DAYLIGHT LODGE PROPOSAL
After receiving a letter from Bros Harty and Lawson referring to a petition for a daylight lodge, in . July 1979 the lodge advised the writers that the building was available for hire on Friday afternoons. In November 1979 it was determined that the enquiry committee meet the petitioners at 11 Cypress Tce, Palm Beach. On December 15 Bro Harty gave a summary of progress and it was decided to put the petition to the lodge at the January meeting, when a report was made by the W M on the earlier meeting held with the petitioners.

It was moved by Bro Pears and seconded by W Bro Scheele that the Burleigh Lodge sponsor new lodge to be called the Gold Coast Daylight Lodge. Bro Harty presented the petition to the members, it was signed by the WM, SW, and JW and forwarded to UGLQ for consideration, but at the April 1980 meeting a letter was received from Bro Harty advising that the petition was be withdrawn and UGLQ informed.

It was not until September 1983 that this matter was next mentioned in the minutes, when it was again decided that the Burleigh Lodge sponsor the daylight lodge and also allow the new lodge to use its regalia for a period of 12 months from the date of consecration and installation. The  new lodge to share the cost of repairs etc during that time.

The October1983 meeting received a petition signed by 84 persons interested in forming a daylight lodge at Burleigh (11 were unattached and ruled ineligible to become foundation members). A motion that it be recommended was carried unanimously; the petition was signed by  the WM, SW and JW and once more sent to UGLQ. To complete the saga, the new lodge consecration and installation took place on 31 March 1984 at the Southport Masonic Centre because it was considered that the Burleigh centre was not large enough. This proved to be true, as the building was absolutely crowded for the occasion.

Happily the daylight lodge continues to be strong and viable becoming a Masonic haven for many brethren from other states and providing a place of meeting for those who are unable to venture out to meetings at night.

On 18 August 1979 the lodge received a letter requesting support for the establishment of a Freemasons Homes at Mudgeeraba. A motion was carried to the effect that the lodge would support this, subject to Grand Lodge approval.

W Bro Green reported to the December 1979 meeting regarding progress on lodge building extensions and the June 1980 balance sheet showed expenditure of $2062.00 which was apparently for this project.
The secretary reported on 15 Jan 1980 that a meeting with Mr Alien, a builder and the owner of an adjoining property, who had demolished part of the lodge front fence and barbecue, had resulted in an agreement for him to replace the fence at no cost to the lodge and to pay half of the cost to replace the barbecue. Mr Alien was to write to the lodge confirming this arrangement.

The lodge decided at the next meeting to strike a levy of $10.00 on each member to support the Grand Temple Ann St Restoration Fund and the June balance sheet entry for the donation was $1440.00.

MASONIC BALLS CONTINUE
W Bro E Conway volunteered to represent the lodge on the combined ball committee in 1980 and a later report indicated that a cheque for $1400.00 was presented to R W Bro Kinross, Pres. of the Board of Benevolence at the home of W Bro Plant on a Sunday morning in August 1981.

The ball in 1982 resulted in a donation of $1000.00 to the Sandgate Homes. In 1984, 16 debutantes were presented and a further $1500.00 presented to the homes. Donations in the next two years were $2000.00 and $3200.00 with a further $800.00 to another charity.

It is obvious that these balls which had apparently been instituted by the Burleigh Lodge, had subsequently become a major and very successful fundraiser within the district. Brethren involved during the earlier and following years deserve praise for their continued efforts, as donations, particularly to the Sandgate Homes, were quite significant

In November 1982 R W Bro Jack Hammond, who had been initiated in Tuscan Lodge in 1932, was presented with a 50 years jewel by V W Bro L G Warner. It was regretted that no member of his mother lodge was able to attend on this night.

The W M, W Bro W J Thoday wrote to the lodge in January 1983 expressing regret that he was unable to continue as the W M due to a transfer by his employer. W Bro L E Doughan IPM
resumed the Chair for the remainder of the term.

