The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales.

Bro. Norrie Telfer recently visited Australia and while there made contact with Brethren from Lodge Bega Remembrance No. 220. Norrie returned from Australia with various publications from the Grand Lodge of N.S.W. such as Why Freemasonry?, A Partner`s Guide to understanding Freemasonry, Freemasonry and Religion, Interested in Freemasonry? Etc. 

The quality of the publications are of such a high standard that they will be made available during April on the Lodge Secretary`s desk and there after sent to the Grand Lodge Information & Communications Committee for their information.

Lodge Bega Remembrance No. 220. Freemasonry in N.S.W. is relatively “new”. Meetings were known to have been held on board The Endeavour when Captain Cook sailed up the east coast of Australia. 

The first formal meeting of Masons was held in June 1803 on board a French ship moored in Sydney Harbour. Early Masonic Lodges in N.S.W. were established under the English, Scottish and Irish constitutions until 1888 when the United Grand Lodge of N.S.W. was formed. The idea of forming a new Lodge in Bega was mooted at the time of the formation of the Grand Lodge. It was much later that the petition was granted, 7th.August 1895.  

Bro. George L.R. Brown was the first Master. In 1901 the Lodge purchased land and the foundation stone of a   Masonic Temple was laid on 29th. April 1910.  £850 was spent on the erection of the building, which was a huge sum in those days. The building was to be formally dedicated in late 1911, however Grand Lodge notified the Lodge that it could not attend the meeting and also stated that it would be acceptable for the building to be used prior to its official opening. The building was formally dedicated on 5th. Jan. 1915 with the Grand Master presiding. 

The last meeting of the Lodge was held on 21st. June 1978 when the Lodge amalgamated with Lodge Far South Remembrance No. 700 to form Lodge Bega Remembrance No. 220.