Freemasonry in NSW

The Grand Lodge of New South Wales was formed in1877 and at that time lodges Chartered by it operated in New South Wales in parallel with those Chartered by the English, Scottish and Irish Grand Lodges. During this era all the lodges in New South Wales operated in an atmosphere of friendly co-existence However, it was clear that Freemasonry in New South Wales was too fragmented to obtain the benefits associated with being part of a larger more unified ‘organisation

The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales (now the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory) was formed in 1888. The formation of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales marked the beginning of the unification of Freemasonry in New South Wales.

The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales was declared formed at a general meeting of the Craft held in the Great hall of Sydney University on 16” August 1888. The connection between Freemasonry and the Great Hall continued for many years. All Grand Lodge Quarterly Communications and Installations from 1970 until 1980 were held in the Great Hall during the building of the present Masonic Centre in Castlereagh Street. Until comparatively recently (1996) Lodge University of Sydney No. 544, a daughter lodge of Lodge lonic formed in 1924, held many of their annual installation meetings in the Great Hall in full academic dress.