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Historical Background of Mark Masonry 

Earlier, in South Australia the Adelaide Lodge of Mark Master Masons was formed by a small group of Mark Masons on 11 July 1854, with John Lazar as Chief Architect, and six other officers.  Ten brethren were admitted that day as Mark Masons.  This Lodge seems not to have met again.  Later some members helped form the Leinster Mark Lodge which continues to meet as part of the Duke of Leinster Royal Arch chapter No.363 I.C., while others became involved in the English Constitution Adelaide Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.41 which was warranted from England on 28 January 1859, first meeting on 3 December 1859.  Adelaide Mark Lodge No.41 E.C. did not meet between 1867 and 1883.  Later, two other Mark Lodges were formed, namely Moonta Mark Lodge No.432 E.C. in 1891 and Pirie Mark Lodge No.582 E.C. in March 1906. These three Lodges operated under authorisations called Warrants from the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales. 

Further information about the history of Mark Freemasonry in South Australia and Northern Territory is given in the book "Celebrating One Hundred Years 1906-2006".

What is Mark Masonry?

This mark served two useful purposes - it established a craftsman's entitlement to wages and in the event of faulty work, enabled the foreman or overseer to identify the workman responsible. 

The ceremony of advancement to the Degree of Mark Master Mason is centred on this practice and is particularly directed to the inculcation of order, regularity, diligence and discipline. Like the second or Fellowcraft Degree of the Craft, it is less concerned with the past and future and more with the here and now of our present life. It places emphasis on not judging people or situations on outward appearances but to seek hidden truths   

Membership Qualifications

Grand Mark Lodge

Grand Mark Lodge is led by a Grand Master who is assisted in his work by a number of Grand Lodge Officers, some of whom are appointed while others are elected. Grand Lodge Officers fall into two broad categories viz. ceremonial and administrative. All installation ceremonies in Mark Lodges are performed by the Grand Master or his appointed representative, assisted by ceremonial Officers. The administrative functions of Grand Mark Lodge are shared by various Committees reporting to the Grand Master and assisted by the Grand Secretary and his staff.

The title, the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of South Australia and Northern Territory was adopted in 1999 to recognise that there are 3 Mark Lodges in the Northern Territory.

There are currently 9 autonomous Grand Lodges of Mark Master Masons in the world namely England, Finland, France, Greece, India, Switzerland, plus three in Australia: Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. 
 

Centenary Celebrations in 2006

Mark Grand Installation -  2008 

Mark Lodges

Most Mark Lodges meet every second month, not monthly as with Craft Lodges. There are 12 officers in a Mark Lodge, led by a Worshipful Master who is elected annually. At the height of Masonry in the 1960's and 1970's, there were 51 Mark Lodges operating in South Australia. Since then a further 12 Lodges have been consecrated while some 25 Lodges have either surrendered their Warrants or have amalgamated with other Lodges. Of the current 38 Lodges, 17 meet in the metropolitan area, 18 are country Lodges and 3 are in the Northern Territory. Total membership is now 1320 compared with 4400 in 1961. This reduction in membership is directly related to the huge reduction in Craft membership over the same period. 
 

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Education Course in Mark Freemasonry

A one year correspondence Course of eight assignments provides an opportunity for Mark Master Masons to gain an understanding of many aspects of this degree.

The Course begins in June after the Communication and concludes in March the following year, but may be commenced at other times by arrangement.  Satisfactory completion of the Course enables Certificates to be presented at the following Communication.   

The Course contains eight articles on "History of Mark Masonry" , four articles on "The Mark Ritual", three articles on "The Concepts and Theory of Mark Masonry", an article on "Mark Dress, Regalia and Jewels", eight articles on "The Mark Lodge" and eight articles on "Grand Mark Lodge". This gives a brief but sufficient overview of Mark Masonry. 

Invitations to enrol are sent to each Mark Lodge each year.  Assignments are sent out monthly. 
The candidate studies course material, finds additional material where he can, and completes the assessment which consists of written answers of varying length, short comments, brief answers etc.  Each candidate has a tutor who who marks and corrects assessments and adds guiding comments before returning them to the candidate. 

All members of Mark Masonry (of any recognised jurisdiction) are invited to undertake this Course.
Cost including the material supplied and postage, currently about A$40. 

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Enquiries to: Grand Secretary
Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of SA & NT
Adelaide Masonic Centre
254 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000

PO Box 19, Rundle Mall, Adelaide, South Australia 5000

Phone: 08-82231633
Fax: 08-82240755
Email: glsa@freemasonrysaust.org.au