Early Public Institutions
Lodges and Societies
Though most people who came to Rockhampton to stay, when the town was first inaugurated, had but little time to devote to forming associations for social, political, or benefit aims, it was not long before a few of the Freemasons who had settled there made a move to form a lodge. This effort was very successful, and on Tuesday, September 23rd, 1862, at high noon, the Leichhardt Masonic Lodge (English Constitution), was opened in the New Masonic Hall that had been built in Upper East Street, opposite Richmond House. There were over 40 persons present, and 16 new members were initiated and 22 were proposed. This was a splendid start in such a small community. Brother William John Brown was duly installed as Worshipful Grandmaster of the New Lodge by past Grandmasters Marks and Charet. The other appointments were :-bro. J. Bennett, S W, bro. A F. Wood, J W, bro J A Watt, S D, bro J E Rutherford, J D, bro J Hunter, I G, bro F Kilner, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. And needless to say all these people, most of them notable residents of that period, have all passed away long ago, but the Leichhardt Lodge, as well as additional lodges of other constitution's, continue to hold a high place in the freemasonry of the state.
Attach:schoolofarts.jpg Δ| Rockhampton Masonic Lodge
There were a few members and adherents of Oddfellowship in the embryo town, and as still more who believed in the principles of mutual benefit, there was little difficulty in forming a lodge, once the matter was taken seriously in hand. No-one was more energetic in this matter than the late R G Tucker, who had come up from Sydney with his family and started an undertaking business at the corner of Alma and Denham Street. Mr Tucker was a past Grand of Manchester Unity of the Independent order of Oddfellows, and with a few others of the same craft the Pioneer Lodge was formed, starting with a few number of members. The Lodge thrived and by 1879 it was decided to form a second Lodge this was done by some seedlings from for parent lodge and by the addition of new members, and the Royal Victorian Lodge was opened with a membership of about 120 (writings from memory). The writer is the only ones still a member of the Victoria Lodge who joined on that memorable evening. The Victoria Lodge made wonderful progress and last June it had the second highest membership in his Queensland, being beaten by about half a dozen members by the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge, Brisbane. And possibly this year the Victoria Lodge will head the list.
The success of the Oddfellows Lodge quite naturally aroused the partisans of other friendly societies, and not many years past after the Pioneer Lodge was started, before the Foresters, Protestant Alliance Friendly Society, Druid's Society, Recliabites Society, Independent Oddfellows, Hibernian Society (two lodges), and other orders were formed and prospered so much that they prove that an undercurrent of thrift and friendliness rervades practically every phrase of social and industrial life. Quite early in the history of Queensland and Rockhampton the Loyal Orange Institution was inaugerated, and its membership was believed to be very large. There were certain rather disturbing elements that arose on occasions, but happily these have long passed away, and, at all events, have greatly decreased. The writer remembers that in the early times his Excellency Sir George Bowen was invited to the annual banquet of the order on 12th July. One could but admirer the diplomatic manner in which his Excellency acted on the occasion. Whether it was in Brisbane or Rockhampton is forgotten, but the Governor no doubt knew his speech would be reported, and it was. He dilated in his speech to some extent on the subject of the gathering, but then most astute or biased would have been unable to definately find fault with any sentiment expressed. His peroration has been remembered through the years, and some will consider it adroit and appropriate, Sir George concluded :-
So let the Orange Lily be
Your badge my patriot brother;
The everlasting green For me,
And we for one another.