n x i o u s t o e x e r t our b e s t endeavours t o promote and d i f f u s e t h e genuine p r i n c i p l e s o f t h e A r t and 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 our own r e s p e c t i v e d w e l l i n g s 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 Lodge i n t h i s l o c a l i t y . "

A d e p u t a t i o n o f t h r e e , i n t h e p e r s o n s o f W. B r o . G. Bateman, B r o . H.W. Chalmers and 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 r e s p e c t i n g a p l a c e of m e e t i n g . 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 A r c h i t e c t , f i n a l l y p e r s u a d e d him t o come t o The E n t r a n c e and i n s p e c t s e v e r a l b u i l d i n g s , namely the S u r f C l u b b u i l d i n g , t he M e t h o d i s t Church and the 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 Grand 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 , as 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 Lodge 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 such t i m e as a p r o p e r Temple c o u l d be e r e c t e d a t The E n t r a n c e .

T h i s recommendation was adopted a t a m e e t i n g h e l d i n the M e m o r i a l H a l l on 30 March 1948, of w h i c h B r o . S t o k e s and B r o . S. Laws were e l e c t e d Chairman and 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 ( S e c r e t a r y ) ,

182

L. E n g l i s c h , W.R. Dean, J.W. R o b e r t s , L.R. Bu 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 and A.E. Hansen 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 s t e p s t o s e c u r e from the U.G.L., a C h a r t e r , o r Warrant o f C o n s t i t u t i o n f o r a C r a f t Lodge t o meet ( p r o Tem) a t G o s f o r d o r Wyong.

At a f u r t h e r m e e t i n g h e l d on 27 May 1948, 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 Lodge, t h e c h o i c e was narrowed down t o "Lodge Tuggerah L a k e s " and "Lodge Toowoon".

By v o t e o f the 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 he new Lodge, "Lodge Tuggerah L a k e s " . A f t e r f u r t h e r d i s c u s s i o n as t o whether the 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 the Lodge s h o u l d be a t Wyong. F o u n d a t i o n o f f i c e r s were th e n 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 Grand Lodge f o r a C h a r t e r f o r a new Lodge, the Grand S e c r e t a r y a d v i s e d B r o . 0. De n n i s s on 2 J u l y 1948, by l e t t e r , t h a t on the recommendation o f the Board of G e n e r a l P u r p o s e s , the M.W., t h e Grand M a s t e r had g r a n t e d the 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 Lodge t o be known as "Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES", and t h a t t h e number a l l o t e d i n t he Grand Lodge r e g i s t e r was 757. The Lodge was t o meet i n the M a s o n i c Temple, Wyong, on the f i r s t Monday i n each month.

As a m a t t e r of i n t e r e s t , i t may be 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., of the Manc 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 formed a lodge of 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 "Tuggerah L a k e s " and w h i c h was on t h e r e g i s t e r o f the 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 were now of c o u r s e , two l o d g e s ( o f d i f f e r e n t j u r i s d i c t i o n ) a t The E n t r a n c e c a l l e d "Lodge Tuggerah L a k e s , No.757". So f a r as can be a s c e r t a i n e d , t h i s i s the o n l y p l a c e where 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 .

At a me e t i n g h e l d on 5 J u l y 1948, arrangements were made f o r the d e d i c a t i o n of the Lodge, and s u i t a b l e d a t e s were i n d i c a t e d t o Grand Lodge w i t h a r e q u e s t t h a t the f o l l o w i n g names be e n g r o s s e d on the C h a r t e r , namely: Wor. B r o . T.D. Mc M u l l e n , B r o . E. S t o k e s , B r o . H.W. Chalmers, B r o . 0. D e n n i s s , Wor. B r o . T. And e r s o n , Wor. Bro. A. D a v i s o n and Br o . L. E n g l i s c h .

On 12 J u l y 1948, the Grand S e c r e t a r y a d v i s e d B r o . De n n i s s by l e t t e r , t h a t the G.M. had agr e e d upon F r i d a y , 10 September 1948, as the date f o r the C o n s e c r a t i o n of t h e new Lodge and the i n s t a l l a t i o n o f the W.M. On t h a t d a t e , "Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES, No. 757" was c o n s e c r a t e d by Most W o r s h i p f u l B r o . Fr a n k S. McD o w e l l , G.M. , who i n s t a l l e d Wor. Bro. T.D. Mc M u l l e n as 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 by t h e f o l l o w i n g s p o n s o r s , namely: V.W. Bro . H.W. Edwards, G.D.O.C, V.W. B r o . R.G. H a m i l t o n , Deputy G.D. of C , Wor. B r o . C. W i l l i a m s , H e r a l d .

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. Addres s t o Wardens: R t . Wor. B r o . Fr a n k Hooke, P.S.G.W. Addre s s t o B r e t h r e n : Most Wor. B r o . Fr a n k McDowell, G.M.

FOUNDATION OFFICERS.

W.M.: Wor. B r o . T.D. Mc M u l l e n . I.P.M.: Wor. B r o . T. Ander s o n . S.W.: B r o . E. Stok e s J.W.: B r o . H.W. Chalmers. C h a p l a i n : Wor. B r o . W.H. Young. T r e a s u r e r : B r o . L. E n g l i s c h . S e c r e t a r y : Wor. B r o . O.C. Marks. 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. Laws. O r g a n i s t : B r o . H.R. F o l e y . I n n e r Guards: B r o . T. Shore. Stewards; B r o s . A.E. M e r c e r , A. P e a r c e , M. Rose, A.E. C l i f f o r d ,

G. A b e l and F. L e w i s . T y l e r : B r o . A.G. F r o s t .

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. Mai n , O.C. Marks, G. Bu r r o n e , A.C. L e w i s , G. A b e l , F.R. Dann, L.H. Worl 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. Laws, G. Hu x l e y , R.S. Ben 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 . Bateman, L. S c o r g i e , D.P. Rae, R.A. B o y l e , H.R. F o l e y , A. P e a r c e , M. Rose, B. C l a r k , A.T. C l i f f o r d , H.J. C r o s s , 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. Bu r k i n s h a w , W.H. Young, T. Shore, A.C. W a t k i n s , T. Anderson, H.W. Ch a l m e r s , E. S t o k e s , W.R. Dean, H.J. S e a r g e n t , R.J. L e a , F.T.G. Vaughan.

The f i r s t m e e t i n g o f t h e new Lodge was o c c u p i e d i n d i s c u s s i o n of By-Laws e t c . The n e x t , however, was e x t r e m e l y busy, t h e r e b e i n g on the 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 t h r e e b a l l o t s f o r I n i t i a t i o n . At t h e f o l l o w i n g m e e t i n g seven a f f i l i a t e s were a d m i t t e d and the F i r s t Degree work was pe r f o r m e d when Mr. C. McCallum became the f i r s t i n i t i a t e o f t h e Lodge.

OUR OWN HOME.

F o l l o w i n g t he d e d i c a t i o n o f Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES on 10 September 1948, one of the f i r s t r e s o l u t i o n s p l a c e d on t h e minute book was t h a t an amount o f £3/3/- be a p p r o p r i a t e d from a l l i n i t i a t i o n and a f f i l i a t i o n f e e s and c r e d i t e d t o a s p e c i a l f u n d t o be known

184

as the Lodge Tuggerah Lakes B u i l d i n g Fund. W i t h i n a p e r i o d of f i v e y e a r s the B u i l d i n g Fund, a i d e d by d o n a t i o n s , exceeded £ 5 0 0 .

B r o . W. Westbury g e n e r o u s l y donated the a r e a of l a n d on w h i c h the Temple has s i n c e been c o n s t r u c t e d t o the Lodge, and Wor. Bro. C. D. Bateman a s s i s t e d the B u i l d i n g Fund 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 of Masons' w i v e s r a i s e d w e l l o v e r £ 1 0 0 f o r the Fund and a l s o donated a c o n s i d e r a b l e amount of c r o c k e r y .

I n O c t o b e r 1 9 5 2 , i m m e d i a t e l y f o l l o w i n g the I n s t a l l a t i o n M e e t i n g , the Wor. M a s t e r , W. B r o . T. Anderson, convened a s p e c i a l m e e t i n g f o r the purpose of d i s c u s s i n g a b u i l d i n g 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 Gardens," on 27 O c t o b e r 1 9 5 2 , w i t h W. Bro . Anderson p r e s i d i n g . At the m e e t i n g , i t was d e c i d e d to i m m e d i a t e l y commence the c o n s t r u c t i o n of the Temple, and t h a t £ 1 0 d e b e n t u r e s be i s s u e d t o augment the B u i l d i n g Fund. A B u i l d i n g Committee was formed w i t h W. B r o . G. Morrow as Chairman, 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 t a s k of c o l l e c t i n g the d e b e n t u r e monies was e n t r u s t e d t o B r o . S t o c k and i t was due m a i n l y t o h i s u n t i r i n g e f f o r t s 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 the 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 the c o n s t r u c t i o n work w i t h B r o . J . S a v i l l e as h i s deputy. P l a n s and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s drawn up by B r o . S t o c k were ado p t e d by the B u i l d i n g Committee and t h e p r o j e c t was commenced.

D u r i n g the t h i r d week i n F e b r u a r y 1 9 5 3 , the l a n d was c l e a r e d and the 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 of q u a l i t y and subs t a n c e of w h i c h a l l Masons ( e s p e c i a l l y our own members) can f e e l j u s t l y p r o u d . I t i s p a r t i c u l a r l y p l e a s i n g t o be a b l e t o r e c o r d t h a t most of t h e work was done i n an e n t i r e l y v o l u n t a r y c a p a c i t y . The o n l y e x c e p t i o n s were t h e b r i c k f o u n d a t i o n s , the f i x i n g of the r o o f and the d r a i n a g e system.

The s i n c e r e g r a t i t u d e of the Lodge i s due to a l l donors 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 w o r k e r s 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 v e r y f i n e Temple.

A f t e r s e v e r a l y e a r s i n the new Temple, i t became a p p a r e n t t h a t f o r our I n s t a l l a t i o n 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 , t h e accommodation i n the South was becoming t o o s m a l l . I n 1963 a move was s u g g e s t e d t h a t something be done about 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 sewerage 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 the S o u t h . The l o a n f o r the j o b i s from t h e Grand Lodge Temple Fund 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 v i s i t , the Community H a l l a t Long J e t t y was r e n t e d .

185

As t h e y e a r 1968 was t o be t h e y e a r t o t e r m i n a t e t he debe 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 Grand Sec. f o r t h e Grand M a s t e r to be i n a t t e n d a n c e a t the 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 handed o v e r the t i t l e deeds of our p r o p e r t y to our 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 he meeting n i g h t s would be the f i r s t Monday o f each month. There were uns u c c e s s f u l a t t e m p t s t o change the meeti n g s n i g h t - however i n June 1955 i t was changed t o the f o u r t h Thursday. T h i s o n l y l a s t e d u n t i l 1957 f o r i n June o f t h a t y e a r i t became the second Monday.

The o n l y v a r i a t i o n i s f o r I n s t a l l a t i o n on t h e 2nd S a t u r d a y i n September.

Other a c t i v i t i e s i n w h i c h the Lodge has been i n v o l v e d :

MASONIC EDUCATION.

I n F e b r u a r y 1969 Wor. Br o . W.H. Mathews became an 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 Lodge i n t h a t p o s i t i o n . I t was at t h i s t ime t h a t t h e Lodge became a s u b s c r i b i n g member of 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 W alker must s u r e l y h o l d t he r e c o r d f o r the number o f t i m e s he has e x p l a i n e d t h e F i r s t Board - s i x on h i s own and 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 . Lux became an O f f i c i a l L e c t u r e r i n 1986 h a v i n g been 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 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 as t h e Lodge E d u c a t i o n O f f i c e r .

Lodges o f I n s t r u c t i o n were e s t a b l i s h e d i n G o s f o r d and Wyong. On 12 October 1982 t h i s Lodge k i n d l y p r o v i d e d t he use of t h e Lodge t o the "Wyong S h i r e A r e a Lodge 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 group e n t i t l e d "The B e r t Badger R e s e a r c h Group" has now been formed and 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 .

The i d e a o f f o r m i n g a D a y l i g h t Lodge emanated from t h i s Lodge when W. B r o . No e l Walsh c o n d u c t e d an u n s u c c e s s f u l m e e t i n g on 8 June 1981.

MASONIC WIDOWS ASSOCIATION: owes much t o t h i s lodge as r e p o r t e d l a t e r .

186

L O D G E T U G G E R A H L A K E S No. 757 U.G.L. of N.S.W. (Founded 1343)

OFFICIAL OPENING OF

EXTENSIONS TO

Temple Building

S U N D A Y , 8TH 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 by D a v i d W a l k e r , a P a s t - M a s t e r o f RISING SUN, which I r e p o r t from h i s own words. He was a t f i r s t r e l u c t a n t about me t a p i n g t h e s t o r y l e s t he would be seen as c a s t i n g a s l u r on someone's r e p u t a t i o n . However he r e l e n t e d as I p o i n t e d out t o him t h a t i t was a p o i n t of 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 dead. 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 t h a t t h e b e s t b a r g a i n s are n ot always s t r u c k by d e a l i n g w i t h o t h e r masons. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h i s would be t o o easy.

"Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES No. 757, was formed i n September 1948, but p l a n s were a f o o t l o n g b e f o r e t h a t t o t h a t p u r p o s e . A l i s t was made s u g g e s t i n g equipment and f u r n i t u r e t h a t the l o d g e s from the 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 and when Lodge RISING SUN r e c e i v e d i t a l l i t e m s were p l e d g e d , e x c e p t the two most e x p e n s i v e : t h e organ and the T r a c i n g B o a r d s .

T h i s was toward the end of 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 . The Lodge was numerous and t h e n i n a good f i n a n c i a l p o s i t i o n , and 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 sought from Grand l o d g e as t o th 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 £75. That was some money and i t was r e s o l v e d t o see i f boards o f 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 toward t h e end o f my t e n u r e i n 1953. I knew a p a i n t e r and s i g n w r i t e r , who was a mason. He was B i l l E...., an u n - a f f i l i a t e d and u n - a t t a c h e d b r o t h e r , but a mason n e v e r t h e l e s s and a good s i g n w r i t e r . "

D a v i d Walker c o n t a c t e d him and put the case t o him. B i l l a s k ed t o see the R.S. Boards as a model and one was t a k e n t o h i s p l a c e ( I may say t h a t he l i v e d a t t h e c o r n e r o f Mann and Etna S t r e e t s , where he had two w e l l b u i l t b r i c k c o t t a g e s , now d e m o l i s h e d ) . He s a i d he c o u l d e a s i l y t a k e the j o b on. He asked about the quote , he was n o n - c o m m i t t a l . D a v i d t o l d him t h a t he c o u l d buy them i n Sydney f o r £75 and he x^as e x p e c t i n g a much lo w e r quote. B i l l a s s u r e d him t h a t he c o u l d make the job f o r l e s s t h a n t h a t and he f o r m a l l y s a i d no more t h a n £50. No w r i t t e n s u b m i s s i o n was made.

One member of 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 , had a j o i n e r y shop and 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 not r e c a l l i f

188

he gave t h e boards o r i f t h e y were p a i d f o r , but t h e i r v a l u e was about £8 and B i l l was put i n c h a r g e .

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 a f t e r w a r d s k i c k e d him. D a v i d was r u s h e d t o the l o c a l h o s p i t a l , from t h e r e t o Sydney by ambulance, p l a c e d i n i n t e n s i v e c a r e w i t h oxygen, and was away f o r many weeks.

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 the l o d g e had r e c e i v e d 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 payment. The p r i c e was £74! As B i l l had s a i d , h i s d o c k e t was under the c o s t f i r s t g i v e n , but not much under, and much over the maximum of £50 f i r s t quoted v e r b a l l y . D a v i d was choked but as he s a i d , "Nobody asked me a n y t h i n g , no c h a l l e n g e was g i v e n t o the amount of the b i l l w h i c h i n any case has been p a i d . "

D a v i d s t i l l f e l t t e r r i b l e about t h e 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 had t a k e n advantage of 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, d i d not know about the arrangements.

B i l l E.... had asked i f he would o b j e c t t o the b o a r d b e i n g s i g n e d , and had been t o l d t h a t i t was a l l r i g h t , he b e i n g a Mason, as l o n g as h i s name was not too c o n s p i c u o u s . B i l l ' s name s h o u l d be found on one or a l l of the p a i n t i n g s .

Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES i s one of the v e r y few t h a t can b o a s t 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 , and as such t h i s i s 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 the s t o r y , t o l d h ere f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e .

CHOIR.

R e c e n t l y e s t a b l i s h e d under t h e l e a d e r s h i p of Ron F r e n c h t h i s 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 . M u s i c both i n t h e Lodge Room and here i n t h e South has such 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 can 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 the l a d i e s a r e e n t h u s i a s t i c p a r t i c i p a t o r s i n the c h o i r .

189


Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES No. 757.

NariE of tfaster^ Year of Office. Name of Master. Year of Office.

T.D. McMULLEN 1948-49 H.F.T. WHETTON 1970-71 E. STOKES 1949-50 I . JUGO 1971-72

H.W. CHALMERS 1950-51 D.F. CAMPTON 1972-73 0. DENNISS 1951-52 W. LIDDEN 1973-74 T. ANDERSON 1952-53 F.H. SIMDNSON 1974-75

A.L. BOHRINGER 1953-54 L.W. LITTLEFIELD 1975-76 F.N. FARRELL 1954-55 G.H. FORBES 1976-77 A.C. LEWIS 1955-56 N.B. WALSH 1977-78

K.* R • G • DOWNES 1956-57 L.A. DONALDSON 1978-79 R.G. GOUGH PDGIW 1957-58 K.D. CHATER 1979-80 H.W. WHITBRED 1958-59 B.G.M. HENDERSON 1980-81 J . J . McKENZIE 1959-60 H.A. HOWARD 1981-82

N. MULLEN 1960-61 L.A. MANTLE 1982-83 A.G. WALKER PDGDC 1961-62 N.J. MAUNDER PDGIW 1983-84 R.K. RAY PDGIW 1962-63 W.A, EAIRHALL 1984-85 E.B. HARVEY 1963-64 F.S.G. LUTTON PDGDC 1985-86 J.R. LILBURN 1964-65 J.H» HOKIN 1986-87 R.R. GOSNELL 1965-66 J . RICHARDSON 1987-88 D.A. SMALL 1966-67 E.G. NUNN 1988-89 E.G. HARTGE 1967-68 P.L. CHAIN 1989-90 N.J. HALDEN 1968-69 P.D. TURNER 1990-91 K.L. McKAY 1969-70 R.S. FRENCH 1991-92

The Past Masters' Board bears the inscription:

FOUNDED 10th September 1948

P r e s e n t e d by

Lodge BRIGHTON

No. 357

191

OF ANC IENT , FREE A N D A C C E P T E D M A S O N S

W . M Wor. Bro. Norm Barrett ( 9 2 1 3 5 3 ) S.W B,'o. Ted Euvui, ( 3 2 2 T : 8 ; j .VV Wor.Bro. Ron Jeffery ( 9 2 5 1 7 5 1 I.P.M Wor.Bro. Dudley Dhu ( 9 6 4 0 2 1 1 Wyong Masonic Centre ( 5 3 1 7 1 2 )

Bro.

Dear Sir and Brother, The Worshipful Master desires to convey his fraternal greetings and

expresses the hope that you will be present at the Regular Meeting of the Lodge, to be held in the Lodge Room, M a s o n i c Temple, Wyong, at 7.30 p.m. on W E D N E S D A Y , 7th JUNE , 1 9 8 9 .

Dues to this meeting (including any arrears) $

Dues to 30 th Apr i l , 1 9 9 0 (optional) $ (If paid by Ju ly meeting)

Yours faithfully and fraternally REG. 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 ADV ISE S E C R E T A R Y OF A N Y C H A N G E OF ADDRESS

193

Lodge TOUKLEY. 933.


DEDICATED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

INSTALLATION:

23 May 1955

15 Howarth Street Wyong 2259

Telephone (043) 51-1712

1st Wednesday - Monthly

3rd Saturday i n May.


Lodge TOUKLEY No. 933.

Name of the Master. Year of Office. Naire of the Master. Year of Office.

W.J. SKY 1959-60 L . T . BATES 1976-77 L . S . HOPE 1960-61 R.A. McCORMlC 1977-78 L.S. HOPE * 1961-62 R. HUBBARD 1978-79 J . A . TOMKINS 1962-63 W. BROWN 1979-80 J.R. STEPHENS 1963-64 E . J . DEWHURST 1980-81 G.E. HUMPHREYS 1964-65 D.P. GORDON 1981-82 G.E. HUMPHREYS * 1965-66 J.M. MCGREGOR 1982-83 K. 0'CONNELL 1966-67 W.A. SCOUGAL 1983-84

A.H, GIBSON 1967-68 A. DUMPMANIS 1984-85 J.W. COOK 1968-69 T. FORD 1985-86 I.R. BALES 1969-70 D.F. LEONARD 1986-87 H.R. EVANS 1970-71 W.J. ROBERTS 1987-88 J.W. BATES 1971-72 D.E. DHU 1988-89 L . F . JEANS 1972-73 N.P. BARRETT 1989-90 T.S. MILNER 1973-74 A . E . EAVES 1990-91

A. MASSEY 1974-75 D.E. DHU * 1991-92 J.W. BATES * 1976-76 J . JENKINS 1992

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

194

Lodge TOUKLEY. 933.

Foundation O f f i c e r s .

Wor. M a s t e r W. Bro . W.J. SKY I.P.M. W. Bro . A.H. SAMSON S e n i o r Warden B r o . L.S. HOPE J u n i o r Warden Bro . J.A. TOMKINS C h a p l a i n B r o , G.T.H. SKINNER T r e a s u r e r B r o . J.W. IRESON S e c r e t a r y B r o . A.L. BLANCHARD D i r e c t o r o f Ceremonies w . B r o . L. WIDDOWSON S e n i o r Deacon Br o . K.D. BAILEY J u n i o r Deacon Br o . J . STEPHENS O r g a n i s t B r o . F. BRETT D i r e c t o r o f M u s i c B r o . A.W. TOMKINS I n n e r Guard B r o . A . J . ANGEL Steward B r o . A. JONES Steward B r o . W.T.H. GEARSIDE Steward Bro. G. CARPENTER Steward B r o . T . I . LEE Steward B r o . N. SENIOR Steward B r o . BUCKLEY T y l e r B r o . R.G. BUCHANAN

oOo

Foundation Members.

A r t h u r F . J . ANGEL Kenneth D. BAILEY James R. BRAY (P.M.) Robert C. BUCHANAN Claude 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 Henry J . HARMAN W i l l i a m J . HILL Leonard S. HOPE John W. IRESON

Thomas J . LEE H e r b e r t McLEAN H a r o l d W. MOORE Kenneth PULLING A r n o l d J . SAMSON (P.M.) George T.H. SKINNER J a c k R. STEPHENS A r t h u r W. TOMKINS John A. TOMKINS F r e d e r i c k J . WHERRITT Le 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 on the C e n t r a l Coast about h a l f way between G o s f o r d and N e w c a s t l e , i n the S h i r e of Wyong. A d i s t r i c t o f the c o a s t a l l a k e s , T o u k l e y i s on the narrow tongue of l a n d w h i c h s e p a r a t e s Tuggerah Lake i n the s o u t h from Budgewoi Lake i n t he n o r t h . T h i s i s a p e r f e c t h o l i d a y a r e a : The E n t r a n c e , on the s o u t h o f Tuggerah Lake; Gorokan, 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 ocean on one s i d e , the l a k e s on the o t h e r ; the a r e a has much t o o f f e r as a p e a c e f u l and r e s t f u l h o l i d a y r e s o r t .

The a r e a as a whole was s t i l l v e r y u n d e v e l o p e d a t t h e end of W o r l d War I I . B u i l d i n g had been hampered 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 on b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l and l a c k o f i n t e r e s t i n what 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 the c e n t r e s o f p o p u l a t i o n . 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. Undeveloped 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 the town.

The end of t h e 1940s and 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 and few r e s t r i c t i o n s a p p l i e d t o s u b d i v i s i o n s . There were no town p l a n n e r s 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 agents i n C o u n c i l f a v o u r e d e x t e n s i v e s u b d i v i s i o n s w h i c h t o o k p l a c e w i t h o u t p r o v i s i o n f o r w a t e r , e l e c t r i c i t y o r s a n i t a r y s e r v i c e s . E v e r y owner c o u l d be h i s own b u i l d e r and do h i s own plu m b i n g f o r h i s w a t e r t a n k s . T o i l e t s were o u t - b u i l d i n g s a t l e a s t 15 y a r d s from the house, w h i c h was on e l e v a t e d p i e r s , at l e a s t one f o o t s i x i n c h e s from the ground. The o n l y b r i c k s used were f o r the p i e r s . W a l l s were of s t u d s , one f o o t s i x i n c h e s a p a r t , 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 c o r r u g a t e d g a l v a n i s e d i r o n . Houses were i n e x p e n s i v e and l a n d was cheap - £50 t o £75 i n the '50s; t h e r e f o r e , s e t t l i n g i n the r e g i o n was q u i t e a t t r a c t i v e on t h e c o n d i t i o n t h a t one was not a worker as t h e r e was l i t t l e l o c a l employment. T o u k l e y 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 and r e s t and have a boat and a garden 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 p o p u l a t i o n was s t e a d i l y i n c r e a s i n g . I t was easy t o s e l l a house i n the 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 a r e a s . Many d i d j u s t t h a t , and s t i l l do.

Many of the r e t i r e d p e o p l e had much l e i s u r e t i m e . Many had a l s o been Masons i n the c i t y , and t h e y m i s s e d t h e i r town Lodges. They lo n g e d t o keep i n w i t h t h e C r a f t and t o a f f i l i a t e w i t h a Lodge. Wyong was the n e a r e s t , and. many d i d a f f i l i a t e .

S t i l l , t he p r o s p e c t o f h a v i n g a C r a f t Lodge handy, t o form one's own Lodge, was a t t r a c t i v e .

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Masons now wear t i n y badges t o a d v e r t i s e t h e i r q u a l i t y , but t h a t was not done t h i r t y y e a r s ago!

However, Masons have the a b i l i t y t o d e t e c t a n o t h e r Mason amongst the anonymous crowd. I t t h e r e f o r e happened t h a t i n many p l a c e s , l i k e l y s o u l s came i n t o c o n t a c t , exchanged r e c o l l e c t i o n s of t h e i r Masonic e x p e r i e n c e s of o l d days i n t h e Lodge and sometimes d i s c u s s e d d o i n g something t h a t would b r i n g t h e i r d e s i r e s t o f r u i t i o n .

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 p o p u l a t i o n had l i v e d i n the d i s t r i c t l e s s t h a n f i v e y e a r s . They were newcomers who had no p r e v i o u s t i e s w i t h t h e i r p r e s e n t e n v i r o n m e n t : j o i n i n g a Lodge was a way to b u i l d common bonds 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 of a Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n was a means of p r o v i d i n g a s o c i a l s e t t i n g towards t h a t end. The b r e t h r e n l i v i n g i n the v i c i n i t y o f the Lakes began t o c o n t a c t each o t h e r w i t h a v i e w t o f o r m i n g a l i t t l e g roup. They met s o c i a l l y , 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 A s s o c i a t i o n .

One had t o be t h e l e a d e r and i t seems t h a t Bro. H. C. Davey was such a man. On 5 June 1954, B r o . H. G. Davey h e l d an i n f o r m a l m e e t i n g a t h i s home i n Holmes Avenue a t T o u k l e y . P r e s e n t 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. Davey, A. Hennessey, N. P i k e , A r n o l d J . Samson, C. L i n d e n , E. G. Gordon, A. H a r r i s , F. P e t e r s o n , C. E. Harvey, W. G e a r s i d e , 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 t o f i l l a l l the o f f i c e s i n a Lodge w i t h a few o v e r t o s i t on the benches.

A f t e r a t h o r o u g h d i s c u s s i o n a t t h e m e e t i n g , a l l t hought t h a t 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 t h e 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 f o r m a l i n a u g u r a l m e e t i n g was h e l d on 12 June i n the r e c r e a t i o n room of 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 .

Bro. H. Davey i n the c h a i r welcomed the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f CM.A., F. P a r k e s , S. C a s s i d y , J . H a l e s g r o v e and H. B y e r s . They a d d r e s s e d t h e b r e t h r e n on the aims and s e r v i c e s p e r f o r m e d by CM.A. I t was d e c i d e d the a s s o c i a t i o n would l i k e t o be known as M.I.T.A.I.D.: Masons i n T o u k l e y and Immediate D i s t r i c t s .

O f f i c e b e a r e r s were nominated: P r e s i d e n t , H. Davey; Hon. S e c r e t a r y , A. Hennessey; V i c e - P r e s i d e n t , H. Samson; A s s t . Hon. S e c r e t a r y , E r i c W. S k i n n e r ; Hon. T r e a s u r e r , J . I r e s o n ; D. of C , R. Weeks; Committee, S, A c l a n d , W, Sky, G. T. S k i n n e r , A. H a r r i s , F. P e t e r s o n , C. E. Harvey and W. G e a r s i d e . T y l e r , R. B. W r i g h t ; Hon. A u d i t o r s , G. E. Bragg and C. T. Spencer.

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A f t e r r e f r e s h m e n t s were s e r v e d , the v i s i t o r s r e t u r n e d t o Sydney and b u s i n e s s resumed a t 9.00p.m.

Prop o s e d By-Laws were t a b l e d f o r d i s c u s s i o n . R e s o l u t i o n t h a t m e e t i n g n i g h t s be h e l d monthly on 4 t h S a t u r d a y . Fees t o be 5/ -

f o r j o i n i n g and 5/- p e r q u a r t e r . By-Laws were r e a d , adopted and p u b l i s h e d .

The f i r s t r e g u l a r monthly m e e t i n g was h e l d on the 4 t h S a t u r d a y i n J u l y i n the M e t h o d i s t Church h a l l w h i c h was r e n t e d f o r t e n s h i l l i n g s and t e n pence.

New members: L. Widdowson, 0. N o r t h y , D a r n l e y , B u r c h i 1 1 were a c c e p t e d .

Guest s p e a k e r was B r o . B r o c k , who had been a p r i s o n e r o f war o f the Japanese. He spoke on Masonry i n M a l a y a and C h a n g i . P r e s i d e n t H. Davey i n t i m a t e d t h a t he had i n v i t e d t h e L o r d Mayor of N e w c a s t l e t o a p l a n n e d L a d i e s N i g h t .

At the meeting h e l d on 15 August i t was moved t h a t "day of m e e t i n g be 1 s t S a t u r d a y . " From t h e n on t h e A s s o c i a t i o n h e l d r e g u l a r m e e t i n g s w i t h d i s c u s s i o n s , o f t e n l e n g t h y , on v a r i o u s t o p i c s . F i l m s were shown and l e c t u r e s d e l i v e r e d . S o c i a l f u n c t i o n s 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 s e r v i c e s a t t e n d e d . 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 lodge t o own i t s own b u i l d i n g i s v e r y t e m p t i n g 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 and b u i I d i n g can be o b t a i n e d 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 the cas e of 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 a c c e s s i s r e a s o n a b l e i t i s a much cheaper a l t e r n a t i v e .

The b r e t h r e n were not l o s i n g s i g h t o f t h e i r p r i m a r y p u r p o s e : t h a t of f o r m i n g a masonic l o d g e . A l l o t m e n t s o f l a n d were r a t h e r cheap and t h e p u r c h a s e of 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 temple was t h e f i r s t o b j e c t i v e o f t h e masons. I n December 1954 t h e m e e t i n g a d d r e s s e d " 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 s u i t a b l e l a n d 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 the f u t u r e " , the 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 and i n v e s t i g a t e t h i s ma11er. I n March, Br o . S e c r e t a r y announced t h a t he had made a d e p o s i t i n a B u i I d i n g Fund f o r the purpose 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 1955, t h e membership s t o o d a t 49. I n June 1955 an approach was made t o t h e M e t h o d i s t and P r e s b y t e r i a n Churches 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 p l a c e . At the same time i n v e s t i g a t i n g the p o s s i b i l i t y o f p u r c h a s i n g s u r p l u s h o s p i t a l l a n d w h i c h was not needed.

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The committee bought an organ f o r £10. R a i s i n g funds was g o i n g on a l l the 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 temple - £450. Cost of 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 fund was s t a n d i n g a t £130.5.0 f o r l a n d i n Hammond Road, on w h i c h t h e y had s e c u r e d an o p t i o n - ne 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 Fund was s t a n d i n g a t £98.13.7; and i n May '56 a t £153.18.8. I n J u l y '56 more b l o c k s of l a n d were i n v e s t i g a t e d , and i n August t h e d e c i s i o n t h a t l a n d was t o be p u r c h a s e d was moved and c a r r i e d .

The ne x t b u s i n e s s , i n O c t o b e r , moved a s t e p c l o s e r t o w a r d t h e f o r m a t i o n of a l o d g e , t o meet i n Wyong Masonic Temple. A s e c r e t v o t e t o be t a k e n on t h a t m o t i o n .

I n J a n u a r y 1957 the venue s h i f t e d from t h e M e t h o d i s t H a l l t o the T o u k l e y P r o g r e s s H a l l .

I n March 1957 two b l o c k s of l a n d i n Evans Road were p u r c h a s e d . The deeds were d e p o s i t e d w i t h Mr Brown, s o l i c i t o r , a t Wyong f o r s a f e k e e p i n g .

Dances were a l s o o r g a n i s e d r e g u l a r l y , a d m i s s i o n f o r w h i c h was 6/- (August 1957), r a f f l e s were o r g a n i s e d and drawn on t h e o c c a s i o n of b a l l s , w h i c h showed p r o f i t s from £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 an a t t e n d a n c e of 21 masons. The b e s t e f f o r t t h e n i n September 1957.

The t i m e came t o e s t i m a t e the c o s t of f o r m i n g a lodge m e e t i n g a t Wyong Temple, t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e p r i c e o f r e g a l i a . Lodge JAMES SIDNEY MILLER had o f f e r e d a s e t of r e g a l i a w i t h j e w e l s 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 Grand Lodge t o a p p l y f o r a C h a r t e r . That n i g h t t e r m i n a t e d on a d i s m a l note however as the b r o t h e r who was i n ch a r g e f o r g o t t o b r i n g the l i q u i d r e f r e s h m e n t s ! ! !

I t was d e c i d e d i n November 1957 t o form a l o d g e c a l l e d Lodge TOUKLEY. A s p e c i a l m e e t i n g was t o be c a l l e d b e f o r e the next F e b r u a r y , A committee of the 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. Widdowson, A. T o n k i n and H o w e l l was formed.

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 of Lodge TOUKLEY was h e l d on 28 J a n u a r y 1958 i n the M e t h o d i s t Church. Among the 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.

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M o n t h l y f e e t o be 10/-. A f f i l i a t i o n f e e t o be £4.0.0. I n i t i a t i o n 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 each month ( f o r the 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 week-ends o n l y . )

The membership of The 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 n c l u d e d t e n P a s t M a s t e r s : D a v i s , W. Weeks, A. Samson, C. Spencer, R o s i t e r , W. Sky, B u l l o c k , L. Widdowson, J . Bray and W. H o w e l l .

A p e t i t i o n f o r a new lodge was s u b m i t t e d t o t h e Board o f G e n e r a l Purposes and a l e t t e r s e n t t o s o l i c i t Lodge WYONG f o r recommenda t i o n s .

A s e t of g a v e l s was donated by B r o . Buck and Working T o o l s by Bro . L. Hope.

