It is proposed to give you a short summary of the early history of Freemasonry and its Lodges on the Darling Downs. You will be told how and when it started, the successes and failures, of the Craft Lodges and other orders. Lodges in the current era are invited to supply their short history so you can have a better and complete understanding.

The first Lodge, Darling Downs of Harmony No. 1191 (EC) was formed on 1 August 1867, but only survived for just over three years. It was finally dissolved on 29 September 1871 and was quickly followed by Southern Cross Lodge No. 1314, (EC). The next Lodge was the Light of the South Lodge No. 291 (IC) in 1870 and then The Darling Downs Lodge No. 775 (SC) was formed on 7 March 1890. A Royal Arch Chapter also called The Darling Downs was formed in 1883. Southern Cross Lodge and both Darling Downs Lodge and Chapter are still operating today. The Darling Downs RA Chapter (SC) meet in the Robert Burns Centre each quarter and is one of only two Scottish Royal Arch Chapters in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria (for further information - contact the web masters).

The first Craft Lodge meeting place was Robinson's Store in Ruthven Street, Toowoomba and later moved into a Masonic Hall opposite Bowen Street. The premises were rented from WBro F T Gregory and in January 1875, Southern Cross Lodge bought the premises for just over $800.00 and then sold it for $4000.00 in 1885. They then rented the premises back for $60.00 a year.

The decision to move to Neil Street was made on 4 August 1884, when 2 acres of land was offered for $900.00. The Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac) loaned the money to them at 9%.

The Foundation Stone for the new building was laid at high noon on 26 March 1886 by the RW Dep Grand Master, the Hon A C Gregory, CMG with 78 Brethren present.

The first meeting in the new building was on 4 April 1887 and the Dedication Ceremony, performed by DGM, RWBro A C Gregory and District Grand Officers occurred on 27 June 1887 after which a banquet and a successful Ball took place. Records show that a profit of just over $25.00 was realised. The Neil Street Masonic Centre is still in operation to day, however much of the lands around the building have been sold reducing its size to the present level. A reading of our earlier web pages will show those craft lodges that meet in this centre.

Today, the centre has continued to progress and many new innovations have occurred within the building itself. The more prominent have been the installation of an electronic stair, refurbishment of the ceiling, repainting of the interior and the laying of the new carpet.

SOUTHERN CROSS, No 18 UGLQ

The oldest surviving Lodge in Toowoomba is the Southern Cross Lodge No. 18 UGLQ and was created on 6 January 1870 under an English Constitution and was numbered 1315 on the roll of the GL of England.

The Foundation Master, WBro James Thornloe Smith was installed as Master on that date. WBro John Kilham was the Master at the time of the laying of the foundation stone and was a prominent mason. He was a school inspector and was regarded as "the vanguard of modern education in State Schools in Queensland". He was buried in the Toowoomba Cemetery on 11 November 1920 after suffering fatal injuries after being gored by a bull. WBro William Luther Gripp was Master at the time of the consecration of the Temple.

At the formation of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, WBro Jas Neilson was the Master of the Lodge and pledged loyalty to the new Grand Lodge. At the Lodge's Centenary in 1970, WBro Keith Grice installed WBro Roy Massey as Worshipful Master.

Today, Southern Cross Lodge has continued to flourish and maintains an average of about 40 members. The current Worshipful Master is WBro Martin Lacey. Its members regularly attend its meetings and enjoy the fellowship of the Brethren.

The Lodge meet in the Neil Street centre on the second Monday of each month commencing at 7.30pm. The Installation takes places on the second Saturday in March.

For further details, you are invited to contact the current Secretary, RWBro Roger Turnbull, PJGW (sclodge@icr.com.au) who is pleased to supply any further details. top of page

DARLING DOWNS, No. 66 UGLQ

The lodge was consecrated in Toowoomba on 7 March 1890 under a Scottish Constitution with eleven members and was numbered 775 on the Scottish Roll. The Master was James Spiers, PM who was responsible for founding lodges in Rockhampton and Mt Morgan. He was later expelled for joining a Grand Lodge of Queensland which was not recognized by the District Grand Lodge of Scotland. The meeting night was set as the Thursday on or after the full moon.

At the first installation meeting on the night of the consecration, eleven applications for initiation and one for affiliations were read. Indeed a grandson of one of the applicants is a current member of the lodge. There have been other families associated with the lodge for almost that long.

