Home New Members Table of Contents THE HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY What is the History of Freemasonry? Freemasonry has a rich and vivid history in Australia and through-out the world. Modern Freemasonry has existed for close to three hundred years and has welcomed some of the most celebrated men of the last three centuries into its fraternity. Our Beginnings The full depth of Masonic history is a topic of much debate as accurate and conclusive records of Freemasonry's beginnings do not exist. There are serious Masonic scholars who argue that Freemasonry can trace its existence as far back as the 1300s. This is one of the unique differences of Freemasonry to other organizations within the community. Currently the most widely held belief is that modern Freemasonry evolved out of stone masons guilds in 17th century England. This theory proposes that these operative guilds began to admit non operative (or speculative) members for the further spread of their moral and spiritual ideals. Where and when did Freemasonry Start? The first national assembly of Freemasons, the Grand Lodge of England, was founded on the 24th June 1717 when four London lodges met for a joint dinner, proclaiming themselves pre-eminent and assuming control over Freemasonry in England. This apparently spontaneous formation of the Grand Lodge understandably caused resentment amongst the other existing lodges of the time and ultimately lead to a schism in English Freemasonry that was not fully resolved until 1813 when the two rival groups formed the United Grand Lodge of England - the body which exists and co-ordinates English Freemasonry to this day. Freemasonry spreads around the world In the meantime, the popularity of Freemasonry was spreading internationally Grand Lodges were formed in Ireland in 1725 and Scotland in 1736. By the 1730s Freemasonry had also been exported to the British Colonies in North America, India and through-out Europe. Freemasonry gained popularity very quickly in America where it's principles of brotherhood and freedom found parallels with American ideals of equality and liberty. American Freemasonry attracted members such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Wayne and Buzz Aldrin. There is now a Grand Lodge in all fifty one states of America. Freemasonry in the media After the Second World War, Masonic membership experienced a significant boom as men looked to maintain a sense of belonging and comradeship. Interest in Freemasonry is regularly revived by the works of historians or story tellers returning to public interest when included in such fictional works as The Da Vinci Code and The Lost Symbol, by novelist Dan Brown and the film National Treasure. Freemasonry in Australia Freemasonry was brought to Australia by military lodges granted travelling warrants and the first lodge established and resident in Australia is The Australian Social Lodge which held its first meeting on 4th of January 1820 in Sydney. Timeline 1770 HMS "Endeavour" reaches Australia with Freemason Joseph Banks onboard. 1800 Lodge of St Johns meets on Norfolk Island without a warrant until 1807. 1802 Masonic meeting held on board the HMS "Glutton' and HMS "Buffalo" at anchor in Sydney Harbour. 1810 Freemason Lachlan Macquarie becomes governor of NSW. 1820 Australian Social Lodge, the first warranted lodge resident in Australia, meets for the first time. 1828 Formation of Tasmanian Lodge in Hobart. 1840 Lodge Australia Felix meets in Melbourne. 1867 Royal Freemasons Homes of Victoria established. 1877 Footscray St John's Lodge meets in Melbourne under Provincial Warrant until 1879. 1879 Footscray St John's Lodge No 641 receives Charter, Scottish Constitution, continues to meets in Melbourne until 1889. 1883 Grand Lodge of Victoria is established, Prominent Victorian, George Coppin becomes first Victorian Grand Master. 1889 United Grand Lodge of Victoria established incorporating Lodges warranted in England, Ireland and Scotland. 1889 Footscray St John's Lodge No 71 formed under Victorian Constitution. 1901 Freemason Edmund Barton becomes first Prime Minister of Australia. 1908 25 Collins Street Melbourne purchased for use as a dedicated Masonic hall and meeting place of Grand Lodge. 1927 Governor of Victoria Lord Somers Installed as Grand Master of Victoria 1928 Freemason Charles Kingsford Smith makes first trans-pacific flight from United States to Australia. 1937 Freemasons Hospital foundation stone laid in Clarendon Street, East Melbourne. 1940 Freemason Robert Menzies becomes Prime Minister of Australia. 1951 Governor of Victoria General Sir Dallas Brooks installed as Grand Master of Victoria. 1969 Dallas Brooks Hall opened as the Masonic Centre of Victoria. 1983 Freemasons Task Force established in the wake of Ash Wednesday Bushfires. 1989 Centenary of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria. 2009 Grand Master's Bushfire Appeal raised and dispersed 1.2 million dollars to families affected by the Black Saturday Bushfire. How do I become a Freemason? Becoming a Freemason is simple. Contact Freemasons Victoria on 03 9411 0111 or toll free on 1800 068 416 and talk to one of our friendly staff. Alternatively, contact a Freemason; email a very friendly Freemason at the Footscray St John's Lodge No 71. Email:  (FriendlyFreemason@FootscrayStJohn's.Lodge.71) They will be able to supply you with reliable research material and are free to answer nearly any question you may have. Print    Who wants to be a Freemason       What is Freemasonry       The History of Freemasonry       What's the Secret       Frequently Asked Questions    Web Designer Bro Lance McGregor    Email - Lance McGregor    Page updated 17 April 2011 © Footscray St John's Lodge 2011