Halcyon Lodge No. 492 is located in Toowoomba, Queensland.
Halcyon was sponsored as a daughter of an existing lodge for in 1960, the members of Robert Burns Lodge felt that the time was right for another craft lodge in the Newtown area. This in itself was most unique as the Burns lodge was only 11 years old when this happened and was a result of the large number of new members joining Burns.
Interest was very keen to form the new lodge and after many preliminary meetings, Halcyon Lodge was formed with 32 members on the books. On 17 February 1961, these 32 members signed the register at its consecration, however due to transfers, resignations and unfortunately - deaths, only 3 of the foundation members remain as members of the lodge.
There was considerable debate at the discussion meetings as to the name of the new lodge and after many suggestions, the name Halcyon was finally adopted.
The past master's jewel has a special emblem on the ribbon to the jewel the Forest Kingfisher: Halcyon Macleayii. From this emblem, the name Halcyon has been considered to be a bird in its own right and holds an interesting legend.
This legend says that the Halcyon is a fictitious seabird with webbed feet and a saw bill. It produces its young on the shore by depositing its eggs in the sand in midwinter (the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere) and these eggs hatch after seven days and a further seven days to feed the chicks to young birds. The sailors know that these 14 days will be fine and are called Halcyon days. So the legend shows that Halcyon translates to calm, peaceful and tranquil and is an ideal name for a Masonic lodge.
The lodge has continued to be stable and solid and membership remains at about 33. They are fortunate to have many master masons as their officers and constantly carry out degree work as well as providing Masonic lectures to the members and visitors.
Interest was very keen to form the new lodge and after many preliminary meetings, Halcyon Lodge was formed with 32 members on the books. On 17 February 1961, these 32 members signed the register at its consecration.
There was considerable debate at the discussion meetings as to the name of the new lodge and after many suggestions, the name Halcyon was finally adopted.
The past master's jewel has a special emblem on the ribbon to the jewel the Forest Kingfisher: Halcyon Macleayii. From this emblem, the name Halcyon has been considered to be a bird in its own right and holds an interesting legend
The Halcyon Kingfisher
This legend says that the Halcyon is a fictitious seabird with webbed feet and a saw bill. It produces its young on the shore by depositing its eggs in the sand in midwinter (the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere) and these eggs hatch after seven days and a further seven days to feed the chicks to young birds. The sailors know that these 14 days will be fine and are called Halcyon days. So the legend shows that Halcyon translates to calm, peaceful and tranquil and is an ideal name for a Masonic lodge.
The lodge has continued to be stable and solid and membership remains at about 33. They are fortunate to have many master masons as their officers and constantly carry out degree work as well as providing Masonic lectures to the members and visitors.
Halcyon meet on the first Tuesday of each month whilst the Installation is on the second Saturday in February and is held at the Robert Burns Centre in Anzac Avenue.
