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Giving a face
lift to a vital
community
asset.
Pictured: Keith Broadbent
with Lara Lodge secretary
Larry Fraim
8 Freemasonry Victoria WINTER 2009
A New Look for Lara
Established at the end of the second world
war, during a period of substantial growth in
the Geelong area, Lara Lodge was formed in
1963 to cater for the increasing population
of North Geelong and Corio. The foundation
members resolved to meet on the 2 nd Friday
of each month in the RSL Hall in Lara.
The Lodge was consecrated at the
Little Ryrie Street Masonic Centre in
Geelong with 31 brethren signing as
petitioners on the 20 th July 1963.
In his response to the toast to the Worshipful
Master, the foundation WM, WBro Evan
Caddy, said “May the skilful and charitable
Brethren who follow me in the chair of
this Lodge, be like the upholsterers and
hide my mistakes, and because my work
will be as perfect as I am capable of
producing, may they polish and adorn it,
and by their skill and ability may this Lodge
become a jewel worthy of Freemasonry.”
The new Lara Masonic centre was
originally opened in 1971 by MWBro
Professor Sir Lance Townsend and,
after more than thirty years of use, in
2003 the Lodge Planning Committee
began to consider plans for a series of
extensions and upgrades to the centre.
It was proposed that the extension be
constructed the brethren and friends
of the Lodge, including skilled trades
people with expertise in sheet metal
fixing, plumbing, electrics, plaster sheet
fitting and woodwork. In 2006 the Lodge
approved an offer of financial assistance
from the United Grand Lodge of Victoria, the
planning permit was accepted in 2007 and
construction proceeded throughout 2008.
Under the supervision of the lodge,
and particularly guided by VWBro Keith
Broadbent, PGIWkgs, the volunteers installed
a new kitchen, upgraded the dining hall,
built entirely new extensions for robing
rooms and toilets and have significantly
improved on the original building.
Over the years Lara Lodge has become
a vital asset to the community hosting
meetings of the local Lions Club, TOWN club
and many other groups. Freemasonry also
has a public presence in Geelong through
their sponsoring of the local football club.
Pictured: Some of the recent improvements at Lara Lodge
The most recent improvements were opened
by MWBro Garry Sebo in November last
year, but with construction still ongoing
including the installation of new recycled
water tanks, and plans for a new verandah,
air conditioning in the hall, landscaping and
paving of the car park area and rebuilding of
the front entrance, Lara Lodge looks set to be
a hive of activity for some time to come. �
150
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