TEXT OF TALK - ''THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF FREEMASONRY IN BENDIGO''. (Stamped on first and last page with name of Mc.G W Morse 'Dunmaghlas' 36 Thomas St, Kangaroo Flat. (author?; no date provided). Typed pages cut and mounted on 17 stapled pages. References to: W C Vahland; ''The Golden Lodge of Bendigo''; organ; Corinthian Lodge of Sandhurst; ''Black Liners''; Eaglehawk Lodge; Zenith Lodge; Golden and Corinthian Lodge; Art Union; Masonic Charity Sunday; Sandhurst Lodge; Corona Lodge; Royal Golden Chapter; Kinghts Templar; Mark Master Masons Degree;mcG. W. Morse, Dunmaghlas, 36 Thomas Street Kangaroo Flat. 3555clubs, social, freemasonry, bro. w.c. vahland, boltons brothers, bendigo gold rush, freemasons, brother r.c. mackenzie, criterian hotel, brother w. scott, brother edward salaman, grant's cafe.

The Boer War took place from 11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902. Also known as the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, the conflict was fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the South African Republic and the Orange Free State) over the Empire's influence in Southern Africa. As part of the British Empire, the Australian colonies offered troops for the war. Samuel McGowan was born in North Ireland in 1845, immigrating to Australia in 1870. He arrived in Bendigo 1871 and having worked in a large engineering works at home was quickly able to find management work in foundries, later opening a legal manager's office growing this into one of the largest of its type in Bendigo. Samuel McGowan was elected a member of the City Council in 1883 and was elected Mayor in 1885 and again in 1899, resigning as a councillor in 1901. He was the treasurer of the Bendigo Hospital, a senior member of the Zenith Lodge and president of the Bendigo Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Samuel McGowan and Kate Goyne from Epsom married on 29th August 1874. Samuel died in 1921 aged 76 and Kate in 1930 aged 78. This plaque was probably attached to a commemorative board such as an honour board, however its whereabout are unknown. Engraved plaque in the shape of a flag and flag pole. Four small holes indicate that it was previously attached to a larger commemorative board.Flag; Special functions by / Mayor & Mrs McGowan / entertainment and distribution of Comforts to the / Bendigo Soldiers Contingent prior to their / departure for the Boer War. / Reception at the Town Hall / Ball to the Citizens. / Entertainment of distinguished visitors, etc.etc.etc / Flag pole; F. Prescottmayor mcgowan, councillor s h mc gowan, mayoress mcgowan

Freemasonary or Masonry has its beginnings in local guilds of stonemasons who from the end of 13th century regulated the qualification of stonemasons. Modern Freemasonry uses scriptures which include ritual practices and ethical conduct as part of its foundation and every member must profess a belief in a Supreme Being. Women are not allowed to be admitted and discussion of religion and politics is not to take place within the lodge. Freemasons meet in local Lodges which are supervised at a regional level by a Grand Lodge. The degrees of Freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Entered Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. The candidate of these three degrees is progressively taught the meanings of the symbols of Freemasonry and entrusted with grips, signs, and words to signify to other members that he has been so initiated. The degrees are part allegorical morality play and part lecture. Candidates for Freemasonry will usually have met the most active members of the Lodge they are joining before being elected for initiation. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry) The Golden Lodge of Sandhurst was established as the first Masonic Lodge in Bendigo in 1854. Many prominent men including City Councilors were lodge members at it was a popular way for men to socialise. As the masonic movement expanded further lodges were established in Bendigo and the surrounding Boroughs and Shires. The Golden and Corinthian Lodges purchasing two blocks of land in a prominent position in View Street in 1866 with the intention of erecting a new temple and after amalgamating in 1872 appointed architects Vahland and Getzschmann to design the building. The Bendigo Masonic Hall (now the Capital Theatre) was built in 1873 -74 for both public and private use and contained lodge rooms, a public tavern anda concert hall. The Masonic section occupied the northern side of the building at ground floor level and included a lodge room at the rear, a library and reading room, and other affiliated rooms. Walls of the entry hall and lodge room were decorated with classical columns and panels ornamented with Masonic emblems. The upper level of the building contained a large hall with balcony at the north end and removable stage at the south end. Elaborately decorated with Masonic emblems, this hall was used for Masonic purposes as well as being available to the wider community for social events. The tavern, which became known as the Masonic Hotel, occupied the basement and the ground floor of the southern side of the building and included a sitting room, parlours, billiard room, bedrooms, kitchen, cellars and servants' rooms. It appears that two public entrances were provided for this section, one directly from street level into the basement, the other from the public entry hall. Invitation for the Installation of two Lodge Brothers. Half fold design printed in gold, brown, light blue, dark blue and black ink on white card. Front and back cover decorated with masonic symbols. Menu listed inside. Front cover: Zenith & Golden Corinthian Lodges,/ No. 52 & No. 7./ Joint / Installation / of / Bros. K. J. Fullerton / and W. F Creeth / Masonic Hall / Wednesday, June 30th , 1909 bendigo masonic hall, capital theatre bendigo, milburn catering bendigo, making a nation exhibition, bendigo masonic lodge, city of greater bendigo events, city of greater bendigo community groups

