Welcome to the Lodge University of Sydney No. 544

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Our Lodge was consecrated on the 24th of October 1924, and has a proud history of academic and Masonic excellence. Our membership originally comprised of graduates and academics of the University of Sydney, but now embraces undergraduates, graduates and professionals from any recognised University or equivalent institution.

 

Lodge University of Sydney is a unique Masonic Lodge that caters to Freemasons of an intellectual or professional background. Our membership is diverse in composition, including Health and Medical, Law, the Arts, Sciences, Engineering and Music among others. Our installations are among the most colourful in Masonry, with members donning their academic hoods and gowns during the evening. Visitors always enjoy coming to our installation ceremonies, since they also get to wear their academic dress, which for some may have been quite a few decades!

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Despite our professional and academic backgrounds, none of us have lost that youthful exuberance of university life and have quite a reputation within our jurisdiction for our raucous, irreverent and fun-filled behaviour, or maybe what you could describe as our "varsity spirit" during the South (i.e. dinners after our meetings). This spirit has transcended time and members to become our trademark within Masonry.  DGIW, 
Dominic De Candia, at the end of his term beautifully summed up the Lodge in a poem, in which he refers to us as Lodge Irreverent 544:

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LODGE IRREVERENT 544

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This Great Lodge known as 544,

An irreverent bunch that’s for sure,

Educational elements open for dissection,

Their festive board full of interjection.

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More than just ritual, they add diversity,
Yes, those irreverent Masons from Lodge University,

The toast to their visitors never stays on track,
The responder prepare for a quick-witted wisecrack.

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Their portion of education is second to none,
Bright minds add interest with a touch of fun,
From Ruth to the Knights Templar, they’ll expand your mind,

A better-rounded Lodge is hard to find.

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If you miss a meeting, you’ve missed an event,
They hold regular luncheons with a Masonic bent,

Their names all have letters added on the end,
Their interjections are witty and not intended to offend.

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Interest rates are high and the traffic is hell,
We have global warming: Whom do they blame? Yes! The UGL!

“An irreverent bunch!” I shout in exaltation,
Whatever you do, don’t mention “Accreditation”.

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Gaudeamus Igitur they sing as their motto,
They love their wine, but my lemoncello makes ‘em blotto,

This well balanced Lodge that conducts great ritual,
In the South their irreverence has become quite habitual.

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That irreverent bunch that are the envy of most,

To you I drink this farewell toast;
My term had ended; it’s been a blast,
Thank you 544; you’ve been an entertaining cast.

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We are also a very culturally diverse Lodge and embrace the fact that our Brethren come from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds and spiritual faiths. We celebrate this as foundational to who we are as a Lodge and anyone who shares this belief is always most welcome to join us.

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Our Lodge meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of each month (excluding December and January) in Lodge Room Three at the Sydney Masonic Centre, on the corner of Castlereagh Street and Goulburn Street, Sydney.

 

Our installations are held on the third Friday in October. Visitors are most welcome to attend, though some proof of current membership of a regular lodge will be required during your proving.

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For those who are already Masons, we welcome affiliation and suggest you contact our Membership Officer, while for those considering joining Freemasonry, please go to the section How to become a Freemason or Contact Us for further information. We will be only too pleased to help you start on your journey.

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We look forward to seeing you!