In the late 1893, a share in the Bank of New South Wales was purchased and today, the lodge has a large number of shares in the bank, now called the Westpac Bank.

During the first world war, 13 members enlisted as did many in the second world war.

Membership reached 140 in 1923 and increased to 160 in the 1950's. Currently, membership stands at 58. Long service is a feature of the lodge. RWBro Hoskin served 50 years as Secretary (he resigned at age 87), Bro Hagan was Tyler for over 40 years and 12 current members have 50 year jewels. The current Secretary RWBro Ken Stephen, PJGW (kstep@icr.com.au) who has held that position for the past 18 years.

The lodge meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month (except January) and the installation is on the 4th Saturday in June. VWBro Robert G Bousen, PAGSWks is the current Master.
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PITTSWORTH UNITED, No. 91 UGLQ

Freemasonry in Pittsworth had its beginnings when a meeting was held on Friday, 8 March 1895 with the object of forming a Masonic Lodge. On 27 April, Bro. Evans was named to be the first Master and after many such meetings in Toowoomba and Pittsworth, it was decided to call the new lodge - Beauaraba No. 2588 under an EC.

The "Inauguration Ceremony of the Consecration of the Beauaraba Lodge by Provisional Warrant was held in the Wesleyan Church, Pittsworth at 'seven of the clock' on Friday, 2 August 1895."

From the original by-laws, we read:- "The regular meeting of this Lodge shall be held within the Masonic Hall, Pittsworth, on the nearest Friday on or before the full moon at 7.30pm and on such other occasion as the Worshipful Master may consider necessary and in the months of June and December, the Lodge shall also meet on the festivals of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist respectively at such hour the WM shall direct."

Another Lodge was formed at about the same time but unfortunately records of the "Pittsworth Masonic Lodge, No. 823 SC" have been destroyed by fire. We know that an Alexander N Bowie of Pittsworth Lodge visited Beauaraba in December 1896.

Both Lodges amalgamated on 21 February 1922 after many meetings between their members and the first installation of the new Pittsworth United Lodge was held on 12 April 1922.

Taking pride of place in the Centre is the Tracing Board of the Lodge, which was designed and drawn by hand and it is an Art Treasure that no other Lodge can match. It was the work of WBro P G Dore and must rank high in the archives of Masonry.

Pittsworth United continues strongly to this date, holding its regular meetings on the first Thursday of each month and its Installation on the second Saturday of April. Its members are renowned visitors and travel all around the Downs on a regular basis.

The Lodge operates under an "Alternative Ritual" in that it works a Scottish 3rd Degree, with all other ceremonies under the UGLQ rituals.

The current Worshipful Master is WBro FJ Dade after his recent Installation. The Lodge consistently has work and enjoys the company of many visitors each meeting. MWBro E Anthony, PGM is a member of the Lodge and he regularly attends its meetings.top of page

ASHLAR LODGE, No.127 UGLQ

Of all the lodges in our District, Ashlar Lodge has the most interesting history dealing with its creation and in the 100 years of Freemasonry in Oakey, this Lodge certainly can boast of a rather unique heritage.

It all started in 1899 when Diamond Lodge No. 901 was created under a Scottish Constitution but in 1904 it switched to a Queensland Constitution. This caused much confusion for in 1905, the Lodge was split into a Diamond Lodge No. 36 (QC) and a Diamond Lodge No. 901 (SC). A month later, Diamond Lodge (QC) became Oakey Lodge No. 36 (QC), whilst Diamond Lodge No. 901 adopted a Queensland Constitution in 1920. The following year, both Lodges accepted the Constitution from the newly formed UGLQ in 1921 and finally they merged and became Ashlar Lodge No. 127 UGLQ on 14 July 1927.

Those early years were traumatic for the brethren, as there were claims of missing minutes, a missing Warrant and the creation of a "hand written Warrant". This curious warrant mentions the suspension of a brother who (it claims) 'has' the original warrant and won't give it back.

Even though the two lodges were running parallel to each other, they showed that Brotherly Love was still evident for they entered into many joint ventures including a 'euchre' tournament.

The full history of the "Metamorphosis" of Oakey Freemasonry was prepared by WBro Rowan Monteith and is available in book form from the Secretary of Ashlar Lodge.

Since those turbulent years, the Lodge has continued to flourish, especially during the war years due to the RAAF being based in Oakey. Indeed, it is recorded in the early minutes that the Lodge sometimes completed three different degrees on three different candidates in the one night. The high volume of degree work has continued with the creation of an Army Aviation Base in the town.

