Australian Themes - developing Australia’s cultural life.
NSW Theme - creative endeavour.
Local Themes - Theatre, cinema, exemplar of a particular architectural style, rock art site, public gardens, library, public hall, a particular place where there has been a particular creative, stylistic or design event.

As with many other country towns, a number of community organisations were formed in the Shire.  Such organisations were created to improve living conditions; to plan for important celebratory occasions; to assist the needy; to organise medical services and various social and sporting activities for the townspeople.  At times of crises particularly during World War One and Two, a host of organisations was formed to assist servicemen and women who served overseas as well as their families.

Star of Bingara Druids Lodge (United Ancient Order of Druids)

On 16 June 1883 the Star of Druids Lodge opened in Bingera with Mr E. Mills of Sydney, Vice Grand President presiding; brethren from Inverell and Bundarra attended.  The Order was first established in NSW in January 1864 in Newcastle with the Grand Lodge granted a charter in 1882.  It was established to assist members with health care, funeral assistance and personal loans. 

It was in May 1889 that the Druids held a Rorchlight Procession and Fancy Dress Ball in Murray’s Hall in aid of the Lodge.  That June, the Druid’s held its anniversary procession.  Before proceeding to the Criterion Hall for the ball, the march disbanded at the Lodge.

In September 1907 Dr John Harris of Wentworth was appointed doctor to Bingara Hospital and it was reported that he was also to become Medical Officer to both the Bingara Druids and Manchester Unity Oddfellows’ Lodges. 

The Druids Hall was located in Maitland Street in the vicinity of the ‘Royal Hotel’ near William Finkenagel’s and John Veness’s Moving Picture Theatre, the Bingara Telegraph office and a store occupied at various times by William Finkernagel, Harry Fay and Walter Wearne.

As Nevelle Butler reports: ‘All the buildings from the old picture theatre to the Druid Lodge were burned down in a fire that started in the picture theatre, which by then had been converted into Cecil Rhodes’s Garage’.

It was in December 1957 that the Bingara Radiance Club, for the purpose of establishing an old person’s home, purchased the building.

Oddfellows Lodge, Loyal Rose Bingara- Lodge no. 160.

By January 1898 the Loyal Rose of Bingara, Oddfellows Lodge had 104 financial members.  In Bingara Museum a wooden roll exhibits the names of those who held the position of Past Grand in the Oddfellows Lodge from 1890 to 1933.

Photograph 34: Manchester Unity Hall in Cunningham Street, Bingara. Bingara Museum Photograph Collection

Masonic Lodge Gwydir- no. 211, Bingara

In 1893 three Master Masons living in the Bingara District petitioned Grand Lodge to open a Lodge at Bingara.  Brother Frank Potts, Brother Charles Bennett and Brother Finkernagel enlisted support from a number of Masons in adjoining districts.  Lodge Inverell sponsored the formation of Lodge Gwydir at Bingara.  Grand Lodge granted the petition and issued a warrant on 30 November 1893. 

On Saturday 2 December sixteen Brethren from Inverell arrived at Bingara to assist the opening ceremonies held in the School of Arts Hall.  The District Grand Inspector of Workings for District 16, V. Wor. Bro. Walter Beavis of Glen Innes, dedicated the Lodge.  In August 1899 the Bingara Telegraph reported the ‘inauguration of the benevolent Fund of Lodge Gwydir’.

Photograph 35 (above): Masonic Lodge, Bingara Museum Photograph Collection

Early meetings were held in the School of Arts building (which later became the St. Mary’s Convent School) and in 1901 the place of meeting was changed to the Oddfellows Hall in Cunningham Street (now the Presbyterian Church).

The Lodge took action to construct their own building on a block of land at 22 Finch Street, purchased from Patrick Reid.  In July 1904, the Bingara Telegraph announced that Lodge Gwydir had accepted the tender of Mr Keenan from Armidale for the erection of the brick temple in Finch Street for ₤328.  The foundation stone was laid and the Temple was completed and occupied by the Lodge in December 1904.  On 11 July 1912, the Rt. Wor Bro. Aubrey Halloran P.G.S.W. dedicated the Temple and later addressed the brethren.  Electricity was installed in the building in 1932 and in September 1989, following a directive from Grand Lodge, the Brethren of the Lodge replaced the word Temple with Centre.

In 1999 the Bingara Shire Council received government funds to purchase the old Roxy Theatre and the Bingara Masonic Centre.  Today the building is the Bingara Art Centre. 

Photograph 36: Masonic Lodge Gwydir in Bridge Street, Bingara. Bingara Museum Photograph Collection