Since 1867
For more than 155 years, Royal Freemasons has proudly delivered Residential Aged Care, In-home Support and Independent Living Units for older Victorians.
We began as a tiny charitable initiative of Melbourne’s Freemasons, on five acres of Crown Land grant land on Punt Road, Prahran, in 1867.
Today, we are one of the most respected not-for-profit organisations, supporting older people to live secure, independent and rewarding lives.
We are known for our compassionate, caring approach and a strongly held belief in the importance of community.
1867 – 17 June: Three Provincial Grand Masters – RWBro Thomas Reed (Scottish Constitution), RWBro John Thomas Smith (Irish Constitution) and RWBro Frederick Charles Standish (English Constitution) – laid the Foundation Stone at the site on Punt Road, Prahran, where 400 Freemasons were present.
The first cottages for elderly Freemasons were completed near the end of 1867.
1883 – 2 July: George Coppin forms District Grand Lodge of Victoria. Coppin elected to Homes Committee of Management.
1889 – 21 March: United Grant Lodge of Victoria formed. Sir William Clarke, Grand Master.
1903 – First Coppin Hall opened, donated by George Coppin.
1906 – George Coppin dies.
1924 – Coppin Hall rebuilt.
1934 – Admission age raised from 55 to 60 years.
1937 – Opening of the Royal Freemason’s Hospital in East Melbourne.
1939 – Building works at Punt Road halted by outbreak of World War II.
1951 – Admission age raised from 60 to 65 years.
1952 – 4 May: General Sir Dallas Brooks, Grand Master, opens Peace Memorial Block. New Coppin Hall completed and opened by Pr Grand Master R.A. Rowe.
1955 – 6 November: Leslie Wood Wing opened by Sir Dallas Brooks.
1960 – Trustees purchase two freehold blocks, 101 and 15 Punt Road, Windsor, for Masonic Court.
1964 – Masonic Court completed.
1967 – 6 and 7 March: Centenary Conference held at Royal Freemason’s Homes. 31 May: Symbolic foundation stone laying for Centennial House performed by the Hon. Mr Justice Gillard, Grand Master.
1969 – Centennial House opens. Palm Court, Murrumbeena, bought as independent units for married couples, widows and widowers.
1972 – Name change from ‘Freemasons’ Charitable Institution of Victoria,’ to Freemasons’ Homes of Victoria.
1977 – Work commences on 16 independent units at Wangaratta.
1983 – Masonic Court Geelong completed. Total of eight independent homes now open around Victoria.
1992 – 17 June: 125th anniversary celebrations.
1996 – Gregory Lodge Nursing Home, Flemington opens.
2002 – Marjorie Nunan Memorial Homes Society in Brunswick acquired.
2003 – Federal Minister for Health, Julie Bishop, launches ‘Pain in Residential Aged Care Facilities – Management Strategies’ at Coppin Community Hostel where primary research was conducted.
2007 – Masonic Court Windsor sold, Redmond Park Retirement Apartments, Carlton, opens.
2011 – Coppin Centre opens.
2013 – Springtime Sydenham, Monash Village Gardens and Elizabeth Gardens acquired. Royal Freemasons is now providing care for over 1300 older Victorians.
2016 – 60 bed Footscray Aged Care and 77 independent living units of the Berwick Brae Retirement Village purchased.
2017 – Royal Freemasons celebrates 150 years of caring for older Victorians. Acquisitions include Mt Martha Valley, Mornington Peninsula Home Residential Care.
Your generosity provides a direct impact, allowing us to enhance the lives of our residents.
For further information please call
1300 623 642 or email us.
45 Moubray Street
Melbourne VIC 3004
© 2025 Royal Freemasons Pty Ltd (ABN 52 082 106 821)
Elizabeth Gardens
Footscray
Coppin Centre
Monash Gardens
Mount Martha Valley
Springtime
Centennial Lodge
Marjorie Nunan Court
Marjorie Nunan Terrace
Boyd Court
Acacia Court
Banksia Court
Goulburn Court
Jacaranda Court
Murray Gardens Court