The manager of the Commercial 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 the b u i l d i n g o f a Temple. A b u i l d i n g committee was formed o f B r o s . Edmonds, B a i l e y , Sky, Hope, Buck , I r e s o n and B r a y .

At t h e r e g u l a r m e e t i n g o f May the members were a d v i s e d t h a t a m o t i o n would be put t o t h e next 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 the a s s o c i a t i o n : " t h a t i n v i e w o f Lodge TOUKLEY No. 933 now b e i n g formed, 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 the n e x t , and l a s t m e e t i n g o f the A s s o c i a t i o n h e l d on 13 J u l y 1959.

Vot e s o f th 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.

From 5 June 1954 t o 10 August 1959 - F i v e y e a r s , two months and f i v e days - the Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n had brought f o r t h Lodge TOUKLEY No. 933.

H.C. Davey had been i t s f i r s t p r e s i d e n t t o June 1955, t h e n W. Sky up t o t h e d i s b a n d i n g of t h e A s s o c i a t i o n . Davey was not a f o u n d a t i o n member of t h e lodge he c o n t r i b u t e d t o form. The members had met f i r s t i n the M e t h o d i s t H a l l o r i n the Church u n t i l A p r i l 1957, t h e n i n the 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 m e e t i n g .

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 group o f masons s e t about 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 .

Lodge TOUKLEY No. 933 was c o n s e c r a t e d and the f i r s t I n s t a l l a t i o n was p e r f o r m e d on S a t u r d a y 23 May 1959, i n the Wyong Masonic Temple by M. Wor. B r o . T.L. Warren, Grand M a s t e r . The f i r s t m a ster o f the lodge was Wor. B r o . W i l l i a m John Sky.

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By 1959 T o u k l e y b r i d g e had been b u i l t , g i v i n g a much b e t t e r a c c e s s t o Wyong f o r the b r e t h r e n on the e a s t e r n shore o f the l a k e s . Roads had improved a l o n g w i t h the i n c r e a s e i n p o p u l a t i o n , making i t more l i k e l y t o d r i v e t o the meet i n g s w i t h a n e a r n e i g h b o u r . The more e c o n o m i c a l s o l u t i o n t o the p r o b l e m o f mee t i n g f o r Lodge TOUKLEY was t o meet a t the 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 Long J e t t y . The c h o i c e was Wyong. We a r e unaware of the c o n s i d e r a t i o n s w h i c h d e t e r m i n e d the c h o i c e , but the ro a d from T o u k l e y t o Wyong i s s h o r t e r 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 Saratoga

s Workshop.

DATE OF MEETING: 3rd Saturday - Monthly.

Lodge SARATOGA. 937. United Grand Lodge of New South Wales.

PLACE OF MEETING: 26 W i l l i a m Street Gosford 2250 Telephone (043) 24-6237

DATE OF MEETING: 1st Frid a y -Changed to 1st Thursday monthly i n 1980 from 6 June.

INSTALLATION: 1st 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 )

CONSECRATED: 24 October 1959

204

GRAND MASTER CONSECRATES FIRST NEW LODGE IN HIS

TERM OF OFFICE

The progress 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 with the Consecration of Lodge Saratoga, No. 937, by the Most Grand Master on Saturday, 24th October, 1959.

This was the f i r s t new Lodge consecrated by M. W. Bro. H. R. Maas since 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 United Grand Lodge of N.S.W., and the Gosford Masonic Temple was f i l l e d to c a p a c i t y by nearly 250 Brethren f o r the occasion. The Occasional 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 Master.

The Brethren p r i v i l e g e d to be present at t h i s very important event i n the Masonic l i f e of the D i s t r i c t watched with rapt a t t e n t i o n the ceremony of Consecration f a u l t l e s s l y 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 of the Lodge to the Foundation Master, Worshipful Bro. Maurice Herbert S c o t t , the M. W. Grand Master s a i d that i t had been a d i s t i n c t pleasure f o r him and h i s team of Grand O f f i c e r s to 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 existence and to have seen the c a l i b r e of men who had been entrusted with i t s guardianship and w i t h i t s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n . The Grand Master wished W. Bro. Scott every success during h i s term of o f f i c e and expressed the hope that the Lodge would prosper i n i t s purpose of promulgating the genuine p r i n c i p l e s and tenets of the Order.

The proceedings at the F e s t i v e Board maintained the same high standard and the various toasts and responses were g r e a t l y appreciated by the Brethren.

In r e p l y i n g to the toast proposed by W. Bro. Scott to h i s honour, the M. W. Grand Master r e f e r r e d to the large number of Masons throughout the s t a t e of New South Wales and s t r e s s e d the point that there was no l i m i t to the good which the F r a t e r n i t y could do i f only Masons would set t h e i r minds to i t , and at a cost of only a few pence per week to the i n d i v i d u a l . The Grand Master then paid t r i b u t e to the large amount of work which had been done by those responsible f o r b r i n g i n g the Lodge i n t o existence and added that he f u l l y r e a l i s e d that they must have done much more than appeared on the surface. He was glad to know that by t h e i r e f f o r t s quite a number of Brethren who had "gone i n t o Masonic retirement" would again

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be ta k i n g an a c t i v e i n t e r e s t i n the a f f a i r s of Freemasonry and he f e l t t h a t , i f f o r nothing e l s e , the formation of the Lodge was worthwhile f o r that purpose alone. The Grand Master sa i d how much he had enjoyed v i s i t i n g Gosford and of having the opportunity of meeting so many l o c a l Masons. "Nothing pleases me more", s a i d the Grand Master, "than f o r a member of the C r a f t to come up to me and say 'Hullo Brother' f o r although d i s t i n c t i o n s i n rank are necessary to preserve due order and a u t h o r i t y , I can assure you, my Brethren, that I s h a l l always be proud i f you w i l l make yourselves known by greeting me i n t h i s way".

The M. W. Grand Master concluded by lea v i n g t h i s thought w i t h the Brethren: "The important t h i n g i s that I can walk i n t o a group of 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 before they have been accepted and although I would not know most of them p e r s o n a l l y I could, because they are Masons, confide i n them my innermost s e c r e t s . "

From: THE NEW SOUTH WALES FREEMASON 1 December 1959, p540

[BEIOW: Saratoga Masonic Association - some of the ladies.]

(Photo: Bro. B r i t t l i f f )

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L i s t of Past Masters of Lodge SARATOGA No. 937.

Name of the Master Year of Office. Name of the Master. Year of Office.

M.H. SCOTT 1959-60 D.J. TYE 1976-77 R.R.J. FERN 1960-61 D.J. URQUHART 1977-78

J.C. WASSELL 1961 62 A.J. BUERCKNER 1978-79 K. CAVERSWALL 1962-63 I.H. GRIFFITH 1979-80 D. HAMMER 1963-64 D.J. URQUHART - 1980-81

A.E. SAUNDERS 1964-65 G.V. WEBB 1981-82 C.B. JACQUES 1965-66 T.J. PICKETT 1982-83 D.W. NOBLE 1966-67 R.H. DILLON 1983-84 A.C. THOMPSON 1967-68 W.J. KERR 1984-85 A.F. KEARIN 1968-69 B.R.A. TURTON 1985-86 G.L. BARKER 1969-70 J.F. BOETTIGER 1986-87 L.F. KOCH 1970-71 J.P. DAVIDSON 1987-88 B. SMITH 1971-72 T.B. FULLER 1988-89

R.K. HILL 1972-73 A. AAS0 1989-90 T.K. CASLEY 1973-74 D.R. WESTAWAY 1990-91 J.E. FRANKS 1974-75 B.R.A. TURTON " 1991-92 P.J. THOMAS 1975-76 1992

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

THE BEGINNINGS.

The genesis of Lodge SARATOGA: leading to the b i r t h of the lodge on Saturday 21 October 1959.

In t r a c i n g the h i s t o r y of Lodge SARATOGA, one must mention the development and the changes which occurred at Saratoga a f t e r the end of the Second World War.

At t h i s p e r i o d the d i s t r i c t began to grow and many new re s i d e n t s came to the area. In many instances land 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 small 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 to each other and over the years the population continued to increase. A Progress A s s o c i a t i o n was formed and met from time to time at the various homes of the members. During 1953 Bro. Bob Fern, a c i t y business man and a member of Lodge KELSO-CAMPSIE, r e t i r e d and took up residence at Saratoga. He was quick to discover

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a f t e r h i s a r r i v a l i n the d i s t r i c t that there were many Freemasons l i v i n g i n the area. Many were members of d i s t a n t Lodges and many were unattached. Bro. Fern, with others discussed the prospect of forming a Lodge at Saratoga, but, because of the lack of a s u i t a b l e meeting place the idea was abandoned.

The Progress A s s o c i a t i o n was very a c t i v e and was s u c c e s s f u l i n ob t a i n i n g a block of land from the Gosford Shire C o u n c i l on which to erect a Progress A s s o c i a t i o n H a l l . Part of the deal was that 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 time, and maintained 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 the land and the h a l l would re v e r t to the C o u n c i l . Funds were r a i s e d and the 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 intended that Lodge SARATOGA would hold i t s meetings at the Gosford Masonic Temple.

In 1956, w i t h the v i s i o n of a h a l l to be b u i l t at Saratoga, the idea of a Masonic Lodge f o r Saratoga was again r e v i v e d . BrO. Fern c l e a r e d h i s garage and workshop and an informal meeting of masons was c a l l e d . At that meeting i t was resolved that a Masonic Club be formed and that one of the objects of the club would be the establishment of 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 of the club was the production of e i t h e r a Grand Lodge C e r t i f i c a t e or a current Notice Paper. Meetings were held on the 3rd Saturday evening of each month, u s u a l l y i n the premises of Bro. Fern.

Upon completion of the Progress 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 to p e t i t i o n Grand Lodge f o r the issue of a Charter f o r a Lodge to meet at the Progress H a l l . However, even before the p e t i t i o n was presented, they were informed 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. This d e c i s i o n was to be the cause of much animosity w i t h i n the Club, fhe m a j o r i t y of members, not wishing to t r a v e l to Gosford f o r meetings, decided to remain as a Masonic Club and to have t h e i r meetings and s o c i a l f u n c t i o n s at the new h a l l and not to press on w i t h the idea of s t a r t i n g a Masonic Lodge. At t h i s stage I had no knowledge of these various events, being myself a member of Lodge Wyong. Apparently there were about 50 members of t h i s Masonic Club but there were only about ten or twelve who des i r e d to continue to meet at the premises of Bro. Fern with the object of forming a Masonic Lodge.

The club continued to be a c t i v e f o r many years, but at the time when i t became known that a Charter had been approved there were many who then a f f i l i a t e d w i t h the Gosford Lodges, and many t r a n s f e r r e d to Lodge SARATOGA a f t e r the Consecration. There were quite a few who then were members of both the Club and the Lodge.

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The present Indoor Bowling group at the Saratoga H a l l could be considered to be a c o n t i n u a t i o n of the Saratoga Masonic Club which functioned at that time.

Returning our thoughts to those who desi r e d to form a Lodge, I t became immediately apparent to Bro. Fern and h i s masonic supporters that there was a shortage of Past Masters w i t h i n t h e i r ranks, there being only Wor. Bro. Arthur Hesslewood and Wor. Bro. George Baines.

I t was at t h i s stage that Bro. Fern requested the as s i s t a n c e of two f r i e n d s , Wor. Bro. George Stewart and Wor. Bro. Maurice S c o t t , both members of Lodge GOSFORD.

These brethren contacted the D.G.I.W., Very Wor. Bro. Ted Blake, who, at that time, was the Postmaster at Dooralong.

I t was decided to r e c r u i t a few other members of No. 59 D i s t r i c t to make up the numbers and to then p e t i t i o n f o r a Charter. I t was at t h i s stage that a few of us had the opportunity of j o i n i n g with the p r o j e c t .

F i n a l l y , w i t h the ten or twelve other 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 arranged at the garage and workshop, Wor. Bro. George Stewart becoming the Formation Secretary, handling a l l correspondence i n a most e f f i c i e n t manner.

Innumerable meetings were held over a lengthy p e r i o d , the D.G.I.W. u s u a l l y a t t e n d i n g .

On many an occasion the road to Saratoga was covered by a foot or more of water during the t o r r e n t i a l r a i n s of that time.

At long l a s t , a P e t i t i o n w i t h the names of the proposed Foundation O f f i c e r s was submitted to Grand Lodge. Unfortunately, the P e t i t i o n was r e j e c t e d , as the Grand Lodge d i d not approve of the O f f i c e of Senior Warden being f i l l e d by a P.M. We were advised to have another b a l l o t and to re-submit. This was complied w i t h , the sa i d P.M. agreeing to f i l l another o f f i c e which was not a Progressi v e O f f i c e .

Wor. Bro. Stewart was able to advise i n due course that the Prayer of the P e t i t i o n had been approved, Wor. Bro. M.H. Scott being Foundation Master, with a t o t a l of 23 Foundation Members. From then onwards the enthusiasm of the p e t i t i o n e r s became even greater. Meetings and fund r a i s i n g functions became weekly events.

However, there were some d i f f e r e n c e s of opinion on various aspects and one or two of the p e t i t i o n e r s named on the Charter were not f i n a l l y foundation members.

ABOVE: An early photo of the R . A . Chapter taken in Woy Woy. [Photo: Bro. Brittnff[

ABOVE: We believe this photo was taken at the dedication or one of the early meetings of Gosford Chapter, about 1954. Those shown in the photo are not all foundation members — 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 Ford, F. Mil ler , P. Bonnington, F. B kick more. W . A . Bailey, C . Smith.

[Photo: Bro. Brittliff]

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ABOVE: 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 the d i s t r i c t , Lodges and i n d i v i d u a l members being most generous. As examples, Lodge RISING SUN and a Methodist m i n i s t e r of a Sydney C i r c u i t each donated a V.S.L., Lodge GOSFORD a set of O f f i c e C o l l a r s , Lodge MORNING STAR a D. of C. baton, p r i v a t e members donated a l l manner of masonic n e c e s s i t i e s , s l i p p e r s . Candidates c l o t h i n g e t c . Each Foundation O f f i c e r donated 5 pounds ($10.00) and p a i d f o r h i s Jewel of O f f i c e . Our l a d i e s , a l s o , were of tremendous as s i s t a n c e and gave great encouragement to the p r o j e c t . Having delayed the Consecration f o r some months to avoid the c o l d weather and the constant f l o o d r a i n s of that year, the climax took place on Saturday, 24 October 1959 when, with the Gosford Temple packed to utmost c a p a c i t y , the Consecration Ceremony was conducted by Most Wor. Bro. Harry Maas, G.M. At the c o n c l u s i o n of the ceremony a magnificent repast, provided from the funds of the Lodge (and the pocket of the Foundation Master), and prepared by the l a d i e s of the members, then completed t h i s memorable and h i s t o r i c occasion.

Jack Wassell. Foundation Senior Deacon.

The above is from a lecture delivered by W.M. Jack Wassel at a meeting of Lodge

RISING SUN.

[a^.B. W(L<i4eJJ, koA wJiLtton. a veA.y, inteyieAtlng. hlAto/iy,, mostly, on. the. ecuily, f^eoAA of. hlA Lodg,e, 3n. ten pag.eA he gJjveA inf-o/mattoa of. which he. WOA a witne^-d, which would have been to4t wtthout hi4 foneAtght to put in wnA±ing, what he knew about the fo/mation of the Lodge 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 sequel to h i s h i s t o r y of the e a r l y years of Lodge SARATOGA extended f u r t h e r i t s h i s t o r y covering the per i o d from November 1971 to 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 to i n t e r e s t brethren g e n e r a l l y .

V. Wor. Bro. C P . Timmins, P.D.G.I.W. a very w e l l known and h i g h l y regarded bro. passed away i n J u l y 1972.

A d d i t i o n s were made to the l i b r a r y through a donation from Bro. B i l l White.

R.R.J. Fern was made P.D.G.D.C. he was one of the benefactors of the lodge by welcoming the meeting of the o r i g i n a l CM.A. i n h i s workshop i n 1956.

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V. Wor. Bro. J.T Arthurson P.D.G.I.W. died i n August 1974.

The appeal from G.M. f o r r e l i e f of 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 of a s i l v e r t r a y was made to Wor. Bro. R.A. Dunn to mark the 50th anniversary of h i s i n s t a l l a t i o n i n the c h a i r w i t h c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s from the brethren.

In A p r i l 1977, Secretary of t h i s lodge, W. Bro. J.H. McLean passed away suddenly. He was accorded a masonic f u n e r a l s e r v i c e .

V. Wor. Bro. R.R.J. Fern passed away on 25 May 1978.

Lodge SARATOGA pledged $4.00 f o r each of i t s 111 members toward the Masonic Centre Opening Committee.

Wor. Bro. Wassell became se c r e t a r y i n November 1978. [He. /Lemalned Auch fon. the next thUiteen. y.ecuiA. ]

Rt. Wor. Bro. Maury Sc o t t , P.J.G.W., foundation Master was granted Honorary Membership.

In June 1979 a s p e c i a l jewel, to be worn by successive Masters was presented by the Sydney Masonic Centre Opening Committee i n a p p r e c i a t i o n of support extended by the lodge.

Maury Scott passed to the Grand Lodge above. Jack Wassell gave an e u l o g i c address on the occasion of h i s masonic f u n e r a l s e r v i c e . More books were donated to the 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 the H a l l Committee and i t s tenants has never been f r i e n d l y due to the obvious r e a c t i o n of tenants to 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 ofte 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 using the amenities. This f e e l i n g went so f a r t h a t , other than v e r b a l a l l u s i o n , we f i n d that the lodges SARATOGA and GOSFORD i n February 1975 expressed 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 to the H a l l Committee with the r e s u l t that a delegation was i n v i t e d to voice 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 that were imposed -

"the conference y i e l d e d nothing to improve the s i t u a t i o n . . the door (of the kitchen) being locked to us. A f t e r s e v e r a l months the door was l e f t unlocked and t h i s lodge [SARATOGA and lodge GOSFORD] have had access to and use of the k i t c h e n from that time."

Much animosity had been evinced through the years on many occasions toward the landlord's a u t o c r a t i c a t t i t u d e , so much so that i n

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A p r i l 1975 the two lodges -

"commenced e f f o r t s to procure land to hold as a s i t e f o r a future b u i l d i n g programme. However t h e i r e f f o r t s di d not meet w i t h success, although arrangements f o r fi n a n c i n g had been solved."

In f a c t they have been w e l l on the road to achiev i n g t h e i r g o a l , only f o r one or two who f a l t e r e d on the way.

In March 1980 the night of meeting was changed by a b a l l o t -taken to the f i r s t Thursday.

In May 1981 the lodge was i n effervescence, the Master accused one of h i s o f f i c e r s ; the o f f i c e r r e p l i e d to the charge, a secret b a l l o t was conducted, he was exonerated by 44 against 2, and three i n f o r m a l . The Wor. Master declared that he wished to r e s i g n from the lodge but was informed that he was not at l i b e r t y to res i g n u n t i l "a successor had been i n s t a l l e d i n h i s stead" when the term of h i s o f f i c e expired.

In June 1982, Wor. Bro. J.C. (Jack) W a s s e l l , s e c r e t a r y of the lodge, was the r e c i p i e n t of G.L. honour, he was conferred the t i t l e of Past Deputy Grand D i r e c t o r of Ceremonies.

I t was al s o provided i n the By Law f o r reduced payment of dues by aged and i n f i r m members, a compassionate and comendable propo s i t i o n .

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,.

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WORSHIPFUL MASTER Wor Bro R. Turnbull (043) 92.7183

SENIOR WARDEN Bro G. T. Harris (043) 97.1378

JUNIOR WARDEN Wor Bro M.J. McLellan (043) 96.6765

SECRETARY Wor Bro W.R. Murton (043) 96.5413

A Daylip.ht Lodge meeting on the 1st Tuesday of the month. I n s t a l l a t i o n , 1st Saturday i n August.

Dear Bro The Worshipful Master extends h i s f r a t e r n a l greetings and requests your attendance at the next regular meeting of the Lodge, d e t a i l s of which are printed i n s i d e hereof. Lodge w i l l be ty l e d at 10.00 A.M.

DUES. Annual dues i n advance Dues - monthly Arrears/Credit

TOTAL $

O f f i c i a l dress f o r Daylight Lodge meetings i s a dark lounge s u i t , long sleeved white s h i r t , dark knotted t i e , black shoe and socks.

$70.00 $ 6.00 $

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DAYLIGHT LODGES.

D u r i n g t h e term o f t h e Grand M a s t e r M.W. B r o . P r o f e s s o r Woodman, a s i g n i f i c a n t achievement was t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n o f s i x t e e n D a y l i g h t Lodges.

I n D i s t r i c t 59, two such D a y l i g h t Lodges were c o n s e c r a t e d . Lodge PELICAN No. 982, m e e t i n g i n Wyong, w i t h an i n i t i a l membership of 96 and Lodge JAMES KIBBLE No. 985, m e e t i n g i n G o s f o r d , i n i t i a l membership, June 1988 o f 62.

T h i s was an i n n o v a t i o n f o r our masonic t r a d i t i o n whereby Lodge mee t i n g s were co 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 d r e s s , 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 o v e r s e a s c o n s t i t u t i o n s and i m p r e s s i n g v i s i t o r s who have not e x p e r i e n c e d our c e r e m o n i a l way of p r a c t i s i n g masonry.

I n many c o u n t r i e s b r e t h r e n go from t h e p l a c e o f work, - o f f i c e or shop, - t o the lodgeroom; a t the c o n c l u s i o n o f the meeting th e y go home t o spend the r e s t o f the e v e n i n g i n t h e f a m i l y c i r c l e .

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Lodse PELICAN. 982. (Daylight Lodge.)


CONSECRATED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

INSTALLATION:

2 November 1985

15 Howarth S t r e e t

Wyong 2259

1st Tuesday - monthly.

1s t S a t u r d a y 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 were 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 of R.W. B r o . E r i c LEGGETT. The f i r s t l odge t o be c o n s e c r a t e d , i n November 1985, t h r e e months ahead of the s o u t h e r n d a y l i g h t lodge was Lodge PELICAN No. 982.

A m e e t i n g had been c a l l e d f o r 30 November 1984 a t Long J e t t y , t o a s c e r t a i n i n t e r e s t i n t h e p r o p o s a l of a d a y l i g h t l o d g e . T h i s b e i n g q u i t e a n o v e l t y i n our d i s t r i c t i t was n e c e s s a r y t o e v a l u a t e r e s p o n s e t o such 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 s u f f i c i e n t number of p r o s p e c t i v e members were a v a i l a b l e l o c a l l y . T h i r t e e n t u r n e d up f o r the m e e t i n g , a number of good omen.

A f o l l o w up m e e t i n g was h e l d on 22 J a n u a r y when, 43 a t t e n d e d and e i g h t a p o l o g i s e d : the word had e v i d e n t l y been around; i n t e r e s t was e v i n c e d p o s i t i v e l y and t h e convenors were g r e a t l y encouraged.

The D.G.I.W. E r i c LEGGETT opened the m e e t i n g a t 10 a.m. Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s , V.W. B r o . F r e d FOX and R.W. Bro B i l l LUX, b o t h members o f the B. of G.P., a t t e n d e d t o i n t r o d u c e and e x p l a i n 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 O f f i c e r .

V.W. B r o . F r e d FOX a d d r e s s e d the m e e t i n g , o u t l i n i n g t h e c o n c e pt b e h i n d d a y l i g h t l o d g e s , g i v i n g the g u i d e l i n e s f o r t h e i r f o r m a t i o n and c o n d u c t .

219

The outcome of a m o t i o n - p r o p o s e d by K u r t BUTTON, seconded by George HUMPHREY " t h a t a f o u n d a t i o n committee be formed t o 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 a r e a , " was the f o r m a t i o n of a committee: c h a i r m a n D.G.I.W.

The members were J o c k SCOUGAL, N o e l MAUNDER, George HUMPHREYS, Les HUGHES, B i l l LUX, K u r t BUTTON and Bruce HARRISON. B i l l LUX was t o a c t as s e c r e t a r y .

The p r o b l e m o f a p l a c e of m e e t i n g had been r e s o l v e d , t h e n e x t was t o g a t h e r a s u f f i c i e n t membership t o make the p r o j e c t v i a b l e .

I t was r e s o l v e d t o meet nex t a t Long J e t t y on 4 December 1984, 12 months hence. A m e e t i n g had been h e l d a t G o s f o r d on 3 December 1984.

THE WYONG SHIRE AREA DAYLIGHT LODGE Committee met and r e s o l v e d t o :

A d v i s e Grand S e c r e t a r y o f i n t e n t i o n , i n t e r e s t e d b r e t h r e n t o s i g n a p e t i t i o n . I n d i c a t e an i n t e r e s t i n s e c u r i n g second hand r e g a l i a i f a v a l l a b l e . E l e c t G. HUMPHREYS deputy c h a i r m a n of the committee. E l e c t B. LUX the 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 t h e e x t e n t of the l i k e l y expenses t o be i n c u r r e d , such a s :

Grand Lodge dues- Temple Fund dues. Cost o f C h a r t e r . Rent of the h a l l . C a t e r i n g expenses. R e g a l i a p u r c h a s e . F u r n i t u r e and j e w e l s . P r i n t i n g , c o s t s o f n o t i c e s , 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 r e l a t i n g t o C o n s e c r a t i o n . I n s t a l l a t i o n .

A l s o on the l i s t o f expenses were:

O r g a n i s t , T y l e r , P.M's j e w e l , S t a t i o n a r y , a book of Const i t u t i o n s and Degree C a r d s . A d v e r t i s i n g . A t t e n d a n c e Book. M i n u t e Book. F i r s t and second degree a p r o n s . Cupboard, c u t l e r y , c r o c k e r y .

A l l i t e m s of e x p e n d i t u r e were i n v e s t i g a t e d and d i s c u s s e d a t l e n g t h .

A Committee m e e t i n g was mooted f o r the 15th and a G e n e r a l M e e t i n g f o r t h e 22nd, b o t h a t 10 a.m.

On the 15th - i t was r e p o r t e d t h a t Lodge 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 o f f e r .

220

The budget was t h o r o u g h l y d i s c u s s e d . I t c o m p r i s e d non r e c u r r e n t expenses and r e c u r r e n t c o s t s .

Some item s from the f i r s t c a t e g o r y were: C h a r t e r $100, P r i n t i n g By-Laws $200. Four r u b b e r stamps $50. A t t e n d a n c e Book $60. Volume of the S a c r e d Law ( B i b l e ) $50. A p r o n s , two - each $84. The grand t o t a l b e i n g $993.

The r e c u r r e n t expenses c a l c u l a t e d f o r a p e r i o d of t h r e e y e a r s 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 , = $1080. Grand Lodge dues $14 p e r annum f o r e x p e c t e d 60 members = $2520. P r i n t i n g n o t i c e s , 36 months @ $40 p e r month = $1440. P a s t M a s t e r ' s j e w e l 3 @ $60 = $180. &c. Grand t o t a l $6,637.

Making r u n n i n g c o s t s p e r annum of $2,212.

On the e x p e c t a t i o n of 60 members t h e r u n n i n g c o s t s would amount to $42 p e r head.

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 be $30 on t h e b a s t s of 60 members = $1800 and t h a t a n n u a l dues be $42 o r $3.50 per month.

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 chosen as Wyong H a l l a t 9.30 on t h e f i r s t Tuesday m o n t h l y . The f o u n d a t i o n members would g i v e $30; and dues t o be $3.50 monthly. The C h a r t e r was t o be an "open" one. Lodge WYONG t o be asked t o a c t as s p o n s o r .

Naming of the Lodge: Many names were p r o p o s e d , a v o t e was proceeded 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 the r e s u l t : PELICAN 15, T r i p l e Lakes 12 and S.A. McKimm 7.

PELICAN t h e n i t had t o be!

Next a c o n s e c r a t i o n date 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 of the n e x t committee m e e t i n g t o be 15 F e b r u a r y and the n e x t g e n e r a l meeting on 7 May, b o t h t o 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!

At t h e committee meeting p r o g r e s s was r e p o r t e d and i t was r e s o l v e d t o engage 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 , Ourimbah R.S.L.

A s c h e d u l e o f By-Laws was r e l e a s e d and a B i b l e was donated by Bro . H a r o l d W a l k e r .

At the G e n e r a l M e e t i n g of 7 May a r e v i s e d budget was p r e p a r e d . The M a s t e r s & Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n gave $100 toward t h e c o s t of C h a r t e r . F o u n d a t i o n d o n a t i o n s amounted t o $610.

221

By-laws were c o n s i d e r e d c l a u s e by c l a u s e and some minor ammendments pr o p o s e d and a c c e p t e d .

O f f i c e r s were e l e c t e d , t h e y were t o be: I.P.M. Les HUGHES. Found a t i o n M a s t e r George 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. LaCLAIRE, D. of M u s i c C. MACKIE, O r g a n i s t 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 . Green and adopted.

A s p e c i a l g e n e r a l m e e t i n g was h e l d on 4 June.

Twenty seven members were p r e s e n t . The monthly dues was i n c r e a s e d t o $4. An A l t a r V.S.L. was donated by Joe 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 had s i g n e d the p e t i t i o n - on Thursday 3 September. The meeting was c h a i r e d by t h e M a s t e r D e s i g n a t e o f Lodge PELICAN R t . Wor. B r o . George Humphreys who welcomed the b r e t h r e n and t h e i r l a d i e s .

The amount of monthly dues had t o be i n c r e a s e d t o $5 on a d v i c e o f Grand Lodge. The d a t e of 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 would be C h r i s t m a s and l a d i e s n i g h t .

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 a f t e r t h e f i r s t e x p l o r a t o r y m e e t i n g . Lodge PELICAN No. 982 was C o n s e c r a t e d by t h e Grand 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 of 66 Grand O f f i c e r s . A d e d i c a t i o n b o o k l e t had been produced f o r t h e o c c a s i o n w h i c h c o n t a i n s much r e l e v a n t i n f o r m a t i o n .

I n t h e c o u r s e of the C o n s e c r a t i o n and I n s t a l l a t i o n Wor. B r o . 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 c e r t i f i c a t e o f 60 y e a r s i n Freemasonry. 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 were 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 r e p o r t s t a t i n g 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 was on hand.

From t h e n on t h e minutes 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 b e s t l o o k i n g m i n u t e s t h a t anyone would w i s h t o s t u d y .

I t w i l l be v e r y easy f o r whomever w i l l u n d e r t a k e the t a s k t o w r i t e t h e h i s t o r y of t h e lodge t o c o m p i l e i t from m i n u t e s so w e l l k e p t .

222

Lodge PELICAN appears t o be l i v e l y and a c t i v e w i t h a good average a t t e n d a n c e , a f a i r i n t a k e of a f f i l i a t i o n s and even i n i t i a t i o n s . 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 had grown t o one hundred and t e n .

A c h a r a c t e r o f t h i s - as most d a y l i g h t l o d g e s - i s t h a t the m a j o r i t y of b r e t h r e n a r e p a s t m a s t e r s w h i c h o b v i o u s l y i s h e l p f u l when o f f i c e p o s t s a r e t o f i l l e d o r c h a r g e s d e l i v e r e d .

L i s t of P a s t M a s t e r s : 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. R. W. WATLING

1991 W.M. H. A. LaCLAIRE

1992 W.M. R. TURNBULL

1993 W.M. R. TURNBULL

223

L i s t of Past Masters of Lodge JAMES KIBBLE No. 985

Name of the Master Year of O f f i c e

W. H. RICHARDS M. R. V. McKENZIE

B. I . BUTLER A. TAYLOR

1986 1986- 87 1987- 88 1988- 89

Name of the Master Year of O f f i c e

A. H. HAEUSLER G. J . ENGEL J . W. CHAPMAN J . W. CHAPMAN

1989- 90 1990- 91 1991- 92 1992- 93

W.M Wor. Bro. J. W. CHAPMAN 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 REGULAR MEETING of this

Lodge, to be held in the Masonic Centre. 26 William Street, Gosford (Phone: 24-6237) at the time and date notified inside.

Yours faithfully and fraternally,

69 146S KINDLY ADVISE SECRETARY OF ANY C H A N G E OF ADDRESS

224

TUBAL-CAIN

This statue of the f i r s t a r t i f i c e r 1n metal

i s s i t u a t e d i n the Masonic Centre

i n Castlereagh Street Sydney

and can be f r e e l y inspected on the t h i r d f l o o r .

James K i b b l e , being a blacksmith,

was a l s o an a r t i f i c e r i n metal.

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 WOODMAN, LLM. At

GOSFORD MASONIC TEMPLE

SATURDAY, 1st FEBRUARY, 1986

At 2 p.m.

• • • • • • • • • • 4

226

Lodge JAMES KIBBLE. 985. (Daylight Lodge.)


DEDICATED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

INSTALLATION:

1 February 1986

Masonic Centre 26 W i l l i a m Street Gosford 2250 Telephone 043 24-6237

2nd Monday - Monthly

4th Saturday i n November.

FOUNDATION MEMBERS.

V.Wor. Bro 1 . B.R. ALDRIDGE PDGDC Bro. W.R.G. JOHNSTON Bro. Rev. A. BAKER Wor.Bro. N. KABLE V.Wor.Bro. A.E. BAKER PDGDC Wor.Bro. D.E. LEGGETT Wor.Bro. W.J. BARRETT V.Wor.Bro, . E.K. LEGGETT DGIW Wor.Bro. T.A. BEAGROFT Bro. P. LEITCH Bro. T.B. BILBOW Wor.Bro. G. LOWE Bro. R.T. BLAKEY Wor.Bro. W.J. LYONS Wor.Bro. N.F. BROWN Wor.Bro. M.R.V. McKENZIE Wor.Bro. M.J. BURRELL V.Wor.Bro. . K.C. MacPHERSON Bro. B.I. BUTLER Bro. D. MILLER Bro. J.G. DAVIE Wor.Bro. L.D. MOSS Bro. J.T. DAVIE Wor.Bro. F.R. PHILLIPS Bro. I.G. DELANDRE Wor.Bro. L.C. PINKS Bro. A.T.D. DENNY Bro. A.S. POLLOCK Bro. R.N. EMANUEL R,Wor.Bro, . W.H. RICHARDS PJGW V.Wor.Bro. H.L. FLYNN PDGDC Bro. E.R. ROSEN Wor.Bro. W.F.N. GATELY V.Wor.Bro, . A.D. ROSS PDGIW Bro. G.R. GROAT Wor.Bro. A.J. SHELDON Bro. T.G. GOUGH Wor.Bro. W.L.S. SWEENEY Bro. A.H. HAEUSLER Bro. P.E. TABUTEAU Wor.Bro. R.A. HEARD Bro. A. TAYLOR Bro. R.J. HULL Bro. J.F. TOOMBY Bro. D.E. JAMES Bro.- R.J.C. WHEELER

227

Lodge JAMES KIBBLE. No. 985.

Lodge JAMES KIBBLE, the second of the 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 the southern part of D i s t r i c t 59. Both Lodge PELICAN and Lodge JAMES KIBBLE are very s u c c e s s f u l . I t i s evident that they answer a need f o r those who p r e f e r meeting during the day f o r personal convenience.

Being a ra t h e r young lodge, i t s Minute Book i s s t i l l s l i m but w i l l no doubt grow f a t with the passing of the years. The h i s t o r y of the lodge i s w e l l documented and the minutes w e l l kept. 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 appointed from the beginning. This i s a very commendable but unfortuna t e l y r a r e l y taken d e c i s i o n . The appointment of Wor. Bro. W. L. S. Sweeney w i l l ensure that 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 preserved.

