GRAND LODGE
OF ANTIENT,  FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF
SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY

 
Introduction 

It has been estimated that the period of Aboriginal inhabitation of the regions of South Australia and the Northern Territory exceeds 1200 human generations compared with some 8 generations of European occupation.  Around 1830 there were perhaps 12,000 or more Aborigines whose ancestors had occupied the land for at least 25,000 years, arranged in various linguistic groups. 

In 1802 the explorers Flinders and Baudin mapped the coastline.  Subsequently sealers, whalers, ships’ deserters, escaped convicts and others evading the authorities in Sydney had unofficially settled parts of the southern coast.  Kangaroo Island  was a good haven for them, particularly in the vicinity of American River.  In 1829-30 the explorer Charles Sturt navigated the River Murray from its upper reaches to the mouth in South Australia while in April 1831 Capt. Collet Barker explored the region of Adelaide and Encounter Bay looking for a site for possible settlement.

South Australia was a theory before it became a place.  It started with Edward Gibbon Wakefield's  theory of 'systematic colonisation' which offered a partial solution to the difficult and perplexing economic and social conditions of early 19th century Britain.  The theory required that the proceeds of all lands sold in the new settlement should be used to provide free passage for a carefully selected labour force consisting of the young adult poor. Emigration was to depend on the volume of land sales, and a large degree of self government should be granted to the colonists. As no convicts were to be admitted, no garrison troops would be needed; above all, such a colony should be 'respectable' and self-supporting. 

The Province of South Australia was established by an Act of the British Parliament, assented to by King William IV on 15 August 1834. 

Freemasonry became included in the plans for the proposed new settlement with the establishment of a new Lodge in England.  On October 22nd, 1834, the South Australian Lodge of Friendship, No 613 E.C., was consecrated and met in London for the first time, at the offices of the South Australian Association at 7 John Street, Adelphi.  Only those who were intending colonists could become members of the new Lodge.

On 19 February 1836 Letters Patent proclaiming the boundaries of South Australia were officially sealed.  The first ships carrying colonists for the new settlement left England that same month, arriving in July.  The establishment of the Province was proclaimed in South Australia on the 28 December 1836. At that time New South Wales had been settled by Europeans since 1788, Van Dieman's Land (later Tasmania) since 1804, while a small colony was just surviving on the Swan River far to the west in New Holland (later Western Australia), having been settled in 1829. 

South Australia gained self government in 1856 and governed the Northern Territory from 1863 until 1911.  During these years the Overland Telegraph was constructed from Adelaide to Darwin, linking Australia to the rest of the world by cable and greatly improving communications.

The six Australian colonies federated to become States of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901.  The Commonwealth assumed responsibility for the Northern Territory in 1911.  In 1978 the Northern Territory was granted self government.
 

Beginnings of Freemasonry in Australia and the SW Pacific

For a chronology of some events of Masonic interest during the years to the end of 1848 please visit the page at http://www.freemasonrysaust.org.au/historyearly.html
 

Early Years of Freemasonry in South Australia

During the first decade of Freemasonry in South Australia (1834-1844), the Craft was solely represented by the Lodge of Friendship.  The first meeting in South Australia was held at the Assembly Rooms, Black's Port Lincoln Hotel, Franklin Street on 11 August 1838.

For an account of the first ten years of the Lodge of Friendship please see http://freemasonrysaust.org.au/lof1a.html

The first Scottish Constitution lodge, Adelaide (St. John's) No. 341 S.C. first met early in 1844.  During the next ten years five new lodges were formed under the English Constitution.  In 1854 a group of brethren under the English Constitution applied to the Grand Lodge of Ireland for a warrant, which was duly granted on 7 September 1855.  The first meeting of the Duke of Leinster Lodge No. 363 I.C. was held on 4 March 1856.

By 1883, the number of Masonic Lodges in South Australia had increased to 33. Of these, twenty Lodges were under the English Constitution, seven under the Irish Constitution and six under the Scottish Constitution. Each group was organized under a District or Provincial Grand Lodge, holding its warrant from its Mother Grand Lodge in the United Kingdom. There was a similar position in each of the other Australian Colonies and in New Zealand at that time.  Good relations prevailed between the three Provincial Grand Lodges in South Australia. 

For a chronology of the three Provincial Grand Lodges of South Australia in the period 1848-1896 please visit  http://www.freemasonrysaust.org.au/dgm-pgm-sa.html
 

1884 - Foundation of the Grand Lodge of South Australia

In the early 1880's it was felt that after almost fifty years of growth, Freemasonry in South Australia had come of age and that Freemasons in this colony should be able to chose their own rulers and manage their own affairs, although they would naturally continue to look with gratitude and affection to the Mother Grand Lodges from which they had sprung. A further reason, of a more material nature, was the slowness and difficulty of communication at that time between any part of Australia and the United Kingdom.  It sometimes took three or more months for letters to go by ship to Great Britain and for a reply to come back in the same way. 

