Brother Gerry Butler – 40th Anniversary Celebration
Brother Gerry joined the Dianella Circle on the 27th November 1985 being the second year of their existence. At the recent meeting held on Wednesday the 26th November 2025, Gerry was awarded a well-deserved 40th year Certificate and miniature.
Gerry was sponsored into the Catenian Association by Graham Pittaway, an inaugural Brother of the Dianella Circle, who he met while their sons were students at St Marks College (now Chisholm) in Bedford. Gerry has told the story many times that Graham persisted with the task of recruiting him over a lengthy period, and I can personally vouch for that, and he joined in the second year after the inauguration of the Dianella Circle. Due to his other commitments of establishing his business, being President of Parents and Friends (P& F) Committee at St Marks and Vice President of P&F at Our Lady Assumption school in Dianella. On this basis, Gerry insisted that he would not hold any office position in the early years, but since then he has been a prominent member of the Dianella Circle and has greatly contributed to the management of the Circle.
He was Vice President in 1994/95, President in 1995/96, Membership Officer in 2000/07 and Provincial Councillor for the period 2011/19. Since then, Gerry has been the wise counsel to many Brothers and for years has contributed to the smooth interface with our main venue, being the Mount Lawley Golf Club. He also volunteers to ensure the monthly raffle produces adequate funds and in addition, visits older Brothers in need of company. Finally, his Real Estate firm being the Butler Property Group is a sponsor of the Westernlink.
Now a little regarding his early days. Gerry was born in Bruce Rock where his family were farmers and in 1969 came to Perth to live. He shortly afterwards married his wife, Margaret, at the Infant Jesus Church in Morley.
Gerry first job was with the Bank of New South Wales. He then worked in several other positions in the finance industry and during this time he studied to become a licensed Real Estate agent. He then commenced his own agency and experienced a tough time establishing his business. For a period, he drove a taxi for several nights a week to increase the family income.
With his persistence and networking skills he grew his business and in 2000 his son Karl decided he wanted to join. Gerry was first reluctant to agree to this, but then together they continued their journey into property incorporating sales, rentals and property development. In 2019, Gerry transferred the agency to Karl, and it is now called the Butler Property Group. Gerry is still active behind the scenes with some commercial management work, but by the end of this financial year he will fully retire.
Gerry advised me that he will then concentrate more on the Catenian Association with the friendships formed, family, travel, golf, lawn bowls and meeting friends for coffee and/or lunch. He has been blessed to form many friendships, including old school mates from 60 years ago over the years.
Finally, Gerry and Karl have sold and/or assisted many Brothers and their families over the years with real estate matters and please consider the Butler Property Group, when you need the service.
Lou Daily
