Eureka Lodge members resume charity work

MEMBERS of the Eureka Lodge in Sebastopol are pleased to be getting back into supporting charities.

The six regular attendees within the organisation meet every month with a focus on companionship and support, and have resumed charity initiatives, raising funds among members.

About $8000 has been collected for food charities, including $4000 donated to The SoupBus. “We have only recently recommenced charity work with donations and look forward to potentially providing activities for disadvantaged residents in Ballarat and surrounding areas,” Grand Lodge of Victoria (GLV) Grand Primo/Grand Secretary Robert Mackay said.

“With investments, we are looking at increasing that considerably in the next couple of years. The SoupBus is the first time in many years we have been able to provide support.

“We at the Eureka Lodge in Sebastopol have supported The SoupBus over the last 10 months and will be looking at many diverse options of support later this year, depending on finances and what taxes we have to pay.”

Lodge members include the Grand Master, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer and Grand Chaplin, and they are seeking new members.

The Eureka Lodge in Sebastopol comes under The Buffaloes; the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB).

“This been around for over 200 years, forming in England,” Mr Mackay said.

“It consisted of mostly actors who were not able to join any high-class club due to their lowly standing. The RAOB is a loose group of many diverse lodges, where members are called Buffaloes, including the Grand Lodge of England, which commenced in 1866.

“Coming to Australia in the late-19th century, the Grand Lodge of England opened lodges in all Australian states, with the Grand Lodge of Victoria being granted dispensation in 1926.

“Today sees many lodges in Australia on the decline. GLV now has 15 operating lodges with around 130 members who come from all walks of life.

“We are a community which offers understanding of men’s business. Many of the brothers’ wives are happy to see them go to lodge, such is the benefit from a mental health point of view, especially in brothers who have retired, or perhaps it’s the peace and quiet around home.”