In September 1983 W Bro T E Charnock became the first of the brethren initiated in Burleigh |P Pto receive a 50 years jewel. He was initiated on 24/10/31 and installed as W M in 1938.

PLANS AND ALTERATIONS
At the March 1984 meeting a motion (due notice having been given) was proposed by W Bro J H Scheele and seconded by V W Bro J Barker. The motion, summarised to achieve some brevity, included the following:
1    That a building committee be formed to study the feasibility of plans and costs for the extension and
        improvement of the present premises, and
2    Investigate the possibility of forming a District 18 committee with the view to:
        a.   acquiring suitable land to establish a combined Gold Coast Temple and modern Masonic Club
        b.   forming a company of participating lodges and Masonic orders on an equitable basis with
            shares procurable by these organizations and their members families.

Naturally the motion promoted considerable discussion which appears to have side tracked into considering the implications of such plans and not that of forming a committee. The motion was finally defeated but the meeting in July 1984 passed a motion equivalent to part 1 of the March proposal.

The building committee agreed in August 1984 to endeavour to draw up a master plan for future development to include alterations to the entrance, toilets, kitchen, fire escape and store rooms plus the addition of a supper room on the western side, toilet and hand basin upstairs and to add change rooms for tenants.

At the October meeting W Bro Green, who had been appointed by the W M as chairman of the building committee, gave a progress report and made available downstairs, a plan of the proposed work to be viewed by the members.

In December 1985 W Bro Brian Ling moved that detailed plans be obtained for the west side extensions and in October 1986 approval had been received from council for the renovations with the lodge providing $20,000.00 and a further $25,000.00 to be borrowed from the Country Building Fund. Work began in July 1987 on a project that has greatly enhanced the building and, since refurbishing the floor of the main hall, it has been in demand for a large variety of activities which have ensured a regular income to support its maintenance.

Air conditioning of the lodge room was approved in 1988 at a cost of $5080.00 and the lodge was informed that the total cost of renovations amounted to $51,485.71. This had prompted the treasurer to present a budget and a motion regarding increases in dues of members and rentals to be charged to tenants. Fund raising efforts and donations from the Social Committee and other orders to a Building Appeal, assisted to ease the financial burden.

RECOGNITION OF SERVICE
During the period of development detailed above, a number of long serving members were honoured for their services to freemasonry. In 1985 V W Bro R Aitken was granted Honorary Membership of the lodge. In December 1987 W Bro B S Ling was presented with a jewel from the UGL of Tasmania for his service there. In 1988 R W Bro J Hammond and V W Bro L G Warner also were made Honorary Members.

Also in 1985 V W Bro H A Ling, a Life Member of Lodge Esk in Tasmania, affiliated with the lodge and some years later succeeded Lloyd Warner as Treasurer. V W Bro Bert donated the cost of a new brick boundary fence.

In April 1987 Grand Lodge attended a second degree ceremony conducted by the combined  Gold Coast District Lodges with Burleigh as the host and Bro Nissan as the candidate.

Due to the increased cost of building renovations and the acceptance of a quote for repainting the building, a motion to increase fees was passed at the July 1988 meeting.
Fees to be:
Initiation                                                  $50
Annual Dues: Town member                  $40
                     Country member                $30
Joining fees: MM                                    $20
                     FC                                     $25
                     EAF                                   $30
Joining member                                      $10
It was also agreed to increase rentals paid by brother organizations and other. These groups were to be reminded of the building fund and Bro lan Milne (the SW) was to produce a newsletter to keep members informed.

Also at the July 1988 meeting W Bro Clive Sawtell, (who at the time of writing this was our longest serving member) was to give a talk on the history of the lodge but was unavailable due to an accident. To substitute for this, VW Bro Warner and RW Bro Fradgley gave  addresses and VW Bro Price AGSW informed the meeting that freemasonry on the Gold Coast would be 100 years old in November 1989.

