District Grand Lodge of CARPENTARIA
Assisting Freemasons and Communities in Far North Queensland
Origins
As
Freemasonry
evolved
allegories
based
on
the
building
of
King
Solomon's
Temple
were
incorporated
into
these
ceremonies
as
a
way
of
passing
on
life
lessons.
Tools
used
by
stone
masons
also
featured
in
the
storytelling
process
which
were
seen
as
symbols
they
could
identify
with.
It
also
meant
that
they
could
reflect
on
the
moral
of
the
story
when
at
work.
Speculative
masonry
or
Freemasonry
is
the
type
of
Masonry
that
is
prevalent
today.
It
replaced
the
operative
masons’
guilds
but
retained
the
fraternal
and
moral
philosophical
aspects.
During
the
late
1600s
and
1700s
Speculative
Freemasonry
spread
throughout
England,
Ireland
and
Scotland.
It
reached
Europe
and
North
America
in
the
1730s
and
is
documented
to
have
come
to
Australia
in
the
early
1800s.
North
Australia
Lodge
(No
1098
English
Constitution)
is
the
first
known
Lodge
to
have
formed
in
Queensland
in
1859.
Gregory
Lodge
was
the
first
Masonic
Lodge
to
be
opened
in
Cairns
in
April
1886
and
was sponsored by North Australian Lodge.
Rituals and symbols
Rituals
and
symbols
feature
heavily
throughout
the
teachings
of
Freemasonry.
In
the
first
instance
they
are
used
to
school
new
entrants
in
the
Craft.
The
initiation
process
itself
consists
of
three
ceremonies
referred
to
as
degrees
where
new
entrants
complete
a
series
of
lessons.
In
these
lessons
or
degree
ceremonies
stonemasons'
tools
and
implements
are
used
as
metaphors
in
addition
to
the
allegorical
backdrop
of
the
building
of
King
Solomon's
Temple.
Members
of
the
public
will
very
rarely
see
a
Masonic
ritual
being
carried
out
as
almost
all
are
conducted
in
private
such
as
Lodge
meetings
etc.
The
laying
of
the
Foundation
Stone
at
a
Masonic
facility
is
one
such
occasion
when
members
of
the
public
are
allowed
to
witness
a
centuries-old
masonic
ritual
being carried out.
About
Freemasonry
as
we
know
it
today
is
said
to
have
begun
in
the
middle
ages
when
stone
masons
came
together
to
test
and
develop
their
skills
while
setting up rules by which to abide by. Initiation ceremonies were held to admit new members where they would swear to live by these codes.
Our Centenary 1924 - 2024
District Grand Lodge of Carpentaria was established as a warranted Lodge under United Grand Lodge of Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons of Queensland on 19 April 1924.
The Centrary reconcercration was held at the Edmonton Masonic Centre prior to the Installation of the new
District Grand Master RW Bro M. David Scott on 25 May 2024. A Celebration Banquet followed the Installation.
Square and compasses
The
single-most
recognisable
symbol
associated
with
Freemasonry
is
undoubtedly
the
square
and
compasses.
Often
seen
on
the
front
of
Masonic
Centres
or
halls
and
Masonic
regalia,
the
square
and
compasses
are
said
to
symbolise
morality
(square)
and
the
confines
of
proper
conduct
(compasses).
In some cases, the letter ‘G’ is visible in between the square and compasses.
Masonic apron
The
apron
worn
by
a
Freemason
varies
depending
on
his
rank.
It
symbolises
the
Stonemasons’
apron
and
has
many
historical
references
which
a
Freemason
come
to
understand
throughout
his
Masonic life.
Ashlars
Displayed
in
both
their
rough
and
smooth
forms,
these
blocks
of
stone
symbolise
how
a
freemason
through development becomes a model member of society.
District Grand Lodge of Carpentaria
