Presented to Wor. Bro. R McLeod as a token of esteem May 1973

15 A J Seers 1956life governor, royal freemasons homes of victoria, a.j.seers

Wor Bro A J Hartup 1988

Wor Bro H W Evans P.M.1932-1982

Presented to Wor Bro J C Armstrong WM 1951-51 as a token of esteem May 1959

herbert william evans

Booklet of ten pages outlining a brief history of the Mackenzie Lodge, followed by the order of proceedingsmackenzie

Used by Captain William Robertson during meetings of the Freemasonslodge apron and case: A. Masonic lodge apron. cream leather and pale blue grosgrain trim and rossettes. B. Leather carry case black with gold insription C. Small silver key (Pink cord) single rosette, 2 silver plated ornaments with hanging chains for apronBro. William Robertson Port Fairy Lodge, No 67, U.G.L.V.local history, societies, freemasons, s.s.casino, port fairy naval reserves, captain william robertson, port fairy

used by members of the Port Fairy Masonic Lodge No.67 as part of ceremonial activitiesBlue grograin cuffs, leather lined with gold silver braid decoration. Silver set square attached to eachlocal history, societies, freemasons, port fairy masonic lodge no.67

Used by the Port Fairy Masonic Lodge No 67 in James Street Port Fairy in their rituals"tool" for use in the rituals of freemasonary: Triangular wooden base with silver tripod lifting gear and marble blockPresented to the Port Fairy Lodge Belfast Victoria No. 1456 E.C. by Bro. Geo. Chas. Fricker PM in Commemoration of the initiation of his son Bro. Henry Chas. Fricker as the first lewis of this Lodge Sept. 1876local history, societies, freemasons, freemasonary, port fairy masonic lodge no67, fricker, geo. chas., henry chas.

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. Commercial Hotel Bank Street Port Fairy Formerly known as The Royal Oak and then renamed The Royal Oak in the 1990's. A verandah was added in 1900. Around 1877 the hotel various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr Berncastle who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their lodge was built in James Street and all local sporting clubs at one time or another. Also a Cobb & Co staging post.Large Black and white Photograph of the Commercial Hotel Left hand top corner in Ball point pen- PRESENTED BY MR RON McLEAN Right hand top corner in pen - COMMERCIAL HOTEL Museum Number - 62.04B.012hotel, bank street, port fairy, doctor berncastle, commercial, royal oak, sydney eye infirmary, freemasons, lodge, cobb and co, livery stables

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. He was a Councillor of the Municipality of Belfast at the time and later became the Secretary of the newly formed Minhamite Shire in 1872. By 1861 D. Smith appears as the licensee of the now named Commercial Hotel. In 1877 it was offered for sale—the building described as follows “Built of bluestone with slate roof, having a frontage to Bank street of 106 feet, 6 inches. Accommodation consists of twelve bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, bathroom, bar and cellar and detached kitchen also of bluestones, with outside offices. Around this time beside its usual business the hotel had various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr. Berncastle, who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary, performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their Lodge was built in James street, and all the local sporting clubs, at one time or another. The veranda was added in 1900. The name Royal Oak was restored this century, but the name Commercial Hotel can still be seen in the leadlight window over the front entrance. The hotel still continues serving patrons with beverages and meals but no beds these days. There is also an addition to the building, as seen in the bottom illustration— a bottle shopBlack and white sketch photographed Line drawing of the Commercial hotelhotel, building, commercial, oak and anchor, inn, pub, d.smith

