The following three lodges constitute Hyde Park Bankers Lodge No 193 with Erindale Lodge being the later addition
Bankers Lodge No 134
• Warrant of Bankers Lodge No 134 was granted on 8th July 1927 in response to a petition signed by fifty brethren all of whom were actively associated with the banking industry of South Australia. The Lodge was consecrated on
• 25th October 1927
Hyde Park Lodge No.193
• The Foundation Meeting of the Hyde Park Lodge No.193 was held on
• 11 March, 1955
Erindale Lodge, No, 169
• Erindale Lodge No.169 was constituted and consecrated on
• 11 August 1947
Hyde Park Bankers Lodge No 193 in the Constitution of South Australia was originally the Hyde Park Lodge No.193 .
The Foundation Meeting of the Hyde Park Lodge No.193 was held at 6p.m. on 11 March, 1955 was installed as W.M..
An Occasional Lodge was opened by the City of Unley Lodge No. 162 under the WM., W Bro.E.I. Pierson. The petitioners of the Hyde Park Lodge were present by courtesy of the WM. The Lodge was 42 years old this year.
W Bro.V.A. Grix.Is our remaining foundation member
W Bro.V.A.(ViV) Grix. has been Lodge Secretary for over 20 years and still is in that office.
W. Bro. S.A.(Stan) Rawe was Master of Hyde Park Bankers Lodge five times and carried the Lodge through some very difficult years and has since passed to the Grand Lodge above.It is of interest to note, a not so common Masonic occurrence,when W.Bro. Stan Rawe handed over the lodge to the Master Elect , his son John Rawe. John being single and living at home with his parents, having two W.Brethren in the house, the Worshipful Master and the Immediate Past Master, Mrs. Rawe was referred to as "Worshipful Mum!"
At the foundation of the lodge W Bro. C.E. Russell, PM, City of Unley Lodge, presented a copy of the V.S.L. to the new Lodge. This volume belonged to his father who arrived in Australia over 90 years ago,and it was now 116 or more years old, and is considered to be an irreplaceable heirloom of the Lodge. This V.S.L.,162 years old now!!(2001),is in use to this day especially at installations. I was the 42nd Master to sign it.!
An early initiate of the Lodge, now R.W. Bro. G.D. Combe, J.G.W., was decorated with the Military Cross during World War II and was made CMC in the Queen's Honours for services to the S.A. Parliament. Whilst in England on Parliamentary duties R.W. Bro Gordon Combe Dep G.M., was presented with two ashlars cut from stone from the original London Bridge, by the Master of Hyde Park Lodge E.C. On his return home R.W. Bro Gordon Combe presented these to Hyde Park Bankers Lodge and they are used for special occasions, being placed on the S.W & J.W`s Dais respectively.
Bankers Lodge No 134
Warrant of Bankers Lodge No 134 was granted on 8th July 1927 in response to a petition signed by fifty brethren all of whom were actively associated with the banking industry of South Australia. Membership was restricted to those who are in the banking profession and 'Country' brethren are scattered in every state in the Commonwealth. The Lodge had by 1934 survived its first seven years, and, despite some losses due to the Great Depression, was firmly established and well-geared to cope with the period of steady expansion that was to follow. During World War 11, 20 of the Lodge's members were serving in the Armed Forces and were granted exemption from payment of Lodge dues. The 1941 Installation Ceremony was unusual in that it was conducted in the absence of the Master-Elect, Bro. K. A. Furze, who had been called up for RAAF service only five days earlier. However, he was duly installed a few months later while on leave.
The Lodge experienced a dearth of candidates during the War years, but on a number of occasions was privileged to be able to pass and raise service personnel from Lodges in other constitutions. Food parcels were sent by the Lodge to Great Britain in the time of her need until 1950.
The Silver Jubilee meeting was held in October 1952, and some 250 brethren attended. The occasion was the Installation of W Bro. K. I. Grant. W.Br. Ken Grant is today the Brother Acting as Chaplain in Hyde Park Bankers Lodge.
The lodge`s one and only Masonic Ball was held in October 1977 on the occasion of the installation of the Jubilee Master, W Bro. B. L. Paltridge. A special meeting to mark the Jubilee was held on 23 May 1978 in the presence of the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. W. B. Allan, and a full retinue of Grand Lodge officers.
R.W Bro. B. L. Paltridge was the President of the Board of general Purposes and a holder of the Order of Service.R.W.Bro. Bruce has since passed to the Grand lodge above.
Erindale Lodge, No, 169
Erindale Lodge No. 169 was constituted and consecrated on 11 August 1947. Originally met at Rose Park Masonic Hall (now the Eastern Districts Masonic Hall), Tusmore. The present Immediate Past Master of Hyde Park Bankers, R.W. R.J (Dick) Fricker is also a holder of the Order of Service, was a member of Erindale Lodge No.169.
The Jewel presented to the incoming Master of Hyde Park Bankers at his installation, is the same jewel presented to the Foundation Master,W Bro. W.H. Slaughter, having been returned to the Lodge by his family when he passed away. This jewel is known as the W.H. Slaughter Jewel and is worn by the Master on all official Lodge occasions.
Hyde Park Bankers Lodge is twinned with Tatiara Lodge No 68 at Bordertown. This Twinning took place many years ago before it became official policy to do so. The official Twinning Ceremony took place at Bordertown in 1977, after which Tatiara Lodge soundly trounced Hyde Park Bankers Lodge at Petanque.
Brian King P.M. 30/3/98