A National Flag was donated to the Lodge by Bro S Gilbert in March 1989, and Mrs Sally Warner did the necessary sewing to complete it for use.

A directive from Grand Lodge to have the building identification sign changed to remove the word "temple" was left in the hands of W Bro Brian Ling.

EDUCATION BURSARIES
Early in 1989 a bursary committee was formed with the object of awarding education bursaries to local schools. In July 1989 the secretary reported that the high schools contactedwere prepared to accept the proposal and selected students be presented with grants to purchase books and uniforms.

At the time of writing, Marymount is the only school not participating. It was agreed that a certificate and cheque be presented and suggested that a separate bank account be opened with the amount of $1500 The alms being that interest gained would eventually make the education account self supporting The social committee was to be encouraged to donate the proceeds of some raffles to boost this fund.

Centenary Celebrations
The lodge hosted the celebration of 100 years of Freemasonry on the South or Gold Coast which included a demonstration of ceremonies by the Order of De Molay and brethren in period costume The craft started on the coast with the formation of the Albert Lodge 2344 EC in 188 This was followed by the Nerang Lodge 1001 SC in 1905. These two combined to form the Southport Lodge with a couple of numbers, then No 62 UGLQ in 1922.

After the severe flooding in Charleville in 1990 the lodge donated $500.00 toward repair costs the Charleville lodge building. Total repairs were estimated to be $30,000.00.

Early in 1990 dues and rental to be paid by tenants were both increased by $5.00 and dues wei again raised in February 1991 by another $5.00. The dues being $50.00 - town members and $40.00 - country. Other dues rose proportionately.

Also in 1991 $5000.00 was repaid to the Country Building Fund and $1000.00 paid to teh education committee. In January 1992 W Bro Neave the WM, thanked the brethren for painting the ceiling and walls of the lower hall without cost to the lodge. The floor of the hall was also sanded, bringing it to first class condition.

RW Bro W J Fradgley PAGM and VW Bro A Kavanagh PDGDC were granted honorary membership in April 1992. Sadly both of these lodge stalwarts passed away later in the same year.

On a brighter note October 1992 saw RW Bro Jack Hammond presented with a 60 years jewel by VW Bro L G Warner who expressed the appreciation of the brethren for the work Jack had done in, around and for the lodge, particularly in regard to the erection of the existing building in 1959/60. Jack was again honoured in 1997 in the presence of large numbers of members anc visitors, when they celebrated his 50 years of loyal and dedicated service to Burleigh Lodge, W Bros Trevarthen and B Ling were commended for their research and preparation for this event.

During the 1990's the brethren of the Gold Coast formed a Masonic Homes committee which successfully raised a considerable amount of money for the establishment and maintenance of the homes at Arundel by working at the Gold Coast show. In September 1992 W Bro Greer reported that $3500.00 had been earned by coast members for the use of the homes committee, W Bro Trevarthen later became the lodge representative on the committee and led many working parties from Burleigh on maintenance duties. Members have worked as marshals at athletic events and continue to work at the show and the homes as a continuing commitment to the support of the homes committee.

March 1993 brought the resignation due to failing eyesight, of VW Bro Lloyd Warner as treasurer, the office he had filled for about 26 years. His place was taken by W Bro H A Ling.

In the same month a new organ was purchased for the amount of $2300.00 and in July 1993 the social committee presented the lodge with a cheque for $2000.00, which must have struck a happy note.

Further extracts from THE MINUTES
At the installation in June 1993, RW Bro J Hammond presented on behalf of the lodge, a asecretary Jewel to VW Bro R Aitken and Treasurer Jewel to VW Bro L G Warner, to be worn by each of them as a lasting tribute from the lodge for their long and faithful service in their respective offices.

