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The History of the Perth Lodge
Centenary 1899 to 1999
HISTORY OF THE PERTH LODGE No 33 WAXC
(Founded 9 February 1899 as No 2775 EC)
The Consecration, Dedication and Installation of The Perth Lodge No 2775 EC, took place on the 9th day of February 1899, the Consecrating Officer being VW Bro COL Riley PGC (Eng) DSGW, Bishop of Perth
FOUNDATION OFFICERS
Worshipful Master.....................WBro C Youle Dean, PPGDC
Immediate Past Master.............................WBro H M Deacon
Senior Warden.............................................Bro H M Farmer
Junior Warden..............................................Bro W J Holmes
Treasurer......................................................Bro F W Collett
Secretary......................................................Bro F L Parkes
Senior Deacon..............................................Bro A V Parkes
Junior Deacon.................................................Bro F Millbank
Director of Ceremonies..............................Bro Ormsby Burkitt
Hon Organist...............................................Bro Frank Barnes
Inner Guard.......................................................Bro E B Trigg
Stewards.........................Bros A M Oliphant and H St J Ogilvie
Tyler.................................................................Bro W Graves
HISTORICAL REVIEW
By A R Tomlinson and F R Matthews, PGSB
In the year 1898, AD, a small band of keen Freemasons, realising that in the District Grand Lodge of Western Australia there was none on the register known as The Perth Lodge, called an inauguration meeting at the Freemasons' Hall, Hay Street, Perth on the 3 November. At that meeting, 12 were present and altogether 14 bretheren were mentioned as foundation members of the new Lodge. a further meeting was held on 10 January 1899, when it was decided, subject to the approval of the District Grand Secretary, that the Installation of the Lodge be held on the second Thursday in February 1899.
Our early bretheren were certainly true economists. It is recorded that invitations to that first Installation were to be sent to the senior District Grand Lodge Officers, and also to the Worshipful Masters and Wardens of the Lodge of St John, Emulation and Unity. Following it is written, "The Secretary to write Master and Wardens of Unity Lodge for loan of regalia etc", and later "that the Secretary write and inform Bro F Barnes that he is elected Honorary Organist of the Lodge". All requests were acceded to in the Masonic strain. Likewise, our Foundation Members were keen ritualists, as threee instructional meetings were subsequently held prior to the Consecration and Installation ceremony.
Sponsored by the Lodge of St John, the Consecration and Installation ceremony was held at the Masonic Temple, Hay Street, Perth on Thursday 9 February 1899, under a Provisional Warrant of the District Grand Lodge of Western Australia, English Constitution, the Lodge being numbered 2775 EC. The officiating representative of the District Grand Lodge was the late beloved VW Bro COL Riley, PGC (Eng) DSGW, Bishop of Perth, and he was assisted by the following:
VW Bro Ernest Shaw, DG Secretary
RW Bro D K Congdon, PDDGM
VW Bro J P Walton, DGDC
VW Bro Thos Sherwood, PDSGW
There was a good attendance of visitors, and the minutes record that the ceremony was well carried out according to ancient rites and customs.
The following brethren were the foundation members of the Lodge:
W Bro C Youle Dean Bro F L Parkes Bro H St J Ogilvie
W Bro H M Deakin Bro A V Parkes Bro G Cranston
Bro H M Farmer Bro F Millbank Bro A W Farquhar
Bro W J Holmes Bro E B Trigg Bro Ormsby Burkitt
Bro F W Collett Bro A M Oliphant
The By Laws later provided that regular monthly meetings were to be held on the fourth Thursday of each month, excepting the months of December, January and February. At the meeting in March 1905, it was decided that the regular monthly meeting be held on the first Friday, and such appointment has been continued to the present time. One is struck by the energy shown by our membership. Three canditates were initiated at the meeting in March 1899, and in July of that year, two were initiated and one raised to the sublime degree. Aided by emergency meetings, many ceremonies were undertaken, and on 23 November 1899, the Lodge membership was 27, 12 having been initiated since March. It is interesting to note that the first initiate of the Lodge was Bro Samual John Rowe, and that his Grandson, Bro Victor Gregory Rowe, was initiated on 7 May 1948.
