On Thursday 21 September, the Golden Jubilee Dinner to celebrate 50 years of the Maronite Eparchy of Australia in the presence of our Patriarch, His Beatitude and Eminence Mar Bechara Boutros Rai was held at Rosehill Gardens.

The night, hosted by His Excellency Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Bishop of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, was attended by sponsors, Maronite parishes, clergy, community members and VIPs, including The Hon. Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, and The Hon. Chris Minns, Premier of NSW.

His Excellency Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay delivered the opening speech, where he blessed the dinner and launched the Lebanese Schools Appeal, which, in collaboration with Maronites on Mission, will go towards assisting students in rural, disadvantaged areas of Lebanon who are unable to receive an education because of the economic crisis.

Bishop Taranay’s speech was followed by speeches from Patriarch Rai, Mr Albanese and Mr Minns.

Patriarch Rai spoke further about Lebanon, thanking the Maronites in Australia and abroad for all the food, medicine and financial assistance they have sent to Lebanon, and calling for international aid for the country.

A successful auction and wine bottle raffle saw funds raised for children in Lebanon and the night was rounded off by entertainment from Chris Moussa and the Moussa family band.

It was a momentous evening where the community gathered to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Eparchy in the presence of our Patriarch. Together, we celebrated the past of the Maronite Eparchy and everything that has built it into what it is today, with a positive outlook towards the future of it.

The Maronite Eparchy thanks all the organisers and volunteers who assisted on the night and all the sponsors who contributed to the event. A special thanks to all the attendees who made it a wonderful night for all.