The Grand Master, Fra’ John Dunlap, accompanied by the Grand Chancellor, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, was received by the Governor-General of Australia, the Honourable Samantha Joy Mostyn AC.  Also present in the official delegation were the President of the Order of Malta’s Australian Association, James Douglas KC KHD, the Chief of Staff of the Grand Master, Fabiana Giovannoni, and the Order of Malta’s Ambassador to Thailand, Michael Mann.

During the meeting, marked by an atmosphere of great cordiality, the Governor-General expressed her appreciation for the Order of Malta’s numerous initiatives, both inside and outside the country.  The “Coats for the Homeless” nationwide programme was cited, as well as the palliative care offered in a major facility in Melbourne, managed in collaboration with local institutions, and the response to disasters such as the fires during the summer of 2020.

Also mentioned were the initiatives that the Australian Association promotes throughout this important part of the world in collaboration with the Order’s other local entities, such as the Timor Leste clinic founded in 2017 to provide healthcare to the disadvantaged population, or the various projects in South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand. The Governor expressed her hope that these and other ventures would be further developed in collaboration with Australian institutions.

This constructive discussion took place at the highpoint of the Grand Master’s visit to Australia in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Order of Malta’s Australian Association, active since 1974.

During the stops in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra, Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap and Grand Chancellor Riccardo Paternò of Montecupo visited projects in support of the homeless, the marginalized and the sick. The visit was also an opportunity to meet with the Governor of Queensland, the Honourable Jeannette Young AC PSM, and the Governor of New South Wales, the Honourable Margaret Beasley AC KC.