W.M.: Wor. Bro. Ken Corley, 25 Cupania Street, Mudjimba 4564 Ph: 5448 7233 Secretary: Wor. Bro. Stig Hokanson, 2/17 Rising Street, Shailer Park. 4128 Ph: 3209 9172

Almoner: Bro. Terry Omiros, 2/136 Fernberg Road, Paddington. 4064 Ph. 3876 4676 Dir of Cer.: Wor. Bro. Bob Cook, 19 Gloucester St., Acacia Ridge. 4110 Ph: 3277 3625

No.. 268 U.G.L.Q.

Volume 1 Issue 5 - February 2009

The way we were Beginning, sometime in the 1960s, Thespian Lodge held its annual August meeting at the Freemasons Homes, Sandgate. Being the only Daylight Lodge of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland it provided an excellent opportunity for the Homes aged and infirm residents to enjoy degree work in the middle of the day. Up to 150 Brethren from the Homes had made the journey either by foot or wheel chair to be in attendance. This number was further augmented by 30-40 regular visitors from other lodges. Spacious Eustice E. Jones Hall looked positively crammed by the time Wor. Bro. Powell called on Brethren to assist him to open the Lodge. We had to co-ordinate our meeting time with the Homes kitchen staff so that every resident had the opportunity to consume his lunch prior to the meeting.

As to degree work? No trouble there. This was during the halcyon days of Thespian Lodge. There was an abundance of candidates waiting to be initiated, passed and raised. After discussions with the Homes at Sandgate it was decided that only 2nd Degrees would be conferred by Thespian Lodge in Eustice E. Jones Hall. Third Degrees were naturally unsuitable on account of daylight hours, while First Degrees or Installations were considered too long for many of the aged Brethren. Occasionally we were joined by members of Grand Lodge who saw our annual August meetings at the Homes a novel and popular initiative. Apart from holding one meeting a year at the Homes, Thespian Officers and Brethren also attended twice yearly to the grounds during well-attended working bees, and at Christmas

time assisting with decorations of the Homes in time for the Festive Season.

The picture above was taken immediately after Thespians August meeting in 1972. Twenty-nine Brethren are in the picture. Thirty-seven years later Im sad to report that 20 out of the 29 have gone to the Grand Lodge above. Living today and easily identifiable, although younger looking and with darker hair, are Brothers Lowther, Corley, Eva, Triffett, Hokanson, Tucker, Casey, LeBrocq and Powell. As a historical footnote, the brother wearing Scottish regalia to

the right in front row, was our Lodge Organist at the time, Right Wor. Bro. Tom Sheldrake, a survivor of the RMS Titanic in 1912. ..Stig R. Hokanson, Secretary

Back Row: L to R: Gus Brown, Allan Alexander, Alf Lowther, Ned Kenyon, Wally Goddard, Ken Corley, John Eva, Barry Triffett,

Stig Hokanson, Alec Hoare, Len Riddle, Bill Bebbington, Jack Parks.

Front Row: L to R. Merv Tucker (J.D.), Cam Pryde, Cyril Franks (S.D), Dave Cochran, Gordon Casey, Phil LeBrocq (Treas), Ray Powell (W.M),

Stan Booth (Sect.), Dave Portley (I.P.M), Jim Nicolls, Jim Robinson, Tom Sellers, Harold Jobst (Chap.), Lock Adam (D.C),

Tom Sheldrake (Organist), Lou ODonnell.

PRESENTATION OF 50 YEAR JEWEL TO V.WOR. BRO. RUSS GOEBEL

On Friday, 20th February 2009, a large contingent of Brethren from Bayside Daylight, Thespian and Tullibardine Lodges, together with friends arrived at the home of Russ & Wensley Goebel for the presentation of a 50 Year Jewel. Wensley provided a wonderful afternoon tea (ably assisted by her daughters Pamela and Jan) and this was one of the most delightful afternoons I have spent for many years. Russ was presented with his 50 year Service Jewell by W.B. Morrie Topham, Secretary of Bayside Daylight Lodge who did an excellent presentation of the Jewel.

Russ expressed his pleasure to receive this important Masonic Honour at the hands of his Masonic friends. Those attending from Thespian included Mel Keene, Bert Crawshaw and myself. Russell Close (a life long friend of Russ in the Motor Trade) and myself stayed a little longer. It was a wonderful experience to sit and listen to two old friends reminisce about the Motor Industry. Rus, on behalf of Thespian Lodge, please accept the congratulations of all your Brethren, and be assured of the hearty goodwill and support of all your friends.

Lodge Visit to Myora Lodge: On Tuesday, 10th February,

W.B. Arthur Reid, W.B. Bill Mortimer and myself journeyed to Cleveland to board the Island Water Taxi to Dunwich, Stradbroke Island, to be met by the bus for the trip to Point Lookout. Myora Lodge very generously subsidise the costs for the Water Taxi and Bus both ways. We were accompanied by approximately 26 Brethren. The Lodge performed aspects of the 1st Degree and the afternoon was a most enjoyable experience by W.B Arthur, W.B Bill and myself. The fellowship at the festive board was excellent with W.B Arthur

delivering great entertainment regaling all with very amusing stories and jokes.

I would strongly urge Thespian Brethren to make the effort and visit our Brother Day Lodges and experience the great fellowship extended to us. If we like to receive visitors, then we must visit. Brethren it is up to each and everyone of us.