The Grand Lodge of South Australia was established on the 16th day of April 1884 and Br. the Hon. Samuel James Way  was elected unopposed as first Grand Master Mason. The other Grand Lodge officers and the first Board of General Purposes were then elected. After the Grand lodge had been closed, the Board of Installed Masters was opened and the Grand Master elect received the Past Master's degree. The following day, at 10 am on 17th April 1884, the inaugural meeting of the new Grand Lodge was held in the Adelaide Town Hall. The Installing Grand Master, R.W. Bro. H. C. Muecke, read his authority to Install the Grand Master elect. 

Bro. SJ Way, Chief Justice, was then duly obligated, invested and installed as Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of South Australia. He went on to rule the Grand Lodge of South Australia for a total of over thirty years of selfless service, being elected and Installed as Grand Master 26 times. 

Thirty Lodges joined together in constituting the new Grand Lodge and the total number of members on the Register at 17 April 1884 was 2064. Of the male population of South Australia at that time, 1.37% were Freemasons (this percentage eventually reached as high as 5.76%). The number of Freemasons in South Australia rose from 2,241 and 30 lodges in 1884 and peaked at 27,877 in 1961 and 219 lodges in 1978. 
 

Recognition of the new Grand Lodge

Prior to the formation of the new Grand Lodge, fears had been expressed by some that the proposed new body would not be recognised by existing Grand Lodges.  In June 1884 Bro. J.H. Cunningham, Grand Secretary, wrote to all sister Grand Lodges in the world.  By April 1890 the new Grand Lodge had been accorded recognition by 27 Grand Lodges from the United Kingdom, South and North America, Europe and Australasia.  The seal of approval was given when Edward, Prince of Wales, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, agreed to become Patron of the new Grand Lodge in 1888.   Fraternal relations had been established with 121 Grand Lodges by 1914.  Mainly as a consequence of the First World War this number declined to 68 by 1919, rising to 107 by 1989. 
 

Membership

The number of freemasons in South Australia and the Northern Territory has varied over the years, with significant increases in membership following the two World Wars.  Declines in membership have been seen during times of economic hardship, and, since the 1960's, as a result of changes in social mores and increased range of choice for voluntary and leisure activities. 
 

Freemasons' Hall, Adelaide

Initially lodge meetings were held in inns or public houses.  A perusal of the history of public houses reveals that several were named "Freemasons Hotel".  The site for the Alfred Masonic Hall was purchased by the Irish Constitution in 1864.  The foundation stone of the English Constitution's Freemasons' Hall, Flinders Street, was laid on 31 May 1869, and the building was completed and consecrated several months later.  By October this building had been vacated due to financial difficulties, and the English Constitution moved temporarily to the Alfred Masonic Hall in Waymouth Street.  After some time in Eagle Chambers the English Constitution returned to Flinders Street after purchasing Freemasons' Hall and the Earl of Zetland Hotel.  This site became the headquarters of the new Grand Lodge on its formation in 1884. 

In October 1922, a site was secured in North Terrace, Adelaide, opposite the School of Mines (now University of South Australia). The purchase price was £10,640 ($21,280.00).  In April 1925, the Foundation Stone of the new Freemasons' building was laid by the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. His Excellency the Honorable Mr Justice T. Slaney Poole MA, LLB.

In April 1927, the dedication of the Way Room, the Simpson Room and the Glover Room in the new Freemasons' building was accomplished. These lodge rooms are in active use to this day. The total cost of the land, buildings and furnishings was £116,318/11s/6d ($232,637.15).

The J.R.Robertson Masonic Memorial Library was established in October 1928, with the sum of £200 ($400) subscribed for additional books.   This Library incorporated the library which had been established early after the foundation of the new Grand Lodge. 

Freemasons' Hall is now known as the Adelaide Masonic Centre.  The building was restored in the 1980's as part of the Centenary celebrations of Grand Lodge in 1984.  As well as offices for Grand Lodge, the building houses other office space, 3 lodge rooms, the Library and Museum, a public hall and areas for meetings, conventions and receptions.

First Twenty-Five Years of the Grand Lodge: 1884 - 1909

The first new lodge under the South Australian Constitution was Leopold Lodge No. 31, consecrated on 15 May 1884. 

A Board of General Purposes was established by the new Grand Lodge.  This became the recognised executive body.  It was decided that the Masonic year would commence in April each year.  Grand Communications were held quarterly until January 1895, since when they have been held in April and October each year.  The first edition of the Book of Constitutions was published in 1885.  It is noteworthy for containing a list of the Antient Landmarks.  This list was omitted from subsequent editions following a long debate in Grand Lodge in 1893.

