Philermos House – THE BIG RED SHED
Philermos House, administered by the Order of Malta Southport Care Limited (OMSCL) ABN 23 692 844 321|ACNC, is a joint initiative established on 13 November 2025 by The Australian Association of the Order of Malta Limited and the Southport Catholic Parish.
Philermos House aims to provide benevolent relief to individuals experiencing poverty, sickness, destitution, helplessness, suffering, misfortune or distress.
Vision and purpose
Motivated by the Christian virtue of charity, the vision of OMSCL is to alleviate the suffering of individuals and communities in Southport, Queensland, experiencing temporary or chronic conditions that cause disadvantage or distress. Its goal is to provide hygiene facilities to a community susceptible to economic challenges and to work with other organisations to provide essential services.
The Order of Malta Australia
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is one of the world’s oldest humanitarian organisations, with a history of service spanning more than 900 years. Founded in Jerusalem in the 11th century, the Order began as a community dedicated to caring for pilgrims and the sick in the Holy Land. Today, it continues this mission through a global network providing humanitarian aid, medical assistance, and social care to people in need.
The Order of Malta is a unique institution: it is a lay religious order of the Catholic Church and also a subject of international law, maintaining diplomatic relations with over 100 countries and permanent observer status at the United Nations. Guided by the motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum” — defence of the faith and service to the poor — the Order carries out charitable works in more than 120 countries, supporting millions of people each year regardless of race, religion, or background.
In Australia, the work of the Order is carried out by Order of Malta Australia (the Australian Association of the Order of Malta). Members, volunteers, and supporters are united by a shared commitment to serving the sick, the poor, and those experiencing marginalisation in society through local community care initiatives and international humanitarian projects.
Within Australia, this includes programs such as community care kitchens and outreach to people experiencing hardship and social isolation. Internationally, the Association supports the Order’s humanitarian agencies and projects delivering emergency relief, healthcare, and development assistance to communities affected by conflict, natural disasters, and poverty.
To learn more about the history, mission, and work of the Order of Malta in Australia, please visit:
www.orderofmalta.org.au
Southport Catholic Parish
Southport’s Catholic story began in the late 1860s, when visiting priests travelled long distances to celebrate Mass for a small and scattered community, until regular ministry was established by Fr Benedetto Scortechini, who helped found early churches across the region. The parish was officially formed in 1892 and continued to grow through the early 20th century, later strengthened by the arrival of the Vincentians in 1932, whose presence brought renewed energy to parish life, education, and outreach.
The post-war years saw major expansion, including the opening of the new Guardian Angels Church in 1955, followed by the construction of St Joseph the Worker Church in 1965 and Mary Immaculate Church in 1988, which together supported the needs of a rapidly growing Catholic population. Over time, Southport became one of the largest parishes in Australia, stretching from Runaway Bay to Surfers Paradise and supporting a wide network of education, aged care, and pastoral ministries.
In recent decades, the parish’s commitment to social outreach has deepened through initiatives such as Angels Kitchen, and this mission continues with the parish’s move to Davenport Street and the opening of Philermose House, ensuring that the spirit of service begun by the early missionaries remains alive in a rapidly changing community.