This fine mint South Australian Postcard with the lilac one penny Queen Victoria stamp front is a common postcard of limited appeal.
The reverse of a common postcard may be a surprise, for if there is a printed message it can be of considerable interest (see also the Victorian postcard “John George Sauerbrey 1830-1919” at this site). The printing on the postcard is as follows:
GRAND UNITED ORDER of ODDFELLOWS
APOLLO AND HERCULES LODGE.
Sir and Brother, Adelaide, December 20, 1888
You are hereby summoned to attend a Finance Committee of the
above lodge, to be held in the Lodge-room, Wellington Inn, Currie Street,
on Friday, January 4th, 1889, at 7.30 p.m. sharp.
BUSINESS – Financial Business; Election of Surgeon, Secretary, Treasurer,
and District Officers; and other business very important to all Brothers.
By order of the N.G.,
R. E. KIPPIST, Finance Secretary.
N.B. – If you cannot attend you must send a written or verbal apology, or
you will be fined TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE.
The Independent Order of Oddfellows is a fraternal benevolent order, which was founded in England probably in the early eighteenth century, the records do not disclose the precise year. It is based on the principles of friendship, love, truth, faith and charity. Since its earliest years it has provided sickness and funeral benefits, together with the socially necessary and investment services as they have become relevant to Australians for more than 120 years (as quoted in the N.S.W. Legislative Assembly Hansard, 08/05/2003).
The Grand United Order o f Oddfellows in N.S.W. is actually older than this as shown in the book published by Dr. Bob James. The Lodges were formed by the members under various names and were located in cities, towns and even the most isolated areas of Australia. Dr. James’ book stresses that the Lodges established the foundation of the current welfare and social security system in Australia.
You will note the inclusion of a surgeon, together with the secretary, treasurer and district officers in the elections to be held as mentioned on the postcard. I wonder who might be the surgeon in the group portrait of members of the Rupanyup (Victoria) Oddfellows Lodge (date not given) seen in Figure 4.