Today, Ashlar has well over 40 members and performs degree work at a majority of their meetings. In recent years, they have even been able to ask sister lodges in the District to perform second degrees for them. Indeed, many lodges who have carried out this work, had not performed any degrees for many years and are grateful for this high honour.

Currently WBro Norgate is the Worshipful Master and the Lodge has many Master Masons filling the offices; whilst its past masters including the four most senior members, RWBros Clarrie Kedding, a 50 years jewel holder) VWBros Doug Eckhardt and Bill Mackay are fully active in all aspects of their Lodge.top of page

ROBERT BURNS LODGE, No.431 UGLQ

Robert Burns Lodge was created after 5 esteemed members of Darling Downs Lodge met on 12 November 1951. Due to the large number of members of that lodge, they felt that it would take a long time for their younger members to pass through the chairs and as the population in the Newtown area was increasing, the time was right for a new lodge in the area. On 23 November 1951, RWBro J R Dewar chaired a meeting of 17 Masons (apologies from 6 were received) when it was decided to ask Darling Downs to sponsor the new lodge. Foundation fees of $10.00 were struck at that meeting and the decision to buy the land was also made. With pledges of lodge furniture, loan money, membership, a donation of $400.00 from Darling Downs, the future of the new lodge was assured. The crockery and cutlery was purchased by the Ladies of the Lodge over the years. Originally the Foundation Officers consisted of RWBro J R Dewar as WM and all 10 subordinate offices were to be filled by Master Masons. But this was not accepted by the Board who 'suggested' that both wardens be past masters.

The new lodge was consecrated 31 January 1953 in the Neil Street Centre by the Grand Master, The Hon. Mr Justice B H Matthews but meetings were being held in St Andrews Hall. Our 1st Burns night was held on 22 January 1954 where Haggis and all the trimmings were served. In March 1954, it was decided to sell the land for $1700.00 at a profit of $700.00, however the buyers reneged on the contract and the sale fell through. It was then decided to construct the lodge on the land and the 1st Meeting in our Temple was held on 16 August 1958 and was dedicated on 25 October 1958 by the Grand Master MWBro H B Milliner with over 170 masons in attendance. The honour of laying of the Foundation Stone was left to RWBro Dewar our Foundation Master, who was one of our hardest working members of the Burns Lodge. He passed away in 1965 in Scotland. One of our daughter Lodges, Halcyon is still in operation today and still meets in the Temple.

Over the years, the Robert Burns Lodge has continued to be a force in local Freemasonry and at the present time maintains the past traditions created by the foundation members. The building built by the members themselves is now air-conditioned and 6 tenants use the Centre for Masonic purposes. We still have our annual 'Burns night' in January and our ladies and visitors attend. One of the unique features of the Lodge is our tartan bow tie. Whilst membership has dropped, our lodge attendance remains high due to the dedication and loyalty of the members. In the past few years, we were saddened by the death of four of our worshipful masters in office, but the strength of the members allowed the lodge to survive. WBro Don Drummond is currently the Master and RWBro GR Hohenhaus,PGJW its Secretary. For further information contact Graham 4634 3471. top of page

SERVICES MEMORIAL LODGE, No.393 UGLQ

The history of the Services Memorial Lodge, No. 393 UGLQ, Toowoomba, is born out of that experience of mateship which the Australian Armed Services has always given in great quantity. Nowhere would this deficiency amongst veterans be observed more, than where they met together at Toowoomba�s R S L in Ruthven Street, the Secretary of which was VWBro John R W Kennedy, PGDC, a member of Melrose Lodge and another member of that Lodge, WBro D G Frazer. They became the prime movers in forming a Lodge for Ex-servicemen in Toowoomba. Early records reveal that by February 1947, Bros Kennedy and Frazer had deduced that sufficient support existed amongst ex-service Freemasons to form such a Lodge and thus encouraged, Bro Frazer sent a circular to those Freemasons inviting them to a meeting in the RSL Memorial Hall, Toowoomba on Wednesday 26th February. A total of 13 Brethren attended and voted to create "The Services Memorial Lodge". VWBro Kennedy was the Foundation Master and the Foundation membership fee was set at three guineas.

The Lodge was consecrated by the Grand Master, MWBro Eustace Jones on 2 August 1947 and was attended by 12 Grand Officers, 20 Foundation Members and 163 visitors - a total of 195.

