Promotion within the Sovereign Order of Malta play a a hugely valuable role in the life of the Order and there can be no denying the positive impact felt by recipients and those around them on learning they have been nominated.

Promotions to the grades of Grand Cross, Grand Cross with Sash and Bailiff Grand Cross are an incredible thank you and remain one of the most effective ways of showcasing the kind of contributions, behaviours and leadership valued within the Sovereign Order of Malta.

Outstanding achievement or service could be shown through:

• Important merits and deep involvement in the activities of the Order;
• Assignment of important duties and/or Offices in the Order’s local Entities;
• Demonstrable leadership in the activities of the Order; and
• Lifetime dedication to the activities of the Order

At the recent AGM for the South Eastern Region, Confs. Dr Damian Benson, Paul Hoy and Prof David Kissane AC were surprised with promotions for their dedication and service to the Order’s activities.

Confrere Dr Damian Benson was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of Magistral Grace in Obedience for very important merits and deep involvement in the activities of the Order over a period of at least 15 years from admission.

Confrere Damian was received into the Order in 2003. During this time, Confrere Damian has committed himself to the Order’s call to serve Our Lords the Poor and the Sick through his actions as co-founder of the annual Lourdes Day Mass with Confrere Dr Bernard Clarke (now deceased), his service as Vice-President and Member of the National Executive Council of the Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta, and Chairman of Order of Malta Hospice Home Care (Vic) Incorporated and Chairman of Eastern Palliative Care, as well as numerous other faith-based commitments. Confrere Damian is currently Vice Regent of the Sub Priory of the Immaculate Conception.

When talking of his work with Eastern Palliative Care and the Order’s Annual Lourdes Day Masses he explained, “these major activities inspired me to continue contributing to the works of the Order as they have a direct impact on the lives of our lords the sick and the poor. I encourage all of our members and volunteers to continue with the work of the Order. We can all make a difference to the lives of others less fortunate.”

Confrere Paul Hoy was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of Magistral Grace for very important merits and deep involvement in the activities of the Order over a period of at least 15 years from admission.

Confrere Paul was received to the Order in 1997 and has for over twenty-five years provided legal advice to the Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta on matters of administrative law, taxation law and particularly his wise guidance to the Order’s palliative care service, Order of Malta Hospice Home Care (Vic) Ltd and the Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta Ltd on Corporations Law. Confrere Paul was elected in 2013 to the role of Chancellor of the Australian Association; a role he held for five years (2013 – 2017). In 2019, the Confrere the Hon James Douglas, President of the Australian Association, appointed Confrere Paul to lead a subcommittee of the National Executive Council to deliver a new draft Constitution to be presented to Members of the Australian Association in June 2021. Sovereign Council approved the Australian Association’s new Constitution in August 2021.

When asked what inspires him, Conf. Paul noted, “the Daily Prayer and the promise made on my admission to the Order constantly reminds and inspires me to participate in the works of the Order.”

Confrere Prof David Kissane AC was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of Magistral Grace in Obedience for very important merits and deep involvement in the activities of the Order over a period of at least 15 years from admission.

Confrere David was received into the Order in 2001. His early years within the Order was split between his work commitments in Australia and the United States of America. Confrere David was especially prominent in fighting Victorian Government Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation, bringing his specialist expertise in meetings with community leaders, one-on-one lobbying of parliamentarians and appearing before a number of community forums. Confrere David succeeded Confrere the Hon Sir James Gobbo AC CVO in leading the Subpriory of the Immaculate Conception The success of this transition has been evidencing in the growth of the Subpriory during Confrere David’s term as Procurator and more recently, his election by the members of the Subpriory to the restored position of Regent. Confrere David is currently Regent of the Sub Priory of the Immaculate Conception.