Mr. Northcott served all through the Crimean war, and obtained three service medals. He was most fortunate, as he did not even receive a scratch. While fighting in the trenches one day he happened to glance round, and was surprised to discover that his brother was by his side. They had not seen each other for a long time, and the meeting under such circumstances can be imagined. Two of his brothers, John and William, served throughout the war. At its close he came to Victoria, the gold fever being then at its height. His stay in Bendigo was brief, as the New Zealand rush attracted his attention, but he returned in 1858 to Bendigo, and as the outlook was quiet, he went back to New Zealand in 1859. Finally, in 1860, he settled in the Bendigo district with his father and mother and brother William. They took up some land at Leichardt and remained there for some years. It was about this time that he became prominent in musical circles. He came of a musical family, as his oldest brother, John, was one of the musicians to the Royal Family, and was pensioned by the late Queen Victoria. His younger brother, William, is at the present time one of the leading cornet players in the United States. In 1867 the late Mr. Northcott married Miss Lansell, sister of Mr. Geo. Lansell, her demise having taken place about three months before. When he left Leichardt, Mr. Northcott became Mr. Lansell's general manager, and continued in that capacity for 26 years. While he was manager of the 180 Mine it is estimated that gold to the value of a million sterling was taken from the mine. It is, perhaps, in his capacity as a bandsman, that Mr. Northcott was best known, as he became a familiar figure not only in the chief centres of Victoria but throughout Australia. He first became leader of the old Volunteer Band, and he was subsequently leader of the Battalion Band at Castlemaine. It was when he became leader of the musical combination known as Northcott's Brass Band that his fame and the fame of the band became widespread, as some 25 years ago it was one of the finest bands in Australia, and held that distinction for many years. Although many changes in the personnel of the band have taken place, it still retainsits old name. Mr. Northcott was a cornet player of high ability, and in 1871 he was presented by the citizens of Bendigo with a handsome silver cornet, in recognition of his services as a musician. His home contains a great array of trophies, photographic groups of bandsmen etc., which serve to indicate in a sense the reputation he enjoyed as a bandsman. During his career in Bendigo he invested in mining a good deal, but was not very fortunate in this respect, as he lost a good deal of money on the New Chum line. Naturally he was well known and warmly respected, especially by bandsmen. He was a genial citizen, and made a large circle of sincere friends. He was a member of the Zenith Lodge of Masons, having passed through the chairs twice. He was also a member of the A.O.F., and formerly a member of the School of Mines Administrative Council. It was about this time that he became prominent in musical circles. He came of a musical family, as his oldest brother, John, was one of the musicians to the Royal Family, and was pensioned by the late Queen Victoria. His younger brother, William, was one of the leading cornet players in the United States.Black and white photograph of Northcott's City Band, Bendigo. 3 rows of men in Band Uniform. Drum centre, brass instruments.men laying in grass at front.organisation, band, northcott's city band

