FREEMASONRY IN FORBES
1875-1994.
Lodge Lachlan-Jemalong No. 46 U.G.L.
of N.S.W.
On 27 September, 1875, Albert Heyde convened a meeting in Gover's Hotel, now the site of the Albion Hotel to consider a proposal to form a
Masonic Lodge to meet in Forbes. Present at the meeting were A.Heyde, A. B. Johnstone, Wm. Thomas, Louis Albrecht and the Rev.
Holland.
Little was accomplished at the meeting, other than a unanimous expression of the desirability to form a Lodge. Nine Brethren were present at
the next meeting held in the Vandenberg Hotel on 17 November, 1875 when a decision was made to form a Lodge. It was resolved that Lodges at
Grenfell and Parkes be asked to support the proposal.
A Petition was prepared and forwarded to the Provincial Grand Lodge of New South Wales, Scottish Constitution,
praying for a Charter to permit the Brethren to meet as a Lodge in Forbes. Bros. Johnstone, Thomas, Hutchinson and
Stevens guaranteed a loan of 100 pounds (200 dollars.) The final preliminary meeting was held in Gover's Hotel on
25 November, 1875 at which the following Masons were present, J. Johnstone, Sparkes, J. Leak, T. Leak, A.Heyde,
L.Albrecht, W.Stevens and Bacon.
A. B. Johnstone was the first Master of the new Lodge Lachlan. He was a Surveyor by profession, and resided in
Forbes.
To John Oxley falls the honour of being the first white man to see the Area on which the town of Forbes now stands. John
Oxley was a member of Lodge Social and Military Virtues, No. 227 Irish Constitution, the Lodge of the 46th Regiment.
Two of the foundation Officers of the Lodge, G. Hutchinson held the Office of Mayor for five years and John Armstrong
served as Mayor for two years.
The Lodge was consecrated on 22 December, 1875, in a room above the shop of Mr. G. Bollinger, Gunsmith and Jeweler,
Rankin St., Forbes, among those present were John Quale Wood, J. M. Vaughan, Fair, Hambly, W.Allen, P. Wood,
W.Bishop, L. Albrecht, Rev. W. Soares, A. Heyde, Dr.Tassel and Vandenberg. The furniture for the occasion was borrowed
from Lodge St. Andrew, Grenfell, and was transported to Forbes by bullock dray. The furniture purchased by the Lodge from
Lodge Abbotsford, Gulgong arrived in Forbes on the following day, 23 December, 1875. At the conclusion of the ceremonial,
twenty-seven Brethren assembled in the Dining Room of the Vandenberg Hotel to enjoy a delightful banquet.
At the meeting held 21 January, 1876 the following candidates were initiated into the Lodge: Messers. J. W. Spencer;
G. Bollinger; J.Peterson; C. A. Baker; W. Pye; G. Soares and J. Lervis.
On 9 June, 1876 the Lodge removed from the room above Mr. Bollinger's shop to Jones Inn or Lachlan Inn, now the site of
the Commercial Hotel. Twenty-two meetings were held during the first twelve months and during that period the Brethren
enjoyed four banquets and one Masonic Ball.
The Lodge continues to meet in Jones Inn until 1879 when premises in Lachlan St. known as 'The old Lodge' were rented
for the sum of 52 pounds (104 dollars) per annum. The Brethren met in this location until 1891 when it was decided to remove
the Lodge to a room in the Town Hall. The members were determined to build new Lodge premises and on 10 March, 1914
purchased a block of land in Lachlan Street for 250 pounds (500 dollars). A deposit of 75 pounds (150 Dollars) was accepted,
the balance to be paid over a period of two years.
The foundation stone of the new building was laid on 5 September, 1922 and the building was dedicated on 4 September, 1923
by the Grand Master. Much of the 4000 pounds (8000 dollars) cost of the building had been donated or guaranteed by the
members prior to its being commenced.
It is interesting to note, that during the period 1891--1922, when a Lodge of Sorrow was held, the Brethren marched in
procession from the Lodge Room to the home of the deceased Brother, thence to the Cemetery, and returned to the Lodge
Room to close the Lodge.
The members decided that electric power should be connected to the building and in December 1929 a tender in the sum of
137 pounds (274 dollars) for the installation of light and fans, was accepted.
In 1941 the Brethren agreed that all members serving overseas in the Australian Defence Forces be exempt from payment of
dues.
In 1945 E. Grinsted, who was initiated into Freemasonry in April 1895, was presented with his fifty years certificate. This worthy
Mason affiliated with Lodge Lachlan in 1907 and served as Wor. Master in 1913. He died 26 September, 1949.
During 1948 a number of members expressed the opinion that a second Lodge should be formed to meet in Forbes. The
Membership of Lodge Lachlan in 1948 was 156. The Lodge unanimously agreed to the proposal and on 10 December, 1949
Lodge Jemalong was consecrated. The Foundation Master was R. H. Beddie who was initiated into Lodge Lachlan 10
January, 1911, and installed as Master in 1915. This distinguished Brother was honoured with rank Grand Rank in 1957 and in
1958 he received his 50 years certificate.
The building was renovated in 1951, with a loan of 500 pounds (1000 dollars) to build a new Toilet Block and Wash Room.
In April 1963 a further loan of 400 pounds (800 dollars) was obtained for further improvements. Further improvements to
the extent of $2400 were commenced in March 1966.
The One Hundredth Anniversary Installation was held on Saturday, 30 August, 1975.
In 1986 Lodge Lachlan and Lodge Jemalong consolidated and the Lodge is now known as Lodge Lachlan-Jemalong.
Extensions were made to the building in 1988 and of recent times the exterior of the building has been repainted.
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