Rev. Father Michael LYNCH
Born 1896 [201]
Son of Philip LYNCH and Sarah MCENROE [201]
Departed London, England with his parents on the Omrah and arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia on 25 March 1909 [201] [203]
After residing with his parents in North Perth for a few months shifted with them to Three Springs in later 1909 [201]
Resided with his parents on Shamrock Farm in Three Springs [19] [24]
Educated at the State School in Three Springs, Presentation Convent in Geraldton, and by the Dominican Sisters in Dongara [201]
For his secondary education he returned to Ireland, and attended Roscrea College in Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland [201]
In 1917 he went to Rome for priesthood training at the Propaganda Fide College, and was ordained a Priest in 1922 [201]
Departed London, England on the Omar and arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia on 26 October 1922 [70]
Began his career as Substitute Priest in Mullewa for five months filling in for Rev. Father John DAWES [201]
Roman Catholic Priest in Geraldton 1923-1926, after which he was posted to Three Springs [201]
Roman Catholic Priest in Three Springs 1927-1944 [4] [6]
He was responsible for the Catholic Parish of Three Springs, which was part of the Diocese of Geraldton [4: 15-Nov-1930]
The Parish included Mingenew, Morawa, Perenjori, Arrino, Three Springs, Carnamah and surrounding districts [4]
In 1930 it was remarked that he was the most popular Priest ever to be stationed in Three Springs [4: 15-Nov-1930]
Saint Idelphonsus College in New Norcia, which his brothers attended, described him as a "zealous pastor" [187]
Conducted midnight Mass in to a crowded congregation in Three Springs on Christmas Eve 24 December 1927 [4: 7-Jan-1928]
Member of the Three Springs Saint Patrick's Day Committee in 1928, and donated a dressed doll and clock to the Committee [124]
Member of a deputation formed to petition the Government for a Road Board for Three Springs, Arrino and Dudawa [39: 3-Jul-1928]
A telegram was received in Three Springs by Randolph BARNHART on 28 June 1928 stating their petition had been successful [39]
He was among those who welcomed Prime Minister of Australia, Stanley BRUCE, on his visit to Mingenew in mid 1928 [4: 14-Jul-1928]
Officiated at the wedding of "Jack" I. John THOMPSON and Dorothy E. CLARK in Three Springs on 31 July 1928 [9: 10-Aug-1928]
Officiated at the wedding of Alexander J. F. BROWN and Clara V. BERRIGAN at the Carnamah Hall on 28 August 1928 [4: 8-Sep-1928]
Attended the Three Springs Agricultural Society's First Annual Show, Official Luncheon and Show Ball on 20 September 1928 [4]
He and Mr WHITTON won the Relay Race conducted during the Ring Events portion of the Show [4: 29-Sep-1928]
Attended the Football Dance held in Arrino to celebrate six years of victory for the Arrino Football Club on 2 October 1928 [4: 6-Oct-1928]
Along with Edward HUNT of Three Springs he travelled to Perth in October 1928 to attend the Perth Royal Show [4: 20-Oct-1928]
After spending the weekend in Geraldton travelled from Three Springs to Perth by train on Monday 4 February 1929 [4: 9-Feb-1929]
During April / May 1929 he and Rev. Father John HAWES of Mullewa exchanged districts for a few weeks [4: 18 & 25-May-1929]
After the exchange he spent a few days in Geraldton and Yalgoo, and then returned to Three Springs on Sunday 19 May 1929 [4]
For a few days in late August 1929 he was confined to his room suffering from an attack of malaria [4: 31-Aug-1929]
Sent a wreath to the funeral of Charles C. MALEY M.L.A. at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth on 16 October 1929 [4: 19-Oct-1929]
Attended the Three Springs Football Club's Welcome Home Social for two newly wedded couples on 1 November 1929 [4: 9-Nov-1929]
Travelled to Perth in February 1930 to recover from a sharp attack of malaria and exhaustion from a bushfire at Morawa [4: 8-Feb-1930]
Won the third heat for the Sheffield Handicap race at the Saint Patrick's Day Sports Meeting in Three Springs on 17 March 1930 [4]
During the horse events of the Sports Meeting his horse Androcles came 2nd in the Walk, Trot and Gallop [4: 22-Mar-1930]
His horse was presumably named Androcles after the character of the same name in the story Androcles and the Lion [--]
Formally welcomed the Bishop of Geraldton (Right Rev. Dr. J. O'COLLINS) on his visit to TS on 7 November 1930 [4: 15-Nov-1930]
Attended the Commemoration Dinner held at the Commercial Hotel in Three Springs on Friday 26 August 1932 [5: 9-Sep-1932]
The dinner was to commemorate Three Springs having the highest average yield for wheat in the State for the 1931-32 season [5]
Speaker at the Farewell Evening tendered to local pioneer Mrs Blanche M. KOCH in Three Springs on 3 December 1932 [4: 10-Dec-1932]
Attended the send-off social and dance to Charles S. MACDONALD at the Three Springs Hall on Thursday 29 June 1933 [5: 30-Jun-1933]
His sister and youngest sibling Miss Mary LYNCH entered the Dominican Order of Nuns at Dongara in February 1934 [5: 2-Feb-1934]
Attended and spoke at the Farewell to Matron COFFEY held in the Three Springs Hall on Thursday 24 May 1934 [5: 25-May-1934]
