HUGH Hendry, a well-known local identity, was presented with a 60-year service jewel at the combined September meeting of the Duke of Connaught and Outtrim Masonic Lodges. The presentation was carried out by Past Grand Master Richard Elkington in the presence of a large gathering of Freemasons from South Gippsland and Latrobe Valley, family and friends.
Richard gave a brief history of Hugh’s masonic involvement.
Hugh joined Korumburra Masonic Lodge in June 1964 at the age of 37, later transferring to Outtrim Lodge when Korumburra closed.
After joining Korumburra, Hugh became interested in other masonic orders and over a period of 20 years joined 11 different masonic lodges and orders with the privilege of serving as ‘Master’ on 13 occasions. He has Grand rank in many of the orders and until recently held office in most.
Hugh then gave an amazing insight into his life as a boy, living through the Great Depression in the early 1930s through to adulthood.
During the polio epidemic of the early 1930s, which led to the closure of Australian schools for nearly a year, young Hugh and his elder brother Gordon spent much of their time at the Newmarket Saleyards. Their father, George, worked as a driver and the boys would help the buyers move the mobs of fat lambs and sheep from the saleyards to the abattoirs nearby. One penny for a small mob and three pennies for a big mob – one cent or three cents per mob.
That was Hugh’s first paid job.
His next job was on a baker’s cart on Saturday mornings from 6.30am to 3.00pm in the afternoons for two shillings and six pence per shift (25 cents). The paperboy route after school followed earning the young gent five shillings per week (50 cents). An additional morning round ensued for another five shillings per week. Half of Hugh’s income was paid to his mother as board each week.
At the age of 14 Hugh left school to join the Postmaster Generals Dep. (PMG) delivering Telegrams and collecting mail. After six months he moved to Dollar and worked on a dairy farm for 10 shillings ($1) per week and keep for 12 months. It was then back to Melbourne where he worked at a printing works as a developer until, at 18 years of age, Hugh joined the RAAF, training as a cook.
After the war, Hugh became a butcher and completed an apprenticeship in Church Street Middle Brighton, before moving to Bordertown in South Australia, as a butcher for a couple of years.
Back in Melbourne for a while, Hugh moved to Heyfield for a couple of years, eventually purchasing the butcher shop in Bena in South Gippsland.
At this time Bena was a small community. Korumburra, population of 3500, and Leongatha, population of 2500, were the main towns in the area.
Hugh became involved in his local community joining the Bena school committee, serving as Secretary for many years, alongside the Bena Football Club, as assistant coach for the thirds. At this time about 80 boys trained with the club.
Hugh followed this with a role on the Korumburra Swimming Pool fundraising committee and was concurrently involved in the Korumburra Rodeo Committee.
Additionally, he served on the Karmai Hostel for the aged Committee of Management for 13 years, and was a member of the Central and South Gippsland tourism committee, for 20 years, serving as President and Treasurer.
Hugh was also a member of the Korumburra and District Development League, which led to him being nominated, and elected as a Councillor on the Shire of Korumburra, for nine years.
Hugh soon became the mouthpiece for many local organisations and residents.
The Shire of Korumburra Historical Society, together with the Korumburra Apex club and Korumburra JC’s club, were perusing individual projects around this time. These three projects were brought together to become the beginning of what today is Coal Creek Historical Park. This led Hugh to a 45-year involvement in this iconic project, from concept through to mouthpiece, manager and following retirement, volunteer.
Following a lifetime of service to the community, he is still involved in his community through Freemasonary and the RSL.