The Anzac Day meeting has always taken pride of place in the Lodge, for it is observed as a very solemn and sincere part of the Brethren's Masonic Life. The observance has always been held on Anzac Day itself and until 1987, attendance was restricted to Brethren. However by then attendances had fallen as the ex-servicemen became fewer and so it was decided, even though the move was strongly opposed by some members, that wives and other Freemason's wives would be invited. This innovation has proved very successful and the ceremony now attracts a strong audience. Our lodge is indebted to WBro Percy Gaydon deceased) who has sung either one or two solos and for many years and he has been accompanied at the organ by WBro Ron Rodgers. Another brother who has faithfully served the Anzac Day Ceremony is VWBro Charlie Duncan who since joining the Lodge in 1966 has played the bagpipes and for which the Lodge is sincerely grateful. Another sign of the Lodges Military origins is that at every meeting since its Consecration, Fallen Brethren have been remembered by the simple but dignified ceremony of laying a wreath at the Altar. The current Master is WBro Richard Colclough and the Secretary is WBro Col Currie and he can be contacted on 4634 0394. top of page

TOOWOOMBA LODGE, No.132 UGLQ

From its early beginning, Toowoomba Lodge has not been without some trials and its survival to reach its centenary must be attributed to those members who have shown commitment and love to their lodge.

The reason to create an Irish Constitution Lodge in Toowoomba is not know due to a fire in April 1901 which destroyed all of the early records. But it is known that Toowoomba Lodge No. 346 IC was consecrated and officers were installed in the Lodge Rooms, the Institute, Margaret Street on Friday 12 October 1900 at 7pm. Nearly 40 brethren were present including nine Grand Officers from Brisbane when WBro John Henzell, PM was installed as its first Master with all other officers being Master Masons.

The ballot in those days needed to be "fair in the south", "clear in the west" and "square in the east" and if a member was absent for three meetings out of six, he received a "strongly worded letter". The members seeking election to office needed to prove their fitness before being elected to any office.

Early records show that the Lodge flourished and membership increased, despite the rent for the Masonic Hall set at $40.00 per year (in 1909) and in 1913 the singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow" and the "giving of McDuffs" were banned.

The funeral of WBro John Snell was a special event for the members wore their regalia, marched in front of the hearse, formed and marched in a circle around the grave three times and all brethren placed a sprig of acacia into the grave followed by Grand Honours three times.

Today, the Lodge continues to be a leader in new membership and offers some degree work to sister lodges.

With well over 30 members on their books, it is pleasing to note that many are Master Masons and occupy office. Currently its proud Master is VWBro David Gwynn.

For more detailed information, you may wish to obtain their Centenary Booklet prepared by VWBro G Geizer from the Secretary. top of page

CAMBOOYA LODGE, No. 190 UGLQ

On 21st September 1908, an informal meeting was held in the Cambooya School of Arts to discuss the formation of a Masonic Lodge in the area. Present were WBro J W McIntosh, Bros. M Tait, J Tait, J Henry, F Wieneke, R Gore and J Barker with VWBro J J Taylor, District Grand Septor occupying the chair. At that meeting, it was decided to form a Scottish Constitution Lodge to be called "Lodge Cambooya" in the town. It was also decided that its colours be "Scottish Crimson"

Wor Bro. McIntosh, a past Master of Darling Downs Lodge, was elected its first Master and he was installed on 7 November 1908 in the Presbyterian Church, Cambooya.

The District Grand Master, RWBro T S Burstow occupied the chair and the lodge was consecrated and dedicated by him, assisted by his Grand Lodge Officers.

Thus Lodge Cambooya No. 1057 S.C. with 23 Foundation Members was created. The first meeting of the new lodge was held on 12 December 1908 and two candidates were initiated into the lodge on that date.

Over the years, Cambooya has retained its proud heritage and has produced many well know Masons. RWBro Pax West, PAGM was probably one of the most respected members of recent years and he represented Grand Masters at numerous installations and other functions over the years. Pax passed to the Grand Lodge in 1998.

2005 also saw a milestone when RWBro A O Bryce, PSGW received his 75th year Service jewel from VWBro Ian McCathie, Past Grand Treasurer and over 70 Freemasons, family, friends and ladies attended the special service. Regretfully, Bro Bryce passed to the Grand Lodge above recently.

