This book contains the Constitutions of the Freemason Lodges in Victoria. Freemasonry is a world-wide benefit society. Moves were made in the 1860s to establish a Masonic Lodge in Warrnambool with the first Lodge being St. John’s (No. 895). The Masonic Hall in Kepler Street was built in 1870. This book belonged to a member of the Flaxman family and John Flaxman was a prominent Warrnambool resident in the 19th century – an insurance agent and moneylender in the 1860 and 70s and an employee of the auctioneer, Samuel Macgregor. The book, however, seems to belong to a W. Flaxman. John Flaxman had a brother William but, as far as can be ascertained, he did not live in Warrnambool. There is nothing known so far to link this book with Warrnaambool but it is kept because of the name ‘Flaxman’ and so it may have some relevance.This is hard cover book of 142 pages. The cover is blue with gold lettering on the front cover. The cover is slightly marked. The inscription on the first page is handwritten in black ink. ‘Br W.S.B.J.Flaxman 24-2-25’ william flaxman, freemasonry in warrnambool

This document, also referred to as a word picture or Tablet, is framed in glass and timber with gilt trim, is handwritten with colour highlights. The penned letters rest on ruled guide lines, decorated where the lines intersect. The writing gives a description of the state of Borough of Warrnambool around 1875; its location, the area it covers, its population, Harbour and facilities, public buildings and institutions, imports and exports, financial worth, number of houses, connection with other areas of the Colony. A possible reason and origin for the document is found in an article ‘Link with US Exhibition’ from the Warrnambool Standard of December 19, 1981, written by local historian Bruce Morris. The writer mentions that the Warrnambool Borough Council met on 15th June 1875 and recorded a letter from G.C. Levey , secretary to the Melbourne group of commissioners representing the Colony, and Victoria in particular, for the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876. The letter asks Council to provide “statistics as to the population, social condition and commercial and industrial state of the district in and around Warrnambool.” A sub committee was formed for the project. The Mayor, Cr. Thomas King, wrote and signed a Report, presented to the council on July 14, 1875, in which “The Committee … begs to recommend that a Tablet be prepared setting for the particulars respecting the following matters relating to the Borough”. The matters included area, population, annual income, churches, schools, other public buildings, societies and companies, general description of houses erected, and returns of exports and imports for 1874. The minutes note that the Report was adopted. The article above also notes the opinion of Warrnambool printers who have examined the document; it is almost certainly to be an old lithograph, which means there could be several copies. It is possible that there may be a copy in Melbourne and another in Philadelphia. It is interesting to note that (1) the quoted location co-ordinates are for an “Unnamed Road, Packsaddle NSW 2880, Australia”, and that the DMS co-ordinates for Warrnambool’s Council Offices differ, being 38.23.9.12 South, 142.28.52.887. (2) the date for “Exports and Imports for the Year Ending 30th June 1875” is different to the period mentioned by Cr. King in the sub committee’s Report of recommendation “returns of exports and imports for 1874”. The information required to have the figures for the end of June 1875 would need to have been compiled very quickly for the Tablet to be ready for the opening of the Philadelphia Exhibition on 10 May 1876. The document/certificate shows the following – - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “Victoria Australia, Borough of Warrnambool. Latitude, 30.24.50 South, Longitude 142.32 East The Principal Port in the Western District of the Colony and the Centre of its Choicest Agricultural Lands. Established a Municipality in 1855, and Created a Borough 1863. Population in 1875 4,500. Warrnambool is the nearest Port to Melbourne on the Western Seaboard, being about 160 miles distant. Coaches run to and from the Metropolis daily, in connexion [connection] with the Railway of Geelong and Steamers belonging to Local Companies sail between Melbourne, Warrnambool, Belfast [renamed Port Fairy], and Portland several times weekly. The Harbour is known as Lady Bay, and is partially protected by a reef of rocks stretching from the mouth of the Hopkins River. The formation of a Breakwater has been decided upon by the Government, to