The BULLETIN The Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller THE GRAND PRIORY OF AUSTRALASIA Under the Royal Charter of HM King Peter II of Yugoslavia

THE PRIORY OF AND COMMANDERIES: , GOLD COAST THE PRIORY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST THE PRIORY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA THE PRIORY OF THE THE PRIORY OF VICTORIA

MAY 2020

A pastoral response to Covid-19 3

Victoria's Annual Church Parade 4

Zephyr: supporting children through domestic violence 5

Western Australia: Joy in creating 6

Darling Downs: Sunrise at Sunset aids drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre 7

Sunshine Coast assists Rainbow House 8 Members of The Priory of Victoria make their windy way down Chapter House Road from the Robing Room to St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne, for their annual Church Parade. See page 5 THE BULLETIN EDITORIAL

CHEVALIER CHARLES CLARK GCSJ MMSJ brought about some remarkable effects: fewer cars on the road, less atmospheric pollution, fewer

the GP’s surgery, some advantages From the Editor’s desk fromtraffic working accidents, at homefewer at people least partin of the time. The Patron Saint of the Order of Gospels, metanoia, means looking With few people out and about, Saint John of Jerusalem Knights back in one’s mind and assessing there is less rubbish, less pollution Hospitaller, John the Baptist, is with a view to changing. Guilt may of waterways and beaches. recorded in the Gospels as the Fore- be there, but not necessarily. Those who don’t care about their runner, the Harbinger, of a new era. The word metanoia has not environment are not out there now. His preaching theme was to come into the English language Can we keep some semblance of “repent” and be ready for great (though an associated word this when we return to normal? change. So spectacular was his paranoia has) but in this time of What a change that would be! pandemic, metanoia might be a We see remarkable acts of open with reference to him and his good thing to practise. kindness, bravery, dedication, and influence that two of the Gospels preaching. The Gospels of Mark With activities restricted, with courage, which we applaud, just as social contact reduced almost to we deplore so many blatant acts and last of the four to be written, nothing, with time to do things and John, respectively the first make no reference to the birth that we may not have done for a and social disobedience. We see narratives of Jesus; to the writers, long time, we can assess the past, povertyof selfishness, and violence thoughtlessness, highlighted. the Baptist is of prime importance. and consider what changes could A crisis such as we are enduring The Church exhorts us to “repent” be made for the for the betterment invites us, as members loyal to because we are all guilty. But of our future. the word used in the early Greek The Covid 19 restrictions have to look outside the square, to move outspecific of our oaths comfort and azone guiding a little motto, more, to react to a great crisis and a great human need when it arises, ‘The Bulletin’ is the official magazine to make change, and so follow the of the Order of St John of Jerusalem call to metanoia by our Patron, the Knights Hospitaller, Grand Priory of Baptist. Australasia: ACN 147 338 501 There is usually a Bulletin CORRESPONDENCE published in August each year and The Order of there will be one this year. Unlike Chevalier Charles Clark GCSJ MMSJ in previous years, it will not be Saint John of Jerusalem email: [email protected] covering Investiture activities and Knights Hospitaller EDITORIAL GROUP introducing New Members. So the THE GRAND PRIORY OF AUSTRALASIA Chevaliers Charles Clark, Reverend Dr Editor will be looking for material. You may have experienced, or read The modern Order of Saint John of David Pitman, the Reverend Canon Emeritus Bruce Maughan (Prelate), Robin about, something connected, even Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller is a tenuously, to the work of the Order Kleinschmidt, Garry Page, Dames Dawn Christian, chivalric, ecumenical, and of Saint John. Please share it. @ international community directly Goodall, and Donna Fraser, and Serving descended from the Hospitaller activities Sister Leith Robinson. at the Hospice founded before the turn PRINTED BY Web signing-on of the 11th century by Amalfi merchants, HEANEYS: PERFORMERS IN PRINT The Sign-Up page comes up at for pilgrims in Jerusalem. 07 5539 4911 www.hpip.com.au the beginning of the Members’ Domain. Enter your email Jerusalem 1048-1291; Cyprus 1292-1310; address as given in the Roll of Rhodes 1311-1523; Malta 1530-1798; Honour and create a password Australia 1969. which you will use from then on Australasia: osj.org.au to log in. @ Sovereign Order: sosjinternational.org

