Lara Masonic Lodge No.834Lara Lodge History
Lara Lodge No.834 Consecrated 20 July 1963
Lara Lodge meets on the second Friday of every month.
The Lara Masonic Lodge was established in the early 1960’s by Brethren who generally lived in the Geelong northern suburbs and Lara and surrounding rural areas.
The Lodge consecration was conducted on the 20 July 1963 at the Geelong Little Ryrie Street Masonic Centre and sponsored by Moorpanyal Lodge No 467 when Wor Bro Evan Caddy was installed as the foundation Worshipful Master together with thirty two other Officers and Brethren.
The first Lodge meeting was held on Friday 9 August 1963 in the Lara RSL Hall on the corner of McCelland and Rennie Streets Lara, which was the former Shire of Corio offices.
The Lodge’s foundation jewel was presented in Feb 1964 and the logo is still part of the Past Masters Jewel.
During the mid 1960’s a decision was made to build a new Masonic Centre at Lara and members spent many years planning and fund raising to make this happen. Fortunately in 1964 Bro John Clarke generously donated to the Lodge the block of land at the corner of Rennie St and Archimedes Avenue where the present Lara Masonic Centre was built.
The first Lodge meeting in the new building was Wor Bro Ken Allen’s last working night on 10th April 1970 and the Masonic Centre was dedicated by Most Wor Bro Professor Sir Lance Townsend, Grand Master on Saturday 24th April 1971.
In Oct 2006 the Lodge approved a proposed extension plan which would provide new toilets; kitchen; pantry; meeting room; secretary’s office and store room.
Construction commenced on Sat 21st July 2007 and was completed when the Grand Master Most Wor Bro Garry Sebo officially opened the extension on Sun 16th Nov 2008. The building was constructed nearly entirely by the members and friends voluntary labour including steel worker, plumbers, electricians, plasterer, painter and cabinet maker, which amounted to 2870 hours.
On 27 August 1988, the Lodge held its 25th Lodge Anniversary Dinner hosted by the Worshipful Master Wor Bro Lew Bramley
On Saturday 23 Mar 1991, the installation of a memorial plaque to commemorate the consecration of the Lodge and the dedication of the Masonic Centre was conducted Most Wor Bro Major Gen Frank Poke AO RFD ED Grand Master and attended by the Grand Masters from all other Australian States and New Zealand; On this occasion the Lodge also presented a demonstration of the Masonic ceremony for Laying a Foundation Stone.
The Lodge has an active social program and regularly organises functions to which members and their family and friends are welcome to attend. Some of these include an annual weekend trip away either in Victoria or interstate; theatre and film night/day; luncheons near Christmas or other times during the year; children’s Christmas party and special fund raising functions (trivia and games).
Lodge members continue to work with the Lions Club of Lara and other groups at local and Geelong functions including the Lara Heritage Festival; The Pirra Wine and Food Festival, Avalon Air-shows; Geelong Audi sailing week and the Lara Australia day Breakfast and presentations.
Funds raised from these activities are used for Lodge building and development programs and to support the charitable donations which the Lodge provides to individuals and organisations in the district including, Lara Secondary College scholarships; the Lara U/16 football team, Legacy; Girl Guides and Scouts; Lara Swimming Club and the Lara Community Centre.
Lara Lodge members continue to be a strong and vibrant group of men who are well known and respected in the Lara and district community and who work together with their families and friends for the good of Freemasonry and the community of which we are part.
Because we know that our principles DO make a difference.
| WORSHIPFUL MASTERS |
| 2016 Wor Bro L KELLY PGStdB |
| 2015 Wor Bro G.W REES PGStdB |
| 2014 Wor Bro K.J EMMETT |
| 2013 Wor Bro S.L.CAMPBELL GStwd |
| 2012 Wor Bro P.C.WALLIS |
| 2011 Wor Bro T.J.BEECROFT PGStdB |
| 2010 Wor Bro H.D.ARNEY |
| 2009 Wor Bro T.J.RADFORD |
| 2008 Wor Bro R.J.CLARKE PGStdB |
| 2007 VWor Bro K.BROADBENT PGIW |
| 2006 VWor Bro K.BROADBENT PGIW |
| 2005 Wor Bro J.C.HUTCHISON |
| 2004 Wor Bro G.K.MEDWELL |
| 2003 Wor Bro L.D.FRAIM |
| 2002 Wor Bro D.C.G SEYMOUR PGIW |
| 2001 Wor Bro E.H.DINGEY |
| 2000 Wor Bro T.S.TREMBLE |
| 1999 Wor Bro G.H.MEYER |
| 1998 Wor Bro R.A.STABB |
| 1997 Wor Bro H.J.DAVIS |
| 1996 Wor Bro G.J DANIELL |
| 1995 Wor Bro D.C.G SEYMOUR PGIW |
| 1994 Wor Bro M.J.LYNCH |
| 1993 Wor Bro R.C.SUTTON PGIW |
| 1992 Wor Bro G.W.REES PGStdB |
| 1991 Wor Bro G.W.REES PGStdB |
| 1990 VWor Bro K.BROADBENT PGIW |
| 1989 VWor Bro A.G.GREAVES PGIW |
| 1988 Wor Bro L.W.BRAMLEY PJGD |
| 1987 Wor Bro I.R.BIGMORE |
| 1986 Wor Bro I.R.SADLER |
| 1985 Wor Bro R.C.SUTTON PGIW |
| 1984 RtWor Bro R.K.BRANCH PSGW |
| 1983 Wor Bro D.S.HOGAN |
| 1982 Wor Bro I.J.KELLY |
| 1981 Wor Bro C.R.STEVENSON |
| 1980 Wor Bro E.H.DINGEY |
| 1979 Wor Bro N.M.HEATHER |
| 1978 VWor Bro R.DRAGT PGIW |
| 1977 VWor Bro J.W.MILLS PGIW |
| 1976 Wor Bro F.HAMILTON |
| 1975 Wor Bro .S.BLACKMAN PJGD |
| 1974 VWorBro R.S.CAYZER PGIW |
| 1973 Wor Bro G.N.SUTTON |
| 1972 Wor Bro K.M.WHITEHILL |
| 1971 RtWor Bro L.K.Taylor PJGW |
| 1970 Wor Bro H.R.WYATT |
| 1969 Wor Bro K.W.ALLEN PJGD |
| 1968 Wor Bro S.S.HOLWELL |
| 1967 Wor Bro G.R.SHEARWOOD |
| 1966 Wor Bro R.R.BARBER |
| 1965 Wor Bro D.E.RUFFIN |
| 1964 RtWor Bro N.H.JAMES PSGW |
| 1963 RtWor Bro E.CADDY PJGW **Foundation Master** |