History

Temperance of Brisbane and Fernberg Lodge is an amalgam of two lodges, Temperance of Brisbane Lodge No. 123 and Fernberg Lodge No. 209.

The amalgamation occurred in 2001. Fernberg lodge, prior to this, had been suffering losses in numbers, in common with many other lodges at that time. Fernberg Lodge had been up till then a proud follower of the Scottish Rite. The members cast about, looking for a lodge with similar traditions. Temperance of Brisbane Lodge was the preferred lodge. Both lodges worked Scottish rituals and more importantly they were very similar in the way that they worked them. To an outsider this may seem a bit strange but any Freemason will tell you that no two Scottish lodges are alike. Some of the members got together and mooted the idea, which was eventually accepted in principle by both memberships. After ratification by the United Grand Lodge of Queensland the amalgamated lodge came into existence.

The histories presented below come to a conclusion around about the time the Temperance of Brisbane and Fernberg Lodge no 123 came into existence. Temperance history covers the period up to its centenary in 1999 and the Fernberg history covers up to 1991 when it was written by one of the most respected officers in the lodge at that time.

The history of both reflects the time in which they were written and reflect the attitudes of those times. But time, as they say, marches on. As a lodge, or as freemasons, we try not to lose sight of those ideals but we, of course, reflect our own age. Both histories point to falling membership in their later years and this trend has continued past the date of amalgamation.

There are many theories about the decline. Modern living, the fast society, the need for instant gratification have all been cited as reasons. These arguments have been put forward for years. Look into our own scant history and you will see references to the fact that modern youth are no longer interested in such venerable institutions. No doubt the annuls of much older jurisdictions than our own will contain the same sentiments. But it has been also argued that the decline that we have witnessed over the past couple of decades may simply be a return to more normal levels. Freemasonry may be a victim of the uncertainty of war which induced many men to seek something a little deeper. But the two wars that spawned such spectacular growth are slowly being pushed to the realms of history. The ranks of the men who joined Freemasonry during those turbulent years, are thinning. Not unlike the ranks of the soldiers who made up a large proportion of that membership.

We see today a resurgence. Reports from places like Italy where men are once again queuing to join. We look around at many lodges in Brisbane and we see the same trends. There is something here for all men. There are many avenues open today for any one with a will to make it happen, to join a fraternity which stretches back for hundreds of years. Some say thousands.

The following links below will take those interested to a history of each lodge.