Generally, in those early days the Lodge was called off for refreshment, and nomination forms generally gave the candidates age as "ful". Despite the volume of work in the early years, the lecture on the tracing board was given immediately following the ceremony.
Items of interest recorded include the facts that the Right Rev the Bishop of Perth (the late MW Bro COL Riley, PGM was invested as Chaplain in 1899 and 1900, and harmony was provided by the Masonic Liedertafel. The Lodge was favoured at the meeting in July 1901, by the attendance of brethren from the HM Ships of War which formed the escort fro the Duke and Duchess of York (afterwards HM King George V and Queen Mary) who visited Australia in connection with the opening of Federal Parliament, aboard the RMS Ophir.
In accordance with the establishment of the Western Australian Constitution in 1900, the number of the Lodge changed from 2775 EC to 33 WAC.
One item of interest from our minute book demonstrates the correct procedure of our parent Lodge St John. In August 1902, a letter was received from its Secretary stating that The Perth Lodge was to be charged 5/- for the use of the regalia room which had been wrongly used on the night of the last regular meeting as a banqueting room. Others recorded in the minutes of the May meeting 1906, include a motion being carried to the effect that in future the festive board expenses be paid by members attending, ana a levy be made of 2/6 minimum, to be collected by the Stewards. At a ballot taken for a candidate, the Director of Ceremonies ruled that an EA could not vote. This decision was referred to Grand Lodge, and a reply was received that an EA was entitled to vote. The Director of Ceremonies expressed regret, and donated 10/6 to the Benevolent Fund as self inflicted fine!
With a limit now at 65 members the Lodge has progressed. In all, 220 names have been entered into the membership register, including five who subsequently rejoined the Lodge. Apart from the first few years, the membership of the Lodge has been at an average just over 40. If, as is so often stated, the strength of the Lodge greatly depends on its Past Masters, The Perth Lodge has been exceedingly fortunate. On 31 December 1973, 27 Past Masters were on the Lodge's register (of a total of 42 members) and despite the fact that several are, for various reasons, unable to attend regularly, the recent attendance return of Past Masters shows that the average attendance at all meetings in 1973 was over 75%. No less sincere has been the attendance and suport of the Master Masons.
The Perth Lodge has one Daughter and two Grand-Daughter Lodges. The Daughter is Maylands, No 95 WAC, consecrated on 20 April 1914, and the Grand-Daughters are Bayswater, No 133 WAC, consecrated on 2 August 1927, and Peninsular, No 223 WAC, consecrated on 25 June 1947.
Since its inception, The Perth Lodge has been favoured by 28 of its brethren having Grand Lodge Honours bestowed on them. Also worthy of note is the three Worshipful Brethren who have received jewels for 50 years service to Freemasonry. These are:
RW Bro P G S Hope, PDGM
W Bro R A Nicholas, PSGD
RW Bro F W Godfrey, PDGM
When the present Freemasons Hall in Terrace Road, Perth. was opened this Lodge was the first to hold a meeting in the Hackett Room, which was attended by the then Most Worshipful Grand Master, N R Collins accompanied by Grand Lodge Officers.
On the Crest of The Perth Lodge is one word "Floreat" -May it Flourish. Bretheren, to date The Perth Lodge has been guided in accordance with this word, and we thank the Grand Architect and pray for His guidance and blessing for the future of The Perth Lodge.
This history of The Perth Lodge was commenced by Worshipful Brothers A R Tomlinson and FR Matthews, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the Lodge. As the Centenary now approaches, it is updated by Worshipful Brothers A M Wells and C W Warren, to add to it a brief record of the succeeding 25 years, thereby completing the history of the first 100 years of the Lodge.
The earlier history being prepared in advance, left off prior to the date of the actual 75th Anniversary which was celebrated at the Installation Meeting held on Friday 5 April 1974. This was attended by The Most Worshipful Grand Master J E V Murdoch and his team of officers. Bro Darrel Stokes Wilson was installed by the outgoing Worshipful Master W Bro W H Lee. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Most Worshipful Grand Master congratulated the Lodge on attaining its 75 years and, in referring to the many illustrious Brethren who had passed through its ranks over those years, expressed his confidence that the Lodge would continue to prosper. He then conferred honours on W Bro C W Cruickshank, PAGDC and W Bro F R Matthews, PJGW. Following closure of the Lodge, the brethren retired to the south where the speeches and atmosphere were demonstrative of the celebratory mood of the brethren.
