But 150 years on, Mt Ida Lodge was still making valuable contributions to the Maniototo community, "making good men better" and giving to charitable causes, those celebrating the anniversary last weekend said. Mt Ida Lodge was established in Naseby in 1868, initially as "No 1262" under the English Constitution but given a new "No 97" when it changed affiliation to the New Zealand Lodge.
The lodge met in the Empire Hotel room from 1868 to 1891, when a new room was built in Naseby, and then its base moved to Ranfurly, when a new room was built there in 1959.
Three families of some of the earliest members — the Inder, Scott and Forrester families — still served the lodge, and two of its members reached the rank of Grand Master of the New Zealand Constitution, while another former member was at present the Grand Master of the Western Australian Freemasons, Otago Lakes District Grand Master, the Very Worshipful Brother Pat Cooney, said.
"This is a very proud record, considering that there have only ever been 66 Grand Masters in the New Zealand Constitution."
Last weekend’s celebrations were attended by New Zealand’s highest-ranking officer, Grand Master, the Most Worshipful Brother Mark Winger, and other special guests included representatives of the Scottish and Irish Constitutions, Mr Cooney said.
He said all lodges had had "peaks and troughs" of membership over the years, and it was "therefore a significant achievement for any organisation, not just Freemasons lodges, to achieve a record of still being active after 150 years".
Mr Cooney said the lodge was "still as relevant today as it was 150 years ago", its contribution to the community manifesting in many ways, particularly in the development of its members — making good men better — and charity work.
During the anniversary celebrations the Mt Ida Lodge gave a cheque for $20,000 to the Maniototo Hospital rebuild.
The lodge also unveiled its 150th anniversary project, a new wall cabinet housing lodge memorabilia.
