By DONALD DANKS

On the 15th. August 1862 the Provincial Grand Secretary Rt. Wor. Bro. Angel Ellis of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ireland, consecrated the Hotham Lodge No 492 IC, the first Wor. Master being Wor. Bro. A. Short.

The original Warrant is now in the keeping of the North Melbourne Lodge No. 41, and is dated "Dublin 19th. February 1863. It was received on the 11th. May 1863 and bears the signature of the Duke of Clarence as Grand Master.

The first meeting was held at the "New Courthouse Hotel" Queensbery Street, Hotham (Now Nth. Melbourne). This Hotel is still in existence, though it has been renovated.

The Hotham Lodge No.492 IC. is the Lodge from which not only the Kensington Lodge No. 77 has sprung, but also the North Melbourne Lodge No. 41. These two Lodges being therefore, if such a term may be used, Twin Sisters, and the division, if such may be called, took place in 1883, when the Pioneer Lodges of Victorian Craft Freemasonry combined to form the first Grand Lodge of Victoria. The Hotham Lodge No.492 IC, carried a resolution in 1883 "That this Lodge join the Grand Lodge of Victoria".

On the strength of this resolution a Warrant for the Hotham Lodge No 2 was granted. The minutes of the Hotham Lodge No 492 IC containing this resolution were not confirmed, but as the Warrant of that Lodge was held by the Wor. Master Wor. Bro. Robert Cowling Barrett, and to whom the Most Wor. Grand Master George Seth Coppin, had already issued the New Warrant. Wor. Bro. Barrett became the first Master of the Hotham Lodge No. 2 VC. on the 2nd July 1883.

Unfortunately little is known of the period 1883-1893 as the minutes were lost, but this one item is known. The Lodge passed through the usual growing pains and in 1884 found it necessary to ask permission to change its name to Hotham & Kensington. Grand Lodge endorsed this alteration on the 5th. September, 1884. This Warrant may be seen in the Grand Lodge Museum, 300 Albert Street East Melbourne.

In the year 1889 the Spirit of Independent Freemasonry the seeds of which had been sown in 1883, took root, and saw the formation of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria.

The Grand Lodge of Victoria joined this Grand Lodge and the Kensington Lodge No 2 became the Kensington Lodge No.77.

In July 1893, membership of the Lodge was 41 and the Bank Balance 37 Pounds and Three Pence. The meeting place was the old Council Chambers in Racecourse Road Flemington known as the New Hall. This building still stands and is occupied by Pughs Furniture Store as of 1983, now 1995 a Supermarket.

The Installation had taken place in July up to 1897, but in that year the Election of Wor. Master was vetoed by Grand Lodge as not being conducted in conformity with the Book of Constitutions. (A show of hands only was taken). So the Installation took place in October and has remained in that month to this day.

A spirit of unrest and dissatisfaction with the accommodation of the Lodge Room prompted the first motion of moving to some other location with better appointments, but nothing became of the motion.

On Sunday 12th September 1897 the Lodge by special dispensation attended in Regalia at the Presbyterian Church, Norwood Street Flemington, when that Church held it’s 25th. Silver Jubilee Celebrations, which was also considered as the Jubilee year of the Kensington Lodge.

In 1898 and also in 1900 motions were submitted to change the meeting place of the Lodge, both without result.

In 1900 the Lodge held it first Installation away from its meeting place, which took place in the Gordon Masonic Temple, Maribyrnong Road Moonee Ponds. ( the building still stands 2001). This seems to have been the event which eventually caused the move away from the Meeting Place in the New Hall.

In February 1901, a Motion was submitted and carried that they meet in the "New Town Hall" in Bellair Street Kensington. (2001 the building still stands). In May 1905 Bro. McBean moved that the Lodge purchase a Hall or a suitable piece of ground, this motion was withdrawn, and in it’s place substituted a motion from Wor. Bro. Bennett, "That the sum of 20 Pounds (now $40.00, 2001) be placed to an account to form the nucleus of a Building Fund and the Initiation Fees be added to this account.

This Motion was adopted unanimously in June 1905.

In January 1908 Wor. Bro. Bennett again moved " That the W.M. PM and Officers meet to consider the purchase of land or a building for Lodge Room purposes. Viz. the New Hall which was the Old Council Chambers. The efforts of this Committee failed, but in April 1910 Wor. Bro. Boadle succeeded in having the following motion adopted "That the WM, PM’s and Wardens and Wor. Bro. Swindells be appointed a Committee with power to pay a deposit to secure land or a building suitable for Lodge purposes.

