Benalla Freemasons — a not so secret society

The first of which is that there is a shroud of secrecy covering the activities that go on inside the lodge.

“In the old days the lodge was always thought of, by others, as a secret society,” Mr Halligan said.

“It never has been. In the minds of a lot of the older generations, it was their lodge.”

Which is where the myth of a secret society might come from, with original members not keen to share too much.

“But it’s everyone’s lodge. Anyone can come and go. We’re no different to Rotary.

“I guess you’d say if Rotary is Collingwood, we’re Carlton.

“We both help the community out. We both donate to the community.

“Where we differ is we have ceremony in the temple, which is likened to a cross between a military tattoo, the King’s coronation and a theatre company.

“And it’s based on building King Solomon’s Temple. We walk this way, walk that way, memorise words.

“In the past everyone was a stonemason, and then they became Freemasons

“They all worked for King Solomon on his temple, but then they wanted to work on other temples, so they became Freemasons.”

The temple in Marangan Lodge is an impressive room and Mr Halligan explained there is a specific place for everyone.

“The new master, Rowan McEwan, sits in the middle at the front,” he said.

“As the immediate past master I sit on his right, and the chaplain sits on his left.”

Going around the lodge there is a specific seat of the director of ceremonies, junior warden, junior deacon and senior warden.

Outside the door is the tiler, inside the door is the inner guard.

“Then you’ve got your senior deacon, who assists the master,” Mr Halligan said.

“The junior deacon assists the senior warden.

“Then we have the secretary and treasurer.”

He said the aim is to sit in each seat, until the point you are qualified to become a master.

You can find out more, including how to join, by calling 0408 626 820.