extend 600 yards, at an estimated cost of £100,000. There are two substantial Jetties, one of 800 and the other of 600 feet in length. The former is connected with the Town by means of a Tramroad, along which Goods, inwards & outwards, are conveyed, & the latter has been constructed solely for the purpose of facilitating the transit of material for the formation of the Breakwater. In addition to the trade of the Borough and District, the principal Townships up country receive their supplies from Melbourne and ship their exports through Warrnambool. Potatoes form the staple produce of the district, and the richness of the soil can be estimated by the fact that the Government Statistics for 1875 give as the average yield a return of Seven Tons to the acre. Several thousand acres between Warrnambool and Tower Hill are now being laid down in Potatoes by Tenants who have leased the lands at rates up to £5 per acre for the season 1875-6. Wool, Tallow, hides &c are also largely exported, while the shipments of all descriptions of Farm Produce are annually increasing. Area of Borough, 3362 Acres. Net Annual Value £27,000. Annual Revenue £5,500. Number of Houses in Borough 800. Public Buildings and Institutions Churches. Church of England, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Congregational and Baptist. Schools. Three State Schools, average attendance nearly 1000. New Building in course of erection. Several private establishments. Banks. Bank of Australasia, Bank of Victoria, National Bank, Colonial Bank and Savings Bank. Public Buildings. Court house, Custom house, Post & Telegraph Offices, Survey & Land Offices, Shire £, Town Hall, Mechanics Institute, Volunteer Orderly Room, Odd Fellows Hall, Hospital & Benevolent Asylum, Temperance Hall &c. Companies & Societies. Steam Navigation Co, Woolen Mill Co, Gas Co, Racing Club, Amateur Turf Club, Agricultural Society, Farmers’ Club, Cricket Club, Anglers’ Society, Building Society, Freemasons Odd Fellows, Foresters, Druids, Hibernians. Protestant Alliance, Rechabites, Sons of Temperance, &c, Fire Brigade &c. --- Exports and Imports for the Year Ending 30th June 1875 –-- --Exports Total Tonnage 27,800 (Calculated at the Current Warrnambool Market Prices) Potatoes Wool Wheat Barley Hides Skins Fowls Butter Cheese Eggs Tallow Leather Ale Pigs Sheep Sundries --Imports 13,000 Tons Of the Estimated Value of £520,000 Total Tonnage of Exports and Imports 40m900 Tons, Value £806,627 Passenger Travels, to ad from Warrnambool during year, 10,000 persons Revenue from all sources paid through Warrnambool Sub Treasury From 1860 to June 1875 £1, 292, 300 Thomas King [signed] Mayor Henry T Read [signed] Town Clerk” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The document is of historical, social, economic and local significance in that it summarises activities, business, community, trade, travel and government at a point in time in Warrnambool’s history – 30th June 1875.Document, also referred to as a ‘word picture’ or ‘tablet’. Document is framed in glass and timber with gilt trim, handwritten with colour highlights. The penned letters rest on ruled guide lines, decorated where the lines intersect. Document outlines the establishment of Warrnambool as a Municipality in 1855 and Borough in 1863, with a population of 4,500 in 1875. It states geographic location, public buildings and institutions, harbor facilities and imports and exports for the year ending 30th June 1875. Two signatures "Thomas King" Mayor and "Henry T Read" Town Clerk. It shows the Coat of Arms of the Borough of Warrnambool.Signatures - "Thomas King" Mayor and "Henry T Read" Town Clerk. Warrnambool Coat of Arms; “British Coat of Arms, above sailing vessel and sheaf of wheat in sun, motto “By these we flourish” and around circumference “Borough of Warrnambool 1855”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, borough of warrnambool, municipality of warrnambool, document borough of warrnambool 1875, word picture of warrnambool 1875, tablet of borough of warrnambool 1875, statistics borough of warrnambool 1875, lithograph borough of warrnambool 1875, coat of arms warrnambool, warrnambool city motto – in these we flourish, establishment of warrnambool, warrnambool history, thomas king mayor of warrnambool, henry t read town clerk of warrnambool, warrnambool breakwater, warrnambool jetty, warrnambool imports and exports 1875, warrnambool agriculture 1875, warrnambool business 1875, warrnambool population 1875, centennial exhibition philadelphia 1876, framed certificate

Hand-drawn poster autographed by Freemason members, presented to Wor. Bro. Arthur Aird, 1950.

