History of Freemasons in Australia

Freemasonry came to New South Wales with the regiments of the British Army soon after the First Fleet in 1788. It was banned by Governor King because of suspicions of republicanism. 

The first stationary lodge, The Australian Social Lodge No.260 (Irish Constitution), was established by lodges working under Irish travelling warrants that were attached British regiments garrisoning the settlement in New South Wales. Lodge No.227 (attached to the 46th Regiment) and Lodge No.218 (attached to the 48th Regiment) admitted a number of civilians to membership and assisted in the dedication of The Australian Social Lodge in August 1820. In 1824, Lodge Leinster Marine of Australia, No.266 (Irish Constitution) was formed. 

The first lodge under the English Constitution was warranted in June 1828 as the Lodge of Australia No.820. The first Scottish lodge was established in 1844 in Melbourne, then known as the Port Phillip Settlement and still part of New South Wales. It was not until 1851 that the first Scottish Lodge, Lodge of St. Andrew (No.358), was established in Sydney. 

The first English Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in Sydney on 10 May 1849, Bro. John Williams being the first Provincial Grand Master. The institution grew and prospered; English lodges, The Maitland Lodge of Unity No.804 had been opened in 1847, followed by The Australian Lodge of Harmony No.814 (Sydney) in 1848 and the Armidale Lodge of Unity No.865 in 1851. 

The Grand Lodge of Ireland and the Grand Lodge of Scotland were also warranting lodges in New South Wales, and creating their own provincial Grand Lodges. However, there was to become a growing level of dissatisfaction with the home Grand Lodges (England, Scotland and Ireland) due to the tyranny of distance and also the amount of money being sent away from the Colony. This dissatisfaction eventually led to the establishment of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales by three Irish Lodges and five Scottish Lodges on 3 December 1877. The new breakaway Grand Lodge was not favourably received by the home Grand Lodges and was not officially recognised until the union in 1888, although it did receive recognition from a majority of the world's Grand Lodges, especially from the various jurisdictions in the United States of America.

In the following 11 years, although there was much disharmony between the three organisations, the three constitutions continued to warrant lodges and membership grew. By the time of the formation of the United Grand Lodge in 1888, the Grand Lodge of New South Wales had fifty-one lodges on its register. Following Scottish tradition, The Australian Social Lodge, being the mother lodge of masons in New South Wales, was given the number 0 on the register.

On 16 August 1888, after considerable consultation, the Masters and Wardens of the one hundred and seventy-six lodges assembled, the articles of union were again adopted, and the " United Grand Lodge of New South Wales " declared to be duly constituted and established. The first Grand Master was Lord Carrington, Governor of New South Wales.

Freemasonry has played a part in the formation and development of the Bathurst region ever since the site for Bathurst was discovered by William George Evans and founded by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, both of whom were Freemasons.

Freemasonry has played a part in the formation and development of the Bathurst region ever since the site for Bathurst was discovered by William George Evans and founded by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, both of whom were Freemasons.

Josephus Henry Barsden was amongst the early settlers to Bathurst in 1825. 

By 1834 JH Barsden is listed as Publican. Pursuant to Public Notice, a Meeting of Licensed Victuders took place and the newspaper reported that Mr. Barsden from  Bathurst (a native of the Colony) - addressed that Meeting in the only sensible speech that was made  during the evening ; he said, he had come one hundred and thirty miles for the express purpose  of attending the meeting, and of reporting the proceedings at Bathurst.

BATHURST. MESSRS BARSDEN AND DAVIS RESPECTFULLY inform the Gentry

and Public in general of Bathurst, that they have entered into arrangements with some

of the first Mercantile Houses in Sydney, by consequence of which they will constantly be enabled to supply those Friends who may honour them with their Patronage and Support, with all kinds of GENERAL STORES, WINES, and SPIRITS, at unprecedented low prices.

A new Freemasons Lodge at 99 Keppel Street was completed in 1890. Lord Carrington, who was then the NSW Governor and Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge, the main governing body for Freemasonry in the state, laid the keystone of the building’s arch in 1889. It became the home of Freemasonry in Bathurst for many decades.

First Masonic Temple in Sale Street, Orange, New South Wales.

The long and fascinating history of Freemasonry in Australia goes right back to the First Fleet, while Freemasonry in the Orange district dates from the days of the gold rush at Ophir in 1851. 

