We received the sad news of Rev Fr Peter Gillam’s unexpected death during the night of 2^nd March. Fr Peter was parish priest at Hendra, Queensland in 1979 when he was appointed the first and much loved Magistral Chaplain of the Order of Malta in Queensland.

Fr Peter concelebrated with Bishop John Gerry the Inaugural Mass in Queensland in 1979 as well as the 30th Anniversary Mass in 2009 of the then Queensland branch (now North Eastern Region), both times at the Church of Our Lady Help of Christian, Hendra.

Fr Peter served the spiritual needs of our members generously in and around Brisbane. During his active time with the Order, most of our spiritual activities were held in his parish at the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Hendra, and in the chapel at St Joseph’s College, Nudgee. He gave invaluable support to our palliative care work at Mt Olivet Hospital. He was particularly supportive when the branch in Queensland underwent a period of renewal in the 1990s. He has been in retirement for more than a decade.

The Order of Malta in Australia is deeply indebted to Fr Peter for his guidance and support to our members and for our works. The members of the Order of Malta in Australia offer our condolences to Fr Peter’s family and to all those who love him.