The Grand United Order of Oddfellows Friendly Society of New South Wales Lindsay Branch No. 10156 was established at Upper Lansdowne on 22 March 1922.
Although the Branch was not established until March 1922, a newspaper article reports of a successful concert and dance being held in the Upper Lansdowne School of Arts on 16 November 1921 where Bro. Lindsay was presented with a PNG scarf and apron.
The original Trustees of the Upper Lansdowne GUOOF were:
Albert Edgar Minett of Upper Lansdowne
Arthur John Minett of Upper Lansdowne; and
Clarence Harold Carmady of Upper Lansdowne
Secretary was: Hector Arthur Atkins.
Lindsay Branch started in March 1922 with a membership of 18 and by March 1924 had 54 members. Bros. H A Atkins, F Watson and W Ritchie were presented with their PNG in March 1924 by DGM Bro. H F Baines.
Each year the Lodge would hold their annual social meeting and visitors would come from other GUOOF Lodges. After the meeting closed the public would be admitted to witness the presentation of regalia and to enjoy the dancing and customary supper.
In July 1954 the Lindsay Branch farewelled Mr and Mrs H A Atkins who were retiring to Harrington. In his opening remarks Bro. Drury said Bro. Atkins had created a record by holding the office of Financial Secretary for 30 years, had been a member of the District Council for 20 years and was District Master for both the Hastings River District and the Manning River District.
Bro. Ron Drury joined the Lindsay Branch in August 1942 at the age of 16 years and was Noble Grand of the Branch in 1944. He was elected to the District Council in 1947 as a District Trustee and became District Master in 1949 and had represented Manning River District at the Annual General Meeting. He took over the position of Financial Secretary of Lindsay Branch in 1951 as successor to Bro. H A Atkins, Past District Master. Ron Drury was a dairy farmer and keenly interested in local public affairs. He was president of the Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall Committee and Progress Association, Vice President of the P & C Association and the Manning River District Cricket Association, a Director of the Lansdowne Bakery Company and a member of the Taree Show Committee. In 1954 Bro. Drury was elected to the position of Deputy Grand Master and went on to be elected Grand Master in 1955.
There was a friendly rivalry which existed between the two Friendly Societies – MUIOOF and GUOOF in the Upper Lansdowne Valley. They would hold football matches and attend each other’s social dances.
The importance of membership in the early days was to safeguard family interests in times of sickness and adversity as such protection was not provided by the State at the time. The GUOOF guaranteed a member £30 at death.
Branch meetings provided the opportunity to practice debating skills and also became a training ground for members with political ambitions.
Lindsay Branch closed on the 23 June 1972
Motto: “Friendship, Love and Truth”
Compiled by Gloria Crittenden – September 2020