A Quantity Surveyor and Real Estate Agent by profession, Keith came to Australia twenty years ago. He is a fourth generation Mason and his commitment is demonstrated by the fact that he has been elevated to this senior role after such a short time.
Keith explained that Freemasonry had its roots in the 1500s, at the time of the building of the great Cathedrals of Europe. Amongst the stonemasons there were apprentices, fellow craft stonemasons and master masons. They formed groups, and by the 17th century the guild of Stonemasons extended their membership to men who were not directly involved in the masonry trade, but whose moral and spiritual ideals were aligned with that of the guild. In 1717 the Grand Lodge of England was formed for Freemasons.
Freemasonry grew into Scotland, Ireland and European countries as well, and came to Australia in 1788 with the First Fleet. By the 1800s there were more than 100 Lodges all over Victoria, and in 1883, the Grand Lodge of Victoria was established to oversee Freemasonry throughout Victoria.
Freemasonry focuses on personal development and community contributions, so it is no surprise that a history of Victoria's most prominent men is also, often, a history of prominent Masons.
It’s greatest growth in Australia came after the First and Second world wars.
Freemasonry had a reputation for being a closed or secret society, so that membership began to slide. Today, however, it is much more open. It has a public web site, is digitally in touch, and tweets to the 10,000 brethren in Victoria. There are about 250 lodges throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria. As a result, young men are coming in, and there are currently about 300 who are being initiated, and their average age is about 36.
Charity is a cornerstone of Freemasonry and the three main avenues for that are the Royal Freemasons Homes, Freemasons Hospital (now run by Epworth Health) and the Freemasons Foundation, which gives away over $3M a year to charities in the health, education and community sectors.
Freemasonry has a bright new future in Victoria, and is looking forward to more opportunities to connect with the wider community through community activities as well as charitable support.
In answer to a few questions, Keith advised us that:
Freemasons Victoria is not exempt from land taxes like the Church sector.
there are lodges that welcome women. The Eastern Star which is a women’s lodge, and Co-Freemasonry, which is a French Masonic order for men and women together. Thank you Philip for a terrific summary!
