Canadian Veteran inducted as Grand Master for Order of St. George of Canada 

Last month the Order of St. George of Canada and the Americas started a new decade under new leadership in hopes of expanding its charitable activities supporting military personnel, first responders, and their families.

At a ceremony on January 18th, in Niagara Falls, Colonel (ret’d) Dr. Andrew Nellestyn of Arnprior was inducted as the Order’s new Grand Master, and as the second individual to hold this position in the office.

Dr. Nellestyn previously held the rank of Knight Grand Cross (KGCStG) in the Order.

Who is Dr. Andrew Nellestyn

He is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who had an extensive career as a senior military officer, diplomat, municipal politician, senior corporate executive, professor, author, archaeologist, physicist, chemical engineer, project manager, economist, community volunteer, and philanthropist.

“I am truly humbled but also delighted and excited,” said Dr. Nellestyn at the ceremony. “My responsibilities and obligations to the Order, to its Knights and Dames, and, most importantly, to the many individuals and organizations that we support, are my primary focus for they define the essence of the Order of St. George and the role it is meant to play in the community.”

About Order of St. George of Canada and the Americas

The Order of St. George of Canada and the Americas was established in 2003 and continue a 694-year-old tradition. Its forerunner was initially founded in 1326, in Hungary, as the first secular and charitable royal military order of its kind.

The charity supports Canadian and American military personnel, first responders, and their families, requiring aid as a direct result of stressful duties from service. The Order also extends its support to other eligible Canadian organizations that work towards the welfare of veterans, first responders, or their families.

Organizations Principles

Approximately 330 men and women are invested into The Order of St. George of Canada and the Americas, as Knights (KStG) and Dames (DStG). According to the charity’s principles, each member vows to pursue a proactive lifestyle of integrity, honour, decency, courage, loyalty, compassion, self-discipline, courtesy, and service.

Although military service is not a pre-requisite for membership, the ceremony and pageantry of the Order are embedded with military tradition.

At the ceremony, President of The Order of St. George of Canada and the Americas Charles Hill said, “On behalf of the Order’s National Council, Commanders, Priory Executive and Foundation, it is my pleasure and honour to see Andrew assume a role for which he is so is uniquely suited.”

He added, “We have big plans in 2020 to evolve our operations so that we can have a more meaningful impact on worthy causes that we support, and Andrew is just the man to see it done as our new Grand Master.”

Learn more about the work of the Order of St George on their website here.