Lodge St George

Interesting snippets from our Lodge's past #6

We've just been put back in possession of a photograph which used to hang on the wall of the old Yeronga Masonic Hall. It is of the Hall Building Committee. A well known name there is G.H (Hec) Cleeland who was a member from 1926 to 1987. Our IPM wears the Hec Cleeland jewel which is passed on each year at installation.

The Lodge saved for many years to build its own hall. It opened in 1933 and the lodge used it till we moved to Stones Corner in 1977.

Also on the walls of the old hall would have been out original Scottish warrant and probably our warrant from the Queensland Grand Lodge in 1920. Both lost. We're still searching for these as they must have been taken down and stored when we moved in the 70s.

Chairing the committee was George Edgar Pegg who joned the lodge in 1916 as a 24 year old dairy farmer. He remained a member for 20 years, was the WM in 1923 and acheived the rank of Past Assistant Grand Master.

Bernard Joseph Shay was a 41 year old bootmaker when he joined in 1922. He stayed for 32 years and was Master in 1930.

Robert Mercer McArthur was a saddler and was 38years old when he joined in 1923. He was a member for 13 years and was WM in 1932.

Sidney Lawrence Mills was also a saddler and joined in 1925 as a 41 year old. He was Master in 1938 and remained a member till 1941.

George Hector Cleeland was a 24 year old fitter and turner when he joined in 1926 with his 21 year old brother Roy, a clerk. Both became legends in the lodge with Hec remaining a member till 1987 and Roy till 1986. Hec was Master in 1934 and his PM's jewel is passed down to our IPM each year at installatiion. He became as PSGW. Roy was a PAGM.

Frances William Chartres was 35 when he joined in 1928. He was a cabinet maker and stayed a member for 17 years.

Thomas Fulton was a 44 year old foreman when he joined Yeronga in 1932. He remained for 16 years.

Everyday blokes, but representative of the over 600 members who have been part of St George/Yeronga in its (almost) 100 years.

Refurbised Founder's Jewels

Recently, through the generosity of the family of one of our Founding Members, the Lodge was re-acquainted with a wonderful piece of our history in the form of a Founder’s Jewel. Some lodges struck sets of jewels to commemorate their formation. Lodge St George did so with jewels for officers of the new lodge. The symbol associated with each office was attached to the ribbon. The main jewel depicted St George and Dragon on a Square and Compass.

This jewel was originally presented to Wor Bro Charles Robert Morton, Founding Member and our first Substitute Master. Thought lost, the jewel was recovered when Mrs Carolyn Sandercoe, Wor Bro Morton’s great grand-daughter, discovered it amongst her mother’s possessions.

The extended Morton family have generously re-presented this jewel to Lodge St George on permanent loan.  It will be worn by our retiring Immediate Past Master and then transferred to his successor at time of Installation.

The ‘Morton Jewel’ now joins the ‘Deane Jewel’ as our two surviving Founder’s Jewels. The Deane Jewel, originally presented to Bro C.H. Deane as a Founding Member and inaugural Junior Deacon, is worn by the Lodge Junior Deacon and transferred to his successor at Installation.

Both Jewels have been refurbished leading into our centenary year. You will notice the Morton Jewel features a Master’s Square whilst the Deane Jewel has the Junior Deacon’s Trowel on the ribbon.

Third Degree on Bro Matt Parslow @ Lodge Ashton

Many thanks to Lodge Ashton who hosted a Third Degree for us this evening. Bro Matt Parslow was raised to the Sublime Degree in an excellent ceremony conducted by Lodge Ashton. Fine work from all officers and stand-ins. The young Deacons and Junior Warden in particular did very well.

Pictured is Bro Matt who was invested with his father's Scottish Apron from Mt Chalmers Lodge. He is flanked by the WM's of both Lodges - Wor Bro Steve Rushton (Ashton) and Wor Bro Tony Anderson (St George).