We may expect that 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 the Lodge may see the l i g h t of day f o r the lOth anniversary. 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 snippets of information e x t r a c t e d from minutes, o r a l r e c o l l e c t i o n s from tape and pages by Sweeney, lea v i n g to others the task of compiling a comprehensive h i s t o r y .

E x t r a c t s from the e a r l y minutes of the Formation Committee and from Lodge Minutes

At the f i r s t meeting to explore avenues of forming a d a y l i g h t lodge, the o l d narrow view was e x h i b i t e d that a new lodge would be detrimental to the e s t a b l i s h e d ones, thus repeating the arguments that 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 to form a second lodge i n Gosford. They obviously favoured the concept that competition i s bad and should be suppressed.

Tom Speed, the re p r e s e n t a t i v e of h i s lodge, an otherwise g e n t l e , l i k e a b l e and sincere Mason, requested to have h i s vote against the motion (to form a d a y l i g h t lodge) recorded, 'as he considered that h i s lodge would be badly disadvantaged i f such a Lodge was formed'. [31 December 1984]

This apprehension was found to be t o t a l l y without foundation since the members of a day lodge are mostly brethren who do not attend evening meetings.

228

A Formation Committee was appointed whose members met r e g u l a r l y . Their meetings were of a t e c h n i c a l nature, a n t i c i p a t i n g and dealing with 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 d e c i s i o n s . I t was decided to ask Lodge MORNING STAR to act as a sponsor (Mother Lodge) since the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of RISING SUN had taken a p o s i t i o n against the formation of a d a y l i g h t lodge.

I t was decided to place p u b l i c i t y i n l o c a l newspapers, to be followed by a general meeting of i n t e r e s t e d brethren on 21 January, 1985.

A name was adopted at that general meeting and annual dues were f i x e d at $48. A three 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 running of the lodge i n the coming triennium. I t amounted to $6,280.

By-laws were adopted from a model, with very 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 to Trustees 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 regarding the formation and naming of Lodge JAMES KIBBLE:

MASONS BY DAY

In November 1984, a small advertisement of j u s t twelve l i n e s appeared i n 'The Gosford S t a r ' , beginning w i t h the above t i t l e . The f o l l o w i n g information was o f f e r e d :

DAYLIGHT Masonic Lodges are a new concept which may be introduced on the C e n t r a l Coast.

They ca 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 workers, some p r o f e s s i o n a l s and others unable to attend night meetings.

Masons who are s t i l l members of t h e i r lodge and unattached Masons may have the opportunity to take part i n Masonic a c t i v i t y , i f Grand Lodge endorsed the formation of a lodge or lodges i n the d i s t r i c t .

Mr. E. K. Leggett, of Woy Woy (phone 42 3464), i s c a l l i n g meetings to e s t a b l i s h 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 lodge.

229

Two meetings are planned, at the Long J e t t y Temple, Toowoon Bay Road, Long J e t t y , November 30, at 10am, and at the Gosford Masonic Centre, W i l l i a m S t r e e t , Gosford, on Monday, December 3, at 10am.

This was an unusual piece of information and I thought i t would be i n t e r e s t i n g to observe i t s development.

E r i c Leggett obviously was then the D i s t r i c t Inspector of Workings. At that time I had an o f f i c e i n Gosford C i t y Council'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 at a l l to walk down Mann Street f o r a couple of blocks to go to that f i r s t meeting. I t was attended by a dozen Masons, held i n the o l d south on the f i r s t f l o o r , and I signed the attendance book provided.

We mostly l i s t e n e d to E r i c Leggett's p r o p o s i t i o n s . I have only a dim r e c o l l e c t i o n of that 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 3 December of which I had no knowledge. I t was convened by the Masters and Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n .

The Christmas f e s t i v i t i e s came and the o l d year went. On 18 January we had a communication, courtesy of the 'Central Coast Express' t h i s time:

DAYLIGHT LODGES

Daylight Masonic Lodges are about to be e s t a b l i s h e d at Gosford and Long J e t t y .

There followed a more s u b s t a n t i a l piece of information 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 January.

I was curious to f i n d out what d e c i s i o n s would be agreed to on the matter.

THE NAMING OF THE LODGE

The agenda f o r the meeting on the 21 January was more s p e c i f i c . F ive matters were l i s t e d f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n :

(1) 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) (2) Sponsoring the Lodge (3) The name of the Lodge (4) Meeting places (5) Day of the Month and time of Meeting.

230

I t would be i n t e r e s t i n g to see what d e c i s i o n s would be taken on matter No. 3.

A long 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 question of a name f o r the lodge. I thought that a name had already been chosen at the meeting on December 3, but i t seemed no-one had given any thought to the matter.

A f t e r a pregnant s i l e n c e and some probing, Bert Ross came up w i t h a name: 'T. A. SCOTT', I thought 'Great S c o t t , why him?' Then another proposal was 'Henry K e n d a l l ' . I thought that both names were ina p p r o p r i a t e and I s a i d so. I s a i d that n e i t h e r had ever been connected with the C r a f t and f u r t h e r more they were not i n my opinion persons a Mason could look upon. No-one took up the opportunity to 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 'Brisbane Water'. K e i t h McPherson o f f e r e d the name of an ancient member of our lodge, 'George Margin'. No-one reacted with any enthusiasm. K e i t h look at me and asked, •What do you t h i n k ? '

This was a challenge; K e i t h had given me a lead. I thought q u i c k l y f o r the name of a r e a l ancient and s p e c i a l Mason. What about Steyner, Walpole, Parry and many other o l d and dedicated Masons? They were as good a name as that of George Margin. Then i n my mind I worked back i n time, past Steyner toward the o l d lodge. I stood 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 to c o l l e c t my thoughts - and i t took me some time - 'Because James K i b b l e was an e a r l y Mason. He was even a Worshipful Master. The l a s t Master of the f i r s t lodge i n 1900, he became the Immediate Past Master of the f i r s t lodge re-formed i n Gosford i n 1917. He helped to r e - e s t a b l i s h Masonry 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 room and our temple looks over K i b b l e Park!'

I sat back, no comments.

A f u r t h e r meeting was held i n March and I received 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 important meeting was to be held on 20 May, to which meeting I sauntered to down Mann S t r e e t . Very important matters were discussed such as se a t i n g arrangements. At the end of the meeting Tony Baker asked me i f I had an idea f o r an emblem for the lodge, I asked him what he meant and what was the name chosen f o r the lodge. 'James K i b b l e ! ' W e l l , I never knew!

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I s a i d I would t h i n k of 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 blacksmith.

On another occasion 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 that a logo was not s u i t a b l e , but a motto would be quite i n order.

I gave i t more thought and came up with the L a t i n words RENOVABIT IGNE, meaning 'he made new with f i r e ' or 'Using f i r e he mended', which i s qu i t e appropriate f o r a blacksmith.

I sent a drawing w i t h the motto.

The o r i g i n a l suggested wording, however, was changed to IGNIS RENOVABIT, which s t i l l makes sense but a d i f f e r e n t one since i t means ' F i r e had mended', and f o r t u n a t e l y my sketch was straightened out.

At the consecration the senior deacon was away, and I was t o l d to occupy h i s seat, which I d i d through the long ceremony.

At the f i r s t meeting the W.M. t o l d me that I had to wear a dark s u i t w i t h a dark t i e , white s h i r t and black shoes; a business s u i t was not good enough.* The work was an e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n of a degree, with another f o r the f o l l o w i n g meeting and so f o r t h I presumed.

Being busy and not very i n t e r e s t e d i n wit n e s s i n g unending e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n s , I tendered my r e s i g n a t i o n i n May.

Since then, Lodge JAMES KIBBLE ( i g n i s renovabit) 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 the aged and r e t i r e d , d i s a b l e d Masons, s h i f t workers, some p r o f e s s i o n a l s and others unable to attend night meetings.

I deeply appreciate the honour Lodge JAMES KIBBLE has bestowed on me by appointed 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 the Lodge.

* See GUIDING NOTES ON POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR THE FORMATION OF A 'DAYLIGHT'

LODGE. DRESS - Day meetings. The c o r r e c t dress i s a dark lounge or business

s u i t , white s h i r t and c o l l a r , dark knotted t i e , black shoes and socks.

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HOW TO SET UP A DAYLIGHT LODGE. Ex t r a c t s from Sweeney, o f f i c i a l r ecording of the lodge. Sweeney was the f i r s t appointed

H i s t o r i a n of the Lodge.

Lodge JAMES KIBBLE No. 985 United Grand Lodge had i t s beginning with the holding of an i n t e r e s t meeting at Gosford Masonic Centre on December the 3rd 1984 which was attended by s i x t e e n brethren with V. Wor. Bro. E r i c Leggett, R. Wor. Bro. W. Lux the D i s t r i c t Education O f f i c e r who then gave an address r e l a t i n g to the formation of d a y l i g h t lodges.

V. Wor. Bro. W. Richards proposed and V. Wor. Bro. A.D. Lux seconded that

"A formation committee be set up to i n v e s t i g a t e the formation of a d a y l i g h t lodge i n the area."

The meeting proceeded to appoint 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. Leggett 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. B a r r e t t , Bro. R. Emanuel and V. Wor. Bro. W. Richards. The committee was to meet again on the 10 December 1984. The meeting of the s t e e r i n g committee took place 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 advised the meeting of progress made i n country lodges i n N.S.W and V i c t o r i a which r e l a t e d to a s i m i l a r p r o j e c t to the one on hand. I t was proposed that a general meeting be held w i t h i n the Gosford d i s t r i c t to report on progress made by the committee and at which Lodge MORNING STAR was asked to act 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 authorised to operate the bank account with any two to s i g n . The s e c r e t a r y was asked to advise Grand Lodge and at the same time enquire 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 to the formation of a d a y l i g h t lodge. The next meeting of the committee would be held on the 14 January 1985 and at t h i s meeting i t was advised that advertisements had been placed i n the CenttcU. CooAt Sicp/LOAyi and the fejvinALdjaA. TimeA a d v i s i n g of the formation of the new lodge w i t h a f u r t h e r meeting to be held w i t h a l l i n t e r e s t e d brethren to attend 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 foundation fee of $30.00 per member with the f i r s t meeting to be held on the 1 February 1986 subject to Grand Lodge approval. A lodge which was going i n t o v o luntary retirement due to lack of membership confirmed a g i f t of r e g a l i a to us. This 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 reported to Grand Lodge with three a l t e r n a t i v e dates should our f i r s t choice not prove s u i t a b l e . I t was decided

235

that the i n s t a l l a t i o n banquet would be held at Gosford R.S.L. Club owing to lack of accomodation i n the temple.

I t was resolved that at a date s u i t a b l e our l a d i e s would be i n v i t e d to a luncheon at the Gosford R.S.L. Club.

The f i n a l p r e - d e d i c a t i o n meeting was held on Monday 4 November 1985. At t h i s meeting Grand Lodge advised that a fee of $14.00 per v i s i t o r and $10.00 per member be charged.

The Consecration date was f i n a l l y confirmed to be Saturday 1st February 1986 at 2.00 pm.

The Consecration of Lodge JAMES KIBBLE No. 985 was c a r r i e d out by the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of N.S.W. Most Wor. Bro. Professor Roy A l l a n Woodman L.L.M. at Gosford Masonic Temple.

The o c c a s i o n a l lodge was t y l e d at 2.00 pm. w ith the Grand Master occupying the Chair of King Solomon.

Opening. The lodge was opened i n the f i r s t degree. The p e t i t i o n and the warrant were read by the Grand Secretary. The Grand Master addressed the brethren.

C o n s e c r a t i i o n . 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 Senior Grand Warden and the J u n i o r Grand Warden then Consecrated the lodge. The Grand Master then dedicated the lodge.

I n s t a l l a t i o n . The. 0riystoLiatLon. WOA c.ajvtLe.d out in the g.eneM.at fxiAtiLon. The Wor, Master Designate Right Wor. Bro. W.H. Richards was presented to the Grand Master by h i s sponsors...Very Wor. Bro. W.H. Richards was i n s t a l l e d i n t o the Chair of King Solomon. The lodge resumed i n the t h i r d degree. At the. end of- ujhLck -The Grand Master then presented Wor, Master with the warrant and Book of C o n s t i t u t i o n ,

The Wor. Master thanked a l l brethren 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 brethren to the Consecration Banquet.

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59 DISTRICT

P.G.I.W. I^i^ ^ l ^ " , ! Please address all Correspondence to: HON.SECRETARY:

Sun.25th Oct. 1387

Lodge Rising Sun 60s ford City.

Dear yor,Master and Brethren,

i^t the last Masters and hardens filssaciatipn meeting , held Gosford Lodge room a motion it'as carried by the brethren present that ue would sponser the formation of a Masonic Research Group in this District, This would be done in conjunction with our DISTRICT GRfiND INSPECTOR of WORKINGS , V.Uor.Bro. N.J.Maunder, by Rt.Wor.Bro.Bi11 Lux.

The objects of this group would be as follows;

1. To. provide a local centre for Masonic Students and literary recreation and instruction by means of Masonic Research Papers read by the Brethren,

2. To gather and record particulars of the Craft in times past and the present, especial ly psTTStntng tu -fr? Drsrrnrtr.

3. To publish transactions of the Association,

4. To form a Masonic Library and Museum.

5. To avoid expense not actually necessary m connection with the objects stated,

It was suggested that a note advising the date of the inaugural meeting be placed with the notice paper of the Lodges of the District,

Rt,Uor.Bro.Bill Lux also asked that only brethren genuinely interested in research put their names forward, They could do this by giving names directly to the above or their Uor, Master,

The first meeting would be an "inspiration meeting" and if the group is' formed, the next meeting would be devoted to the formation of the Constitution, with the possibi1i ty of short discussion paper and crystal 1isation of Research topics for the various members,

Your support and co-operation is eagerly awaited as this is an exciting and educational venture.

I remain yours fraternally,

DENIS B DEAN Hon, Sec, 2The Cut Mannermg Park 2259

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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 a s s o c i a t i o n , w h i c h i s r e p u t e d t o have been founded by our f i r s t I.P.M., we must r e f e r t o an a r t i c l e w h i c h appeared i n 'The Freemason' t i t l e d : ' E x t r a c t s from "75 YEARS IN MASONRY'". We have 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 y e a r , i n 1971, we p r o u d l y c e l e b r a t e the 75th A n n i v e r s a r y o f the M a s t e r s and Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n of N e w c a s t l e D i s t r i c t s . L o g i c a l l y , one would e x p e c t t h a t the a u t h o r s of t h i s H i s t o r y 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 h i s t o r i e s w r i t t e n t o c e l e b r a t e the 25th o r the 50th A n n i v e r s a r i e s . Why was t h i s n ot so i n our case? The p l a i n f a c t s 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 were formed.'

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 the M a s t e r s and 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 the Masonic H a l l , N e w c a s t l e , on the 23 August 1895 t o r a i s e funds f o r t he Freemasons B e n e v o l e n t I n s t i t u t i o n . The o l d e s t e x t a n t minute book goes back t o 1896. A m e e t i n g of the M a s t e r s and Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n was h e l d i n the ante-room o f Lodge ST GEORGE on 6 J u l y 1895.

'We a r e not proud 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 too were g u i l t y o f not making c e r t a i n t h a t a l l our minute books and o t h e r i m p o r t a n t 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 s e c r e t a r i e s . '

The e a r l i e s t documents u n c o v e r e d r e l a t e t o t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n 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 the t h e n Grand M a s t e r o f the day. Most. 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 r e g a l i a a t the 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 t h e s e r e c o r d s i s the m a t c h l e s s c o p p e r p l a t e w r i t i n g by the t h e n s e c r e t a r y , R t . Wor. B r o . A r t h u r B r a y , who was t h e Grand Lodge S e c r e t a r y f o r a g r e a t number of y e a r s .

'The e a r l y r e c o r d s i n our p o s s e s s i o n c l e a r l y i n d i c a t e t h a t V. Wor. B r o . Dugald D o b i e , s u b s e q u e n t l y e l e v a t e d t o t h e rank o f P a s t Grand M a s t e r , was the fo u n d e r of our A s s o c i a t i o n . I t was he who convened a m e e t i n g of M a s t e r s and Wardens w h i c h was h e l d i n the a n t e room of Lodge ST. GEORGE on 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 the f i r s t C h a r i t y B a l l . '

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' Our f i r s t b a l l was a m a g n i f i c e n t success some f o u r hundred p e o p l e b e i n g p r e s e n t and dancing c o n t i n u e d u n t i l almost t h r e e o ' c l o c k i n the morning.'

The Masonic C h a r i t y B a l l i n the New Masonic H a l l was a g r e a t s u c c e s s and i t was r e p o r t e d i n the 'Newcastle Morning H e r a l d . '

From then on The Masters & Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n grew w i t h v a r i e d f o r t u n e . I t was r e s p o n s i b l e f o r a number of i n n o v a t i o n s , such as a Masonic Study C i r c l e which, a f t e r b e i n g a lodge of Research, e v o l v e d to g i v e r i s e t o Lodges of I n s t r u c t i o n as we know them. These Lodges of I n s t r u c t i o n were independent b o d i e s a c t i n g i n t h e i r own independent ways, as we w i l l see l a t e r , f o r the study and r e n d e r i n g of the r i t u a l under the d i r e c t i o n of a p r e c e p t o r .

The Masters and Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n proved to be a v e r y u s e f u l and s u c c e s s f u l o r g a n i s a t i o n . I t was o n l y a matter of time b e f o r e such an a s s o c i a t i o n was s t a r t e d i n D i s t r i c t 59. I t i s s u r p r i s i n g t h a t such a step was not taken b e f o r e 1969. In t h a t y e a r , the D i s t r i c t I n s p e c t o r of Workings, R. F. H u n t i n g t o n , a Past Master of Lodge MORNING STAR (1961) , took the i n i t i a t i v e and convened a meeting f o r t h a t purpose.

From the b e g i n n i n g , these meetings were w e l l a t t e n d e d . Twenty one a t t e n d e d the i n a u g u r a l meeting at a time when t h e r e were o n l y seven lodges i n the d i s t r i c t . The average a t t e n d a n c e 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 to twenty-seven. The meetings were h e l d i n each Masonic H a l l i n t u r n a c c o r d i n g to which Lodge was the h o s t .

I n i t i a l l y , as i t s t i t l e I m p l i e s , the membership was l o g i c a l l y r e s t r i c t e d to the M a s t e r s and Wardens, under the c h a i r m a n s h i p 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 had a l r e a d y shown the l i b e r a l o u t l o o k of i t s members, In October 1971, i n a s m a l l but s i g n i f i c a n t move, Maury S c o t t , f o u n d a t i o n Master of Lodge SARATOGA, moved t h a t a l l Masonic t i t l e s f o r the meetings of the A s s o c i a t i o n be d i s c a r d e d and every member r e f e r r e d to as Bro. so and so. The motion was c a r r i e d and became e f f e c t i v e from the f o l l o w i n g meeting.

From the By-Laws adopted i n A p r i l 1986 the e l i g i b i l i t y of membership was: 'W.M., S.W., J.W. and D.O.C. of a l l l o d g e s ' and ' a l l or any Past Master' were welcome. The chairman 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 b e n e f i t of h a v i n g any new or a l t e r e d p o i n t of r i t u a l brought t o n o t i c e and exp l a i n e d . '

241

An i n t e r e s t i n g and 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 Oct o b e r 1989. Under t h e c h a i r m a n s h i p o f V. Wor. Bro. Ken White i t was d e c i d e d t o open t h e M. & W. A. t o M a s t e r Mason members of Lodges 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 l i n e w i t h e f f o r t s t o l e s s e n the u n n e c e s s a r y r e s t r i c t i v e n a t u r e of some M a s o n i c i n s t i t u t i o n s by 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 knowledge and a deeper sense o f b e l o n g i n g t o t h e i r O r d e r .

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 put by the 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 by 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 c o n s i s t o f Members o f Lodges i n 59 D i s t r i c t ' .

T h i s opened the A s s o c i a t i o n t o a l l Freemasons b e l o n g i n g t o the l o d g e s f o r m i n g t he 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 t h a t ' a l l o f f i c e r s o f the A s s o c i a t i o n s h a l l be an o f f i c e r o r p a s t o f f i c e r o f a l o d g e ' , and 'In the c h a i r w i l l be the D.G.I.W.' By t h i s w i s e move, the A s s o c i a t i o n was open t o a l l Masons g i v i n g them an o p p o r t u n i t y t o meet t h e I.W. on a more p e r s o n a l b a s i s , and t o p a r t i c i p a t e more f u l l y i n the l i f e o f the lo d g e s as a whole.

The m o t i o n was p u t , d i s c u s s e d and c a r r i e d u n a n i m o u s l y i n J a n u a r y 1990.

I t seems t h a t v e r y few of the b r e t h r e n a r e aware t h a t t h e y a r e f r e e t o a t t e n d such m e e t i n g s as o b s e r v e r s w i t h o u t t he r i g h t t o v o t e on the i s s u e s d i s c u s s e d . F o r many, t h i s s h o u l d i n c r e a s e t h e i r i n t e r e s t i n the C r a f t , b e i n g p r i v y , i f the y w i s h , t o d e c i s i o n s and problems w h i c h a f f e c t them t h r o u g h t h e i r l o d g e .

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 Widows, 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 p l a c e s .

EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTE BOOK Masters & Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n U.G.L. of N.S.W. D i s t r i c t 59

I n a u g u r a l M e e t i n g 16 A p r i l 1969

At the i n v i t a t i o n of 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 the U.G.L. of N.S.W. and by c o u r t e s y o f the H a l l Management Committee o f Lodge RISING SUN, a l a r g e number of M a s t e r s and Wardens from t he V a r i o u s l o d g e s met a t the Masonic H a l l , G o s f o r d .

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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 open and welcomed a l l B r e t h r e n . R. W. B r o . C. C a r p e n t e r a d d r e s s e d the me e t i n g p o i n t i n g out the advantages of a M. & W's. A s s n . The aims and p u rposes o f the A s s o c i a t i o n were t h e n d i s c u s s e d and i t was d e c i d e d u n a n i m o u s l y t h a t t he a p p o i n t e d D.G.I.W. would be t he Chairman 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. Ruble o f Lodge RISING SUN was e l e c t e d S e c r e t a r y -T r e a s u r e r .

I t was d e c i d e d the meetings would be h e l d Q u a r t e r l y u n t i l f u r t h e r n o t i c e and the next t h r e e m eetings t o be h e l d a t Wyong on 15 J u l y 1969 a t 8pm; Woy Woy, 15 Oct o b e r 1969; and Tuggerah Lakes on 21 J a n u a r y 1970.

S e v e r a l m a t t e r s were d i s c u s s e d and l e f t o v er t o f u t u r e m e e t i n g s .

M a s t e r s of D i s t r i c t Lodges were r e q u e s t e d t o submit t h e i r y e a r ' s i t i n e r a r y a t the next m e e t i n g . M e e t i n g t h e n c l o s e d i n harmony a t 9.30pm.

R. F. H u n t i n g t o n . 16.7.1969

REGALIA

The p r o b l e m o f the R e g a l i a s was a s u b j e c t w h i c h was o f t e n d i s c u s s e d s i n c e one of the o b j e c t s of the A s s o c i a t i o n was to 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 had t o d e c l i n e n o m i n a t i o n t o the 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 c o a t s u i t .

1975. A p r i l 16 - p46: 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 r e g a r d i n g a r e g a l i a f u n d . 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 the p u r c h a s e o f the D.G.I.W. r e g a l i a and t h a t each lodge be 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 by seven e q u a l s h a r e s and t he 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 f u n d . C a r r i e d .

1975. J u l y 16 - p48: The Lodges a g r e e d and sent c o n t r i b u t i o n s , a d i s c u s s i o n t o o k p l a c e about t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y of r e c y c l i n g Grand Lodge R e g a l i a of deceased Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s , t he 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 - p75: The Lodges were approached i n J u l y 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 from $25 t o $35 owing t o an i n c r e a s e i n c o s t .

1982. A p r i l 21 - p88: I n q u i r y i n A p r i l r e v e a l e d t h a t t he p r i c e f o r a good q u a l i t y r e g a l i a was $500. The i n c o m i n g I n s p e c -

243

t o r had t o choose h i s own c a s e , b r i n g i n g t he t o t a l c o s t t o a p p r o x i m a t e l y $625. W i t h a s h o r t f a l l of $91, the 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 lodge 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 would be $48 ea c h .

1990. J u l y 18 - p l 5 6 : I n J u l y 1990 a m o t i o n was p r e s e n t e d t h a t each d i s t r i c t lodge be r e q u e s t e d t o donate the sum of $50 towards t h e c o s t of D.G.I.W. r e g a l i a . The c o s t i n 1990 was a p p r o x i m a t e l y $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 would b r i n g $500, l e a v i n g a s h o r t f a l l o f $650 t h a t the M a s t e r s and Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n were e x p e c t e d t o r a i s e . We do not 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 o f the r e g a l i a , but of c o u r s e he had t o pu r c h a s e a t a i l c o a t , w a i s t c o a t , w h i t e g l o v e s , e t c .

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 Chairman s t a t e d t h a t t he f o l l o w i n g b r e t h r e n would be members: W.M., J.W. , S.W, and D.O.C. of 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 any P.M. a r e welcome. The Chairman o u t l i n e d t h e o b j e c t s o f the A s s o c i a t i o n p l u s t h e b e n e f i t s o f h a v i n g 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 and e x p l a i n e d .

1988. J a n u a r y 20 - p l 3 0 : A p r o p o s a l f o r By-Laws was adopted.

1989. O c t o b e r - p l 4 8 : ' N o t i c e o f M o t i o n ' put by S e c r e t a r y t h a t :

1. By-Law, Item 4 C o n s t i t u t i o n s h a l l be changed by 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 c o n s i s t of members of Lodges i n 59 D i s t r i c t . '

2. That By-Law, Item 7 O f f i c e r s be a l t e r e d as 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 an' b) add new sen t e n c e a f t e r ' o r g a n i s i n g Committee of t h r e e members' wh i c h s a y s : ' A l l O f f i c e r s s h a l l be O f f i c e r s o r P a s t O f f i c e r s of a l o d g e ' , so t h a t Item 7 s h a l l now r e a d : '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 o f a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, T r e a s u r e r , S e c r e t a r y , S o c i a l S e c r e t a r y and an O r g a n i s i n g Committee o f t h r e e members. A l l O f f i c e r s s h a l l 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 Chairman w i l l be the D.G.I.W.•

T h i s ' N o t i c e o f M o t i o n ' i s t o be sen t t o a l l Lodges i n t h e D i s t r i c t t o be d i s c u s s e d and a t the next M a s t e r s & Wardens M e e t i n g , be d i s c u s s e d and v o t e d on.

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1990. J a n u a r y 17 - p l 5 0 : The m o t i o n was p u t , d i s c u s s e d , and c a r r i e d u n a n i m o u s l y .

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 f o r m i n g a Masonic 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 m e e t i n g . L e t t e r r e a d and d i s c u s s e d . M. & W. A s s n . s u p p o r t the f o r m i n g , a l e t t e r t o be se n t t o a l l l o d g e s t o i n f o r m and ask 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 Masonic R e s e a r c h Group f i r s t m e e t i n g a t Long J e t t y M a s o n i c H a l l t o be known as 'The B e r t Badger R e s e a r c h Group'. M e e t i n g s t o be h e l d f o u r t h F r i d a y each month, 7.30pm, Long J e t t y . Next m e e t i n g t o be h e l d F r i d a y 25 Marcdh 1988.

1988. A p r i l 20 - p l 3 6 : The Group t o 'meet i n the 5 t h week of the month s e l e c t e d a t p r e v i o u s m e e t i n g ' . Next m e e t i n g t o be h e l d on t h e Tuesday o f 3 1 s t May, 1988.

MASONIC WIDOWS

1986. J u l y 16 - p l l 7 : R e p o r t on the newly formed Masonic Widows A s s o c i a t i o n m e e t i n g s . Wyong S h i r e now b o a s t s t h i r t y members; the meet i n g s a r e h e l d a t 0. E. S. H a l 1 on 2nd Tuesday of each month.

- p l 4 4 : M e n t i o n t h a t Masonic Widows a t b o t h ends o f the d i s t r i c t had no r e a l p l a c e o f m e e t i n g ; as t h e y do not pay dues t h e y have no r e s o u r c e s t o pay r e n t a l . Moved t o w r i t e t o C e n t r a l Coast M a s o n ic C l u b w i t h a v i e w t o a d o n a t i o n t o pay a r e n t a l .

M e e t i n g of 20 J a n u a r y 1988

V. Wor. Bro. N. Maunder i n t h e C h a i r

The By-laws as a c c e p t e d a r e as f o l l o w s :

1. T i t l e o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n w i l l be MASTERS & WARDENS ASSOCIATION 59 DISTRICT.

2. MEETINGS. Me e t i n g s w i l l be h e l d on t h e 3 r d Wednesday of the months J a n u a r y , A p r i l , J u l y and Oc t o b e r a t 7.30 o' c l o c k p.m. i n the Lodge rooms 59 D i s t r i c t as d e s i g n a t e d by the c h a i r m a n . The Annual 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 Wednesday O c t o b e r each 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 by the UNITED GRAND LODGE OF N.S.W. t h r o u g h t h e DISTRICT GRAND INSPECTOR of 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 and 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 pewters ( c o s t t o be borne by t h e r e s p e c t i v e Members).

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 of members of Lodges i n 59 D i s t r i c t (Wardens and P a s t M a s t e r s ) .

5. DUES The dues f o r members w i l l be $2.00 a n n u a l l y , d e t e r m i n e d a t ann u a l g e n e r a l m e e t i n g .

7. OFFICERS The o f f i c e r s of 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 o f a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, T r e a s u r e r , S e c r e t a r y , S o c i a l S e c r e t a r y and O r g a n i s i n g Committee of t h r e e members. The Chairman w i l l be t h e D.G.I.W.

12. BUSINESS The b u s i n e s s o f each r e g u l a r m e e t i n g w i l l c o n s i s t o f : -A. R e a d i n g and c o n f i r m a t i o n of t h e m i n u t e s . B. C o r r e s p o n d e n c e . C. A c c o u n t s and f i n a n c i a l s t a t e m e n t . D. D.G.I.W.'s q u a r t e r l y r e p o r t . E. G e n e r a l b u s i n e s s .

13. ALTERATIONS t o t h e BY-LAWS For a l t e r a t i o n t o the By-Laws i t i s n e c e s s a r y f o r a n o t i c e of m o t i o n t o be p r e s e n t e d t o the m e e t i n g . T h i s ' N o t i c e of M o t i o n ' w i l l be conveyed by l e t t e r t o the Lodges 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 and a d e c i s i o n o f i t s a c c e p t a n c e or 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 c o n s i s t o f f i v e (5) f i n a n c i a l members.

C u r r e n t Chairman V. Wor. B r o . N. Maunder Deputy Chairman V. Wor. B r o . E. L e g g e t t T r e a s u r e r Wor. B r o . L. Doughty S e c r e t a r y V. Wor. B r o . D. B. Dean S o c i a l S e c r e t a r y R t . Wor. B r o . A. D. Ross

Committee members t o be s e l e c t e d from Lodges M o r n i n g S t a r , G o s f o r d and Tuggerah L a k e s .

246

BOARD OF MASTERS & WARDENS ASSOCIATION From i t s i n c e p t i o n .

CHAIRMAN

V.W. B r o . R. F. HUNTINGTON D.G.I.W. 59 D i s t .

V.W. Bro. R. RAY V.W. Bro. R. SMITH V.W. B r o . G. HUMPHRIES V.W. B r o . W. RICHARDS V.W. B r o . R. JONES V.W. B r o . A. D. ROSS V.W, B r o . Den i s B. DEAN

W. B r o . G e r r y WEBB V.W. B r o . E r i c LEGGETT V.W. Bro. N o e l MAUNDER V.W. B r o . Ken WHITE V.W. Bro. Les MANTLE

1968-70

1970-72 1972-74 1974-76 1976-78 1978-80 1980-82 1982-84 J a n 1983

SECRETARY/TREASURER

W.B. K. A. RUBIE Lodge RISING SUN

II

" R e s i g n e d 20/4/77 W.B. A. D. ROSS 20/4/77 W.B. P. DAVIES 15/10/80

II

O f f i c i a l Grand Lodge L e c t u r e r 1984-86 V.W.B. H. FLYNN W.B. L. DOUGHTY 1986-88 " 1988-90 Rt.W. D. DEAN V.W.B. E. LEGGETT 1990-92 B r o . Ron FRENCH "

247

District 59

LODGES OF lAISTRUCTIOAl

WYOMG DISTRICT JCODGE OF IJVSTRUCTIOAI

GOSFORD C I T Y 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 of t h e utmost i m p o r t a n c e t h a t i t s c e r e m o n i e s be c o n d u c t e d w i t h s t r i c t a t t e n t i o n t o the p r o p e r i n s t r u c t i o n s . As i n s i m i l a r a s s o c i a t i o n s 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 he 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 adhered t o r i g i d l y ; d e p a r t u r e from t h e t r a d i t i o n a l ways of e x p r e s s i o n i s r e g a r d e d w i t h dismay.

I n s p i t e o f b e i n g the M a s t e r , t h i s h i g h p l a c e d Mason has no scope f o r i n d u l g i n g i n o r i g i n a l i t y . He and h i s o f f i c e r s ' p e r f o r m a n c e i n Lodge i s s p e l t out 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 d e p o r t t h e m s e l v e s as d i r e c t e d i n t h e many ceremonies 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 f u n c t i o n i s t o g u i d e and c o n t r o l t h e performance o f the O f f i c e r s i n t h e i r v a r i o u s r o l e s . However, D. of G. may e r r o r be unsure on some o c c a s i o n s .

The o f f i c e r s l e a r n by 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 and 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 always on t h e a l e r t t o d i r e c t , c o r r e c t and t o prompt.

P r a c t i c e m e e t i n g s a r e n o t alw a y s s u f f i c i e n t t o b r i n g t he c a s t t o 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 the 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".

B r e t h r e n l e a r n m o s t l y by b e i n g o b s e r v a n t and a t t e n d i n g t h e i r 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 .

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 t h e B r e t h r e n who w i s h t o p e r f e c t t h e i r knowledge 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 P r e c e p t o r under 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 by B r e t h r e n from any l o c a l Lodges who want t o p o l i s h t h e i r knowledge. The me e t i n g p e r f o r m - under t h e P r e c e p t o r ' s g u i d a n c e - 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. T h i s i s a v e r y u s e f u l i n s t i t u t i o n 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 the r i t u a l i n the masonic c e r e m o n i e s . They a r e no s u b s t i t u t e f o r lod g e r e h e a r s a l s w h i c h 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 work 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 purpose o f t h e Lodge 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 of 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 and 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 i n a th o r o u g h manner from b e g i n n i n g t o end.

They a r o s e from t h e e f f o r t s i n i t i a t e d by V. Wor. B r o . Dugald Dobie i n N e w c a s t l e , t o encourage t h e s t u d y o f Ma s o n i c h i s t o r y . 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 and 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 Lodges o f I n s t r u c t i o n and the pr o b l e m of e s t a b l i s h i n g them had been b r o u g h t t o t h e M. & W.A. a t v a r i o u s t i m e s . However, the A s s o c i a t i o n had not been 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 as J a n u a r y 1970, the f o u n d a t i o n c h a i r m a n o f the 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 spoke o f t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y o f a Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n . A g e n e r a l d i s c u s s i o n f o l l o w e d from w h i c h 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 RISING SUN be i n v i t e d t o a t t e n d t he n e x t m e e t i n g and a d d r e s s 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 form a Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n .