In September 1974, an initiation ceremony was held, the first candidate for two years, and it was then to be some eighteen months before another entered the Lodge. This was a matter of concern to the Lodge, and in September 1975 a senior member had some discussion with our Mother Lodge concerning the possibility of an amalgamation. This matter was considered by the Lodge, and in October of that year the members voted overwhelmingly against the proposal, the feeling being that the identity of The Perth Lodge must at all costs be preserved. This is the only occasion on which such a proposal has been mooted. The following quarter of a century of frutiful existence amply justidies the faith of the brethren of that time, as almost immediately after this decision on the matter the tide truned and in 1976 a total of 5 new members were admitted as candidates for initiation.
During the 25 years now under review, a time during which the Craft as a whole has advanced less vigorously than during the immediate preceding post war years, the Lodge's membership register discloses that the pattern of feast and famine in respect of candidates is constantly repeated. This is evidenced by the meeting in August 1987 when the business of the evening was a double ballot for candidates for initiation, followed by an initiation ceremony. Then, in December 1988, an unheard of double initiation was held.
Notable features of the Lodge activities during this time have been the increased social and public activities entered into. While in the earlier years the members were involved largely in purely Masonic busines, with very little involvement by the ladies, there has been a notable increase in effort to extend lodge fellowship and knowledge beyond the confines of the lodge room. Ladies dinners, social events involving families and friends, and involvement in outside charitable activity have become features of the Lodge.
Notable among these have been three occasions on which ladies and non-masons have been invited to the Lodge rooms. The first of these was held in December 1982 when the members and guests assembled together, and then while the Lodge conducted a brief formal meeting, the guests were given a conducted tour and explanation of the premises, including the Hackett Room. Following early closure of the Lodge, all adjourned to the south where a specially catered festive board and harmony were provided and Christmas gifts given to the ladies. Similar functions at spaced intervals have been held on two further occasions, enabling the members wives to get some reasonable understanding of the Lodge workings.
The Masonic Concerts, which were so successfully held at the Perth Concert Hall for many years, were supported by the Lodge, block bookings being obtained, and these were another event at which members could mix socially with their ladies and friends.
In 1987 RW Bro Colin Burnell expressed the opinion that the summer recess of two months was too long a period for the brethren to be apart, and so arranged a social function at his home, to coincide as nearly as possible with the first Friday in February. This successful event was continued at RW Bro Colin Burnell's home for several years, and similar event have been arranged since.
Another event which again brought lodge members and families together, but this time also with a larger public, was a charity fund raising night held jointly with Soroptomist International of Perth. This occurred in mid 1992 and took the form of a dinner with harmony, quizzes, raffles etc. It was held in the banquet room attached to the Hackett Room at Freemasons Hall, and was well attended by members and friends of both organisations. Besides being successful in its objective of raising funds for charities suported by both groups, it was a means of engendering greater understanding of each parties objectives.
Besides regularly supporting the Masonic Homes for the Aged, on an annual basis, the Lodge in 1974 provided for the furnishing of a unit at the new Teasdale Village at Orelia, and in 1978 of a unit at the Howard Solomon Homes in Lynwood. In 1981 a donation was made towards the establishment of aged homes by the Esperance Lodge.
For a number of years The Perth Lodge has, both financially and physically, assisted the Lodge of Fraternity run a Christmas party for young people within the Activ Foundation, and has financially supported the Fairbridge Farm, to which substantial forward donations have been committed.
In the twenty five years since the first part of this history was compiled, three brethren have completed 50 years of service with the Lodge, and been recipients of the appropriate jewels, and two brethren have received a 60 year jewel. A third, and the longest ever serving member5, completed 68 years of service, but although in possession of a Fifty Year jewel he had passed on before the 60 year jewel was instituted.