Logan Beenleigh Daylight Lodge: Tuesday, 17th February, 2009:

What a day it was - like being at Thespian with Wor. Bro. Bill Mortimer taking the Chair of Worshipful Master for the day, Wor. Bro. Bob Cook as Junior

Deacon, Rt. Wor. Bro Roy Dowling as Chaplain, Wor. Bro. Gordon Mallett as Organist and our old friend Wor. Bro. Bob Falconbridge delivering the N.E. Charge. All Brethren presented a very creditable afternoon of Masonry. Also present were Wor. Bro Mel Keene, and myself, making a total of 6 members. Myora L o d g e we r e ve r y we l l represented by 7 or 8 Brethren. All toasts were honoured at the Festive Board. Ladies present were Mrs Barnes, Mrs Leslie Falconbridge and Mrs Jo Mortimer who provided a very pleasant Festive Board and delightful company.

Russell, daughter Pamela Hodgetts and Wensley

A SIGNIFICANT FIND

Quite a few people have heard of the

poem The Spider on the River Gwydir. It

is humorous tale about a drunken shearer, saved from possible robbery by a spider

that lived in a Jones jam tin at the Showground of Moree.

The Gwydirs meandering headwaters are situated west of Armidale and Guyra on

the New England Tableland. The Gwydir

Valley is located west of the Great Dividing Range, within the Murray-

Darling drainage system. It is bounded by

the Mastermans Ranges to the north, the

Great Dividing Range to the east and the Nandewar Range to the south. East of

Moree is where one finds Bingara, a

quaint rural hamlet of 1300 souls.

Freemasonry arrived early in this area. By

1904 the townsfolk had built an

impressive brick Temple. A regular visitor

to Bingara for the past forty years I had been unsuccessful in co-ordinating my

schedule to coincide with Lodge Gwydirs No. 211 monthly meetings. On many

occasions I have missed their meetings by only a day or two.

Recently I was again walking near the

banks of the Gwydir when I spotted the Temple door ajar, people mingling inside.

I scurried across Finch Street and came

upon a gathering of ladies attempting quilting in the searing +42C heat. To my

great disappointment I was to learn that

Gwydir Lodge No.211 no longer exists.

The Temple, which had formed such an impressive landmark over the years, was

now owned by the Gwydir Shire Council,

let out to community groups such as the

local quilters, amateur thespians and other interest groups.

I was welcomed to inspect the Temple. Its

tessellated pavement was covered in droppings from birds nesting in the

ceiling. Its once proud columns were piled

in a store room, covered in cobwebs;

lodge furniture appeared in a similar neglected state. Theres some mason stuff in that cupboard over there said a sinewy woman, temporarily suspending

her quilting.

I was given a key and opened a creaky

cupboard door. Silver fish and

cockroaches made a hasty retreat. Dusty apron cases lay scattered on the bulging

shelves. Eleven lodge collars, gauntlets

and other mementoes of Gwydir Lodges halcyon days hanged like silent sentinels from rusty hooks. Opening some of the

cases was not dissimilar to an

archaeological dig.

There were Installation Cards from 1929

and 1934. Old, underlined rituals and

constitution books; Masonic regalia and

musty papers, envelopes featuring postage stamps from the LSD currency

days lay before me. Most apron cases

featured names or at least initials. Stuck

behind the cases I spotted a pile of books. On closer examination I

discovered it was a published lodge

history from 1993, the centenary year of

Gwydir Lodge.

These were no doubt the remainder of a

small edition, long forgotten by the new

owners of the Temple. I closed the

cupboard and made my way to Shire

Council Chambers where I asked if I

could purchase a copy of the book. The

Town Clerk was totally unaware of the existence of Masonic memorabilia in the

Temple cupboard.

There are no Masons left, she said. I explained that she was looking at one as

we spoke. I offered to do an inventory of

the cupboard. The Town Clerk agreed

and released one of her staff to accompany me.

Upon my return my assistant and I went about our task with due care. Some

of the 70-80 year-old Installation cards

were fragile but still legible. The regalia

varied with an inordinate (for such a small lodge) emphasis on the Mark

Master Masons aprons, Arc Mariner and

Royal Arch Masonry. My assistant held

up each item while I feverishly wrote a full description and, where possible,

ownership. Time passed quickly.

We were almost done when I spotted a large plain cardboard sheet propped up

against the back of the cupboard.

Actually, while putting all the apron

cases back I must have touched the cardboard

which began to lean

against my hand.

I went to put it back, but

for whatever reason,

decided to pull it out and

flip it around. Here was a beautiful photograph of

Gwydir Lodge #211s Officers and Members

from 1914! My find startled my assistant. Each

member was identified in

print. Some were about to

set out for the Great War, never to

return. Others formed the nucleus of

prosperous Bingara by the Gwydir.

Pondering my find, for a brief moment I overruled my assistant who felt that we

should put the photograph back where we found it. I made an executive

decision to bring it to the Town Clerk for

protection in the Shire Councils air-conditioned environment. My decision was applauded on our return.

In the busy foyer, where mostly

pensioners were lining up to pay Rate Notices, the photograph caused great

excitement. Townsfolk, now in their 80s recognised most Freemasons in the 1914

photograph. That is old Mr. Finkernagel, and look at that, its old Mr. Fay doesnt he look like his grandson? A piece of local history had by chance

been uncovered by a sojourner from

Queensland who had never sat in Gwydir

Lodge #211, but chanced upon its disused, decaying Temple and from its

ruins retrieved something tangible.

The Town Clerk, in a town where nothing much happens, and life takes on

a slower pace, suggested we immediately

scan the valuable photograph. Moreover, she asked if I would use her computer to

type up my inventory and possible

proposal as to the future of the old

Temples treasure trove. I set to work while the office staff made me coffee

and waited on me with utmost courtesy.

Emerging from the Shire building a few hours later I was met by my wife who

thought I had got lost, a difficult task in

this small town. I mused for awhile and

told her that I have finally been to Lodge in Bingara.

Stig R. Hokanson..Secretary

Gwydir Lodge No. 211 Members in 1906