STONNINGTON GROUP 945 – INAUGURATION
A major event was held at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on the evening of Tuesday 18 March 2025. After much work that commenced in August 2023 by Bros Michael Lindstrom, Haydn Walter and Greg Lynch, the dream of a new Catenian Group being established in Area Victoria is now a reality.
Taking a step back in time to mid-2023, the work commenced following consultation with the Heads of Mission at Loreto Catholic College and St Kevins Catholic College. The initiative was to provide interested fathers of students with different social and spiritual opportunities under the Catenian Association. This was strongly supported by the two schools. The first Information Meeting was held in August 2023 and two more were held later in the year.
In February 2024, a dinner meeting was held at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club and later meetings followed. Preparation work then commenced to establish a Catenian Group. The Group selected the name of Stonnington as both schools are within the City’s local government boundary of the inner-city area located southeast of Melbourne’s CBD.
On the evening of the inauguration of the new Stonnington Group, approximately forty Brothers, guests and participants were in attendance. They were welcomed by Bro Greg Lynch who had the role of Acting Area Victoria Chamberlain. Greg then introduced everyone to Bro Graham Short (Director of Province 21 and President of the Australian National Council), Bro Paul Day (Treasurer of the ANC) and Bro Michael Lindstrom (President of the Victoria Area Council). Bro Kevin Campbell, the Secretary of Central Council, was also in attendance. He was given a special welcome being a brother enrolled in two Circles in the United Kingdom, but residing in regional Victoria.
Bro Graham Short as Director of Province 21 was the Presiding Officer for the Inauguration. The first matter was the confirmation that all the formalities had been completed. This was followed by the granting of the mandate for the new Stonnington Catenian Group 945. The process moved on with three brothers, being Michael Lindstrom, Haydn Walter and Greg Lynch of Circles in Victoria, being admitted as joint members of the new Group.
Eight gentlemen, being Adam Garvey, Darren Klien, Francisco Silva, Nidal Baumadi, Maxy Mariasegaram, Jeremy Pereira, Peter Fitzgerald and Richie Ralphsmith, were then enrolled as new and foundation members of the Stonnington Group. The inauguration continued with the installation of Adam Garvey as Chairman, Darren Klein as Secretary, Francisco Silva as Treasurer and Hadyn Walter as Development Officer.
With much shaking of hands, congratulations were shared all around before Brother Adam Garvey, the new Chairman, took the chair and presided over the first meeting of the Stonnington Catenian Group 945. At the completion of the meeting all moved into the dining room to enjoy a delicious two course meal and a variety of beverages.
A special vote of thanks must be given to the three experienced and committed Brothers in Victoria who saw the opportunity to develop the Catenian Association in Area Victoria. Their efforts have come to fruition. The strong support given by the Principals and Heads of Mission at both Colleges is also acknowledged.
