History of Richmond Lodge

On the 11th July, 1883 a meeting of Freemasons was held at the Vine hotel, Bridge Road, Richmond. Present were Bros. Whittaker, Hutchinson, Smith, Hall and Mitchell with several apologies received from interested brethren. A petition to form a new Lodge in Richmond was drawn up for presentation to the recently formed Grand Lodge of Victoria, also known as the Coppin Grand Lodge.

A full report of the meeting appeared in the, ‘Richmond Australian’ and the ‘Guardian’ of the 14th July, 1883. An application was made for dispensation for the formation of the “Richmond Lodge No. 10? until a Warrant of Constitution had been obtained. At this meeting Foundation Officers were nominated and the regular night of the second Tuesday in each month was set, with meetings to be held at the Vine Hotel, Bridge Road, Richmond.

The Foundation Worshipful Master was Bro. Chas Whittaker. The Grand Secretary offered the Lodge use of furniture and regalia for the opening night, which was postponed at his request until 21st August, 1883. On this date Bro. Chas Whittaker was duly invested as Worshipful Master and Bro. R. Mitchell, P.M., Senior Warden; Bro. R. Hutchison, Junior Warden; Secretary, Bro. J. Lentell; Treasurer and Organist, Bro. E. Altmann; Bro. John C. Coverlid, P.M., who was a Grand Steward at the time and became a joining member of the new Lodge, Senior Deacon; Bro. G.A. Smith, Junior Deacon; Bro. G. Hall, Inner Guard; Bro. W.H. Bridal, Tyler. Ten candidates for Initiation were proposed at this meeting and the 4th September was fixed by the Worshipful Master as an emergency meeting for Initiation purposes. At this emergency meeting six of the proposed candidates were balloted for and elected and then three of them were initiated. At the regular meeting on the 11th September, two candidates were Initiated and one passed to the Degree of a Fellowcraft.

After considerable correspondence over the delay and the representation, Most Worshipful Brother George Selth Coppin, Grand Master, at an emergency meeting held on 29th April, 1884, consecrated and dedicated the Richmond Lodge No. 10 on the register of the Grand Lodge of Victoria and then Installed Bro. Chas Whittaker as Worshipful Master (because of ill health this appears to be the last meeting where he attended Lodge). Grand Lodge Officers retired and the officers, appointed on the 21st August 1883, were duly invested by a Past Mater of the Lodge. August was agreed upon as the month of Installation, but was soon afterwards changed to September. All officers, not merely the Worshipful Master were to be elected in open Lodge at the meeting prior to the Installation.

An emergency meeting was held at 1pm on 23rd August, 1884, to conduct the funeral ceremony for Worshipful Bro. Whittaker, our Foundation Worshipful Master, who had died the previous day. The brethren proceeded to the grave where the funeral ceremony was conducted by Bro. Robert Mitchell, Worshipful Master, and then returned to the Lodge room after which the Lodge was closed at 5.40pm. Donations were invited and members present at this meeting contributed and placed on the Volume of the Sacred Law the sum of ten pounds twelve shillings and sixpence to assist the immediate wants of the deceased’s family. At the next meeting an Appeal Fund was opened for this purpose. Thanks were recorded in the Minutes to Bro. John Allison of the Yarra Yarra Lodge for carrying out the funeral with so little expense to the family. The Appeal Fund resulted in securing a house in Richmond by a substantial deposit.

By-Laws were approved on 11th May and were ordered to be printed.

April, 1887 - an appeal was received from Grand Lodge for assistance in reducing its overdraft.

In 1888 an organ was purchased for twenty-two pound.

Occasionally a meeting lapsed for want of a quorum.

United Grand Lodge of Victoria.

In January 1889 it was reported that favourable progress was being made towards amalgamation of the English, Scottish and Irish Constitutions with the Victorian Constitution.

On 12th March, 1889, allegiance was tendered by this Lodge to the United Grand Lodge of Victoria with twenty-five financial members. The first meeting of this Lodge under the new Constitution was held on 9th April, 1889. At the Lodge meeting in November, 1889, the new number for Richmond Lodge of 89 was announced.

