The Greek Association of the Australian Catholic University (ACUGA) has become the first organisation to donate money to the fundraising campaign to restore the Holy Church of the Annunciation of the Greek Community of Melbourne, which was destroyed by fire last May.

Representing the ACUGA board of directors for 2016, co-president Victoria Tsiolis paid a visit to the offices of the Greek Community of Melbourne on Thursday 29 December and presented a cheque for the sum of $1,000 to fundraising committee chairperson, Dr Marinis Pirpiris.

“This has been the perfect way to end what has been an amazing term for Nastassja Sidiropoulos and I, as co-presidents and founding members of ACUGA,” Ms Tsiolis said.

“At ACUGA, we feel this donation is in line with ACU’s mission to serve for the common good, by assisting members of the wider Greek community.”

The East Melbourne church is also a significant site for the group, given that it is located directly across from the ACU Melbourne Campus.

Dr Pirpiris took the opportunity to thank Ms Tsiolis and ACUGA for their efforts and support to restore and improve on the church’s structure.