B i l l S m i th had been i n char g e o f such a Lodge and was w e l l p l a c e d t o i n f o r m the B r e t h r e n .

"At 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 RISING 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 Lodge 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 and a f u l l d i s c u s s i o n f o l l o w e d by t h e members."

I t was t h e n moved t h a t Wor. B r o . Smith be thanked f o r h i s e n l i g h t e n i n g a d d r e s s and the m a t t e r be f u r t h e r d i s c u s s e d a t the next m e e t i n g , w h i c h t o o k p l a c e on 15 A p r i 1 1970. Then the d e f e r r e d d i s c u s s i o n o f t h e Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n was r a i s e d and a f t e r f u r t h e r 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 ought o f a Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n be abandoned. C a r r i e d .

The s u b j e c t was brought up a g a i n i n 1977. At t h e a n n u a l meeting of 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 Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n was d i s c u s s ed. The me e t i n g was a d d r e s s e d by B r o . H a r r y F l y n n

"who gave 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 l e f t i n t h e hands 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 i d e a l venue f o r such 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 . I n A p r i l t h e 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 a g a i n d i s c u s s e d a t l e n g t h . 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 he M. & W. A s s o c i a t i o n thought i t would be b e t t e r t o abandon the 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 form 59 D i s t r i c t were not 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 ; good i d e a s cannot be put away i n d e f i n i t e l y .

251

At a m e e t i n g on 15 A p r i l t h e Chairman, who t h e n was W. B r o . Ross, i n v i t e d R t . B r o . B i l l Lux t o a d d r e s s t h e m e e t i n g on b e h a l f o f GRAND LODGE. He spoke on t h e advantage o f a Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n t o b r i n g u n i f o r m i t y t o M a s o n i c Ceremonies and a deeper i n t e r e s t o f the same 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 the d i s t r i c t . V. Wor. B r o . Ross i n t r o d u c e d R.W. B r o . Frank Hodgson who had e x p e r i e n c e as a P r e c e p t o r .

E x t r a c t from t h e minutes o f Wyong S h i r e A r e a Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n : -

An i n a u g u r a l m e e t i n g o f a l l Lodges f o r m i n g D i s t r i c t 59 was h e l d i n t h e Masonic Temple, G o s f o r d , on August 13, 1981 t o d i s c u s s the f o r m i n g o f Lodges of I n s t r u c t i o n . T h i s m e e t i n g was p r e s i d e d by V. Wor. B r o . A.D. Ross D.G.I.W. , a s s i s t a n t o r g a n i s e r R.W. B r o . W.H. Lux P.A.G.M. The gue s t s p e a k e r was R.W. B r o . P r o f • R. Woodman, A s s i s t a n t Grand M a s t e r . He spoke v e r y a b l y on t h e s u b j e c t and the v a l u e o f Lodges o f 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 and spoke 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 the s u b j e c t : t h e o p p o r t u n i t y 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 so much i n Lodges o f I n s t r u c t i o n .

A t t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f the m e e t i n g a h e a r t y v o t e o f 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 f o l l o w e d by a supper.

P l a n s were t h e n drawn t o b r i n g t h i s 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 of Lodges of I n s t r u c 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 Lodges of I n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e 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 Long J e t t y , c a t e r i n g f o r the B r e t h r e n o f Lodges WYONG, TUGGERAH LAKES, TOUKLEY and PELICAN.

The o t h e r based a t Gosf o r d f o r t h e b e n e f i t of t h e B r e t h r e n o f Lodges RISING SUN, MORNING STAR, GOSFORD, SARATOGA and JAMES KIBBLE.

!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 o f t h e B r e t h r e n i n Lodge and t h e improvement of 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 were chosen f o r t h e i r e x t e n s i v e and r e l i a b l e knowledge o f t h e r i t u a l t o en s u r e t h a t bad p r a c t i c e s d i d not d e v e l o p 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 .

S u b s e q u e n t l y one Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n was e s t a b l i s h e d t o meet i n G o s f o r d . I t s O f f i c e r s were: R.W. B r o . Frank Hodgson, Deputy P r e c e p t o r 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. C a m p b e l l .

The o t h e r Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n was t o meet a t Long J e t t y i n t h e Tuggerah Lakes Masonic C e n t r e , 4 t h Thursday i n t h e month, w i t h the f o l l o w i n g O f f i c e r s : P r e c e p t o r R.W. B r o . W.H. Lux, Deputy P r e c e p t o r W. B r o . L.A. Hughes, S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r B r o . A.R. Sm i t h .

252

GOSFORD CITY AREA LODGE OF INSTRUCTION

No. 59 D i s t r i c t U.G.L. of N.S.W.

FOUNDED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

1 September 1981

G o s f o r d M a s o n i c C e n t r e W i l l i a m S t r e e t G o s f o r d 2250.

1 s t Tuesday M o n t h l y . 7.30 pm.

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 Masonic C e n t r e , Tuesday, 1 September 1981, V, Wor. B r o . F r a n k Hodgson a t Lodge 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 he 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. of I . w i t h q u e s t i o n s and the P r e c e p t o r ' s answers was e n t e r e d i n by a l l p r e s e n t .

The o p e n i n g of the Lodge i n t h e 1 s t degree was p e r f o r m e d and the M.0.P. a l s o e x e m p l i f i e d . The Lodge c l o s e d a t 9.45 pm.

The second m e e t i n g was h e l d i n G o s f o r d Masonic C e n t r e on Tuesday 6 Oc t o b e r 1981. V. Wor. B r o , F r a n k Hodgson o f Lodge GOSFORD b e i n g the 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. Campbell of Lodge GOSFORD.

A copy o f t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n was handed o u t , a c a l l f o r i n c r e a s e d membership was made and some d i s c u s s i o n ensued. The work o f the e v e n i n g was opening t he Lodge i n the F i r s t degree by the members p r e s e n t and the c l o s i n g .

On t h e 3 November, the word had pa s s e d around, t he a t t e n d a n c e was f o u r t e e n from f o u r Lodges, a minor a d j u s t m e n t t o t h e co n s t i t u t i o n was adop t e d , about t h e d r e s s : s h o u l d r e a d as f o l l o w s : -

" A l l members a t t e n d i n g Lodge M e e t i n g s s h a l l be s u i t a b l y a t t i r e d i n d r e s s b e f i t t i n g a me e t i n g o f Masons ( I n f o r m a l ) . 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 and seconded t h a t each member p r e s e n t c o n t r i b u t e $2 toward the c o s t of e s t a b l i s h i n g the two new Lodges. The sum o f $57 was r e c e i v e d from t h e 34 B r e t h r e n p r e s e n t and d i v i d e d e q u a l l y between Lodge GOSFORD and Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES.

ORDER of t h e STEPS TAKEN t o e s t a b l i s h the LODGES OF INSTRUCTION from the M i n u t e Book of 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 t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y of a Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n , a g e n e r a l d i s c u s s i o n f o l l o w e d from w h i c h was moved t h a t Wor. B r o . S m i t h , the D.C. o f 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 i n g t h e p r o c e d u r e o f 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 of the 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 of f o r m i n g a L . I . be abandoned. C a r r i e d .

1977 J a n u a r y 19 - p.59 I n g e n e r a l b u s i n e s s a lodge o f i n s t r u c t i o n was d i s c u s s e d and the m e e t i n g was a d d r e s s e d by B r o . H a r r y F l y n n who gave 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 l e f t i n the hands of t h e D.G.I.W. to 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 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 Temple would be an i d e a l venue f o r such a m e e t i n g .

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 of L . I . i n the D i s t r i c t was a g a i n d i s c u s s e d a t l e n g t h . 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 . thought i t would be 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 .

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 on b e h a l f of G.L., he spoke on the advantages of a L . I . i n b r i n g i n g u n i f o r m i t y t o M a s o n i c Ceremonies and a deepest u n d e r s t a n d i n g 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 and o f f i c e r s i n the d i s t r i c t .

The l e c t u r e was r e c e i v e d and i n t h e d i s c u s s i o n t h a t f o l l o w e d i t was d e c i d e d t h a t as t h e r e were some W. M a s t e r s who were not p r e s e n t a t t h e m e e t i n g t h a t the l o d g e s of 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 , as w e l l as some M a s t e r s and Wardens, 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 d i s c u s s i o n on a lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n . B. Ross 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 Lux, the f o r m e r who had had e x p e r i e n c e as a P r e c e p t o r

254

i n a n o t h e r D i s t r i c t , s u p p o r t e d what B i l l Lux had spoken o f a t our p r e v i o u s m e e t i n g . The m a t t e r was d i s c u s s e d f u l l y and a s t e e r i n g committee formed.

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 from t h e meeting h e l d a t G o s f o r d Temple on August 13 t h a t a f t e r an a d d r e s s by the A.G.M. P r o f . Woodman on t h e m e r i t o f a L . I . and d i s c u s s i o n among t h o s e p r e s e n t , two Lodges o f I n s t r u c t i o n were formed as f o l l o w s ;

D i s t r i c t Grand I n s p e c t o r o f Workings: A s s i s t a n t P r e c e p t o r t o b o t h l o d g e s . C e n t r a l C o a s t Lodge of I n s t r u c t i o n : P r e c e p t o r V.W. Fr a n k HODGSON. Deputy 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 Bro. 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, ( e x c e p t J a n u a r y ) .

Wyong S h i r e A r e a Lodge of 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. Deputy P r e c e p t o r W.B. Les 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, ( e x c e p t J a n u a r y ) .

A l l s e c r e t a r i e s o f the Lodges 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 m e e t i n g n i g h t o f the 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


FOUNDED: 24 September 1981

PLACE OF MEETING: Long J e t t y Masonic H a l l . Toowoon Bay Road.

DATE OF MEETING: 4t h Tuesday M o n t h l y . 7.30 pm.

The f i r s t m e e t i n g o f Lodge 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 on 24 September 1981, 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 d i s c u s s i o n s . A t the f o l l o w i n g m e e t i n g on 27 Oc t o b e r t he b u s i n e s s of t he e v e n i n g was a 2nd degre e , f o l l o w e d by i n t e r e s t i n g comments of t he work o f the 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 b e i n g most i n f o r m a t i v e and 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 ta 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 and have p r o b a b l y c o n t r i b u t e d t o l i f t t h e performance and t h e s t a n d a r d o f our Mas o n i c c e r e m o n i e s .

256

BY-LAWS adopted and common to:

CENTRAL COAST LODGES OF INSTRUCTION


GOSFORD CITY AREA LODGE OF INSTRUCTION WYONG DISTRICT LODGE OF INSTRUCTION

1. TITLE T h i s Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n w i l l be t i t l e d " C e n t r a l Coast Lodge o f I n s t r u c t i o n , 59 D i s t r i c t , (Gosford C i t y A r e a .

(^yong D i s t r i c t . "

2. MEETINGS M e e t i n g s wi11 be h e l d each month w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f J a n u a r y . B u s i n e s s t o commence a t 7.45 pm SHARP, o r a t such t i m e as the P r e c e p t o r may d i r e c t .

3. OBJECTS The o b j e c t s o f the Lodge s h a l l be t o im p a r t g e n e r a l i n s t r u c t i o n s i n t h e w o r k i n g o f t h e t h r e e degrees o f C r a f t Masonry and any o t h e r m a t t e r s o f i n t e r e s t and i n s t r u c t i o n i n Freemaso n r y . Two meeti n g s each y e a r t o be 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 .

4. CONSTITUTION The Lodge s h a l 1 c o n s i s t o f M a s t e r Masons who a r e f i n a n c i a l members o f a r e g u l a r Lodge. The Lodge s h a l l f u n c t i o n by 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 Most W o r s h i p f u l Grand M a s t e r .

5. DUES The f e e p a y a b l e s h a l 1 be $2.00 p e r annum p a y a b l e i n advance, t o be p a i d on Annua 1 M e e t i n g n i g h t .

7. OFFICERS The O f f i c e r s o f t h e Lodge s h a l l c o n s i s t of 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 be 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 Lodge M e e t i n g s s h a l 1 be s u i t a b l y 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 a Masonic Lodge. R e g a l i a s h a l 1 be worn.

257

CENTRAL COAST MASONIC GRAND OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

FOUNDED:

PLACE OF MEETING:

1989

G o s f o r d G o l f C l u b . Racecourse Road G o s f o r d 2250

DATE OF MEETING: 4 t h F r i d a y q u a r t e r l y J a n u a r y , A p r i l , J u l y & October a t 10 a.m.

AnrLounc&nejit of- the, eAtabiiAhment of, a Q/Lond Of-fLceJiA Lodg,e. WOA given by. the local pape/i, The QoAfo/id Sta/i dated 15 NovembeJi 1988.

FREEMASONS' NEW LODGE IN GOSFORD. H i g h r a n k i n g Freemasons from Sydney and the C e n t r a l Coast met i n G o s f o r d l a s t week t o f o r m a l l y l a y the f o u n d a t i o n s o f the C e n t r a l Coast Grand Lodge O f f i c e r s A s s o c i a t i o n .

I t aims t o s u p p o r t l o c a l 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 and community a f f a i r s .

G o s f o r d C i t y was t h e f i r s t p r o v i n c i a l c i t y t o form a Grand Lodge , O f f i c e r s A s s o c i a t i o n o u t s i d e a c a p i t a l c i t y o f A u s t r a l i a .

The Grand Lodge A s s o c i a t i o n began i n N.S.W. 100 y e a r s ago so i t i s a g r e a t c e l e b r a t i o n f o r G o s f o r d t o f i n a 1 l y be a member.

The f i r s t m e e t i n g was h e l d l a s t week and was f o l l o w e d by a luncheon where D e x t e r , the w o r l d famous m a g i c i a n , d i s p l a y e d h i s s k i l l s w h i c h have won him w o r l d wide a c c l a i m .

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, CJJICUICUL

lette/L to pJioApectlve membeA.A of Auch an o/igani^Aotion in Apriil 1988.

H.L. FLYNN P.O. BOX 175 GOSFORD. N.S.W. 2250

Dear S i r & B r o t h e r :

I n 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 f o r a lunche o n m e e t i n g . Guest s p e a k e r s a r e i n v i t e d and 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 the n i n e l o d g e s o f the 59 D i s t r i c t t h e r e a r e 86 Grand 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 the C e n t r a l C o a s t , but as y e t have not a f f i l i a t e d . . . . p erhaps never even v i s i t e d a lodge i n t h i s d i s t r i c t .

There i s a f e e l i n g amongst a number of our Grand Lodge 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 the 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 C o a s t . The i d e a o f g e t t i n g t o g e t h e r once a month d i s c u s s i n g masonic m a t t e r s t h e n h a v i n g a speaker o f some i n t e r e s t a f t e r our l u n c h e o n , seems t o have 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 as b e i n g an an n u a l membership fee w i t h the 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 venue once a month i n or nea r G o s f o r d . Fees, l u n c h e o n 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 on t h i s p r o p o s e d a s s o c i a t i o n i t i s n e c e s s a r y 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 note y o u r v i e w s , i d e a s and 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 the e n c l o s e d q u e s t i o n n a i r e f o r you t o complete and mark a c c o r d i n g l y whether you ar e i n t e r e s t e d i n becoming a f o u n d a t i o n member o r d e c l i n i n g . I f d e c l i n i n g would you p l e a s e o f f e r a d v i c e r e your a c t i o n .

259

S h o u l d the a s s o c i a t i o n p r o g r e s s t o a s t a g e where i t becomes a f i n a n c i a l s u c c e s s , t he members c o u l d d e c i d e i n t h e i r wisdom t o make a d o n a t i o n t o a Mas o n i c c h a r i t y 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 .

P l e a s e g i v e thought t o t h i s p r o j e c t t h e r e seems t o be a need f o r a p l a c e t o get t o g e t h e r i n a happy i n f o r m a t i v e atmosphere; and p o s s i b l y use the meeti n g s 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 improve t h e Freemasonry image on the C e n t r a l C o a s t .

Y o u r s F r a t e r n a l l y

H.L. F l y n n . Convenor.

Ike. p/iopoAed "Qjtand Lodg,e OffLceyiA AA4ocl.cuti.on" IVOA app/ioved by C,/iand Lodg,e on 19 Apnll 1989.

261

yf]a6onlc

ion

9 George Street, BROOKLYN

19

DEAR BROTHER,

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. SMITH, Hon. Sec.

Phone 455 1360

BUSINESS

1. MINUTES

2. CORRESPONDENCE

3. TREASURER'S REPORT

4. GENERAL 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 Hawkesbury 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 .

Now (1992) BROOKLYN WAR MEMORIAL HALL. 120 Brooklyn Road, Brooklyn, (bought i n 1977).

FOUNDED: 27 June 1950

PLACE OF MEETING: Bush F i r e Brigade H a l l . 25 Ju ly 1950.

DATE OF MEETINGS: Monthly - 4th Tuesday.

Now (1992) Monthly - 4th Fr iday , 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 Freemasonry, but i s no p a r t of 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 i n t o e x i s t e n c e i n t h e 1940s under t h e name of 'Combined Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n s ' . I t , i n t u r n , was composed o f v a r i o u s M a s o n i c 'Reunions', ' A s s o c i a t i o n s ' , ' F i d e l i t y C l u b s ' o r ' S o c i a l C l u b s ' w h i c h e x i s t e d w i t h s i m i l a r i n f o r m a l c o n n e c t i o n w i t h o r t h o d o x Freemasonry. Some of 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 had 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 , however, 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 he Masons of v a r i o u s Lodges w i t h i n a d i s t r i c t o r of 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 a f f i n i t i e s . "

They a l s o answered the need of Masons t o meet i n a f o r m a l f a s h i o n , as opposed t o c a s u a l m e e t i n g s on the g o l f c o u r s e o r i n the b o w l i n g c l u b s . The CM.A. were 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 whatever p u r p o s e . U n a t t a c h e d Masons l i v i n g i n an a r e a where no Lodge was e s t a b l i s h e d o f t e n met as CM.A. T h i s c o u l d be j u s t a s o c i a l c l u b of s o r t s o r c o u l d be formed 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 s t e p t o f u n d i n g a l o c a l r e g u l a r F.M. Lodge.

Some CM.A. were s e t up l o c a l l y f o r the purpose of 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 Lodge. One C M . A. was formed 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 t o e s t a b l i s h a Lodge t o meet t h e r e . I t s s t o r y i s t o l d i n the s t o r y o f Lodge SARATOGA, as i t i s p a r t o f the h i s t o r y of t h a t Lodge.

However, not e v e r y CM.A. c o n s t i t u t e d w i t h t he v i e w t o f o u n d i n g a Lodge has been s u c c e s s f u l i n i t s p u r p o s e .

Founding a Lodge n e c e s s i t a t e s r e s o l v i n g a number of p r o b l e m s , such as 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 ag r e e d t o by t h e Board of G e n e r a l Purpose as b e i n g s a t i s f a c t o r y . I t a l s o r e q u i r e s t he r a i s i n g o f funds w h i c h amount t o a l a r g e sum. L a s t l y , i t needs t o be a b l e t o draw upon a p o o l of Masons and s u i t a b l e c a n d i d a t e s r e s i d i n g i n t h e g e n e r a l a r e a . A l l tho s e c o n d i t i o n s a r e the most i m p o r t a n t , and t h e f i r s t one i s the most d i f f i c u l t t o f u l f i l .

* See 'FROM J U B I L E E TO DIAMOND J U B I L E E ' , K. R. Cramp, 1 9 4 9 ,

p p 2 3 6 - 2 4 1 , f o r a more c o m p r e h e n s i v e a r t i c l e on C M . A .

265

I t I s o f t e n i n s u p e r a b l e . I n the case o f S a r a t o g a , as we have 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 been a b l e t o b u i l d t h e i r own.

The Hawkesbury R i v e r D i s t r i c t M a s o n i c A s s o c i a t i o n i s s t i l l , a f t e r some f o r t y y e a r s , m e e t i n g as a Combined Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n . The e a r l y h i s t o r y o f t h a t o r g a n i s a t i o n i s r e c o r d e d i n t he minute book begun i n June 1950.

On 8 June 1950, a group o f Masons m a i n l y employed a t Peat and M i l s o n I s l a n d s M e n t a l H o s p i t a l h e l d a m e e t i n g a t B r o . 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 t he o b j e c t o f f o r m i n g a b r a n c h o f the Combined Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n o f New South Wales:

MINUTE BOOK; 8 June 1950 t o 28 March 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 Masons 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 Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n . 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 . P r e s e n t were: B r o s . W. J . S i n c l a i r - Lodge COSMOPOLITAN 554, H.T.M. W i l l i a m s - RISING SUN 311, N. K. V. S t a p l e s - RISING SUN 311, F. B l u n d e l l - Lodge UNIVERSAL 475, A. L. C o l e - Lodge RISING SUN 311, T. E. Anstee - Lodge ROCKDALE 574.

Nomi 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 S e c r e t a r y . B r o s . B l u n d e l l and A n s t e e 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 as "The Hawkesbury R i v e r D i s t r i c t M asonic 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 and a c c e p t e d , and a p p l i c a t i o n forms f o r membership adopted.

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 on 27 June a t 8pm a t Bro. 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., Sydney, f o r a Guest Speaker. M e e t i n g c l o s e d a t 10.15pm.

1950

F i r s t G e n e r a l M e e t i n g , 27 June, of THE HAWKESBURY RIVER DISTRICT MASONIC ASSOCIATION - h e l d a t P o i n t Road, Mooney Mooney a t 8.40pm. B r o . B l u n d e l l , p r o v i s i o n a l P r e s i d e n t i n the c h a i r . T w e n t y - t h r e e members and t h r e e v i s i t o r s were 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 of the a s s o c i a t i o n and welcomed th e S e c r e t a r y of t h e CM.A. of N.S.W. , Bro. E. H o l e s g r o v e ; the V i c e - P r e s i d e e n t , W. G. F o r d ; and Hon. T r e a s u r e r , B r o . S. S. C a s s i d y . B r o . H o l e s g r o v e o u t l i n e d a c t i v i t i e s , gave h i s t o r y and purpose of CM.A.

Membership forms were c o m p l e t e d by members p r e s e n t , making 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 Members:

T. E. ANSTEE, F. BLUNDELL, W. G. SINCLAIR, W. H. DAVIDSON, H. GASCOIGNE, A, C. SCHUMACHER, F. M. BOON, G. ROBERTSON, H. WILLIAMS, 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. WILLIAMS, MAXWELL, J . McBEATH, S. B. LUCAS.

M i n u t e s were r e a d , By-Laws d i s c u s s e d , drawn up, amended, and adopted.

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. C o l e ; 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. M i d d l e t o n ; 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. S h a d i e ; p l u s f o u r members as o f f i c e r s and Management Committee -N. K. V. S t a p l e s , W. G. S i n c l a i r , C McBeath 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 membership of t h e CM.A. made, s i g n e d and handed 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 were 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 would have the number 91 on the r e g i s t e r of the Combined Masonic A s s o c i a t i o n s .

A d a t e and time was s e l e c t e d t o be 8pm on the 4 t h 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 m e e t i n g : L. M i d d l e t o n t o a p proach Mr. A. E. B e n n i n g t o n of B r o o k l y n f o r use of t h e F i r e B r i g a d e H a l l .

C a t e r i n g arrangements t o be l e f t i n t h e hands of the Management Committee. Two pounds t o be advanced t o Hon. S e c r e t a r y as P e t t y Cash.

B r o . M i d d l e t o n extended a v o t e of thanks t o B r o . H o l e s g r o v e , the g u e s t s p e a k e r , and accompanying o f f i c e r s who had t r a v e l l e d 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 t h e i r 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. Refreshments were s e r v e d by the l a d i e s , who were thanked.

The e n t h u s i a s m and keen i n t e r e s t shown by members i s a g u i d e t o many i n t e r e s t i n g n i g h t s and happy 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 were h e l d i n the Bush F i r e B r i g a d e H a l l under t h e c h a i r m a n s h i p of P r e s i d e n t C o l e .

267

T wenty-three members were p r e s e n t on 25 J u l y . B r o. G a l i u m a v i s i t o r from Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES 757 a l s o a t t e n d e d . F i v e new members were welcomed: R. RANKIN, E. KASSOMATIS, A. BROAD, and C h r i s . GRESHAM S e n i o r and J u n i o r .

I t was d e c i d e d t h a t m eetings be h e l d monthly on 4 t h Tuesday, a l s o t h a t the A s s o c i a t i o n donate 30/- a n n u a l l y t o t h e Bush F i r e B r i g a d e f o r the use of t h e i r H a l l .

B r o s . C o l e and Anstee were e l e c t e d t o be d e l e g a t e s a t the Annual M e e t i n g of the CM.A. h e l d on 11 August i n M a s o n i c H a l l , 269 C a s t l e r e a g h S t r e e t , Sydney. Q u a r t e r l y dues t o September amounted 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 , 19/- and p r i n t i n g , £3/7/6.

Bro. D a v i d PRENTICE (Lodge RISING SUN 311) t o be i n v i t e d as gue s t 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 c o u n t r i e s .

A s o c i a l committee o f t h r e e members t o be formed f o r e n t e r t a i n ment .

G. WILLIAMS r e a d Memoirs o f h i s mother Lodge.

[Meetings wejid tieJA /le-gjuXcui-Lg, wiik •layig.& attendanceA of. aA.ound twenty. pXiuA VIAAJLO/LA. LecJiuneA iveyte. given by gu&At Ape.akejiA, and th.eA.e iveJie. AOCIJOA. events and entertainment. J

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 the 'Sack-v i l l e ' was h e l d on 21 November. A s u b s c r i p t i o n was opened f o r t h e b e n e f i t o f a member, W a l t e r Henry DAVIDSON, Lodge FELLOWSHIP 623 of R e d f e r n , i n bad h e a l t h . W i t h i n a s h o r t 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 . Membership t o t a l l e d 30 i n O c t o b e r , b r i n g i n g the q u a r t e r l y s u b s c r i p t i o n t o H.Q. t o 16/3, 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 t o d i s c u s s the p o s s i b i l i t y of f o r m i n g a Lodge a t B r o o k l y n .

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 E x c u r s i o n . D e c i s i o n t o buy 36 t i c k e t s i n the Red C r o s s A r t U n i o n , one per member f o r C h r i s t m a s G r e e t i n g s , c o s t 18/-. Badges had been produced a t a c o s t o f 2/- each.

The y e a r ended v e r y s u c c e s s f u l l y .

1951

The m e e t i n g on 24 A p r i l was c o n d u c t e d a t the r e s i d e n c e o f Bro. BOWDITCH on Dangar I s l a n d .

268

Report from d e l e g a t e t o ann u a l m e e t i n g o f CM.A. h e l d i n Town H a l l , Sydney: C o n c e r t and speeches l a c k e d i n t e r e s t ; d i n n e r s u p p l i e d was v e r y p o o r ; many members were s t i l l h u n g r y . 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 our v i e w on the s u b j e c t ' .

B ro. BOWDITCH was thanked f o r an e x c e l l e n t e v e n i n g and a v e r y n i c e supper f o r 27 members and one v i s i t o r .

I n May, the m e e t i n g was h e l d i n t h e P u b l i c S c h o o l , B r o o k l y n .

A W i n t e r R e v e l h e l d on 22 May showed a p r o f i t of £7/4/4, the Kent u c k y f o r t h e Cinema 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 of c h e e r was se n t t o Wal DAVIDSON who was made an Honorary L i f e Member of the A s s o c i a t i o n .

A sum of £1/10/- was donated 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 by W. B r o . N. GRAHAM on v a r i o u s M a s o n i c emblems and symbols.

September. Two members were f i n e d 2/- f o r not w e a r i n g t h e i r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n d i s c . I n O c t o b e r , 5/- was c o l l e c t e d i n badge f i n e s .

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 Ye a r ' s Eve R e v e l . A s o c i a l m e e t i n g was h e l d a t B r o . L. MIDDLETON's home. A f t e r t he m e e t i n g i n October t h e members a d j o u r n e d f o r a game of Eu c h r e .

I t was d e c i d e d t o book t h e Mech a n i c ' s I n s t i t u t e f o r 27 and 28 December, l a d i e s n i g h t , c a t e r i n g by the L a d i e s A u x i l i a r y . B r o. W. HOWARD o f f e r e d t o p l a y t h e drums and Mrs Howard t o p l a y t he p i a n o . I n November, D. BLACK gave a l e c t u r e , w i t h s l i d e s , on x - r a y s .

1952

L a d i e s n i g h t , a t a l o s s o f £13/1/6. D o n a t i o n t o B r o o k l y n Bush F i r e B r i g a d e £3/3/-.

Br o . Don BLACK was a gue s t s p e a k e r [no 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 gave a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g l e c t u r e on the e v o l u t i o n o f the ap r o n . 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 . and Mrs. 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 been booked f o r the New Year' s Eve P a r t y . L e c t u r e on the I n i t i a t i o n Ceremony o f the A u s t r a l i a n A b o r i g i n a l by 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 a boy from P e n r i t h H.S. r e s u l t e d i n a d o n a t i o n o f £1/-/-.

The b r e t h r e n were asked 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/- corkage f e e s be c h a r g e d t o each d r i n k i n g b r o t h e r toward c o s t . 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 .

October was t h e month s i x t e e n t o twenty members of the H.R.D.M.A. v i s i t e d t he Hornsby and K u r i n g a i M a s o n i c A s s o c i a t i o n , t h e n a d j o u r n e d t o S c h o o l f o r s c r e e n i n g o f f i l m s l o a n e d by B r o . BLACK. End of y e a r , the A s s o c i a t i o n bought 43 Red C r o s s A r t Union t i c k e t s , one f o r each member.

1953 Net p r o f i t f o r New Year's Eve R e v e l was £11/10/4. J a c k MIDDLETON, son 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 the ceremony.

March. G e n e r a l d i s c u s s i o n on f o r m i n g a new l o c a l c r a f t l o d g e . Study o f advantages and drawbacks i n m e e t i n g i n e i t h e r Woy Woy o r Hornsby. R e s o l u t i o n ' t h a t we c o n t i n u e as a CM.A. and form a B u i l d i n g Fund t o b u i l d a Temple i n B r o o k l y n ' , a l s o ' t h a t t he B u i l d i n g Fund be a s e p a r a t e account t o be known as the H.R.D.CM.A.B. Fund'. The b r e t h r e n c o n t r i b u t e d £10/12/5 i m m e d i a t e l y t o s t a r t t h e fund o f f . More d o n a t i o n s a r r i v e d , £2/-/-. M o t i o n c a r r i e d ' t h a t t h i s m e e t i n g be r e c o r d e d as one o f the b e s t e v e r h e l d by the H.R.D.C.M.A. ' ; m e e t i n g c l o s e d a t 11.45pm.

Br o . A. SHADIE a c c e p t e d the n o m i n a t i o n as the 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 of our U g l y Man C a n d i d a t e . B r o . GOODMAN gave a l e c t u r e and 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 s e c t i o n s .

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 e f f o r t s i n U.M. C o m p e t i t i o n . Bro. 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 m e e t i n g i n S c h o o l H a l l .

I n v i t a t i o n from H.A.K.C.M.A. t o t h e i r l a d i e s n i g h t , a l s o from Campsie CM.A. t o t h e i r a n n u a l m e e t i n g .

B r o . DAVIDSON p a s s e d away, £10 t o be se n t t o Mrs D a v i d s o n and s u b s c r i p t i o n l i s t opened 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 l e t t e r , b r e t h r e n r e q u e s t e d t o v i s i t him.

Bro . SHAKESPEARE gu e s t s p e a k e r . . [ U n f o r t u n a t e l y , s u b j e c t of t a l k n ot s t a t e d . ]

270

1954

The C h r i s t m a s L a d i e s N i g h t brought a p r o f i t o f £11/1/11, t o be c r e d i t e d t o the b u i l d i n g f u n d .

[The. I^lnute Book becomes dLffMCuZt to /Lead at thLi point, theJie.f-o/ie "J have, had to 4ki.p Aome. paAAag.eA. ]

1955

Annual G e n e r a l M e e t i n g . Twenty-two members, 103 v i s i t o r s . Annual s u b s c r i p t i o n r a i s e d t o 30/-.

A most i n t e r e s t i n g l e c t u r e from 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 s o l o . V i s i t o r s were from C.M.A.-H.Q., OORANA, ORANA, N o r t h D i s t r i c t H.A.G.M.A., Lodges UNIVERSAL, RISING SUN and WYONG. F i n a l l y , B r o . CLAY gave a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g d i s p l a y o f magic. M e e t i n g c l o s e d a t 11.45pm.

I n t e r e s t i n g t a l k on f i r s t a i d by B r o . W. HOWARD.

Appeal f o r c o n t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e p a i r s t o p i a n o o r t o pu r c h a s e of new one.

V i s i t t o N o r t h e r n D i s t r i c t C.M.A., an e x c e l l e n t e v e n i n g . R e p o r t from S o c i a l Committee on W i n t e r B a l l on June 24. F o u r t h Annual B a l l showed p r o f i t o f £14/16/2, an e x c e l l e n t l y c o n d u c t e d f u n c t i o n . 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 I n s t i t u t e . 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 to 8.U5pm.. AccoJtd-Lngjjy, thejy cXo/sed at 11pm.. ]

A v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g t a l k by Bro. Ray ROBERT on the l a y o u t and p r i n c i p l e of Bunnerong Power P l a n t .

C.M.A. H.Q. i n v i t e d t o a t t e n d g e n e r a l m e e t i n g and p r e s e n t Bro. SCHUMACHER w i t h h i s L i f e membership t o F. Whiddon 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 from 0.R.A.N.A., t o be a d v i s e d t o exp e c t v i s i t from t e n members.

Bro. Don BLACK gave a n o t h e r t a l k on x - r a y s , showing x - r a y p l a t e s of v a r i o u s d i s e a s e s .

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. H a l l . 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 on a r o s t e r system,by b r e t h r e n . I n c o n v e n i e n c e was e x p e r i e n c e d when tho s e r e s p o n s i b l e d i d not t u r n up. P l e a s e be more r e l i a b l e .

271

HAKMA, ORANA and Lodge UNIVERSAL were v i s i t e d . E x c e l l e n t 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 the l a d i e s f o r c a t e r i n g . P r o f i t £4/12/6. E n t e r t a i n m e n t p r o v i d e d by B i l l SCHUMACHER and Ken SHADIE (drums) p l u s n i c e i t e m s by members.

1956

A new lod g e b e i n g formed a t Hornsby, would t h e a s s o c i a t i o n be i n t e r e s t e d i n j o i n i n g ? I n v i t a t i o n by B r o . WOODWARD t o A p r i l m e e t i n g 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 . V e r y i n t e r e s t i n g t a l k by B r o . HORTON: Work Study and 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/- p a y a b l e i n advance.

Annual M e e t i n g - Twenty-two members, 100 v i s i t o r s , from C.M.A. HAKMA, N o r t h D i s t r i c t , ORANA, OORANA, Lodges UNIVERSAL and WERONA.

W i n t e r B a l l p r o p o s e d f o r 29 June.

B r o . Hugh WILSON l e c t u r e on H o r t i c u l t u r e , ' h o l d i n g the u n d i v i d e d a t t e n t i o n o f the B r e t h r e n f o r 1 ho u r ' . A dozen a z a l e a s were g i v e n by B r o . WILSON t o t h e S o c i a l Committee t o be d i s p o s e d of a t the 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 Lodge SPHINX. B r o . WELAN i n v i t e d members and w i v e s t o i n s p e c t i o n o f C i t y C o u n c i l N u r s e r y . B r o. No e l 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. Bro. B i l l MATHEW of Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES i n v i t e d t o d e l i v e r a l e c t u r e : The Volume of the S a c r e d Law.