In 1823 James Blackman was appointed to act as Chief Constable of Bathurst, and received grants of land in Bathurst and acreage outside of town which he called 'Kelso'. Stephen's Lane in Kelso runs down middle of this block of land.

The area at Orange was first known as Blackman's Swamp. James later moved on to the Mudgee district and together with several members of the family began to acquire considerable land holdings in and around the township.

There were Freemasons aboard the First Fleet, carrying travelling charters of lodges, and their first meeting in Australia was held aboard a French vessel before either party realised war had been declared between England and France. Subsequent meetings were held under the charter of the Grand Lodge in London but in 1799 Australia formed its own Grand Lodge. 

Masonic Hall (51 Dowling St): The Masonic Lodge Hiram No. 213 of the United Grand Lodge of NSW was first formed in 1894 by James Stuart, who would later begin Dungog’s James Theatre (p.43), and William Bennett, who had already started Dungog’s first newspaper (p.61). However, by 1899 this attempt had failed, and the charter was surrendered. A second attempt in 1905, this time by the local school teacher, proved more long lasting. The first meetings were either at Skillen & Walker’s store or at the Carrington Hall (p.17), but soon after re-establishment, the foundation stone of a new temple was laid in 1908, and the following year the ceremonial room and a small outer room, 20 ft by 10 ft, were erected.

This first building was too small for the ‘south’ (Masonic for supper room) and refreshments were taken in the Church of England Hall (now the Op-Shop). By 1921, with membership at its peak due to dam construction, an extension was added to provide the required ‘south’. At the same time a more elaborate porch, as well as a ‘handsome fence in brick and iron, the first of its kind in Dungog’, was erected.

See more here

In Tenterfield, Charles Nelmes was a member of the new Freemasons Lodge. (pictured)

1908 - Freemasons - TENTERFIELD, April 30.  The annual installation of officers of the local Masonic Lodge was held last week when the following officers were installed  by Wor. Bro. E. W. Wherat :-WMS  Wilson; I.P.M., E.W. Whereat; S.W.  A. Purkis; JW, M. Baldey, Chaplain - Goodrich,  treasurer, J. Williams, Secretary, H. J. Hickey; D.C., E. W. J Tooley; S.D., W. E. Scott; J.D., C.  Nelmes; I.G., AV. Anderson ; organist,   Hannay ; O.G., J. Baldey ; stewards, J.  AV. Harwin and B, E. AValker. After the  ceremony an adjournment was made the gymnasium, where a pleasant social evening was spent. - Source - The Tenterfield Star 

Founding of Freemasons in Tenterfield: Source - The Land, 13 Oct 2019 

Tenterfield Masonic Hall, like the vast majority of other meeting places of worshipful brothers, has been vacant of Freemasons for years. The architecturally brilliant structure, boasting four fire places to warm feet in the dead of winter, was recently re-purposed as an antique shop but now remains for sale while the town looks to the next chapter of its diverse history.

What makes the Tenterfield hall unusual is its connection with a father of this municipality, the most worshipful brother Edward Reeves Whereat, an immigrant from Salisbury, England, who came to the Antipodes at the age of 22 with such raw energy and enthusiasm that he left a trail of construction and children in his wake - five girls and five boys from three marriages. 

Mr Whereat presided over the first Masonic Lodge, a temporary place above a print shop, consecrated in 1877 and toasted vigorously to good health by some of the most worshipful brothers from Stanthorpe and Glen Innes. The busy immigrant also helped form the farmers' union, and was instrumental in starting the Tenterfield Agricultural Society.

He became an alderman at the age of 32 and served six terms as mayor before his passing. To earn a quid he had a tannery, and boot factory, a flour mill, ran a pub and helped found the local newspaper, The Tenterfield Star.

A great advocate for rail transport he ran as a candidate for the seat of Tenterfield but vacated the position as a patriot to allow Sir Henry Parkes another tilt at parliament. When Sir Parkes proposed the great nation of Australia at Tenterfield in 1889, then Mayor Whereat praised the leader's direction.

Like a bright light his flame was destined to shine for a relatively short time, before his premature death aged 54, blamed on an evil carbuncle protruding from the back of his neck, and the operation which went awry.

Freemasons had been visiting Tenterfield district long before the English migrant. Historians say the first Freemason to visit the area was explorer Allan Cunningham on his return south through The New England, after discovering the Darling Downs in 1827 - the first of a three year drought in the Upper Hunter, and one which would bring the young country's agricultural industry to its knees.

