Dissolution of the Knights of the Southern Cross Tasmania
Saturday 20 June was a historic day in the Archdiocese as members of the Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross (KSC) gathered for a Special General Meeting to dissolve the Order in Tasmania.
They gathered at Peter Patmore Homestead at Southern Cross Care Glenara Lakes Lifestyle Village Complex in Launceston. Peter was a Knight who was instrumental in the work to make Southern Cross Care the largest aged care provider in Tasmania.
Members were joined at the meeting by Sonya Beyers, Chair of the Board of Southern Cross Care (SCC) and Chris Ryan the Executive Director of Administration and Finance of the Archdiocese of Hobart as the representative of the Archbishop.
Also in attendance was Denis Foley, the last remaining member of the committee tasked with establishing SCC, and at the time, Branch Chairman of Invermay.
Over 103 years of active and effective service in Tasmania, the Order has made substantial contributions to the lives of Catholic families, clergy, the Church and the community across Tasmania. Their very last act was to establish a Priestly Formation Trust fund with the Archdiocese of Hobart that will issue bequests to support priests through their formation and training.
There was once well over 1,000 members across Tasmania. Some of the remaining 27 members will continue their membership as remote members of the Victorian Knights.
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 25 August 2023 every Mass across Tasmania acknowledged the Knights and their service to Catholic families and the Church.
It was an encouraging occasion in February 2025 when Southern Cross Care Tasmania was transferred into the care and guardianship of the Archdiocese, as it honours the work of the Order and retains the strong Catholic heritage of SCC.
The 2025 AGM was the final one for KSC Tasmania.
This year has been about bringing the process to completion by recognising and honouring the service of current Knights with meritorious medals that matched their service. The Knights’ 103 years of service was acknowledged with memorial plaques which will be placed in a number of churches, each SCC Tas Aged Care facility, and in St Mary’s Cathedral.
The memory of the Knights will also live on through the Priestly Formation Trust Fund.
Although most will no longer be members, no doubt they will continue to strive to do good works, to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)