After one hundred and twenty-one years and two months the Brethren of Lodge Baddeley reluctantly and with great sadness surrendered their Charter to Grand Lodge. After twelve months of meetings and discussion the members of the Lodge decided the time had arrived for some positive action to be taken to try to ensure the future of Freemasonry on the Far South Coast. For many years the membership of the three Lodges in the area has been declining due to an ageing membership and the lack of suitable and interested younger men to replace them. The decision was taken to close Lodge Baddeley, which meets in the evenings, and have the members affilliate with Lodge Pambula Daylight which also meets at the Pambula Masonic Centre but at 10 am on the third Saturday. The daylight Lodge was formed in 1988 specifically for Brethren who, due to age and health, found it difficult to venture out at night. The third Lodge in the area, Lodge Bega Remembrance will continue to meet at the Bega Masonic Centre on the third Wednesday night at 6.30pm.
The ceremony was carried out on the night of 7th September 2013 at the Pambula Masonic Centre in the presence of some 31 Brethren including visitors from the Mountain Lodge, Bombala (Baddeley's Mother Lodge), Lodge Cooma Monaro (Sister Lodge), Lodge Pambula Daylight (Daughter Lodge) and the Orbost Lodge, Victoria which has had a fraternal connection with Lodge Baddeley for many years. Two members of Lodge Coeur de Lion, Moruya, were also present in the form of VW Bro Ray Johnston, the DGIW for District 114 and his predecessor VW Bro Rod Bradford PDGIW who filled in as organist for the meeting. Almost a dozen apologies were received as other events such as the Federal elections and other Masonic meetings were recently scheduled for the same date.
It was decided early on that the work of the evening should be a re-enactment of the 2nd degree that was carried out 59 years ago on VW Bro Kevin Perry in the Lodge room adjacent to the present building, affectionately referred to as the "Old Schoolroom". Kevin is the last remaining member of Lodge Baddeley who was initiated in that building. Also present was W Bro Max Sawers whose Uncle was the Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1953-54 when Kevin was initiated. Max was also initiated in Baddeley but in the present lodgeroom. He has the distinction of being Worshipful Master of the Lodge 7 times. The Worshipful Master, W Bro Neil Dawson, also has connections with Lodge Baddeley as his Father was a member and Treasurer for many years. Another long standing member, W Bro Peter Rice as well as W Bro Tom Turnbull and recent additions to the Lodge Bro Harley Jenkins and Bro Stuart Brennand. W Bros Fred Spalding and John Ronan made up the membership of Baddeley on the night.
The WM, congratulating the "Candidate" VW Bro Kevin Perry.
In the words of the original minutes of the consecration meeting of 7th July 1892: "..amid a large and brilliant consourse of Brethren worthy of the opening of this the first Lodge South of Moruya". (Substitute the word "closing").
The DGIW, Kevin Mulcahy, W Bro Max Sawers, VW Bro Kevin Perry and the Master, Neil Dawson.
Thw WM with the Orbost brethren, W Bro "Doc: Nettleton, W Bro Peter Weeks and W Bro George Bennet.
W Bro Franz Groethe WM of the Mountain Lodge, W Bro Peter Weeks WM Orbost Lodge and W Bro Berri Libauer WM of Lodge Cooma MOnaro.
Lodge Baddeley members.Neil Dawson, Harley Jenkins, Mal Neimeier, Peter Rice, Max Sawers, Kevin Perry, Fred Spalding, Tom Turnbull, John Ronan and Stuart Brennand (seated).
A poignant and emotional moment, the DGIW takes custody of the Charter.
A guard of honour salutes the removal of the Charter from the lodgeroom for the last time.
The end or perhaps, a new beginning.