The Committee was successful and in May 1910 the WM. Wor. Bro. T.H. Carlyle reported to the Lodge that a block of land with a frontage of 40 Feet had been secured in Wellington Street Flemington and an extra 5 feet purchased from the Presbyterian Church for a right of way, at total cost of 202 Pounds 5 Shillings. The Lodge appointed Wor. Bro’s T.H. Carlyle J. Boadle and G. Bennett as it’s first "Trustees".

Things now began to move rapidly, and in May 19911, a motion "That a meeting be called to consider the financial aspects re the building of the Hall", was followed in June by a further motion "That the Trustees be empowered to obtain plans for a proposed Lodge Room".

In 1912 the Lodge formed a working bee and built a two room Cottage for a distressed Brother at Bittern, and for this unique action, the first in Victorian Freemasonry, received the thanks of Grand Lodge, these thanks were repeated in 1913 when the Lodge formed a second working bee, and from the receipts of a Benefit Concert in the Kensington Town Hall, completed the Cottage with the addition of a further three small rooms.

The power conferred on the Trustees to obtain plans for a building now took a definite shape under the direction of the W.M. Wor. Bro. Swindells, and in May 1913 a motion was carried that the Trustees proceed with the building of a new Hall and at a cost not to exceed 1600 Pounds. This amount was supplemented by a further 250 Pounds in June of that year.

On the 6th. September 1913 W.M. Wor. Bro. Swindells assisted by the Senior Warden Bro. H. Orr and the Junior Warden Bro. C. E. Tannenberg, laid the Foundation Stone of the New Building.

The 18th. December 1913 the Lodge held its first meeting in their New Masonic Temple. Wor. Bro. Orr being the first Master installed in the New Hall.

The Lodge moved along tranquilly until July 1915 when the City Council dropped a Bomb-shell by refusing to renew the Dancing Licence for the Hall. The Trustees were now faced with a serious financial problem. After much searching and heart burning efforts, it was decided in January 1916 "That the Trustees be empowered to let the Hall on Lease". So once again the Lodge had to move to the Kensington Town Hall.

Propositions were so plentiful that in 1921 it was moved "That no further propositions be accepted for six months".

In 1924 new history was made when the Kensington Lodge sponsored the Flemington Lodge No. 362, which was consecrated in October 1924.

The following six years Dual Installations were held.

Then came the cheering news from the Trustees that the Mortgage on the Hall had been paid in full. The Lodge was the proud owner of the Building and all it contents.

The Tenants of the Hall were now ready to give up possession and so in February 1925 Wor. Bro’s Carlyle and Lawrence moved " That the Trustees be empowered to build a second story to be used as a Lodge Room only:

This was acted on and in July 1925 the Trustees being empowered to raise 3000 Pounds to finance the new second story. In October 1925, the Most Wor. Grand Master,

The Earl of Stradbroke officially opened the addition to the Hall and was presented with a Gold Key to commemorate the occasion.

Wor. Bro. W. Humphreys was the first to occupy the Masters Chair in the new Temple. Wor. Bro. A.C.Hosken was the first to be Installed there. In 1928 the Kensington Mark Lodge No. 97. was consecrated on the 1st July.

The Newmarket Lodge No. 495 was consecrated 1st. July 1931.

As the 50th. Anniversary of the Kensington Lodge coincided with that of the Presbyterian Church, an invitation was extended from the Church to a Choral Service, which invitation was accepted. The Grand Lodge Choir provided the musical section of the service held on the 30th. July 1933.

Unfortunately the records of the Lodge from 1933 to 1945 were lost, but it is known that it was a difficult time for the Members during the depression years, as many of them were either not working or were only on casual work.

It was during this period the No. 7 Group Masonic Association was formed for the purpose of obtaining jobs for out of work Freemasons.

At the conclusion of the Second World War the Association gave assistance to Freemasons who were ex-servicemen. In the early Fifty’s the No.7 Group Education Scheme was commenced.

The second World War saw a number of the members in the services, those who attended during those years will remember the wearing of a Dinner Suit relaxed.

