This is the first installment of the history of the Freemasons in Hay.

All information of the history of Freemasons in Hay was taken from the condensed version of the original History of Lodge Murrumbidgee, 37, Hay U.G.L. N.S.W. was written by Alex C.W. Welsh.

Masonic Lodge and Freemasons appear to be somewhat contentious issues.

Designed to be a secret club or society of sorts, people get upset when it is spoken about noting the intended secrecy of the orders.

Freemasonry is the world's oldest fraternal organisation.

Its members include politicians, scientists, engineers, writers, inventors, and philosophers.

Freemasons are known for their:

• White aprons.

• Arcane symbols.

• Secret handshake.

• Handshakes, words, and signs that indicate Masonic status.

Freemasonry is a secular movement that's open to men of any race or faith.

Its members swear an oath not to subvert the peace and good order of society.

So, what do the Freemasons actually do?

Australian Freemasons have raised millions of dollars for causes such as the Pacific tsunami, medical research, and the aged.

The Freemasons Foundation provides grants, scholarships, and bursaries to charities.

They are involved in local fundraising and international relief efforts.

They have placed the foundation stones for many prominent buildings in Australia, including the Melbourne Court House and Melbourne Hospital.

Freemasons organise functions for families, such as picnics and lunches.

The organisation helps each other improve through mentoring and setting a good example.

They are treated like family members by their fellow members.

Freemasons develop leadership skills that can be used in their jobs and communities.

It is an international movement with over six million members worldwide.

Its values are non-denominational and ethical, and it's based on respect for all people.

Why was the culture of secrecy built? Freemasons have been persecuted at times in history, such as by the Nazis, and have gone underground to survive.

Some suspect that Freemasons are secretive to conceal how they help each other in business and the workplace.

Freemasons often don't speak about their rituals to outsiders, and seen as strange by some as a result.

Freemasonry has been shrouded in mystery and secrecy for the entirety of its existence.

The use of secrecy as a metaphor; Freemasonry is modelled after medieval stonemasons, who used secret words and symbols to protect their work and recognise each other.

Popular movies and books, like The Da Vinci Code, have depicted the Freemasons in an unflattering light.

It is important for all aspects of history to be recorded and remembered, before all trace of them is lost.

Freemasons pursue their personal development by working towards the betterment of all humanity through widespread community involvement offering support at all levels from local fundraising to international relief efforts.

For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service.

In Australia, Robert Menzies, Donald Bradman, Charles Kingsford Smith and Weary Dunlop are just a few names from the long list of notable Freemasons.

The Square and Compasses (or, more correctly, a square and a set of compasses joined) is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry.

Both the square and compasses are architect's tools and are used in Masonic ritual as emblems to teach symbolic lessons. When reading the history of the Freemasons in Hay, I was a little baffled with the many abbreviations of positions withing the organisation.

There appears to be many varied positions.

• M∴ C∴:Middle Chamber
• M∴ E∴: Most Eminent or Most Excellent
• M∴ E∴ G∴ H∴ P∴:Most Excellent Grand High Priest
• M∴ E∴ G∴ M∴:Most Eminent Grand Master (of Knights Templar)
• M∴ E∴ M∴:Most Excellent Master.
• M∴ E∴ Z∴:Most Excellent Zerubbabel
• M∴ K∴ G∴:Maurer Kunst Geselle, which is German for Fellow Craft
• M∴ L∴:Maurer Lehrling, which is German for Entered Apprentice
• M∴ L∴:Mère Loge, which is French for Mother Lodge
• M∴ M∴:Master Mason.
• M∴ P∴ S∴:Most Puissant Sovereign
• M∴ W∴:Most Worshipful
• M∴ W∴ G∴ M∴:Most Worshipful Grand Master or Most Worthy Grand Matron
• M∴ W∴ G∴ P∴:Most Worthy Grand Patron
• M∴ W∴ M∴:Most Wise Master
• M∴ W∴ S∴:Most Wise Sovereign.
• G.C.– Grand Chapter; Grand Council; Grand Cross; Grand Commander; Grand Chaplain; Grand Conclave; Grand Conductor; Grand Chancellor. G∴ C∴ G∴ – Grand Captain General; Grand Captain of the Guard. G ∴ C∴ H∴ – Grand Captain of the Host; Grand Chapter of Heredom.

Freemasonry has three ceremonial degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason.

There are additional degrees for Master Masons, but no degree higher than Master Mason.

A candidate is brought into the lodge, blindfolded, taken through various stops, where questions are asked and answers given.

He is brought to an altar, asked to recite an oath, and then given instructions about the fraternity, given a mentor to guide him in the learning his lessons.

A condensed version of the original History of Lodge Murrumbidgee, 37, Hay U.G.L. N.S.W. was written by Alex C.W. Welsh.

This was written so it could be printed in a souvenir program for the 75th anniversary of Lodge Murrumbidgee, which took place on October 16, 1947.

I was lucky enough to read through this at the Hay Gaol Museum, where it is stored with other memorabilia.