Grand Lodge of Tasmania welcomes you to this page.
THE WORSHIPFUL SOCIETY OF FREE MASONS
Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviours, Plaisterers &. Bricklayers
Usually known as:
THE OPERATIVES.
A Masonic Society which exists to perpetuate a memorial of the practices of
Operative
Free Masons existing prior to modem speculative Freemasonry.
"Speculative masons are happy to trace their origins to the practice of the
ancient stone
Masons but many then tend to forget all about them".
The Worshipful Society of Operative Masons (the Operatives) has as its prime function to perpetuate the work the ritual of the old operative masons, but some variations are unavoidable - or convenient - so the organisation does not become unwieldy.
For example, in former times there was a Deputy Master Mason (equivalent to a Master in speculative - or blue lodge - freemasonry) for each lodge, while today it is convenient that a DMM rules and Assembly of Lodges Fourth to First.
There are seven degrees in Operative Lodges and the prerequisites to joining are that you are a Master Mason and a Mark Master Mason.
The three Operative Lodges in Tasmania are Barton Mill Assemblage at Newstead (DMM W Bro Geoff Herbert), Highfield House Assemblage in Burnie (DMM John Wallace - currently Deputy Grand Master in the Blue Lodge) and Salamanca Quarry Assemblage in Glenorchy (DMM W. Bro. John The Duke of Avram) Leaders Pictured above.
The Operative Lodges each meet four times a year. They welcome inquiries
HOW MANY MEMBERS DOES THE SOCIETY HAVE ?
There are currently about 3000 members in the Society world-wide. but so popular
is it becoming that membership is increasing rapidly. New units called
"Assemblages" are being formed in the UK. Europe. Australia. New Zealand, Hong
Kong, the USA and interest is being shown in South Africa and Singapore.
WHERE D0 WE MEET.?
In Assemblages (we do Dot call them Lodges) we meet in ordinary Masonic premises in England, Wales France, Belgium, Canada, Spain, North America, Australia and New Zealand. In Tasmania our Assemblages meet in Glenorchy, Newstead and Burnie.
In Tasmania:
| Barton Mill Assemblage | Newstead Launceston | 10.30 am |
| 4th Saturday. February. May. August, 3rd. Sat December | ||
| Salamanca Quarry Assemblage | Glenorchy | 10.00 am |
| 4th. Thursday. March, June, September, November. | ||
| Highfield House Assemblage | Burnie Masonic Centre | 10.30 am |
| 2nd Sat. Jan, 3rd Sat. April, 2nd. Sat Jun. 3rd. Sat Sep. |
IS THE REGALIA EXPENSIVE.?
Apart from the three Grand Master Masons and the Grand Clerk who,
on certain occasions, wear gowns and hats, having their origins in antiquity,
regalia is minimal and consists merely of a blue cord or collarette from which
is suspended the badge of ones grade. Badges are simply exchanged as progression is made. All members wear the distinctive Society tie.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE.?
The entry qualifications are membership of a Craft Lodge, Mark Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter.
HOW DO I OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION.?
Visit our website at http://www.operatives.org.uk
Write to:
The Region Clerk.
T. Stafford.
13 Jordan Place.
Bridgewater. 7030
tostafford@southcom.com.au