2 THE BULLETIN GRAND PRIORY A PASTORAL RESPONSE TO COVID-19

REVEREND DR DAVID PITMAN AM GCHSJ Covid-19: a pastoral response

In an episode of Call the However, the belief that God is Suffering is not good. It is bad! Midwife, Sister Julienne the initiator of pain and suffering, Bereavement is not good. It is bad! in order to promote obedience and Tragedy is not good. It is bad! says, “God is not in the holiness, makes no sense. For a Covid-19 is not good. It is bad! event, God is in the start, we see plenty of people all We should never pretend response”. This is very around us who live fundamentally otherwise. And we should never good theology! good lives. They are essentially use the language of faith to obscure honest and caring folk who do their the fact that these things are bad! More than that, it is a really helpful best to be responsible parents, It is true that our faith and trust faithful friends, and reliable in God will help us to cope with current crisis that the Covid-19 employees. Yet they seem to be on and live through these crises. It is virusaffirmation has created in the acrosscontext our of thenation the receiving end of all manner of true that we may be able one day and the world. bad luck. to look back and see that we have Why does a God of love allow On the other hand, we all know indeed become better and stronger things like this to happen? people who are irresponsible and people because of what we have Over the 50 years of my been through. own ministry, this has been the unethically, and yet whose lives But this does not mean that the question most often asked of me, seemselfish, remarkably who act dishonestly free of struggle or original experience was somehow in a great variety of different and strife. If God wants to promote good in and of itself. Nor does it circumstances. obedience and holiness through Let’s begin by looking at two the experience of personal crisis, really unhelpful responses to the God seems to be going about it in meanThe that problem God inflicted with all itthese on us to question. a decidedly odd and ineffective so-calledfind out how explanations much faith is we that have. they Firstly, we too often hear it said manner! assume that God is the cause of by those who should know better Is suffering God’s punishment human suffering. God never caused that the bad things that happen are for sin? NO! a bad thing to happen, and God God’s punishment for our sin. So, let’s make a conscious never will! God’s purpose for us is This response suggests decision right now to put this false only ever good! that because we are sinful and and misleading belief out of our It is our experience from time to disobedient people, God has to minds. All it does is make us think time, in the complexity of our life’s punish and discipline us in order badly of both God and ourselves. journey, to feel that God has left to make us more obedient and And it is not true to the faith of the us, that he is absent, that for some faithful, and God does this through New Testament! reason he has forsaken us. Secondly, you may also have Yet at other times we feel that experiences that cause us pain and heard it said that God makes bad God is as close to us as our breath, struggleinflicting and on usgrief. those crises and things happen to test our faith. that he is in the very depths of our Now we understand very I have heard this statement being. well that some of our actions many times over the years, and a God never leaves us, or forsakes are foolhardy and that we often number of variations on the same us. But there are times when it suffer the consequences of our theme. feels that way. foolishness. In such circumstances For example: Suffering is There is no shame or weakness we have no one to blame but God’s way of seeing how much we in recognizing and expressing our ourselves. If we have any sense, we trust him or God has a reason for feeling that God has left us alone in learn from our mistakes and try everything. All we need is to have our struggle. With God’s people of not to repeat them. To blame God enough faith and we’ll be able to old, we can cry out to God from our for our own foolishness does no see what that reason is too. These heart: good at all, especially for ourselves. statements are also nonsense! continued page 4

