|
Prior to 1840, unlike much of Northern Tasmania, the central north coast was not regarded by Europeans as being fit for habitation and agricultural purposes. The region where the town of Ulverstone is situated was originally called Badger Plains & Cotton but assumed the names Leven & River Leven after the river which was probably named in the 1820's by explorers/surveyors from the Van Diemens Land Company. Settlement came quite late to Ulverstone due to the extensive, dense forests and though the first Europeans in the district in1847 were timber cutters, the first permanent settlers were attracted to the rich farming soils on the forest floor. It appears the farmers came to the outskirts of the town of Ulverstone in 1848, seven years after the first settlement at the Forth River by James Fenton. James was soon followed by others who cleared land and grew fine crops - taking up land to the West of the Forth River. The rich volcanic soils of the district still support a vast and varied agricultural wealth which is associated since the earliest days of settlement. The first settlers were all squatters as the first land sale did not take place until 1852, when Alexander Clerke, a land holder from the Longford district made the first purchase. He did not settle at Ulverstone until 1869 when he sold his Longford Estate and built his home "Sea View" on what is now part of Westland Drive area of West Ulverstone, where he died in 1877.
As early as 1847, the Leven River was
known to have shipping, small traders that worked Bass Strait, something that
remained until after World War 2, when it eventually ceased as a commercial
port. |
| The Most Worshipful Grand Master (Bro. C. E. Davies) had little hesitation in granting this Charter, for it had long been a matter of surprise to him that with such a large number of unaffiliated Masons living in Ulverstone and district, they have not before banded together to have a Lodge in their midst. Although there was already a Lodge at Forth, and another at Burnie, these apparently did not meet the requirements, and he had pleasure in acceding to the request of the Brethren, on the recommendation of Forth Lodge. (Lodge of Peace) The ceremony of Consecration on July 27th, 1906, was heralded as a red-letter day for the Freemasons of the North-West Coast. There was an attendance of about 120 Brethren, including over thirty Past Masters, which was very gratifying to Grand Lodge and to the founders, and was regarded as an augury of its success. The Foundation Members were: Bros. A. W. Allen, G.L. Andrews, O. F. Barkworth, Geo. Bonner, Andrew Currie, A.D. Edwards, A. R. Ellis, Jas. Finn, H. C. Hallowes, Carl. Henderson, E. Hobbs, E. L. Mays, John McCall, R.W. McGowan, W. H. McGrath, J.W. Preece, Robt. Scott, C. H. Sheddon and H. G. K. Wells. The Foundation Officers were: W.M Wor. Bro. the Hon. John McCall, M.H.A. S.W. Wor. Bro A. Currie J.W. Bro. H. G. K. Wells Chap. Bro. Rev. C. H. Sheddon Treas. Wor. Bro. R. Scott Sec. Bro. R. P. House S.D. Bro. E. Hobbs J.D. Bro. E. L. Mays D.C. Wor. Bro. H. C. Hallowes Org. Bro. J.W. Preece I.G. Bro. A. W. J. Allen Stew. Bros W. McGrath and A. D. Edwards Tyl. Bro. G. Bonner The Lodge originally met at the Oddfellows’ Hall, (Gaiety Theatre) in Main Street, and continued to do so until 1922, when it moved to a new Temple which had been erected by the Brethren in Patrick Street. The Foundation Stone of the new Temple was laid on the 27th October, 1921, by the Most Worshipful Grand Master (Bro. H. L. D’Emden), and a fine oration was delivered by R.W. Bro. Chas. Ramsay, P.D.G.M., and a second one by the V.W. Grand Chaplin (Bro. Rev. Albert Sussex). The Temple was Dedicated by M.W. Bro. H. L. D’Emden on March 9th, 1922. The oration was delivered by V.W. Grand Chaplin (Bro. Rev. H. B. Atkinson), who expressed gratitude for the opportunity of addressing Brethren present, as it was his Mother Lodge. In February, 1928, for the first time since the formation
of our Grand Lodge, the Annual Communication and Installation of Grand Master
was held elsewhere than in Hobart or Launceston, and the centre chosen was
Ulverstone. The Brethren of Leven Lodge engaged the Crystal Theatre, (Now RSL
rooms in King Edward Street)
converting it into a Lodge Room that left nothing wanting in spaciousness,
fitness and convenience. Its seating capacity was quite equal to the large
attendance of 280 Brethren. Amongst those present was Wor. Bro. D. K. Rhodes,
who was on the eve of the sixtieth anniversary of his initiation, and during
that period had been actively engaged in Freemasonry in England, New Zealand and
Tasmania, and enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest Royal Arch Mason under
the Scottish Constitution. |
|
