Order of the Eastern Star

The Order of the Eastern Star is an organization for women that is affiliated with the Freemasons.

The Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization open to both men and women. Although its teachings are based on those in the Bible, individuals of all beliefs are welcome to join.

The Order of the Eastern Star is a women's off-shoot of the international fraternity, the Freemasons that is also open to men. It is possibly the most prominent of a number of Masonic organisations for the partners of the exclusively male Freemasons. The Order of the Eastern Star involves similar rituals and symbolic elements to Freemasonry, and its members also participate in charitable work that is carried out by the Freemasonry Brotherhood. It is also concerned with spiritual and moral values, teaching and encouraging moral and social standards, and has strong religious overtones.

The organisation had its origins in Europe during different periods in Masonic history. Masonry for women, or 'Adoptive Lodges' were organised by women such as the widow of Charles I of England, and the daughter of Henry IV. The sister of Louis XIII of France is said to be the author of Adoptive Masonry in the 17th Century. She is said to have formed a society of women in which members communicated using signs and passwords. In Russia in 1712, the Czarina, Catherine, was permitted to found the Order of St Catherine and was proclaimed its Grand Mistress. This organisation was an Order of Knighthood specifically for women and is considered to have been a somewhat Masonic body in character: the Masons have a grand official that overlooks the organisation as a whole with the title, 'Patron'.

Contemporary Adoptive Lodges have continued this trend with members in high level positions holding titles including Matron and Associate Matron. In the 1700s, four Grand Mistresses are recorded to have ruled over the Order of St John of Jerusalem, which is regarded as mirroring early Masonry. An Order of Perseverance was established in France in 1771 by male and female members of the nobility, and in 1775 Adoptive Masonry was established in France when the Duchess of Bourbon was appointed Grand Mistress of the organisation. The status in which Adoptive Masonry was regarded at the time is evidenced by the illustrious and resplendent nature of the event. In 1801, Adoptive Masonry was established in Holland until it was banned some years later.

It received a new life, however, in America when it was introduced into that country in the early 1800s, and was practised and in its current form from 1840. It was introduced into Australia in the early 1900s and remains a successful society, with 68 chapters continuing to operate in Queensland.

The Order of the Eastern Star is a women's off-shoot of the international fraternity, the Freemasons. It is possibly the most prominent of a number of Masonic organisations for the partners of the exclusively male Freemasons. The Order of the Eastern Star involves similar rituals and symbolic elements to Freemasonry, and its members also participate in charitable work that is carried out by the Freemasonry Brotherhood. It is also concerned with spiritual and moral values, teaching and encouraging moral and social standards, and has strong religious overtones.

The Maroochy Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star began in 1960, and initially did not have its own meeting place until 1965 when a hall at Kiamba was purchased and removed to Yandina. The hall was dedicated in 1967 and named Edmond's Memorial Hall. Over the years, subsequent improvements were carried out on the hall. The Maroochy Chapter closed in 2005. The property was closed and the building was demolished. The Maroochy Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star made many contributions and donations to several charitable organisations during its life, including the Blue Nurses, the Red Cross, the Cancer and Leukaemia Foundations, and the Helicopter Rescue Squad, for example.

The Order of the Eastern Star is a women's off-shoot of the international fraternity, the Freemasons that is also open to men. It is possibly the most prominent of a number of Masonic organisations for the partners of the exclusively male Freemasons. The Order of the Eastern Star involves similar rituals and symbolic elements to Freemasonry, and its members also participate in charitable work that is carried out by the Freemasonry Brotherhood. It is also concerned with spiritual and moral values, teaching and encouraging moral and social standards, and has strong religious overtones.

The organisation had its origins in Europe during different periods in Masonic history. Masonry for women, or 'Adoptive Lodges' were organised by women such as the widow of Charles I of England, and the daughter of Henry IV. The sister of Louis XIII of France is said to be the author of Adoptive Masonry in the 17th Century. She is said to have formed a society of women in which members communicated using signs and passwords. In Russia in 1712, the Czarina, Catherine, was permitted to found the Order of St Catherine and was proclaimed its Grand Mistress. This organisation was an Order of Knighthood specifically for women and is considered to have been a somewhat Masonic body in character: the Masons have a grand official that overlooks the organisation as a whole with the title, 'Patron'.

Contemporary Adoptive Lodges have continued this trend with members in high level positions holding titles including Matron and Associate Matron. In the 1700s, four Grand Mistresses are recorded to have ruled over the Order of St John of Jerusalem, which is regarded as mirroring early Masonry. An Order of Perseverance was established in France in 1771 by male and female members of the nobility, and in 1775 Adoptive Masonry was established in France when the Duchess of Bourbon was appointed Grand Mistress of the organisation. The status in which Adoptive Masonry was regarded at the time is evidenced by the illustrious and resplendent nature of the event. In 1801, Adoptive Masonry was established in Holland until it was banned some years later.

The organisation received a new life, however, in America when it was introduced into that country in the early 1800s, and was practised and in its current form from 1840. It was introduced into Australia in the early 1900s and remains a successful society, with 68 chapters continuing to operate in Queensland