History of Lodge Picton  (Adapted from an article by Brother Tony Morrice, A History of Lodge Picton Complied by David Squirrell)

Lodge Picton developed from discussions between a group of men walking over the hills some three miles out of Picton one Sunday.

Thus from humble, informal discussions such on this occasion was born Lodge Picton which has become one of the great Lodges in New South Wales, surviving two world wars, good times and bad and at times turbulent, but still remaining in continuous operation since those humble beginnings of 1909.

The first meeting of Lodge Picton took place in rented rooms in Menangle Street, Picton on 26th February 1909. At this meeting rooms used were dedicated and the installation of Worshipful Brother Walter L. Craig, Picton's first Master, took place.

The minutes recorded 'The Charter having been exhibited, the Lodge under name "Lodge Picton" was declared open and according to established usage and custom, to practice the arts and conduct the ceremonies of Ancient Freemasonry".

The first social function held by Lodge Picton was a Ball held later in 1909 at the suggestion of a member who when introducing the subject spoke in favour of instituting it as an Annual Fixture and to serve as a reunion of the Brethren, their families and friends.

1909 was in Picton was a period when the railway had only been in Picton for 44 years and place names such as Tahmoor, Nepean, Avon Dam and Yanderra hadn't been thought of.  What we had was Picton, Bargo Brush, Picton Lakes, a very few motor cars and not much of a road system.

Picton, up until 1960 had a major locomotive depot and at one time in Picton's history there were up to four hundred men employed by the Department of Railways. Signalmen, enginemen, fettlers, electricians, station staff, pump attendants etc. all helped to make up that number.

Out of the many men who came to work for the railways, a good proportion of them either initiated or affiliated into the Freemasonry in Lodge Picton.

 

More to come

 

The New Building