During the 1980's an association was formed with the Toodyay Lodge, and for some years exchange visits between the lodges took place, at which the visiting lodge occupied the chairs at the host lodge and conducted the ceremony.
During the hundred years of the Lodge's existence, 268 names have been entered into the membership register, an average of 2.7 per year, and of that number 48 became members during the last 25 years, an average of only 1.9. Of that 48 new members, 14 were joining or rejoining members and only 34 were initiates, so that on average during this time the Lodge has performed just over four degree creemonies per year.
Again, during the last 25 years, there have been eight occasions when it has been necessary for a Past Master of the Lodge to reoccupy the chair.
Since the compilation of the history of the first 75 years, our Daughter Lodge, Maylands No 95 has amalgamated with the Golden Compasses Lodge No 263, and is now known as Maylands-Golden Compasses No 95. Regrettably, both of our Grand Daughter Lodges, Bayswater No 133 and Peninsular No 223, have surrendered their warrants and ceased to exist.
In June of 1993, four Worshipful Brethren from the Argosy Lodge No 202 (which had surrended its warrant) became joining members of The Perth Lodge. The contributions made by these Worshipful Brethren have been most valuable to the Lodge, but lead one to reflect on the tragedy of lodges having to close when brethren such as these are still active.
Retention of members is not always sufficient to maintain an even balance and flow of Master Masons through the various offices. This problem is felt throughout the craft and the causes are manifold. Apart from various social changes and commitments (including competition with other organisations for members), in The Perth Lodge one of the principal reasons appears to be mobility of members in regard to both residence and employment. Our current membership list includes numerous members who reside and/or work in country areas, interstate and even overseas, and these are brethren who have retained their membership, while of course, others have resigned.
In spite of these problems, we are confident the Lodge will continue to prosper and that the fellowship amongtst the brethren, the good and charitable works performed and the respect of the community at large will continue with the Lodge as it embarks on its second century.
Masters
Of
The Perth Lodge, No 33 WAC
1899 - 1900 VW Bro C Y Dean, PGDC
1900 - 1901 VW Bro H Farmer, PGDC
1901 - 1902 VW Bro W J Holmes
1902 - 1903 RW Bro F L Parkes. PJGW
1903 - 1904 RW Bro A V Parkes, PJGW
1904 - 1905 W Bro A M Oliphant
1905 - 1906 W Bro W A Hughes
1906 - 1907 W Bro A Espie
1907 - 1908 W Bro W H Willis
1908 - 1909 VW Bro H C F Keall, PGR
1909 - 1910 RW Bro J A O Preshaw, PJGW
1910 - 1911 RW Bro W P Seed, PJGW
1911 - 1912 W Bro W P Odell, PGP
1912 - 1913 W Bro E Robinson
1913 - 1914 W Bro E W Hamer, PGStwd
1914 - 1915 VW Bro C G Morris,PGIW
1915 - 1916 W Bro W W Allcock
1916 - 1917 RW Bro G H Parry, PSGW
1917 - 1918 W Bro P Howard
1918 - 1919 W Bro H G Jefferson
1919 - 1920 W Bro P L Perry
