Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Manufacturing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday I attended the annual St Dimitrios festival organised by the Greek Orthodox parish of St Dimitrios in Salisbury. The parish is led by the inspirational and tireless Reverend Christos Tsoraklidis, who is supported by his wife, Cathy, and his family; the St Dimitrios church committee; and so many volunteers. Not surprisingly, with the good weather, yesterday's festival was attended by more people than organisers had expected.

Each year, thanks to the church leadership team, the parish facilities get better. Today they consist of a substantial church, a large covered outdoor area, school classrooms, substantial car parking and, most recently, a modern 300-person function centre. The next stage is to build retirement homes for the elderly, and plans are already underway to do that, with the hope that the first homes will be opened sometime next year. At a time when many other community groups are struggling to remain viable and maintain their existing facilities, the St Dimitrios community is heading in the opposite direction, growing their facilities and their services to the wider community. I commend Father Chris and his team for another wonderful festival yesterday and for the many St Dimitrios initiatives which today benefit the whole community.