THE VICTORIAN PRIORY HERALD EDITION 55: APRIL 2021 Page 1
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THE VICTORIAN priory HERALD THE VICTORIAN PRIORY Commandery of Geelong, Ballarat Commandery, Mornington Peninsula Gippsland Group, Melbourne Metro Group, & Members in New Zealand and Indonesia, ORDER OF SAINT JOHN OF JERUSALEM, KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER AUSTRALASIA EDITION 55 APRIL 2020 Greetings During the month of March. the Order noted with regret the passing of two eminent members. Both were invested into the Order of Saint John at the same ceremony in 2003, and both have made an outstanding and enduring contribution to the wider community—nationally and internationally. You are invited to read their stories which are somewhat truncated, given the length of their extraordinary service over many, many decades. Included in this edition is a poem written by Edgar Albert Guest (page 2). The intent will become obvious particularly after you have had time to read and digest the two profiles of our late members - Chevalier John Alan Clarke Forbes OAM KGSJ 21.10.1941 – 07.03.2021 and Chevalier Dr George Hen- ry King Tippett AM KGSJ 1 September 1927 – 20 March 2021 . I would also encourage you to read the article about the Commemorative Service of the 79th Anniversary of the Awarding of the George Cross to the People of Malta. A hardy band of members witnessed Chevalier Brigadier Dr Geoff Christopherson AM KGSJ and Dame Leonie Christopherson AM CGSJ laying a wreath on behalf of the Victorian Priory. Inclement weather forced the ceremony indoors, to the Sanctuary deep within the Shrine of Remembrance. The Geelong Commandery held a very successful fund raiser for The Cottage By The Sea (Queenscliffe) . A competitive, but friendly sell out crowd of members and guests were ‘controlled’ by a professional invigila- tor. A fuller report will appear in a future edition of The HERALD. I draw your attention to the forthcoming Investiture on Saturday 5th June 2021 at Brighton’s St Andrews Anglican Church. The Order will be welcoming eight new members: Emeritus Professor John Murtagh AO, Dr Jill Murtagh, David Mann AM, Rena Burton LLM, Michael (Mike) Weber, Tim Worrall, Michael (Mike) Burrell, Simon Stevens at this Service. We will also be welcoming Chevalier Joseph Coleiro KGSJ RAAFSR (formerly with the London based Order) during the Service. Further into the HERALD, you will find additional information about the two Chapter Meetings which pre- cede the Investiture on the 5th June 2021. It is incumbent upon all members to make every effort to attend these two Chapter meetings (Annual Meetings) and to be witness to the presentation of Reports from the Priory and the Grand Priory; and to attend the Investiture Service in support of the growth in membership of our Priory. Formal invitations will be circulated to all members and Aspirants very shortly. Please take care when completing the Reply sheet - listing names of Guests, and when forwarding your remittances. Ensure that you have the correct banking details, and that you clearly identify your name as the payor. Yours in the Service of the Order of Saint John Barbara Abley AM GCSJ FACN Prior THE VICTORIAN PRIORY HERALD EDITION 55: APRIL 2021 Page 1 A REFLECTION TAKEN FROM THE WORDS OF EDGAR ALBERT GUEST IN REMEMBRANCE OF TWO OF OUR DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS CHEVALIER JOHN ALLAN CLARKE FORBES OAM KGSJ CHEVALIER DR GEORGE HENRY KING TIPPETT AM KGSJ BOTH INVESTED IN 2003. I'd like to think when life is done that I had filled a needed post. That here and there I'd paid my fare with more than idle talk and boast; That I had taken gifts divine. The breath of life and manhood fine, and tried to use them now and then in service for my fellow men. I'd hate to think when life is through that I had lived my round of years. A useless kind, that leaves behind no record in this vale of tears; That I had wasted all my days by treading only selfish ways, and that this world would be the same , if it had never known my name. I'd like to think that here and there, when I am gone, there shall remain a happier spot that might have not existed had I toiled for gain; that someone's cheery voice and smile shall prove that I had been worthwhile; that I had paid with something fine my debt to God for life divine. by Edgar Albert Guest Pro Fide Pro Utilitate Hominum-For Faith for Service to Humanity THE VICTORIAN PRIORY HERALD EDITION 55: APRIL 2021 Page 2 VALÉ Chevalier John Alan Clarke Forbes OAM KGSJ 21.10.1941 – 07.03.2021 AUSTRALIAN sporting identity John Forbes died following a tragic accident at his farming property in Mitiamo. He is survived by his wife Faye, two sons and six grandchildren. John was invested into the Order of St John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller in 2003 having been originally nominated by Bailiff Emeritus Chevalier Royce Pepin AM MBE OSJ. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (an OAM) on 26th January, 2001 ‘For service to the community, particularly as a fundraiser for the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation’. John was born in Mitiamo in 1941 and moved to Bendigo later with his wife Faye. John was first and foremost a farmer, who went on to be one of the most well-known and well respected people in world sport. In his lifetime, John met some of the world’s most famous sport- ing athletes through his work as a national promotions manager for sportswear company Puma. His funeral was a private family service, but in the afternoon close to a thousand people gathered at Dower Park (Kangaroo Flat) to honour him. The Order was represented by several members including Bailiff Emeritus Royce Pep- in AM MBE OSJ, Chevalier Paul Wheelton AM KGSJ, and Aspirant David Mann AM (who was the MC). Many people from different parts of his life, spoke during the gathering including his youngest son Peter who spoke lovingly of his father, remembering his innate understanding of people and his ability to effortlessly develop a rapport with anyone, any- where. Peter said his father was the last baby born at the local hospital, saying he loved Mitiamo and Mitiamo loved him. He recalled his father teaching he and brother David to shoot, skin rabbits, drive the ute, mend fences and muster sheep. He recalled driving country roads with his father and brother, one son changing gears, one son steering. "Despite the many adventures he had elsewhere, his heart was like a compass needle - it was always stuck true north, to Mitty," Peter said. Peter described his father as meeting the love of his life, Faye, at a dance at the Shamrock Hotel aged 21, marrying just six weeks later. Their love was enduring, as was his love of his family and grand children. He joked that his father was like a home entertainment system for his sons - a talented illustrator, with encyclopaedic knowledge, and a hu- man jukebox. He said his Dad had a wicked sense of humour, and was an extraordinary storyteller. Other speakers including a former Australian cricketer, and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner who paid tribute to Mr Forbes' selflessness and warmth of character. On the regional and local ‘front’, a close and long time friend, Ken Hynes remembered John Forbes playing for the Mitiamo Football Netball Club in his early 20s, saying he never lost touch with his love for the club. He recalled John bringing the greats of Australian sport to the Mitiamo club's fundraisers, in a town of just a few hundred. He said people gravitated naturally towards Mr Forbes, drawn by his big smile and warm disposi- tion. "Forbesy just loved to bring the sporting elite to mix with country community people.” He recalled Mr Forbes calling Bendigo Football League matches on radio, and conducting a Saturday morning sports shows. He made a personal connection with every sports person and every human being he ever met," he said. Mr Hynes also paid tribute to Faye, saying he (John) couldn't have achieved everything in his life with- out her wholehearted support. THE VICTORIAN PRIORY HERALD EDITION 55: APRIL 2021 Page 3 Continues….. [At left pictured with his wife Faye.] John Forbes’ remarkable energy and foresight in establishing the Blue Ribbon Foundation started with a moment he will never forget. He was just a young boy when his father suffered a stroke in his mid-40s and was bed ridden for two years. John recalls watching through a child's eyes many people come and go from the family home. It had a power- ful and lasting impression that the community includ- ing local Police was right there by his family's side. “ I thought to myself, if that's what sporting people are like, then I want to be one of them.” Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton spoke about the debt the organisation owed to Mr Forbes, for establishing the Blue Ribbon Founda- tion. Funds he raised in the wake of the Tynan and Eyre murders went to supporting police officers, the organisation behind which later became the founda- tion. "It says everything about the man John, that while this tragedy was devastating to the whole community, it motivated John to take action." Driven by his affection for local police who were kind to his disabled father, Forbes said he thought it was unjust that the families of officers killed in the line of duty were not compensated for their loss. “I started the Blue Ribbon Founda- tion because the government refused to pay out two boys superannuation because they were single,’’ he said.