Thomas Jefferson Connelly (1858-18/10/1892) Son of Thomas James Connelly a well known JP at Inglewood. Admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court in 1880. Started own business as a solicitor in 1883 at Albion Chambers, View Street. By 1887 he had joined with George Henry Tatchell and in 1889 they moved their firm to Williamson Street. On 8th Jan 1885 he was elected to the Bendigo Council and was elected as Mayor 16th Aug 1887. He was the first Bendigo born Mayor and the youngest. He served on the committee of the Bendigo hospital and the Mechanics Institute and was a prominent member of the ANA. He was also a Captain of a local militia force. He married Frances Cresswell Reynolds and they had 3 children who were very young when they were left fatherless in 1892. Thomas died in Kerang, following an epileptic fit. He was attending a case at the time. He is buried at the Bendigo Public Cemetery. George Henry Tatchell was the son of Thomas Tatchell JP of Inglewood. He was admitted as an attorney by the Supreme Court in 1887 and formed a partnership with Thomas Jefferson Connelly 22/9/1887. By 1894, their practice had been joined by Adam George Dunlop. In 1904 he was elected president of the Bendigo Bar Association. George was a very bowler and was part of an Australian team that travelled to Britain in 1930, where he won the Veteran Pairs Competition competing with his brother William. He retired to “Woodford”, Toorak. Adam George Dunlop (1864 – 28/2/1921) Son of Andrew McBride Dunlop. He married Marion Ethel Nicholls, a widow in 1905. Admitted as a solicitor, proctor and conveyancer in 1892. When Thomas Connelly died, his will stated that his share in the law firm was to be sold and if it was sold to Dunlop, he would have 3 years to pay for. This clearly happened and by 1894 the firm was known as Connelly, Tatchell and Dunlop.He continued to work for the firm Tatchell, Dunlop, Smalley and Balmer for 25 years and retired several months before his death, to “Milltara”, Glyndon Ave., Brighton. He was heavily involved in the Sandhurst Mechanics Institute and served as president in 1899 and 1901. He was treasurer of the Zenith Lodge of Masons in 1907. He was president of the ANA in 1896 and president of the Bendigo Law Association in 1907. Whilst in Bendigo, the family lived in “Millewa”, Kangaroo Flat. Jonathon Smalley (1873-21/8/1961) Son of Peter, a mining investor and his wife Ellen. 1899 married Catherine Horsemann Manning with whom he had four children. Jonathon proved proficient in sign language when he stepped into a court case where the defendant was hearing impaired. In 1904 he was the president of the Eaglehawk Mechanics Institute. Other community postings included Vice President of Bendigo Football Association (1909), President Bendigo ANA (1899), Councilor for Eaglehawk Borough (1904- ), elected Mayor of Eaglehawk (1909),and President of Bendigo Law Association (1910). Jonathon and his wife resided at “Overton”, View Street, Bendigo (now Harry Little Childcare Centre). Jonathon was a champion Lawn bowler, winning the Country Singles Championship in 1913. He is buried at the Bendigo Cemetery. Sydney Raeburn Balmer (1869 – 24/11/1938) Sydney was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Balmer. He married Catherine HAswell McDonald in 1905 and they later lived in Lily Street, Bendigo. After qualifying as a barrister and solicitor, he was initially employed as a barrister for Mr Cussen (later a judge) for 2 years. He then spent 9 years working in Melbourne before joining the firm to be thenceforth known as Tatchell, Dunlop, Smalley and Balmer from 31sdt Dec. 1909 Black and White newspaper photograph of five Tatchell Brothers attending a cricket match. Undatedsolicitors, justice of the peace, councillors

Offset Printed bi-fold card with lodge meetings in Bendigo Districtgolden & corinthian, mount alexander, mount franklin - st. george, mackenzie, st. george, southern cross, zetland, heathcote, aurora, zenith, eaglehawk, st. johns, rochester, trentham, kyneton, sadhurst, corona, wedderburn, gisborne, campaspe, carisbrook, harcourt, bendigo city

Freemasonary or Masonry has its beginning in local guilds of stonemasons which from the end of 13th century regulated the qualification of stonemasons. Modern Freemasonry uses scriptures which include ritual practices and ethical conduct as part of its foundation and every member must profess a belief in a Supreme Being. Women are not allowed to be admitted and discussion of religion and politics is not to take place within the lodge. Freemasons meet in local Lodges which are supervised at a regional level by a Grand Lodge. The degrees of Freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Entered Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. The candidate of these three degrees is progressively taught the meanings of the symbols of Freemasonry and entrusted with grips, signs, and words to signify to other members that he has been so initiated. The degrees are part allegorical morality play and part lecture. Candidates for Freemasonry will usually have met the most active members of the Lodge they are joining before being elected for initiation. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry) The Golden Lodge of Sandhurst was established as the first Masonic Lodge in Bendigo in 1854. Many prominent men including City Councilors were lodge members at it was a popular way for men to socialise. As the masonic movement expanded further lodges were established in Bendigo and the surrounding Boroughs and Shires. The Golden and Corinthian Lodges purchasing two blocks of land in a prominent position in View Street in 1866 with the intention of erecting a new temple and after amalgamating in 1872 appointed architects Vahland and Getzschmann to design the building. The Bendigo Masonic Hall (now the Capital Theatre) was built in 1873 -74 for both public and private use and contained lodge rooms, a public tavern anda concert hall. The Masonic section occupied the northern side of the building at ground floor level and included a lodge room at the rear, a library and reading room, and other affiliated rooms. Walls of the entry hall and lodge room were decorated with classical columns and panels ornamented with Masonic emblems. The upper level of the building contained a large hall with balcony at the north end and removable stage at the south end. Elaborately decorated with Masonic emblems, this hall was used for Masonic purposes as well as being available to the wider community for social events. The tavern, which became known as the Masonic Hotel, occupied the basement and the ground floor of the southern side of the building and included a sitting room, parlours, billiard room, bedrooms, kitchen, cellars and servants' rooms. It appears that two public entrances were provided for this section, one directly from street level into the basement, the other from the public entry hall. Invitation for the Installation of unnamed Brothers. Half fold printed in gold and red ink on cream coloured card. Embossed cover with plain edging. Front and back cover decorated with masonic symbols. Menu listed inside. Front cover: The Zenith and Golden and Corinthian Lodges ? Joint Installation / Masonic Hall, Bendigo / Wednesday, June 28th, 1905 / Bro J.O.R Milburn Caterer bendigo masonic hall, capital theatre bendigo, milburn catering bendigo, making a nation exhibition, james printer eaglehawk, bendigo masonic lodge, city of greater bendigo community groups