Pity the encapsulator, faced with some 80 000 words
to be reduced to about 250! But fortunately Ivor
Sander's excellent history of Corona has been much
quoted, and a number of the Lodge's personalities
have received their due, under one heading or
another. So let it be noted, as a fact in passing,
that the Lodge has provided the Transvaal with two
District Grand Masters (Bros Vivian and Wheal, while
Bros Aburrow and Waldie Peirson were also members of
Corona), one Deputy (Bro. Whiting), one Assistant
(Bro Vieler, also Grand Superintendent) and six
Presidents of the Board of General Purposes, while
twelve of its Past Masters have attained Grand rank.
The mining industry was thriving in 1898, with South
Africa on the point of becoming the largest gold
producer in the world. Deeper mining techniques were
needed and this brought a number of American
engineers to the Rand, at least 10 of whom joined
Corona. The Lodge was formed with the intention of
meeting 'north of the railway', and thus closer to
members'homes. 26 meetings were held in the first
year, and a building fund was launched, but then
came the recess due to the South African war, and
Corona's own premises, in O'Reilly Road, Berea, were
only ready in October 1903. The Lodge was to remain
there until 1936, when it sold the premises and
moved to Freemasons' Hall in Kerk Street. The
proceeds of sale were invested and eventually
donated to the Jubilee Memorial Appeal, helping
Corona to be one of the two lodges which reached six
times its quota.
Corona went on its way through two world wars, which
had their impact on membership and activity. Indeed
about half the members were on active service
between 1939 and 1945, including one who had a
phenomenal war career, Major General Kenneth Ray.
In 1964 the Lodge sought ways and means of extending
its charitable services outside the Lodge. This led
four years later to the establishment of Circle
Committees, chaired overall by Gordon Dekker of
Corona, and these Committees were the forerunner of
the Masonic Services Committee of today.
In 1967, with the support of Vernon Lodge, Corona
sponsored Verona Lodge. 1971 saw the establishment
of the Masonic Commission of Enquiry, chaired by
John Garvey, with John Price and Douglas Vieler of
Corona as members.
From 1974, Corona must be credited with playing a
leading role in District fund-raising, with John
Garvey chairing the Centenary Appeal, for the
Masonic Haven in Pretoria, and Douglas Vieler the
Heritage Appeal, a very significant contribution to
District finances; and Corona itself has contributed
quite remarkable amounts to the District funds,
largely raised through an annual 'gentlemans' boxing
evening', organised by a committee of mainly
'younger' members of the Lodge.
Exsequi Lodge meets at Park
Lane in Johannesburg, South Africa on the fourth Monday of
February (Election Meeting), April (Installation Meeting),
June, August, October and November. Exsequi is a Freemasons
Dining Lodge and masonic guests are most welcome.
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