A successful fundraising event was held last Sunday at St Dimitrios Parish Church in Moonee Ponds, in an event organised to raise funds for recent renovation works undertaken at the church.
The fundraiser, attended by more than 250 people, was made possible through the collaboration of the parish committee, ladies auxiliary and Philhellene Restaurant, whose generous owners supplied the food for the event.
The event was also sponsored by local businesses – the Village Bakery, Lefkas Seafood, Conway Seafood, Fresh on Young.
John Rerakis of Philhellene Restaurant told Neos Kosmos that the parish was overjoyed with the turnout of the community members, and support from volunteers and third generation Greek Australian musicians and dancers.
The parish was treated to authentic Cretan and Pontian music performed by the Xylouris Ensemble and members of the Central Pontian Association ‘Pontiaki Estia’. Demonstrations of traditional Cretan dance were performed by the Pan-Cretan Association dance group.
As a result of a combined community endeavour the sum of $7,170 was raised.
Led by the tireless work of parish priest Father Emmanuel Lykopantis, something of a renaissance has swept the parish lately, with local businesses, community organisations and younger members of the parish all coalescing to take an active role in its activities.
