History at Tranquillity
31 August 22
The Installation of Lodge of Tranquillity was held on 18 May at the Bondi Masonic Centre and was a continuation of the recent interesting history of the lodge.
The Installation was held in the presence of the Assistant Grand Master, RW Bro Khristianne Albano, who noted that the whole evening was replete with history.
The Warrant issued by Grand Lodge was prominently displayed in the East, beside the original Charter issued by Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, who was then the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England. The original charter is dated 3 June 1875 and was superseded in 1888. A curious difference can be seen in the two warrants. The original spelling of Tranquility with a single ‘l’ in 1875 changed to the current spelling of Tranquillity in 1888, with the formation of the UGL of NSW when the Lodge surrendered its English Charter and became The Lodge of Tranquillity No 42 UGL of NSW.
The AGM commented on other historical items: the perpetual Worshipful Master’s Jewel and the perpetual IPM’s Jewel, which were both made of gold set with diamonds, had first been presented in 1925 and 1899 respectively.
The attendance of the Worshipful Masters and brethren from two lodges who trace their origins from Lodge of Tranquillity added to the enjoyable recollection of past events:
R Mark Owen No 828 – On 8 December 1938, a unique Initiation occurred when W Bro Mark Owen occupied the Chair of Lodge Tranquillity and initiated his youngest and seventh son, Septimus Owen, aged 18. The other six sons of W Bro Mark Owen
occupied the various offices of the Lodge. In 1951, Lodge Mark Owen No 828 was consecrated in memory of W Bro Mark Owen, who died in 1946. The relationship of both Lodges as mother and daughter lodges continues.
R Harold Herman Unity No 428 – A lodge named Lodge Harold Ellis Herman No 428 was formed in 1922 to honour one of Lodge of Tranquillity’s brethren. It is unusual for a lodge to be named after a Master Mason, however this was authorised to honour Bro Herman’s supreme sacrifice on Gallipoli in August 1915. Now known as Lodge Harold Herman Unity No 428, it has always had a close relationship with Tranquillity.
The AGM commended the brethren for continuing to build on the Lodge’s rich history. Previous Past Masters of Tranquillity over the last seven years were present and took active roles in the ceremony:
- W Bro Victor Bocioc (2015–16) – Sponsor
- W Bro Isaac Douek (2016–17) – DC
- W Bro Dan Umali (2017–18) – IG
- W Bro James Sorrell (2018–19) – Secretary
- W Bro Robert Jurukovski (2019–21) – Sponsor
- W Bro Stefan Angheluta (2021–22) – Installing Master
Congratulations to the Tranquillitarians and their guests for becoming part of the living history of the Lodge of Tranquillity at the Installation that marked the lodge’s 147th year.