With approx. 40 members, Cambooya remains a strong and viable Lodge on the Darling Downs and no doubt it will continue to prosper. WBro Brian England is the current Master. top of page

LODGE OF INSTRUCTION

In 1940-41 some members of Fidelity Lodge started to talk about forming a Lodge of Instruction in Toowoomba. Permission was granted and the Toowoomba Lodge of Instruction holden under the sanction of Fidelity commenced in July 1941.

The first preceptor was VWBro Prestorus with WBro Hall elected as Secretary. Not long after its formation, WBro Hall died as the result of an aircraft accident. The lodge was thus in limbo for a time, until Bro Noel Wilson stepped in and took the position, which he held for over thirty years.

Another local Mason who contributed greatly to the success of the Lodge was RWBro Clem Adams, PSGW who was Treasurer for some forty years. He also had the responsibility of printing and distribution of our publication entitled THE BEACON for a great deal of those years and it was published monthly for around forty years.

The Lodge meets on the first Thursday of each month except January. The Installation is in April. The dress is casual except for the Installation Meeting, that being the only night a festive board is held. Visitors are always welcome.

The meeting carries out the usual business of a meeting and has discussions on lectures from the previous BEACON. An invited Brother will then deliver a lecture on a topic of his choosing which is followed by a vote of thanks and a brief discussion.

In earlier years there were two lectures given each night, however with the depth of lectures being delivered, it was found necessary to reduce the night to a single lecture.

Our publication is now produced BI-Monthly and posted to members and similar Lodges in every State of Australia, New Zealand and England.

The cost of Membership is $A15.00 per Calendar Year. New contributions are most welcome.

We are thinking of EMail to any member who desires that method of transmission.

Unfortunately Fidelity Lodge has closed and we now operate under the sanction of Darling Downs Lodge No. 66 UGLQ.

The Secretary is RWBro Ken Stephen, PJGW of 19 Butler Street, Toowoomba 4350, Qld, Australia, EMail (kstep@icr.com.au)and our current Preceptor is Bro Bishop of Toowoomba Lodge. top of page

GOWRIE LODGE

With over 60 members, Gowrie Lodge has one of the largest Masonic memberships in Toowoomba and District. Its humble beginning took place in the board rooms of radio station 4GR, Toowoomba on 20 May 1947 where a meeting presided over by VWBro B Dewar took place with the intention to form a new lodge in Toowoomba. The decision to form the new lodge was supported by all and from a selection of possible names, including Golden Grain, Queen City, Araluin and Ruthven however Gowrie was selected due to the prominence of the name in the early settlement of the area. With dues set at $6.00 and a banquet charge of 50cents, VWBro Mervyn Hall (as he was then)was elected as its first Worshipful Master. The regalia was borrowed from its mother lodge, Darling Downs No 66 UGLQ.

On 27-11-47, the consecration took place by the then GM and during its first year, the lodge was very busy. It received 8 affiliates, initiated 10 new members, passed 8 and raised 9 to the 3rd degree. Unfortunately, the founding Worshipful Master, RWBro Hall was killed some years later in a glider accident on the Downs. He was sadly missed by all local Freemasons and today, the "T.M.S. Hall Memorial Jewel" is passed on from Master to Master at each Installation along with all other Lodge Jewels.

One of the most interesting features of this lodge, is the Director of Ceremonies' baton. It has been professionally carved and its value exceeds $1,000.00. Its origin and donor remains a mystery as no record of its presentation can be found in the minutes.

Since its early creation, the new lodge has continued to flourish and remains a strong Masonic force in Toowoomba and it even has its own web page. Please visit it through the UGLQ home page.

The current Master is WBro Dr Harry Bulter and with the assistance of the Secretary, WBro L Evans, the lodge has retained its attachment to the business community as well as its original connection with the local radio network. top of page

HALCYON LODGE

Like many lodges of this era, Halcyon was sponsored as a daughter of an existing lodge for in 1960, the members of Robert Burns Lodge felt that the time was right for another craft lodge in the Newtown area. This in itself was most unique as the Burns lodge was only 11 years old when this happened and was a result of the large number of new members joining Burns.

Interest was very keen to form the new lodge and after many preliminary meetings, Halcyon Lodge was formed with 32 members on the books. On 17 February 1961, these 32 members signed the register at its consecration, however due to transfers, resignations and unfortunately - deaths, only 3 of the foundation members remain as members of the lodge.

There was considerable debate at the discussion meetings as to the name of the new lodge and after many suggestions, the name Halcyon was finally adopted.

