Masons an eclectic mix

In stark contrast to today’s cosmopolitan Australia, typical Freemasons lodges have been “white-bread” clubs, usually made up of ageing Aussies with one or two immigrants, who have almost always been British.

However, one Geraldton lodge is bucking the trend, now mustering nine members born overseas, including three who have been initiated this year.

Champion Bay Lodge’s worshipful master Jac de Bruyn said there had been no deliberate move to become a cosmopolitan group.

“I think it just sort of happened,” he said. “I was initiated just after Stephen Richards and found him here as a South African and I didn’t expect that.

“I thought I was going to be the only one.”

The lodge now has members born in South Africa, the US, the UK, the Philippines and Malaysia.

It is one of three lodges meeting at the Masonic Hall in Augustus Street, Beachlands.