About us

At a meeting held in the Standard restaurant on the 12^th of August 1897, it was discussed to consider the establishment of a Scottish Lodge in Roodepoort.

One week later it was agreed to apply for a charter.

FOUNDATION MEMBERS

Bro. G. Hardie, Hon. S.G.D. P.D.D.G.M.

Bro. J. Richardson, P.D.G.D.C.

Bro. D. Truscott.

Bro. A.J.D. Nunns, P.D.G. St.

Bro. J. Webster, P.D.G.St.B.

Bro. W.I. Fisher, P.D.G.B.Br.

Bro. A.R. Davidson, P.D.G.S.W.

Bro. J. Rae, P.D.G.J.

Bro. J. Grant, P.D.G.D.C.

Bro. V.E. Davis, Hon. J.G.D. P.D.G.S.W.

The Lodge was to be named Roodepoort Caledonian and its colours to be Royal Blue.

The Office Bearers were:

R.W.M.                       : Bro. George Hardie

Depute                         : Bro. Davidson

Substitute                     : Bro. Scott

W.S.W.                        : Bro. Truscott

W.J.W.                         : Bro. Hunt

Secretary                     : Bro. Whyte

Treasurer                     : Bro. Webster

Snr Deacon                 : Bro. I. Richardson

Jnr Deacon                  : Bro. Nunns

I.G.                              : Bro. W. Morrison

Tyler                            : Bro. McConnochie

Steward                       : Bro. A. Morrison

Steward                       : Bro. Mulimon

The first meeting was held under dispensation from District Grand Lodge on 16 October 1897 where it was decided to affiliate various brethren from the English Constitution. The first applicant was a Mr. W.M. Thompson, aged 23, a single male and a Fitter by trade.

The first benevolent collection taken amounted to £1 and 12 shillings (Thirty Rand approx.)

The lodge’s Charter dated the 4th of November 1897 was duly received.

Golden Thistle Lodge, 744SC, is recorded as one of the ‘sponsor Lodges’ of Callies, as truely documented in their Yearbook. This close bond between the two Lodges still exists today and tradition and custom is maintained in that the office of Wor Installing SW at the Installation Ceremonies of the Lodges is reserved for the RWM (or a PM) of Golden Thistle Lodge. In fact, the RWM and/or PM’s of the Lodge are a regular feature as Installing Officers at the Ceremonies of Installation of Golden Thistle Lodge.

Furthermore, a VERY special event occurred on 10 August 2018 when Roodepoort Caledonian ‘closed’ its proceedings and the gavel was handed to RWM Nico vd Riet of Golden Thistle Lodge to conduct a First Degree Working for Br Robert Buczek. BOTH Lodge’s Charters were displayed that evening.

Messrs Thompson and Kaye were initiated in November and December 1897 respectively, with Bro. D.E. Rennie being affiliated in January 1898.

On Saturday, 19 March 1898, the Wor. S.D.G.M. Bro. Dawe and Office Bearers from the D.G.L. were received and the Gavel was handed over for the consecration and installation meeting. Bro. George Hardie was installed into the chair by Brother Bevington, the Installing Master, and the following Offices were invested:

Depute           : Bro. W.K. Davidson

Stewards       : Bros Beaton and Ross

Substitute     : Bro. A. Scott

W.S.W.           : Bro. D. Truscott

W.J.W.           : Bro. F. Hunt

Secretary      : Bro. Whyte

Treasurer      : Bro. J. Webster

S.D.                : Bro. I. Richardson

J.D.                : Bro. A.J.D. Nunns

I.G.                 : Bro. W. Morrison

Tyler               : Bro. W.E. Kaye

Organist         : Bro. D. Rennie

The Banquet was held at the Central Hotel in Roodepoort.

What’s interesting is the fact that the following month, in April 1898, nominations were again held. In May 1898, Bro Truscott withdrew and the office bearers were elected with Bro Richardson as the RWM elect. The installation took place on the 18th of June, where the Immediate Past Master was presented with a beautiful and ornately designed Jewel.

Brethren who have seen some of the old Past Masters jewels can testify to their beauty and exquisiteness. This beautiful jewel still today, forms part of the regalia of the RWM of the Lodge.
In 1997, a beautiful, ornate Jewel to mark the 100^th Anniversary was minted. At the Centenary Ceremony, the Lodge graciously installed the then oldest Past Master (1950 – 1951) Bro P.H. Labuschagne P.D.G.S.D, some forty-seven years after his first occasion.