MAY 2020 3 PRIORY OF VICTORIA CHURCH PARADE

continued from page 3 DAME SUSAN MICHALANNEY DSJ For it is in the acknowledgement of our weakness that God can become our strength It is in the acknowledgement of The Priory of Victoria our loneliness that we can know the love and companionship of God as never before Annual Church Parade It is in the acknowledgement of Members of the Priory of Victoria the Very Reverend Dr Andreas our grief that we can experience were able to hold their annual Loewe, who gave the sermon on the peace of God that passes all Church Parade before the severe St Paul’s contact with the Greek understanding restrictions due to Covid19 were Christians in Athens and Corinth. It is in the acknowledgement of brought into effect. The Reading, from one of St Paul’s our anger and frustration that the On Sunday 15th March 2020, letters to the Corinthians, was read grace of God can bring resolution they assembled at St Paul’s by Chevalier Peter Davidson RFD and renewal Cathedral, Melbourne, for a Church KSJ. In this life, there is no clear and parade at 10.30 am. In full robes It was evident that the Corona and regalia they paraded with the Virus had caused numbers to be We can feel that God is absent at Priory banner from the robing down both from our Order and anyfinal time, answer but to in ourthat “WHY?” moment, as we room in the Chapter House down also the general congregation. are honest with ourselves and with Chapter House Road and into the Following the Service, the God, our faith takes us beyond our Cathedral (see cover photograph). Knights and Dames and their feelings into the reality of God’s The service was conducted guests joined for a buffet lunch at unceasing presence, and the power by the Dean of the Cathedral, the RACV Club in the city. @ of his love and grace. The witness of the scriptures is very strong at this point. When we openly and honestly pour our hearts to God, the healing work of his love and grace can begin in us, comforting our sorrow, restoring peace to our troubled spirits and instilling a sense of hope and purpose for the future. This is a deeply spiritual reality. God cannot help those who believe it on their own! theyUltimately are self-sufficient we are healed and can do and renewed because we have encountered the love and grace of God when we are most weak and vulnerable. Jesus said: Peace I leave with Images you; my peace I give to you….Do not Above: Outside the Cathedral let your hearts be troubled, and do From left: In the Robing Room: (John 14: 27) not let them be afraid. Chevalier Edward Lewellin, Dame Camilla Van Megen, Rev’d Dr David Pitman AM GCHSJ Dame Val Sumner, Chevalier March 23 2020 @ Michael Fogarty, Chevalier William McAuley, Dame Susan Michalanney Images courtesy Stella Conlon

4 THE BULLETIN QUEENSLAND PRIORY SUPPORTING CHILDREN ESCAPING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Zephyr: supplying educational needs to children of domestic violence situations

In response to the Covid19 crisis, and an urgent appeal, Queensland Priory and its Commanderies have assisted Zephyr Education in their work with children of domestic violence situations. They moved out of their comfort zones to dig deep into their charity accounts and provided funds over and above their normal annual charity donations. Together with two generous private donations, from Dame Dr Kay Lane, and from the Grand Prior and Dame Marion Feros, a total of $10,000 was donated to Zephyr Education. Brisbane based Zephyr Education Inc. supplies schooling needs for children who are the victims of domestic violence. It was founded in 2013 by two sisters, Isabella Bevan, Carmel Martin, and their husbands, and now has many volunteers, none of whom take fees, and all carry their own running costs, resulting in overhead costs for their operation of no more than 1%. They receive no government Images Above, in 'The Garage': Carmel Martin with Isabella Bevan Lower, a socially-distanced presentation: Dame Dr Kay Lane, Commander Leanne funding and are supported by O'Shea, Prior Charles Clark and Isabella Bevan community grants and individual donations. The organization is school can be a major hurdle. registered on the Australian Zephyr can respond to a call Perth. In Queensland shelters within 48 hours, supplying school areseven as infar Tasmania, away as Mt and Isa five and in Register and donations are tax uniforms, school bags, shoes, Mornington Island. Packs are deductable.Charities and Not-for-Profit socks, swim packs, text books and assembled in what Carmel calls her The Strategic Planning garage in Tennyson, Brisbane, and Committee of the Queensland the grade of a child. This reduces transport companies voluntarily Priory was made aware of this thestationery, embarrassment and items to specific children to in deliver them. organisation by Dame Marion being in different clothing, which Domestic violence is increasing Feros. In domestic violence often adds to their sadness which as a result of Covid 19 lockdown, situations where mother has to follows violence and separation in and also remote learning increases leave home quickly taking the a family. a demand for computers for the children, and with little money, For this they work with ninety- children in addition to their other settling the children into a new four DV shelters in Queensland, requirements. @