Sustained attacks on cattle in the newly occupied Liverpool Plains by the Kamileroi encouraged squatters to look farther north, and accounts by that first Freemason would have piqued their interest.

As a station Tenterfield was granted legal title in 1842 and covered a large swath of country, from dry western gullies to damp eastern fall. There was gold mining at Boonoo Boonoo, Timbarra and Drake, while tin was mined at Emmaville and Stanthorpe.

The railway, on which Sir Henry Parkes proclaimed a nation, was a decade away.

In the beginning Freemason brethren met in a room above Mr Laird's printing office but records of those very early years were lost in fire.

After 1889 the Lodge held its meeting in the newly erected Oddfellows Hall, which provided accommodation for the reduced rent of six pounds a year.

But by the very next year plans were afoot for the construction of a Freemason hall for their own use, to the Penrith design, on land already owned by the Lodge.

They agreed to 300 pounds to complete and furnish - renovating old furniture to "harmonise with the new building" as well as a new front fence. Brother John Williams was awarded the tender for 276 pounds with the foundation stone laid on May 26, 1900. The final price came to just a bit more than the allocated sum.

Bretheren responded in a most satisfactory manner to the building committee's appeal for donations towards the building fund, and the hall was complete and consecrated on October 29 of the same year.

That ceremony was conducted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW, Brother JC Remington, who came to Tenterfield by train as part of a two-week northern tour which included a most enjoyable stop at Glen Innes.

"A two hours' journey by train on Saturday morning ended at this prettily situated and well planned town", with the party warmly welcomed driven to their hotel immediately opposite the newly erected hall containing the spacious lodge room, 34 by 21 feet with the usual ante rooms well finished and decorated.

The consecration ceremony attracted brethren from Glen Innes and Inverell and so many packed the hall that extra chairs had to be provided.

After due time for reflection the toasting started in earnest, with raised glasses to everyone and everything from the "Queen and the Craft" to the Grand Master.

The toasts on this occassion were proposed in "terms laudatory without being fulsome", before Most Worshipful Brethren Remington delivered a charming history of the Masonic craft in the colony, and with the "eminence to which it had attained and with the benevolent institutions it had fostered and with the creditable progressive growth of the Tenterfield Lodge", thanks in no small part to the energies of the late founding master Mr Whereat, whose bust had been only recently memorialised as a monument in the main street - where it remains today!

Source - The Land, 13 Oct 2019

Family members have been involved with the Freemasons over the generations including in the Bathurst Region, the New England Region, Newcastle and Central Coast Regions and across Sydney.

Michael Sharpe has served as a board member of The Freemasons on the Central Coast, a charitable organisation established from within Freemasonry to assist Central Coast community groups through community action, charitable relief and the advancement of education. He went on to serve as a board member of Masonicare, the official charity of the Freemasons of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Millions of dollars have been donated to hundreds of worthwhile causes including youth and family welfare, medical research, education, aged care and health and emergency services. 

1900 – April - GOING TO THE FRONT.  Messrs. T. Ganmlmidge, T. Bloekett, and A. G. Nelmes, three Novocastrian's who are proceeding to the front with the Imperial Bushmen on Monday, left by mail  train for Sydney yesterday afternoon, and were accorded a most enthusiastic send-off by their many friends. Young Nelmes, who was a member of The Hamilton Mutual  Club, was met on the platform by a number of his club mates. Mr Tom Mathleson, on their behalf, said that the club members had met to wish god-speed to one of their  comrades, who was leaving for the seat of war. It filled the members with supreme appreciation and pride  to know that they, a young club formed for the spiritual, mental, social, and physical improvement of  young men should be represented int Britian's struggle for the cause of right and justice In South Africa. The club regretted that their comrade's stay was so limited as not to give them time enough 'to arrange  a farewell more in keeping with their ideas of his worth, still they felt they could not possibly allow him to go from them without  in some way recognising his many good qualities. Taking into consideration the expedition in which he was engaged, the  members thought a weapon of defence would be most suitable for the occasion.  They hoped that ho would go safely  through the campaign and return laden with honour and glory, and in fact, they went so far as to hope that he would win the  V.C.  Mr. Mathleson then presented Mr. Nelmes with a "Bulldog" revolver and 100 cartridges. He mentioned that the revolver contained a bullet specially marked for Kruger. Mr. Nelmes having acknowledged  the gifts, the train moved off, amidst loud cheers for Mr Nelmes and his comrades.