Some interesting occurrences in 1898 were:

The assistance given to the three worthy though destitute brethren who each received 10 pounds 8 shillings and Sixpence and assistance to the widow of Bro Webster received £5.00

Roodepoort Lodge, English Constitution was thanked for all their assistance since the inception of Roodepoort Caledonian Lodge.

On a lighter (though serious note), there was recorded a letter of complaint that some of the Brethren were abusing the furniture.

Later, the regular meeting was moved to Bro Beaton’s dining room at the Durban Deep boarding house. It was proposed to approach the Reverend Nielo to secure the Wesleyan Chapel for future meetings. A plea was issued from the RWM for a better attendance of members.

In December 1898 a committee was formed to discuss the subject of building a Masonic Temple. In February 1899 the RWM advised that negotiations were under way for the handing over of the Assembly hall to the two Masonic lodges.

Brother George Hardie was recorded as the first Life Member of Roodepoort Caledonian.

The first years of 1900 was quite the precarious time in the history of our Country, and it was proposed that the Lodge be closed ‘sine die’ and all Lodge artefacts including our Charter, regalia, books etc. be placed under the care of the District Grand Lodge.

The next meeting was held in the Wesleyan church on Saturday, 18 January 1902. At this meeting, letter of resignation was received from Brother Truscott and it was recorded that Bro Hunt had been killed in action at Elandslaagte. The Lodge sent a letter of condolence to his parents in the U.K.

The meeting date was officially changed to the second Thursday of each month instead of the third Saturday as was previously held. This day, the second Thursday, is still maintained to today. Apart from this standing resolute through time, it is still the custom that all Brethren of the Lodge wear white gloves, regardless of requests and recommendations to the contrary.

Charity and Charitable Causes

The noteworthy support for and contributions towards charity and charitable causes through the years are confirmed and maintained, with recent examples thereof being (to mention but a few):

• The many annual ‘Christmas Tree’ events held for and on behalf of orphanages in the area where Brethren of the Lodge, not only opened their wallets but also their hearts and dedicated much time and effort to ensure a memorable event for the less fortunate…and possibly, one day, due to the fond memories of the event, future Masons;
• In May 2015, assistance with the necessary repairs and ‘handyman work’ required at the Roslyn Old Age Home, then held by our District Grand Lodge;
• Dec 2015, the Lodge also contributed to a successful charity event, led by Lodges Libertas and AJ Haak (GLSA) in support of Moreglans Old Age Home;
• In June 2017, The Lodge spearheaded a very successful inter-Constitutional collection for and on behalf of Bethany House, an orphanage in Krugersdorp, culminating in no less than FOUR bakkie loads of donations of foods, toiletries and other essentials being delivered to the management, staff and children of Bethany House.

History & Traditions

Further testament to the Lodge’s maintenance of history and traditions are:

• During 2015 and 2016, an extensive investigative exercise was conducted to pen the customs and traditions of the Lodge in respect of those finer and subtle nuances of the respective degree ceremonies, unique to the Lodge only. What was only in the minds of a small and ever-diminishing number of Brethren, are now safely recorded in writing. It can confidently be said that those little special things, limited and unique to Roodepoort Caledonian Lodge only have now been re-introduced and (re-) incorporated into the various ceremonies and, being recorded and freely distributed to every Brother and Officer, will be maintained for many more years to come. This research and now penned documents also include the correct procedures for Ballot, Nomination and Election of Office Bearers. As a result, the Lodge have repeatedly received accolades and praise for the quality of their workings. The support, dedication and commitment of all Brethren of this Lodge and all other Scottish Lodges on the West Rand (and on occasion from Lodges farther afield), but more particularly from the ‘younger’ office bearers of Roodepoort Caledonian Lodge, are largely contributory to those honours, as greatly aided by the penned procedures.
• In keeping with the ‘history’ of the Lodge, extensive research and investigations into the regalia of the Lodge was conducted. This was done to ensure continuity of the specific requirements of the Lodge in respect of the correct regalia of the respective lodge officers. This has successfully culminated in the uniformity, in keeping with the traditions and customs of the Lodge, and restoration of regalia, consisting of apron and collars (with appending jewel) of all current offices.
• Time having almost erased an electronic reproduction of our Coat of Arms. In keeping with the ‘electronic age’, in 2019 our ‘Coat of Arms’ was digitally reproduced “by the skills and extended hours of dedication of Bro CM Bentz. Every communication and document now bears the beautiful rendition, in full color, of the Coat of Arms of the Lodge.