July 12, 1892 - the first meeting of the Lodge in new premises - the small hall of the Richmond Town Hall - after building alterations had been effected for the purpose. Fee ten shillings per night to 10pm and three and sixpence an hour after that. Hire of the piano two and sixpence per night.

A tessellated carpet was purchased for five pound.

On 9th May, 1893, By-Laws for the Lodge of Instruction were adopted with meetings to be held every Tuesday except the second Tuesday. In 1907, the Lodge of Instruction discontinued and instead rehearsals were held every week until 1911 and thereafter only once a month on the Tuesday prior to the Lodge meeting.

September, 1893 - Bro.J. Lentell resigned as Secretary, a position held with distinction since the formation of the Lodge in 1883. He was elected an Honorary member in recognition.

It is interesting to note that charges were often delivered by Junior Officers and not solely by Past masters with two degrees frequently worked in the one night.

1896 - Worshipful Bro. M.S. Tadich was appointed Secretary and held office until August, 1912, rendering great service to the Lodge during that period. On his retirement as Secretary, he was unanimously elected a Life Member.

Saturday 26th June, 1897, a special meeting was called for a funeral service for the late Worshipful Bro. A.J. Wain. He was one of the oldest members at that time and had given outstanding service in the Lodge. In March, 1899, an appeal for assistance for his widow and four children was supported by the Lodge and the Board of Benevolence, with leave granted to appeal to sister Lodges.

December 1899, the Secretary reported having received books, papers and documents of Richmond Lodge No’s 1093 and 791, English Constitution. The original Warrant No. of 1093 was used from the commencement of the Lodge in 1858 to 1863 when it was changed to No. 791 and a new Warrant issued. The last record of operation of the Lodge is 25th August, 1869, where six members and five visitors signed the Appearance Book, although the name and number was not erased from the Register of the Grand Lodge of England until 1889. This English Constitution Richmond Lodge has no direct connection in any form with Richmond Lodge No. 89 other than the documents in our possession. Most of those papers are still retained by the Lodge. Many of the books were very similar to those being used by this Lodge at the time they were received in 1899 and where space was available in the books they have been used by this Lodge over the years. The Declaration Book from the 1093/797 Lodge shows that the last entry for an Initiate is Richard Coop in 1863. The next page has an entry for Richmond Lodge No. 89 on 13th June 1916. At the time of his Initiation Mr. Richard Coop was a Lead Merchant who lived and worked in A’Beckett Street, Melbourne. The Coop family name can be seen high up on the Shot Tower which is incorporated as part of Melbourne Central buildings.

The Volume of the Sacred Law, donated to Richmond Lodge No. 1093 at its consecration by the foundation Junior Warden Bro.G.M. Nicholls, was found at the Freemasons Homes in 1929 and passed to this Lodge for its use. It is still being used by this Richmond Lodge at each of the meetings to this day. Records show that during the eleven year existence of the English Constitution Richmond Lodge eighty-eight members were initiated into Freemasonry and Bro. Nicholls took an active part throughout the life of the Lodge.

In October, 1900, Samuel Mayor, artist, was initiated. In 1901 he presented paintings of the three Tracing Boards in oak frames to the Lodge. The last record shows that these Tracing Boards were at the Sorrento Lodge. Bro. Sam Mayor became Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1906.

June, 1901 - This meeting was held by Dispensation on the third Tuesday. Business, ‘To welcome home from the China War three of the members’.

In 1912 an account was opened at the State Savings Bank, Bridge Road, Richmond, with a deposit of seventy-five pound. This same account at this branch was operated on by the Lodge for more than 70 years.

April 1914, a silver gavel, suitably inscribed, was presented to Worshipful Bro. W.O. Allen, Worshipful Master, to commemorate the birth of a son during his term of office.

1914 - the Lodge agreed to sponsor the West Melbourne Lodge which was Consecrated on 10th August, 1914.

On the 7th May, 1915, the members attended in full regalia the funeral service of Worshipful Bro. E. Wain, Worshipful Master. The regular meeting on 11th May was adjourned in respect of his memory and the Lodge went into mourning until the end of August. This is the second Master of the Lodge to die in his year of office in the 32 year existence of the Lodge.

May, 1915 - the Lodge conferred Life Membership on Worshipful Bro. O.V. Sierakowski who was initiated at the first meeting in the Richmond Town Hall, 12th July, 1892. He died 18th September, 1916, and was buried with Masonic Honours.

