History: Mudgee St John's Masonic Lodge

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1876

4 March 1876
In connection with the above I may state that the officers of St. John's Masonic Lodge, of which Mr. Todhunter has been treasurer since its inauguration, presented that gentleman with an address and handsome masonic jewel, at Brother Smith's Club House Hotel, on last Saturday evening. Mr. Todhunter suitably replied to the presentations, and afterwards his health was drunk in champagne by the brethren present1 .

1899

27 June 1899
Masonic Event.
Edinburgh - St. John Lodge.
An important event in Masonry took place in Mudgee on Friday night, June 23rd, when the new lodge of Edinborough - St. John met and installed its master and officers for the ensuing twelve months. For many years there have been two Masonic Lodges in Mudgee working under the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, under the names of Edinburgh and St. John, but recently both agreed to amalgamate and the meeting on Friday was practically the first meeting of the unified lodge. The ceremony of installation was ably carried out by Past Master W. H. Lester. The Grand Lodge was represented at the ceremony by Grand Secretary A. H. Bray, Past Grand Deacon J. McNeilly, District Grand Inspector G. D. Young, and Past Grand Steward Jas. Nellthorpe. The new master installed was J. K. Kellett and the officers under him are G. A. Blumer and H. S. Thomas, J.P.M's.; A. F. E. Merkle, Sr. W.; J. F. Bax, Jr. W.; W. Kellett, P.M. Chaplain; W. Sherry, P.M. Treasurer; T. J. Lovejoy, P.M. Secretary; H. Hardwick, Sr. D.; W. Shaw, Jr. D.; W. C. Blackman, Organist; A. F. Cameron, P.M., Director of Ceremonies; W. Percival, J.G.; W. W. Millett and H. A. Pocklington, Stewards; John Bax, Tyler.
Many apologies were read from brethren in Sydney, and other parts of the colony, who were unable to attend, including one from Cooma from Sub-inspector Langworthy, who, when in Mudgee, endeavored to bring about amalgamation of the lodges, and one from the Grand Bard, W. H. Ore, who sent an ode commemorative of the important event.
After the lodge ceremonies were over the brethren adjourned to the Oddfellows' Hall, where a sumptuous banquet was laid by P.M., W. L. Nicholson in his usual elaborate style. Many toasts appropriative to the occasion were honoured, and great damage was done to the appetizing things provided. The gathering broke up at half-past one, thus completing masonically and socially, the birth of the unification of Masonry in Mudgee2 .

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