In 1945 Master Masons Representatives were appointed to the Committee of General Purposes for the first time. One again the Lodge found itself in difficulties with finances of the Temple, a number of Brethren loaned the Lodge 5 Pounds each and the Lodge Fees were raised to 3 Pounds per year. A Harvest Festival Night was held to make up parcels for the " Food for Britain" appeal.

A Smoke Night was held in 1946 as part of the welcome home celebrations for the members of the Lodge who were in the Armed Services.

The Membership of the Lodge now increased rapidly as Australia entered the first years of peace, attendance at ordinary meetings in excess of 130 with 250 being the expected numbers at Installations. On nights when well known personalities, such as Sid Patterson John Coleman, Maurie Quincey were initiated the Temple could not cope with the numbers, the Lodge was Tyled at the foot of the Stairs.

As the 1950’s drew to a close , the Trustees were experiencing increasing difficulties in the Finances of the Building, which led in 1966 to the Trustees becoming "Over-drawn" on Overdraft at the Bank.

Rents were increased in an effort to overcome the deficiency. In 1967 a meeting was called to discuss the matter a to attempt to find a solution to the dilemma. Tenant Lodges were invited but no solution was reached. Wor. Bro. D.M. Danks was appointed Trustee due to the resignation of Wor. Bro. G.F. Sedman 16/2/1967.

As the 70’s commenced Kensington along with most other Lodges found it membership declining, and as a result the finances become more difficult.

In 1971 the possibilities and effects of disposing of the Property were discussed for the first time. This led to an attempt to form a Board of Management with the other Temple Lodges in 1972. This proposal unfortunately was un-successful.

1973 our Bankers informed the Trustees that our account was in an intolerable position.

Grand Lodge sent Wor. Bro. Petley of the newly formed Building Committee of Grand Lodge to meet with representatives of all Temple Lodges to endeavour to find a solution. Unfortunately no solution was found. And so in 1973 the members of the Lodge at the meeting held 21st February 1974 decided to sell the Property and move to the Oak Park Temple.

The Property was sold at auction in April 1974 for $93,000.00. In June 1974 Wor. Bro. Jack Gatenby closed the Lodge for the last time in the Flemington Temple. built by a dedicated and hard working Brethren of Kensington Lodge. A sad night for the Older Brethren to see their efforts lost.

During the course of the sale it was found that G.F. Sedman’s name had not been changed on the Title, although D.M. Danks had be appointed due to the resignation from G.F. Sedman, Lodge minute book 16/02/1967. This had to be rectified to complete the sale.

Yes a new era commenced at Oak Park, F.A. Trengove, R.F. Trengove, G. F. Brown, F.L. Caddell, D.M. Danks were removed as Trustees at the meeting held 18th. December 1975. Moved by Wor. Bro. A.J. Forsyth seconded by Bro. B.L. Robertson & carried.

A Motion from the above saw Wor. Bro. G.F. Brown Chairman, Wor. Bro. S.J. Tresidder Secretary, Wor. Bro. D.McRae Danks, Bro. L.Nolan & Bro. D.M. Davis all appointed as "Trustees" to fill the vacancies.

After settling in to our new Home the Brethren empowered the Trustees to purchase a ONE THIRD SHARE of the Oak Park Complex, so in 1976 we became part owners for the sum of $30.000.00 and the Lodge had a New Home. Later the Vacant Land at the rear of the Oak Park property became vacant and the Trustees were empowered to purchase the Land and later it was subdivided and the remaining land was annexed to the Oak Park Property for future extensions. The purchase price being $ 43,000.00. After the sale of the Pascoe Vale Road section left us with a value added to Oak Park Property of $26,500.00 giving us an equity of approx. $58,000.00.

During this time the Purchases of the Wellington Street Property defaulted in the Contract of Sale and the Property was re-sold.

During that time our Solicitors Dudley Tregent & Co. provided the necessary finance to meet the purchase of the Vacant Land.

Now as we look back on the past 100 Years, we see that the Brethren of the Kensington Lodge who went before us laid a solid foundation and built a Lodge we can all be justly proud of.

As Don stated in the above description of our Lodge's heritage, it is our responsibility to see that we pass on to our successors a Lodge which will last another 100 years. And may the Most High aid us in this endeavour.

Rt.Wor. Bro. Donald McRae Danks P.J.G.W retired as the Lodge Secretary in 1983 at the Centenary Installation. Kensington Lodge No. 77 will forever be indebted to Don for this wonderful record of our history.