A benevolent fund was established shortly after the formation of the new Grand Lodge.  It was decided that all requests for assistance should be referred "to the Board of Benevolence when formed".  This Board was not formed until 1964.  In the intervening period, requests were referred to a Committee of the Board of General Purposes.

An authorised ritual was published in 1893.  Prior to this lodges had continued to use rituals of the three Home constitutions.  The new ritual was accepted immediately by almost all lodges.  Revisions in 1914 brought it closer to the Emulation Working of England.

An impressive ceremony was held in the Adelaide Town Hall in April 1909 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Grand Lodge.  MW Bro. the Rt. Hon. Sir Samuel Way was installed in accordance with antient custom.  He summed up the results of the first twenty-five years of the Grand Lodge in the words "Peace with Progress", and concluded by saying, "Great changes, industrial, social and political may be expected before our first Golden Jubilee is celebrated twenty-five years hence.  If our Fraternity in the coming years continues faithful to its trust, and this community is consequently leavened with the great principles which it is our duty to promulgate, we may, in spite of every change, look forward to the future of the land we love so well with confidence and with hope."

The foundation Grand Secretary, VW Bro. J.H. Cunningham died in office on 19 September 1909.  He was replaced by RW Bro. C.R.J. Glover, DGM, who continued in office for the next twenty-seven years. 
 

1909 - 1934

The use of the word 'Lewis' to describe a 'daughter' Lodge was first conceived in this jurisdiction.  In 1912 Emulation Lewis Lodge No. 69 was established at Norwood as a daughter of Emulation Lodge No. 32.  It is interesting to note that this new use of the word 'Lewis' became popular in South Australia, with twenty-one lodges adopting this custom by 1974.  Emulation and its Lewis Lodge reunited in 1979.

The foundation Grand Master, MW Bro. the Rt. Hon. Sir Samuel J. Way, Bt, PC DCL LLD, Lieutenant Governor and Chief Justice of South Australia, Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, died in office on 8 January 1916.  He had been at the head of Masonic affairs in South Australia for 31 years.  He was succeeded by the Pro Grand Master, MW Bro. E.B. Grundy, KC. 

During the 1910's a history of the first fifty years of Freemasonry in South Australia was compiled and written by the Grand Secretary, R.W. Bro. Charles Glover.  Subsequently additional volumes were compiled for the periods 1884-1934 and 1935-1984.

Moves to erect a new Freemasons' Hall resulted in the creation of a Building Fund in October 1913.  The Grand Secretary was able to travel overseas in 1921, visiting as many Masonic buildings as possible in the USA and the United Kingdom to secure ideas for a new headquarters.  The 'Hall Stone Jewel' was inaugurated in 1922 to assist in the provision of funds for the new building.

Four representatives were sent to the first conference of all Australian Grand Lodges held in Melbourne in November 1921.  Among other things, the agenda dealt with admission of candidates who had been injured or maimed, and agreed with the discontinuance of Masonic funerals.  Further conferences were held in 1925 (Adelaide) and 1927 (Sydney).

As mentioned elsewhere, the new Freemasons' Hall was completed in 1927.

Economic difficulties in the early 1930's saw a reduction in the number of freemasons.  The Grand Master's address at the Communication of October 1932 mentioned that the falling number of candidates for membership made it possible for more addresses or lectures to be given so that the important objectives of Masonic education in explaining the ceremonies, symbolism and history of the Craft could be presented to every member. 
 

1934 - 1959

Returning prosperity in the late 1930's was overshadowed by the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. 

In 1937 a standard design for lodge centenary jewels was approved.  In the same year it was decided that the Lodge Warrant should be read at the meeting of the Lodge following the Installation meeting.  In 1939 the Board of General Purposes approved the removal of the globes from the tops of the three pillars to be found in each lodge room, in order to follow the practice of other jurisdictions. 

Special Emergency Directions were issued by Grand Lodge following the entry of Japan into the War in December 1941.  Shortages of materials impacted, necessitating the introduction of linen aprons and the suspension of presentation of jewels. 

Following the end of the War there was a great increase in the numbers of men seeking admission into the Order.  New lodges were created to cope with the influx. 

The Coat of Arms of Grand Lodge (see detailed link page or at top of this page) was granted by the College of Arms in London in 1957.  Prior to this a variant of the Arms of the United Grand Lodge of England had been used.
 

1959 - 1984

Reference was made at the October Communication of 1962 to the Masonic Memorial Village Project, and the purchase of land for the project at Somerton.  The Memorial Village was completed in 10 phases over a 12 year period in 1978.  Since then other projects have been completed at Ridgehaven,  Darwin and Stirling, and contributions have been made to provide units in some country towns.  About 700 people live in the various Masonic Homes at the present date.

