Our Story... Genesis & Evolution The genesis of Masonic Homes really goes back to 1889 when W.H. Gray presented 14 acres of land at Glenelg valued at £1,500 to the then Grand Master, the Earl of Kintore. This was for the purposes of erecting homes for “indigent Masons”.  In 1904 with uncertain world times, the land was acquired by the Government for a fort, which later became the site of the Glenelg sewerage works. With the proceeds of this sale, the Freemasons constructed cottages in Kingston Terrace, North Adelaide. Later, land was purchased at Colonel Light Gardens and further accommodation was built from 1938 until 1962.  The original Masonic Homes development at Somerton Park was commenced by The Board of Benevolence of the Grand Lodge of South Australia and was opened with 16 independent living units    at on the Diagonal Road Site, in 1965. Several periods and stages of construction have progressed over the years. In 1971 a 44 bed Nursing Home was started and grew to include a Day Therapy Centre.

Somerton Park Site Circa 1970's

In 1978 'the Homes' became the Masonic Memorial Homes Trust Inc., a separate body controlled by a 7 member Board. This entity later took responsibility for all Masonic Aged Care and retirment accomodation, including a large retirement village at Ridgehaven and the smaller one at Colonel Light Gardens. 

In 1996, Darwin's and indeed the Territory's first retirement village, built by Masonic Homes, was opened. 

In 1998 a 35 bed Residential Care facility was completed at Heathfield in the Adelaide Hills.

We now have over 400 residential care beds, almost 900 independent living units and some 270 community care packages, as well as therapy services, across a number of sites in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Links to Freemasonry

We have never lost our links to Freemasonry and its values of compassion and Benevolence.
The office of the Chairman carries Grand Lodge Rank and we retain many linkages to Freemasons in South Australia & the Northern Territory through volunteering and other ways.
However the services provided by Masonic Homes are not just for the benefit of Freemasonry, but are very much about caring in the wider community.