After nearly 135 years as separate entities, the Shepparton and Mooroopna masonic lodges have merged.
The Shepparton Lodge was formed in 1887, and Mooroopna a year later, and both have operated out of the Welsford St hall since then.
Now, instead of sharing the facility, the two philanthropic organisations are officially under one banner after a ceremony on Saturday.
Lodge master Lee Kapelias said the merger made sense.
“It will increase the numbers, increase the strength and tighten up the camaraderie, tighten up the bonds between people, especially as we share the same facility anyway,” he said.
He said the lodges’ philanthropic purposes would be maintained and they would continue to lend helping hands where possible in both Shepparton and Mooroopna.