The move to Burleigh Heads

The first proposal to move the lodge to Burleigh Heads was defeated in December 1931 and it was not until October 1934 that a further notice of motion - that ways and means and the likely cost of removing the lodge building to Burleigh Heads be considered - was recorded. After much discussion at the November meeting the motion was carried with W Bros Andrews and Schuster against. W Bro Albrecht then moved that a working committee comprising W Bros Black, Andrews, Smith and Schuster seek quotes, sort out the details and report to a special meeting. The W M was authorized to purchase selected land at Burleigh Heads at a price not exceeding £200. At the special meeting on 6/12/1934 the purchase of the land for £150 was approved and the quotes from Mr W Skene of 63p 9s for the removal of, and 35p 18s for the re-erection of the building, were accepted.

It was agreed that the secretary inform Grand Lodge of the proposed move and that the working committee previously formed, supervise the whole procedure to completion. This apparently went satisfactorily because the next recorded meeting was held at the new location on 16/2/1935. There was obviously some hitch in the recording of these motions or a procedural mix-up, because there is recorded a special meeting on 8/2/35, which carried a motion - that the Masonic Hall be removed from West Burleigh to Burleigh Heads. The first installation at Burleigh Heads was held on 16/3/1935.

The lodge insurance cover was increased to £450 and the brethren signified their willingness to contribute 10 shillings each to have the officers collars and gauntlets repaired. The gift of a bible by W Bro S R D Andrews was recorded with thanks and in April W Bro F B Hammond offered to paint the building provided he could have some assistance. It was decided to employ W Stone to paint the roof at a cost not to exceed 30/- (shillings) with the brethren contributing to the cost of labour and materials.

At the meeting in July 1935 the brethren agreed to supply materials and labour to erect a fence and in accordance with a motion carried at the time, the secretary was instructed to write to all members who had been struck off for non payment of dues, suggesting that if they were prepared to pay the amount they owed to Grand Lodge the arrears owing to the lodge would be written off and they could start afresh from 1/7/1935.

In October 1935 the Nerang Coolangatta Water Authority offered to connect water to the property; the offer was accepted and W Bro Black was asked to attend to the matter. He had also been approached with regard to leasing of the land adjoining the hall but at the following meeting it was decided to lease it to Mr Marriott for £15 per annum with the option of further leasing periods being acceptable.
The Nerang Shire Council was offered the land (Portion 75) vacated at West Burleigh as a reserve, requesting that it be named Andrews Park in memory of Bro Samuel Andrews and in June 1936, the C B A bank was instructed to transfer the title to Nerang Shire Council.

LODGE FINANCES
The financial position continued to be of some concern and in June 1937 approval was given to Tallebudgera Oddfellows to rent the lodge anteroom for 13 meetings per year at 5/- per meeting to alleviate the problem. At the following meeting a committee was appointed to consider the possibility of running a ball with a view to further easing the money situation. It was reported at the subsequent meeting that no action was to be taken. The subject was again raised in May 1940, a committee again raised the decision to conduct a ball which was approved with tickets to cost 7/6 and 5/- with the date of the function to be fixed by the committee. Unfortunately the band did not strike a note nor did the dancers take to the floor, because in June a motion was carried which struck a levy of 5/- per quarter per member to relieve the bank overdraft, brethren were encouraged to pay the yearly amount at once and the conduct of a ball was left in abeyance.
Despite the levy, the concern about the overdraft was ongoing and in July 1941 a vote of thanks was recorded for the donation of 5 pounds by Bro Sawtell who promised another £5 provided that eight others made a like donation, which resulted in W Bro F B Hammond, R W Bro Hardy and W Bro Fletcher each promising £10.

However, financial problems were not restricted to the lodge. In July 1943 W Bro Smith wrote requesting that his dues be suspended for the duration of the war. In response, the secretary was instructed to write explaining to him the lodge financial position requesting him to continue paying his dues, particularly as it was his motion which led to the transfer of the lodge building and the subsequent overdraft burden on the lodge.

TRUSTEES
A circular from Grand Lodge in June 1943 recommended that lodges adopt the Trustees Act 1942. This Act was explained by W Bro F B Hammond resulting in a notice of motion which subsequently adopted the Act. The first trustees being S R D Andrews, A C Black and J L Schuster.

The first trustees were also among the first members of the lodge to have Grand Lodge honours conferred on them.

W Bro A C Black - PSGD in 1942 and appointed AGSW in 1946, was the only remaining foundation member and filled the office of D C for 17 years. In 1945 - W Bro S R D Andrews -PSGD (later - PAGM), had been Chaplain for 16 years and V W Bro J L Schuster PSGD (later PJGW), who was one of the first four initiates in June 1923, had been Secretary for 18 years. The two latter members, as later pages show, served for many more years.

On 21 April 1945 the lodge carried a motion to sell to Bro J Errington, 20 perches of the lodge land being allotment 12 of Section 15, County Ward Parish of Gilston, Town of Burleigh for £105.
During the war years some degree work was done, with one candidate in 1940, one in 1941, one in 1943 and two in 1944. However, after completing their three degrees most attended only a few meetings, except the two of 1944, both of them later becoming Master of the lodge. In 1944/45 all offices of the lodge were filled by past masters.