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Michael Lynch, a publican, bought property at the Government land sales in 1846-8 bounded by Burwood Road, Power Street, Glenferrie Road and the back fences of the present houses on the north side of Mary Street. Lynch was one of the few original purchasers of land to remain in the district. There was a house on his 92 acre property at least by 1852, which was replaced or extended in 1857, "Grace Park House" recorded as unfinished then in the Boroondara Roads Board's Assessment Roll.

He was an early member of the Board, on the Municipal Committee and nominated for the first Council. Hearings of the Court of Petty Sessions, the public meeting for the election of the first Hawthorn Council, the gathering of the Local Volunteer Corps, etc., were held in his 'school-room'.

It had presumably been built as the first Roman Catholic school in the district, and was probably demolished for or before the train line was extended through his property. The Boroondara Board had its office on his property, and the local policeman lived there also c1860. Lynch generously gave a corner block to the Catholic Church, where the Church of the Immaculate Conception was built.

After his death in 1871, Grace Park House became Grace Park College in 1879 run by Mrs Colvin Clark, and later a boarding house for Hawthorn College, eventually a private hotel. The bulk of the estate was developed after 1900.

Grace Park House, 1933. (Image: Pictures Collection, State Library of Victoria.)