Forty years ago, on 11 November 1984, Province 20 Australia was created. This announcement was made by the then Grand President Harry Yates who was visiting from the United Kingdom. It followed the inauguration of Dianella and Como Circles and an article of their recent 40th anniversary celebration will be in Western Link.
The first Circle established in Western Australia (WA) was City of Perth Circle No. 279, inaugurated on 8 February 1977. This Circle was considered the “Mother Circle” in WA and we give thanks to a number of past pioneer Brothers, being Laurie Shervington, Peter Maquire, Brendon McGurk and Cliff Holloway who were all heavily involved with the future growth and worked hard in the establishment of other WA Circles.
Their commitment led to two Circles inaugurated in 1981: Darling Range Circle No. 290 on 27 February 1981 and on 28 February 1981, Fremantle Circle No. 291. Eighteen months later, on 6 December 1982 Liwara Circle No. 297 was inaugurated.
Two years later, on 10 November 1984 Dianella Circle No. 302 was inaugurated. The following day, 11 November 1984, saw the inauguration of Como Circle No. 303. As these became the fifth and sixth Circles in WA, there was now enough Circles to form a Province. Consequently, on 11 November 1984, Grand President Harry Yates made the announcement, which was received with general acclaim, that a new Province was now in existence in the Catenian Association, to be known as Province 20 Australia.
Since then, many more Circles have been inaugurated: Como (303), Avon Valley (310), Canning (315), City of Mandurah (321), Swan Valley (324), Bouvard (338), Joondalup (339), City of Busselton (359) and Adelaide City (387) plus groups: Perth (943) and Adelaide North (944).
Brothers, we should all be proud of the foresight of our pioneer Brothers, and those that followed, who gave their all, to create Circles and Groups that make Province 20 great in Western Australia and South Australia.
Lou Daily, Director Province 20