1920 - 1921 RW Bro H Armstrong, PJGW
1921 - 1922 RW Bro P G S Hope, PSGW
1922 - 1923 W Bro A J Mellor, PSGD
1923 - 1924 W Bro R H Weddell
1924 - 1925 W Bro W C Hodd
1925 - 1926 W Bro E E Victor
1926 - 1927 RW Bro J A O Preshaw, PJGW
1927 - 1928 W Bro H L Stapleton
1928 - 1929 W Bro C L Messner
1929 - 1930 W Bro P C Kerr, PSGD
1930 - 1931 RW Bro Godfrey, PDGM
1931 - 1932 W Bro A J Bennett, PGStwd
1932 - 1933 W Bro R Dickson
1933 - 1934 VW Bro R A Nicholas, PGDC
1934 - 1935 W Bro S A Mortimer
1935 - 1936 W Bro G B D'Arcy
1936 - 1937 W Bro A G Newman
1937 - 1938 W Bro W H Thomas
1938 - 1939 W Bro J R Hay
1939 - 1940 VW Bro W A Wilkins, PGDC
1940 - 1941 W Bro J Wade
1941 - 1942 W Bro R L H Stoddart
1942 - 1943 W Bro P C Munro, PSGD
1943 - 1944 W Bro W F R Leschen
1944 - 1945 W Bro G W Paris
1945 - 1946 RW Bro F R Mattews, PJGW
1946 - 1947 W Bro A E Roberts
1947 - 1948 W Bro H F Cook
1948 - 1949 VW Bro C W Cruickshank, PDGDC
1949 - 1950 W Bro G Hale
1950 - 1951 RW Bro A C Burnell, PJGW
1951 - 1952 W Bro D C Phillips
1952 - 1953 W Bro W H N Coombs
1953 - 1954 W Bro C W Metcalf
1954 - 1955 W Bro F A Ryan, PJGD
1955 - 1956 W Bro A R Tomlinson, PGSwdB
1956 - 1957 VW Bro F E Eccleson, PGC
1957 - 1958 W Bro L W Slade
1958 - 1959 RW Bro H W Ross, PJGW
1959 - 1960 W Bro I A Wilkins
1960 - 1961 W Bro C R Morgan
1961 - 1962 W Bro G M Lawrence
1962 - 1963 W Bro T H Nadebaum
1963 - 1964 W Bro B D Mickle
1964 - 1965 W Bro M M Taylor
1965 - 1966 VW Bro G V Mummery, PDGDC
1966 - 1967 W Bro G C N Phillips
1967 - 1968 W Bro C W Warren, PJGD
1968 - 1969 W Bro D C Mickle
1969 - 1970 W Bro A M Wells, PGStdB
1970 - 1971 W Bro J B M Evans
1971 - 1972 W Bro D F Christie
1972 - 1973 W Bro V A Fisher
1973 - 1974 W Bro W H Lee
1974 - 1975 W Bro D S Wilson
1975 - 1976 W Bro J P Sykes, PSGD
1976 - 1977 W Bro R Tinley
1977 - 1978 W Bro T J Molloy
1978 - 1979 RW Bro W H Ross, PJGW
1979 - 1980 W Bro A M Wells, PGStdB
1980 - 1981 W Bro P A Da Cruz
1981 - 1982 W Bro E Brand, PGStdB
1982 - 1983 W Bro N G Kershaw, RGSwdB
1983 - 1984 VW Bro A T Winstanley, DGIW
1984 - 1985 VW Bro A T Winstanley, DGIW
1985 - 1986 W Bro B D Burnell
1986 - 1987 W Bro B D Burnell
1987 - 1988 W Bro J P Sykes, PSGD
1988 - 1989 W Bro K J St Jack
1989 - 1990 W Bro L F Miller
1990 - 1991 W Bro M R Fuller
1991 - 1992 W Bro N G Kershaw, RGSwdB
1992 - 1993 VW Bro A T Winstanley, DGIW
1993 - 1994 W Bro W R Miller
1994 - 1995 W Bro C R Fowles
1995 - 1996 W Bro M A Tidman
1996 - 1997 W Bro A L Beaugeard, GP
1997 - 1998 W Bro A L Beaugeard, GP
1998 - 1999 W Bro K J St Jack
1999 - 2000 W Bro N G Kershaw, P.S.G.D
2000 - 2001 W Bro A L Beaugeard,D.G.I.W
2001 - 2002 W Bro C. Kershaw P.G.Swd.B
2002 - 2003 W Bro C. Kershaw P.G.Swd.B
2003 - 2004 W Bro M. A Tidman A.G.O
2004 - 2005 W Bro J.K.J Smith
2005 - 2006 W Bro A Khong
2006 - 2007 W Bro A Khong
2007 - 2008 RW Bro A T Winstanley, P.S.G.W
2008 - 2009 VW Bro A L Beaugeard,P.G.I.W
2009 - 2010 W Bro A L Beaugeard III
Current Affiliated
Past Masters
W Bro R S Lewis
W Bro F R Garland
RW Bro E R Hamilton, PJGW
VW Bro A M Martin, PDGDC
W Bro S Magee
W Bro T C Rushton
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