The Salvation Army is renowned worldwide for their music. Dynamic brass bands, choirs (otherwise known as Songsters) and contemporary music fill Salvation Army churches across Australia each week. But whether it be in church, on street corners, or in concert halls, the music of the Salvos is a sound that will inspire worshippers and listeners everywhere.

The Sharpe family has a long history with The Salvation Army. There was a natural attraction to the brass bands, choirs and music that is a strong feature of the organisation. Dorothy Sharpe had her music shop in Tenterfield and was well known for her singing and musical arrangements at events across the region in the early 1900's. When she eventually moved to Sydney with her young family, they became involved with The Salvation Army. Her Son, Doug Sharpe was an enthusiastic band member and played the trombone and other brass instruments.

Doug and Merle Sharpe were married and remained involved with The Salvation Army throughout their lives. The photo is a typical scene of a Salvation Army outdoor service in the 1960's where Doug would play the trombone and Merle would play the timbrel. 

A new Salvation Army Hall was built by Doug Sharpe in 1961 at Umina Beach. The Woy Woy Herald (13/9/1961) had an article that read "The new hall has been erected for the benefit of the people of the district so they can come along for worship and fellowship....It is so necessary that we give time to God and His way for our life. He made us, and everything we enjoy comes from Him, so as we have to stand before Him one day to give account of how our life has been spent, it is up to us to make sure that on His day, we are worshipping Him and praising Him for what He has done for us. The family is happiest that worships together."

Their son, Ron Sharpe OAM was also a member of The Salvation Army Band and other initiatives as a teenager where he would play the electric guitar. He was a member of the band named The Disciples 4. The Woy Woy Leader (July 6, 1966) reported that "The Disciples 4, a newer venture in musical expression, is creating interest especially among the younger people, by their modern style presentation. After a tough beginning they are beginning to settle down and have presented full programs at Liverpool, Newcastle and Gosford in addition to taking part in all corps programs."

The beginning of The Salvation Army band was at the direct request of General William Booth. Booth saw it as a tool for evangelism and communication, a way to bring people into church. The first Salvation Army band was launched in Salisbury (England) in 1878 and was made up of Charles Fry, a local builder and leader of the Methodist orchestra, and his three sons. Salvation Army evangelists in Salisbury were having trouble with local hooligans, so Fry and his sons offered to act as bodyguards while the Salvationists sang in the marketplace. As an afterthought, the Frys brought their instruments to accompany the singing. In this unwitting fashion the first Salvation Army band was born. Their immediate success led the Fry family to sell their business and become full-time musicians with the Army. Within the next few years, brass bands sprang up all over the country. Many corps in Australia have their own brass bands, with some band members representing in the Sydney or Melbourne Staff Band. 

Fundraising and community support is synonymous with The Salvation Army. Merle Sharpe was instrumental in forming the Meals on Wheels in her local area at Umina Beach. In 2008, Merle was presented with a New South Wales Government Community Service Award. The local Member of Parliament, Marie Andrews MP said "As a senior soldier with the Salvation Army at Umina her role includes serving on the Red Shield Appeal Committee, as home league secretary, and as a recruitment sergeant. She is also a community care worker who conducts public and home visits. Merle is a tireless worker for the Salvation Army, and is a regular visitor to both the Woy Woy community aged care and Peninsula aged care facilities." 

Ron Sharpe OAM was a leading businessman and was Chairman of the Woy Woy Peninsula Red Shield Appeal that raised record amounts for the local area.

The Red Shield Appeal is The Salvation Army's signature fundraising drive which helps fund the vast network of social and community services. The Red Shield Appeal began in 1965 and is promoted under their most recognisable symbol – the red shield. Each year, The Salvation Army asks the Australian community to help finance services and programs through the Red Shield Appeal. The funds raised from this campaign offer wrap-around, holistic support to people facing homelessness, family and domestic violence, addiction, financial hardship, and disaster and emergency situations. On average, The Salvation Army helps a person through this network of services and programs across Australia every 17 seconds. The appeal kicks off with official launch events around the country during April where corporate and community leaders are invited to be  partners and support the community.

See the Sharpe Family Tree here