Welcome to the web-site of the Grand Priory of Northern Australia, the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller. Our Grand Priory is a part of one of the world’s oldest Christian, ecumenical, charitable and chivalric Orders still in existence today, with a proud history spanning nearly one thousand years.

Commonly referred to as "OSJ", the Order is an international community of Knights and Dames sharing a dedication to ideals which among other things, include:-

1. Upholding Christianity, and the Rights of Man as stated in the United Nations’ Declaration, and
2. a practical expression of these ideals in its practice of Ecumenism and Charity.

The Order has existed in Australia since 1969 (originally established in Queensland), making it the youngest section of an Order of Knighthood which traces its origin back to the Crusades of the Eleventh Century, where it was founded by Brother Gerard in Jerusalem about 1080 AD. The present Order operates under a Charter granted by King Peter II of Yugoslavia on 1 October, 1963. The current Grand Master is HRH Prince Karl Vladimir of Yugoslavia.

Having quasi - military origins, the Order observes a hierarchical rank structure, best explained by way of diagram. SEE 'HIERARCHY DIAG.' for more details.

Our regional governing body is the Grand Priory of Northern Australia, the major constituent body of which is the Priory of Queensland which in turn comprises four Commanderies under the guidance of a Commander:

1. Brisbane Commandery led by Chevalier Dr. John Campbell AM KCSJ,
2. Darling Downs Commandery led by Chevalier Bob Sellars, KCSJ,
3. Gold Coast Commandery led by Chevalier Andi, Baron von Zeppelin, KCSJ, and
4. Sunshine Coast Commandery led by Chevalier David Woodrow AM RFD ED KCSJ.

The Grand Priory of Northern Australia comprises mainly Knights & Dames of various ranks together with Serving Brothers & Sisters, Esquires and Pages. The Grand Priory is privileged to have among its members three Knights who have attained the eminent rank of Bailiff.

Members of the Order are only eligible to receive the “accolade” of Knight or Dame of St. John after rendering exceptional and auspicious service to their community. The Order’s motto : ‘PRO FIDE PRO UTILITATE HOMINUM’ (“for the faith, for the service of humanity”) still encapsulates the Order’s modern day ideals in its charitable support of the sick and the poor via its many projects SEE ‘ABOUT US’ for more detail.

The Grand Priory has its executive level functions carried out by way of a Grand Priory Council, as does Queenslanld Priory which also operates an Administrative Council which meets quarterly.

In 2008 the members of that Grand Priory Council include:

• The Grand Prior of Northern Australia, His Excellency Bailiff Adj. Professor Victor Feros GCSJ
• The Deputy Grand Prior, Chevalier Robert Mills GCSJ
• The Chancellor, Chevalier George Kearney KCSJ
• The Treasurer, Chevalier Andrew McBryde KCSJ
• The Prelate, Chevalier The Right Reverend Adrian Charles AM RFD ED GCSJ
• Councillor, Chevalier Canon Emeritus Bruce Maughan OAM RFD GCSJ
• The Hospitaller, Dame Dr. Elaine Katte GCSJ
• Councillor, Chevalier George Fox KCSJ
• Grand Priory Judge-at-Arms, Chevalier Dr. Bruce Cook, KCSJ

In 2008 members of the Queensland Priory Administrative Council include:

• The Prior of Queensland, His Honour Chevalier Robert Mills GCSJ
• Vice Prior, Chevalier George Kearney KCSJ
• Vice Prior, Chevalier Keith Mathieson KCSJ
• Director of Protocol, The Right Reverend Chevalier Adrian Charles GCSJ
• Vice Chancellor, Chevalier Russell Brothers KCSJ
• Treasurer, Chevalier Andrew McBryde KCSJ
• Almoner, Dame Dr Kay Lane DSJ
• Chamberlain, Chevalier Robert De Martini KCSJ
• Conventual Chaplain, Chevalier Canon Emeritus Bruce Maughan OAM RFD GCSJ
• Herald/Judge at Arms, Chevalier Shane Hough KSJ
• Assistant Treasurer, Chevalier Robert Kretchmann KSJ
• Intendant, Chevalier Andre, Baron von Zeppelin KSJ
• Seneschal, Chevalier Richard Barton , KSJ

Officers in Attendance:

• Minutes Secretary, Chevalier David Rees KSJ
• Legal Adviser, Chevalier David Muir KSJ
• Director of Publications, Chevalier Charles Clark KCSJ