St John’s Community Care officially opened its doors in Townsville last Saturday 18 April, with a blessing from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony were His Grace Bishop Seraphim, vicar general of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, along with the assistant bishop to His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos.
The centre, which provides services to enhance the independence and quality of life of the aged, along with assistance for younger people with intellectual and physical disabilities, was established by Theo Bacalakis and the team at St John’s the Baptist under the guidance of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
With centres in both Cairns and Taigum, Towsville is now the third addition, providing much-needed services to the surrounding districts.
Also present on the day were Townsville’s mayor, Jenny Hill; minister for disabilities and seniors, and assistant to the premier in North Queensland, Hon.
Coralee O’Rourke; Scott Stewart, member of parliament for Townsville; Jim Raptis, Hon. Consul for Greece in Queensland and Chas Gianarakis, acting chair for St John’s Community Care.
It proved to be a busy weekend for the Greek Community of St Theodore, with a divine liturgy taking place on the following Sunday.
The service was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Seraphim together with Father Menelaos Hatzoglou, parish priest from Cairns and newly appointed priest to Townsville, Father Alexios Kapandritis.
A lunch followed in the adjoining church hall, during which Ms Hill presented the Greek Community with an award for the Townsville Greek Festival.