Browse Our Directory
Directory of masonic orders that operate in Victoria, Australia.
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (Scottish Constitution)
Brief History
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (Scottish Constitution) is a Christian Order within Freemasonry which originated from a system of Degrees that emerged in France about the middle of the 18th Century. It is sometimes referred to as Ecossaise Freemasonry as it is thought that some of its ceremonial was influenced by ‘Gaelic Masonry’ which may have originated in Scotland.
Historically, the Ceremonies were transmitted through the United States of America, French West Indies, British West Indies, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Brazil, Columbia and Portugal before they surfaced in Scotland in 1845 where the Supreme Council, as we know it, was “erected” a year later in 1846.
Scottish Rite Freemasonry is one of the most prolific around the world and is best known for the Degree called the Rose Croix or 18th Degree.
So inspirational is the essence of this Degree that it has stimulated many Countries to devise their own variation of the Scottish Rite Degrees and form their own Constitutions.
Qualifications for Membership
The qualifications necessary for admission to the 18° are that of being a Master Mason in ‘good standing’ for at least three years and, being a Christian Order, requires its Candidate to profess a belief in the Holy Trinity.
Progression to Higher Degrees is based on merit and ability and is by invitation.
Joining
Enquiries from suitably qualified Master Masons in good standing are welcome. 18° Chapters meet five times a year and 30° Councils only have four meetings each year
In each case the first meeting is the Installation. Joining Fees and Annual Subscriptions are not expensive. All members of the Scottish Rite must maintain their membership of the Craft.
The regalia of the 18° is that of a Rose Croix Knight with Collar and optional Apron whilst in the 30° the only regalia is a black decorated Baldric.
Organisation
In the Province of Victoria there are thirteen Rose Croix Chapters which meet across the State from Cranbourne in the East to Portland in the West and these are collectively under the leadership of a Deputy who reports to Supreme Council in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Additionally, in Victoria there are four Scottish Rite Grand Lodges or Sovereign Council’s as they are called which work the 30°.
Annually the Province works the Higher Degrees which are the 31° in a Sovereign Tribunal and 32° in a Grand Consistory.
The highest degree in the Scottish Rite is that of Sovereign Grand Inspector General or 33°.
Degrees
Admission to the Scottish Rite begins with the Rose Croix or 18° after the “Intermediate Degrees” from the 4° to the 17° are conferred. After a qualifying period of five years, one is eligible for promotion to the 30° but this is an honour which is awarded for distinguished service.
Again, before one can be “Admitted” to the 30°, the Degrees from the 19° to the 29° are conferred.
The Intermediate Degrees are not worked in Australia except as a demonstration by an Exemplification Team in another Constitution.
The Rose Croix and ‘Higher Degrees’ are often referred to as the “Philosophical Degrees” because lessons inculcated in these Degrees are not derived from contemplation of working tools as in the Craft, Mark and Royal Arch Chapter Degrees, but rather from concepts or philosophies. One’s “Perfection” in the Rose Croix Degree therefore marks the beginning of a shift in thinking from the Speculative Degrees, to the Philosophical Degrees.
For further information contact the Provincial Grand Secretary.
Regional Website: www.scottishrite.com.au
Meeting Places
BALLARAT 616 Barkly Street BALLARAT
BELMONT 25-27 Regent Street BELMONT
BENDIGO 90-103 McIvor Road BENDIGO
BOX HILL Level 3, 1013 Whitehorse Road BOX HILL
CRANBOURNE Corner Childers and Codrington Streets CRANBOURNE
IVANHOE 40-42 Salisbury Avenue IVANHOE
GARDENVALE Level 3, 237 Nepean Hwy, GARDENVALE
KEYSBOROUGH South Eastern Masonic Centre 270 Hutton Road KEYSBOROUGH
MOONEE PONDS 838-840 Mount Alexander Road, MOONEE PONDS
MOUNT WAVERLEY 318-322 Stephensons Road, MOUNT WAVERLEY
STAWELL 10 Skene Street STAWELL
WARRNAMBOOL 32 Kepler Street, WARRNAMBOOL
WILLIAMSTOWN 29 Electra Street WILLIAMSTOWN