The Great Priory of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
25 August 23
Associated Masonic Orders Part 4 - The Great Priory of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory of the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta
The Great Priory of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory is one of more than 30 Great Priories around the world and is in Fraternal Agreement with The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT, forming an integral part of the Masonic Family Circle by way of its important and undisputed contribution to sustaining Freemasonry.
Established on 25 February 1984, by agreement of the Preceptories and Priories operating under the Great Priory of Eng- land and Wales, and the Great Priory of Scotland it administers the United, Reli- gious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Pales- tine, Rhodes and Malta – Christian and chivalric orders of Freemasonry, more commonly referred to as the Knights Tem- plar and Knights of Malta.
Our Preceptories generally meet four times a year with seven metropolitan ones located at Bligh Park (Windsor), Castle Hill, Ambervale, Oatley, Parramatta, Willoughby, and Sydney CBD, and 11 country ones located at Albury, Ballina, Bathurst, Bulli, Canberra, Dubbo, Grafton, Manilla, Moruya, Newcastle, and Wagga Wagga.
The Ceremonies of the Orders are historic and dramatic and are built around the three distinct steps to Knighthood – The Vigil, The Squire, and The Knight, with a further step to Knight of Malta. All cere- monies draw their striking themes and dignity from the Chivalric Orders of the ancient Crusader Knights of the Temple and of St John.
So, how do you go about joining us or finding out more about us? In brief, to be eligible to join our Order and become a Knight Templar and then a Knight of Malta you must be a Master Mason raised at least two years ago, profess and steadfastly main- tain the Trinitarian Christian Faith and the principals and ideals of Freemasonry – along with the chivalric standards, military discipline and objectives of the mediaeval Knights of the Crusades.
Naturally, if you decide you would like to go ahead and join our Order you will need to complete an application form. Once accepted you will be advised as to your uniform and regalia requirements and then invited to attend the Preceptory where you will be installed as a Knight of the Temple.
If you know someone who is already a Knight Templar, talk to them and tell them you are interested or you can contact the Great Vice-Chancellor as detailed below, who will put you in touch with a member of a Preceptory near you, or you can email your enquiry and contact details to us by means of the ‘Contact Us’ page on the Great Priory website.
For more information on the Order and joining
Mailing address. PO Box 406 Brighton-Le-Sands 2016