Bro. Harman Tarrant, an Irish Surgeon, introduced the first Freemason's Lodge, Lodge Samaritan, to Kiama in July 1871.
Bro. Joseph Weston, founder of the Kiama Independent, was the Treasurer of the Lodge Samaritan from 1878 unitl the 1880/90s.
The Temperance Hall being constructed in 1870s. This building became the Freemasons Masonic Hall after the Temperance Society folded. It still stands and is still the Masonic Centre today.