Our long and proud history dates back to the 1920’s, when a small group of Freemasons began visiting older masons and their wives in their local communities to provide care and support to those in need. They had a dream to build care facilities for these older people, and by 1945, this was actively supported and encouraged by The Grand Master, Frank Whiddon.
In 1947, the Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of New South Wales was approved as an official Masonic charity and named in the Grand Master’s honour. In May that year, Glenfield resident, Ethyl Easton Symonds, donated 21 acres of land, which would become the organisation’s founding site. The following year, in 1948, Ethyl Symonds turned the first sod of soil, in preparation for the construction of the first ‘duo cottage’ and by the end of March 1950, five cottages were standing. Within a decade, several buildings were finished, providing accommodation for an additional 80 residents at Easton Park.
By the 1970’s, homes were opened in Wingham, Temora and Kyogle and in the two decades following, homes opened in Belmont, Bathurst, Maclean, Grafton, Laurieton, Casino, Redhead, Largs and Narrabri.
After the year 2000, services were extended to Bourke and Wee Waa in the far west of NSW. In 2018, the organisation became known as Whiddon.
Soon after, Whiddon extended its model of care to incorporate in-home care services, and expanded their residential aged care and in-home care services into Beaudesert in Queensland, and in 2020, to Moree and Mudgee. More recently, Whiddon became a registered NDIS provider and proudly launched their disability services across many of our regions.
People and communities remain at the very of heart of who Whiddon is today.
Enjoy this video of our 75-year journey