A v i s i t t o M i l s o n ' s I s l a n d 'was a most e x c e l l e n t e v e n t ' .

A v i s i t from Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES and one t o ORANA C l u b . A l s o t o Lodge WYONG by i n v i t a t i o n . S e r g e a n t BAY of Hornsby 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. Annual B a l l , p r o f i t £48/12/-. C h r i s t m a s R e v e l to be h e l d 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 d i s c u s s e d .

W. Bro. LIVERMORE d e l i v e r e d a most i n t e r e s t i n g l e c t u r e on h i s e x p e r i e n c e i n Bangkok, and B r o . P. CHUCK on 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 t r i p t o 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 M e e t i n g . V i s i t o r s : HAKMA 3, OORANA 20, ORANA 16, Nth. D i s t . 30, Lodges WERONA 10, TUGGERAH LAKES 2, ASQUITH 10, RISING SUN 4.

Do n a t i o n from N o r t h A s s . f o r £10/-/-. The l a s t m e e t i n g r e c o r d e d i n t he f i r s t M i n u t e Book c l o s e d a t 11.45pm, a good time h a v i n g been had by eve 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 bought the local WOM. Memo-ntat Hall fjiom the B/Looklyn K.S.L.

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 Jetty Masonic Centre

Toowoon Bay Road, Long Jetty, 2262

Meets 2nd TUESDAY each month

at 10am

BRISBANE WATERS

MASONIC WIDOWS

ASSOCIATION

hold t h e i r meeting every

1st TUESDAY of

every month, 10am at

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 IV of t h e s t o r y o f t h e Grand Lodge o f N.S.W., page 159, H a r r y K e l l e r m a n i n f o r m s us t h a t t he St George Masonic Widows were mentioned i n a paper i n 1988, but he does not expand on t h e n a t u r e o r h i s t o r y o f the a s s o c i a t i o n .

T h i s f o l l o w e d t h e t r e n d w h i c h had begun about two decades ago, and w h i c h brought w i v e s more i n t o u c h w i t h Freemasonry. At t h a t time 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 b o a r d , when the M a s t e r a t C h r i s t m a s opened t he door of t h e lodg e room f o r our w i v e s t o see our 'Sanctum Sanctorum', w h i c h had u n t i l t h e n been a f o r b i d d e n s i g h t .

Some l a d i e s had always been c l o s e l y i n v o l v e d w i t h t he o r d e r , h e l p i n g t h e i r husbands i n t h e i r M a s o n i c d u t i e s , w o r k i n g i n the k i t c h e n and o r g a n i s i n g t he c a t e r i n g . They accompanied them t o s o c i a l e v e n t s , a t t e n d e d L a d i e s ' n i g h t s , and h e l p e d t o make a s u c c e s s of many Masonic e v e n t s .

When t h e i r husbands d i e d , many s e v e r e d s o c i a l c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h t h e c r a f t . Perhaps f r i e n d s o f t h e i r d e p a r t e d t o o k time t o v i s i t o r t o h e l p , but t h i s was on a p e r s o n a l b a s i s , as f r i e n d o r lodg e d e l e g a t e . I f a Masonic Widows A s s o c i a t i o n 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 would have 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 t i e s t h e y had t o the C r a f t t h r o u g h 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 l e t t e r i n g o u r w i v e s , i f they 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 our Masonic l i f e .

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, and from the b e g i n n i n g i t was ap p a r e n t t h a t t h i s was t o be a s u c c e s s . The l a d i e s responded w e l l and 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 wi s h e s of 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 Masonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n was i n the a i r . One such a s s o c i a t i o n had been formed i n N e w c a s t l e a few 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 the p o s s i b i l i t y o f f o u n d i n g such an a s s o c i a t i o n i n the s o u t h o f h i s d i s t r i c t . F r e d L u t t o n 'jumped t h e gun' and t o o k i t upon h i m s e l f t o t a k e the f i r s t s t e p s towards t h a t o b j e c t i v e . He had a v e r y good r e s p o n s e , and t h e r e s t f o l l o w e d w i t h o f f i c i a l and f o r m a l a p p r o v a l . The s t o r y o f t h i s s u c c e s s f u l group i s t o l d i n t h e M i n u t e Book whi c h has been made a v a i l a b l e f o r p e r u s a l by S e c r e t a r y , J o s e n a N i v e n .

An a r t i c l e w h i c h appeared i n our l o c a l p a p e r , t h e G u a r d i a n , on 12 May 1986, i s p r a c t i c a l l y t h e whole of the 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 form a Ma s o n i c Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n i n t he n o r t h e r n p a r t 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 : W a l t e r Sweeney. F r e d L u t t o n , 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 .

E r i c L e g g e t t , who was a t t h e ti m e D.G.I.W., gave $20 t o c o v e r the i n i t i a l expenses o f c o r r e s p o n d e n c e , and o t h e r d o n a t i o n s were made.

B i l l Lux s a i d he would t a k e c a r e of t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and a s o c i a l Committee was formed.

The n e x t m e e t i n g , on 10 June, 1986 was c h a i r e d by B e t t y C o l e , who had been e l e c t e d P r e s i d e n t . D o n a t i o n s by t h e n amounted t o $82. The C o n s t i t u t i o n adopted was s i m i l a r t o t h a t o f the Hunter V a l l e y M a s o n i c A s s o c i a t i o n . A c i r c u l a r was p r e p a r e d t o 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 Lux, t o g e t h e r w i t h a P a t r o n e s s , Mrs Edna Lackenby. A v o t e o f th a n k s was d i r e c t e d t o B i l l l u x and 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 w o u l d be h e l d i n the O.E.S. H a l l , Long 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 of t h e f i r s t o f s u c h , a t M a r g a r e t Dunn's home, r a i s e d $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 by 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 day, t h e n S h e r r i n g t o n Gardens, Lane Cove; a boat t r i p on Lake M a c q u a r i e , and l u n c h and games a t Gorokan Masonic C l u b .

276

A custom 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 h a v i n g a n i c e hot soup r e a d y f o r each member a t t h e b e g i n n i n g of a m e e t i n g i n c o l d w e a t h e r . I t was so much a p p r e c i a t e d t h a t some would say i n j e s t ' I come to the m e e t i n g s m o s t l y f o r the soup!' And many r e f e r r e d t o 'the l o v e l y warming soup we r e c e i v e d as we a r r i v e d ' .

The membership 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 ( C e n t r a l C o a s t , N o r t h e r n D i s t r i c t s , N e w c a s t l e , B r i s b a n e W a t e r s , Cumberland, 2 6 t h 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 W a r r i n g a h B a l g o w l a h ) . Luncheons were h e l d a t 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 around $50 e v e r y t i m e .

I n November, D a y l i g h t Lodge PELICAN i n v i t e d the M a s o n i c Widows t o t h e i r C h r i s t m a s l a d i e s ' n i g h t . Twenty-two members a t t e n d e d and r e c e i v e d a d o n a t i o n of $60 from t h e Lodge, a v e r y n i c e g e s t u r e . The y e a r ended on a n o t e of 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 m e e t i n g o f the f i r s t y e a r o f the a s s o c i a t i o n was h e l d i n the O.E.S. H a l l w i t h 16 members p r e s e n t . The T r e a s u r e r r e p o r t e d a sum of $466.41 i n t h e bank.

The f i r s t m e e t i n g o f the new y e a r was i n F e b r u a r y . A number of e v e n t s had been l i n e d up: a g i f t p a r t y i n March, a l a c e p a r t y i n A p r i l , c h o c o l a t e d e m o n s t r a t i o n i n May, A s s o c i a t i o n f i r s t b i r t h d a y i n June, and a number of s o c i a l v i s i t s t o s i m i l a r a s s o c i a t i o n s . A d o n a t i o n of $20 v o t e d f o r the O.E.S. as t hanks 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, the Grand M a s t e r , was i n the d i s t r i c t . The Masonic Widows had a morning t e a w i t h Rosemary Woodman, and found t h e i r g uest 'a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g l a d y , h e l d our a t t e n t i o n f o r q u i t e a w h i l e ' .

I n J u l y 1987, Mr and Mrs Rae and Mrs E l l e n B r a d l e y of Woy Woy v i s i t e d . They were i n t e r e s t e d i n f o r m i n g a Masonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n a t Woy Woy.

The c o n t i n u o u s s u p p o r t of Lodges TUGGERAH LAKES and PELICAN, and the use of the O.E.S. H a l l was emphasized by the P r e s i d e n t , B e t t y C o l e . 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 of the a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e c o m p l e t e d y e a r . E l e c t i o n f o l l o w e d .

An i n v i t a t i o n was r e c e i v e d by the B r i s b a n e Waters M a s o n i c Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n , Woy Woy, t o t h e i r i n a u g u r a l m e e t i n g h e l d on 1 September 1987. Ten members a t t e n d e d . I n 1988 Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES o f f e r e d the use of the Masonic B u i l d i n g f o r the A s s o c i a t i o n m e e t i n g s , but the . members op t e d t o s t a y i n the O.E.S. H a l l f o r the time b e i n g . That 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 f o l l o w i n g i s the s e c r e t a r y ' s r e p o r t f o r the second y e a r : -

SECRETARY'S REPORT ANNUAL MEETING JULY 12, 1988

We have had a busy and r e w a r d i n g y e a r . We a t t e n d e d t h e B r i s b a n e Waters Masonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n on 1 s t September, 1987. We h e l d a g i f t p a r t y and i t was s u c c e s s f u l . The h o s t e s s g i f t made a good 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 Edna Lackenby's r e s i g n a t i o n , owing t o h e r and husband moving t o F o r s t e r . A l s o P e a r l Burgess moved t o Queensland. We have h e l d a c o u p l e of t h e a t r e 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 2 6 t h D i v i s i o n M a s o n i c Widows' f o r a m e e t i n g and l u n c h e o n . They had a R o y a l D o u l t o n d i s p l a y and we e n j o y e d i t v e r y much. We a l s o a t t e n d e d N o r t h e r n D i s t 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 t h e G u i l d f o r d M a s o n ic 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 .

Lodge 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 of our members a t t e n d i n g was a g r e a t s u c c e s s , and we were made v e r y welcome. We were 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' t u c k e d i n . A v e r y t h o u g h t f u l g i f t .

A l e t t e r o f r e g r e t was s e n t t o Ada H a i g h on h e r r e s i g n a t i o n owing t o h e r i l l h e a l t h .

Ten members a t t e n d e d the St George D i s t r i c t M asonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n , a t t h e i r k i n d i n v i t a t i o n , f o r an a f t e r n o o n 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 l e a r n e d a l o t 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 our s h o r e s 200 y e a r s ago, and the f l a g made from the wedding d r e s s of one of the l a d i e s from the C o l o n y . We a l s o l e a r n t t h a t t h e r e had been t h r e e p r e v i o u s A u s t r a l i a n d e s i g n s o v e r t h e y e a r s , b e f o r e e n d i n g w i t h the c u r r e n t one t o d a y .

We went t o N o r t h e r n D i s t r i c t s M a s o n i c Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n E a s t e r Bonnet Parade. Seventeen of our members a t t e n d e d . J . N i v e n won t h e most o r i g i n a l b onnet, and q u i t e a few of our members won l u c k y door p r i z e s and c o m p e t i t i o n p r i z e s .

We were v e r y sad t o l o s e our P a t r o n e s s O l i v e Duncan, who was a v e r y dear l a d y and one we a l l h e l d dear t o our h e a r t s .

We a l s o l o s t Grace F o w l e r and O l g a Simpson e a r l i e r i n the y e a r and t h e i r p a s s i n g saddened us a l s o .

I n t h i s r e p o r t I would l i k e t o thank M a r g a r e t Dunn f o r her l o o k i n g a f t e r us w i t h our 'cuppa' and h e r p i k e l e t s , and Anne

278

K i n g f o r h e r d e l i c i o u s date s c o n e s , and a l l t h o s e who have c o n t r i b u t e d a n y t h i n g t o make our morning t e a so p l e a s a n t .

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o P r e s i d e n t B e t t y who works so h a r d t o make our B i r t h d a y and C h r i s t m a s l uncheons so e n j o y a b l e . God b l e s s you a l l .

J o s e n a N i v e n .

The P r e s i d e n t and s e c r e t a r y a t t e n d e d GRAND LODGE C e n t e n a r y C e l e b r a t i o n s a t Sydney Town H a l l and were i m p r e s s e d : ' i t was i n d e e d an 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 always remember..... The C h o i r sang 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 i n 1989, w h i c h the A s s o c i a t i o n was u n a b l e t o pay. TUGGERAH LAKES Lodge o f f e r e d them t h e use of t h e i r b u i l d i n g , w h i c h was a c c e p t e d w i t h g r a t i t u d e . They used i t f o r t h e f i r s t t ime i n A p r i l 1989.

The p a s s i n g away of F r e d L u t t o n r e p o r t e d a t t h e May m e e t i n g , 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 l a r g e p a r t i n i t s r u n n i n g . He was a t the time one o f the A s s o c i a t i o n ' s t h r e e P a t r o n s .

The f e e s were i n c r e a s e d t o $4 from J u l y 1990.

The s e c r e t a r y has w r i t t e n a n n u a l r e p o r t s each y e a r , w h i c h a r e found i n the minute books.

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 column, 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 f i r s t t i me i n O c t o b e r 1990.

There was a bus t r i p t o N e l s o n s Bay i n September and a group v i s i t t o t h e M a s o nic C e n t r e , Sydney. There was a F r i e n d s h i p Day a t S u t h e r l a n d i n O c t o b e r , w i t h an e x h i b i t i o n of f o l k l o r e dances. I n December t h e r e was much a c t i v i t y w i t h TUGGERAH LAKES Lodge C h r i s t m a s n i g h t . Lodge PELICAN'S L a d i e s ' Day, C h r i s t m a s Luncheon, and the W i l l o u g h b y C h r i s t m a s Luncheon.

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 programmes, w i t h f r i e n d s h i p and a 'cheery' atmosphere, w h i c h i s o f t e n m entioned.

F i f t h B i r t h d a y C e l e b r a t o r y Luncheon

The C e n t r a l C o a s t M asonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n c e l e b r a t e d t h e i r f i f t h b i r t h d a y w i t h a l u n c heon of 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 newspaper at the t i m e . I t was a v e r y n i c e l u n c h , and e n t e r t a i n m e n t was by the G a i t y P l a y e r s . B e t t y C o l e , the P r e s i d e n t , had made the c a k e , i c e d by Poppy Brown. The B i r t h d a y Luncheon was h e l d on 25 June 1991.

The A s s o c i a t i o n i s s t i l l v e r y a c t i v e under P r e s i d e n t B e t t y C o l e , the F o u n d a t i o n P r e s i d e n t , who has made a g r e a t c o n t r i b u t i o n to the A s s o c i a t i o n h e l p e d by the d e d i c a t i o n o f the S e c r e t a r y , T r e a s u r e r and o t h e r committee members, and w i t h the h e l p o f the P a t r o n s t h r o u g h the y e a r s : F r e d L u t t o n , B i l l Lux, E r i c L e g g e t t , F r e d H a r r i s , Len Love, B i l l A n d e r s o n , W a l t e r Sweeney; P a t r o n e s s e s J o y c e H a r r i s , E v e l y n L u t t o n ; S e c r e t a r y J o s e n a N i v e n and Joy c e E r a s e r ; T r e a s u r e r K i t W a l k e r .

The demand on t h e P r e s i d e n t i s heavy as o n l y a s m a l l 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 t h r o u g h the t o l l o f t h e i r y e a r s . T r a n s p o r t i s a pro b l e m f o r many, so much so t h a t a p r o p o s a l t o see the p o s s i b i l i t y o f f o r m i n g a b r a n c h a t T o u k l e y f o r t h e members r e s i d i n g t oo f a r from a t t e n d i n g e a s i l y o r r e g u l a r l y i s c u r r e n t l y b e i n g i n v e s t i g a t e d .

I t has t u r n e d out t h a t the A s s o c i a t i o n i s a v e r y w o r t h y and s u c c e s s f u l A s s o c i a t i o n .

I n 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 and a s k J o s e n a N i v e n t o f o r g i v e me f o r k e e p i n g the minute book l o n g e r t h a n a n t i c i p a t e d , thus d e p r i v i n g her of the u s u a l means of r e a d i n g the m i n u t e s of the n e x t m e e t i n g . When p r e p a r i n g t h i s book, I made a r u l e o f 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 the m a i l , but r e t u r n i n g them by hand. I n t h i s c a s e , t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e t u r n the minutes d i d not a r r i v e f o r some t i m e , and I am s o r r y f o r t h i s t a r d i n e s s .

280

The f o l l o w i n g n o t i c e appeared i n the G o s f o r d S t a r i n May 1986, but I had h e a r d t h e p r o p o s a l b e i n g announced i n Lodge b e f o r e t h e n :

GOSFORD STAR Wednesday, 14 May 1986

MASON WIDOWS

Many widows o f Masons l i v i n g on the C e n t r a l Coast f i n d t h e i r a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h the o r g a n i s a t i o n s u d d e n l y t e r m i n a t e d w i t h the d e a t h o f t h e i r husbands.

These women very often miss the f e l l o w s h i p and s o c i a l

gatherings that were a part of t h e i r former l i f e s t y l e s .

Recognising t h i s problem, members of Lodge Tuggerah

Lakes who meet at Long J e t t y have begun a p r o j e c t

to b r i n g the Masonic widows together and share t h e i r

common bond.

E a r l i e r t h i s year they en t e r t a i n e d widows of former

members of the lodge at a supper f o l l o w i n g t h e i r

meeting.

There was a good response and i t was consequently

proposed to organise a reunion of a l l masonic widows

on the Central Coast with the i n t e n t i o n of forming

a branch of the Masonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n .

The meeting w i l l take place at the Long J e t t y Masonic

Temple, Toowoon Bay Road, Long J e t t y on Monday with

a morning tea at 10.15 followed by a meeting and

luncheon.

Members of the Newcastle and Hunter branch of the

a s s o c i a t i o n w i l l be present, as w i l l be some wives

of Masons i n t e r e s t e d i n the 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 brethren and t h e i r wives are i n v i t e d to attend.

Those women who would l i k e to attend and need tr a n s p o r t

should phone the master of the Lodge at Long J e t t y ,

Mr Fred Lutton, 32 4701, Mr E r i c Legget on 42 3464

or any mason i n the d i s t r i c t .

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 the Woy Woy Mas o n i c H a l l . R t . Wor. B r o . E r i c L e g g e t t , A c t i n g 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 p e r s o n s a t t e n d e d , i n c l u d i n g V. Wor. B r o . H a r r y F l y n n , P.D.G.D.C., V. Wor. B r o . A l e x Pomroy, P.D.G.D.C., W. Br o . T. B a i l e y , I.P.M., Lodge MORNING STAR, Bro. M. M e l v i l l e , and t w e l v e l a d i e s who were e i t h e r w i v e s of t h e above b r e t h r e n , or 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 Waters Masonic Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n and the F o u n d a t i o n o f f i c e - b e a r e r s were e l e c t e d as f o l l o w s : -

Mrs J . D a v i s ( P r e s i d e n t ) , Mrs R. Hozack ( S e c r e t a r y ) and Mrs M. Manning ( T r e a s u r e r ) . The F o u n d a t i o n P a t r o n s were R t . Wor. Br o . E r i c L e g g e t t , V. Wor. Bro. N o e l Maunder, V. Wor. B r o . H a r r y F l y n n and B r o . Norm Rae. Len 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 were made of a B e l l by t h e C e n t r a l Coast M a s o n i c Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n , a M i n u t e Book by B r o . T. B a i l e y on b e h a l f of Lodge MORNING STAR, and s e v e r a l c a s h d o n a t i o n s were made t o e s t a b l i s h an o p e n i n g a c c o u n t . The Lakemba b r a n c h o f t h e Order o f t h e EASTERN STAR l a t e r d o n a t e d a microphone and s p e a k e r s t o t h e 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 adop t e d as o u t l i n e d by Bro. N. Rae and approved by GRAND LODGE.

Seventeen l a d i e s e n r o l l e d as F o u n d a t i o n members. They were:-

Mesdames A u s t i n , B a y l y , B u r t i n s h a w , C a i n , D a v i s , F i s h w i c k , 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 , L o v e n f o s s e , Manning, M e l v i l l e , O'Grady, Seddon and Woolf.

Our membership i s now t w e n t y - e i g h t w i t h an average a t t e n d a n c e a t meetings o f t w e n t y - f o u r l a d i e s . The meet i n g s a r e h e l d on t he f i r s t Tuesday of each month a t 10am i n the Ma s o n i c H a l l , Woy Woy, from F e b r u a r y t o December. A m e e t i n g i n c l u d e s a s p e a k e r 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 M o t h e r s ' Day a r e c e l e b r a t e d w i t h s p e c i a l a r r a n g e m e n t s . A p a r t y i s h e l d f o r the 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 of i n t e r e s t s by members can be gauged by our p a s t s p e a k e r s : Mesdames B u r t i n s h a w , on South A f r i c a ; F o r t u n e , the s i n k i n g of a R u s s i a n c r u i s e s h i p ; F r y - Henry K e n d a l l

282

C o t t a g e ; H a r p e r - e n t e r t a i n m e n t ; P a r r y - J o n e s - A u s t r a l i a n W i l d l i f e ; P o r t e r - H e a l t h and E x e r c i s e ; Trounce - Husqvarna Sewing Machine Co. ; Strom - H i s t o r y o f G o s f o r d and 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 - Lay c o c k S t r e e t T h e a t r e ; D o y l e - P e n s i o n e r s ' I n s u r a n c e ; J e f f r i e s - Freemasons' B e n e v o l e n t S o c i e t y ; V. Rv. Dr Jones - R e l i g i o u s t o p i c ; Dr Manzie - C h i n a ; Moroney - B r i s b a n e Expo; Palmer - E n t e r t a i n m e n t ; S i v i a n i - G o s f o r d H e a l t h S e r v i c e s .

The l a d i e s have 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, E a s t e r n Suburbs, Hunter V a l l e y , 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 and Wollongong M a s o n i c Widows' A s s o c i a t i o n s , where happy f r i e n d s h i p i s always e x t e n d e d t o u s .

In a d d i t i o n , t h i s s m a l l and a c t i v e group have u n d e r t a k e n day t o u r s t o l o c a l b e a ches, Mangrove M o u n t a i n , F r a g r a n t Garden, the Masonic R e t i r e m e n t U n i t s a t Gorokan, Laycock T h e a t r e t o see 'Gypsy' and 'Came l o t ' , and a BBQ a t t h e home of Mrs P.Nobbs.

V i s i t s e l s e w h e r e i n c l u d e d t he Masonic C e n t r e f o r an i n s p e c t i o n and l u n c h ( t w i c e ) , t h e ' E g y p t i a n ' Room a t Petersham, the Sydney Town H a l l f o r an i n s p e c t i o n and l u n c h , C e n t r e P o i n t Tower f o r an i n s p e c t i o n and l u n c h , t h e Ray M a r t i n Show, Sydney B o t a n i c a l Gardens, and boat t r i p s f rom C i r c u l a r Quay t o Meadowbank, Patonga t o Palm Beach and Patonga t o Bo b b i n Head.

Annual h o l i d a y s have been spent a t B r i s b a n e ' s Expo and t o u r i n g , 1988, C a n b e r r a 1989, B a r r i n g t o n Tops 1990, F o r s t e r 1991 and G e r r i n g o n g 1992.

S i n c e our i n c e p t i o n we have had t h r e e d e a t h s : Mrs Pam Rae, the w i f e of B r o . Norm Rae, Mrs I d a O g i l v i e and Mrs Joan T u r n e r . A l 1 were i n t e r e s t e d and a c t i v e p a r t i c i p a n t s i n our A s s o c i a t i o n .

Our aim i s t o promote t h e w e l f a r e o f Masonic widows, t o show c o n c e r n f o r one a n o t h e r and t o e n j o y our o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o f r a t e r n i s e w i t h o t h e r M a s onic widows. A l t h o u g h s m a l l , we are a happy and a c t i v e group o f widows. We would a s k t h e s e c r e t a r i e s of Lodges t o n o t i f y o ur S e c r e t a r y , Mrs N. A u s t i n , 41-6971, of any Masonic widows t o whom we can e x t e n d t h e hand 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 ur group.

We l o o k f o r w a r d t o our f u t u r e f r i e n d s h i p and c o - o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e Lodges i n the G o s f o r d D i s t r i c t . We thank them f o r the i n t e r e s t shown i n our A s s o c i a t i o n , t he f i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e 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 c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s on the 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 w o n d e r f u l a c h i e v e m e n t . Our v e r y b e s t w i s h e s t o you a l l f o r t h e f u t u r e o f Masonry i n the 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 RFBI Story Established 1880

• Has paid over $10 Million (in

today's money values) to several

thousand people in times of crisis

• Has established 14 Regional

centres throughout NSW si nee 1972

• Has jointly with community

groups established a further 27

retirement complexes

• Has theri'by provified caring

facilitiesformore than 1,700 retirees

. Will increase its carinir

programme by 50 % over the next 5

years.

The Royal Freemasons' Benevolent Institution of New South Wales -

3rd Floor , Masonic Chambers 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, 2000

or P O Box E 5 6 , St James, N S W , 2000. Telephone: (02) 264 5986

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 have been e s t a b l i s h e d and a r e o p e r a t e d by the masonic movement. Most have t h e i r H e a d q u a r t e r i n the Grand 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 l o d g e s t o conduct t h e a n n u a l a p p e a l and c o l l e c t d o n a t i o n s . They a r e : -

FREEMASONS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION WILLIAM THOMPSON MASONIC SCHOOL AND HOSTEL THE NEW SOUTH WALES MASONIC YOUTH WELFARE FUND THE FRANK WHIDDON MASONIC HOMES

of w h i c h we w i l l now g i v e a b r i e f o u t l i n e -

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 our d i s t r i c t . They have been e s t a b l i s h e d t h r o u g h t h e i n v o l v e m e n t o f l o c a l masons. They a r e : -

•KARAGI COURT CENTRAL COAST RETIREMENT VILLAGE •LAKE HAVEN MASONIC VILLAGE

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 masons. 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 i n s t i t u t i o n s t o w h i c h t h e y c o n t r i b u t e more p e r s o n a l l y by f u n c t i o n s , b a r b e c u e s , d r i v e s and more p a r t i c u l a r l y by a u x i l i a r y g r o u p s .

We w i l l d e s c r i b e them more f u l l y l a t e r .

285

THE ROLE OF THE F.B . I .

The Freemasons' B e n e v o l e n t I n s t i t u t i o n o f New South Wales ( F . B . I . ) was e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1880 by c o n c e r n e d Freemasons t o h e l p b r e t h r e n and 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 an e r a when t h e r e were no s o c i a l s e r v i c e s . S o c i e t y was not t h e n p r e p a r e d o r a b l e t o fund t h e ty p e and m u l t i p l i c i t y o f p e n s i o n s and s u p p o r t 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 payment, 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 he l a t e 60's. Then i n the e a r l y 70's i n re s p o n s e t o c h a n g i n g c o n d i t i o n s , t h e F.B. I , saw t h e need t o a s s i s t not o n l y masons and t h e i r f a m i l i e s , but a l l e l d e r l y c i t i z e n s i n N.S.W. by p r o v i d i n g h o u s i n g and c a r e f o r them i n the form o f s e l f - c a r e u n i t s , h o s t e l s 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 as t o masonic membership.

I n 1972 t h e F.B.I, broke new ground 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 d e s i g n e d t o p r o v i d e g e r i a t r i c f a c i l i t i e s . A t t h a t t i m e i t was amongst t h e most modern and advanced a v a i l a b l e . S h o r t l y a f t e r , t h e HAWKINS MASONIC VILLAGE was e s t a b l i s h e d on 45 a c r e s o f l a n d a t Edgeworth near T o r o n t o , donated by 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 c a r e s 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 and 29 i n a n u r s i n g home. I n t h e n e x t 12 months an a d d i t i o n a l 40-bed h o s t e l w i l l be b u i l d m a i n t a i n i n g t h e c o n t i n u o u s e x p a n s i o n o f t h e p r o j e c t y e a r - b y - y e a r s i n c e i t s f o u n d a t i o n .

From: R o y a l Freemasons B e n e v o l e n t I n s t i t u t i o n o f N.S.W. Repor t 1990.

Our l o c a l l o d g e s were 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 i n s t i t u t i o n . F i r s t by c o l l e c t i o n s o r g a n i s e d e v e r y y e a r under t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f each l o d g e who nominated 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 c o n f e r r e d t o generous p e r s o n a l c o n t r i b u t o r s .

Pennants were g i v e n t o lo d g e s who had been a b l e t o f o r w a r d l a r g e amounts and a y e a r l y cup t o t h e lodg e t h a t made t h e b e s t r e t u r n . Many pennants a r e d i s p l a y e d i n our lodge rooms and some l o c a l l o d g e s had t h e p r i v i l e g e t o have the cup 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 t h e b e g i n n i n g - about two decades ago - 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 i m p o r t a n t development ^n t h a t i t " i n v o l v e s l a r g e 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 s i n c e i t i s not r e s t r i c t e d t o masons and t h e i r f a m i l i e s but members o f t h e community w i t h o u t d i s t i n c t i o n .

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Sometimes, under the v i g o r o u s i m p u l s e o f a p a r t i c u l a r l y c o n v i n c i n g C h a r i t y C o l l e c t o r , the members o f a lodge 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 . Such was t h e c a s e i n the f i n a n c i a l y e a r 1974-'75 i n Lodge RISING SUN No.331. R.Wor.Bro. K e v i n R u b l e was c o l l e c t o r f o r t h e 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 t h e mid 70's.

H i s aim 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 Fund. He d e v i s e d a scheme t o i n c r e a s e t h e b r e t h r e n ' s i n t e r e s t i n t h e I n s t i t u t i o n and c o l l e c t more. On the s c a l e of 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 f o r w h i c h c o n t r i b u t o r s r e c e i v e the c o l l a r e t t e of " L i f e G o v e r n o r " , a handsome j e w e l s u p p o r t e d by a r i b b o n around t h e neck. C e r t a i n l y a p r i d e t o wear a t meetings 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 t h e means of o r d i n a r y members who c o u l d not a f f o r d t o g i v e t h a t sum i n one i n s t a l m e n t , K e v i n d e s i g n e d a k i n d of 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 £20 each f o r f i v e y e a r s , each y e a r a name from " t h e s y n d i c a t e " was drawn up t o become the 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 o f f o u r b r e t h r e n c o u l d p o o l t o g e t h e r i n e q u a l p a r t t h e c o s t o f a L i f e Membership w h i c h b r i n g s t h e r i g h t t o wear a c o l l a r e t t e and a q u i t e handsome j e w e l .

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 r e p e a t e d w i t h t h e new c o l l a r e t t e a t t r i b u t e d t o one o f t h e r e m a i n i n g 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 j e w e l c o u l d be a c q u i r e d i n f o u r i n s t a l m e n t s so t o speak. The scheme was q u i t e s u c c e s s f u l b r i n g i n g t o the lodge 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 had been c o l l e c t e d , a r e m a r k a b l e r e s u l t t e s t i f i e d o f B r o . R u b l e ' s p e r s u a s i v e n e s s .

The procedure was perhaps not q u i t e c o n v e n t i o n a l , but t h e r e s u l t was v e r y c o m f o r t a b l e and t h e C o l l e c t o r was p r e s e n t e d t h e K e l s o cup w h i c h i s a l l o c a t e d t o the most p r o f i c i e n t c o l l e c t o r . K e v i n 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 d i s t r i c t .

T h i s scheme worked w e l l ; no one w i t h d r e w from the scheme by d e a t h o r o t h e r w i s e and a f t e r a span o f f i v e y e a r s Lodge RISING SUN was p r o u d o f an u n u s u a l l y h i g h number of c o l l a r e t t e b e a r e r s .

9th July, 1975.

Dear Brother,

I am pleased to inform you that your Lodge has been declared winner of both awards for 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 contribution for the year) and the COLES CUP, (for the highest r a t i o per head of membership).

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 with the Lodge Officers, rny sincere appreciation for the generous response and the high esteem i n ixiiich Lodge Rising Sun has been placed as a result of t h i s excellent e f f o r t .

Our regular July meeting has been set aside for 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. o f f i c i a l l y .

In that particular year, 1975, the F.B.I, was cottmitted to siq)port:

The HUNTER VALLEY MASONIC HOSPITAL The HAWKINS MASONIC VILLAGE The 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 of " s p e c i a l need" , 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 t o l i v e i n t h e i r p l a c e w i t h o u t b e i n g s h i f t e d t o a s t r a n g e e n v i r o n ment. 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 over $50,000.

S i n c e t h e n the commitments of the R.F.B.I, has grown e:nDrmously. The l o c a l masons, t a k i n g advantage of t h e s u b s i d i e s o f f e r e d by t h e government f o r t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of w e l f a r e i n s t i t u t i o n s , such 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 u n d e r t a k e n two p r o j e c t s . One b rought to 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 of t h e i r h i s t o r y has been 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 LAKE HAVEN.

THE WILLIAM THOMPSON MASONIC SCHOOL AND HOSTEL.

T h i s was opened on 11 November, 1922 and i s s t i l l i n o p e r a t i o n i n a d i f f e r e n t format t h a n 70 y e a r s ago.

I t o p e r a t e s today as a F a m i l y Group and F a m i l y S upport Scheme. The F a m i l y Group 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. They 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 s c h o o l s and a r e i n v o l v e d i n l o c a l community a c t i v i t i e s . There a r e two g r o u p s , "BORONIA" and "WYBALENA".

The F a m i l y Support Scheme a s s i s t s o v e r 60 p r e - s c h o o l and p r i m a r y

288

aged c h i l d r e n i n t h e i r own homes, by way o f a w e e k l y s u b s i d y , s u p p o r t t h e i r d e n t a l and o p t i c a l needs.

A p p e a l s a r e a l s o c o n d u c t e d r e g u l a r l y i n l o d g e s by t h e c a r i n g o f f i c e r or a d e s i g n a t e d o f f i c e r ; t h e money i s sent 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 Masonic S c h o o l and H o s t e l , Box A259, P.O., SYDNEY. SOUTH. 2000

Up to 24 c h i l d r e n can be c a r e d f o r i n 3 F a m i l y Group Homes.

In 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 , reimbursement 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 needs.

Non-Masonic as w e l l as M a s o n i c c a s e s may be c o n s i d e r e d f o r a s s i s t ance w i t h b o t h programmes.

THE FRANK WHIDDON MASONIC HOMES.

The f i r s t masonic homes were o r i g i n a l l y s e t up by F r a n k Whiddon over 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 e x t r e m e l y s u c c e s s f u l and a f t e r many e x t e n s i o n s more homes were e s t a b l i s h e d i n many p a r t s of the s t a t e .

PRIMROSE COURT, Hornsby - 60 g u e s t s , TOWRADGI PARK, Towradgi - 20; DAISY STREET LODGE, Narooma - 5; KYOGLE COURT, K y o g l e - 32; GREENSTONE LODGE, Temora - 86; WINGHAM COURT, Wingham - 91; MASONIC TOWERS, Hornsby - 59; MACLEAN COURT, MacLean - 40; EASTON PARK, G l e n f i e l d , accommodated 239 g u e s t s .

I n March 1979, the f o u n d a t i o n s t o n e was l a i d f o r e x t e n s i o n t o 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 have been e s t a b l i s h ed by l o c a l masons t o s e r v i c e t h e i r immediate d i s t r i c t , p r e v e n t i n g the n e c e s s i t y of 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 s t r a n g e new s u r r o u n d i n g s .

