After 103 years of active service in Tasmania, the Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross in Tasmania has been dissolved. Source: Hobart Archdiocese.
Knights members met on June 20 for a Special General Meeting to dissolve the order in the Tasmania.
They gathered at Peter Patmore Homestead at Southern Cross Care Glenara Lakes Lifestyle Village Complex in Launceston. Mr Patmore was a Knight who was instrumental in the work to make Southern Cross Care (SCC) the largest aged care provider in Tasmania.
Members were joined at the meeting by Sonya Beyers, chair of the board of SCC, and Chris Ryan, the executive director of administration and finance of the Hobart Archdiocese, representing Hobart Archbishop Anthony Ireland.
Also in attendance was Denis Foley, the last remaining member of the committee tasked with establishing SCC.
In its 103 years, the order made substantial contributions to the lives of Catholic families, clergy, the Church and the community across Tasmania.
There was once well over 1000 members across Tasmania. Some of the remaining 27 members will continue their membership as remote members of the Victorian Knights.
The Knights’ last act was to establish a priestly formation trust fund with the Hobart Archdiocese that will issue bequests to support priests through their formation and training.
The journey towards closure started in 2023, the Centenary Year of the Order in Tasmania.
Special centenary scarves were produced and distributed to current and past members to unify the Brothers in centenary celebrations. In recognition of the centenary, Tasmania hosted the annual National Executive Meeting in Ulverstone in May 2023.
On the weekend of August 25, 2023, every Mass across Tasmania acknowledged the Knights and their service to Catholic families and the Church.
Southern Cross Care Tasmania was transferred into the care and guardianship of the archdiocese in February 2025, honouring the work of the order and retaining the strong Catholic heritage of SCC.
FULL STORY
Dissolution of the Knights of the Southern Cross Tasmania (Hobart Archdiocese)