The past master's jewel has a special emblem on the ribbon to the jewel the Forest Kingfisher: Halcyon Macleayii. From this emblem, the name Halcyon has been considered to be a bird in its own right and holds an interesting legend.

This legend says that the Halcyon is a fictitious seabird with webbed feet and a saw bill. It produces its young on the shore by depositing its eggs in the sand in midwinter (the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere) and these eggs hatch after seven days and a further seven days to feed the chicks to young birds. The sailors know that these 14 days will be fine and are called Halcyon days. So the legend shows that Halcyon translates to calm, peaceful and tranquil and is an ideal name for a Masonic lodge.

The lodge has continued to be stable and solid and membership remains at about 33. They are fortunate to have many master masons as their officers and constantly carry out degree work as well as providing Masonic lectures to the members and visitors.

The current A/Worshipful Master is WBro S Canda and their Secretary is RW Bro Keith Kahler, PJGW. Halcyon meet on the first Tuesday of each month whilst the Installation is on the second Saturday in February and is held at the Robert Burns Centre in Anzac Avenue. top of page

JONDARYAN LODGE

Jondaryan Lodge is numbered 350 on the register of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland.

Meetings of this lodge were originally held in the Jondaryan Hall and commenced in 1927. The foundation Master was W J Fopal. In those days there were approximately 60 members belonging to the Jondaryan Masonic Lodge. As the hall was also used by the general public, the members prior to their meeting, would set up the hall to facilitate their meetings and when the meeting was over, all the gear would be safely stowed away under the stage within the hall.

WBro Eddie Isles was the lodge Secretary in 1936, when his house (the original Jondaryan Homestead) was partially burnt down, destroying all the Masonic meeting minutes for Jondaryan lodge up to that date.

Some 29 years later, in 1956, the members decided to build a Masonic Temple. Gutzke Brothers were contracted to build the lodge building using local timber from the Bunya Mountains. The stumps for the building were cut from WBro McCallister's farm at Rangemore on the Maclagan - Bunya Mountains Road. These original stumps are still supporting the lodge today, a testament to a good foundation.

The Lodge Temple was consecrated in 1957, with WBro Alec Williams as the first master in the new building. There were many visitors and Grand Lodge Officers from Brisbane, attending the consecration.

WBro McKay was another hardened worker towards the Jondaryan Lodge in those early years. He served two terms as master of the Lodge. The temple today, bears several plagues on furniture donated by the McKay family. Other items of furniture donated by members include the Mossetter, Isles, and Perina families.

While the members within the lodge have reduced significantly from the earlier years, the lodge spirit is very much alive and well. The Jondaryan members are quite proud of their record, for frequently visiting sister lodges.

The current Master of Jondaryan is WBro Max Wilkin.

GARDEN CITY DAYLIGHT LODGE

The formation of a Toowoomba Daylight Lodge had been discussed in open Lodge by the Officers and Brethren of Fidelity Lodge No. 357 as a result of a decline in attendance by the members due to ageing and because of the fact that more than 60% of the members were living a great distance from Toowoomba.

Inaugural meetings of masons from several Toowoomba and District Lodges in 1993 found support from other Brethren in similar circumstances and an approach was made by a nucleus of freemasons to seek approval from the United Grand Lodge of Queensland to form a daylight lodge at Toowoomba. Fortyfour Brethren answered the call as Foundation Members and the Garden City Daylight Lodge was consecrated on Wednesday April 13 1994.

The ceremony was conducted by RWBro I.K. Smith, Deputy Grand Master and assisted by RWBro B.N. Boock PAGM at the Robert Burns Masonic Centre commencing at 9-30am. The new lodge was sponsored by Fidelity Lodge. The Inaugural Master was VWBro W.G. (Greg) Buchanan (Dec.). The position of Foundation Secretary was RWBro R.H.P. (Pax) West PAGM whose untiring service (and commitment by his wife Joy) was given to the Lodge until his tragic death in 1998. That position was filled for the remainder of the 98-99 years by RWBro W.S.(Bill) Shaw, PJGW and was then occupied by WBro John McCredden PGSBr until 2006 and since March 06 by RWBro Ken Stephen PJGW.

As at April 2006 there has been an addition to the 60 members to Garden City Lodge, among them only three initiates, one of whom is approaching 80 years young and has now attained the master's chair. The Lodge has a current membership of 59 with a regular rollup of 25-30 members. The current Master is WBro Graham White. The lodge meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 9.00AM (January excepted).top of page