BENDIGONIANS are well aware of the magnificence of The Capital theatre, but not all citizens know of the symbolism behind this building.
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If you look closely at the exterior windows and the busts inside The Capital or better still visit the smaller theatre inside the main building, you will see symbols representing a significant historical movement, that of Freemasonry.
At the April Meeting of the Bendigo Historical Society on Friday, April 10, David Beagley from La Trobe University Bendigo will better inform you of the meanings behind the symbols and the role played by freemasonry in this city.
The presentation will be given in the Bendigo TAFE Theatrette in McCrae Street at 2pm and is open to the general public as well as members of the Bendigo Historical Society. Entry is by a gold coin donation.
By the 1880s, the Freemasons were 600 strong, with a Masonic Hall that was, according to the Bendigo Advertiser, "by far the grandest building in Sandhurst".
William Charles Vahland was one of the most famous of the Bendigo Freemasons.
He was born near Hanover and according to David Beagley, always referred to himself as being a Hanoverian, as was the King of England at the time of Vahland’s birth.
Not long after his arrival on Bendigo, he became a British subject, which did not allow him to stand for Parliament as only those citizens born British subjects could aspire to that position.
This did not, however, prevent Vahland from taking up certain civic responsibilities.
He was installed as Worshipful Master of the Golden Lodge in 1861 and after the amalgamation with the Corinthian Lodge the Masonic Temple was built in 1873.
Vahland bought the Charterhouse Estate at Elmore from his father-in-law and developed a vineyard which exported wines to Europe.
His Bendigo home at 58 Barkly Terrace still stands.
Vahland designed nearly 200 buildings throughout Victoria.
In Bendigo his most important buildings included the Town Hall, Fortuna, the Synogogue (now demolished), the Benevolent Home, Bendigo Hospital, the School of Mines and Mechanics Institute and the Princess Theatre (now demolished), plus many churches such as St Liborius, St Kilian's, Eaglehawk’s Wesleyan Church and other buildings in Echuca, Lancefield, Rochester, Rushworth and Swan Hill.
His most famous monument in Bendigo is the Alexandra Fountain.
At Vahland's funeral in 1915, the Masonic mourners were headed by an equally famous public figure and freemason, past Deputy Grand Master Sir John Quick.
Vahland’s orbituary in the Bendigo Advertiser lauded his sincerity, honesty and loyalty to friends.
The Masonic Temple these days is in a relatively newer building in McIvor Road, Bendigo.
NOTICES
Shamrock Hotel tours are conducted on Sundays at 2pm. Cost of $10 includes cake and coffee. Phone 5443 0333 to book.
Specimen Cottage (178 Hargreaves Street) is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 4pm and Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm. See the new Anzac display.
The Anzac CD Cooee! Songs of the Anzacs will be launched on Friday, April 24, at The Capital theatre. Cost $25, pre-orders taken - phone Specimen Cottage (5441 3443) Tuesday or Thursday 10am to 4pm or Nolan Street Archives (5442 1005) Tuesday or Thursday 9am to 3pm.