Freemasonry in New South Wales
Freemasonry came to New South Wales with the regiments of the British Army soon after the First Fleet in 1788.
A Military Lodge sitting under Warrant No.1780, by then having admitted a number of civilians to membership, became Sydney No.l, formed with 39 brethren on 13 April 1845, the first Wor. Master Bro. Richard McGuffin and his Officers, being installed by Bro. Alexander. No.l, operated in Sydney until its closure in 1968.
The first Grand Lodge was opened in Sydney in 1845, Bro. Robert Barr being the first Grand Master, and Bro. Andrew Alexander, the Deputy Grand Master. Bro. Alexander was the Grand Master the following year. The institution grew and prospered; No.2 Lodge was opened in 1845, No.3, No.4, and No.5 (in Kiama on the New South Wales South Coast) in 1846, No.6 and No.8 in 1847, No.7 in 1850.
The Grand Lodge of Ireland and the Grand Lodge of Scotland were also warranting lodges in New South Wales, and creating their own provincial Grand Lodges.
On 16 August 1888, after considerable consultation, the Masters and Wardens of the one hundred and eighty-three lodges assembled, the articles of union were again adopted, and the " United Grand Lodge of New South Wales " declared to be duly constituted and established. The first Grand Master was Lord Carrington, Governor of New South Wales.
Picton Lodge is located approx. 75klms South West of Sydney. The first meeting was held on 26th February 1909 and the first Master Worshipful Brother Walter L Craig was installed. Since that time the Lodge has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the more prominent Lodges in South-West Sydney, Australia.
The existing building in Colden St was dedicated in 1935 and further renovations were made in the early 1960’s to provide the current building structure. In 2012 a refurbishment project of the current building was begin to restore and renovate following more than 50 years of continuous use. While most of the work inside the Lodge room has been completed this is an ongoing project expected to be fully completed in 2014. A more concise history has been documented into a book by our historian Wor Bro David Squirrell.
|
