North Eastern

North Eastern Region Hospitaller: Danny Higgins KMG and Derek Pingel KMG

The North Eastern Region of the Order of Malta Australia provides support across the State of Queensland and far north New South Wales.

With a population of just over five million people, an Order membership base of 34 and around 70 volunteers, we face many challenges. Despite the obstacles, our members have continued to find ways to reach out into more rural and remote areas.

This year, we welcomed two new members at the biennial investiture celebrations in Sydney. At all times we welcome interest from potential members seeking spiritual enrichment in their lives and wanting to make a difference in the lives of those in real need throughout this community.

ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA NORTH EASTERN REGION 2019 ACTIVITIES Coats for the Homeless

In 2019, more than 40 different outreach services and organisations partnered with Coats for the Homeless to expand the service across a broad area and distribute almost 1700 coats. The program has come to be recognised as making a significant difference in the lives of the homeless throughout our region and continues to be embraced by our membership.

Deep gratitude is expressed to David Simon and the team at Simon National Carriers. They provided bulk transportation of coats throughout Australia in an efficient and timely manner. This service was provided at a very heavily discounted price for which we are sincerely grateful.

While this activity remains our most significant work, there are now other avenues of assistance being developed providing our members more hands-on opportunities to fulfil the charisms of our Order.

This year, a fundraising dinner was held with the support of our Chaplain Father Gerard McMorrow, with more than 80 guests attending and raising several thousand dollars for the purchase of coats for the homeless. One hundred dollars will buy three specially designed, warm shower-proof coats for those who need them.

Lourdes Healing Mass

On 17 August 2019, Saint Paschal’s Church, Wavell Heights, hosted the 2019 Lourdes Healing Mass, which was very well attended. Magistral Chaplains, Fathers David Pascoe and Gerard McMorrow celebrated this very special Mass with assistance by Fr James O’Donoghue.

Members and young volunteers of the Order of Malta hosted nearly 200 people to celebrate Holy Eucharist. Those in the congregation in need of healing in body, mind and spirit were able to receive an anointing. A special blessing was also offered for the carers present.

Knights and Dames spent time with those in attendance and provided everyone present with bottles of Lourdes Water and Rosary packs. This activity is one of the ways in which our Order provides service to our Lords the poor and sick.

Assisting the chronically ill at St Vincents Hospital Brisbane

We are confronted nationally with a drive for legalising euthanasia. As such, our regional Order is proud to support the palliative care unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in Kangaroo Point. Through the hospital’s volunteering program, members and volunteers visited patients. We also provide funding for a service allowing patients to enjoy a favoured tipple to help bring a relaxing moment of comfort in their illness.

We hope to have a much greater hands-on involvement in palliative care in the years ahead. We honour always the late Consoeur Tess Cramond who has left an incredible legacy in her commitment to caring for those at the end of life, which can be a most difficult time.

Care Packages

Late 2019 saw the launch of our regional Hygiene Care Pack Initiative. This initiative has members and volunteers partnering with Rosies’ outreach program to provide much needed toiletries and personal care products at one of the inner Brisbane outreach locations. Members and volunteers have the opportunity to make a personal connection with people who are struggling in their lives while offering practical support. This initiative has been well received and benefits from the tremendous recognition our Coats for the Homeless program has achieved.

SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES Parish visits

Regional members strongly supported our two parish visits during the year. For Lent in March 2019, we were invited to attend The Twelve Apostles Church in the Darra Jindalee Parish. Parishioners were very interested in the history and charisms of our Order.

In November 2019, the Parish Priest, our Magistral Chaplain Fr David Pascoe, and the

NORTH EASTERN REGION

local chapter of the Knights of the Southern Cross to St Peter’s Church in Caboolture hosted our members. They were very interested in our outreach programs and within a matter of days had made a substantial donation to our works.

Defence of our Faith

This year, the Queensland State Government has moved to dramatically allow greater access to abortion and is currently receiving submissions regarding similar moves in the areas of assisted suicide. Excellent documents provided by the National Defence of the Faith Panel have bolstered our regional members to articulate reasoned and factual support for the right to life.

We now find ourselves in the midst of another state government push to legalise euthanasia. Much is being done by our conventual Chaplain and Archbishop Mark Coleridge and our Order is taking up the fight in every venue and avenue possible.

OTHER INITIATIVES Young Order of Malta Volunteers

After the Transitional Council agreed to streamline and unify some consistency around our young volunteers and their involvement within our Order activities, it is pleasing that these volunteers are now recognised as Young Order of Malta Volunteers. Our North Eastern Region has a vibrant group of young volunteers who continually support every activity of the Order. We look forward to opening up the opportunities for this group to commence their own Hospitaller outreach, spiritual activities and volunteer recruitment.

Regional Housing Hub

Our Order continues its involvement in the regional hub in Toowoomba with the provision of Coats for the Homeless and other support at events run within the housing hub, generally around the Darling Downs region. This year, support has expanded to entities serviced by this organisation.

External Sponsorship Support

The North Eastern Region Order of Malta has sponsored the Order of Malta Prize for Excellence in Palliative Care for many years. It is awarded to a second year Bachelor of Nursing student studying the unit NRSG259 Promoting Health in Extended Care, who constantly shows a positive attitude towards the subject matter of end-of-life care and ageing. This year’s winner was Karen Fisher-Smith, an inspirational and worthy winner.

Advent Mass and Dinner

On 10 December 2019, members and guests combined with parishioners of Our Lady of Angels Parish Chermside West/Wavell Heights to celebrate our annual Advent Mass and dinner. There was a tinge of sadness as Magistral Chaplain Fr Gerard McMorrow will be leaving the parish for his new appointment to Southport Parish on the Gold Coast early in 2020. The Order regionally has received strong support and hospitality from the Our Lady of Angels parish. Parishioners have been major sponsors of our Coats for the Homeless campaign from its inception.

Member Recognition

During 2019, individual members of our region have received various honours and awards for their contributions both to the Order and the wider Catholic community.

Confrere Ashley Goldsworthy was invested into the Papal Knighthood of the Order of St Sylvester the Martyr, and Danny Higgins received the Community Leader of the Year Award from the Catholic Leader Newspaper.

Danny was humbled by the award and commented that he draws strength from Christ’s example as he ministers to those who suffer from poor mental health. His commitment in continually assisting those with severe mental health conditions is a great example of how we as members can make a difference with our service to those in most need. Congratulations Danny for your commitment in this area of service.

November 2019 also saw Confrère Adam Walk ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Brisbane.

Transitional Council Hospitaller Derek Pingel KMG

The North Eastern region expresses its thanks to the outgoing Regional Hospitaller Confrère Derek Pingel for his tireless work both for the region’s projects, administration and spiritual development and also for his contributions at a national level during his membership of the Transitional Council. Derek has served during a period of change and development, truly forgetful of himself, for the benefit of our Order.

Almost 1700 coats for the homeless were distributed across more than 40 different outreach services and organisations in 2019.