Our History

Launceston Friendly Society Pharmacy Limited has a long and proud history and can trace its origins back to 1879, when a number of societies united to establish a dispensary, with the objective of dispensing and supplying medicine to its members and their families.

The original societies were Ancient Order of Foresters, Fire Brigade, Independent Order of Rechabites, Manchester Unity I.O.O.F., Protestant Alliance Friendly Society, St. Patricks Society and United Ancient Order of Druids. They were later joined by the Australian Natives' Association, Coats Patons Benefit Society and Independent Order of Oddfellows.

In 1916 a Board of Management, consisting of one delegate from each Society, replaced the original committee structure. The pharmacy operated under the Friendly Societies (Tasmania) Code until 1 July 1999 when it became a company and was from this point subject to the provisions of the Corporations Law.

The first Launceston Dispensary was located on what was to become a later site at 139 St John Street, and above the still existing building may be seen the symbol of the Mortar and Pestle.

These premises proving too small, in November 1890 the property at the corner of St John and Elizabeth Streets was purchased and the foundation stone, which was laid by one of the founding fathers Mr A R Fowler, can still be seen today. The opening of these premises was celebrated on 21 July 1892.

However, so consistent had been the growth of the Friendly Societies in Launceston that these premises became inadequate for the efficient operation of the Dispensary. Consequently, 139 St John Street was purchased in 1920 and enlarged and remodelled by Hinman, Wright and Manser. The official opening took place on 28 September 1921.

The present site at 86a St John Street was purchased in 1941 and the existing shop erected in 1957. Launceston United Friendly Societies Dispensary changed its name to Launceston Friendly Society Pharmacy Limited on 1 June 1998. In 2007 the shop was extended as part of its relaunching as Terry White Chemists Launceston.

What are Friendly Societies?

The friendly society movement originated in local communities in England as voluntary associations for mutual aid and was an important precursor to the present day medical benefits fund. Its objective was to serve the ordinary person in the advancement of a better life through the provision of sick pay while unable to work, funeral allowances to assist a family when the breadwinner had died and medical attention and access to reasonably priced quality medicines.

In time these local groups joined with other groups and became the basis of friendly societies, with the local groups known as lodges. In addition, lodges in some areas joined together to establish medical benefit societies which contracted with doctors to service the needs of their members. Initially doctors themselves supplied the medicines that they prescribed. However, united friendly society dispensaries were subsequently formed to supply the medicinal needs of lodge members.

In the 1830's, as a result of large-scale migration of working class people from England to Australia, the friendly society movement was introduced into this country. As was the case in England, doctors, who were contracted by the societies, dispensed their own medicines. However, the mid 1800's saw the emergence of dispensaries which were independent of the doctors and in due course societies contracted with them to dispense medicines for members. Unfortunately, problems soon arose when high prices and the adulteration of drugs became commonplace.

The solution to the problem was the establishment of friendly society dispensaries under the direct control of members. The Oddfellow Medical Institute and Dispensary in Sydney, established in 1847, was the first in Australia.