The Ancient Order of Druids (AOD) is a fraternal organisation founded in London, England in 1781 that still operates to this day. It is the earliest known English group to be founded based upon the iconography of the ancient druids. Druid, (Celtic: “Knowing [or Finding] the Oak Tree”), member of the learned class among the ancient Celts. They seem to have frequented oak forests and acted as priests, teachers, and judges. The earliest known records of the Druids come from the 3rd century BC.Photo of a parade in Main Street with the local chapter of the Ancient Order of Druids in attendancedruid, parade

Ancient Order of Druids was formed in London in 1871. Their motto was "Justice, Philanthropy and Brotherly Love". The Order was established in Australia in 1851.The Sandhurst Lodge 247 met at Queens Head Hotel (Lockwood cross roads) and was first mentioned in the Bendigo Advertiser in 1863.Ceremonial collar in red velvet with gold metallic bullion fringe around outside edge and lower inside edge and gold metallic lace to edge. At one end (LHS) there is a large gold metallic star in sequins and gold metallic bullion. At the other end (RHS) the initials PA are worked in zardozi work in gold metallic thread 5cmx7cm.ceremonial collar, ancient order of druids

Samuel Bolton of 244 Union Road, Surrey Hills in his 'Druid's Collar' in 1950. Samuel and his son-in-law Patrick Burns were staunch Druids. The Lodge met monthly in the Rechabite Hall in Canterbury Road. The United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD) was founded in Victoria around 1862. An account is included in Ken James' book 'Surrey Hills Friendly Societies'. This is based on Box Hill Reporter articles and material in relevant files at PROV. Summary: The Surrey Hills Lodge was established in 1890. The trustees were Ernest W Opperman (newsagent), James H Corstorphan (grocer) and Thomas White (plasterer). Opening night was 27 November 1890 and early meetings were held in Br Corstorphan's home in Canterbury Road on Tuesday evenings. By 1891 the ledge had 80 members. Samuel (1978-1951) was a butcher who came to Surrey Hills from Euroa some time between 1926-1931. His shop was at the Mon Albert terminus. After he sold it, it became part of the supermarket on the north side of Whitehorse Road. He was married in 1879 to Elizabeth Beatrice Maker (1881-1963).A black and white photograph of a man with regalia collar around his neck.(mr) samuel bolton, union road, surrey hills, druids, rechabite hall, clothing and dress, united ancient order of druids, druid's regalia, regalia, friendly societies

Three pages of research by Rita Hull on Friendly Societies. Includes name of Society, when established, the number of Members, and the years 1865,1875, 1881,1891, 1895 and 1907 (an asterisk if they were still operating). Listed are the Society names and the different Court, Lodge, etc. under the name. They are: Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows M.U.I.O.O.F. - Loyal Bendigo Loyal Gold Miners' Pride, Loyal James Roe, Loyal Strangers' Refuge, Loyal Heart of Friendship, Loyal Albert, Loyal Sir Henry Barkly, Loyal Catherine, Loyal Darling and Earl of Hopetoun. Ancient Order of Foresters A.O.F. - Court Royal Oak, Court Queen of the Forest, Court Pride of the Forest, Court Happy Valley, Court Bendigo, Court Banner of Hope, Court Sherwood, Court King of the Forest, Court Alexandra, Court Victoria and Court Star of Bendigo (Women). Independent Order of Oddfellows I.O.O. - Loyal Sandhurst Lodge, Court Weeroona and Golden Star Rebekah. Independent Order of Rechabites I.O.R. - Tent Star of Bendigo, Tent Refuge, Tent Cobden, Tent Olive Branch, Tent Laurel, Tent Sutton and Tent Herald of Peace. Sons and Daughters of Temperance - Royal Diadem Division, Ark of Safety, Royal Septre, Hope of Sandhurst (Ladies), Princess Beatrice (Ladies), Lady Loch (Ladies) and Laurel (Ladies). Grand United Order of Oddfellows G.U.O.O.F. - Lodge Star of Eaglehawk, Lodge Sandhurst, Lodge Pride of Bendigo, Lodge Olive Branch and Lodge Belvidere. United Ancient Order of Druids U.A.O.D. - Lodge Quartzopolis, Lodge Eldorado, Lodge Caractacus, Lodge Bendigo and Lodge Sandhurst. Order of St Andrew (Scottish Constitution) - Bendigo Lodge No 1. Order of St Andrew (All Nations) - Lodge Sandhurst and Lodge Unity. Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes R.A.O.B. - Provincial Grand Lodge No 1, Prairie Lodge, Forest Lodge and Southern Cross Lodge. The Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society H.A.C.B.S. - St Kilian's No 4 and Eaglehawk Branch. Independent Order of Good Templars - Lodge Bendigo, Lodge Guiding Star, and Lodge Hope of Golden Square. Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria - Lodge William Lodge and Loyal Governor Bowen (Pride of Eaglehawksocieties, order of .., list, list of friendly societies, rita hull, manchester unity independent order of odd fellows m.u.i.o.o.f., ancient order of foresters a.o.f., independent order of oddfellows i.o.o., independent order of rechabites i.o.r., sons and daughters of temperance, grand united order of oddfellows g.u.o.o.f., united ancient order of druids u.a.o.d., order of st andrew (scottish constitution), order of st andrew (all nations), royal antediluvian order of buffaloes r.a.o.b., the hibernian australasian catholic benefit society h.a.c.b.s., independent order of good templars, loyal orange institution of victoria, australian natives association a.n.a.

An illuminated address from the United Ancient Order of Druids Grand Lodge of Australia presented to E. J. Swift. Printed on card and showing a group of Bendigo men in ancient costume at top, Stonehenge on bottom and bordered with leaves and acorns. Markings - Troedel & Co Lith Melb.person, individual, e j swift

Coloured: This is to certify that Bro John Enever. PA. Has received a vote of thanks for having passed the Arch Druids chair in lodge No 247. Signed by: W.W. Pearce - Secretary. Sandhurst Lodge. No 247. Other men in the photo are:: Bro. J R.Blokkeerusab --- Bro. G.Pearce. DP --- Bro. W.W.Pearse. Sec --- Bro. J.Jose. A.D.B. --- Bro. L.W.Lee. MS --- Bro. G.E.Branagan .I.C --- Bro. G.Hocking.V.A.B --- Bro. A.Enever.P.A --- Bro .J.Redding. V.A.B --- Bro. V.Hosking.DC --- Bro. A.Pieper.PC --- Bro. W.Franklin.A.B.D --- Bro. L.W.Lee. Jnr. TRE --- Bro. E.Johnson. PDP --- Bro. W.Pascoe.VP ---- United Ancient Order of Druids. Markings: D1 536. Embossed frame. Deframed 2022person, individual, certificate

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

The United Order of Druids split from the Ancient Order and was more democratic and socially conscientious. Their motto was "United to Serve".A red grosgrain ribbon hanging from brass bar behind badge with inscribed mott "United To Assist" folded over a metallic holder and self-attached"United To Assist"ceremonial badge with ribbon, united order of druids