It was a day of celebrations and historical significance for the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Paraskevi in Taigum, Queensland, as foundations were laid for the St Paraskevi Child Care Centre last Sunday.
Crowds of Greek Orthodox faithful and community members amassed in the church grounds for the blessing ceremony by His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias.
Alongside with the blessing of the new child care centre, the new St John’s Community Care Centre was formally opened by the Hon. Tracy Davis, QLD Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services and MP Kerry Millard.
Present at the event were HE Consulate General of Greece Mr Jim Raptis, and Maroochy Barambah, traditional owner of the land.
Sunday’s event has yielded donations and pledges totalling $90,000 towards a target of $135,000 required for council head works and essentials in excess of actual construction costs of St Paraskevi Child Care Centre.
The additional parish resources, including the new child care centre, which will support families in accessing quality and affordable child care, will complement the existing edifice of the Greek Orthodox Church of St Paraskevi in North Brisbane.
The additional area of approximately eight acres of vacant parish land will enhance the parish prospects of securing government subsidy to implement further charitable facilities for the young, elderly and disabled people of the community.