In August 1994 motions to re-establish the Social Committee and to form a Building Committee were carried. Perhaps it should be noted here, that Social Committees in the recent past had raised substantial amounts of money for charities and to provide items for the lodge, e.g. purchase of a 2 door refrigerator ($1500), fans, lights and cupboard in the kitchen ($250), clothes hoist and washing machine for the Trinity Activity Centre ($350). The same committee had given financial and physical support to the success of the combined lodges annual balls which were held at many different venues and contributed some thousands of dollars to the Sandgate Homes.

In the forthcoming months the building committee, under the direction of W Bro B Ling procured paint and with the aid of volunteers, painted the lodge room. A new vacuum cleaner was also Purchased.

At the end of 1994, $7350.90 was paid to Grand Lodge as final repayment of the Country Building Fund loan of $25,000.00 and a motion was carried, to appoint the then current Secretary (D Neave) and Treasurer (H A Ling) along with present trustee (L G Wamer) as the lodge trustees. This was to resume the trusteeship from Grand Lodge.

TRACING BOARDS
The sincere thanks of the lodge was recorded in October 1995, to VW Bro H A Ling for the manufacturing and presentation of the beautiful wall mounted tracing boards and to Bro W Cariss for donating the emblems. It was also agreed that the lodge include a plaque explaining the history of the boards for the benefit of those who admire them in the future. The boards are a wonderful asset for the lodge to have on display.

The fate of the old tracing boards is worthy of mention here. After a visit to Rabaul by W Bro L Barfoot (Secretary) in May 1998 and seeing the devastation caused by the volcanic eruption some time before, he explained that the Rabaul Lodge had managed to salvage very little from the wreckage of their lodge building, and suggested that the unused tracing boards of the Burleigh Lodge could be put to good use there. As these boards had been presented to the lodge by W Bro J F Purcell, his agreement was obtained and the Secretary was authorized in August 1998 to send them to Rabaul where they were thankfully received.

75th ANNIVERSARY OF UGLQ
As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations in 1996, all lodges were requested by Grand Lodge to support a statewide appeal for the Childrens Hospital. This resulted in a large number of the brethren being involved in collecting donations at various shopping centres throughout the district (this method was agreed to after deciding that a door to door street collection was not feasible). The lodge donated $500.00 towards what was a very good district effort, and a record amount being raised and presented by Grand Lodge to the hospital.

An Anniversary Jewel struck by Grand Lodge to commemorate the occasion was made available for purchase and has been presented by the lodge to a number of candidates and visitors to the lodge.
Brethren of the lodge were rewarded for their ongoing commitment to the welfare of our older brethren when the Hostel was opened at the G C Homes on 21/9/96.

A quote of $5700.00 was accepted for carpeting the lodge room, entrance foyer and stairs on the recommendation of VW Bro H A Ling (Treasurer) in April 1996. Small amounts were spent later on to cover the kitchen floor and the band stand in the main hall, using old carpet from upstairs.

Memorial Service
A memorial service to honour the memory and dedicated service of R W Bro R Aitken PJGW was held on 16 August 1997. W Bro A Grocott sang a solo and the address was delivered by RW Bro G White OAM, PJGW (Grand Secretary).

Sadly, another service was conducted in January 1998 to honour the memory of two other distinguished members of the lodge - RW Bro Jack Hammond PAGM and VW Bro H A (Bert) Ling PG Secretary (Tas). This meeting was attended by a fraternal visit from Lodge Uki (to be their last) and in the South many shared in a bottle of scotch which Jack had preserved for 40 years and had advised his family and the lodge secretary, that it was for consumption by the lodge on such an occasion (in his own words - "his wake").

JEWELS
At the meeting on 18 April 1998 VW Bro Brian Ling AGSW, presented W Bro P C (Clive) Sawtell with a 60 years service jewel. Being No 69 on the members' roll, Clive is our longest serving member and apparently the first to receive this jewel.

In June 1998 the lodge donated $1000.00 to the Grand Lodge Masonic Education and Bursary Fund. This donation acquired a very attractive collar jewel to be worn by the WM of the lodge and W Bro N A Shilton PGStBr the first to wear it, was presented with the jewel by RW Bro A H Wright PAGM, on the night of his installation.