1963 saw the establishment of the Grand Master's Order of Service to Masonry (meant only for Master Masons who have given great service), as well as of a Board of Benevolence. Permissive summer dress was introduced in 1965, and a Certificate of Meritorious Service in 1970.  The Offices of Grand Almoner and Grand Librarian were created in 1975. In April 1976 the Constitutions were amended so that future Grand Masters were to be elected at the half yearly Communication in October, and installed at the following Annual Communication. 

Since mid 1972 every freemason in the jurisdiction has received a copy of the journal "South Australian and Northern Territory Freemason".  Previously this had been issued by various publishers on a subscription basis.  The journal is now issued quarterly, supplemented by an annual Masonic Year Book.

In January 1973 Lodge Kilwinning No. 220 was consecrated, to work by permission a Scottish ritual.  This was followed by Lodge Clyde-Whyalla No. 224 in December 1975, also working a Scottish ritual, and Lodge Concordia No. 226 in February 1981, working the Schroeder ritual by permission of Grand Lodge.

The Masonic Education Course was approved at the October Communication of 1980.  The course is taken by correspondence over a period of four years.  Details are available on another page on this website.  Other forms of masonic education are provided, such as leadership development. 

The early 1980's saw plans being laid for the Centenary Celebrations of Grand Lodge in April 1984.  These celebrations were held throughout South Australia and the Northern Territory, with the major celebrations occurring in Adelaide.  One of the highlights was the Centenary Conference with the theme "Australia - where is it going?  The Place of Freemasonry in Australia's Future".  The Conference was opened by the Governor General of Australia, and addressed by freemasons from Australia and overseas, and by other leaders in business and the community.  A Centenary Restoration Fund was established for the purpose of refurbishing the Grand Lodge building.

1984 to today

The current title of the Grand Lodge was adopted in 1999 to better proclaim its territorial jurisdiction which extends over the areas of South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Freemasonry is a part of the society in which the organisation and its members live and work.  As part of the process of adaptation to change, business techniques such as corporate and strategic planning have been introduced to Freemasonry in South Australia and the Northern Territory. 

In 1997 the growing importance of the Internet as a means of disseminating information and communication was recognised, with a small committee tasked to create and develop a website for the Grand Lodge. 

In 2002 the Board of General Purposes was renamed the Board of Management.  In conjunction with this the membership of the Board was modified, together with the titles of some members, to emphasize its purposes and functions to the general membership and the wider world.

The Grand Lodge will celebrate its 125th anniversary in April 2009, while the Lodge of Friendship No. 1 will in October 2009 celebrate 175 years of working since its first meeting in London.

With declining membership numbers and advancing average age of members these are challenging times for Freemasons and the institution of Freemasonry.  Having an awareness of the achievements, challenges and disappointments of the past, Freemasons can move forward with a firm but humble confidence into the unknown that is the future, holding fast to the three great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth and the other essential elements ('Ancient Landmarks') that make up Freemasonry.

 

 

Sources and further reading

BOOKS:

"Atlas of South Australia", Griffin T and McCaskill M (ed) (1986): Adelaide.  www.atlas.sa.gov.au  ~ 'About South Australia'
"The Wakefield Companion to South Australian History", Prest W, Round K  and Fort CS (ed) (2001): Kent Town SA.
"Adelaide from colony to jubilee: a sense of difference", Whitelock D (1985): Adelaide.
"A History of South Australia: from colonial days to the present", Gibb RM (3rd ed, 1999): Mitcham SA.
"History of the first fifty years of the South Australian Lodge of Friendship from 1834 to 1884",   Sansom P (1886): Adelaide.
"A History of First Fifty Years of Freemasonry in South Australia 1834-1884",   Glover CRJ (1915): Adelaide
"A History of Craft Masonry in South Australia 1884 - 1934",   Mander-Jones E and Hilbig PB (eds) (1976): Adelaide
"A History of Craft Masonry in South Australia 1934 - 1984" ,   Boundy R and Ninnes AR (eds) (1983): Adelaide
"The Masonic Grand Masters of Australia",   Henderson K (1988): Melbourne
"One Hundred and Twenty-five Years of Irish Freemasonry in South Australia",   Cam AM (1982): Adelaide
"Irish Freemasonry in Australasia",  Cam AM (2006): Adelaide.
"Pocket history of Freemasonry",   Pick FL and Knight GN (1991: 8th ed. rev. by Smyth F): London
"The History of English Freemasonry",   Hamill J (1994).
"Masonic Centres of the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia",                     Budgen, Wayne (2008): St Lucia South, Qld
"South Australian Year Book :  No.32: 1999", Crettenden I (1999): Australian Bureau of Statistics.  www.abs.gov.au

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