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. He was a Councillor of the Municipality of Belfast at the time and later became the Secretary of the newly formed Minhamite Shire in 1872. By 1861 D. Smith appears as the licensee of the now named Commercial Hotel. In 1877 it was offered for sale—the building described as follows “Built of bluestone with slate roof, having a frontage to Bank street of 106 feet, 6 inches. Accommodation consists of twelve bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, bathroom, bar and cellar and detached kitchen also of bluestones, with outside offices. Around this time beside its usual business the hotel had various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr. Berncastle, who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary, performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their Lodge was built in James street, and all the local sporting clubs, at one time or another. The veranda was added in 1900. The name Royal Oak was restored this century, but the name Commercial Hotel can still be seen in the leadlight window over the front entrance. The hotel still continues serving patrons with beverages and meals but no beds these days. There is also an addition to the building, as seen in the bottom illustration— a bottle shopBlack and white photograph of 8 males formally posed outside entrance to Commercial hotelhotel, building, kemp family, bank street, royal oak, commercial, oak and anchor, d.smith

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. He was a Councillor of the Municipality of Belfast at the time and later became the Secretary of the newly formed Minhamite Shire in 1872. By 1861 D. Smith appears as the licensee of the now named Commercial Hotel. In 1877 it was offered for sale—the building described as “Built of bluestone with slate roof, having a frontage to Bank street of 106 feet, 6 inches. Accommodation consists of twelve bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, bathroom, bar and cellar and detached kitchen also of bluestones, with outside offices. Around this time beside its usual business the hotel had various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr. Berncastle, who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary, performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their Lodge was built in James street, and all the local sporting clubs, at one time or another. The sign on the hotel states "Fitzgerald's Commercial Hotel" more research is being undertaken as to this owner or lessee. The veranda was added in 1900. The name Royal Oak was restored this century, but the name Commercial Hotel can still be seen in the leadlight window over the front entrance. The hotel has now been transformed into apartments and a restaurant called the Oak and Anchor Image of the hotel at an earlier timeBlack and white photograph of Two story bluestone painted commercial hotel with large verandah car at kerbhotel, building, bank street, john j huntly, d smith, royal oak, commercial, fitzgerald, kemp, oak and anchor

Druids are known to exist from around the 3rd century B.C. Their name may have come from a Celtic word meaning “knower of the oak tree.” Many of their ceremonies were carried out in oak groves, which they considered sacred and members were, at that time a mix of priest, judge, doctor and philosopher. The Druids enjoyed a revival in the 19th century and were taken up enthusiastically during the Victorian era. Druidry was believed to have been introduced into Australia in 1851 with the setting up of the first lodge in Melbourne under the name United Ancient Order of Druids. Unlike the Freemasons, the Druids were not a secret society and were not selective in who they let in, as long as they paid their dues and acted more like a benevolent society than a spiritual movement. "They originally operated when there were few benefits available from the government or employers and the introduction of sick leave and other employer provided benefits, combined with the gradual introduction of government subsidised medicine, caused the need for them to diminish." Druids House — in Swanston Street, was opened by the Lord Mayor in 1927 and was designed to be the movement's national head office. It was completed at a cost of 19,000 pounds. This photograph was believed to have been commissioned by the Druids of Bendigo to the Licensees of the Queens Head pub where they regularly met, situated on the corner of the Bendigo-Maryborough Rd & the Calder Alternate Hwy ( Lockwood Cross Roads). The old Marong Council offices were situated opposite from 1864 until around 1908 when new offices were then built in Marong. It is believed that this photograph and a photo of the pub were given to Marong Shire by descendants of the publicans, probably in the 90’s. Framed black and white group photographic portrait of 37 members of the Sandhurst Chapter of the Druids staged and shot outdoors. Each of the gentlemen is carrying a bouquet of flowers. The photograph has a gold inner mount with the second mount cut to give the impression of a frame. The outer mount is hand painted with botanical motifs and elaborate text c.t. DRUIDS Sandhurst Lodge/ No 247. l.c Presented to Mr and Mrs Chadwick / Lockwood / in recognition for kindness rendered.W. G. Robinson / Photo and J.H. Gribble / Long Gully / 1,11,10robinson photographer, j.h.b. gribble artist, chadwick, shire of marong, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of greater bendigo community groups