Saturday, March 1, 2008

Freemasonry in Melbourne Victoria.

Welcome to the Francis Ormond Lodge.
A Masonic Lodge of Freemasons in Victoria Australia.
I've started this blog to document the activities of The Francis Ormond Lodge Number 286 on the register of The United Grand Lodge (of Freemasons) of Victoria.
The Lodge was founded on the 5th of Ausgust 1921 at the old Masonic Temple, 25 Collins Street Melbourne. It was named after Francis Ormond a great benefactor in Victoria. He provided the seed funding to create the Working Mens College, which later became R.M.I.T.
MWBro. F. T. Hickford, Grand Master, conducted the ceremony, and was assisted by a galaxy of Grand Officers in the proceedings which started at 4 p.m. on a bitterly cold afternoon.
Melbourne University Lodge No. 171 was our sponsor Lodge, and WBro. S. J. Salmon, the Worshipful Master opened his Lodge to begin the ceremony after which the G.D.C. introduced the Foundation Members of Francis Ormond Lodge.
The Foundation Master was WBro. S. N. Rodda, a Past Master of Combermere Lodge No. 752 E.C., and the founder's gavel presented to him carried a Latin inscription which the Grand Master said meant that WBro. Rodda should, "See, hear, and be silent ".
This motto - "AUDI, VIDI, TACE" - was incorporated into the Lodge crest and emblem and is still in use.
WBro. Rodda was Principal of the Working Men's College, founded through the interest and financial backing of Mr. Francis Ormond.