Modern Freemasonry derives much from the stonemasons’ guilds whose historically unexplained architectural skills gave rise to the great cathedrals of Europe.
Some of the signs of those guilds were adopted for Masonic ceremony and are now part of Freemasonry’s tradition. These include the square and compasses, which now form the well, know Masonic logo of the square and compasses.
Today Freemasonry is represented in most countries and there are more than six million Freemasons worldwide.
In Victoria, Freemasons were amongst the first free settlers and the first Lodge meeting was held in this State in 1839.
In 1889 the United Grand Lodge of Victoria brought together Lodges that formerly worked under the separate constitutions of the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland and Ireland.
As a result the United Grand Lodge of Victoria is the governing body of Freemasonry in this State. Its leader is the elected Grand Master. Its governing committee is the Board of General Purposes and the Grand Secretary heads a full time secretariat.
Together with the Board of Benevolence, and the work of individual Lodges, Freemasons play an important role in the community of Victoria.
There are close to 400 Lodges in Victoria and around 18,000 members, making Freemasonry Victoria by far the largest community service organisation of its kind in the State of Victoria.
Our Lodge, Jonadab Lodge, No. 771 on the register of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria was consecrated on the 2nd September, 1955.
The Lodge is an alcohol free Lodge and meets at the Maroondah Masonic Centre in Ringwood on the 1st Friday of each month, excluding January.
It is a well-known fact that behind every successful man is a successful lady and Jonadab Lodge and its members are no exception to this saying. Our Lodge is well known for the strength of its Ladies Auxiliary who over many years has worked hard for charities.
 

The reason why our Lodge has been named Jonadab can be found by reading the thirty- fifth Chapter of Jeremiah. In this Chapter the record of how the whole of the House of the Rechabites was brought into the House of the Lord and wine set before them is explained
 
Verse 6 specifically relates to the naming of our Lodge :­
 

"But they said, we will drink no wine for Jonadab the son of     Rechab our father commanded us, saying ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons forever."
 

It was therefore most appropriate that Jonadab Lodge was sponsored by the
Lodge of Recab No 224.