Following is a brief overview of the history of the Roland Masonic Lodge 36 TC.  The Masonic Lodge itself lies in the small town of Sheffield in North West Tasmania under the shadow of the states and indeed Australia’s most endearing and beautiful mountains, Mount Roland. It was originally called Rollands Repulse after Captain John Rolland, who traversed the high country between it and Mt Vandyke in 1823.

Roland Lodge is one of the very few lodges in the State that has never amalgamated with another lodge nor moved it’s Charter from Sheffield.  In today’s world this is a great feat for a lodge that will celebrate its Centenary in two years.

 The lodge has a great history with far too many great and valuable Freemasons to mention here but these men will never be forgotten for their contribution to this great and ancient organisation.  Roland Lodge also recognises, with thanks and appreciation, the work and love of our Ladies who have provided for our welfare and care and excelled their talents in the provision of sumptuous installation and regular night suppers for over 95 years.

 The Roland Masonic Lodge was first Chartered in 1921 in Main St Sheffield, opposite the current Sheffield Hotel in Oddfellows Hall pictured.    

The current consecrated Lodge in High St was funded and built by the Freemasons of Roland Lodge in 1928. 

 Let us reflect for a moment on the state of affairs at Sheffield in the early 1920's The surface of Sheffield Main Street was rough metal and gravel- there was no bitumen - transport was per medium of bullocks and horses. Lodge Members would no doubt arrive riding a horse, or perhaps driving a pony trap (seating two people) or, if really in fashion, by 'buggy', drawn by two horses and seating four' people.

 Horses would no doubt be stabled at the rear of Maddox's Hotel situated opposite Odd Fellows Hall in Main Street. There was a the long line of horse stalls running down the side of the hotel, properly roofed, where fodder was provided and attendants on hand to ensure that horses came to no harm. Horses were tied, as was the custom, with a rope or halter around the neck whilst oats, chaff or hay was provided in the mangers. Water was freely available from a large trough in the gravel yard between the stalls and the main hotel building.

 History records that the first sod was turned in 1913 to celebrate the start of the construction of the railway line from the junction of the main line at Railton to Sheffield and on to the rail terminus at Roland. The railway line was opened in 1914, a remarkable effort considering it
was built with manual labour, horses and drays. Rail sleepers were supplied by contract at one shilling a piece. The railway became the main hub of activity during the 1920's and 30's until the advent of better roads and more modern motor truck transport.

 There were at least two steam trains each week, carrying potatoes, split palings, posts and rails and other timber for sale in Melbourne as well as other farm produce. It was quite common to see up to 50 wagons and farm drays waiting to load their produce onto the train wagons. The highlight of the year was the occasional steam passenger train, where hundreds of people crammed into the carriages to be taken to a picnic at the Bluff, Devonport.

Important Dates:

Less than a year after the opening of Roland Lodge, Bro. Butler, together with Bro. W. (Carl) Morris and CR. Williams, were appointed Trustees of the Deeds of Land purchased on the

9th June, 1922. A block of land was purchased from York Schmidt and Co. in High Street for a Roland Masonic Hall for Eighty Pounds. Bro. John Craze and Bro. John Maddox offered to loan the money: Forty Pounds each, which was accepted.

April 6, 1925: Bro. T. J. Butler was appointed to a Committee whose purpose was to enquire into the proposal of a new Lodge building to be erected on the purchased site in High Street.

December 13, 1926: The Committee had made good progress. Lodge Members had a discussion on estimates of the cost of building a new Lodge Temple. Estimates ranged from:

a.     six hundred and seventy five pounds (approx. $1400 in today’s terms) for a wooden lodge to,

b.     eight hundred and forty five pounds (approx.. $1700 in todays terms) for brick lodge.

January 10, 1927: Bro. Butler moved that a Special Meeting of the Lodge be held and fifty pounds was placed on fixed deposit at the Bank of Australasia as a start of funding the new Masonic Hall.

June 9, 1928: Proposal to build new Masonic Hall - 75 ft. x 45 ft. The Brethren were asked to raise Debentures of one hundred pounds and 22 members responded. Bro’s H.H. Jackson and A.R. Blenkhorn raised two each.

June 11, 1928: Roland Lodge Board of Management met Bro. R. Dell of Launceston, who offered to complete the job, in concrete for seven hundred and ten pounds or brick for eight hundred and thirteen pounds, and have it ready for the Installation. Lodge Members offered to supply bricks, lime and sand and to prepare the site. Bro Dell then agreed to a contract of six hundred and thirty five pounds - carriage to be done by Committee Members as
well as the supply of sand and loam. Wor Bro Butler was the prime mover supplying the carriage and raw materials.

Saturday, August 11, 1928: The Foundation Stone of the new Roland Masonic Hall was laid by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master C. James M.B.A., assisted by Grand Lodge Officers. Sixty four pounds was raised in a collection. The Foundation Stone was laid in true Masonic style. About 90 members were present. A bottle, containing coins of the realm, daily paper, program of the Foundation Ceremony, and an invitation card, was placed under the Foundation Stone by the Lodge Secretary Wor. Bro J.M. Clerke.

November 10, 1928: Roland Lodge Installation Ceremony was held in the new Masonic Hall and was performed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Claude James, assisted by Grand Lodge Officers. Wor. Bro. T.J. Butler was again installed as Master of Roland Lodge. Attendance records show there were 166 Brethren present at the ceremony - truly a remarkable achievement.

December 1, 1945: Roland Lodge imposed a levy of five shillings per quarter per member towards proposed building extensions for a Lodge Supper Room. Review at the end of two years. Moved by Wor. Bro W.A. Russell that the Lodge start planning for' the Supper Room. Bros. Russell, Fleming and J. Sellers were appointed to a Subcommittee.

April 12, 1947: One hundred and fifty pounds was placed in the 4th Victory Loan.

Saturday, October 3, 1953: Roland Lodge Minutes record the new Supper Room was used for the first time. The Wor. Master, E.J. Rust, and Grand Lodge, were present and installed Bro. K.L. Lambert in the Masters Chair, together with other Lodge Officers. Much comment was made on the excellence of the Lodge addition

January 2, 1954: Roland Lodge forwarded a letter of thanks to Mrs. E. A. Butler for her attendance at our Ladies Night to perform the official opening of the Lodge additions