Officiated at the marriage of Hugh F. MCKENZIE-MCHARG and I. Gladys BASTIAN on 5 June 1934 in Three Springs [5: 8-Jun-1934]
One of the speakers at the Farewell to John J. KELLEHER at the Three Springs Hall on Wednesday 1 August 1934 [5: 3-Aug-1934]
Spoke at the social tendered to recently married Mario and Annie MAYRHOFER in Three Springs on 15 October 1934 [5: 19-Oct-1934]
Also spoke at the Welcome Home tendered to Mick and Rene COFFEY at the Three Springs Hall on 21 November 1934 [5: 23-Nov-1934]
Donated £1/1/0 to the Benefit Fund to assist Miss Dorothy DIAL of Three Springs who had been injured in a car accident [5: 5-Apr-1935]
Gave an impressive address at the King George V Jubilee Celebrations held in Three Springs on Friday 24 May 1935 [5: 14-Jun-1935]
While in Perth during June 1935 he purchased a fox decoy whistle and put it to use when he returned to There Springs [5: 14-Jun-1935]
He was sceptical of the whistle working, however within a short time of his first attempt a fox came almost to his feet [5]
He sacred the fox away to enable him to safely shoot it; and on every other occasion secured success with the whistle [5]
Attended the luncheon tendered to Primate of Australia Rev. Henry F. LE FANU in Three Springs on Monday 1 July 1935 [5: 5-Jul-1935]
Attended and spoke at the Annual Concert in aid of the Dominican Nuns in Three Springs on Thursday 15 August 1935 [5: 23-Aug-1935]
Attended the Three Springs Football Club's Victory Ball held in Three Springs on Tuesday 24 September 1935 [5: 27-Sep-1935]
During the evening he was thanked by the Three Springs Football Club for his "support and interest in the sport" [5]
Invited Guest at the R.S.L. Reunion Dinner held in Three Springs on Saturday evening 19 October 1935 [5: 25-Oct-1935]
Made the presentation to Matron Catherine COFFEY at her farewell held at Parakalia Farm in TS on 13 March 1936 [5: 20-Mar-1936]
Attended and spoke at the farewell to Thomas P. and Johanna C. BERRIGAN at the Carnamah Hall on 20 June 1936 [5: 26-Jun-1936]
Speech-giver at the social evening tendered to newly married Syd and Priscilla GOOCH in Three Springs on 2 July 1936 [5: 10-Jul-1936]
Attended the North Midlands Zone Council of the Wheatgrowers Union's Sports in Three Springs on 23 October 1936 [5: 30-Oct-1936]
Speaker at the Valedictory Social to the pioneering PARKER family at the Carnamah Hall on Thursday 28 January 1937 [5: 5-Feb-1937]
Motored from Three Springs to Perth accompanied by "Barney" Randolph BARNHART on Tuesday 16 February 1937 [5: 19-Feb-1937]
Spoke on behalf of other denominations at the welcome to Ven. Archdeacon RILEY in Three Springs on 13 April 1937 [5: 16-Apr-1937]
Member of the Three Springs Coronation Celebrations Committee in 1937 [5: 16 & 23-Apr-1937]
Attended the reception in Three Springs to Charles G. LATHAM, Leader of the Opposition in WA, on 26 May 1937 [5: 28-May-1937]
Won 2nd prize of five charity tickets in a Three Springs Parents & Citizens Association raffle in mid 1937 [5: 9-Jul-1937]
Speaker at the farewell for William M. and Margaret K. CARMODY in Three Springs on Monday 12 July 1937 [5: 16-Jul-1937]
Officiated at the wedding of Albert E. MILES and Mary E. GREENWOOD in Carnamah on 18 August 1937 [5: 20-Aug-1937]
Attended the opening of the Nurse's Quarters in Three Springs and dinner at the Commercial Hotel on 27 August 1937 [5: 3-Sep-1937]
Motored to Perth with local hotel proprietor "Barney" Randolph BARNHART on Sunday 12 September 1937 [5: 17-Sep-1937]
After two days in Perth they returned to Three Springs on Tuesday 14 September 1937 [5: 17-Sep-1937]
Speaker at the Farewell for Barney and Frances BARNHART at the Three Springs Hall on Thursday 3 February 1938 [4: 12-Feb-1938]
Speaker at the Farewell Social & Dance held for Vincent and May TIPPETT in Three Springs on Monday 28 July 1941 [4: 2-Aug-1941]
Gave a powerful sermon at the enthronement of the Right Rev. Dr Gummer as the new Bishop of Geraldton in 1942 [187]
Transferred to Leonora in 1944, and was succeeded in Three Springs by the Very Rev. Father Bryan GALLAGHER [4: 5-Feb-1944]
The parishioners of Three Springs gave him a grand testimonial to him before his departure for Leonora [187]
Roman Catholic Priest in Leonora in 1944 and 1945 [187]
Roman Catholic Priest in Mullewa 1946-1968 [201]
He was fluent in Italian from his time studying in Rome, which assisted him with the Italian residents at Mullewa [201]
Celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his Priesthood in April 1947, at which time he was made a Dean of the Catholic Church [201]
In 1949 he was offered a trip to Rome for the following year and it was said that "no priest deserved it more" [187]
Overcoming difficulties in securing material and manpower he succeeded in opening a new Convent at Mullewa in 1950 [187]
It was reported he should take a "well-deserved holiday, for no man has laboured so long and so unselfishly as himself" [187]
Died 13 September 1968 in Geraldton; buried Utakarra Cemetery, Geraldton WA [26] [201]
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Michael Lynch' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 21 November 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/father-michael-lynch [reference list] |
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