“Generational traditions” have also continued with many sons following their Fathers into the Lodge …. As have many Fathers followed their sons; these being the Roos, McKechnie, Minter, Phillips, Pritchard, Baur, Tucker and Stewart -families respectively.

Distinguished and Well-known Persons

Looking back across the mists of time, the Lodge has attracted many members from the Gold mines as well as other local businesses in Roodepoort and surrounding areas.

Some of the more distinguished and well-known persons that were members of our Lodge:

• the renowned Professor, Brother Arthur Blecksly;
• The District Grand Master Brother Foster Stoker and so too his son, Bro Miles Stoker, who was the Mayor of Roodepoort. Interesting fact, it is after these Brethren that the “Miles Stoker Circle” along Main Reef road is named;
• Brother Ronnie Dunn, Chief Traffic Officer in Roodepoort.

The lodge will forever cherish and fondly remember the evening when Bro Charles Roos was given the Chair to initiate his four Sons in one evening. The same Brother passed his four Sons and the District Grand Lodge assisted with the raising of the four Sons, which had to be held in the main hall as the temple was too small to accommodate the large numbers who attended.

The Lodge was instrumental in the building of the new Roodepoort Masonic Temple in 1986 by contributing time, expertise and effort, through various fund-raising drives and initiatives including actual labour. Bros Roos, Phillips and McKechnie served faithfully and diligently on the RMC committee for years. The generosity of Bro Isaac Berens of New Horizons Lodge E.C. is also acknowledged.

Through the tireless and dedicated efforts of many Brethren, the name of ‘Callies’ have once again become commonplace, not only on the West Rand, but throughout the District of this and other Constitutions.

Proudly some highlights:

• In the year 2002 our Past Master, Brother Stewart McNab, aka Max Kaan found himself on National SABC Tv with his hypnotic series, “Nowhereland with Max Kaan”;
• The visit and participation in the annual ceremony between Lodges Unanimity and Pyramid (UGLE), by Bros Vickers and Greyling in Nov 2017 in the original Temple structure (the cornerstone of which was laid by the WM Gilbertson Esq on the grave of his late wife on 24 May 1625), now used as a barn on a private farm in the Naboomspruit-area, aptly dubbed: “Squarely in the Bush”.
• In late 2019 Our Lodge experienced the joy, honour and delight in receiving an official visit from District Grand Lodge, with members from sister constitutions, together with an International guest, Bro Bob Cooper, the Grand Lodge of Scotland Curator. The Past Masters from the Roodepoort Masonic Temple performed a First Degree working for Mr. Kyle Hugh Blundell. Over sixty people crammed into our Lodge to witness this momentous occasion. It was a joy to present Bro. Cooper with a hand-crafted pen to mark this historical event.
• Our Lodge also regularly attract ‘Masonic Scholars’ due to the high standard of our Masonic lectures. “We have had the privilege of the exceptional skills of Bro D McClymont for many, many exceptionally informative and praised lectures. Workings have been specifically designed to stimulate participation, open dialogue and Masonic learning, the papers of Br Dai McClymont deserving special mention. Also, with regards the lectures of Br McClymont, on the evening on such lecture, the Lodge would retire from the Temple to the hall where decorum was maintained and the papers were presented on the ‘big screen’ via PowerPoint. This change was positively welcomed, deeply appreciated and vocally complimented by the Brethren”. A first in our District.
• Brethren of the Lodge regularly attend the ‘New Masons Academy (NMA) Thursday Night Talk Series’ via ZOOM, hosted by Bro Steve Horwood. This is a global platform and contributes greatly to the increased visibility of the Lodge. During the periods of suspended activity due to lockdown in 2019 and 2020, the meeting of the NMA was co-hosted with Brethren of the Lodge in tribute to the nights of the Ceremony of Installation of 13 June 2019 and 11 June 2020. On these occasions, special arrangements resulted in special lectures from Bro Cooper (past Curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland), all having the ‘common thread’ of history, tradition and custom
• The Lodge has enjoyed two of its members being appointed to the office of Worshipful Substitute District Grand Master: Bros Pieter Pretorius and Darryl Phillips.

One only has to look through the list of Past Masters to see the number of Brethren who have served our District Grand Lodge and who have been honoured with District and Honorary Grand Rank. Currently, the following:

• Bro EM (Angelo) Carikas: Hon G Snr Std Br
• Bro S McNab (aka Max Kaan): Hon G Mar; and
• Bro XJ Greyling: Hon G Jnr Std Br