Bendigo Weekly from Friday, January 11, 2002. '' A snippet of Bendigo history'' by Edith Lunn, the View Street story continued. In the journey up View Street we come now to the former Masonic Hall and Temple, our present day Performing Arts Centre. As a freemason, architect W. C. Vahland and his partner Robert Getzschmann were, in 1875, invited to design this fine Masonic building with its classical portico. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo, bendigo weekly

Black and white reprint. Pall Mall, Sandhurst ( Bendigo ) outfitters, drapers, saddlers. Single and multi - storied buildings. Perhaps tree guards in foreground. In image left to right ' Freemasons' ' Outfitters ' Drapery ' ' House seed c. Huxtable, Saddlers, Steadbro. ' Bianchi' At far right portion of 1st. Bendigo Town Hall - this indicates that this is Pall Mall from Bull St. at right towards Mundy St. which is off the left hand side of image.Batchelder, Sandhurstplace, streetscape, pall mall

Large ornate certificate. Under the freemasons symbola drawing of Coppin Hall and two rows of houses at either side. Then the body of the certificate: Established A.D. 1867 Freemasons' Homes of Victoria. President: the Most Worshipful Grand Master. This is to certify that Wor.Bro. Samuel A. Bush, P.M. of the union of North Gippsland Lodge No.62 was enrolled a Life Governor of this Insitution in the year 1924. Signed by the Chairman: M. Marracott, the Treasurer: G. Rawson and the Secretary. Also Attached an handwritten letter dated 29-04-1925to Samuel Bush from the secretary ot the lodge.societies, freemasons, certificate

Bendigo Tramways compiled by H Biggs. A short history of Bendigo's Tramways. Also some events and the year they happened. On the back is Early Bendigo Hotels, Compiled by L C Bennetts. Mentions the supply of liquor in the early days. Some early hotels were: The Criterion, The Royal, The Bendigo, The Black Swan, The Hibernian, The Sandhurst, The Freemasons (now the Courthouse), and The Shamrock. Also mentioned is Hazards of the Field including Mr Arblaster and his powder factory which had a few explosions, illness and accidents with cages.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - bendigo tramways, mr a o'keefe, the sandhurst and eaglehawk tramway company, j taylor, j hanson, electric supply company, coliban water supply, cr a harkness, constable thomas ryan, art gallery, miss broadfoot, victorian women's franchise league, ana hall, the bendigonian, law courts, post office, temperance hall, trades hall (old wardens court), roman catholic cathedral, shamrock hotel, bendigo philosophical society, bendigo fire brigade, mr arblaster, powder factory, meurer, sandhurst bee

A cream card with blue printing. On the front cover are the words, ' Corona Lodge, No. 195, Social Evening Menu Masonic Hall, Bendigo. April 27th, 1908. Bro. R.B. Trengove, Caterer, 294 Hargreaves St., Bendigo. On the inside is the menu in blue ink. On the front cover is written ' H.J. Armstrong in purple and various names in purple written on back.societies, freemasons, menu, lydia chancellor, collection, corona lodge, masonic hall, bendigo, freemasons, freemasonry, menu, food, hospitality, catering, clubs and associations, societies, organisation

