In 1947, soon after the war, a number of brethren of King David Lodge No. 460, together with various Masonic associates set about to form a new lodge in the Caulfield area.

So it happened that on the 26 May 1947 at 4pm, The King David Lodge was sponsor of the foundation of Lodge Fraternal No. 603.

The Grand Master, MWBro. R. A. Rowe, assisted by Grand Lodge Officers installed WBro. Les Levy into the Chair of King Solomon, and consecrated the new Lodge. The new Foundation Master, WBro Les Levy with his Director of Ceremonies WBro. Alex Jacobson presided over 31 foundation members, all but 10 being officers of the Lodge. Past Masters numbered eight, with 23 Master Masons.

The first member of the Lodge to be granted Grand Lodge Honours was Newman Spielvogel with the rank of PGStdB in 1954. Newman was the composer of our visitors’ song, sung to the tune of “My bonnie lies over the ocean”.

We have subsequently had a number of brethren who have served on Grand Lodge Teams, or to whom Grand Lodge conferral has been bestowed. The most senior of these were the late MWBro Henry John Nathan – Past Grand Master, MWBro. Hillel Benedykt – Past Grand Master and MWBro. Carl Stewart – Past Grand Master.

We have had over 340 Brethren pass through our ranks and our present numbers are considered amongst the strongest in the bay side district of Victoria. Today we are a vibrant lodge with many younger members and officers.

Regular meetings of particular interest to visit include:
May – Installation and banquet invitation extended to wives and non-Masonic visitors
June – The annual Adolf Berger and Jack Rozenblum Memorial Lecture Night
September – Annual Grand Final dinner in the South
November – Ladies in the South: invitation extended to wives and partners and disbursement of monies to various Bayside charities

The 50th anniversary of Lodge Fraternal was celebrated on 31 May 1997 when WBro. Harry Blatt was installed as the 51st Master of the Lodge.

To highlight this grand occasion a commemorative jewel was struck which many members of the lodge still wear.

Lodge Fraternal has a proud history of supporting charities within the local area, and each year raises thousands of dollars to donate to worthy causes. As well as raising funds through monthly raffles, we also undertake charity events on an adhoc basis to build our pool of available funds for different charities.