Building Cross-Border Bonds

20 August 25

In the far reaches of the Riverina, visiting other lodges has always meant travelling long distances. With few lodges nearby in New South Wales, the closest fellowship is often found across the border in Victoria. Over the past few years, regular visits to neighbouring Victorian lodges have built lasting friendships and a strong sense of connection with Riverina Thompson Lodge 104.

Recently, those bonds were celebrated in a remarkable way. A Victorian lodge organised a return visit and even hired a coach—at considerable cost—to bring more than thirty Freemasons from towns including Benalla, Euroa, Seymour, Broadford, Yarrawonga, Cobram, Numurkah, and Shepparton, along with visitors from Deniliquin. Their arrival transformed the evening into a truly memorable occasion.

The visiting brethren were welcomed with a demonstration of New South Wales ritual, followed by a lively banquet and fellowship in the South. The atmosphere was one of warmth, hospitality, and genuine fraternity—proof that the spirit of visiting not only pays off, but enriches all involved.

Though the host lodge is small in number, these exchanges have fostered friendships that extend well beyond ceremonial meetings. Lodges in Yarrawonga, Shepparton, and Cobram are now regular destinations for reciprocal visits, creating a cycle of shared support. This was seen again at a recent re-installation, when members from across the border—along with their partners—pitched in with catering and the endless task of washing dishes after the banquet.

For lodges in the Riverina, this support is invaluable. What may seem routine for larger metropolitan lodges is, for smaller country lodges, a lifeline of encouragement and fellowship. These cross-border bonds remind us that Freemasonry is universal, and that its true strength lies in the humility, integrity, and harmony found when brethren come together—no matter which side of the border they call home.

Photos and Article courtesy of RW Bro Phil Wilkinson