NEW SOUTH WALES MASONIC YOUTH (CHILDREN's)WELFARE FUND.

I t s motto "My B r o t h e r ' s K e e p e r " , c r e a t e d o v e r f i f t y y e a r s ago 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 the needs of t h e c h i l d r e n o f deceased and i n c a p a c i t a t e d Masons.

I t has o v e r t h e y e a r s c o n t i n u e d t h i s s e r v i c e w i t h i t s o b j e c t s

289

and i n t e r e s t s t o the e x t e n t t h a t i t may a f f o r d r e l i e f t o a l l needy y o u t h .

E v e r y c h i l d a s s i s t e d I s i n n e c e s s i t o u s c i r c u m s t a n c e s . 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 f o r the w e l f a r e o f g r o w i n g 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

a l t r a i n i n g , h e l p i n g t o s o l v e p r o b l e m s , 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 a d j u s t e d

c i t i z e n s .

B r e t h r e n a r e r e g u l a r l y i n v i t e d t o p r o v i d e f i n a n c i a l h e l p t h r o u g h the W e l f a r e R e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e i r l o d g e .

N .S .W. M a s o n i c Y o u t h W e l f a r e F u n d , W . E . A . H o u s e , 70 B a t h u r s t S t r e e t , Sydney , 2000 . G . P . O . Box 3 0 1 2 , Sydney , 2 0 0 1 .

The Fund h e l p e d 29 T e r t i a r y s t u d e n t s and 84 Seconda ry s t u d e n t s i n 1991 . Some l o c a l b r e t h r e n have a d i s t i n g u i s h e d r e c o r d i n t h a t r e s p e c t .

From the 1991 B o a r d R e p o r t :

For over t h i r t y years, four N.S.W. lodges have maintained a continuous record of substantial donations to the Masonic Youth Welfare Fund. This i s an unparal leled leve l of achievement.

One of the four lodges v i i ich have maintained that record since 1960 i s LODGE GOSFORD, No. 742.

In 59 D i s t r i c t the V. Wor. Bro. Harry FLYNN Trophy for the D i s t r i c t ' s most improved Donor Lodge: the rec ip ient for 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 Overal l Donation: IJDDGE WYONG, No. 247, with $1,832.00, per Capita $15.02.

Jack WASSELL has been the C h a r i t y C o l l e c t i o n Representative f o r Lodge SARATOGA

f o r 28 years 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 idea of a C e n t r a l Coast Retirement V i l l a g e was conceived by the help and co-operation of 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 Kevin Ruble who i n t u r n sought the help of B i l l Richards to act as a l i a i s o n o f f i c e r to the proper a u t h o r i t i e s .

Both Kevin and B i l l are s t i l l very a c t i v e to t h i s day as KARAGI COURT Board Members. B i l l Richards s t i l l r e t a i n s the p o s i t i o n of Secretary/Treasurer of KARAGI COURT and Kevin Ruble s t i l l has the future of KARAGI COURT very much to the f o r e f r o n t of h i s dreams.

KARAGI COURT'S beginning occurred at a meeting of the Masters and Wardens of D i s t r i c t 59 on 21st J u l y , 1971 when i t was suggested that a meeting of i n t e r e s t e d Brethren be held on 1st September, 1971. At t h i s meeting i t was decided to erect a Retirement V i l l a g e and a Committee was formed comprising:

President Roy Ray

Vice Presidents B i l l Richards

Arthur Henman

Secretary/Treasurer Kevin Ruble

A s s i s t e d by Bruce Hibbard Bob Jones E r i c Thompson Gerard van Drempt Ivan Jugo

Of these, B i l l Richards, Arthur Henman and Kevin Ruble are s t i l l members of the Board of KARAGI COURT L t d .

The o r i g i n a l name decided on was C e n t r a l Coast Retirement V i l l a g e and the 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 obtained

294

a tax exemption. Stage One was to comprise of ten s e l f - c o n t a i n e d u n i t s and Geoffrey T w i b i l l & A s s o c i a t e s were appointed as A r c h i t e c t s on 29th January, 1975. They were i n s t r u c t e d to proceed with the development a p p l i c a t i o n w i t h Wyong Shire Council and make submissions to the Department of S o c i a l S e c u r i t y f o r a grant on 23rd J u l y , 1975.

A grant 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 to 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 concrete pour began i n mid September 1977 and the f i r s t u n i t was occupied on 22nd December, 1977. A l l u n i t s were occupied by February 1978. The name of KARAGI COURT was decided on 30th A p r i l , 1978 and t h i s Stage was o f f i c i a l l y opened on 20th August, 1978. The then Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro. Noel 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 Shire P r e s i d e n t , opened the V i l l a g e .

At the annual General Meeting on 29th March, 1979 i t was decided to i n v i t e Geoffrey T w i b i l l & A s s o c i a t e s to prepare plans and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s and a model f o r Stage Two to comprise of a f u r t h e r 58 u n i t s . Retirement L i v i n g S e r v i c e s P t y . L t d . were engaged to prepare a marketing 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 to guarantee a loan of one m i l l i o n d o l l a r s . These plans were passed by Wyong Shire C o u n c i l during September 1980.

At a S p e c i a l General Meeting on 10th October, 1980 i t was decided to form a P u b l i c Company and the t i t l e KARAGI COURT LTD. was decided 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 4th 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 loan and i t was agreed that we would make a donation of $160,000 towards t h e i r proposed nursing home. C l e a r i n g of the s i t e commenced during January 1981 and the cost was s e t t l e d at $2,074,680. Units 42 and 49 were handed over by the b u i l d e r . C i v i c Constructions P t y . L t d . during January 1982. The f i n a l u n i t s and r e c r e a t i o n centre were completed i n June 1982, and the l a s t of our loan r e p a i d on 19th December, 1983.

At the present time, the m a j o r i t y of Stage One u n i t s are rented 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 during 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 to acquire the lease of f u r t h e r u n i t s as finance becomes a v a i l a b l e , and to rent them to deserving people who cannot a f f o r d to purchase a retirement u n i t of t h e i r own!

I would l i k e to 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 at the s t a r t of the p r o j e c t , plus the u n i t i n g e f f o r t s throughout the years from our Secretary/-Treasurer BILL RICHARDS, KARAGI COURT would s t i l l only be a dream.

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I t would be remiss of me not to mention that the r e s i d e n t s of KARAGI COURT are extremely happy and proud to c a l l "KARAGI COURT" t h e i r home, as I myself and I am sure a l l the board members of KARAGI COURT would agree, that we are proud as board members to be ass 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 the hands of masons here on the Ce n t r a l Coast.

Chairman NEIL FINLAY

Jan. 1991.

Establishment and Development of the f i r s t Masonic V i l l a g e from the Minute Book of the Committee f o r the implementation of the p r o j e c t .

At a re g u l a r meeting of the 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 of a Retirement V i l l a g e was f l o a t e d . I t was decided to hold a s p e c i a l meeting to discuss the p r o p o s i t i o n . I t was held on 15 September and was ch a i r e d by the D.G.I.W.V.W. Bro. R.K. RAY. He welcomed the attending brethren and put the p r o j e c t to t h e i r c o n s i d e r a t i o n . Several aspects were discussed.

I t was unanimously decided to form a committee to accept a p p l i c a t ions 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 " to proceed with the p r o j e c t , whose aim was housing s e n i o r c i t i z e n s .

A f t e r nominations the f o l

President

Sen.V.President

Vice President

Committee

I t was decided to c a l l fo

lowing were e l e c t e d :

R.K. RAY

W. RICHARDS

A. HENMAN

B. HIBBARD, R. JONES, E. THOMPSON, G. van DREMPT, I. JUGO.

r membership.

29 September. President and 5 members. The Treasurer reported r e c e i p t of $84.00. A P.O. Box was arranged. Bros B. MCDONALD and G. BAENES were approached to accept the p o s i t i o n of A u d i t o r s , and steps were taken to r e g i s t e r name.

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February 1972. I t was decided on advice from Bro. W. RICHARDS to approach the Taxation Dept., the Chief Secretary's Dept. and the Land Dept. f o r appropriate r e c o g n i t i o n .

May. L e t t e r s were received from the three above named departments. I t was moved that the l o c a l members be approached to enquire on the a v a i l a b i l i t y of "two to one" s u b s i d i e s . Mr FITZPATRICK was thanked f o r a donation of a q u a n t i t y of s t a t i o n ery. A proposal of a prospectus was discussed and adopted i n June and sent to p r i n t e r f o r d i s t r i b u t i o n to 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 evening. M & W A s s o c i a t i o n was i n v i t e d to a s s i s t w i t h arrangements.

January 1973. A l e t t e r from Wyong Shire President i n v i t i n g the committee to a conference i n the Shire Chambers, to be held i n March. A Delegation was appointed. An Annual General Meeting was planned on 22 February at 8 pm. C i r c u l a r i n v i t a t i o n s to attend were sent by Kevin RUBIE Hon.Sec. P.O. Box 166, Gosford South.

22 February - General Meeting. At that f i r s t Annual Meeting, 25 were present, w i t h R.K. RAy i n the c h a i r . The main p o i n t s i n the f i r s t report of the Chairman, C e n t r a l Coast Retirement V i l l a g e were t h a t :

A case had been presented to the c h i e f surveyor f o r Crown Lands, Mr Hicks, a favourable hearing r e c e i v e d . Area of Land have been considered, one being i n c l o s e p r o x i m i t y of Bateau Bay Bowling Club. Decision r e s t i n g w i t h State Planning A u t h o r i t y and Local 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 Chief Secretary and Taxation 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 to r e c e i v e government subsidy of $2 f o r each $ r a i s e d . Representatives 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 to discuss w i t h Wyong Shire o f f i c e r s the f u t u r e development f o r the s h i r e . In c o n c l u s i o n , thanks to the committee, p a r t i c u l a r l y to Secretary/Treasurer Kevin RUBIE and Vice President B i l l RICHARDS fo r a s s i s t a n c e and experience w i t h Chief 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 to l o c a l members: Barry COHEN M.H.R., H. JENSEN M.L.C., K. O'CONNELL M.L.C. seeking t h e i r support.

May. At Tuggerah Lakes r e s o l u t i o n to send newsletters and appeal f o r donations.

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J u l y . Donation 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 to a l l brethren f o r exchange of i n f o r m a t i o n . Annual General Meeting, February 1973. Chairman's r e p o r t . L i t t l e progress since l a s t r e p o r t . Meetings with Wyong C o u n c i l l o r s favourable. Land not granted y e t , but h o p e f u l l y c l o s e to c o n c l u s i o n . From n o t i c e paper:

"Amended plans 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 plan 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 (general) meeting."

The j o i n t s t e e r i n g committee headed by the Wyong Shire President (Malcolm CHALMERS) was hopeful of a favourable announcement i n the e a r l y part of 1974. Promotion o f f i c e r s were to be appointed i n each lodge to promote the p r o j e c t .

August. Information came that land 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 de 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 Golf Club. The p l a n , from A r c h i t e c t Mr G. TWIBILL, was d i s p l a y e d .

Donations began to a r r i v e from s o c i a l f u n c t i o n s organised by lodges (TUGGERAH LAKES) and clubs (Apex) e t c .

A s p e c i a l meeting was held at Wyong R.S.L. Club between Committee: Chairman R.K. RAY, Secretary K. RUBIE, V. Pres. H. HENMAN and J . BATES, to 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 , fees, s t r u c t u r e s , types and s u b s i d i e s .

Agreement forms were to be drawn and forwarded, to be discussed at a s p e c i a l meeting at the end of January.

20 January, 1975. $1,000 was deposited i n an I.B.D. a/c.

I t was moved that agreement with G. TWIBILL and A s s o c i a t e , a r c h i t e c t s , be confirmed and signed. The Secretary was i n s t r u c t e d to 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 February, 1975.

We received assurance from the M i n i s t e r f o r Lands on 1st August that the land would be made a v a i l a b l e . A meeting was held i n December w i t h Geoffrey TWIBILL on the approp r i a t e next steps to take, w i t h advices on aspects of retirement accommodation. At a f r u i t f u l meeting with Wyong Council i n February the Shire C l e r k assured us that the land was

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s u i t a b l e f o r development, the development c o s t , on day p r i c e s i s $250,000. The development i s to proceed i n stages from the north. The land t i t l e to be vested i n c o u n c i l f o r the time being. Approximate b u i l d i n g date 3.4.'76. An address was given by Dr BASSETT, Government Community P h y s i c i a n . Nursing Home accommodation i n t h i s d i s t r i c t i s at present 250 nursing beds being short by 90 u n i t type rooms. Thanks were expressed to the whole committee and i n p a r t i c u l a r to Kevin 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 that the s i t e was being t r a n s f e r r e d to Wyong Council as Trustees, the M i n i s t e r agreed to re-zoning. 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 f o r subsidy. Expressions of i n t e r e s t i n the a l l o c a t i o n of u n i t s were re c e i v e d .

J u l y 1975. Department of S o c i a l S e c u r i t y acknowledged progress r e p o r t . Monier Roof T i l e s o f f e r of s e r v i c e .

Three Trustees were appointed 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 plan was d i s p l a y e d and discussed. The a r c h i t e c t explained the proposed complex i n a s a t i s f a c t o r y manner. I t was unanimously resolved to i n s t r u c t him to proceed with the Development A p p l i c a t i o n at Wyong Counci1, and make submission to the Dept of S o c i a l S e c u r i t y .

November. The Trustees were d i r e c t e d to s i g n the lease agreement w i t h Wyong Shire 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 requested to prepare plans and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s to c a l l tenders i n March 1976. A d r a f t copy of House Rules f o r consider a t i o n was to be prepared by Bros RICHARDS and RUBIE. The Entrance O.E.S. donated the proceeds of a b a l l . I t was decided to i n v i t e people seeking accommodation to an afternoon tea to show the model on d i s p l a y and give information.

February 1976. General Meeting. President's address.

A Government subsidy had been granted, f o r e r e c t i o n of 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. Plans and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s were being completed, c o n s t r u c t i o n was to commence soon. I n q u i r i e s f o r accommodation are i n v e s t i g a t e d f o r a l l o c a t i o n . Thanks f o r numerous donations. A s p e c i a l meeting was decided of intending r e s i d e n t s , repres e n t a t i v e s of Wyong C o u n c i l , l o c a l p o l i t i c a l r e p resentat-t i v e s and Mr TWIBILL, a r c h i t e c t , f o r general 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 to discuss quotes. The a r c h i t e c t was asked f o r a report and recommendations on s e l e c t i o n of 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 decided as f o l l o w s : -

299

Ap p l i c a n t s advised to purchase - s i n g l e $10,500 and double $11,600 on a deposit of $7,000 and $8,000 or a f u l l i n i t i a l payment of $10,000 and $11,000.

Ten a p p l i c a t i o n s were rece i v e d by November 1976, they r e c e i v e d a c i r c u l a r l e t t e r .

"We wish to confirm our telephone conversation w i t h you that having been placed on a p r i o r i t y l i s t , you are i n v i t e d to attend a Meeting on Sunday 26th November 1976 to inform you of f i n a l d e t a i l s of the f i r s t U n its to be constructed at Bateau Bay. PROGRAMME;

Inspection of B u i l d i n g S i t e . • • • • Personal i n t e r v i e w during the afternoon w i l l be held to discuss the f i n a n c i a l aspect."

The Government requirement i s f o r a Registered f i r m of Accountants to 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 appointed.

The Grant from government was f o r $108,000, l i k e l y to be increased by clause of Rise and F a l l of c o s t s . Donors funds were to be a p p l i e d to progress payments to B u i l d e r s .

E x t r a c t s from President's f o u r t h r e p o r t , 24 February, 1977.

Progress i s nearing the f i n a l stage. Tenders were c a l l e d - 7th J u l y was the c l o s i n g date. Lusted Contractors won the tender f o r $154,982.00 subject to Rise and F a l l . T o t a l number of a p p l i c a n t s f o r accommodation was 40; 20 attended meeting of 26 November. S p e c i a l thanks to Secretary Kevin RUBIE and A s s i s t a n t Secretary Don WILD, a l s o to V. Pres. W. RICHARDS and A. HENMAN.

On 24 February i t was ta b l e d that 4 Si n g l e U n i t s had been a l l o c a t e d . Deposit paid $40,000; 2 Double U n i t s , $22,000 and 2 Studio, $11,000. Many outstanding matters had to be dealt 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 of a p p r e c i a t i o n from the Pr e s i d e n t .

October 1977. A r c h i t e c t ' s account of $8,703.10 pa i d . B u i l d e r ' s second progress payment of $21,989. Two more a p p l i c a t i o n s f o r accommodation were considered. The date f o r O f f i c i a l Opening was suggested to be March 1978, Grand Master, Barry COHEN M.L".A. , Tim FARRELL, Shire P r e s i d e n t , Secretary of Board of Benevolence i n v i t e d to perform the O f f i c i a l Opening.

300

In A p r i l 1978 a l i s t of r e p a i r s or adjustments were brought to the b u i l d e r ' s a t t e n t i o n . Landscaping was i n progress, the o f f i c i a l date of opening was f i x e d f o r 16 J u l y , at 2.30 pm. Many u n i t s were already occupied. More donations were sought from s e r v i c e c l u b s . The tenants requested that a name be chosen to 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 suggestions and was accepted by the committee. I t was the o r i g i n a l name of Bateau Bay - The Entrance area.

In May ten u n i t s were b u i l t out of the 102 o r i g i n a l l y intended. In h i s f i f t h r e p o r t , 11 May 1978, the President mentions a few dates:-

21 Mar.1977 - A r e v i s e d tender by Lusted f o r $159,700, accepted.

19 May - N o t i f i c a t i o n of the grant of $108,000 approved. Mid Jul.77 - F i n a l approval received. 29 J u l . - Bu l l d o z e r s at work c l e a r i n g and preparing

s i t e . Mid Sep. - F i r s t concrete pours. 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 d i s p u t e s , the completion of the p r o j e c t was extended from 24 Dec. to 28 Jan.

22 Dec.1977 - F i r s t u n i t occupied by caretaker. End Feb. - A l l u n i t s were occupied.

"the choice of tenants...seems to be e x c e l l e n t , r e s u l t i n g i n a very happy group, w i t h a f e e l i n g of f r i e n d l i n e s s being extended to a l l who happen to v i s i t the U n i t s . The tenants have formed a group committee..."

WUA tke. completion of. Atajg.e. one - of. ten. unJjti - time wa^ taken, to fix. and ad^wit Aome va/iioLt-i mino/i defecAA Atiown by. uAag.e of new 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.

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LAKE 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 asked t o speak on t h e H i s t o r y and P r o g r e s s o f THE LAKE HAVEN Masoni 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 aware o f t h e absence o f 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 t i m e s we w i l l i n f u t u r e need an H i s t o r i a n . I t appears t h a t t h o s e who d i d t h e most work a r e r e l u c t a n t t o t a l k about t h e m s e l v e s , but I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t Bros A r n o l d DUMPMANIS and S t a n GREGORY d i s c u s s e d and s t u d i e d t h e 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 C h a i r i n Lodge TOUKLEY he t a l k e d a t l e n g t h w i t h t he t h e n D.G.I.W. V.W. Denis DEAN and a d d r e s s e d t h e M a s t e r s and Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n , 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 he Lodges t o a s c e r t a i n i n t e r e s t and 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 can f i n d came from Lodge TOUKLEY who a p p o i n t e d . . . a f t e r c o n s i d e r a b l e debate...a committee o f 5 t o t a l k t o t h e M a s t e r s and Wardens A s s o c i a t i o n , and t h e n t he F.B.I. P r e s i d e n t R.W. Fr a n k JEFFREE was brought i n t o t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s and t h e p r o p o s i t i o n was r e g a r d e d as v i a b l e . Each Lodge i n our 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 Board o f Management, and o t h e r s were a p p o i n t e d by t h e R.F.B.I., and t h e Bo a r d was formed w i t h A l e x COOKE as i n i t i a l s e c r e t a r y . . . S t a n GREGORY, R.W.B. Deni s DEAN and B e r t ROSS and 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 p e r s i s t e n c e , our 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 weather and impediment. A p a r t from d e l a y s some t h i n g s were not handed o v e r as 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 and t o p s o i l was washed away. We have spent a l o t o f ti m e and 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 not 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 the 40 bed H o s t e l , w h i c h our Grand M a s t e r 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 t r u s t S i r , t h a t you l i k e d what you saw t h e r e . . .warts 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 , but I can' a s s u r e you t h a t our R e s i d e n t s o f t he V i l l a g e were d e l i g h t e d t o have you t h e r e . M i g h t I hope, t h a t i n t h e not d i s t a n t f u t u r e , t h a t you may be a b l e t o come a g a i n and g i v e us the honour o p e n i n g o f f i c i a l l y our 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 might m e n t i o n t h a t we a r e i n t he p r o c e s s of " b u d g e t i n g " f o r the c o s t t o r u n t h e p l a c e f o r the f i r s t y e a r . . . d e s p i t e h e l p and a s s i s t a n c e from o t h e r s , we have t o make the f i n a l d e c i s i o n s , and 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 an e r r o r o f a few c e n t s on c e r t a i n i t e m s throws our c a l c u l a t i o n out by l i t e r a l l y thousands o f d o l l a r s . . . H o p e f u l l y t h e Laws o f Avera 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 of S u p e r v i s o r , t h a t key job i n c o n d u c t i n g the whole o p e r a t i o n has been a d v e r t i s e d . . . ! cannot say more a t the moment, but I can say t h a t t h e Board w i l l make p r o b a b l y i t ' s most i m p o r t a n t d e c i s i o n e v e r , i n making the a p p o i n t m e n t .

I n t h e 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 f o r t h e c r e a t i o n of 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 E s t h e r DEAN t o C h a i r i t . T h e i r work and e f f o r t s have been m a g n i f i c e n t . Under way now are the p l a n s f o r t h e n e x t 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 ample space a l l o w e d f o r a Bus...a g i f t t o the v i l l a g e from t h e L a d i e s ' A u x i l i a r y .

There 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 t h a t t h i s phase can 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 e n v i s a g e d 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 as 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 c o m f o r t 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 the h i l l s i d e .

Our B oard has a f u t u r e p r o b l e m i n t h e management of such a l a r g e and d i v e r s i f i e d complex and I am a f r a i d t h e r e a r e a r e a s where our 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 p e o p l e t o know t h a t some of our members a r e g e t t i n g on toward 5 0 . . . a l s o some of 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 see 60 a g a i n . . .

So i n c o n c l u s i o n may I a p p e a l t o the M a s t e r s , Wardens and the members of e v e r y Lodge i n D i s t . 5 9 . . . P l e a s e l e n d us y o u r b r i g h t young men who can p e r f o r m , t o a s s i s t us w i t h t h e i r e n t h u s i a s m , 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 the management and improvement of our whole v i l l a g e d u r i n g the t i m e s of b u i l d i n g and c o n s o l i d a t i o n d u r i n g the r e m a i n d e r of t h i s decade, and p r e s e n t t o t h e n e x t 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 , f r e e from 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 our 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 such p r i d e of a c h i e v e m e n t , t o t h e o v e r a l l c r e d i t o f Freemasonry.

305

1 0 . 8 . 9 1

LAKE HAVEN MASONIC VILLAGE

The c o n c e p t f o r the V i l l a g e was mooted i n June 1986. The L o c a l B o a r d o f Management was e l e c t e d i n J u l y 1986.

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 and t h e p r e s e n t s i t e was p u r c h a s e d from t h e Department of H o u s i n g .

THE HOSTEL

The M i n i s t e r f o r Housing & Aged C a r e , The Hon. P e t e r S t a p l e s announced f u n d i n g o f $929,040 i n June 1988 f o r t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a 40 bed H o s t e l a t Charmhaven.

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 and c o m p l e t e d J u l y 1991. Each wing o f t h e H o s t e l has 10 bed s i t t i n g rooms w i t h e n - s u i t e s and a r e s i d e n t s lounge room. The wings a r e c o l o u r coded f o r t he r e s i d e n t s . Each room has an emergency b u t t o n s h o u l d the need a r i s e .

The H o s t e l f a c i l i t i e s a l s o i n c l u d e : (a) 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 (b) 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 ( c ) Guest K i t c h e n (d) 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 ( e ) Spa B a t h ( f ) L i b r a r y Room - s t o c k e d w i t h donated books (g) l a u n d r y w i t h d r y i n g f a c i l i t i e s (h) 4 R e s i d e n t s L a u n d r i e s ( i ) M a i n K i t c h e n ( j ) Landscaped C o u r t y a r d ( k ) Gazebo and P a t i o a t the r e a r o f the b u i l d i n g

There a r e t w e l v e p e r s o n s c u r r e n t l y i n r e s i d e n c e and we r e q u e s t t h e i r p r i v a c y be o b s e r v e d .

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 $50,000. The maintenance l e v y i s 85% of 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 H o s t e l b u i l d i n g c o s t $3 m i l l i o n t o c o n s t r u c t . The l a n d s c a p i n g c o s t $180,000.

I n s p e c t i o n o f the h o s t e l a f t e r o p e n i n g day w i l l be l i m i t e d t o

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 appointment o n l y . P l e a s e c o n t a c t Cathy F e l l on 93-1169 t o a r r a n g e a s u i t a b l e t i m e .

SELF CARE UNITS A development a p p l i c a t i o n was l o d g e d w i t h Wyong S h i r e C o u n c i l December 4, 1987 and c o n s e n t was g r a n t e d A p r i l 12, 1988.

C o n s t r u c t i o n o f Stage I s e l f c a r e u n i t s was commenced August 1988 and was c o m p l e t e d November 1989. T h i s s t a g e of t h e development 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 c o s t o f $2.6 m i l l i o n .

There a r e 37 r e s i d e n c e s o c c u p i e d and a h o l d i n g d e p o s i t on the l a s t one.

Stage I I s e l f c a r e u n i t s were c o m p l e t e d i n May 1991. There a r e 16 u n i t s i n t h i s p a r t of the development. C u r r e n t l y 10 u n i t s 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 t a k e n . The occupancy f e e s f o r t h e 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 garage $5,000.

Stage I I I b u i l d i n g c o n t r a c t s were s i g n e d on May 1991 f o r 12 s e l f c a r e u n i t s , two v i l l a s and an a c t i v i t i e s c e n t r e . D e p o s i t s have been t a k e n on the two v i l l a s and seven s e l f c a r e u n i t s . The occupancy 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 u n i t s $96,500 and garage $6,000.

A development 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 the r e m a i n d e r of t h e s i t e i n J u l y 1991. The a p p l i c a t i o n 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 p o o l .

A l l t h e s e l f c a r e u n i t s and v i l l a s w i l l be f i t t e d w i t h emergency b u t t o n s w h i c h w i l l be l i n k e d t o t h e H o s t e l .

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 appointment o n l y by c o n t a c t i n g Reg T u r n b u l l 92-7183, R i c h a r d C o l l i n s 90-9729, o r Cathy F e l l 93-1169.

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THE CENTRAL COAST MASONIC CLUB LTD.

40 W a l l a r a h Road, Gorokan. 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 I n s t i t u t i o n s e t up by l o c a l masons. I t i s open t o e v e r y member of t h e community and has p r o v e d v e r y p o p u l a r and p r o f i t a b l e s i n c e i t s ope n i n g n e a r l y f i f t e e n y e a r s ago. I t has been 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 masonic p r o j e c t s .

The C l u b has been b e h i n d t h e r a i s i n g o f funds t o c e l e b r a t e the c e n t e n a r y on Masonry on t h e C e n t r a l Coast by h e l p i n g t o o r g a n i s e r a i s i n g funds f u n c t i o n s f o r t h a t p u r p o s e .

GOROKAN MASONIC CLUB

" S i t u a t e d on a b s o l u t e L a k e f r o n t o v e r l o o k i n g b e a u t i f u l Tuggerah L a k e s " had v e r y modest b e g i n n i n g s . Formed i n 1978, 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 above shops a t Gorokan.

I t was opened and was o p e r a t e d f o r a c o u p l e o f y e a r s u p s t a i r s o f a b l o c k of shops on W a l l a r a h Road. The C l u b bought 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 the p a r k f o r a w h i l e u n t i l i t opened as a C l u b f o r i t s members and t h e i r g u e s t s .

I n 1979, 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 w e l l 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 y e a r s , 19 of w h i c h a t t h e B l a c k t o w n Workers C l u b . She became s e c r e t a r y / m a n a g e r 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 , a n s w e r a b l e o n l y t o t h e Board o f D i r e c t o r s .

R a p i d l y t h e c l u b became renowned f o r i t s f r i e n d l y q u i e t atmosphere and i t s d i s t i n c t i v e s i t u a t i o n on the l a k e ' s f o r e s h o r e . I t i s p a t r o n i s e d m o s t l y but not e x c l u s i v e l y by masons and t h e i r f a m i l i e s , f r i e n d s and a c q u a i n t a n c e s , many b e i n g r e t i r e d p e o p l e .

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 m i l l i o n . Members have 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 bees and c o n t r i b u t i n g t o the "Buy a B r i c k " a p p e a l w h i c h r a i s e d $10,000, each b r i c k c o s t i n g 50 4.. i

I t can 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 o f f i c i a l l y opened by M.Wor.Bro.Harold COATES O.B.E. Grand M a s t e r of the U n i t e d Grand Lodge of New South Wales. The ope n i n g ceremony was f o l l o w e d

312

by t h r e e days of c e l e b r a t i o n s f o r the c l u b ' s 650 o r d i n a r y and 200 s o c i a l members.

The s e t t i n g of t h e c l u b c o m p r i s e a p i c t u r e s q u e two h e c t a r e s o f r o s e bushes and f l o w e r beds, shaded by t a l l gum t r e e s , two Greek s t y l e f o u n t a i n s a t the e n t r a n c e .

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 the l a k e and a t n i g h t , the d i s t a n t l i g h t s of The E n t r a n c e p u n c t u a t e the 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 o f a " B i s t r o " and a a - l a - c a r t e 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 H i b i s c u s Lounge has p o ker machines f o r the a d d i c t s , i t l e a d s t o the a u d i t o r i u m w h i c h p r o v i d e s a v a r i e t y o f e n t e r t a i n m e n t s such as d a n c i n g , movies and bands. I t c a t e r s a l s o f o r weddings and r e c e p t i o n s .

The most e n d e a r i n g f e a t u r e of t h e c l u b i s i t s c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o c h a r i t i e s and s e r v i c e t o t h e community and needs. I t has i n r e c e n t y e a r s , i n 1984, donated more t h a n $200 t o t h e H e a r t F o u n d a t i o n , $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 .

I n 1991 i t s u p p o r t e d the a p p e a l t o h e l p l i t t l e J e s s i c a I r w i n , 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 from 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 t r e a t m e n t i n Hungary.

There a r e p l a n s f o r e x t e n d i n g t h e c l u b p r e m i s e s and o f f e r i n g 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 membership.

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 s n i p p e t s of i n t e r e s t . P r e s i d e n t r e p o r t , c a l e n d a r of e v e n t s and d a t e s t o remember, a d v e r t i s e m e n t s , members s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t , groups such 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 , c o m p e t i t i o n s , funny s t o r i e s .

313

ANCIEMT AND ACCEPTED RITE

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314

FURTHER DEGREES 4° t o 33° INCLUSIVE.

ANCIENT and ACCEPTED RITE of the 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 M a s o n i c O r ders began t o emerge i n F r a n c e w h i c h c l a i m e d , though p r o o f i s s t i l l l a c k i n g , t o be d i r e c t descendant of the K n i g h t s Templar and s i m i l a r a n c i e n t M i l i t a r y O r d e r s of C h r i s t e n d o m . Many degrees were 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 w i t h o u t r e g a r d t o h i s t o r i c a l t r u t h , sought t o a s c r i b e the degrees an a n t i q u i t y w h i c h t h e y d i d not p o s s e s s .

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 ders appeared i n F r a n c e "The Emperors of The E a s t and West", 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 formed i n 1801 w h i c h r e c o g n i s e d an e x t e n s i o n from 25 t o 33 degrees under the t i t l e o f " A n c i e n t and A c c e p t e d S c o t t i s h R i t e " . (RITE fiCOSSAIS ANCIENT ET ACCEPT^), The 33 degrees of the Anc 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 the c o n t r o l o f a Supreme C o u n c i 1 . The f i r s t t h r e e degrees a r e 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 a l r e a d y been r e c e i v e d by the M a s t e r Masons who seek a d m i s s i o n i n t h e Order. However, t h e r e 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 ; the R i t e used f o r t h e o c c a s i o n s would be a c c o r d i n g t o t h e A & A. R i t u a l as p r a c t i s e d i n F r a n c e f o r i n s t a n c e .

A Supreme C o u n c i l of S c o t l a n d was formed i n 1746 t o s u p p o r t t h a t r i t e . A Grand C o n s t i t u t i o n had come i n t o b e i n g on the 1 s t May 1786, c o n s i s t i n g o f 18 A r t i c l e s under w h i c h a l l Supreme C o u n c i l s t h r o u g h t h e w o r l d have been c o n s t i t u t e d 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 and t h a t f o r S c o t l a n d were r e p r e s e n t e d i n A u s t r a l i a , but no A u s t r a l i a n Supreme C o u n c i l had been formed u n t i l The Supreme C o u n c i l f o r A u s t r a l i a o f the T h i r t y T h i r d and l a s t Degree o f the 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 formed on t h e 13th day o f F e b r u a r y 1964. T h i s was done by Grand Supreme U n i v e r s a l I n s p e c t o r s assembled i n Supreme C o u n c i l f o r t h e government of 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 " A u s t r a l i a n 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 the 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 i n A u s t r a l i a . 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 membership of the A u s t r a l i a n C o n s t i t u t i o n was a case f o r e x c l u s i o n . Thus, p r i o r t o 1985 the s e r i e s of degrees denominated R + C 18 ° and 30 ° and o v e r were r e p r e s e n t e d by t h r e e c o n s t i t u t i o n s , namely E n g l i s h , S c o t t i s h and A u s t r a l i a n .

315

The s e r i e s of the A n c i e n t and A c c e p t e d R i t e i s d i v i d e d i n t o two main s e c t i o n s -

The S o v e r e i g n C h a p t e r s t h a t i n c l u d e the 4 t h t o the 18th degrees i n c l u s i v e The S o v e r e i g n C o u n c i l s t h a t i n c l u d e the 19th t o the 3 0 t h degrees i n c l u s i v e Then the 31, 32 and 33 a r e c o n f e r r e d s e p a r a t e l y .

The 4 t h t o 17th and 19 t o 29 a r e o n l y communicated, t h a t i s t o say o n l y the 18, 30 and above a r e r i t u a l 1 y p e r f o r m e d t h r o u g h a p r o p e r ceremony.

L o c a l l y t h e r e were a number of S o v e r e i g n C h a p t e r s of the 18th degree 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 were g e n e r a l l y s i m i l a r . There a r e now o n l y two c o n s t i t u t i o n s r e p r e s e n t e d .

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 t h e S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n , c o n f e r r i n g t h e degrees from 19th t o 30, t h e l a s t one o n l y b e i n g r i t u a l l y c o n f e r r e d .

The degrees 3 1 s t t o 3 3 r d a r e c o n f e r r e d o n l y i n Sydney or N e w c a s t l e .

