As part of a push to reinvigorate the Freemasons, the men’s group is launching The West Wimmera Region Blue Lounge Social Club.
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The club is aimed at 18 to 55-year-old Freemasons in the Wimmera Region and their families and friends.
The Blue Lounge will cover Ararat, Marnoo (Stawell), Wimmera (Horsham), Dimboola, Lowan (Nhill) and St Arnaud Lodges.
The official launch will be held on Saturday April 29 at noon at the Horsham Botanic Gardens with a family friendly barbecue, picnic and kids activities.
Founding president Rhys Webb said the club was a great way for younger members and friends to catch up outside the Lodge room.
People interested in Freemasonry are encouraged to attend the event. Mr Webb said Freemasons was an organisation of good men, supporting each other, their families and the community. He said Freemasons provided members a “third place” outside of work and home.
Freemasons have been active in the region since the 1880s, Mr Webb said. The Lodges in the Wimmera often worked together and with other community organisation to raise funds for projects, such as establishing the Nhill Early Learning Centre in recent years.
He said the Blue Lounge Social Club was part of moved to open up the once-secretive organisation and attract younger men. This move is being driven by Jane Sydenham-Clarke, who took over as Freemasons Victoria chief executive in September and is the first woman to hold the position.