VWBro. Norm Standing presenting VWBro. Brian Freakley with his Grand Lodge Honour of Past Deputy Grand Director Of Ceremonies at the Lodge Sawtell Twilight Meeting held on the 16th December 2009
History was in the making on Saturday 10th October 2009 when IPM VW Bro Brian Fuller installed David Thomas Boulton into the Chair of King Solomon at Lodge Nambucca 271. The Grand Master was represented by RW Bro Andrew Fraser PAGM.
Bro David’s installation was the 99th since November 1910 when his Great Grandfather Walter George Boulton Lodge Argyle 111 was elected to be the first Worshipful Master of Lodge Nambucca 271. He was installed on 6th July 1911.
On 19th November 1910 VW Bro H.D Bennett DGIW wrote to the Grand Master recommending a Lodge be formed in the Nambucca District. As well as Walter George Boulton Lodge Argyle 111 being elected to be the Master others elected for positions were William Patrick Murray Lodge Hastings 69 to be the first Senior Warden and Ernest Grenner Lodge Oxley 225 to be the first Junior Warden. The petition went forward and Lodge the Raleigh supported the petition.
The Board of General Purposes considered the petition at its regular monthly meeting and on 1st December 1910 a letter was received from the Grand Secretary stating that the Board of General Purposes had recommended the issue of a Charter. The Charter was duly issued and dated 1/12/1910 commenting, “if the building is erected in accordance with the plan and specifications submitted it will be a credit to the Brethren in every way.
The first meeting was held on 6th July 1911 with VW Bro Bennett occupying the Chair of King Solomon and installing Bro Walter George Boulton as the first Master of Lodge Nambucca 271.
In a historical sense it would be 100 years from 1910 when the Lodge was first commenced. Local history states that Masonic Lodge meetings were held, prior to 1910, in the Temperance Hall in River Street, Macksville. The Lodge building in Nambucca Street, Macksville is the original building with “the South” having been added at a later date.
Lodge the Raleigh is still in existence in the Bellinger River district and their Worshipful Master VW Bro Brian Hayes presented the Third Working Tools at the Installation of Bro Boulton.
Back Row: Col McKenzie WM of Lodge Woolgoolga No. 705 D52; Greg Cowan WM of Lodge Prince Leopold No. 87 D53; Keith Burge WM of Lodge Urara No.469 D53;
Front Row: Philip Bertram WM of Lodge Fitzroy No. 248 D52; Jim Campbell DGIW D53; Norm Standing DGIW D52; Andy Boyden WM of Lodge Sawtell Twilight No.741.
The RGC gave special dispensation for Lodge Urara No. 469 to meet at Woolgoolga; that is, at a different time, on a different day, at a different Masonic Meeting Place in another District. Wonderful hospitality from the WM, Ladies and Brethren of Lodge Woolgoolga No. 705.
For some it was 3 "masonic meetings" in one day; earlier at Ulmarra there was a Masonic Tribute for Brother Kerry Lloyd at Ulmarra (a wonderful man who will be missed by his Brothers in District 53) - to see just some of the great community work this man did: do a Google search on "Kerry Lloyd Ulmarra" a very sad morning which ended with a happy union of lodges from 2 Districts with 2 lodges meeting at Woolgoolga in the afternoon.