I n 1985 a p a r t i a l amalgamation was e f f e c t e d between the E n g l i s h and S c o t t i s h R i t e s of t h e 18th degree i n t o a new " 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 C h a p t e r s O v e r s e a s " , however, 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 C o u n c i l s ( 3 0 t h ) chose t o remain i n the S c o t t i s h C o n s i t u e n c y . The S o v e r e i g n C h a p t e r and the S o v e r e i g n C o u n c i l BRISBANE WATER S.C. a t Woy Woy b e i n g one of them.

Thus the new body formed i n 1985 c o l l e c t e d a l l t h e E n g l i s h and p a r t of the S c o t t i s h ; but the S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n was s t i l l r e p r e s e n t e d , a l b e i t i n a much re d u c e d number, 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 C o n s t i t u t i o n was a l s o p r e s e n t . They were m e e t i n g r e s p e c t i v e l y a t G o s f o r d ( 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 ) , 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 C o n s t i t u t i o n ) .

I n 1991, the Rose C r o i x , A u s t r a l i a n C o n s t i t u t i o n , u n i t e d w i t h the S t a t e s and T e r r i t o r i e s C o n s t i t u t i o n s .

At the p r e s e n t moment (1992) th e s e r i e s of degrees t o 3 3 r d a r e r e p r e s e n t e d i n our d i s t r i c t by two c o n s t i t u t i o n s named above.

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 18° i n our d i s t r i c t a r e : -

316

BRISBANE WATER,No.21 o p e r a t i n g a t Woy Woy ( S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n ) AEDIS CHRISTI No.49 o p e r a t i n g a t G o s f o r d , and CENTRAL COAST No.249, 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 t o 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 C o u n c i l s 30° a r e : -

WOY WOY 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 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 .

AEDIS CHRISTI CHAPTER

ROSE C R O I X . No. 433

SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE XXXIII DEGREE of the

Ancient and Accepted R i t e f o r England and Wales, the Dominions and Dependencies of the B r i t i s h Crown.

Sovereign Chapter Rose C r o i x AEDIS CHRISTI No. 433, E.G. of H.R.D.M.

FOUNDED: 7 April 1951

DATE OF WARRANT: 8 February 1951

PLACE OF MEETING: 26 William Street Gosford 2250

DATE OF MEETING: 2nd Saturday in February, May, August & November.

ENTHRONEMENT: 2nd Saturday in May

This Chapter became No. 49 from 1985

U N D E R T H E S U P R E M E C O U N C I L 3 3 " O F T H E A N C I E N T A N D A C C E P T E D R I T E F O R T H E S T A T E S A N D

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 A N D C H A P T E R S

O V E R S E A S

AEDIS CHRIST!

ROSE C R O I X

C H A P T E R No. 49

318

AEDIS CHRISTI CHAPTER

ROSE CROIX OF H.R.D.M.

No. 433 E.G. 1951 to 1985.

No. 49 A.C. from 1985.

Under the Supreme Council 33° Ancient and Accepted R i t e f o r England and Wales, the

Dominions and Dependencies of the 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. C.L. F. J . A.J. H.B. R.B. A.L. R.T. G. W.

DENT HUGHES-HALLETT KINDON SAMSON MAWSON LOWRY WADDINGTON TARRANT GARY

E. ROSENFELDER K.R.G. DOWNES K.C. McPHERSON J.E. KIRKNESS

McKENZIE BOOKER SMITH MITCHELL CONSTABLE

G. LOWE W.E. CHILDS

PENMAN LINDQUIST PATTON ARTHURSON BOSGARD HUNTER CHILDS RICHARDS

R.C. R.H. R.B. W.J. J.C.

N.E. E.A. H.L. J.T. P.W. M.T. W.F. W.H.

1978 L. 1979 T. 1980 V. 1981 A. 1982 P, 1983 R, 1984 E, 1985 K,

A. STERLING A. BEACROFT W. LYNCH TAYLOR C. JAYASINHA A. BOYLAN R. ALLEN B. WHITE

AEDIS CHRISTI CHAPTER No. 49 R + C of the 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 Territories of

Australia and its dist r i c t s and Chapters

Overseas.)

1986 N.J. MAUNDER 1987 F. LUTTON 1988 A.L.G. TAYLOR 1989 W.H. LUX 1990 W.H. LUX 1991 E.G. LEGGETT 1992

319

ExjUiactA fjtom:

FORTY YEARS

OF

ROSE CROIX MASONRY

WITH

AEDIS CHRISTI CHAPTER No 49

FORMERLY No 433 E.G.

PREPARED BY :

III BRO W.H. Lux

M.W.S. 1989/91

320

HISTORY OF AEDIS CHRISTI CHAPTER

ROSE CROIX No. 49

The f i r s t recorded h i s t o r y of the Aedis C h r i s t i Chapter commenced on Saturday, 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 that much thought and planning had preceded t h i s meeting, but with the passing of time those shared experiences have passed away with our p r o g e n i t o r s . No doubt we can s a f e l y say that those names appearing as Foundation O f f i c e r s must have been deeply i n v o l v e d i n i t s formation.

An o c c a s i o n a l Lodge was opened at 3.30pm under the Warrant of Aedis C h r i s t i Chapter No. 433 E.G. by 111. Bro. C a r r i c k 30° - the o f f i c e s being f i l l e d as f o l l o w s : -

P r e l a t e 111. Bro. A. A. Biddle 31° 1st General 111. Bro. G. Johnson 30° 2nd General 111. Bro. F i l s h i e 30° M a r s h a l l 111. Bro. A. E. L. T r e b i l c o 30° Raphael 111. Bro. H. Mearnes 30° D.G. 111. Bro. H. V. H. Watch 32° A/D.C. 111. Bro. H. G. Meek 31° Herald 111. Bro. T. Braban 30° Captain of the

Guard 111. Bro. V. E. Watkins 30° Organist 111. Bro. L. McM. Trimble 31°

A b a l l o t as candidates f o r P e r f e c t i o n was held f o r : -

W. Bro. A. J . Samson Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES Bro. J . Coppin " " Bro. L. C. Judd RISING SUN Bro. R. R. Mortimer " "

W. Bro. G. W. Carey GOSFORD

The b a l l o t proving c l e a r , W. Bros. Samson and Carey and Bros. Cop-p i n and Judd were p e r f e c t e d . Unfortunately, Bro. Mortimer was unable to attend. The meeting then adjourned u n t i l 7pm when the Inspector General 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 . In performing the Consecration 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 Consecrating O f f i c e r 2nd A s s i s t i n g Consecrating O f f i c e r 3rd A s s i s t i n g Consecrating O f f i c e r Grand D i r e c t o r of Ceremonies

111. Bro. A. A. Biddle 31° 111. Bro. E. E. Jennings 32° 111. Bro. H. Gordon Bennett 31° 111. Bro. H. G. Meek 31° 111. Bro. H. V. H. Watch 32°

321

The Inspector General addressed the Meeting, s t a t i n g i t s nature and the reason why i t was he l d i n Sydney and not i n Gosford.

The Warrant from the Supreme Chapter 33° was read by the Grand D i r e c t o r of Ceremonies.

The Consecrating O f f i c e r s i n t u r n s c a t t e r e d the corn, poured the wine and s p r i n k l e d the o i l . The Inspector General s c a t t e r e d roses, f o l l o w i n g which he Consecrated and Dedicated the Chapter.

The Most Wise Sovereign Designate, 111. Bro. A.E. Dent 30° was then Enthroned - the Treasurer and Outer Guard were e l e c t e d and with these the f o l l o w i n g O f f i c e r s were appointed.

P r e l a t e 111.Bro. E.A. Jeater 30° 1st General E. & P. Bro. C. HughBs-Hallett 18° 2nd General E. & P. Bro. M. Terry 18° Treasurer 111.Bro. L.H. Biddulph 30° Recorder E. & P. Bro. Kindon 18° Mar s h a l l E. & P. Bro. A.J. Samson 18° Raphael E. & P. Bro. R.B. Lowrie 18° Captain of the Guard E. & P. Bro. A.L. Waddington 18°

The remaining foundation members were: E. & P. Bro. G.W. Carey E. & P. Bro. L.C. Judd 111 .Bro. H.G. Meek 31° E. & P. Bro. A.J. Reedman.

The second meeting was held i n Gosford i n August when W. Bro. B.H. Mawson, the W.M. of Lodge WYONG was b a l l o t e d f o r and perf e c t e d i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h V. W. Bro. R.R. Mortimer, 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 already 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 at the t h i r d meeting E. & P. Bro. H.S. Naylor became the f i r s t j o i n i n g member while Bros. E. Rosenfelder and L t . C o l . R.T. Tarrent were per f e c t e d .

At the 4th Meeting those a l l important By-laws became a v a i l a b l e at 4/- each and during the evening a very 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. Bro. 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 the Chapter's H i s t o r y was forged when E. & P. Bro. C l i v e L. Hughes-Hallett was e l e c t e d as the M.W.S. Designate.

Thus c l o s e d the f i r s t very busy and productive year f o r the baby Aedis C h r i s t i Chapter. I t would be w e l l to record the g i f t s which were rec e i v e d and which a s s i s t e d i n the running of the Chapter.

r

322

A l t a r and f u r n i s h i n g s Pedestal and roses f o r A l t a r and f l o o r C halice Cubic Stone and Gavels M.W.S. Sceptre Alms Dish Music Score

B i b l e Candidate Regalia Presence Book Seven C i r c l e s Black c l o t h •

111.Bro. A.E. Dent 31 111.Bro. H.G. Meek 31° H.G. Wilson St. Judes Chapter Cumberland Chapter St M a r y - l e - P e n r i t h Chapter Sydney St. James Chapter 111.Bro. H. Mearnes 30° 111.Bro. A.A. Biddle 31° Estate S.B. Cox Peel Chapter E.M. Humphreys Miss F. Terry

Second Year 1952/53 Meetings 5,6,7 & 8.

E. & P. Bro. C.L. Hughes-Hallett was enthroned. Brethren 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. Pinn Bro. H.H. Rutter Bro. L. Turton.

The f o l l o w i n g

Third Year 1953/54 Meetings 9,10,11 and 12.

E. & P. Bro. F.J. Kindon was enthroned.

On the occasion of t h i s enthronement 111. Bro. H. Gordon Bennett v i s i t e d the Chapter.

During the term the f o l l o w i n g Brethren were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : -Bro. K.R.G. Downes Bro. C.E. McL. Sloman Bro. J.E. Kirkness (14.11.53) Bro. K.C. MacPherson (14.11.53) W. Bro. F.K. Imerson Bro. J.W. Haves

Membership to t h i s time had r i s e n to 29.

Fourth 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 Brethren were b a l l o t e d f o r and pe r f e c t e d -W. Bro. J.R. Winning W. Bro. R.A. Mortimer (W.M. Lodge Gosford.) Bro. E. Bennett-Bremmer Bro. J.W. Roberts

F i f t h Year 1955/56 Meetings 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21

E. & P. Bro. B.H. Mawson was enthroned.

There was one j o i n i n g member during the year i n the person of E. & P. Bro. J.W. Ireson.

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. Harold E. Jackson M.L.A. W. Bro. G.W. Scorgie Bro. H.B Atkinson Bro. R.B. Smith (Organist R i s i n g

Sun - 12/11/55)

323

W. Bro. H.J. Jamieson Bro. S.W. P i c k e t t

On Saturday 7 A p r i l , the 21st Meeting was an emergent meeting at which the two Brethren named above were pe r f e c t e d .

I t was i n t e r e s t i n g to note that i n the August meeting a u t h o r i s a t i o n was given f o r the purchase of a gross of red candles.

S i x t h Year 1956/57 Meetings 22, 23, 24 & 25.

E. & P. Bro. R.B. Lowry was enthroned.

I t i s i n t e r e s t i n g to note that names that 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 begin t h e i r appearance. Jim Kirkness 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 foot on the bottom of the ladder 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. In f a c t t h i s was only the second occasion on which the O f f i c e of o r g a n i s t was f i l l e d .

During t h i s year the f o l l o w i n g Brethren were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : -Bro. L.G. Convary W.Bro. F.N. F a r r e l l (Well known f o r h i s e f f o r t s

on the Wyong Shire Council - f o r many years i t s President.)

V.W. Bro. J.C. J e f f e r y Bro. N. Mullen (For a number of years Treasurer of Lodge Tuggerah Lakes.)

Bro. R.C. McKenzie Bro. H. Cartwright

Honorary Membership was conferred on:-V. 111. Bro. H.G. Meek 33° 111. Bro. E.A. Jeater 31° 111. Bro. J.H. Biddulph Since the commencement of the Chapter i t s strength had now grown to 42 Members.

Seventh Year 1957/58 Meetings 26, 27, 28 & 29.

E. & P. Bro. A.L. Waddington was enthroned.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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. Percy Tate Bro. R.R. W i l s h i r e

W. Bro. M.H. Scott was l i s t e d f o r b a l l o t at the February meeting, but never eventuated. Instead there 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. Hughes-Hallett. This was a f i r s t f o r both e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n and a t a l k .

Eighth Year 1958/59 Meetings 30, 31, 32 & 33.

E. & P. Bro. R.T. Tarrant was enthroned.

324

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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. Taylor (Alex) Bro. F. R. K e l l V.W. Bro. H. P. Walker Bro. D. H. Hammer

A number of i n t e r e s t i n g features during the year i n c l u d e d : -(a) The rent was r a i s e d to £18 per year. (b) The p r a c t i c e began of paying a person to prepare and d i s

mantle the f u r n i s h i n g s . (c) An address was presented by M.W.S. at the November meeting. (d) For the b a l l o t f o r M.W.S., a b a l l o t paper was provided

showing the 1st General and a l l past M.W.S. who could be e l i g i b l e .

Ninth Year 1959/60 Meetings 34, 35, 36 and 37.

E. & P. Bro. G. W. Garey was enthroned.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : -W. Bro. R. C. Potts Bro. R. H. Booker

During t h i s year addressed were presented by 111. Bro. Meek and E. & P. Bro. M. Terry. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , 111. Bro. Meek passed away only two months a f t e r h i s t a l k .

V. 111. Bro. C. Hughes-Hallett 33° becomes I.G. Designate.

(tmr oecAoe oi th& sovmeuGN cmnen's exjsTSNce)

Tenth Year 1960/61 Meetings 38, 39, 40 and 41.

E. & P. Bro. E. Rosenf e l d e r was enthroned and 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 E. & P. Bro. K. Downes

2nd General E. & P. Bro. J. Kirkness

Recorder E. & P. Bro. A. Taylor

Marshall E. & P. Bro. W. Mitchell

Organist E. & P. Bro. R. Smith

1st Gen. E. & P. Bro. K. MacPherson

Treas. E. & P. Bro. H. Jackson

D.C. 111. Bro. A. Waddington

Raphael E. & P. Bro. H. Matthews

C.of Gd. E. & P. Bro. D. Hammer

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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 Bro. A. E. Saunders Bro. M. R. Eades Bro. D. McDonald Bro. W. E. Ch i l d s Bro. J.C.Constable

This year saw the annual dues r a i s e d from two to three guineas.

Eleventh Year 1961/62 Meetings 42, 43, 44 and 45.

E. & P. Bro. K. R. G. Downes was enthroned.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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 Bro. E. A. Blake Bro. A. G. Smyth Bro. C. A. P a r t r i d g e

325

Twelfth Year 1962/63 Meetings 46, 47, 48 & 49.

E. & P. Bro. K.C. MacPherson was enthroned.

Notice that the Chapter i s again without an org a n i s t - Reg Smith has placed h i s foot on the bottom step.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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. Bro. A. Burke Bro.E.H.L. Ruff Bro. H.G. B a r r e t t

A j o i n i n g member i n the person E. & P. Bro. C. Hibberd was admitted. The f o l l o w i n g Brethren passed to the Grand Lodge above

111. Bro. G.W. Carey (June) E. & P. Bro. F.T.G. Vaughan (June 3) 111. Bro. R.B. Lowry (October 25)

Membership had now r i s e n to 51.

Th i r t e e n t h Year 1963/64 Meetings 50, 51, 52 & 53

E. & P. Bro. J.E. Kirkness was enthroned.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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. Strachan - another from Kim's Camp - V. 111. Bro. Hughes-H a l l e t t had to be h i s sponsor. W. Bro. S. Handcock W.Bro. R.K. Ray There were two j o i n i n g members during the year, namely -E. & P. Bro. W.J. Hawke 111. Bro. F.L. James

The chapter was saddened by the passing of the f o l l o w i n g members E. & P. Bro. A. Burke ( A p r i l 20) 111. Bro. L.H. Biddulph 31° ( A u g ^ E. & P. Bro.H.G. B a r r e t t (Nov 29) and during h i s term as P r e l a t e E. & P. Bro. H.A. Matthews (August 9).

During these years i t i s i n t e r e s t i n g to note that Brethren were requested to wear white gloves.

Fourteenth Year 1964/65 Meetings 54, 55, 56 & 57.

E. & P. Bro. R.C. McKenzie was enthroned as M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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. Roberts W. Bro. L.W. Gray Bro. H.J. Scott

During t h i s term E. & P. Bros. K.C. MacPherson and W.J. Hawke were elevated to the 30 .

F i f t e e n t h Year 1965/66 Meetings 58, 59, 60 & 61.

E. & P. Bro. R.H. Booker was enthroned as M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren were b a l l o t e d f or and p e r f e c t e d : -Bro. A.G. Fearnside W. Bro. G.C. Dunlop W. Bro. S.R. Leach

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For the f i r s t time i n the Chapter, the August meeting had two members c i t e d f or non-payment of dues.

Sixteenth Year 1966/67 Meetings 62, 63, 64 & 65.

E. & P. Bro. R.B. Smith was enthroned as M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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 Bro. P.H. Minks W. Bro. J.W.A. Elms W. Bro. J.S. Warrant Bro. H.L. Patton

E. & P. Bro. E.A. L i n d q u i s t was accepted as a J o i n i n g Member. During the year Jim Kirkness was elevated to the 30 .

A new D i s t r i c t was approved to be known as "Hunter and Hawkesbury V a l l e y s D i s t r i c t of N.S.W." i n c l u d i n g the Chapters of Gosford, Cessnock, Maitland and Newcastle. On Saturday, 6 August A l l a n N. Kirkwood was i n s t a l l e d as the Inspector General.

Seventeenth Year 1967/68 Meetings 66, 67, 68 & 69.

E. & P. Bro. 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 Brethren 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 Bro. G.I.A. G r e n f e l l V.W. Bro. P.W. Bosgard

E. & P. Bro. J.T. Arthurson was admitted as a J o i n i n g Member.

In August members under the 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 of s t a r t i n g a Chapter i n Wyong.

Eighteenth Year 1968/69 Meetings 70, 71, 72 & 73.

E. & P. Bro. J.C. Constable was enthroned as the M.W.S.

Unfortunately the D.C. 111. Bro. E. Rosenfelder 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 Meeting. The f o l l o w i n g were invested at the November meeting:-D.C. 111. Bro. J . Kirkness Raphael E. & P. Bro. J . Arthurson

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren were b a l l o t e d f or and p e r f e c t e d : -Bro. J.H. P e t t i f o r d Bro. T.S. M i l n e r Bro. E.J. Wood Bro. A. Webb Bro. B. Payne Bro. W.F. Chi Ids - the son of our 1st General.

I l l . Bro. A.J. Bryant 31° was accepted 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 f o r p e r f e c t i o n was reduced to one year as a M.M.

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Nineteenth Year 1969/70 Meetings 74, 75, 76 & 77. E. & P. Bro. C. Lowe was enthroned as the M.W.S.

Our i n t r e p i d Organist, Reg Smith i s elevated to 30°.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : -W. Bro. W.H. Richards - W.M. of Lodge Morning Star. Bro. A.B. I s l e s W. Bro. N.J. Halden Bro. H. Beros

E. & P. Bro. L.A. S t e r l i n g was accepted as a j o i n i n g member.

I t was wi t h great regret that t h i s year witnessed the passing of two of our e a r l i e s t members i n the persons of 111. Bro. A.J. Samson 32 who was perfected 7 A p r i l 1951 - the day of Consecration and who was accepted as a Foundation member, and 111. Bro. B.H. Mawson 31° who was perfe c t e d at the f i r s t meeting of the Chapter held at Gosford f o l l o w i n g Consecration.

Twentieth Year 1970/71 Meetings 78, 79, 80 & 81.

SECOND oecAoe.

E. & P. Bro. W.E. C h i l d s was enthroned as M.W.S. and 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 : -P r e l a t e E. & P. Bro. N. Penman 1st Gen. E & P Bro. E. Li n d q u i s t 2nd Gen. E. & P. Bro. J . Arthurson Treas. 111.Bro.W. M i t c h e l l 30° Recorder 111. Bro. F. James 30° D.C. 111. Bro. K. MacPherson M a r s h a l l E. & P. Bro. M. Hunter Raphael E & P Bro. H. Patton C. of Gd. E. & P. Bro. W.F. C h i l d s Organist 111.Bro. R. Smith

For the f i r s t time we see a Father and Son team working as O f f i c e r s .

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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. Meithke W. Bro. E.L. Thompson Bro.L.R. Marsh

E. & P. Bro. P.R. D r u i t t was accepted as a j o i n i n g member.

K e i t h MacPherson had now been elevated to the 31°. During the year the By-laws were changed so that now i t was required that two black b a l l s could exclude a candidate i n place of the previous n e c e s s i t y f o r a unanimous b a l l o t . I t was al s o decided that the members should continue to wear white gloves during meetings.

Membership had now r i s e n to 54.

Twenty f i r s t Year 1971/72 Meetings 82, 83, 84 & 85.

E. & P'. Bro. N.W. Penman was enthroned as the M.W.S.

Follo w i n g the Enthronement Ceremony The Sovereign Grand Inspector General read a b r i e f h i s t o r y of Rose C r o i x Masonry from the beginning of the 18th Century.

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Another very important n o t i c e was made that 111. Bro. K. MacPherson had been elevated to 33 and had been made the new Sovereign Grand Inspector General. The I n s t a l l a t i o n took place on 13 November 1971.

The f o l l o w i n g Brother 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 Brethren were rece 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. CM. McCulloch.

Though not associated w i t h the Chapter there 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 that the then Grand Master E. & P. Bro. Bob Hammond was to be enthroned as M.W.S. of St Andrews Chapter. Following t h i s V. 111. Bro. S i r Frank McDowell 33° would I n s t a l l V. 111. Bro. E r i c Primrose 33° as S.G.I.G. N.S.W. South East C e n t r a l D i s t r i c t - T i c k e t s from 111. Bro. Harry Maas 32°.

Twenty Second Year 1973/74 Meetings 86, 87, 88 & 89.

E. & P. Bro. E.A. 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 Brethren 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. Huntington W. Bro. G. Van Drempt Bro. E.F. Tate Bro. L.H.H. Flood

111. Bro. D.J. Rose 30° and 111. Bro. L i e u t - C o l o n e l R.T. Tarrant 30° were re c e i v e d as J o i n i n g Members.

And so begins the second Father and Son team i n the Chapter.

Twenty Third Year 1973/74 Meetings 90, 91, 92 & 93.

Owing to the i l l n e s s of the M.W.S. el e c t ^ the Enthronement was deferred u n t i l August. In i t s place the S.G.I.G. V. 111. Bro. K. McPherson d e l i v e r e d a t a l k on "The Great Pyramids of Egypt". On d i s p e n s a t i o n E. & P. Bro. H.L. Patton was enthroned as M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren were b a l l o t e d for and p e r f e c t e d : -Bro. Rev. A.J. P r i c e Bro. W.D. Campbell

The S.G.I.G. V. I I I . Bro. K e i t h McPherson d e l i v e r e d a second t a l k e n t i t l e d " C h a r i t y " .

During the year 111. Bro. R. Smith stepped down as Recorder and was replaced by E. & P. Bro. E r i c L i n d q u i s t .

The Chapter was saddened by the lo s s of 111. Bro. K.R.G. Downes 31° and 111. Bro. K.E.D. Lennard 30°.

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Twenty Fourth Year 1974/75 Meetings 94, 95, 96 & 97.

E. & P. Bro. J . Arthurson was enthroned as the M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren were b a l l o t e d f o r and p e r f e c t e d : -Bro. A. Taylor Bro. R. M. Gallagher Bro. J . McRea

E. & P. Bros. L. N. O ' N e i l l , T. A. Beacroft and S. J . M. Wormald were received as J o i n i n g Members.

The Ghapter was devastated by the passing during the year of the M.W.S. - E. & P. Bro. John Tucker Arthurson on 15 August 1974.

Twenty F i f t h Year 1975/76 Meetings 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 Brethren 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. Bros. H. Adamson and A.W. Glutton

Despite the f a c t that 111. Bro. H. Patton had s u f f e r e d the great l o s s of h i s Wife and Mother-in-Law only very r e c e n t l y , he assumed the Chair i n the absence of the M.W.S. f o r the 100th Meeting. Present on that occasion was M. 111. Bros. M y l e s - C a r r i c k 33 °, A u s t r a l i a n Branch Commander; a del e g a t i o n from the branch Council and Representatives from the S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n .

During the evening Bro. N e i l S. Stephenson was perf e c t e d . This Brother was from Suva, had been r a i s e d i n Lodge F i j i and a s u b s c r i b i n g member of Lodge Lautoka.

On t h i s occasion, the f o l l o w i n g i n t e r e s t i n g observations were made: "AEDIS CHRISTI" (named a f t e r Gosford's C h r i s t Church) was one of a number of e a r l y post-war Chapters which came under the i n f l u e n c e of Charles 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 achieving something d i s t i n c t i v e when i t came to decor. He managed somehow to capture the 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 design f o r the new Cathedral at Auckland was judged the winner of a world-wide competition, and i n the e a r l y f i f t i e s he crossed the Tasman to take up residence and supervise the b u i l d i n g of h i s Cathedral.

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 to be frequented as a ' half-way house' f o r f r i e n d s

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separated 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 of the c a l i b r e of Charles Throsby and Ebb Richard Badgery-Parker. Another v i s i t o r always warmly welcomed was General Gordon Bennett, who r e c a l l e d that the f i r s t young o f f i c e r enlistments i n 1914 from Gosford and Wyong were Arthur Dent and Richard Tarrant, the 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 believably a c t i v e i n West Country Masonry i n the land of the Mother Grand Lodge of the World. These veterans were i n t e n s e l y proud of Colonel Fred Kindon, 3rd Sovereign and h i s f i r s t ' c h a i r ' i n Masonry, who clos e on 80 years o l d , had done so much i n the a d m i n i s t r a t i v e f i e l d to set up the Chapter.

Twenty S i x t h Year 1976/77 Meetings 102, 103, 104 & 105.

E. & P. Bro. W.F. CHILDS was Enthroned as the M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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 addresses during the year - one by 111. Bro. K. Ford, e n t i t l e d 'Some Aspects of the 18°', and another by V. 111. Bro. K. MacPherson on some of h i s experiences i n England.

Twenty Seventh Year 1977/78 Meetings 106, 107, 108 & 109.

E. & P. Bro. W.H. Richards was Enthroned as the M.W.S.

During that 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 the Inspector General by V . I l l . Bro. K. MacPherson 33 °. Present was a del e g a t i o n from Branch Council l e d by M . I l l . Bro. Catt 33°, Deputy Branch Commander.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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 Eighth Year 1978/79 Meetings 110, 111, 112 & 113.

E. & P. Bro. L. S t e r l i n g was enthroned as the M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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

This was unusual i n that two fut u r e D.G.I.W.s were perf e c t e d during the same year.

During t h i s term i t was decided to present a cubic stone to each new chapter - i t was advised that the 18° apron be no longer worn as part of r e g a l i a - W i l f C h i l d s and B i l l Richards were elevated to 30°.

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Twenty Ninth Year 1979/80 Meetings 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 Brethren 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. Jayasinha [ i t i s i n t e r e s t i n g to note that C a r l was r a i s e d i n Lodge ORION No. 5130 U.G.L. of Ceylon] Bro. J.R. Doust

The Chapter was honoured with a t a l k by V. I l l . Bro. N. E l k i n g ton, S.G.I.G., on 'The Symbolism of Light and Darkness'.

I l l . Bro. Dave Henry was given a very warm welcome to the Chapter at two consecutive meetings. This 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 the f o l l o w ing 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. Jayasinha Recorder 111. Bro. H. Patton 30° Mars h a l l E. & P. Bro. P. Tabuteau Almoner E. & P. Bro. P. Tate C. of Gd. E. & P. Bro. F. Tate

1st Gen. E. & P. Bro. A. Taylor Treasurer 111. Bro. N. Penman 31° D.C. 111. Bro. J . Kirkness 32° Raphael 111. Bro. L. O ' N e i l l 30° Herald E. & P. Bro. K. White Organist 111. Bro. R. Smith 31°

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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. Lutton [This Brother was responsible f o r encouraging a great number of Brethren from Lodge TUGGERAH LAKES to j o i n t h i s Chapter.

During the year a good number of J o i n i n g Members were welcomed to the Chapter:-111. Bro. K.H. Ba s t i a n 30° 111. Bro. R.A. Boylan 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. Alex TAYLOR was Enthroned as the M.W.S. , and 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 : -

P r e l a t e 2nd Gen. Recorder M a r s h a l l Almoner C. of Gd.

E. E. I I I . E. E.

& P. & P.

& P. & P.

Bro. Bro.

Bro. H. Bro. Bro.

E. & P. Bro.

R. A l l e n K. White Patton 31° P. Tabuteau P. Tate F. Tate

1st Gen. E. & Treasurer 111. D.C. Raphael Herald Organist

P. Bro. Bro. N. Bro. J . Bro. R.

E. & P. Bro. 111. Bro. R.

111. 111.

C. Jayasinha Penman 31° Kirkness 31° Boylan 30° I. Ross Smith

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The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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 Bro. A.L. Hughes W.Bro. A.T.F. Hocking W.Bro. H.A. Howard.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren were welcomed as J o i n i n g Members:-

E. & P.Bro. F.A. Chalk E. & P.Bro. M. Barry E. & P.Bro. W.H.Lux

During the year I I I . B r o . Peter Patton was elevated to the 3 l '

T h i r t y Second Year 1982/83 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 Brethren 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. Taylor Bro. 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 Third Year 1983/84 Meetings 130, 131, 132, 133.

111.Bro. TIM BOYLAN was Enthroned as M.W.S.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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 Bro. A.B. Lee W.Bro. R.G.F. Lloyd W.Bro. E.K. Leggett.

The membership of the Chapter had now r i s e n to 53.

T h i r t y Fourth 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. Carter were b a l l o t e d f o r and perfected.

The f o l l o w i n g Brethren 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 I l l . B r o . 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 Meetings 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 Brethren 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.

During the year V . I l l . B r o . Don Markey 33° became I.G. of 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 the retirement 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 Recorder. M . I l l . B r o . C.L. Hughes-Hallett was honoured by the Chapter w i t h the granting of L i f e Membership.

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T h i r t y S i x t h Year 1986/87 Meetings 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 Brethren were b a l l o t e d f o r and pe r f e c t e d : -W.Bro. J.R. Murphy 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 Member and 111.Bro. G. Lowe was welcomed as an A f f i l i a t i n g Member.

At the February meeting an e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n was done employing the new r i t u a l .

T h i r t y Seventh Year 1987/88 Meetings 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 Brethren 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 Bro. T.E. Mo r r i s Bro. B.K. Shepherd.

111.Bro. B.P. Mudge 30° 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 . I l l . B r o . Don Markey was promoted to the p o s i t i o n of Regional Commander on the Supreme C o u n c i l . V.I11.Bro. Gwilym John 33 promoted to S.G.I.G.

The Chapter was favoured with a Lecture by V . I l l . B r o . N. E l k i n g t o n on "The Eighteenth Degree."

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 vote of 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 Eighth 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 Brethren 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. Parker

111.Bro. A. B a l l and E. & P.Bro. J.G. Ma r t i n were welcomed as Jo 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 passing of one or our most h i g h l y esteemed Members i n the person of M . I l l . B r o . C.L. Hughes-Hallett 33° and then on the 4th 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 b r i e f l y became our S.G.I.G. u n t i l

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V . I l l . B r o . Harry Brown was i n s t a l l e d i n t o that p o s i t i o n .

The November meeting proved an unusual one. A f i r e commenced i n one of the shops on the ground f l o o r causing our meeting to be abandoned and the Temple evacuated. A l l who were present on that night w i l l remember the experience - p a r t i c u l a r l y the struggle down the smoke f i l l e d s t a i r s . The ceremony was ex e m p l i f i e d at the February Meeting so that the P e r f e c t i o n could be f u l l y completed

T h i r t y Ninth 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 Brethren 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. Wilson Bro. N.F. Rae Bro. 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 given the a u t h o r i t y to dispose 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 years 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 as M.W.S. O f f i c e r s were i n v e s t e d : -

and the f o l l o w i n g

P r e l a t e 111.Bro.N.Maunder 30 1st.Gen. 2nd Gen E & P Bro.J.Wainwright Treasurer Recorder 111.Bro.D.Henry 32° D.C. Asst.D.C.111.Bro.W.Richards 30° Mar s h a l l Almoner E & P.Bro.F.Tate Herald C. of Gd.E & P.Bro.G. Morgan Organist O.G. E & P.Bro.R.Parker

E & P Bro.E.Leggett 111.Bro.N.Penman 31° 111.Bro.J.Kirkness 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 Brethren 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. Hitchcock W.Bro. T.B. F u l l e r V.W.Bro.J.C. Wassell W.Bro. W.J. Kerr W.Bro. R. Eraser

The Chapter was saddened by the passing of a number of wonderful masons, some of 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 Lutton 30 E.& P.Bro. Arthur 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 there were two very important developments.

The Supreme Council d i v i d e d the D i s t r i c t of N.S.W. Ce n t r a l Coast i n t o two new D i s t r i c t s . The Northern one to be known as N.S.W.

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Shortland and whose S.G.I.G. would be V . I l l . B r o . Harry Brown 33°. The Southern one to be N.S.W. Hunter. V . I l l . B r o . Norm Ward was promoted to 33 and was invested as S.G.I.G. at the Belmont Masonic Centre on Saturday, 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 Council f u r t h e r advised that Chapter Members of the "1964 Body" i n c l u d i n g the Chapter meeting at Wyong were o f f i c i a l l y j o i n i n g our C o n s t i t u t i o n at a s p e c i a l ceremony at the Masonic Centre, Sydney on Saturday 10th November, 1990. Despite the fa c t that t h i s meeting c o i n c i d e d w i t h the November meeting of Aedis C h r i s t i Chapter the M.W.S. 111.Bro. B i l l Lux, the P r e l a t e 111. Bro. Noel Maunder, 111. Bro. Doug Duns and E. & P. Bro. B i l l Anderson attended the s p e c i a l ceremony and the f o l l o w i n g Banquet. I t proved a most impressive and g r a t i f y i n g occasion.

On Saturday 24th November, 1990 the M.W.S. lead a very f i n e delegat i o n of Aedis C h r i s t i Chapter members to what i s a n t i c i p a t e d to be the f i r s t of many F r a t e r n a l v i s i t s to the Cen t r a l Coast Chapter No.249 at Wyong.

I t was c e r t a i n l y a moving occasion which ended an unnecessary schism which was a p a r t i a l d i v i s i o n of Masonic Brethren i n t h i s area.

CHARITYy, No b e t t e r t o p i c could be used to conclude t h i s H i s t o r y than that of C h a r i t y . During the 40 years of i t s existence the Aedis C h r i s t i Chapter has supported many C h a r i t i e s . The Fairhaven School was the r e c i p i e n t of Alms from at l e a s t 72 meetings of the Chapter and was thus the most r e g u l a r r e c i p i e n t . In the e a r l y years the Gosford Sp a s t i c Centre, The Gosford 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 given strong support.

