Heritage

1840: Manchester Unity IOOF founded in Victoria

In the late 1900s, Manchester Unity had an extensive network in Victoria. A key feature of Manchester Unity was the Annual Moveable Conference where the organisation’s directors for the coming year were elected. 

1846: Dr A F A Greeves becomes Manchester Unity's first Grand Master.

Dr Augustus Frederick Adolphus Greeves was one of the first medical men who arrived in Melbourne and held many prestigious positions including Mayor (1849-50), editor of the Port Phillip Gazette, the first regular newspaper published in Melbourne and the Melbourne Morning Herald.

He was a member of the Victorian Legislative Council in 1853-56 and served on the select committee which drafted the constitution.

1848: Grand United Order of Odd Fellows founded in NSW

1860: United Friendly Society Dispensaries

There were concerns that some pharmacy dispensers were diluting the medicines and taking excess profits.  The friendly societies took matters into their own hands and started their own dispensaries, the United Friendly Society Dispensaries, and employed their own dispensers.

1870: Manchester Unity granted Crown land to establish homes for aged and disadvantaged members

Manchester Unity was granted Crown land to establish a home for aged and disadvantaged members.  Bounded by Newry, Station, Freeman and Canning Streets in Carlton, Melbourne, and approximately 1.25 acres, the land was to be used to build a facility for 'aged, infirm, decayed, distressed or indigent members'.

In 1935, the Order decided to dispose of the property and use the proceeds to build a convalescent home in Woodend, Victoria.

1871: Australian Natives' Association Victoria (ANA) established

1888: ANA assists with the formation of Australia Day

January 26 marked the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, NSW (1788).

Prior to 1888, 26 January was very much a New South Wales affair, as each colony had their own commemorations for their founding.

In Tasmania, Regatta Day occurred initially in December to mark the anniversary of the landing of Abel Tasman. South Australia celebrated Proclamation Day on 28 December. Western Australia had Foundation Day (now Western Australia Day) on 1 June.

In 1888, all colonial capitals except Adelaide celebrated "Anniversary Day".

The ANA saw this as an opportunity to unite the country and form its own identity. It wasn't until 1935 that all Australian states and territories adopted the use of "Australia Day" to mark the date, and not until 1994 that the date was consistently marked by a public holiday by all states and territories.

Currently, Australian Unity is encouraging the conversation surrounding changing the date of Australia Day. There is more information available on this topic in Australian Unity's Reconciliation Action Plan.