
(by Tim Bottams, Ballarat Times, May 6, 2023)
The curtain was peeled back for the first time over the weekend for a local branch of a centuries-old organisation.
Members of Freemasons Victoria’s Smythesdale branch, Prince of Wales Lodge No. 40 opened the doors of their nearly-130-year-old building to the community as part of a ceremony on Sunday.
Master of the Lodge, Bill Stephens, oversaw the ceremony and said the aim of it was to show people what the Freemasons are all about.
“We’re trying to open this up to the public so they’ve not got that misconception that we’re a secret society which we’re not,” he said.
“The aim of today is to invite the people in so they can see the Lodge and see part of what we do.
“We give two scholarships each year to…
read more:
Master of the Lodge, Bill Stephens, oversaw the ceremony and said the aim of it was to show people what the Freemasons are all about.
“We’re trying to open this up to the public so they’ve not got that misconception that we’re a secret society which we’re not,” he said.
“The aim of today is to invite the people in so they can see the Lodge and see part of what we do.
“We give two scholarships each year to…
read more:
“The aim of today is to invite the people in so they can see the Lodge and see part of what we do.
“We give two scholarships each year to…
read more: