Victorian Commandery
The Victorian Commandery was first established in December 1982 as the Victorian sub-delegation (branch) at an investiture held at the Order’s chapel. Sir Donald Trescowthick KBE was elected the first President (Commander) of the Victorian branch. Since this time, the Commandery has continued to grow its membership and support for its hospitaller projects.
The structure of the Commandery is outlined below:
| President | Chev Dr Ian Dickson AM KLJ MMLJ |
| Treasurer | Mr Walter McNally OLJ |
| Secretary | Chev John Molnar OAM KLJ CMLJ |
| Almoner | Mrs Trish Cameron CLJ |
| Herald | Chev Michael Hines KLJ |
| Hospitaller | Mr Kane Ord CLJ |
| Anglican Chaplain | Canon Rev Dr Ray Cleary AM ChLJ OMLJ |
| Catholic Chaplain | The Very Rev CMR Monsignor Stuart Hall RAN ChLJ OMLJ |
| Orthodox Chaplain | The Very Rev Dr Fr Michael Protopopov OAM ChLJ |
Projects supported by the Victorian Commandery have traditionally included:
The Lazarus Centre St Peter’s Eastern Hill: The St Lazarus Centre at St Peter’s Eastern Hill provides vital support to individuals experiencing homelessness, hardship and social isolation in inner-Melbourne. Operating as a welcoming community hub, the Centre offers nutritious meals, material assistance, and compassionate pastoral care. Its programs focus on meeting immediate needs while creating pathways to improved wellbeing, stability and connection. Volunteers and staff work closely with local service partners to address housing insecurity, health challenges and financial stress. The Centre embodies a long tradition of hospitality, dignity and service, offering practical help and a sense of belonging to those doing it toughest. For Further information, please visit: http://webmail.stpeters.org.au/other/lazarus.shtml
The Wellington: The Wellington Centre in Collingwood is a community-centred space supporting people facing disadvantage, isolation and economic hardship. It brings together local agencies and volunteers to provide meals, emergency relief, practical assistance and social connection in a respectful, non-judgemental environment. The Centre acts as an accessible contact point for individuals who may be disengaged from mainstream services, helping them stabilise their circumstances and access further support. Its programs prioritise dignity, safety and empowerment, with activities designed to build confidence, independence and a sense of belonging to the community. The Wellington Centre plays a valuable role in strengthening resilience across the Collingwood and Fitzroy neighbourhoods. For further information, please visit: https://thewellington.org.au/
Spafford Centre: The Spafford Children’s Centre in Jerusalem, supported via Anglican Overseas Aid, delivers essential healthcare, early intervention and psychosocial support to vulnerable children and families living amid ongoing instability. With a focus on early childhood development, trauma-informed care and family wellbeing, the Centre provides physiotherapy, speech therapy, counselling and education programs that strengthen resilience and improve long-term outcomes. Its multidisciplinary team works closely with parents, offering guidance and skills that empower families to support their children’s growth and development. For more than a century, the Spafford Centre has served as a trusted and non-political community resource, promoting hope, healing and opportunity for children in need. For further information, please visit: https://spaffordcenter.org/
St Mary’s House of Welcome: St Mary’s House of Welcome is a well-known frontline service supporting people experiencing homelessness, poverty, mental illness and social exclusion in Melbourne’s inner north. Open-door and client-centred, it provides daily meals, showers, crisis support, case management and referrals in a safe and caring environment. Many clients live with complex needs, and the service focuses on reducing harm, building trust and helping individuals reconnect with health, housing and social services. Beyond essentials, St Mary’s fosters community through activities that promote confidence, skill-building and wellbeing. The organisation plays a critical role in ensuring vulnerable people are not left behind. For further information, please visit: https://www.smhow.org.au/
Green Cross Project Inc: a registered Victorian charity, founded in 1995 under the auspices of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. Its mission is to deliver compassionate, equitable health-management services to homeless, disadvantaged and marginalised young people and adults across Victoria — regardless of background, social standing, or circumstance.
To fulfil this mission, GCPI purchases, refurbishes and operates mobile-clinic vehicles (“Outreach Buses”) — providing primary care, disease prevention, allied health, dental and mental-health services. Focused initially on metropolitan Melbourne, and now across rural and regional Victoria. GCPI also develops health-education and lifestyle programs, offers counselling and referrals, and conducts regular evaluations and research to ensure that services evolve with community needs — all guided by Christian values of compassion, justice, equality and dignity. By bringing health services directly to those who often face barriers — such as poor transport access, lack of Medicare, or unstable housing — GCPI plays a vital role in bridging health-care gaps, reducing harm and improving wellbeing among marginalised Victorians. For further information, please visit: https://greencrossprojectinc.org/
Victorian Commandery Chapel
The Victoria Commandery has its own Chapel (the Chapel of Our Lord and St Lazarus) at St Peter’s Eastern Hill, East Melbourne, where short devotional services are held prior to Commandery meetings.
Above: an image of the Chapel of Our Lord and St Lazarus, St Peter’s Eastern Hill
Events
