New Masonic Centre to Open in Traralgon on Saturday

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Freemasons Victoria

End of Era for Australia's First Regional Television Station


Don Reynolds
Grand Master
Freemasons Victoria 

The opening of the new Latrobe Valley Masonic Centre in Traralgon on Saturday will see the end of an era for the former headquarters of GLV10, the FIRST regional television station in Australia.

Freemasons Victoria in the 1970s purchased and converted the old GLV10 Television Studios building in Oswald Street to be the Freemason's home in Traralgon for forty-odd years.

Don Reynolds, Grand Master of Freemasons Victoria said the building and opening of a new modern Masonic Centre in Traralgon is an historic occasion given the rich history of the site and the significance for Freemasonry.

Freemasonry commenced in the Latrobe Valley just after the settlement of Traralgon in 1885 with the establishment of the Argyle Lodge.

The Argyle Lodge was the foundation for the establishment of another twenty-seven Lodges throughout the Latrobe Valley.

"The opening of the new Latrobe Masonic Centre is the culmination of many years of detailed planning and investment by Freemasons Victoria and local Lodges and will become an important local Masonic and civic resource equipping us well for a strong future in the Latrobe Valley," Mr Reynolds said. 

Freemasons from across Victoria will travel to Traralgon for the Dedication and Official Opening of the new Masonic Centre which will also be attended by local community leaders.

GLV10 Background
*GLV10, covering Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley in eastern Victoria, was opened on Saturday, 9 December 1961.http://televisionau.com/classic-tv-guides/tv091261
The opening night was also attended by a number of 'national' personalities including Horrie Dargie, Bobby Limb, Happy Hammond and Johnny Chester.
GLV10's opening night's programs started at 5.45pm with a 15-minute film, Touring Gippsland.
The evening was also dominated by coverage of the 1961 Federal Election - with coverage throughout the evening by ABV2, HSV7 and GTV9. ABV2's coverage is relayed to Gippsland viewers via GLV10.
This also included 'live' crosses to the Trots.
The eleven o'clock News was presented by Phillip Brady.

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Corporate Media Communications, Freemasons Victoria - Mobile: 0417 329 201