History

Proud of our country and our Society

The Druids Friendly Society was founded in England in 1781.

In 1851 Brother (Bro.) Hymen from London migrated to Australia. With the authority of the Ancient Order of Druids (A.O.D) England, set up the first Druids Lodge. The discovery of gold halted the Society’s development until 1861. At this time Bro. A. Barnard from Canterbury, Kent established a lodge in Melbourne. From then the Society began to flourish.

Throughout Victoria lodges were established in nearly every fledgling city or suburb. Many lodges were also opened in country areas too. Our history documents lodges opening at great rates in the gold mining and rural areas.

Living Confidently – providing members with the means to achieve this goal for over 150 years.

Druids Lodges were attractive for four reasons:

• At a time of no welfare benefits they provided sickness and funeral benefits to members. These benefits were closely aligned to the Society’s philosophy of benevolence and mutual assistance. Summed up in one word CARE.
• They became a social centre and provided entertainment for members. Many lodge meetings were held in hotels or licensed public halls. This helped foster and develop a sense of comradeship, loyalty and pride among members.
• They were seen as a civic-minded organisation that promoted benevolence. Both native-born Australians and immigrants became one body of Druids. They were determined to help each other and to develop their fledgling country into a great nation. Comradeship grew as we know that lodge members got together to help each other in times of need. Members worked together to build lodge halls. Many Druids' Halls appeared both within the suburbs and country areas.
• Working together, caring for each other in times of need and sharing joyous occasions. These aspects helped forge the qualities of mateship that have become so typically Australian.

History shows that great numbers of young members went off to fight in times of war. Lodge Honour Boards list the many that went into battle. They also sadly commemorate those that fell and did not return to the lodge rooms.

The Druids desire to help their fellow Australians is well documented. The Society held many functions and festivities. These helped raise funds for its members in need and for Charities in the wider community. The Druids' Galas also became a well-known feature on Melbourne’s activities calendar. A parade of Druids marched up Swanston Street to the Exhibition Buildings. There they would hold fetes, amusements and other activities for everyone to enjoy. These marches and fetes may have been the precursors to events such as Moomba.

The results of the fund raising helped build Druids wings and even entire floors in many Victorian hospitals. Countless charities received generous grants and donations of much needed equipment were given to many organisations.

Druids efforts were also prominent in wartime. The result of several fund raising activities saw three of the most modern equipped ambulances donated to the Australian army during WWII. The Society’s funds were also put to use. The majority of lodges invested in War Bonds to help fund the efforts made by our gallant fighting members.

Times have changed. Now there is a huge variety of forms of entertainment and activities to occupy modern Australians. However, those who join Druids will still find the following exist:

• Australian spirit of comradeship
• Compassionate sense of benevolence
• Mutuality