The Post War years

1946/47 proved to be a landmark year for the lodge for a number of reasons. In April the bank overdraft was reduced to £50 and at the next meeting the treasurer reported a credit balance of 72p 12s and 6d. In the same year there were ten candidates for initiation and five affiliated members. This commenced a steady flow of new members which, though fluctuating, has continued to the present time.

Also in 1946, a letter was received from the Lands Office informing the lodge that the perpetual lease for the land at Burleigh was available for delivery, or could be left in the Lands Office for safekeeping without charge. It was later recorded that the lease had been delivered to the bank for safekeeping. In April the overdraft with the C B A was 50 pounds and in August the treasurer reported a credit balance of 32p 9s and 6p.

At the January 1947 meeting, an application for affiliation was received from Bro John Hammond of Lodge Tuscan No 235. He was accepted by ballot in April 1947 and installed as W M in 1948. "Jack" Hammond became one of the many long serving and very respected members of the lodge, serving as AGSW and reaching the conferred rank of PAGM. He completed more than 50 years service in Burleigh Lodge and became a Life Member. It is not known if he was related to W Bro F B Hammond who, though he was never WM, was rewarded for his service to the lodge as a Honorary Life Member (with power to vote) in 1951, after affiliating from Lodge Prince of Wales in 1934.

W Hammond (Jack's brother?) joined the lodge from Lodge Tuscan in 1951 making three Hammonds at the time.

ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM MINUTES
Membership applications continued to flow and in December 1947 from five ballots, only two proved favorable. The practise of lodges visiting and doing the degree work was continuing, as in 1949 Lodge Tuscan raised Bro George Paget who became WM ten years later and received a 50 years service jewel in the lodge in 1998.

At about the same time in 1949, the lodge purchased a hot water service at the cost of 11 pounds and the annual dues were increased from 2 to 3 guineas by a majority vote of 19 - 2.

New collars and gauntlets were purchased from Somers and Sons in August 1949 for 33 pounds 17 shillings, in dollar terms this is $ 67.70. Fifty years later one set of collar and gauntlets without jewels/emblems, would cost $152.50.

Grand Lodge increased the initiation fee from 7 guineas to 12 guineas which for some, would be more than the wage for one month. In 1999 the fee of $57.00 is equivalent to the average wage for less than half of one day.

After approving payment of 1p 8s 2d for the lodge insurance in 1950, W Bro F B Hammond moved that the building and insurance valuation be reviewed. This resulted in a new cover of 1250p instead of 456p and a new premium of 4p 10s 10d less a refund for the previous payment.

In March 1953 a letter was received from MarFra flats on the Pacific Highway requesting the lodge to share the cost of a shared fence - cost of 1/2 share to be 11p 12s 4d. Mrs Errington was asked in August to share the cost of what was apparently, the other boundary fence.

The lodge solicitor wrote in May 1953 regarding the new lease being arranged with the Lands
Dept for the lodge allotment, including an account for 36p 15s for the current rental.

Installation Date

V W Bro Black submitted a notice of motion on 21 November 1953 that future installations are held in the month of May. When the motion was discussed at the December meeting, W Bro J Hammond moved an amendment - that the installations be held on the third Saturday in June each year. The amendment was carried 19-2 in favour and since 1954 the installations have been held on that day.

After 30 years of service to the lodge V W Bro Black was granted Life Membership with power to vote This motion was proposed by V W Bro Schuster who three years later, was the subject of a similar motion (carried unanimously), that his service as Secretary for over thirty years be recognised in the same manner.