The Order of Malta Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Frank Testa as our new National Hospitaller—a vital leadership role responsible for advancing the Order’s mission across Australia.

As National Hospitaller, Frank will oversee the Order’s charitable and humanitarian works, ensuring they reflect our core values of service to the poor and the sick, and uphold the dignity of every person. He brings to this role a wealth of professional and personal experience, with a long-standing commitment to both the Order’s mission and the wider community.

Frank joined the Order of Malta in 2011 and has consistently demonstrated his dedication through active participation in regional and national initiatives. A standout moment in his service was his leadership in the Order’s response to the devastating 2020 bushfires—an effort marked by compassion, resilience, and lasting impact.

Professionally, Frank serves as Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department at Shellharbour Hospital. His clinical expertise and leadership in a high-pressure environment will be invaluable as we continue to ensure all our projects meet the highest standards of governance, safeguarding, and care.

In his new role, Frank will lead the coordination and development of national charitable programs, support regional hospitallers, and play a key role in ensuring that the Order’s work remains rooted in our spiritual mission and humanitarian purpose. His leadership comes at a time of growing need in our communities, both locally and globally.

We warmly congratulate Frank on this appointment and offer our prayers and full support as he begins this important service in the name of the Australian Association of the Order of Malta.

A quick Q&A with our new National Hospitaller

Q: How did you first learn about the Order in Australia?

A: I grew up hearing stories about the Knights of Malta from both of my Maltese grandfathers. These stories—combined with my Catholic faith and interest in the history of my ancestors—sparked a deep curiosity about the Order.

My uncle, Fr. Leonard Testa, knew of my strong faith and interest, and introduced me to members of the Order. In 2009, I was invited to begin the journey toward membership and, after a year of preparation, I was invested at the National Assembly in Sydney in 2011.

Being a member of the Order has contributed immensely to my personal and spiritual growth. It’s through active service that I’ve found so many opportunities to live out the Christian faith I profess.

 

Q: What was the biggest outtake from the Order’s response to the 2020 Bushfire response?

A: The 2020 Bushfires were devastating for many families on the South Coast of NSW. We witnessed the destruction first-hand and heard so many heartbreaking stories from people who literally lost everything that they owned.

Our team visited the region every month for over 18 months. It was a privilege to support families as they began the long journey toward recovery. There was no quick fix, but what stood out most was the unwavering commitment of my fellow team members—Confreres Daniel Kwok, Dunstan De Souza, and Stephen Gatt. Their example of selfless service truly embodied what it means to live your faith through the Order.

We were humbled to be welcomed into the lives of those we served. I hope we made a difficult time a little easier and that those families remember the Order of Malta with warmth and hope.

 

Q: What opportunities do you see for the Order of Malta Australia to assist the poor and sick in the coming years?

A: The need for support continues to grow. With rising inflation, the housing crisis, and increasing cost of living, more individuals and families are seeking help than ever before.

I’m inspired by the outstanding work already happening across our regions. The Our Lady of Philermos House on the Gold Coast will soon provide shelter and support to people experiencing homelessness. The Community Care Kitchen in Bondi is feeding the poor and homeless every week. Our Vans and Coats for the Homeless programs are expanding, and the Palliative Care Project in the South is bringing comfort and dignity to those at the end of life.

I believe there’s strong potential to take some of these regional projects national. We’re also developing initiatives to support those in prison and their families, as well as the dying.

A key priority for me is growing our volunteer base. With more hands and hearts, we can expand existing programs and launch new ones, continuing to meet the call to serve the sick and the poor with love and humility.