At the 31st December, 1915, there were 63 members on the roll. Dues were remitted for several brethren who joined the Expeditionary Forces.

July, 1916 - the Lodge invested one hundred pound in the Commonwealth War Loan.

February, 1918 - contributions and promises were invited in order to purchase a site for a Lodge room.

June, 1919 - Initiation Fee raised from five to seven guineas. (This was the same Initiation Fee as charged by Richmond Lodge No. 1093, English Constitution, when it commenced in 1858).

August, 1919 - it was agreed to change the place of meeting to the Masonic Hall, Swan Street, Richmond, and confirmed at a Special Meeting on October 8th. This Special Meeting was held at the new venue.

In 1919 twenty-four candidates were initiated.

Arising out of an irregular procedure with a ballot, the Lodge was suspended by Grand Lodge for six months from 16th December, 1920.

1922 - twenty-seven candidates were initiated and eighteen more in 1923. Two emergency meetings were held nearly every month.

January, 1923 - it was decided to establish a building fund and on 13th February, land was purchased in Coppin Street, Richmond. An appeal for financial support resulted in promises of five hundred and fifty pound. The coincidence of the street name being named after the Grand Master who Consecrated the Lodge in 1884. George Coppin was heavily involved in a range of business and community activities and one being Mayor of Richmond for a time.

June, 1923 - Initiation Fee was raised to ten guineas and dues to two pound ten shillings.

November, 1924 - the Lodge agreed to sponsor the Cremorne Lodge and a donation of twenty-five pound was made. The Cremorne Lodge was Consecrated 7th July, 1925 and given No. 383.

September, 1925 - the Lodge agreed to sponsor the Phoenix Lodge which was consecrated in December of that year and was given No. 401.

In February 1927, Worshipful Bro. Roy Allison was appointed Grand Sword Bearer. The rank of Past Senior Grand Deacon was conferred on him in March, 1940. Worshipful Bro. Roy Allison was Secretary of the Lodge for many years and it is believed that he was the son of Bro. John Allison, Yarra Yarra Lodge, who helped with the funeral of our Foundation Master in 1884.

In 1927 fifty pound was donated to the proposed building of the Freemasons Hospital.

December 1930 - fifty pound set aside to meet dues of unemployed members.

February, 1931 - the Lodge spent seventy pound fencing the land in Coppin Street. The money being paid to our unemployed members.

February, 1932 - the Lodge agreed to spend up to two hundred pound to help brethren in distress.

December, 1935 - land in Coppin Street sold for eight pound per foot.

February, 1937 - the Lodge completed a donation of one hundred pound to the Freemasons Hospital to qualify as a Founder Lodge. A Jewel was struck and presented to the Founder Lodges by the Hospital. The Jewel, presented to Richmond Lodge is worn by each Master during his term of office.

August, 1940 - the Lodge agreed to present each member enlisting for Active Service with a suitable memento and also made them exempt from dues during their service.

September, 1940 - the Lodge donated fifty pound to the Freemasons Patriotic Fund from interest on the Building Fund and continued the practice every year to 1946 inclusive.

In 1940 the practice was adopted to present each newly initiated candidate with a Masonic Volume of the Sacred Law.

In March 1943, the brethren subscribed seventy-eight pound twelve shillings to the Grand Master’s Appeal for the Fighting Services.

December, 1946 - a special welcome was extended to service brethren (27) from the Second World War, all of whom had returned home safely.

September, 1947 - brethren subscribed seventy-one pound four shillings and sixpence to the Grand Master’s Appeal for Food for Britain.

January, 1948 - Initiation Fees increase to twelve guineas and Dues to three guineas.

September, 1948 - the Lodge created a waiting list for Candidates for Initiation with preference given to sons of members.

To accommodate the large number of candidates, several emergency meetings were held during the year.

December, 1949 - Worshipful Bro. Roy Allison, Past Senior Grand Deacon, resigned owing to ill health and inability to attend. An appreciation of his outstanding service to the Lodge was recorded in the Minutes.

April, 1955 - the Initiation Fee was increased to fifteen guineas and then it was again increased in 1958 to twenty-one pound.

