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The colony of New South Wales was founded in 1788 and originally comprised much of the Australian
mainland, as well as Van Diemen’s Land, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, in addition to the area currently
referred to as the state of New South Wales, which was formed during Federation in 1901. New Zealand briefly
became a part of New South Wales when it was annexed by Britain in 1840. [3] During the 19 th century, large
areas were successively separated to form the British colonies of Tasmania (established as a separate colony
named Van Diemen’s Land in 1825), South Australia (1836), Victoria (1851) and Queensland (1859).
This information about Australia & the Grand Lodge of NSW & Australian Capital Territory
copied from
Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia
13 th March 2012
United Grand Lodge of New South Wales
United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory 1888
1888 – 2012
In 2012 NSW had 15,000 Members
GRAND LODGE OF NSW & AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory is the main governing
body of Freemasonry within the Australian state of New South Wales that also wholly encloses the Australian
Capital Territory containing the national capital city, Canberra. It is the oldest Grand Lodge in Australia,
deriving its origin directly from the union in 1888 of the earlier 1845 provincial Grand Lodge under the United
Grand Lodge of England and other provincial Grand Lodges.
The Grand Lodge is led by an elected Grand Master, assisted by a Deputy Grand Master and an Assistant Grand
Master, with a Grand Team.
The Grand Lodge is further organised into 13 Regions, each led by a Regional Grand Counsellor (RGC), which
are in turn organised into various Districts, led by a District Grand Inspector of Workings (DGIW), comprising
groups of lodges based on geography. Districts are numbered using the Region number suffixed by a further
number; hence District 103 is the 3 rd district of Region 10. The geographically smallest is Region 12
Sydney Central and the largest is Region 13 Far West. There are no Region or District offices. Lodges meet in
various buildings, ranging from individual lodge buildings to major city or urban centres, such as in Canberra.
The Grand Secretary heads the administration of the Grand Lodge from the headquarters at 279 Castlereagh
Street, Sydney, on the north-west side of the corner with Goulburn Street.
HISTORY
Main article: History of Freemasonry
Freemasonry came to New South Wales with the regiments of the British Army soon after the First Fleet in
1788.
A Military Lodge sitting under Warrant No.1780, by then having admitted a number of civilians to membership,
became Sydney No.l, formed with 39 brethren on 13 April 1845, the first W. Master Bro. Richard McGuffin and
his Officers, being installed by Bro. Alexander. No.l, operated in Sydney until its closure in 1968.
The first Grand Lodge was opened in Sydney in 1845, Bro. Robert Barr being the first Grand Master, and Bro.
Andrew Alexander, the Deputy Grand Master. Bro. Alexander was the Grand Master the following year. The
institution grew and prospered; No.2 Lodge was opened in 1845, No.3, No.4, and No.5 (in Kiama on the New
South Wales South Coast) in 1846, No.6 and No.8 in 1847, No.7 in 1850.
The Grand Lodge of Ireland and the Grand Lodge of Scotland were also warranting lodges in New South Wales,
and creating their own provincial Grand Lodges.
On 16 August 1888, after considerable consultation, the Masters and Wardens of the one hundred and eightythree
lodges assembled, the articles of union were again adopted, and the “ United Grand Lodge of New South
Wales “ declared to be duly constituted and established [1] . The first Grand Master was Lord
Carrington, Governor of New South Wales.