Cream card with gold lettering. On the front of the menu are the words, ' Corona Lodge U.G.L.V. No. 195. Social Evening, May 28th, 1913. Menu. Masonic Hall, Bendigo. Wor. Bro. W.J. Henderson W.M., Wor. Bro. G. W. Long. P.M., Sec.' On the inside is the menu. Wor. Bro. Chas. H. Leggo, Caterer.societies, freemasons, menu, lydia chancellor, collection, menu, corona lodge, freemasons, freemasonry, clubs and associations, societies, organisation, food, catering, hospitality

Freemason Lodges in Victoria were numbered in the order they were founded. The Balaclava Lodge was 162 and is now defunct. Dance cards became popular in the Victoria era. They were often worn looped around the woman's wrist and had a pencil attached (note the small hole for this at the bottom corner of this card).Folded card printed in gold and blue, being dance card for the Annual Ball of Masonic Lodge 162, Balaclava Lodge, held in St Kilda Town hall on 3 September 1896. List of officers of the lodge printed on the back of card. Inside the card is a list of dances and, in handwriting, the names of dance partners.Names of dance partners, written in pencil. On the back of the card are notes, apparently written much later when the card was donated to the SKHS: 'Gran', 'Mrs Tierney', (illegible).freemasons, dance card, balaclava lodge, st kilda town hall, 19th century

A number of freemason's lay a foundation stone, possibly for the Creswick Masonic Hall. freemasons, foundation stone

Engraved sterling silver trowel with ivory handle Presented to F W Lamonby PM 752, 1002 E.C. W.M. Gordon Lodge No. 2112 E.C. By Parker & Pater, Contractors On his laying the corner stone of The Ascot Vale Masonic Hall, Oct 14th 1886

