Our history

Australian Unity, formerly known as Australian Unity Friendly Society Limited, was formed in September 1993, when two long established organisations – the Australian Natives' Association Friendly Society (ANA) and the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows in Victoria Friendly Society, merged. Both organisations were established in Melbourne - Manchester Unity in 1840 and the ANA in 1871. Then in March 2005, Grand United Friendly Society NSW merged with Australian Unity.

Friendly Societies

Friendly societies were first established in Australia during the middle of the 19th century and each generally had its own criteria for membership and benefits, often based on a person's religion, occupation or place of birth. They were formed by ordinary Australians who believed in the principle of mutual self-help, to provide some of the medical and other essential services that weren't provided by the Government at the time. Each week members made a small contribution to a common fund that paid benefits to those in the group who became ill, lost work, or suffered hardship. By World War II, friendly societies had developed products such as hospital and medical insurance, household insurance, personal and housing loans, and life insurance.

As both Liberal and Labor Commonwealth governments began to incorporate some of these welfare functions into their social welfare policies, the friendly society movement began to lose momentum. Whilst friendly societies continued to provide medical and hospital insurance, a new generation was turning away from the social and financial role once fulfilled by thousands of friendly society lodges and branches.

In the late 1970's, friendly societies entered the financial services field with products such as ten-year investment bonds. These products soon became a popular and secure investment option. While most friendly societies see their primary role as insurers and fund managers, at Australian Unity we are intimately linked to the dynamics of Australia's ageing population. For this reason we chose to diversify into retirement living.

Manchester Unity

As its name suggests, Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (MUIOOF) had its origins in Manchester, England. It was established in Melbourne in 1840 when Augustus Greeves, a member of the MUIOOF in England, migrated to Australia. On his arrival in Melbourne, Greeves teamed up with journalist Thomas Strode, to form the first lodge - The Australia Felix Lodge. The lodge received its Constitution on 7 December 1840 and this is recognised as the birth date of Manchester Unity in Victoria.

As well as providing members with financial support in hard times, the Manchester Unity Lodges offered members a variety of social and fraternal activities.

If you have any questions about the current fraternal and charitable activities of Victoria's Manchester Unity you can email the Grand Secretary.

Australian Natives' Association

The Australian Natives' Association was founded in Victoria in April 1871 as a Friendly Society with a difference. Its membership was restricted to those born in Australia - hence the name 'natives'. As British born men usually held positions of power, there was a perception amongst these 'native born' men that they were second-class citizens in their own land.

When the ANA was formed, it had two aims: to act as a friendly society offering financial support to its members in need; and to promote the moral, social and intellectual improvement of its members.

It shunned traditional friendly society practices of ritual and regalia and set its sights on influencing public thinking and government policy on a range of issues related to Australian nationalism.

For example, ANA:

Was closely connected with the move for Federation in 1901;
Lobbied for an Australian, rather than a British defence force;
Was involved in the promotion of Australian made goods;
Was ahead of its time in its promotion of land conservation and reforestation; and
Successfully lobbied for a national holiday to commemorate the anniversary of the foundation of modern Australia.

Australian Unity continues to build on the ANA's links with the establishment of Australia Day with a number of corporate and public events on 26th January. The Australian Unity library has prepared a Guide to the Federation Records of the ANA 1871 –1901.

Grand United Order of OddFellows

Grand United was established in England in the late 1700's, when groups of independent lodges became part of this larger organisation. Members felt more secure knowing they were in a brotherhood that had thousands of members around the world. In those early days, members typically met in Inns, where they gathered for social and business purposes.

The Order began in Australia during the period 1844-1848, with the official date given as 1848. The first Sydney lodge - Travellers' Home No 731 - appears to have been operating in 1845 and by 1848 there were three additional lodges. Because of the time it took for correspondence to travel from England to Australia, there are some discrepancies between the actual and recorded dates. The first Grand Master of the Order was Brother James Reid (1794-1869). In 1854, the Port Phillip District of Grand United separated from the NSW branch to establish Grand United in Victoria. In 1877, the Queensland lodges also separated and established their own management committee.

Grand United membership in NSW grew rapidly, and by 1910, membership levels had increased to 22,405 and new premises were purchased in Pitt Street in 1916.

During the First and Second World Wars, many Grand United members enlisted for Active Service, and as with many other friendly societies, funds were created to provide for the medical benefits of serving members and their families. In 1948, to commemorate the centenary of Grand United, the Grand United Centenary Centre – Homes for Aged Members (now Constitution Hill) – was opened.

The different branches of Grand United operated for many years in Australia. Eventually the Queensland and NSW branch merged to form Grand United Friendly Society (NSW), and in 1986, Grand United (VIC) merged with Manchester Unity IOOF (VIC).

Then in March 2005, Grand United Friendly Society (NSW) merged with Australian Unity.

If you have any questions about our history, please email your query to our Librarian.