A Supreme honour for a lifetime of service

A Hobart man has been awarded the highest honour from the Knights of the Southern Cross.

94-year-old Harold Gregg received the Supreme Knights of Australia Award on 5 December, for his outstanding personal contribution and service to the Order over many years.

Mr Gregg, who has been an active serving member of the Knights for over 65 years, said the prestigious award came as a wonderful surprise.

“It is very gratifying – I have been with the Knights for such a long time,” he said.

In the 1970’s Mr Gregg was among a small group of Knights who, through steadfast faith, shared vision and charitable conviction, raised money to build the first Southern Cross Homes.

“I was one of the first board members when Southern Cross Care opened their first nursing home villa complex, Guilford Young Grove,” he said.

“I am the only living member of that board now.”

Southern Cross Care has since grown into one of the largest providers of aged care and retirement villages in Tasmania.

Mr Gregg said God had been a guiding force throughout his life.

“Faith has always been important, definitely,” he said.

“The latter part of my childhood I was educated by the nuns at Burnie and Ulverstone. I actually left school after grade six at 12 years of age. My faith over the journey has been essential because I have relied on it to advance in my employment.”

Mr Gregg’s award was presented by KSC Tasmania State Council Chairman John Prichard, on behalf of KSC Supreme Knight George Sekulla, who lives in Perth.

Archbishop Julian personally congratulated Mr Gregg on his receipt of the prestigious award.

Mr Gregg’s son, Michael, travelled to Hobart to celebrate the occasion with his father. Michael is also a recipient of a Supreme Knights Award for years of dedicated service in KSC Queensland.

Despite his significant service with the knights, Mr Gregg said the greatest achievements of his life were marrying his (late) wife Ruth in 1948, raising six children with her and being the proud grandfather of 15 grandchildren and great-grandfather of 30 great-grandchildren.