The CRA National Assembly is the annual gathering of Leaders and Leadership Team Members of Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life across Australia.
Event Details
Date:
Monday, 3 August to Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Venue:
Novotel on Collins
270 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9667 5800
Cancellation Policy
For details on our cancellation and refund policy, please click here: Cancellation Policy.
Please note that the venue requires final numbers by 1 July 2026. No refunds can be given for any cancellations made after 1 July 2026.
Extending your Accommodation:
If you wish to extend your stay, you have two options:
Contact Groups Coordinator, Novotel on Collins directly by phone: (03) 9669 8650 (this is the preferred option)
Book the extra nights online with the hotel or through a third-party website
If you do book extra nights (other than Monday – Wednesday), please let us know as soon as possible so that we can try to avoid you having to change rooms across the booking.
Please also note that while the hotel will try to book your extended stay in the same room that is assigned to you as per your booking for the National Assembly, there may be the need to change rooms.
Please note that pre- and post-stay dates will be subject to availability and will vary from the Assembly rate that we were able to negotiate. The hotel will quote you directly for this at the time of making any additional bookings.
Presenters:
Tony Banks OSA joined the Augustinians in 1977 and studied with the Columbans at Turramurra and Washington Theological Union in the USA. He has worked in schools and parishes, and was a Vicar Forane in the Diocese of Broken Bay. Tony was elected as Prior Provincial of the Australasian Province in 2005, Assistant General of the Order in 2013, re-elected in 2019 where he served with oversight for the Asia-Pacific region, established the Order’s Foundation, led the JPIC programs and worked with the United Nations and its NGOs. Tony is presently on sabbatical at Manly Vale, Sydney.
Associate Professor Emerita Michele Connolly RSJ taught for 10 years in Catholic secondary schools, after which she studied theology at YTU, Melbourne and then at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Graduating in 2008 with the PhD from Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA, Michele wrote her doctoral thesis on her area of scholarly interest, the Gospel of Mark. She served on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of St Joseph, Lochinvar. Michele speaks nationwide on the Scriptures and their message for Christian life and ministry and has recently retired from lecturing in Biblical Studies at Catholic Institute of Sydney.
Facilitator:
Gaye Lennon RSM has a background in education, community development, facilitation, spirituality, and leadership. Her ministry has taken her to Pakistan, among Karenni refugees on the Thai-Burma border and to Papua New Guinea. She currently serves mainly in rural communities of the Maitland–Newcastle Diocese and continues to engage with dioceses in PNG and to offer retreats for religious congregations, grounded in listening, presence, and hope.
Reflector:
Patty Fawkner SGS is a Good Samaritan Sister. She has ministered in a variety of roles including Primary school teacher and principal, adult, educator, social justice director, communications officer, writer and congregational leader. She is committed to helping create a more inclusive, mutual Church where the gifts of all, especially women, are welcomed and celebrated.