In September 1958, a celebration was held for the 100 years of Richmond Lodges in Victoria where the anniversary of the Foundation of Richmond Lodge No. 1093/791 was taken as the start. All information shows that there is no connection, other than the name Richmond, with the original 1093/791 English Constitution Lodge which ceased to exist around 1869. The Secretary of Richmond Lodge No. 89 in 1958, Worshipful Bro. Stan Brownbill, had ascertained through Grand Lodge some years earlier, that Lodge No. 1093, English Constitution, was Lodge Anchor of Hope, Madras India, consecrated in 1866, which shows that the original number from 1858 in Australia was reallocated by the Grand Lodge of England. Lodge Anchor of Hope, India, celebrated its centenary in 1966 and is still operating.

The Royal Freemasons’ Homes honoured the work of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Richmond Lodge by having a room at the homes named after the Lodge.

October, 1963 - Worshipful Bro. Bertie Hunter reported finding the Warrant issued by the Victorian Constitution to Richmond Lodge No. 10 in 1884. This Warrant was cancelled upon the issuing of Warrant No. 89 under the United Grand Lodge of Victoria. The Warrant was restored as best as was possible and then presented by the Lodge to Wor.Bro. Arch Moses, Grand Librarian, on our Centenary in 1983 for inclusion in the Library. The Warrant was on display above the Librarians desk for many years.

December, 1963 - the Ladies auxiliary donated a further one hundred and seventy pound to the Royal Freemasons’ Homes.

During 1968 there were many discussions concerning a move from the Swan Street Temple to the new Masonic Centre in East Melbourne.

September, 1968 - Most Worshipful Bro. Charles Roger Darvall, Grand Master, accompanied by Grand Lodge Officers conducted the last Ceremony of Installation of this Lodge in the Swan Street Temple. On the same evening the Grand Master presented a 50 Year Jewel to Bro. F.V. ‘Checker’ Hughes.

December, 1968 - at a special meeting it was resolved that the Lodge meet in the new Masonic Centre, 300 Albert Street, East Melbourne. The last meeting was held at the Swan Street Temple on the 14th January, 1969 and the first meeting at the Masonic Centre on 4th February, 1969 as the second Tuesday was not available at that time. Shortly after the second Tuesday became available and we have continued to meet on the second Tuesday to this day. Richmond Lodge had met at the Swan Street Temple eight months short of fifty years.

September, 1969 - the first Installation held at the Masonic Centre, East Melbourne was in No. 1 Lodge room where Worshipful Bro.R.J. Carland Installed his brother Bro. R.B. Carland as Worshipful Master.

May, 1983 - a re-enactment of the Consecration Ceremony was held to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of Richmond Lodge No. 89.

August, 1993 - after several meetings an agreement was arranged for Richmond Lodge to move from the Masonic Centre, East Melbourne to the Kew Masonic Temple. As part of the move this Lodge joined with members of the Strathalbyn Lodge No. 885 to form one Lodge under the Warrant and name of Richmond Lodge No. 89. Strathalbyn Lodge was formed in 1985 as an amalgamation of Lodge Triad and East Suburban Lodge.

August 10, 1983 - a Ceremony was held for the handing in of the Warrant of Strathalbyn Lodge No. 885. Following the closure of the Lodge, the Regular Meeting of the Richmond Lodge No. 89 was opened in due form and forty three joining members were admitted from Strathalbyn Lodge.

In recent years our Lodge has grown from the inclusion of members from the Lombard Lodge of Precision and Phoenix Lodge when unfortunately the Lodges had handed in their Warrants.

Over the years the minutes are littered with outstanding Masonic achievements by many, many brethren, too many to mention each one here. Richmond Lodge has also acted as sponsor Lodge for many Lodges such as East Melbourne - 1914 and Phoenix - 1925, just to name a couple. The history of this Lodge is one of the many chapters in Victorian Freemasonry.

The future is as broad a canvas as we wish it to be and it is up to all of us to be the artist to paint the history for the Freemasons of tomorrow to read.

History is where we have been and what has shaped us as to our situation today. The future is as broad a canvas as we wish it to be and it is up to all of us to be the artist to paint the history for the Freemasons of tomorrow to read.