MAY 2020 5 PRIORY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA A FORTUNATE LIFE

CHEVALIER ANTHONY HOWES KCSJ WA: bringing us back to the joy in creation

The Western Australian Priory understanding into the lives of sends every good wish to Dames many. and Knights, and all associated When the pandemic is over and with the Order, in these strange its aftermath is with us we will and unusual times. At the time of be part of a community suffering going to print, all of the members impoverished mental health, and of the Order in the West are in that will need our help as never good health. before, in creating music, theatre, Prior, Chevalier Jamie, and the two Vice Priors, Chevalier Bill composers, playwrights, theatre Munro and your writer, are to personnelfilm (and the and like). musicians Especially, will beas in meet shortly (quite possibly by harsher economic conditions than Zoom!) to consider the inevitable they have ever experienced. combination. The city season changes to the way in which our Let me describe in a little detail received great acclaim, both for fund-raising will need to work in the background to our support of direction, performance, beauty and the future. From this meeting we Theatre 180. The creators of the sheer enjoyment. will send out our thoughts to all theatre company are professional I spoke with Theatre 180’s in the WA Priory to stimulate and artists who have given freely of artistic director Stuart and the engender more ideas and, indeed, their talents to the Order in WA, and associate director, Jenny, about concrete plans with which we over time, that gift has resulted in the Company’s commitment to might operate in more ‘normal’ thousands of dollars which we have the whole of WA, and not just the times. In particular, we will be been able to distribute. city. Their reply, epitomises what I looking at the inevitable change A B Facey’s A Fortunate Life, believe to be of importance in the in the way individuals, businesses adapted for the stage by Jenny mission of theatre anywhere and and the general public are able to David OAM, and director Stuart the health of the community in donate to activities. Halusz, premiered in WA the which they serve. One area which will receive They told me that this our attention is how we might best alleviate the poverty of both technique of stage and film material matters and in that which is responsible for the mental health of the community. This latter area is a very complex one, of course. In our last fund- raiser before the pandemic changed our lives, where we raised funds by ticket sales to Theatre 180’s premiere of A B Faceys A Fortunate Life, our aim was, yes, to raise money, but, equally importantly, we recognized that by supporting Perth’s new Theatre 180 Company, we were assisting the home grown art form of theatre in its supply of creative energy and intellectual

6 THE BULLETIN PRIORY OF THE DARLING DOWNS SUPPORTING REHABILITATION

production is all about people PRIOR JEFFREY PREBBLE OAM KCSJ on the land, lives governed by seasons and weather: story of our rural heritage; wheat, sheep, pigs, chickens, cattle, and orchards. Bert Facey worked with them all. They pointed to the vastness of the regions; to the isolation living on the land, and the need to come together to celebrate the richness of our stories. Jenny and Stuart went on to say how we need to see and hear stories about ourselves, and we must share those experiences with others to show we understand the importance of community to human happiness. Both were adamant Darling Downs supports that In the bush we witness great examples of community spirit and "Sunrise Way" at sunset the generosity, especially in times of hardship. Certainly the Arts will be one MEMBERS AND GUESTS VIEWING THE BOLTON COLLECTION vital area which will need our support in bringing Australia (and On Friday 6th March, sixty-one members and guests attended a function to dare I say, the World) back to the joy in creation: as TS Eliot said – alcohol rehabilitation in . We met at the Toowoomba City Hall God, the Creator made Man in his whereraise money Councillor, for “Sunrise Chevalier Way”, Chris a not-for- Tait KSJ profit aided residential by Councillor unit forJoe drug Ramia and turn, to be a creator. @ conducted a tour of the renovated, heritage listed building. We were

