Tony McKenzie, worshipful master of Lodge Lachlan-Jemalong says the difficult decision followed declining membership.

Membership has fallen below 20, which Mr McKenzie said made the lodge unable to function efficiently or to meet future financial obligations.

Following discussions with Lodge Parkes, it has been decided to consolidate both lodges to form a new Goldfields Lodge which will meet in the Masonic Centre at Parkes.

This will allow the Forbes building to be leased or sold.

Mr McKenzie said it was disappointing that Masonry was now coming to a close, after commencing in Forbes in 1876 and developing to a stage when a second lodge was formed in 1948 to accommodate 150 members.

“When Masonry was first commenced in Forbes, there were no roads as we know them now, and transport was by horse,” he said.

“The first meetings were held in a room above the gunsmith and jewellers shop of Mr G Bollinger in Rankin St. Later that year the lodge moved to where the Commercial Hotel now stands.

“In 1879 it moved to premises in Lachlan St. From 1891 until such time as the present temple was constructed in 1922, it met in a room in the Forbes Town Hall,” Mr McKenzie said.

Mr McKenzie said Masonry still had relevance in the modern world.

“Freemasonry is a large fraternal organisation that promotes moral and personal development amongst its members, and caring for others, helping those in need and acting with honesty and integrity,” he said.

“Freemasons are proud supporters of Surf Life Saving NSW and also support the Keep Australia Beautiful Council’s Tidy Towns Award program.

“They also provide continuing support for a wide variety of community groups in their local areas.

“Individually and collectively, lodges donate their time and money to help an extensive list of beneficiaries, including Camp Quality, CareFlight, Burnside, the Red Shield Appeal, Cancer Research, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and countless other organisations in need of assistance,” he said.

He said the Masonic Temple has been an important feature of the historic streetscape of Forbes for nearly 100 years and has been maintained in good repair.

Describing the building as an excellent example of a Masonic Temple, he said he and the members will be very sad not to be able to continue holding their meetings at the Lachlan Street building.

A special meeting and dinner are planned to be conducted at 7pm next Tuesday (October 13) to mark the end of an era.

He invited all Masons in the area or those having a prior association with the lodge to attend the meeting. Contact Mr McKenzie on 6863-5256 for catering purposes.