Bourke Masonic Lodge closes after 143 Years

Chris and Kelly Morrall with Neville Simpson after Neville was presented with a 70 year service certificate. Photo TWH

The Bourke Masonic Lodge, established in 1879 has closed after 143 years of service.

The Lodge, originally established as the Central Australian Lodge, held its final meeting in Bourke on 23 July 2022.

Masons from Narrabri, Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, and Cobar visited Bourke for the final meeting, and to pay tribute to long term Lodge Member – Neville Simpson.

According to former Bourke Freemason, Rob Finlay, ‘one Freemason in recent memory has stood out in Bourke and indeed in much of NSW, and he is Rt Wor Bro Neville Simpson”.

Neville Simpson and his late father Cecil joined The Central Australian Lodge on 14 September 1951.

Neville served as the Master of the Lodge for five terms, between 1958 and 2001, and as the District Grand Inspector of Workings between 1982 and 1984.

In 2006, Neville Simpson was afforded the rank of Past Assistant Grand Master, which is one of the very highest honours that can be bestowed on Freemasons in NSW.

The honour reflected decades of dedication to Freemasonry, but also to his church and many other community organisations.

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