We then walked next to the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery wherewelcomed we wereby Mayor greeted Paul with Antonio canapes and andinvited drinks. into Mshis Sue office. Lostroh, the Images: At left, during rehearsal. Gallery Director and Mr Jason Althofer, curator of the Bolton Collection Courtesy Stewart Thorpe Photography. Below, one of the photographic back- introduced exhibits in the gallery focussing on the Bolton Collection. grounds used in the production. An informative social occasion was enjoyed by all. A donation of $2,000 Courtesy Green Man Media. was subsequently presented to “Sunrise Way”. @

TOOWOOMBA CITY HALL JASON ALTHOFER

MAY 2020 7 SUNSHINE COAST PRIORY GATHERINGS SUPPORT RAINBOW HOUSE

CHEVALIER ROBIN KLEINSCHMIDT OAM KCSJ Sunshine Coast gatherings helped Our Rainbow House Bell. Those who attended shared

recounting their experiences during thea superb Christmas spread and of fineNew food Year while holiday

chocolate and plants enabled the Prioryperiod. to A makesuccessful a donation raffle oftowards wine, its support for Our Rainbow House. Our Rainbow House is an Australian charity which provides education and nutrition for young children in the township of Chainda near Lusaka in Zambia, offering In common with all other Priories and a safe refuge and practical help Commanderies the Priory of Sunshine Coast has to children who are poor and been compelled to abandon its plans for activities vulnerable. and events in the immediate future. This includes The priory has supported this Images: the cancellation of its popular annual True Blue At the afternoon tea, charity for some years, and was above, from top, Mrs Cocktail Party which was planned for the 24th pleased to welcome its founder Alison Ray and Dame April. However, several successful and enjoyable and Director, Mrs Alison Ray, at Airlie Bell events were held before the restrictions aimed at an afternoon tea hosted by Dame Chevalier Prior Mel Tipper, limiting the spread of the coronavirus came into Cherie Wortley and Chevalier David Dame Bette Tipper, Dame effect. Woodrow. Jan Jones, Chevalier The year began with a social gathering on 8th Dame Airlie Bell, the Vice-Prior, David Woodrow, Dame of February at the Buderim home of Dame Airlie Cherie Wortley, Dame presented a cheque to Mrs Ray Airlie Bell Images: Above left, Dame Anne Stitz, Dame Vicki to continue the Priory’s support, Chevalier David Woodrow, Stewart, Bishop Jeremy Greaves, Dame Bette Tipper, Mrs Alison Ryan, Dame Mrs Josie Greaves, Mr Mike Milwright poor children. @ Cherie Wortley. specifically for the care of very sick The 2020 Sovereign Council Meeting, Vancouver

No decision has yet been made on At the moment four options are 3. Hold a partial online meeting how and when to hold the planned under consideration: with a quorum of Sovereign Council 2020 Sovereign Council meeting. 1. Proceed with the meetings as members living in Vancouver and Members of Le Petit Conseil (LPC) planned. This option is unlikely, but Victoria. The other members of the still on the table. Sovereign Council will participate their meeting on 4th June. 2. Hold an online meeting utilizing online to meet the other quorum expectThe toGrand make Master a final and decision at a ZOOM-like meeting arrangement. requirement that two thirds of the members of LPC are monitoring This is possible with a slight impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, alteration to the Rules allowing an person or by proxy. as well as resulting controls electronic meeting to be held. It 4.qualified Postpone members the meeting are present to 2021. in imposed by health authorities and would also enable non-Sovereign This would be complicated but would governments. Council members to watch. allow for a physical gathering. @

8 THE BULLETIN