The Building of Ballarat: The establishment of Freemasonry on the Goldfields

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Freemason were amongst the first free settlers in the colony of Victoria. Many moved to Ballarat and worked as miners on the goldfields; others worked as publicans, stonemason, lawyers, and bankers. Freemasons, including Ballarat Reform League Secretary, John Humffray, were active in agitating for miners’ rights and wider democratic reform. By the early 1850s, various Lodges were established including the ‘Victoria Lodge of Instructions’, which was formed on 25 June 1854, only months before the Eureka Stockade. Another significant Freemason was VWBro. Reverend Israel Morris Goldreich, known as Harav Ezriel Meir in Hebrew, was born in 1834 in Kudzberg, Poland. He served as the Rabbi of the Ballarat Synagogue for an impressive 37 years from 1868 until his death in 1905.

The support of these early Freemasons during this time resulted in constructing some of the finest buildings in Ballarat and establishing various charities and institutions. In recognition of this important history, the Ballarat Masonic Centre will display some of its earliest records, documents, and photographs dating from the 1850s onwards. Tours of the Lodge rooms will also be available during this time.

Content: Ballarat Masonic Centre

Accessibility Information

  • Actively welcomes people with access needs.

  • 16 Nov & 30 Nov

10am–1pm

Ballarat Masonic Centre

616 Barkly Street, Golden Point VIC 3350

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Accessibility Information

  • Actively welcomes people with access needs.

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Across Victoria’s Midwest, we acknowledge that we travel across the ancient landscapes of many First Peoples communities. These lands have been nurtured and cared for over tens of thousands of years and we respect the work of Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and protection.

We recognise the past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country. As our knowledge grows, we hope that we can learn from their resilience and creativity that has guided them for over 60,000 years. As we invite people to visit and explore Victoria’s Midwest, we ask that alongside us, you also grow to respect the stories, living culture and connection to Country of the Ancestors and Elders of our First Peoples.

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