Other Organisations f o r the ass i s t a n c e of C h i l d r e n which have been supported are the Sub-Normal C h i l d r e n s ' Welfare A s s o c i a t i o n , The F i r s t Steps Appeal, Dalmar Homes, The B l i n d S o c i e t y , The Masonic School Welfare Fund and the Masonic Homes En t e r p r i s e s at Hamilton.

General ones which were supported f o r short periods were the Heart Foundation and Red Cross.

The remainder of donations were what might be c a l l e d "one o f f for s p e c i a l occasions" - these included the Westminster Abbey Re s t o r a t i o n Appeal, The Centenary Committee, The Cataract Park Scout Gateway, Hobart Rose C r o i x and of 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 badly a f f e c t e d by the Nyngan Floods.

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The f i r s t 40 years have been years of gradual advancement and progress.

The membership now stands at 79.

May the Chapter continue to prosper and spread that s p e c i a l brand of Masonry of which we are so proud.

111. Bro. B i l l Lux 30° M.W.S. 1989/91

337

I 'Re.coJJ.e.c±i.ort)

THE NIGHT THE TEMPLE WAS SET ON FIRE

12 November 1988:

That was t h e n i g h t of t h e m e e t i n g of t h e S o v e r e i g n C h a p t e r AEDIS CHRISTI, the n i g h t the P a s t M a s t e r of Lodge RISING SUN was g o i n g t h r o u g h . K e v i n was a good f r i e n d , much younger t h a n I . I had been a t him f o r a l o n g time t o c o n v i n c e him t h a t i f he wanted t o go on a h i g h e r p l a n e i n Masonry, he would have t o j o i n the 1 8 t h .

He was too busy b e i n g a M a s t e r o b v i o u s l y , but when h i s time was up, when he q u i t the o f f i c e , he would have time t o j o i n . He now had made a p p l i c a t i o n and e a s i l y found a s p o n s o r . Anybody would have been p l e a s e d t o have him as a member. He was now about t o e n t e r the ROSE CROIX f r a t e r n i t y , but he was a l s o a g a i n i n the C h a i r o f RISING SUN. He d i d not mind now, he knew h i s way t h r o u g h ! C h a p t e r AEDIS CHRISTI was t o p e r f e c t a W o r s h i p f u l M a s t e r and the a t t e n d a n c e was l a r g e . I t was a v e r y s p e c i a l n i g h t , as i t was t o be i n a non-Masonic way a l s o .

I had come a l o n g t o be w i t h my f r i e n d on t h a t e v e n i n g . I thought t h a t i t was a l s o a l i t t l e due t o me t h a t he was t o be p e r f e c t e d .

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, but t h e c a n d i d a t e had been 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 were h a l f an hour 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 t h e o p p o r t u n i t y of r e n e w i n g a c q u a i n t a n c e s w i t h a l l t h e f r i e n d s I knew when a member of t h i s , my Mother C h a p t e r , where I had been an o f f i c e r f o r many y e a r s . When the time 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 were h e l d t h e n on t h e second 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 y e a r e a r l i e r . The l i f t was v e r y handy s i n c e many members and v i s i t o r s were e l d e r l y , o r j u s t not as n i m b l e as t h e y may have been i n former t i m e s . The a c c e s s t o the l o d g e room i s not v e r y easy. One has t o t a k e a number of t u r n s r i g h t and l e f t a l o n g c o r r i d o r s t o g e t t o t h e 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 began, the l o d g e room was f u l l . I t was a v e r y happy m e e t i n g and the o f f i c e r s were competent. My w i f e and f a m i l y e x p e c t e d me t o be back e a r l y i n t h e e v e n i n g , but I soon saw t h a t t h e m e e t i n g would 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 .

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The F i r s t P o i n t had been c o m p l e t e d and we a l l went o u t . When we r e t u r n e d I s t a y e d b e h i n d i n t h e ante-room, where t h e r e i s a r e d phone. I wanted t o r i n g home t o t e l l them not t o w a i t f o r me. I thought t h e phone 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 , but c o u l d not o p e r a t e i t . I a s k e d the O uter Guard how to o p e r a t e t h e b l e s s e d t h i n g . He t o l d me t h a t one needed the key t o t u r n i t on. Had he a key? No. B u t , 'Ask K e v i n , the c a n d i d a t e . B e i n g the M a s t e r o f a lodge m e e t i n g w i t h i n he has a key. ' K e v i n was l o c k e d i n the room of the V a l l e y o f the Shadow of Death. I w a i t e d . When Raphael 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 the p r o c e e d i n g t o ask him t o ask K e v i n i f he had the t e l e p h o n e key. K e v i n came and s a i d 'No, I don't have the key.' I s t h e r e any means t o use the phone a n o t h e r way? No, t h e r e i s n o t ! T h i s was f i n a l .

I removed my c o l l a r , went down t o t h e s t r e e t , c r o s s e d t h e p a r k and went t o the p u b l i c phone b o o t h w h i c h was w o r k i n g . I t o l d my w i f e and f a m i l y not t o e x p e c t me too e a r l y .

I went back up the s t a i r s t o t h e lodge room. On e n t e r i n g t h e 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 . There 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 , but 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 not e n t e r t h e room, so I s t a y e d b e h i n d t h e r e d v e i l where t h e I n n e r Guard was. The Outer Guard, 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 were 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 .

At one s t a g e t h e Outer Guard went o u t . He a l s o had s m e l t the smoke. He knocked a t t h e door and t o l d t h e I n n e r Guard, f o r t h e b e n e f i t of t h e Most Wise t h a t he c o u l d s m e l l smoke coming from the r e a r . The Most Wise i n s t r u c t e d t h e I n n e r Guard t o t e l l t he Outer Guard t o s w i t c h o f f the a i r - c o n d i t i o n i n g 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 back 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 been s e t a l i g h t a t Woolworths and he c o u l d see some smoke i s s u i n g from t h a t b u i l d i n g . We c a r r i e d on w i t h the r i t u a l .

However, N o e l Maunder, who was t h e Outer Guard, was not s a t i s f i e d and he went out a g a i n w i t h Ken White t o check 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 soon a f t e r and p e n e t r a t e d i n t h e room where K e v i n Andrews was g e t t i n g up a f t e r h a v i n g been made, c r e a t e d and c o n s t i t u t e d a K n i g h t of 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 h e a r t h e sound of h i s v o i c e : 'Most Wise S o v e r e i g n , 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 t o i n v e s t i g a t e the cause of the smoke wh i c h i s now i n v a d i n g the b u i l d i n g .

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There I s no immediate danger, but I would a d v i s e v e r y s e r i o u s l y t o e v a c u a t e t h e 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 f u l l o f smoke but do not use t h e l i f t . '

I do not know what happened i n the room, as I was a t t h e back. I i m m e d i a t e l y removed my r e g a l i a , t o o k my bag and p r o c e e d e d r a p i d l y t o t h e e x i t so as t o not o b s t r u c t the f l o w o f k n i g h t s who would no doubt 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 t h e door l e a d i n g t o t h e s t a i r c a s e . There I n o t i c e d t h a t the l i g h t s had been s w i t c h e d o f f . I n the deepest d a r k I f e l t my way. At one p o i n t t h e b a n n i s t e r c e a s e d and one had no more g u i d e . I t i s v e r y easy t o be d i s o r i e n t e d i n the dark and t u r n t h e wrong 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 t o t h e t o i l e t s . I had t o f e e l my way down from the f i r s t t o the ground f l o o r , f e e l i n g the s t e p s w i t h my f o o t , and k e e p i n g t o t h e 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 the square o p e n i n g o f the door. The smoke was a c r i d and heavy and my eyes were s m a r t i n g when I a r r i v e d a t the 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 had grabbed an e x t i n g u i s h e r from I don't know where, went t o the s e a t of the f i r e w h i c h was b e h i n d t h e shops of the M a s o n i c C e n t r e . He soon found t h a t he c o u l d do n o t h i n g .

There a r e two l a n e s , one on the l e f t g i v i n g a c c e s s t o 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 r i g h t between the c e n t r e and Woolworths l e a d i n g t o the back o f the shops. The smoke was coming from t h e r e , and not from Woolworths. There i s a g a t e t o i s o l a t e t h e l a n e a t the v e r y back of the shops. T h i s g a t e had been b r o k e n and f l a m e s were i s s u i n g from t h e r e . Ken d i r e c t e d t h e foam i n the d i r e c t i o n of the 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 soon ceased and he s m a r t l y r e t r e a t e d from the f l a m e s .

Someone had rung t h e F i r e m e n , the P o l i c e and Ambulance. A l l my b r e t h r e n were s t i l l b e h i n d , coming out i n s m a l l g r o u p s , s n e e z i n g and c o u g h i n g .

I t had been i m p o s s i b l e t o r i n g from our emergency phone. F o r t u n a t e l y , someone had seen the f i r e and 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 m i n u t e s of t h e c a l l .

Who s h o u l d be the f i r s t f i r e m a n t o jump from the t e n d e r , but M i c k Ryan, a member of Lodge GOSFORD, on d u t y t h a t n i g h t . He knew the 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 the s t r e e t f a c i n g the b u i l d i n g e n t r a n c e w i t h t h e i r h e a d l i g h t s and s p o t l i g h t i l l u m i n a t i n g

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the f a c a d e . The ambulancemen had oxygen masks and a number of 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 the o p p o r t u n i t y of t a k i n g a few w h i f f s of oxygen. Some e l d e r l y b r e t h r e n had a l s o been a f f e c t e d by the fumes.

We were i n c o n f u s i o n . One ambulance o f f i c e r a s k ed i f everybody was a c c o u n t e d f o r ? We d i d not even know how many were a t t e n d i n g t h e m e e t i n g : the a t t e n d a n c e book had been l e f t i n t h e a nte room. Everybody was r u n n i n g around i n c i r c l e s t o f i n d i f so-and-so was t h e r e . No-one appeared t o be m i s s i n g , 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 t o see i f he c o u l d f i n d anybody.

Firemen had s m a r t l y c o n n e c t e d t h e i r hoses and d i r e c t e d them a g a i n s t the f i r e , w h i c h had been l i t i n the f a b r i c shop o f Mrs S m i t h . She had been c a l l e d and was t h e r e w i t h a key. She opened t h e shop, the back p a r t of w h i c h was w e l l a l i g h t , and the f i r e m e n p e n e t r a t e d t h r o u g h the shop.

The b l a c k smoke was v i c i o u s , l i k e dense f l o a t i n g s o o t . I t was p r o d u c e d by the b u r n i n g of v i n y l f a b r i c , w h i c h p r o d u c e s a v e r y dangerous p r o d u c t t h a t p o i s o n s the lungs when i n h a l e d . F o r t h e m i n u t e s i t t o o k t o r e a c h the ground f l o o r from t h e top f l o o r , many c o u l d not h e l p but i n h a l e a l o t of t h a t smoke whi c h was so t h i c k t h a t the l i g h t I thought had been s w i t c h e d o f f had a c t u a l l y not been. I found out l a t e r t h a t i t was e n t i r e l y o b s c u r e d by the smoke.

Everybody e s c a p e d w i t h a t a l e t o t e l l . I t c o u l d have been v e r y s e r i o u s ; someone c o u l d have t a k e n a wrong t u r n and 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 o f f i c e or a c l e a n e r ' s room. Some might v e r y w e l l have st u m b l e d and b r o k e n a l e g , someone c o u l d have choked on t h a t v i c i o u s smoke. Somebody c o u l d have d i e d from the e f f e c t of a number of c a u s e s . Everybody e s c a p e d . P e r c y T a t e , 83, w i t h a h e a r t c o n d i t i o n and poor e y e s i g h t was f o r t u n a t e . He put 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 b r e a t h e d t h r o u g h i t - h i s h a n d k e r c h i e f was j e t b l a c k , so a l s o were t h e two he had i n the p o c k e t s of 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 c o u l d h a r d l y a f f o r d -s i n c e h i s was too d i r t y t o be d r y - c l e a n e d .

As a r e s u l t , I came home much sooner t h a n e x p e c t e d . I need not have rung home a f t e r a l l !

On Monday, on my way t o the o f f i c e , I c a l l e d t o see the damage. The w a l l s were b l a c k from the d a r k smoke, b l a c k d u s t was u n d e r f o o t and t h e s m e l l was s t i l l pungent. The damage t o the b u i l d i n g amounted t o about $150,000. The damage to the shop was e x t e n s i v e . E v e r y t e n a n t had t o c l e a n up the damage and s t a i n s of the smoke.

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I t was a case o f a r s o n . The p o l i c e a r r e s t e d a man found a t the scene of t h e f i r e , a D a v i d John G o l d s m i t h , 23.

On t h e n i g h t of t h e f i r e , t h i s man had been d r i n k i n g a t a l o c a l h o t e l . He t h e n went t o t h e back of a shop i n Donnison S t r e e t , p l a c e d a bag of r u b b i s h a g a i n s t a wooden door 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 s l i g h t damage r e s u l t e d .

He t h e n went t o the Masonic b u i l d i n g , f o r c e d e n t r y t h r o u g h a g a t e and s e t f i r e t o the r e a r of Lee's F a b r i c s .

Death c o u l d e a s i l y have r e s u l t e d from the a c t i o n s of t h i s a r s o n i s t .

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The Ancient and Accepted Rite for Australia

345

RIFT IN HIGHER DEGREES

In the Eastern States of 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 mainly a f f e c t e d are the Ancient and Accepted R i t e (which includes the Rose C r o i x , 30th, 31st, 32nd and 33rd Degrees) and the Red Cross of Constantine.

Some years ago c e r t a i n Masonic bodies of those Orders (which operate 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 set up an or g a n i s a t i o n of t h e i r own. The a c t i o n was opposed by the 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 bodies concerned as c l a n destine .

The West A u s t r a l i a n Councils governing the Orders have decided to adhere to 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 to have nothing to do wi t h the A u s t r a l i a n R i t e .

I t i s stated that the idea 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 the future but f o r the moment t h i s i s not opportune.

In any case, when the time comes f o r the establishment of 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 that i t be done l e g a l l y with the b l e s s i n g of the E n g l i s h and S c o t t i s h governing bodies, but the present move i s simply an act of r e b e l l i o n r e s u l t i n g i n the withdrawal of f r a t e r n a l r e l a t i o n s between the bodies 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 of the E n g l i s h and S c o t t i s h R i t e s .

Unfortunately, the r i f t has been having repercussions i n the Eastern States and though i t has nothing to do with C r a f t lodges, the p o s i t i o n has been reviewed to some extent by M.W. Bro. E. L. Beers, of the U.G.L. of New South Wales, who has addressed the f o l l o w i n g note to h i s members:-

Unfortunately, from time to time, a Grand Master has a distasteful

job to do, and there is a problem that has been worrying me for

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 lot 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 particu

lar 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 is not recognized by this Grand Lodge. What I am deeply

concerned about, however, is 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:

PLACE OF MEETING:

DATE OF MEETING:

ENTHRONEMENT:

25 May 1968

15 Howarth Street Wyong.

4th Saturday of February, May, August and November.

4th Saturday i n May.

This was a non recognised chapter, so c a l l e d ' i r r e g u l a r ' .

On 10 November 1990, under the No. 249, t h i s chapter j o i n e d the N.S.W. Grand Chapter formed i n 1985 by the amalgamation of the En g l i s h and part of the S c o t t i s h C o n s t i t u t i o n Chapters.

Meetings of the Cen t r a l Coast Sovereign Chapter No. 249 are held at 7pm, and f o l l o w the meetings of Sovereign Council THE LAKES No. 57, which are held on the same day at 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, 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General

Northern Division.

(©rbtr of |3ro«ttimsg FOR T H E PERFECTION OF CANDIDATES

CoiTiSetration nnh Mthmtion OF T H E C H A P T E R

and

E X . & PERF. BRO. K E V I N H. E K E R T (M.W.S. Designate)

Masonic Temple, Wyong

3nmiWmx of

at 1 p.m. on

SATURDAY, 25th M A Y , 1968

348

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 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 Of A u s t r a l i a And 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

DEDICATED 25th MAY, 1968 AMALGAMATED 1 0 t h NOV,

1990

R e c o r d e r : 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 : 043 96 3353

MOST WISE SOVEREIGNS

ROSE CROIX CHAPTER NO.40, 1968-1991

1968 Ex Per PR K. ERERT 1969 K. KEARNEY 1970 R. COX 1971 J . HAM 1972 A. MASSEY 1973 D. MASSEY 1974 L. JEANS 1975 M. SHEPHERD 1976 P. RAISEBECK 1977 R. BLOOMFIELD 1978 R. HUBBARD 1979 D. PEARCE 1980 D. PAULEY 1981 T. SPEED 1982 F. BUSH 1983 T. SCOUGALL 1984 W. SULLIVAN 1985 D. LEONARD 1986 T. HILL 1987 D. DHU 1988 A. WOOD 1989 W. BROOKS 1990 R. BRANSGROVE 1991 R. LEWIS

349

CENTRAL COAST ROSE CROIX CHAPTER No. 40.

AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION.

ROSE + CROIX, al s o known as the 18th 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 the f i r s t Chapter was dedicated i n Gosford i n A p r i l 1951. They belonged as we have seen to E n g l i s h or to 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 having been issued from London or Edinburgh.

A group of 18th degree brethren decided to sever t i e s w i t h e i t h e r Supreme Councils and to work t h e i r own r i t u a l i n independence deciding to form an A u s t r a l i a n Supreme C o u n c i l . This was an u n i l a t e r a l d e c i s i o n and, not being endorsed by the E n g l i s h or 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 " I r r e g u l a r " . As such i t was forbidden to regul a r Chapters' members to v i s i t them or fo r Chapters to admit v i s i t o r s of the " I r r e g u l a r " Chapters.

Now to consider the r e s t of the ROSE CROIX s t o r y . Later a "Regular" 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 created to amalgamate the two overseas c o n s t i t u t i o n s . There were ther e f o r e f o r a time two Independent Supreme Councils i n A u s t r a l i a . They ev e n t u a l l y agreed to u n i t e , removing a l l traces of dual a l l e g i a n c e .

There are now i n N.S.W. two ROSE CROIX c o n s t i t u t i o n s , that of N.S.W. & A.C.T. and the S c o t t i s h to which a number of Knights have decided to 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 of ROSE CROIX worked according to t h e i r own r i t u a l , d i f f e r i n g from those of e i t h e r E n g l i s h or S c o t t i s h Orders i n the number and naming of t h e i r o f f i c e r s : They d i d not have a Recorder but a Secretary. They had M a r s h a l l and Raphael l i k e the E.C. and a l s o a Ju n i o r and a Senior Warden as i n S.C. plus four A c o l y t e s , while there are only two i n S.C. They have an Equerry, an o f f i c e unknown i n e i t h e r of the other 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 No. 40 was establ i s h e d i n our d i s t r i c t i n 1968.

A l e t t e r w r i t t e n by John Ham, i n 1985, to the Secretary, i n a short paragraph r e c a l l s some of the events preceding the f i r s t I n s t a l l a t i o n .

350

' I t was at my home, then i n Main Road, Toukley, at Christmas 1967 and New Year 1968 where the inaugural meetings were held to plan the opening of the Cen t r a l Coast ROSE CROIX Chapter. As w e l l as Kevin Ekert, Ron Hare and se v e r a l of 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 our proposals to some prospective foundation candidates such as R u s s e l l Cox, K e i t h 0'Connell and others. The Supreme Council f o r A u s t r a l i a was very young i n those days and we had great d i f f i c u l t y i n persuading Lodge WYONG to allow us the use of the Temple. We had to repai n t the Temple at the Supreme Council's expense to help swing the d e a l . '

The Consecration and Dedication of the new Chapter and the I n s t a l l a t i o n of i t s f i r s t Most Wise Sovereign took place on Saturday, 25 May 1968 i n the Masonic Temple at Wyong.

The ceremony commenced at 1pm wi t h the M.W.S. of 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 of P e r f e c t i o n on the Foundation Candidates, making them Knights and Princes ROSE CROIX. There were 13 candidates, a l l Master Masons. La t e r , at 3pm, the Consecrating O f f i c e r s proceeded to the Consecration and Dedication of Chapter No. 40. Then the M.W.S. designate, Ex. & Perf. Bro. Kevin H. Ekert was i n s t a l l e d according to the r i t u a l , and the new Charter was handed to the f i r s t M.W.S. This was followed by h i s o f f i c e r s being o b l i g a t e d and invested.

A supper, gathering some of the foundation members together with the v i s i t o r s and delegates of the Supreme c o u n c i l concluded t h i s memorable evening.

There were 44 Foundation Members, given i n appendix; ten were ' V. I l l . ' , eleven were ' 111. ' Bros.; and 23 were ' E x c e l l e n t & P e r f e c t s ' of which 13 had j u s t been p e r f e c t e d f o r the occasion.

The meetings were held q u a r t e r l y - i n May (the month of i n s t a l l a -t i o n ) , August, November and February, on the f o u r t h Saturday.

A Standing Committee was formed that met on 3rd August to discuss some points of i n t e r n a l a d m i n i s t r a t i o n such as Insurance, A f f i l i a t i o n and P e r f e c t i o n fees ($4 and $30, which included the f i r s t year s u b s c r i p t i o n ) . Honoraria ( r e l i e f from dues), payment of the Equerry ($6 per 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, preparing and dismantling the Sanctuary).

The Standing Committee met the same night and before the reh e a r s a l s , which were conducted on the f i r s t F r i d a y of the same month.

At the meeting of August 1968, 111. Bro. Broomfield became Secretary and he opened the Minute Book. One of the items of business entered i n t h i s Book was mention that a l l recommendat i o n s from the Standing Committee were accepted.

The v i s i t o r s were admitted. They were followed by v i s i t i n g members of the Supreme Council led by M.P.G. Commander M. 111. Bro. Stanley H. Dobie, 33°, a name we have had occasion to meet already.

A b a l l o t was taken f o r three candidates. The f i r s t of many to be perf e c t e d was Stanley Loftus Cave. A number of c e r t i f i c a t e s of foundation members perf e c t e d on the day of the Consec r a t i o n were presented by M. 111. Bro. Dobie. The Chapter was closed at 9.40p.m.

Three more b a l l o t s were taken s u c c e s s f u l l y i n November. Alms c o l l e c t e d amounted to $6.80.

February marks the end of the f i r s t year of the new Chapter. Three candidates were p e r f e c t e d , one of them with d i s p e n s a t i o n . He was Bro. Leonard Jeans, who was b a l l o t e d and perf e c t e d on the same nig h t f o r which a di s p e n s a t i o n fee of $1.00 had to be paid to Supreme C o u n c i l .

At that meeting, the names of the o f f i c e r s f o r the ensuing year, 1969/1970, presented by the Standing Committee, were accepted as recommended. John Ham became the new Secretary.

In May 1969, on I n s t a l l a t i o n n i g h t , the Chapter opened at 7pm.

Accounts were presented i n d e t a i l that n i g h t . They may appear l a r g e , but they were f o r a night of I n s t a l l a t i o n : -

P r i n t i n g $ 25.00 Balance at Bank $ 20.31 Rent 10.00 Dues 154.50 Sov. Council 2.00 Donations 66.50 Pr e s e n t a t i o n g i f t 7.52 Postage, phone c a l l s 5.60 $241.31 Equerry 6.00 Kitchen help 5.00 137.20 Catering 58.08 Cake 8.00 C r e d i t Balance $104.11 Petty Cash 10.00

$137.20

The r e c u r r i n g costs seem to have been: Rent, $10 per meeting. P r i n t i n g - $8.00, Postage/Phone - $10.00, Equerry - $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 balanced by Dues and P e r f e c t i o n fees, sale of r e g a l i a and donations.

The Alms c o l l e c t e d were d i r e c t e d to be given to Tuggerah Lakes Meals on Wheels. They v a r i e d between $5 and $6.

The names of Chapters i n correspondence with Chapter No. 40 are mentioned here and there. We n o t i c e the names NOVOCASTRIAN, AUSTRALIS, VALLEY, MUSWELLBROOK, NARRABRI, WAHRINGA, NAMBUCCA and MACKSVILLE.

An inventory appears on page 29, w i t h an estimated 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 , w i t h l i g h t s transformer, had cost $200. The next most expensive item was c u r t a i n s - $100; then r e g a l i a f o r the M.W.S. - $90; carpet - $70; and cupboards - $60. The r e s t was made up of a number of items of small v a l u e .

From August 1970 to May 1972, the minutes are roneoed and pasted i n the book i n a very neat f a s h i o n , which we welcomed.

At the August meeting, four members were thanked f o r f i l l i n g vacant o f f i c e s at short n o t i c e , which means that four o f f i c e r s did not turn up that n i g h t !

An e x e m p l i f i c a t i o n was conducted i n November. New o f f i c e r s were e l e c t e d i n February. From the names nominated, we notice as Secretary - R u s s e l l Cox, who was a l s o 30th degree, and Sov. Grand Insp. Gen., Len. Jeans, to be Marshall and Val Lynch to be o r g a n i s t .

From November, presumably to save c o s t s , the business 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. Ekert became Secret a r y , and the business papers were p r i n t e d again i n red 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 before, and on one side 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 the names of o f f i c e r s are omitted and the dates l e f t blank, to be f i l l e d i n by the Secretary before sending the summons out, which would have been a tedious process to be repeated on each business paper. The I n s t a l l a t i o n i s als o p r i n t e d on one side of a s i n g l e sheet of paper, doubling on the other side as a business paper.

We w i l l now skip through the r e g i s t e r of names to form a p i c t u r e of the general business t r a n s a c t e d and work performed without going i n t o d e t a i l and g i v i n g a l l the 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 various reasons.

353

The date of the l a s t general meeting recorded i n t h i s Minute Book i s November 1981 on page 113. This was the 54th general meeting of the Chapter. Immediately f o l l o w i n g are the minutes of the Standing Committee from 6th November 1987 (on page 114) to the end of the book, where we f i n d on page 166, the minutes of the f i r s t Standing Committee meeting held on 1st November 1968.

Thus the minutes f o l l o w each other i n a decreasing c h r o n o l o g i c a l order.

From the s t a r t the book has been used from both ends: general meetings from the f r o n t . Standing Committee from the back. However, the book has not been turned over; since 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 upside down i n the bottom corner. Thus the minutes have been entered i n a backwards-running f a s h i o n .

The study of the minutes of the Standing Committee i s most i n t e r e s t i n g . A l l d i s c u s s i o n s took place i n that Committee. Motions were c a r r i e d and d i s c u s s i o n took place i n that Committee. Most motions were c a r r i e d and every d e c i s i o n emanating from there was to be r a t i f i e d at general meetings, whose minutes therefore are bland, formal 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 proceedings. The minutes record only 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 candidates.

The f i r s t meeting of the Standing Committee i s dated 3.8.'68. I t was composed of the f i r s t e ight o f f i c e r s plus four to s i x names. In 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 Standing Committee dealt with ordinary business of a d m i n i s t r a t i o n and problems which presented themselves from time to time, which were s u r p r i s i n g l y few. Every year the Committee recommended, i n February, the l i s t of o f f i c e r s to be invested at 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 Standing Committee was t h e i r approval of names submitted 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 approval of candidates submitted. The b a l l o t was o f t e n conducted on the night 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 candidate was i n attendance on the a c t u a l night he was to 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 running of the a f f a i r s of the Chapter, and b r i n g i n g i t to l i f e :

354

November 1st, 1968. D i s c u s s i o n on insurance p o l i c y to cover up to ten persons per meeting, which would include 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 cost $10.00 per year.

Three candidates' names submitted f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n were approved. Accounts, from J . Ham f o r $9.20 f o r p r i n t i n g of November n o t i c e s .

February 7th, 1969. Correspondence: L e t t e r from General Secretary requesting donation 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 to exceed $4.00). I t was moved to send $4.00.

L i k e l y candidates: one name was submitted, that of Len. F. Jeans, of Lodge TOUKLEY. Submitted and accepted.

I n s t a l l a t i o n : Resolved that no candidate be p e r f e c t e d , that the l a d i e s be i n v i t e d to the Refectory, that prospective c a n d i dates and t h e i r wives be i n v i t e d to 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 candidates; g i f t to be o f f e r e d to wife of r e t i r i n g M.W.S.

August 1st, 1969. Accounts: Insurance, $4.94; P r i n t i n g , $8.00; Postage, $4.10.

November 7th, 1969. Three names were approved.

February 6th, 1970. Correspondence from Supreme C o u n c i l : G. Secretary's r e s i g n a t i o n , Barry 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 received 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 1st, 1970. L i s t compiled of Brethren to be i n v i t e d to I n s t a l l a t i o n .

November 6th, 1970. Approval f o r a proposed name. Ex. & Perf. Bro. K e i t h 0'Connell, l e t t e r asking not to be proposed to o f f i c e due to heavy p o l i t i c a l commitments.

February 4th, 1971. L i s t of members recommended f o r o f f i c e 71/72. A name proposed f o r a f f i l i a t i o n .

May 7th, 1971. A name proposed; f i t and s u i t a b l e , but must wait to have completed a f u l l year as M.M.

August 7th, 1971. No business to t r a n s a c t . Closed at 7.45pm, 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 .

November 5th, 1971. One name proposed. E l e c t i o n of O f f i c e Bearers. Nominations f o r Standing Committee: eight f i r s t o f f i c e r s , plus f i v e names.

355

May 5th, 1972. I t was resolved that the 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 r e g r e t t e d that we are unable to provide entertainment f o r l a d i e s at t h i s I n s t a l l a t i o n ' .

August 3rd, 1972. Three names submitted and approved. The Secretary reported that the forms f o r the Notice Paper had been p r i n t e d f o r the f o l l o w i n g twelve months to abate the r a i s i n g c o s t s .

November 3rd, 1972. Two names suggested and recommended f o r approval. The o f f i c e r s f o r the ensuing year were then discussed and recommended as per attached n o t i c e , year 1973/74.

May 4th, 1973. Honorary membership to be conferred upon Ex. & Perf. Bro. Herb. Howell f o r h i s u n t i r i n g e f f o r t s and devotion to duty as Equerry since the consecration of the Chapter [ i n 1968, that i s f i v e years] but now unable to continue because of i l l - h e a l t h and f a i l i n g eyesight.

Resignation: a very sad l e t t e r was rece i v e d from Ex. & Pe r f . Bro. Ron Green [of Gosford] announcing h i s retirement from a l l Masonic a c t i v i t i e s . His name was placed on the non-active members' l i s t , w i t h r e g r e t , and a very sympathetic l e t t e r forwarded.

August 3rd, 1973. V. 111. Bro. Bob M a r s h a l l was recommended fo r the p o s i t i o n of Prince P r e l a t e . Two r e s i g n a t i o n s were received, one from John Ham. I t was suggested that the f o l l o w i n g brethren be i n v i t e d to the next meeting w i t h the view to a f f i l i a t i o n . [One was Tom Speed, who became M.W.S. of the Chapter i n 1981.] Fi 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 3rd, 1973. One member t r a n s f e r r e d to non-active member l i s t .

February 1 s t, 1974. L i s t of works set f o r the meeting i n February and to 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 3rd, 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 to r i t u a l submitted 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 to adopt amendments from August r e g u l a r meeting.

August 2nd, 1974. One candidate suggested, and i s s u i t a b l e to be approached. Moved that Alms c o l l e c t e d i n fu t u r e be deposited i n the general a/c f o r s i m p l i f i c a t i o n .

November 1st, 1974. Two names recommended. Dis c u s s i o n on commencing time f o r meetings to be changed to 7.45pm.

356

February 7th, 1975. Approach approved to K a r l Jay, s o l i c i t o r i n Gosford [he was perf e c t e d i n Aedis C h r i s t i i n 1980]. Recommendations f o r f o l l o w i n g year.

J u l y 1 s t, 1975. Three names discussed f o r approach.

November 7th, 1975. Four names found s u i t a b l e f o r approach.

February 6th, 1976. Three names mentioned. O f f i c e r s nominated. May 6th, 1976. Di s c u s s i o n on c a t e r i n g f o r i n s t a l l a t i o n . [No mention of the matter under d i s c u s s i o n . ]

August 5th, 1976. More d i s c u s s i o n on c a t e r i n g f o r the coming i n s t a l l a t i o n .

The meetings of the Standing Committee f o l l o w each other i n a r e g u l a r sequence. They are short and r e p e t i t i v e , the order of business being the reading of the minutes of the preceding meeting, names of those present and apologies, and approval f o r approaches f o r prospective new members. Once a year, i n February, the d i s c u s s i o n and recommendations lea d i n g to submitting the names of the next o f f i c e bearers 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 question of amalgamation returned to the agenda. This time i t reached a conclusion and u n i t y was achieved: the A u s t r a l i a n c o n s t i t u t i o n was fusioned i n t o the N.S.W. and A.C.T. body.

The Recorder of the Chapter, David Leonard 30 ° , issued the l a s t Summons of CENTRAL COAST Rose Croi x Chapter No. 40 A.C., on Saturday, 25th August 1990. The next summons of the same Chapter, under the Number 249, was issued on 24th November 1990 with the same M.W.S. by the same Recorder. I t seems that i n the case of t h i s Chapter the change was made w i t h a minimum of disturbance. Even the m o d i f i c a t i o n on the business paper was minimal.

357

CENTRAL COAST ROSE CROIX CHAPTER

No. 249

Under The Supreme Council 33° Of The Ancient and Accepted R i t e For The States

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: David F. Leonard 30°

13 W a l l i s Avenue Dedicated 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 Held In # 2 Temple Masonic Centre Sydney Saturday lOth November 1990.

On Saturday 10th November 1990 the U n i f i c a t i o n of the Supreme Council Of The 33rd And Last Degree Of The Ancient & Accepted R i t e For A u s t r a l i a & The Supreme Council 33rd Degree Of The Ancient & Accepted R i t e For The States & 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 place i n due ceremony. This Chapter was presented with i t s Charter which was received by 111. Bro. David Leonard 30° representing the Most Wise Sovereign of The Cen t r a l Coast Sovereign Chapter who was absent on o f f i c i a l Masonic d u t i e s . The O b l i g a t i o n under the R i t e was taken on behalf of a l l members by Most. 111. Bro. George Potts 33° Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander. This was followed by an E x e m p l i f i c a t i o n of the 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 adjourned and l i g h t refreshments were served.

The Chapter then resumed, the Most Wise Sovereigns were assembled & the new Charters were formed and Charters presented. This Chapter i s now known as The Cen t r a l Coast Sovereign Chapter # 249 D i s t r i c t Of N.S.W. Hunter. The members of a l l degrees were formed up & t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e degrees confirmed. Greetings were conveyed from Supreme Council to a l l members and Most 111. Bro. George Potts 33°responded. The ceremony was f i n a l i s e d & the Chapter c l o s e d . Members then r e t i r e d to the banquet h a l l f o r the o f f i c i a l dinner.

Members of t h i s Chapter present were: V. 111. Bro. Len Jeans 32°, 111.Bro. David Leonard 30°, 111.Bro. Alan Wood 30°, 111.Bro. Tom H i l l 30°, Most 111. Bro. E r i c Brown 33°, Ex. Per. Pr. Glen Stone, Ron J e f f e r y , Bob Lewis, Wal Thomas, 111.Bro. B i l l Brooks, B i l l Gardner.

111. Bro. David Leonard 30° Chapter Recorder.

From Minute Book, 25.5.1968 to 28.11.1981, communicated by Secretary, David

F. LEONARD, 12 Wallis Avenue, Toukley, 2263. (043) 96 3353

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

Documents

Transcript of Masonry in the Central Coast 1892-1992. Book One.