ON behalf of the Gawler Freemason’s Lodge of Fidelity No.5, I would like to congratulate The Bunyip on celebrating 160 years.
The Bunyip is indeed an icon of Gawler, and its origins as the chronicle of the Humbug Society are well known.
However, many of your readers may not be aware that the Humbug Society, while established to satire the many fraternal and friendly societies existent in Gawler at the time, was closely connected with the Freemasons of Gawler through William Barnet and George Nott, who were active members of the Freemason’s Lodge of Fidelity.
Of course they were not alone, with many other prominent Gawler identities also being connected with the Gawler Freemasons, such as Dr David Mahoney, Henry Calton, Otto and Richard Schomburgk, John and SB Rudall, James Martin, and Dr FHW Popham, to name but a few.
It is interesting to reflect on the fact that 160 years ago, these pillars of the community were quite happy to laugh at themselves and not take everything too seriously.
Perhaps there is a lesson in that for us today!
Freemasonry is now the only fraternal society still existing in Gawler, and in January the Lodge of Fidelity will be celebrating 175 years since it was chartered.
Throughout 2024, the Gawler Freemasons will have a program of events to mark the occasion and to celebrate, not only with its members but also the wider Gawler community with which like The Bunyip it is so closely connected.
Shaun Taylor, Gawler Freemasons – Lodge of Fidelity
