Vol.2 Issue: 2 - Opening of the Cyrene Centre

With great anticipation and excitement, the fruits of much generous hearted labour was rewarded on the evening of 19 April at Shop 5, 49-52 Douglas St., Noble Park. The Dedication, Blessing and Opening of The Cyrene Centre for Family Support was officially opened by Monsignor Christopher Prowse, Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

This Centre has come about as the result of a collaborative effort on the part of the eleven parishes of the Dandenong Deanery and Mary of the Cross Centre. After an extensive search for a suitable site to provide an outreach of the Mary of the Cross Centre services, the original working party secured a lease and fitted out this new centre. Across the road from the Noble Park Station it is a very convenient location for public transport access and there is plenty of car parking available.

Among the invited guests at the Opening were federal and state members of parliament, City of Greater Dandenong Council members and staff, representatives of the faith communities of Greater Dandenong, Victoria Police, Community Health Services, community agencies and adjoining tenants. Parish priests and pastoral associates, members of the Dandenong Deanery, school principals, members of local service clubs and Mary of the Cross Centre staff mingled with traders and local onlookers.

The newly elected Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, Cr Paul Donovan, reaffirmed his support for the success of the facility and its service to all families of the area. Mr Tim Holding, State Member for Springvale, applauded the work of the Dandenong Deanery in taking the initiative of setting up this much needed resource for individuals and their families with substance abuse problems. Mary Cameron, a former staff member of Mary of the Cross Centre and a visionary for the development of the outreach centre cut the ribbon and opened the door.

The event cemented the relationship between the Council, Deanery, Diocese and local Church community through the formalised signing of a Certificate of Agreement. After the Opening, a great fund raising celebration followed at St Anthony's Hall.

Von Philp