Hillbrow Lodge was one of several lodges formed in
Johannesburg following the resumption of normal
masonic activities after the South African War. The
membership was drawn from the general community and
was slowly built up until, in the 1930s, the Lodge
was exceptionally strong and well supported. This
was to continue into the 1960s but was followed by a
steady decline in membership which has left the
Lodge somewhat below the desirable strength.
However, the position, hopefully, has stabilised and
recent valedictory reports have seemed reasonably
confident about the Lodge's future.
Over the years the Lodge has had a number of
brethren who made substantial contributions to
Freemasonry in the Transvaal, including three Grand
officers in W Bro Teddy Kiesner (WM 1918/9), Harold
Cohen (WM 1938/9) also of Protea Lodge, and Simon
Kirschner (WM 1958/9) and secretary for a number of
years before emigrating to Australia.
But a very different distinction befell W Bro Robert
Sproat (WM 1910/1 and 1917/8), who was the second
husband and suspected to have been another victim of
the notorious Daisy de Melker, who was hanged in
1932 for the murder of her son. On a more cheerful
note it can be added that one of South Africa's
greatest rugby players, 'Okey'Geffin, was initiated
into Hillbrow Lodge in 1977.
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.
Freemasonry a web site for and about Freemasons - South African
Lodges
