Landing Page – Grand Lodge Tasmania

Freemasonry in Tasmania

Freemasonry in Tasmania traces its origins to the earliest days of Van Diemen’s Land, embedding ideals of fraternity, charity and moral uplift into the colony’s social fabric. From military roots to a self-governing Grand Lodge, Tasmanian Freemasonry has evolved over two centuries into a distinctive institution, renowned for its benevolent outreach and close-knit community of members across the island.

Early Beginnings

The first recorded Masonic ceremony in Tasmania occurred in 1814, when officers of the British garrison—or settlers transferred from Norfolk Island laid the foundation stone for Hobart’s Anglesea Barracks Officers’ Mess under an ambulatory warrant.

These traveling warrants, common among military lodges, allowed formal meetings wherever troops were posted. As civilian settlement expanded, so did the need for a permanent lodge, marking the transition from military gatherings to civilian fraternity.

Establishment of Stationary Lodges

By March 1827, a sufficient number of resident Freemasons petitioned for and received a warrant to form the Tasmanian Lodge—the colony’s first stationary body.

This lodge provided a regular meeting place for local brethren and established a framework for ritual, education and fellowship. Five years later, in 1832, the Lodge of Brotherly Union was consecrated, signalling Freemasonry’s deepening roots in Hobart society and opening membership to merchants, magistrates and other prominent settlers.

Warrants from Ireland, England and Scotland

In 1834, the Tasmanian Operative Lodge secured a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ireland, flourishing as a centre for ritual and fellowship.

English-constitution Freemasonry arrived in 1844 with the establishment of the Tasmanian Union Lodge in Hobart, while Scottish-constitution lodges emerged in Launceston from 1877. Although these multiple jurisdictions occasionally competed for members and prestige, they ultimately enriched the colony’s Masonic life by introducing varied customs, networks and charitable practices drawn from their home Grand Lodges.

Formation of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania

By the late 1880s, disputes over jurisdiction and the desire for local governance led Tasmanian brethren to seek unity.

In June 1890, all Irish, English and Scottish lodges in Tasmania relinquished their parent warrants and joined under the newly consecrated Grand Lodge of Tasmania. The Rev. Richard Deodatus Poulett-Harris, headmaster of Hobart High School, was installed as the first Grand Master. This milestone established a permanently autonomous Tasmanian Freemasonry, administered and governed by local brethren, and set the stage for coordinated growth and philanthropy.

19th-Century Growth and Civic Influence

Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, Freemasonry expanded alongside Tasmania’s economic and social development. Mining booms in the west, agricultural prosperity in the north and urban expansion in Hobart and Launceston swelled lodge memberships.

Leading figures—judges, parliamentarians, businessmen—joined the Craft, solidifying its reputation as a nexus of influence. Masonic ceremonies, such as foundation-stone laying for public buildings and charitable banquets, became regular fixtures in colonial civic life.

Charitable Foundations and Modern Philanthropy

Philanthropy has been integral since 1843, when Tasmanian lodges established a Benevolent Fund to assist widows, orphans and the destitute. Characteristically discreet, Masonic relief focused on need rather than public recognition, providing grants, interest-free loans and direct aid.

Today, that tradition continues through the Freemasons Community Support Grants Program, which funds grassroots initiatives statewide—ranging from youth mentoring and mental-health services to emergency relief and cultural preservation projects.

Rt W Bro Waters with W Bros Purcell and Fitzpatrick

Enduring Legacy

Two centuries on, Freemasonry remains a vibrant part of Tasmania’s community life. Its commitment to moral development, fraternal bonds and quiet charity continues to attract individuals seeking purpose and fellowship.

Through ritual, history and benevolence, Tasmanian Freemasonry honours its origins while adapting to the needs of a modern society.

Rev. Richard Deodatus Poulett-Harris (1848–1893)

First Grand Master of the autonomous Grand Lodge of Tasmania, installed in 1890; former headmaster of Hobart High School and pivotal in unifying Irish, English and Scottish-constitution lodges on the island.

Thomas J. Lempriere (1820–1897)

Long-serving Grand Secretary (1885–1895) of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania; historian of Tasmanian Freemasonry whose archival collections underpin modern Lodge records.

Sir Francis Villeneuve Smith (1819–1909)

Chief Justice and 9th Premier of Tasmania, long-time member of the Tasmanian Operative Lodge No. 1 (Irish Constitution) and advocate for civic philanthropy through Masonic relief funds.

Admiral Sir John Walker (1911–1985)

Renowned Royal Australian Navy officer and Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania; under his tenure, Lodge membership embraced returned servicemen in post-war Hobart.

Sir Adye Douglas (1815–1906)

10th Premier of Tasmania, attorney-general and prominent Mason in the Tasmanian Union Lodge No. 4 (English Constitution); instrumental in early Benevolent Fund distributions for widows and orphans.

