Conclaves

The first Australian Conclave was formed in 1895 as Southern Cross Conclave, then being warrant number 27 under the Grand Council for the United Kingdom and was constituted in London on October 21, with a number of Geelong-based brethren attending the occasion. The consecration of this Conclave took place on January 6, 1896, with Bro. Henry Bannister being appointed as its first leader. This initiative soon faltered, however, and little-to-no progress for the Order was experienced until 1924, when it was suggested that the warrant be moved to Ipswich Queensland, which sparked renewed interest in Geelong and the Conclave, with the Order in Australia, was revived. The second Australian Conclave, Friendship Conclave no.56, was formed in Ipswich QLD in 1926; Melbourne Conclave no.59 was then formed in 1928 and was to be fundamental in the expansion of the Order into New South Wales and Tasmania.

The District of Australia was constituted in 1928, with Rev. Albert Thomas Holden as the first District Grand Supreme Ruler, although this news didn’t reach the Australian Conclaves until 1930 and District officers were not appointed until December 9, 1933, at a meeting in Geelong. Tasmania Conclave no.81 was formed in 1937 with a travelling warrant. Then, in quick succession, Unity Conclave, no.84 in Toowoomba QLD and Adelaide Conclave no.86 were formed. In 1938 the Southern District was formally divided into two Districts for Australia – Southern and Northern. The Southern District then had jurisdiction over Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and New South Wales (until 1953, when it achieved its own District status) and by 1963 the District superintended 12 Conclaves, so moves were undertaken to become independent.

For further information on the Conclaves currently at labour under this Grand Council, click on the links in side menu: 

Southern Cross Conclave No. 1 (Geelong VIC)

Melbourne Conclave No.2 (Keysborough VIC)

Tasmania Conclave No.3 (Lindisfarne TAS)

Ballaarat Conclave No.5 (Ballarat VIC)

Amicitia Conclave No.6 (Box Hill VIC)

Kingscott Conclave No.7 (Ringwood VIC)

Stawell Conclave No.8 (Stawell VIC)

Launceston Conclave No.9 (Launceston TAS)

Kurana Conclave No.11 (Mornington VIC)

Seal of Solomon Conclave No.13 (Gardenvale VIC)

Western Conclave No. 14 (Warrnambool VIC)

Central Highlands Conclave No.20 (Kyenton VIC)

Swan Conclave No.24 (Shenton Park WA)

Semper Fidelis Conclave No.29 (Numurkah VIC)

Bairnsdale Conclave No.32 (Bairnsdale VIC)

There were also a number of other Conclaves formerly under this Grand Council. For information about these, click here.