A picture of the original Gordon Lodge lodge-room of 1886 - room currently in use by the Lodge's artist-in-residence. Below is a newspaper article from the North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic: 1873 - 1894) for Friday 22 April 1887 that describes the architecture of the building at the time of its completion. From some of the details included in the article it is obvious that the journalist who wrote the article was a Freemason. THE MASONIC HALL ASCOT VALE North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1873 - 1894) Friday 22 April 1887 THE MASONIC HALL ASCOT VALE The now Masonic Hall, Ascot Vale, the foundation stone of which was laid by the Worshipful Master of the Gordon Lodge (Bro, W. F. Lamonby) in October last has just been completed, and will be formally opened: with grand Masonic ball on the 13th prox. The hall stands on a fine block of land having a frontage of 50ft to the Maribyrnong road by a depth of 130 ft., and is built of brick and cement on a most substantial foundation of bluestone. The Tuscan style of architecture has been adopted with the most successful result, and the front design which is especially handsome, includes four massive pilasters with frieze architrave and enriched cornice, forming the entablature of the order,- and giving a most imposing appearance. The front door, over which are the masonic emblems, is seven feet wide, and two escape doors made to open outwards in compliance with the Central Board of Health regulations are also provided, in case of emergency. In the vestibule is a very fine elliptic arch with keystone enriched with fruit, and the whole floor, 9ft. 6in. wide, is laid with Cawkwell's encaustic tyles. On the right, of tile vestibule is a commodious committee room 22ft. by 12ft 6in with side entrance for members, so that in case the main hall is engaged no inconvenience need be caused. On the left is the Secretary's room, and off this again is a staircase cellar. The vestibule is well lighted with two exceedingly pretty chandeliers, which have a very pleasing effect and give it a nice bright appearance ascending a handsome staircase leading from the vestibule the upper storey is reached, and here everything is splendidly arranged, especially 'the Lodge Room, which is a model of neatness and of comfort. The dimensions are 28ft. x 22ft 6in. with an elevation of 17ft. 6in. to the beautiful cove ceiling, which is quite a work of art. At the east end of the room on a raised dais is the master's chair with the masonic emblems, and neat forms of polished kauri are placed at the sides for members, about 150 of whom can be accommodated. The lighting and ventilation have both been well attended to and all is very complete. The main hall is 75ft. by 35 ft. with a stage 15ft. deep, leaving the auditorium 60ft. x 35ft. with a seating capacity about 600. Round the walls up to 6ft 6in. is a handsome dado in Portland cement and above it are panelled Tuscan pilasters to the entablature, architrave enriched frieze and medallion cornice forming the main cornice to the hall. Immediately inside the cornice is a sunken panel all-round the ceiling relieved with ornamental outlet ventilators. There are twelve large windows, six on each aide, and the sashes, skirting boards, and doors throughout the building are beautifully painted in imitation of grained cedar. Two enormous gas reflectors, each for 50 lights are suspended from the ceiling and besides these, four elegant hanging chandeliers for lighting up the proscenium, and back of the stage, under which is a storeroom for seats, &c, when the hall is required for a ball. The floor is made of kauri, secretly nailed, and is beautifully finished off. At the back of the stage are two lavatories and ladies and gentlemen's dressing rooms, between which are a connecting passage for a call boy. Outside is a capital asphalted yard, and the other usual conveniences on an improved plan. There is a right-of-way asphalted on each side of the building, and a large lamp is to be placed opposite the main entrance to light up the front. Everything that forethought and ability could suggest to make the hall comfortable and popular has been done, and it now only remains for the public to avail themselves of the advantages offered them by the enterprising Company. The cost of the building and furniture, including a magnificent piano, was £2,500, and the land £300. Mr J. C. M. Cowan, of Ascot Vale, is the architect, and Messrs Parker and Pater, of South Melbourne, the contractors. The plastering was done by Mr I Nicholas, of Murray Street, Moonee Ponds, who is also entitled to great praise for his splendid workmanship. Mr Cowan has been most assiduous and particular in seeing that his instructions were carried out to his satisfaction, and the result must be exceedingly gratifying to him and to the directors. The Masonic hall is only one of the many buildings erected by Mr Cowan in this district, among the others being the well known residences of Meessrs. J. Levy, Mooneo Street; W. Murphy, Eglington street; G. Groube, Maribyrnong street; C. A. Arvier, Moonee Ponds ; and F. Paul, Mount Alexander road. It may also be mentioned that Mr Cowan generously presented the plans for the now local fire brigade tower which is acknowledged to be one of the strongest and most graceful around Melbourne, The new Masonic Hall does infinite credit to the borough, and in accommodation, design, and comfort it is not surpassed by any similar building of the kind outside the city.

Whilst the foundation stone for the Ascot Vale Masonic Hall was laid in 1886 Gordon Lodge was not able to meet in their new lodge-room until 1887. In the meantime whilst the Ascot Vale Masonic Hall was being build subsequent meetings were held in the Essendon Council Chambers however this was not a satisfactory arrangement Consequently at the June 1886 meeting a motion was passed that the Gordon Lodge hold its meeting, “…at the Melbourne Masonic Hall, Collins Street East, until such time as the Ascot Vale Masonic Hall is ready for occupancy…” (Due to a ball in full progress) So for the next 6 months the Lodge met at the Masonic Hall at 25 Collins Street.

The top half of a torn document promoting the programme for a grand concert held in Maldon on August 28 1895Masonic Hall, Maldon. A Grand Concert. On Wednesday Next, August 28, 1895. In Aid of St. Brigids R.C. Church. Programme: Overture-"Pride of Ireland" (H.Round) - Maldon Brass Band Song-"Plymouth Sound" (Jude) - Mr. Reid Song-"The Carnival" (Molloy) - Miss Meigs Violin Solo - Miss Mary Mclean Song-"Whisper, and I Shall Hear," with Violin Obligato (Picolomini) - Miss Hughes Song-" Thou art so near and yet so far"- Mr. E. W. Davies Song- "Gondoloa Dreams" (Slaughter) - Rev. M. Murphymasonic hall, st brigids church, maldon brass band

Organ at old masonic hallmasonic hall, organ