The lodge held an Open Night on 21 November 1998 and after a brief meeting the lodge was closed, ladies and non masons admitted, followed by the entry of RW Bro W R Lock DGM and 13 Grand Lodge Officers. On this occasion the DGM presented our next two longest serving members, W Bro J F Purcell and W B Bro G J Paget PSGD with 50 years service jewels.

MORE RENOVATIONS
In August 1998 a motion by the Secretary to carry out further renovations to the building was carried. These entailed a complete overhaul of the old style kitchen, installation of a reverse cycle air conditioner and replacement of the dining chairs. The total estimated cost for the project was $28,000.00. W Bro Barfoot was authorized to accept the quotes, submit a request to Grand  Lodge for a loan and grant totalling $20,000.00 and proceed with the work as finances became available.

Apparently due to the good Grand Lodge loan repayment record established by the lodge over the whole of its existence, Grand Lodge approved a loan of $15,000.00 and a grant of $5,000.00 from the Country Building Fund, and the work proceeded in early 1999. VW Bro Brian Ling again took responsibility for the building part of the project, resulting in a dramatic change to the kitchen that was pleasing to members and tenants alike.

As mentioned earlier in this history, the lodge paid its last fraternal visit to Lodge Uki (NSW) in July 1999, when the ceremony included a number of members from both lodges relating memories of past meetings shared by both lodges. In the South W Bro Neil Shilton the WM of Burleigh, was presented with the cricket bat and ball trophy, possession of which had been hotly contested in previous years. No doubt many will fondly recall those events.

Since then, a search of old items, produced a Lodge Uki installation card for 1957. Did the visits start earlier than 1974, which was the first recorded in the lodge minutes? It appeared that lodges Uki and Wollumbin would both consolidate with Lodge Tweed, meaning that future fratemal visits will be to Murwillumbah.
A number of officers who have given many years of faithful service to the Burleigh Lodge are listed below. Their names have naturally appeared in previous pages and will be seen in the lists of Worshipful Masters and Officers but it is considered that they are worthy of special mention.

W Bro S R D Andrews Chaplain       1924-28 & 1931-48          38 years
W Bro J L Schuster Secretary           1924-33 & 1937-63          35 years
W Bro A C Black Director of Ceremonies   1931-48                  17 years
W Bro R Aitken Secretary                   1963-92                        29 years
W Bro L G Warner Treasurer             1967-93                         26 years

CONCLUSION
As the serving of the lodge by the officers listed above was a labour of love, so has been the compilation of this brief history of the Burleigh Lodge. It was prompted by a suggestion from W Bro L J Thompson that a history be written to record the 75 years of activity and prominence of the lodge in the district and the Burleigh area in particular. This aroused my interest and knowing that a considerable time would be required to properly research the records, and that it was unlikely that I could do it alone, I asked W Bro L I Screen if he would be interested. Les accepted and so commenced many months of work by two "new boys on the block" as we were both recently affiliated PM's.

Fortunately, due to the efforts of the hard working secretaries listed above, we had access to all Attendance Books, Minutes and many other documents related to the 75-year life of the lodge.

Les became so involved in delving into all of the available installation cards, files, title deeds, minute books, the council library and Old Burleigh Town (West Burleigh) that he started missing golf days. His wife could never get the dining table cleared of the dusty relics I have referred to (not Les). My sincere thanks to him for his application and dedication to the task, without him I doubt that this history would have been written.
His many, many hours of effort were probably matched by mine, due to the difficulty of transcribing the pages of scribbled Welsh notes which he produced, into what I hope is readable English that everyone who is interested enough to read through to this last page, have been able to understand.

There are sure to be errors and omissions, both in spelling and in fact, for which we apologise. Be assured that every effort has been made to ensure accuracy.

Lindsay Barfoot

(The original document also included copies of various notices and invitations. They may be added at a later date.)