Sir Francis Dillon Bell (1851–1936)

Tasmanian-born commissioner, banker and a Past Master of the Tasmanian Lodge No. 9; later life benefactor of the Freemasons’ Benevolent Fund, endowing scholarships for rural students.

W. Bro William Crowther (1817–1885)

Surgeon, 10th Premier of Tasmania (1878–1879) and Past Master of the Lodge of Brotherly Union No. 16; his Masonic patronage funded early hospital and orphanage foundations in Hobart.

Sir Neil Elliott Lewis (1858–1935)

Premier of Tasmania (1916–1922), Past Master of the Tasmanian Union Lodge No. 4 and key organizer of statewide Masonic deputations during World War I relief efforts.

Sir Edward Braddon (1829–1904)

Premier of Tasmania (1894–1899), appointed Grand Sword Bearer in the Grand Lodge of Tasmania; sponsored lodge expansions in Launceston and rural districts.

W. Bro Herbert William Hill Cummins (1875–1945)

Industrialist, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies (GD C) and chair of the Freemasons’ Hall Company; oversaw construction of Hobart’s Masonic Centre in 1915.

Charles Henry Bromby (1814–1907)

Anglican Bishop of Tasmania and Past Master of the Tasmanian Operative Lodge No. 1; promoted moral instruction via Masonic lectures alongside ecclesiastical duties.

Dr. William Henry Chomley (1860–1935)

Founding Superintendent of the Masonic Benevolent Fund (est. 1843), advocate for discreet relief; served as Provincial Grand Master for Tasmania and the Islands.

Notable Historical Charitable Events in Tasmanian Freemasonry

1843: Establishment of the Tasmanian Masonic Benevolent Fund to provide discreet relief—grants, interest-free loans and direct aid—to widows, orphans and the destitute across the colony.

1879: Masonic lodges jointly funded the expansion of Hobart’s Female Orphan School, underwriting new dormitories and educational resources for vulnerable girls.

1914–1918: During World War I, Tasmanian Freemasons organised statewide fundraising drives, supporting war widows, orphans and wounded servicemen through the Benevolent Fund and local lodge collections.

1935: Proceeds from the centenary publication “History of Freemasonry in Tasmania” were channelled into the Benevolent Fund, bolstering relief grants during the Great Depression.

Mid-1960s: Creation of the Masonic Centenary Medical Research Foundation, which has since funded over A$1 million into neurological-ageing research via the Menzies Centre.

1970s: Launch of the Dryden Trust, established to award education scholarships to children and grandchildren of Tasmanian Freemasons and deceased brethren.

1980s: Foundation of FREEMATES (Freemasonry Assisting Tertiary Education Students) in partnership with the University of Tasmania, providing grants for tuition and living expenses to underprivileged tertiary students.

2013: Emergency relief following the Dunalley bushfires, including immediate hardship grants, supply of essential goods and rebuilding assistance for displaced families.

2015: Deployment of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) funded by the Tasmanian Masonic Benevolent Foundation to community halls, sporting clubs and rural fire stations for public access.

2017: Provision of battery-operated wheelchairs and mobility-aid equipment to elderly and disabled Tasmanians, sponsored by local lodges and coordinated through the Board of Benevolence.

2020: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Freemasons Community Support Grants Program pivoted to fund personal protective equipment for aged-care facilities and food-relief vouchers for isolated households.

2022: Launch of targeted mental-health and youth-mentoring grants under the Community Support Grants banner, supporting grassroots projects on suicide prevention, counselling and life-skills workshops.

The phrase “taking a good man and making him better” is a cornerstone of Freemasonry’s identity—and it’s far more than a slogan. It reflects a philosophy of personal transformation through moral discipline, community service, and lifelong learning.

A deeper view:

Moral and Ethical Refinement

Freemasonry doesn’t claim to fix broken men—it invites those already striving to live ethically to refine their character further. Through allegorical teachings and ritual, members are encouraged to:

Practice honesty, humility, and integrity
Reflect on their actions and motivations
Strive toward becoming a “Perfect Ashlar”—a symbol of moral and spiritual maturity

Intellectual and Spiritual Growth

Freemasonry offers a structured path of self-education:

The degrees, teach lessons drawn from architecture, scripture, and philosophy
Members learn to divide their time wisely: service, work, and rest in equal measure
The fraternity encourages faith, hope, and charity—with charity being an integral cog.

Brotherhood and Mentorship

Being surrounded by like-minded men fosters growth:

Senior Masons act as mentors and role models
Lodge life promotes accountability, encouragement, and shared purpose
Members are challenged to rise to higher standards—not by force, but by example
Members find lifelong friendships and a deeper sense of purpose

Service to Others

Charity isn’t just a virtue—it’s a practice:

Freemasons are expected to relieve the distressed and support their communities
Giving back is seen as a path to personal fulfillment and societal improvement