About Us

Graeme Meadows

GM Sponsors was originally formed by Graeme Meadows who was not only a former Principal in the Victorian State School system, but also someone who worked tirelessly in both the State & Catholic School Systems for many years in School Reviews, Conference Management and Sponsorship. Graeme was a wonderful support to schools in Leadership & Management and was a loyal colleague and friend to Educational Sponsorship Organisations for over 25 years. Graeme was instrumental in forming partnerships between these companies, schools and School Principals.

Graeme and his wife Carol were both passionate about this arm of their business Belonging to School Principals and for that reason the business was then renamed by the current owners as GM Sponsors. Sadly Graeme passed away in 2014, but his legacy of great work in schools continues through GM Sponsors which is now owned and operated by a group of retired Catholic and State School Principals and Teachers.

We specialise in small scale, boutique sponsorship more commonly known as “The Market Place”, whereby we can link sponsors and suppliers directly with School Principals and Deputies through Network Meetings.

We get you past the School Receptionist, way past the usual mailout, and we avoid the email delete button… all through Direct Access.

We can also arrange Sponsors for overnight or one day conferences, as well as Morning Teas for meetings sponsorship.

GM Sponsors currently works in all Catholic Networks right across Victoria, and a number of State School branch networks in Melbourne and Geelong.

We also work in Partnership with the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals Association (VACPSP) in supporting the Health and Well Being of Catholic Principals in the State of Victoria.

Bert Benne

Bert Benne

Bert Benne retired from Catholic Education after 22 years as a teacher and 19 years as a Principal. Bert initially met Graeme Meadows when he was mentoring the Principal Network of which Bert was a member. Bert worked more closely with Graeme when he first implemented the new Catholic Education Office School Self Reflection Model. Bert joined GM Sponsors in 2014 after Graeme’s sad passing away. When not working in GM Sponsors capacity, Bert likes to travel, spend time with his family, especially his Grandchildren and to follow his beloved Geelong Football Club. At GM Sponsors you will have numerous opportunities to see Bert on Conference and Network days as a Sponsorship Facilitator. We at GM are confident that you will find him always approachable and available.

Judy Dickinson

Judy has worked in both the Catholic and State Primary Sectors for 35 years. Judy has taught in all levels of the Primary System and has had specialist roles in both the Arts and Literature. In recent years, Judy has been a Reading Recovery Teacher as well as a Director of Richardson Education, an Educational Tutoring business for Prep to Year 12 students. Judy enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, reading, travel, and sport. She rarely misses a St. Kilda game, and has travelled all over Australia to see them play.
Judy Dickinson
Chris Dickinson

Chris Dickinson

Chris has been in the Catholic System for all of his Teaching career, initially as a Physical Education teacher, followed by a music and classroom teacher. For the past 27 years, Chris has been the Principal of three Catholic Schools in the South East of Melbourne.

Chris had the pleasure of working with Graeme Meadows on numerous occasions at both a Conference and School Review level.

Leisure time for Chris includes golf (Keysborough G.C), Racing and Syndicating Thoroughbreds, following the Mighty Saints, and spending time with family and friends. When the opportunity arrives, travel is also high on the agenda for Chris.

Rod Peterson

Since starting at Burwood Teachers College back in 1976, Rod has spent just over 40 years in education. Working mainly in the eastern suburbs as a teacher and Deputy Principal for 16 years, Rod was appointed as Principal at Healesville in 1994 where he stayed for nearly 10 years followed by 12 years at Scoresby. Rod retired mid 2016 to pursue other interests: holidays, fishing and to be able to be involved in GM Sponsors. A long term resident of the Dandenong Ranges and keen follower of the Upwey-Tecoma Tigers football club ( as well as the Mighty Cats ), Rod looks forward to putting back into education through his involvement and partnership in the sponsors in education industry.

Rod Peterson
Kym Peterson

Kym Peterson

Kym retired in 2016 after a very successful career in education spanning 30 plus years. She started out working at The Pines in Frankston, where by chance her first Deputy Principal was Graham Meadows. After moving to the eastern suburbs Kym worked in a number of schools as a teacher, curriculum leader, cluster educator, Deputy Principal and finally as Principal. She looks forward to her involvement with GM Sponsors, supporting the system that gave her so much. In her retirement Kym spends many hours pursuing her passion for travel.

Lauren Nilsson

Lauren has worked in the Early Childhood industry since 1999, enjoying various roles and experiences. She has been an assistant in long day care, a Nanny, a relief Teacher at various Kindergartens in south east Victoria and a Kindergarten Director for 7 years. After having her two children Lauren worked as a Presenter for Sounds Like This For Kids, facilitating music classes for children and their parents for 3 years. She has recently joined the team at Langwarrin Preschool covering Staff lunch breaks. Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walks with her Spoodle, Sasha, going to see movies and musicals and some good quality dark chocolate.
lauren nilsson
mick chalkey

Michael Chalkey

Michael (Mick) has been involved in Catholic Education for the past 36 years. The majority of these years were at Catholic College Bendigo, now Catherine McAuley College where he held various leadership positions including 14 years as Deputy Principal and one year as Principal. For the past 5 years he has been Co-Principal at St Peter’s Primary School North Bendigo, retiring from this position at the end of 2022.

Away from work Mick lives on 20 acres outside Bendigo and enjoys time in his small vineyard producing Shiraz, Cabernet and Marsanne wines. Other hobbies include fishing in various freshwater locations around Victoria and NSW. He also enjoys following his children’s various sporting pursuits.

Mick looks forward to meeting and supporting the various networks through his involvement with GM Sponsors.